Obadiah [is] the author of the fourth book of the Minor Prophets according to the arrangement in the Jewish canon, and the shortest book of the Old Testament. Concerning Obadiah nothing is known; it may even be that the name is a mere symbol, chosen on account of its meaning—"servant of Yahwe." The book consists mainly of a prophecy of the destruction of Edom for abetting the destruction of Jerusalem. The Edomites are to be driven out of Mount Seir. . . . A peculiar problem in the case of Obadiah 1-15 is presented by the similarity of verses 1-10 to Jeremiah xlix. 7-22. It appears certain that one of these passages is dependent upon the other or that both are dependent upon a common source. Perhaps the more probable view is that Jeremiah xlix. 7-22, which is widely recognized as a late addition to the book, is dependent upon Obadiah.
—From "The New International Encyclopedia."
