Do you know what is the shortest book in the Bible? One of the Twelve Minor Prophets, the second division of the Hebrew Bible, is Obadiah. The Hebrew Bible’s shortest book is composed of just one chapter that is broken into 21 verses. The book is about Israel’s redemption and God’s judgment of Edom.
The core of the Book of Obadiah is a prophetic vision about the downfall of Edom, a mountainous nation whose founding father was Esau. Obadiah recalls a meeting with Yahweh, who criticizes Edom for their arrogance and accuses them of “aggression against your brother Jacob.”
The five shortest books in the Bible are listed here, starting with the very shortest. These measurements are by words in the original languages. These novels each have just one chapter and would take you little more than a few minutes to read:
1. Third John (219 words)
The apostle refers to himself as “the elder” in Third John. He keeps his identity a secret, much as he does in Second John.
He is on the verge of death when Jesus calls him and his brothers from the fishing boat in this book. The younger boys had left their home and father, according to Matthew 4:21–22, to follow Jesus.
John referred to himself as the “disciple whom Jesus loved,” even though James was the first of the disciples to die for his devotion.
2. Second John (245 words)
John once more refers to himself in this book as “elder” rather than by name.
The question of whether John the Elder or the apostle John is the author of this book has generated a lot of discussions. Many people also wonder if John ever identified as an apostle.
According to church tradition, the apostle and not the enigmatic elder wrote John chapters two and three.
John declares his affection for the selected lady and her children at the beginning of the book. He remarks on their love for one another in connection to Jesus’ admonition to love God and your neighbor because he gets satisfaction in watching Christians uphold His teachings.
To put it another way, this book teaches us that while we should love one another, we also need to be selective about the people we choose to love since we cannot love liars and false prophets.
Paul was on his third fruitful journey to the people of Ephesus in Asia when the third shortest book of the Bible was written.
Philemon was one of the numerous individuals Paul tutored. From a neighboring city, Philemon, who owned slaves, was transformed by Paul’s preaching. Philemon is referred to by Paul as his “loving brother.”
Given what he has seen of God, Paul’s message was built on effort, love, and forgiveness. When Jesus pleaded with Philemon to forgive Onesimus and accept the slave as a brother in Christ, his message impacted Philemon particularly hard. Even though Onesimus had committed a serious sin, Philemon was nevertheless obligated to forgive him.
The idea of this book is that while it is difficult to forgive, Christ’s redemption act on the cross demonstrates that we must forgive—even when it seems impossible.
4. Obadiah (440 words)
Although it is the Old Testament’s smallest book, it is still the richest in wisdom. It is unknown if Obadiah is the author of this book, even though he is mentioned at least a dozen times in the Bible.
This book primarily discusses judgment on Edom, making it one of the three books that pronounce judgment on other countries.
The book helps in our understanding of a sad fact regarding our connection with God. It tells us that when we leave God’s presence, our relationship with Him is over. If we miss out on that eternal grace, we will eventually experience eternal torment.
We can’t live in a self-serving way; we must put God’s needs and the needs of others first.
5. Jude (461 words)
The author of this book, Jude, who is identified as the sibling of James, a biblical person who is more widely known, gave the book its name.
Jude didn’t become a follower of Jesus while the Lord was still alive; instead, it was his half-death brother’s resurrection that convinced him to do so.
His 25-verse book serves as a message of caution to the churches of the day about the dangers of listening to false teachers.
What Lessons Can We Learn From The Shortest Books In The Bible?
The shortest books in the Bible, such as Obadiah, Philemon, 2 John, 3 John, and Jude, may be brief in length, but they still offer important lessons for readers. Here are a few examples:
1. Obadiah teaches the importance of humility and warns against pride. The book describes the downfall of Edom, a nation that had become proud and arrogant. The lesson here is that no matter how strong or wealthy we may be, we should always remain humble and recognize our limitations.
2. Philemon teaches about forgiveness and reconciliation. The book tells the story of a slave named Onesimus who had run away from his master, Philemon. Through the influence of Paul, Onesimus becomes a Christian and returns to Philemon, who forgives him and welcomes him back as a brother in Christ. The lesson here is that we should be quick to forgive others and work towards reconciliation, even in difficult situations.
3. John teaches about the importance of truth and love. The book emphasizes the need for Christians to hold fast to the truth of the Gospel and to love one another. The lesson here is that we should never compromise on the truth, but we should also strive to love and show kindness to those around us.
4. John teaches about hospitality and generosity. The book commends Gaius, a Christian who had shown hospitality to traveling missionaries, and condemns Diotrephes, who had refused to welcome them. The lesson here is that we should be generous and hospitable towards others, especially those who are working to spread the Gospel.
5. Jude warns against false teachings and encourages believers to persevere in their faith. The book describes the dangers of false teachers who had infiltrated the church and were leading people astray. The lesson here is that we should be vigilant and discerning when it comes to the teachings we accept, and we should hold fast to our faith, even in difficult times.
Overall, the shortest books in the Bible may be small in size, but they offer valuable lessons that can help guide us in our own lives and relationships with God and others.
How Can We Study The Shortest Book In The Bible?
The shortest book in the Bible is the book of Obadiah, which contains only one chapter with 21 verses. While it is a short book, there are still several ways to study and understand its content.
Here are some tips on how to study the book of Obadiah:
1. Read The Book Of Obadiah Multiple Times: The first step in studying any book of the Bible is to read it carefully and repeatedly. Read the book of Obadiah several times to familiarize yourself with its content and message.
2. Study The Historical Context: Obadiah is a prophecy against the nation of Edom, which was a neighboring country of Israel. It is important to understand the historical context of this prophecy, including the relationship between Israel and Edom, and the events that led up to the prophecy.
3. Examine The Literary Features: Despite its brevity, the book of Obadiah has many literary features that can help us understand its message. For example, the book uses poetic language, including metaphors and similes, to describe Edom’s downfall.
4. Look For Themes: One of the key themes of Obadiah is the justice of God. Obadiah prophesies that God will punish Edom for their mistreatment of Israel. Another theme is the sovereignty of God, as Obadiah emphasizes that God is in control of all nations and their destinies.
5. Cross-reference With Other Scriptures: The Bible is a unified book, and many of its themes and prophecies are interconnected. As you study the book of Obadiah, look for connections to other parts of the Bible, including other prophecies against Edom and the broader themes of justice and sovereignty.
6. Seek Out Commentaries: Finally, it can be helpful to consult commentaries on the book of Obadiah. These resources can provide additional insights into the historical and literary context of the book, as well as help you understand the meaning and implications of the prophecy.
Even though they are short on words, the Bible’s five shortest books make a major contribution. We can learn many life-relevant lessons and find a wealth of useful knowledge in these short books. Thanks for reading our blog “What Is The Shortest Book In The Bible”. We hope you got all the information you needed to know.
Anne Chris is a woman who loves to delve deep into the spiritual realm. She is interested in manifestation and the law of attraction and loves to read and research about angel numbers. Her passion for helping others find their path in life shines through in her work as an intuitive coach more
