Editing Obadiah (section)

== Biblical account ==
{{main|Book of Obadiah}}

===Dating===
The composition date is disputed and difficult to determine due to the lack of information regarding the prophet Obadiah. However, because Obadiah wrote about [[Edom]], there are two generally accepted dates. The first is 853–841 BC, when [[Jerusalem]] was invaded by Philistines and Arabs during the reign of [[Jehoram of Judah]] (recorded in [[2 Kings 8]]:20–22 and [[2 Chronicles 21]]:8-17). This earlier period would place Obadiah as a contemporary of the prophet [[Elijah]]. Jewish traditions favor the earlier date because the Jewish Talmud identifies Obadiah as an Edomite himself, and a descendant of [[Eliphaz the Temanite]],<ref>{{Cite Jewish Encyclopedia|title=Obadiah}}</ref> the first of the friends of [[Job (biblical figure)|Job]] to speak with him about his tribulations.<ref>{{bibleverse|Job|4:1}}</ref>

The other is 607–586 BCE, when [[Jerusalem]] was attacked by [[Nebuchadnezzar II]] of the [[Neo-Babylonian Empire]], which led to the [[Babylonian captivity]]  (recorded in [[Psalm 137]]). The later date would place Obadiah as a contemporary of the prophet Jeremiah. [[Interpreter's Bible series|The Interpreters' Bible]] states that:
{{blockquote|The political situation implied in the prophecy points to a time after the Exile, probably in the mid-fifth century B.C. No value can be attributed to traditions identifying this prophet with King Ahab's steward (... so Babylonian Talmud, Sanhedrin 39''b'') or with King Ahaziah's captain (... so [[Pseudo-Epiphanius]]...).
: — The Interpreters' Bible.<ref>The Interpreter's Bible, 1953, Volume VI, pp. 857–859, John A. Thompson</ref>}}