Obadiah (Person)

Governor of Ahab’s house (1 Kings 18:3–16). Obadiah was an important official who managed King Ahab’s household. Elijah met him after a long drought and asked him to bring Ahab to him. Both Ahab and Obadiah were looking for water and grass (verse 5). Even though Obadiah worked for Ahab, he remained loyal to the Lord. He hid 100 prophets in caves and provided them with food and water.

A descendant of King David (1 Chronicles 3:21).

A descendant of Izrahiah from Issachar’s tribe (1 Chronicles 7:3).

Azel’s son and a descendant of King Saul from Benjamin’s tribe (1 Chronicles 8:38; 9:44).

Son of Shemaiah, who was among the first Levites returning from exile to Jerusalem. He lived in one of the villages of the Netophathites (1 Chronicles 9:16). He is called Abda in Nehemiah 11:17. See Abda #2.

A Gadite who joined David at his stronghold in the wilderness. He was a strong warrior, skilled with both shield and spear. He was also very fast (1 Chronicles 12:8–9).

The father of Ishmaiah, commander over the army of Zebulun (1 Chronicles 27:19).

Prince of Judah during King Jehoshaphat’s reign (2 Chronicles 17:7). He joined four other officers and the Levites in teaching the law throughout the cities of Judah.

A Levite overseer during King Josiah’s reign (2 Chronicles 34:12). He was in charge of the repair of the temple.

Son of Jehiel (Ezra 8:9). He joined Ezra in his journey from Babylon to Jerusalem, leading 218 men with him.

A priest who signed Ezra’s covenant (Nehemiah 10:5).

A gatekeeper and Levite who oversaw the storehouses by the gates during the time of Joiakim, son of Jeshua (Nehemiah 12:25–26).

A prophet who prophesied (gave a message from God) against Edom. The Edomites had celebrated when Babylon defeated Jerusalem in 597 BC. Obadiah described the behavior of the Edomites in his prophecy (Obadiah 1:11–14). Obadiah's prophecy is the shortest book in the Old Testament. It predicted God’s judgment on Edom (verses 2–10, 15).

See also Obadiah, Book of; Prophet, Prophetess.