The Setting Of Obadiah: When Does The Oracle Concerning Edom Transpire? -- By: Mark A. Hassler

Journal: Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society
Volume: JETS 59:2 (Jun 2016)
Article: The Setting Of Obadiah: When Does The Oracle Concerning Edom Transpire?
Author: Mark A. Hassler


The Setting Of Obadiah: When Does The Oracle Concerning Edom Transpire?

Mark A. Hassler*

* Mark A. Hassler is adjunct professor of OT at The Master’s Seminary, 13248 Roscoe Boulevard, Sun Valley, CA 91352.

Abstract: The setting of Obadiah persists as the book’s chief interpretive crux. When do the circumstances of Obadiah’s vision regarding Edom unfold? Three leading proposals emerge. The events of Obadiah play out (1) in the ninth century, during the reign of Jehoram; (2) in the sixth century, near the sack of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylonians; or (3) in a distant eschatological era, when Edom, Israel, and the nations meet their fate. Pertinent parallel passages concerning Edom include Jeremiah 49, Joel 3, Amos 9, and Ezekiel 35. This article weighs the interpretive options and argues for the best solution.

Key Words: Obadiah, Edom, Jeremiah 49, Joel 3, Amos 9, Ezekiel 35.

Obadiah records a vision concerning the doom of Edom and the triumph of Israel. The story of Edom originates in the ancestral narratives of Genesis 25 and 27. While pregnant with twins, Rebekah receives a message from Yahweh: “Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples will be separated from your body. And one people will be stronger than the other, and the older will serve the younger” (25:23). The twins, Jacob and Esau, eventually become the patriarchs of two nations, Israel and Edom. Edom plays a role in numerous OT prophecies. The timing of the fulfillment of the Edom prophecies sparks debate, and Obadiah is no exception. The setting of Obadiah remains the primary interpretive issue in the book. When do the events of Obadiah’s prophecy come to fruition? This study evaluates three leading options in order to reach a reasonable conclusion.

I. Ninth-Century Setting

One option for the setting of Obadiah entails Edom’s revolt against Judah in the ninth century (2 Kgs 8:20–22; 2 Chr 21:8–20). During the reign of Jehoram (c. 852–841 BC) the Edomites declared their independence from Judah and crowned for themselves a king. So Jehoram traveled to Zair by night and slew some of his own Edomite kin. For this and ot...

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