Obadiah is a biblical name that means "servant of Yahweh" in Hebrew, derived from עָבַד (ʿavaḏ) meaning "to serve, to worship" and יָהּ (yah) referring to the Hebrew God. The name is borne by several figures in the Old Testament, most notably the prophet Obadiah, the author of the shortest book in the Bible, the Book of Obadiah. Etymology and Forms The name comes from the Hebrew root ʿavaḏ (to serve) combined with yah, a shortened form of Yahweh, the personal name of God in ancient Israel. Thus, Obadiah literally means "servant of Yahweh" or "worshiper of God." The Biblical Hebrew form is ʿOvadya, while the Modern Hebrew variant is Ovadia. In the Septuagint and other Greek versions, the name appears as Abdiou or Abdias (the latter used in Latin tradition). In Portuguese (Brazilian) it is Abdias, and in Russian it is Avdey. Biblical Character The primary biblical Obadiah is the prophet whose book, the fourth of the twelve minor prophets, is a single chapter consisting of 21 verses. According to the biblical account, Obadiah prophesied against Edom, a neighbor nation descended from Esau, predicting its downfall for its violence against Judah and brother. Most scholars date the composition of the Book of Obadiah to shortly after the fall of Jerusalem in 587 BC, though some place it later, in the fifth or fourth centuries BC. In addition to the prophet, the Old Testament names several other individuals as Obadiah, including a servant of King Ahab who hid one hundred prophets from Jezebel (1 Kings 18:3-4). Cultural and Religious Significance Obadiah remains a name choice among religious families, particularly within Jewish and Christian communities where biblical names are traditional. Its meaning emphasizes servitude to God, reflecting a common theme in Hebrew onomastics (compare ʿavaḏ with other names like Obed). Among related names in other cultures, the Greek Abdiou and the Latin version Abdias are used in various Christian traditions, especially in Brazil and Russia. Meaning: "servant of Yahweh" Origin: Hebrew Type: First name / Biblical name Usage Regions: English Bible, Jewish communities, Christian traditions worldwide