OBADIAH (ante), the fourth of the minor prophets, according to the Hebrew and English arrangement, and the shortest book in the Old Testament. Some have conjectured that the author of it was the steward of Ahab's household; but this opin ion has nothing to support it except the identity of name. There arc several. strikini resemblances between Obadiah and Jeremiah, Joel and others of the minor prophets; but critics have not succeeded in determining to whom priority of date is to be assigned. The better opinion, however, seems to be that Obadiah preceded Jeremiah, or was con temporary with him. His prophecy is a denunciation of Edom, the inhabitants of which are addressed as deceived by their pride and fancied security, from which they would be utterly cast down; and as denounced for their violence against Israel, their refusal to help him, their joy over his calamities, and their profit from his fall. Their doom is to be in the line of their sin; as they had done to others so it should be done to them. In contrast with their sin and destruction, the deliverance and holiness of Zion would be conspicuous; Jacob and Joseph would be as a fiery flame, and Esau would be consumed as stubble. The inhabitants'of the south would possess Idumea, and those of the plain, Philistia; Judah would extend to Samaria, Benjamin to Gilead, and the captives of the ten tribes, to the borders of Sidon; saviors would dwell in Zion, and the kingdom would be the Lord's.
0"BAN, a parliamentary burgh and sea-port, Argyleshire, Scotland, on a bay of the same name, 20 m. (in direct line) n.w. of Inveraray. The bay is protected from every
Wind by the island of Kerrera on the w., and by the high shores of the main-land, and is overlooked on the n. by the picturesque ruins of Dunolly castle. It is from 12 to 24 fathoms deep, and although the girdle of hills that seems to surround it gives it the appearance of a lake, it is easily accessible, and could afford anchorage to 300 sail. Oban is the great rendezvous for tourists in the west Highlands. Its importance dates chiefly from the 'beginning of the present century. The burgh now contains a number of churches, several hotels and inns, schobls, banks, etc. Within 3 m. of Oban is Dun staffnage castle, which is said to have been the seat of the Scottish monarchy previously to its transference to Scone. The stone of destiny, which now supports the coronation chair in Westminster abbey, and was carried thither from Scone by Edward I., was obtained, in the first instance, according to tradition, from Dunstaffnage castle. Pop. of parliamentary burgh—which is one of the Ayr (q.v.) group—was 1,940 in '61; in 2,42-6.
OBE, or OBI (etymology unknown), the name given to the magical arts or witchcraft practiced by a class of persons among the negroes of the West Indies. The practicer is called an obeah-man or obeah-leolltan. It differs in no essential respect from the corre sponding superstitions all the world over. See MAGIC, WITCHCRAFT.