Which Old Testament book contains exactly 21 verses?

The Old Testament book of Obadiah contains exactly 21 verses in its traditional chapter numbering.

Obadiah is the shortest book in the Hebrew Bible by the number of verses. It consists of a single chapter focused mainly on judgment against Edom, a neighboring kingdom traditionally associated with the descendants of Esau. The book condemns Edom for violence and hostility toward Judah, especially during Jerusalem’s downfall.

The text ends with a message about restoration and the rule of the Lord. Although Obadiah is brief, it belongs to the collection known as the Twelve Minor Prophets, where “minor” refers to the shorter length of their books rather than lesser importance.

Verse numbering can vary slightly among translations and traditions, but standard English Bible editions number Obadiah from verse 1 through verse 21. Its one-chapter format makes it easy to distinguish from longer prophetic books.