Lexical Summary Obéd: Obed Original Word: Ὠβήδ Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Obed. Of Hebrew origin (Owbed); Obed, an Israelite -- Obed. see HEBREW Owbed NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originvariant reading for Ióbéd, q.v. Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 5601: ἸωβήδἸωβήδ, ὁ, indeclinable, Jobed: Matthew 1:5 and Luke 3:32 in L T Tr (WH; (yet WH in Luke, the passage cited Ιωβηλ)) for R G Ωβηδ, which see. STRONGS NT 5601: Ιωβηλ [Ιωβηλ, see the preceding word.) Ιωδα, ὁ, indeclinable, Joda: Luke 3:26 T Tr WH, for R G L Ιουδα, see Ἰούδας, 2. STRONGS NT 5601: ΩβηδΩβηδ (R G; see Ἰωβήδ), ὁ (Hebrew עובֵד (i. e. 'servant' namely, of Jehovah)), Obed, the grandfather of king David: Matthew 1:5; Luke 3:32 (Ruth 4:17; 1 Chronicles 2:12). Ἰωβήδ (Iōbēd) renders the Hebrew עֹבֵד (ʿŌbēd), usually understood as “servant” or “one who serves.” The name inherently carries the idea of devoted service, a trait consistently honored throughout Scripture. Old Testament Background Obed enters redemptive history in the closing narrative of Ruth. Born to Boaz, the kinsman-redeemer, and Ruth, the Moabite widow, Obed is presented as the answer to Naomi’s emptiness and the evidence of God’s providence in a time “when the judges ruled” (Ruth 1:1). Ruth 4:17 recounts: “And the neighbor women said, ‘A son has been born to Naomi,’ and they named him Obed. He was the father of Jesse, the father of David.” Thus Obed stands at the hinge between the bitter era of the Judges and the dawning hope of Israel’s monarchy. Role in Messianic Genealogies Both inspired genealogies of Jesus Christ include Obed. • Matthew 1:5: “Salmon was the father of Boaz by Rahab, Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth, and Obed the father of Jesse.” Matthew highlights royal succession and covenant promise, tracing the legal line from Abraham to “Jesus who is called Christ” (Matthew 1:16). • Luke 3:32: “the son of Jesse, the son of Obed, the son of Boaz, the son of Salmon, the son of Nahshon.” Luke presents the biological descent all the way to Adam, underscoring the universality of the gospel. Although Matthew and Luke diverge after David (through Solomon and Nathan respectively), both lines converge at Obed. His presence in both records affirms the historic reliability of the Davidic ancestry of Jesus and testifies that God’s promises are rooted in verifiable history. Theological Themes Servant Motif The very name “Obed” foreshadows the ultimate “Servant” (Isaiah 52:13–53:12) who would bring salvation. In Obed we see service born from redemptive love—Boaz’s costly act leading to a son whose name memorializes service, prefiguring Christ who said, “the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve” (Mark 10:45). Covenant Faithfulness and Inclusion of the Nations Obed’s mother is a Gentile, Ruth of Moab. His inclusion in the Messianic line proclaims that God’s covenant mercy reaches beyond ethnic Israel, anticipating the grafting in of the Gentiles (Romans 11:17). The genealogy that climaxes in Jesus Christ begins, quite intentionally, with faithful outsiders such as Ruth. Transition from Chaos to Kingship Obed bridges the spiritual drift of the Judges with the rise of King David. His birth marks God’s steadfast guidance during Israel’s darkest hours, reminding readers that divine purposes advance even when human eyes perceive only disorder. Pastoral and Ministry Applications 1. Encouragement in Ordinary Faithfulness Obed never speaks in Scripture, yet his life silently advances God’s plan. Believers may find assurance that faithfulness in obscure places is significant in the Lord’s economy. 2. Hope for the Marginalized Ruth—a foreign widow—receives a place of honor through Obed’s birth. Churches are thus called to welcome the outsider, trusting that God often builds His kingdom through unexpected people. 3. Model of Redemptive Legacy Parents and mentors can look to Boaz, Ruth, and Obed as evidence that godly choices ripple through generations. Investing in the next generation nurtures future servants who may exceed present influence. 4. Assurance of Prophetic Fulfillment Seeing Obed firmly set between promise and fulfillment reassures believers that remaining prophecies concerning Christ’s return will come to pass with equal certainty. Conclusion Obed’s brief but strategic appearance in Scripture declares that God weaves humble service, covenant faithfulness, and global inclusion into one redemptive tapestry culminating in Jesus Christ. Though mentioned only three times in the Greek New Testament, his legacy resonates through every promise made sure in the Savior whom he ancestrally served. Englishman's Concordance Matthew 1:5 NGRK: ἐγέννησεν τὸν Ἰωβὴδ ἐκ τῆς KJV: Booz begat Obed of Ruth; INT: was father of Obed of Matthew 1:5 N Luke 3:32 N |
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