Ovadiah

Ovadiah is a Hebrew given name, meaning "servant of Yahweh" or "worshipper of God." It is a masculine name found in the Hebrew Bible. The most prominent figure bearing this name is the prophet Ovadiah, the author of the Book of Ovadiah, the shortest book in the Old Testament. His prophecy is primarily a condemnation of Edom for their hostility towards Judah. Little is known about Ovadiah's personal life beyond what can be inferred from his text. Some traditions suggest he was a convert to Judaism from Edom, while others believe he was an Israelite from the tribe of Judah. The date of his prophecy is also debated, with scholars placing it anywhere between the 9th and 6th centuries BCE. Beyond the prophet, the name Ovadiah appears several other times in the Bible, referring to various individuals, including a prince in the reign of King Ahab and a Levite in the time of King Hezekiah. The name has continued to be used in Jewish tradition throughout history and is still given to boys today.