We know very little about Obadiah. As a matter of fact, Obadiah may not
have even been his name. Obadiah means, “worshiper of Yahweh.” Whether
Obadiah is his real name or not, what we do know is he was a prophet living
in the 6th century who witnessed the destruction of Jerusalem by Babylon.
The southern kingdom Judah was destroyed by the Babylonians in 586 BCE, and
all the Judeans were sent into exile. Where did all these people go? Edom.
Obadiah’s prophecies speak directly to Edom while the Judeans are in
exile.