Dating Obadiah
January 29, 2009
Obadiah is an undated prophet – there are no kings noted in its superscription. The modern consensus is that the book is exilic/post-exilic and that it castigates Edom for their participation in the sack of Jerusalem in 587 (Barton, 120-123). How does this view answer the following: a) there was deliverance in Zion (v. 17); b) the Judahites were to possess the surrounding territories (v. 19). When was there deliverance in Zion after 587 or when were Judahites to possess the surrounding lands after 587? If Obadiah’s words were relevant to his audience – what was the expected imminent fulfilment? Do scholars need to return to older commentary views on the date of Obadiah and give weight to its position among the 8c. prophets?
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