(1) The steward or prime minister of Ahab, who did his best to protect the prophets of Yahweh against Jezebel's persecution. He met Elijah on his return from Zarephath, and bore to Ahab the news of Elijah's reappearance (1 Kings 18:3-16 ).
(2) The prophet (Obadiah 1:1 ). See OBADIAH ,
(3) A descendant of David (1 Chronicles 3:21 ).
(4) A chief of the tribe of Issachar (1 Chronicles 7:3 ).
(5) A descendant of Saul (1 Chronicles 8:38; 1 Chronicles 9:44 ).
(6)
(7) A chief of the Gadites (1 Chronicles 12:9 ).
(8)
(9) One of the princes sent by Jehoshaphat to teach the law in Judah (2 Chronicles 17:7 ).
(10)
(11) The head of a family who went up with Ezra from Babylon (Ezra 8:9 ).
(12) One of the men who sealed the covenant with Nehemiah (Nehemiah 10:5 ).
(13) A gate-keeper in the days of Nehemiah (Nehemiah 12:25 ).
The name "Obadiah" was common in Israel from the days of David to the close of the Old Testament. An ancient Hebrew seal bears the inscription "Obadiah the servant of the King."