Boy · Hebrew · Old Testament

Obadiah

oh-buh-DY-uh · from Ovadyah · means “Servant of the Lord”

Obadiah is a Hebrew name meaning "servant of the Lord." The prophet Obadiah wrote the shortest book in the Old Testament, a single chapter pronouncing judgment on Edom for its cruelty toward Israel and promising that deliverance and the kingdom would ultimately belong to the Lord.

“Deliverers will go up on Mount Zion to govern the mountains of Esau. And the kingdom will be the Lord's.”

The story behind the name

Obadiah's entire book is just one chapter, yet it carries a sharp and focused message against Edom, the nation descended from Esau, for standing aside and even helping enemies attack their kinsman Israel in a time of disaster (Obadiah 1:10-11).

Obadiah declared that Edom's pride, built high in its rocky cliffs, would not save it from judgment, since "the day of the Lord is near for all nations" (Obadiah 1:15). Wrongdoing toward God's people would not go unanswered forever.

The book closes with hope rather than despair: deliverance would come, and "the kingdom will be the Lord's" (Obadiah 1:21). A boy named Obadiah carries a name meaning servant of the Lord, a reminder that ultimate justice and the kingdom itself belong to God.

Middle names that sing with Obadiah

Chosen for rhythm and meanings that speak to each other.

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