OBADIAH
(Ovadyah)
Verse one identifies the author as the Prophet Obadiah and is the shortest book in the Tanakh with only 21 verses. The name Obadiah in Hebrew means Servant of Yah. From the historical references in the book, we can locate Obadiah’s ministry in Judah during the reign of Jehoram (848-841 B.C.), son of Jehoshaphat. The Book of Obadiah pronounces judgment on Edom for all of their treacheries. Malachi 1:2-5 clearly indicates the same. Obadiah is a prophet called by Elohim to condemn Edom for sins against both Elohim and Israel. The Edomites are descendants of Esau and the Israelites are descendants of his twin brother, Jacob. A quarrel between the brothers has affected their descendants for over 1,000 years up to the time of the writing of this prophecy and still continues to this day. Edom (Esau) is indicted because of his violence against his brother Jacob. Both 2 Kings and 2 Chronicles inform of the war and rebellion of Edom in the days of Jehoram when Edom, after a fierce struggle, threw off the yoke of Judah (2 Kings 8:20-22 and 2 Chron 21:8-10) as prophesied by Isaac to Esau (Gen 27:38-40). After the revolt of Edom, according to 2 Chron 21:16, the Philistines and Arabians attacked Judah and carried off all the goods found in the king’s palace, together with his sons and wives. Instead of helping Judah, Edom joined in and helped loot Jerusalem. This best fits the statements in Obadiah, verses 11-14. When the Philistines, Arabians, and Edomites entered Jerusalem, they cast lots to decide which portions of the city would be granted to each contingent for the purpose of plunder. The Edomites went through periods of submission and freedom. But when the Babylonian’s fought against and defeated the nation of Israel, the Edomites were able to rejoice over the victory for they had allied themselves with the Babylonians and could celebrate the victory. Thus Edom finally broke the yoke from their neck. The capital of the Edomites was Petra and it was a magnificent city but today it is nothing but ruins.
Aleph/Tav את Used in OBADIAH: et אֶת 0 times, אֶת־ et- 6 times, אֵת eet 2 times, אֶת־ Et- 0 times, אֵת Eet 0 times, אָתְּ aat 0 time, אַתְּ at 0 times, אַתְּ־ at- 0 times, = Total 8
Vav/Aleph/Tav ואת Wa‘at וְאַתְּ 0 times, Wa‘eet וְאֵת 1 time, Wa‘et- וְאֶת־ 0 times = 1 Grand Total 9
Aleph/Tav ALERT: The Book of Obadiah is only 1 short chapter and has a total of 9 Aleph/Tav את Symbols. The prophecy starts out as a strong rebuke from Elohim (Yah-head) against the future descendents of Esau who sinned against the Children of Judah where the first Aleph/Tav את Symbol makes mention of a very old sin they committed against the Israelites in 1:14 neither should you have stood in the crossway, to cut off את those of his that did escape; neither should you have delivered up those of his that did remain in the day of distress…implying any sin against the covenant children of Israel is a sin against the Yah-head who in Zech 2:8 For thus says יהוה of hosts…for he who touches you touches the apple of His eye. The last 3 verse says it all concerning Edom’s future in 19 And will possess they of the south את Mount of Esau; and they of the plain את the Philistines: and they will possess את the fields of Ephraim ואת the fields of Samaria: and Benjamin will possess את Gilead. 20 And the captivity of this host of the Children of Israel will possess that of the Canaanites, even to Zarephath; and the captivity of Jerusalem, which is in Sepharad, will possess את cities of the south. 21 And saviors will come up on Mount Zion to judge את the Mount of Esau; and the kingdom will be to ליהוה…implying Elohim will give them victory over Edom.