Name and Identity:
Abdias is the Latin form of the name Obadiah, which means "servant of Yahweh" or "worshiper of Yahweh." The name is common in the Old Testament and is associated with several individuals. The most notable Abdias is the prophet Obadiah, who authored the shortest book in the Old Testament, the Book of Obadiah.

The Book of Obadiah:
The Book of Obadiah is a prophetic text consisting of a single chapter with 21 verses. It is part of the collection of the Minor Prophets in the Old Testament. The book primarily addresses the judgment of Edom, a nation descended from Esau, the brother of Jacob. The prophecy is a response to Edom's actions against Israel, particularly during times of distress.

Historical Context:
The exact date of the book's composition is debated among scholars, with suggestions ranging from the 9th to the 6th century BC. The context of the prophecy suggests a time when Edom took advantage of Judah's vulnerability, possibly during the Babylonian invasion of Jerusalem in 586 BC. The Edomites are condemned for their violence against their "brother" Jacob, reflecting the longstanding enmity between the descendants of Esau and Jacob.

Key Themes and Messages:
1. Judgment Against Edom: The central theme of Obadiah is the divine judgment against Edom for its pride and betrayal. The prophet declares that Edom will be brought low despite its seemingly secure position: "Though you soar like the eagle and make your nest among the stars, even from there I will bring you down," declares the LORD (Obadiah 1:4).

2. Retribution and Justice: Obadiah emphasizes the principle of retributive justice, where Edom's actions will be repaid in kind. "As you have done, it will be done to you; your recompense will return upon your own head" (Obadiah 1:15).

3. The Day of the LORD: The prophecy speaks of the "day of the LORD," a time of divine intervention and judgment not only for Edom but for all nations. This theme underscores the universal scope of God's justice.

4. Restoration of Israel: Despite the focus on Edom's downfall, the book concludes with a message of hope for Israel. The house of Jacob will possess its inheritance, and the kingdom will belong to the LORD (Obadiah 1:17, 21).

Other Individuals Named Obadiah:
Apart from the prophet, several other individuals named Obadiah appear in the Old Testament:

1. Obadiah, Ahab's Servant: A devout believer in Yahweh, he served in the court of King Ahab and protected a hundred prophets from Queen Jezebel by hiding them in caves (1 Kings 18:3-4).

2. Obadiah, Descendant of David: A descendant of King David, mentioned in the genealogies of 1 Chronicles 3:21.

3. Obadiah, Leader in the Return from Exile: One of the leaders who returned with Ezra from Babylonian exile (Ezra 8:9).

Significance in Biblical Literature:
The Book of Obadiah holds a unique place in biblical literature due to its brevity and focused message. It serves as a powerful reminder of God's sovereignty, justice, and the ultimate triumph of His purposes. The prophecy against Edom is a testament to the consequences of pride and betrayal, while the promise of restoration for Israel points to the hope of redemption and the establishment of God's kingdom.ABDIAS

ab-di'-as (2 Esdras 1:39 = Obadiah): One of the Minor Prophets. Mentioned with Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and the Minor Prophets who shall be given as leaders to the "nation from the east" which is to overthrow Israel (compare OBADIAH).

The Apocryphal Acts of the Apostles.
... exist also in a Latin form in the ten books of the Acts of the Apostles, compiled
probably in the sixth century, and falsely attributed to Abdias, the first ...
/.../unknown/apocrypha of the new testament/part ii the apocryphal acts of.htm

Consummation of Thomas the Apostle.
... in which this occurs is not that one which has been so frequently cited in the
preceding Apocryphal Acts.--R.]. [2395] Pseudo-Abdias, in his Histories of the ...
/.../consummation of thomas the apostle/consummation of thomas the apostle.htm

Chapter i.
... Isaias yrmyh ,yrmyhv Ieremia Ieremias Ieremias ychzq'l Iezekiel Iezekiel Ezechiel
hvs Hosee Osee yv'l Ioel Ioel mvs Amos Amos vdyh Obdeiou, Abd[e]iou Abdias. ...
/.../an introduction to the old testament in greek additional notes/chapter i 2.htm

Martyrdom of the Holy and Glorious Apostle Bartholomew.
... Footnotes: [2409] The history of Abdias gives the name as Berith, after Judges
9:46. [2410] Lit., white flesh. [2411] Pseudo-Abdias says: a hundred times. ...
/.../martyrdom of the holy and.htm

Whether it was Fitting that Christ Should Work Miracles in the ...
... said that "'there was darkness over the whole earth,' which expression refers to
the land of Judea, as may be gathered from 3 Kings 18:10, where Abdias says to ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether it was fitting that 9.htm

Confessio Belgica.
... Puis les autres douze petits Proph??tes: Os??e, Jo?�l, Amos, Abdias, Jonas,
Mich??e, Nahum, Habacuc, Sophonie, Agg??e, Zacharie, Malachie. ...
/.../schaff/the creeds of the evangelical protestant churches/confessio belgica.htm

Pontitianus' Account of Antony, the Founder of Monachism, and of ...
... were called Principes or Magistriani. St. Hierome upon Abdias, c. 1, calls
them messengers. They succeeded the Frumentarii, between ...
/.../the confessions and letters of st/chapter vi pontitianus account of antony.htm

The Jewish Institutions and Laws of Far Higher Antiquity than the ...
... five years. [2048] In his reign prophesied Elias the Thesbite, and Mich??as
the son of Jebla, and Abdias the son of Ananias. And in ...
/.../the stromata or miscellanies/chapter xxi the jewish institutions and.htm

Confessio Fidei Gallicana.
... Item, le livre d'Esa??e, J??r??mie, Lamentations de J??r??mie, Ez??chiel, Daniel, Os??e,
Jo?�l, Amos, Abdias, Jonas, Mich??e, Nahum, Abakuk, Sophonie, Agg??e ...
/.../the creeds of the evangelical protestant churches/confessio fidei gallicana.htm

Acts and Martyrdom of the Holy Apostle Andrew.
... [2233] One ms. calls her the proconsul's wife. [So Pseudo-Abdias; but the Greek
mss., collated by Tischendorf, do not give this reading.--R.]. ...
/.../acts and martyrdom of the holy apostle andrew/acts and martyrdom of the.htm

Abdias
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia ABDIAS. ab-di'-as (2 Esdras 1:39 = Obadiah):
One of the Minor Prophets. Mentioned with Abraham, Isaac ...
/a/abdias.htm - 6k

Abdi (3 Occurrences)

/a/abdi.htm - 8k

Abdiel (1 Occurrence)

/a/abdiel.htm - 7k

Apocryphal
... so, but the material of the Acts was freely used in the fabrication of lives of
other apostles, as we find in the collection of the so-called Abdias in the 6th ...
/a/apocryphal.htm - 101k

General (9 Occurrences)
... so, but the material of the Acts was freely used in the fabrication of lives of
other apostles, as we find in the collection of the so-called Abdias in the 6th ...
/g/general.htm - 49k

Acts (271 Occurrences)
... so, but the material of the Acts was freely used in the fabrication of lives of
other apostles, as we find in the collection of the so-called Abdias in the 6th ...
/a/acts.htm - 101k

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