Introduction to Obadiah

IV.House of Jacob Will Possess Edom’s Territory (vv. 19-21)

Edomites are descendants of Esau and seen as “brothers of Israel.” 1900

The Edomites refused the Israelites’ passage through their land as Israel journeyed from Egypt to Canaan. 1406

Egyptian texts from about 1300-1100 refer to Shasu, apparently semi-nomadic tribes, from Seir and Edom.

Saul delivers Israel from the hands of neighbors on almost all sides, including Edom. 1020

David resisted Edom’s encroachment on Israel by striking down 18,000 Edomites in the region of the Dead Sea. To further secure Israel’s southeastern flank, David builds garrisons throughout Edom, which are then subject to David. 982

Hadad, a member of Edom’s royal family, flees to Egypt during the time David subjected Edom. When Solomon was king, God brought Hadad back as an enemy of Solomon, a disciplinary measure for Solomon’s turning away from God. 940

During Jehoram’s reign as king of the southern kingdom, Edom begins to rebel against domination by Judah and becomes an independent state with its own king. 848-841

Some interpreters place Obadiah’s prophecy in the ninth century when Edom rebelled against Judah. 848-841

Edom puts aside its hostilities toward Judah during the reign of Zedekiah. 594

Edom becomes Judah’s ally in resisting the Babylonians. 594

Edom soon commits an act of hostility against Judah that brings impassioned denunciation of Edom from Jeremiah, a psalmist (Ps 137), and Ezekiel. 586

The more likely setting of Obadiah’s prophecy is in this era surrounding the Babylonian devastation of Jerusalem and the temple. 586