Lexical Summary Obal: Obal Original Word: עוֹבָל Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Obal Of foreign derivation; Obal, a son of Joktan -- Obal. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom an unused word Definition a son of Joktan, also his desc. NASB Translation Obal (1). Topical Lexicon Biblical Occurrence Obal is named once in the Old Testament, within the Table of Nations: “Obal, Abimael, Sheba” (Genesis 10:28). The verse lists him as one of the thirteen sons of Joktan, a fifth-generation descendant of Shem. Genealogical Context 1. Line of Shem: Noah → Shem → Arphaxad → Shelah → Eber → Joktan → Obal. Historical and Geographical Considerations Early Jewish and Christian writers associate Joktan’s sons with the southern Arabian Peninsula. Linguistic links between several of the brothers (Sheba, Havilah, Ophir) and well-attested Arabian locations strengthen this view. Obal likely represents a clan or region in that broader milieu. Archaeological surveys in Yemen and southwestern Arabia have identified toponyms such as “Ubal” or “Awbal,” suggesting a highland district along ancient incense-trade routes. If so, Obal’s descendants participated in the mercantile networks that later connected the Near East with Africa and India. Theological Implications 1. Universality of the Covenant Plan. The presence of Obal in Genesis 10 highlights that God’s concern stretches beyond the singular covenant line. Every name is recorded under divine inspiration, affirming the dignity of each nation in God’s redemptive timetable (Acts 17:26). Relevance for Ministry Today • Genealogies affirm that no culture is outside God’s saving reach. Modern mission efforts among Arabian peoples can draw encouragement from Obal’s early appearance in Scripture, acknowledging God’s ancient interest in that region. Connections to the Broader Canon Obal fades from the narrative after Genesis 10, yet the New Testament’s vision of every tribe and tongue praising God (Revelation 5:9) implies that descendants of Joktan, including the line of Obal, are ultimately gathered into Christ’s kingdom. The precision with which the inspired text preserves even the least-known names strengthens confidence in the entirety of Scripture and motivates believers to proclaim the gospel “to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8). Forms and Transliterations עוֹבָ֥ל עובל ‘ō·w·ḇāl ‘ōwḇāl oValLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Genesis 10:28 HEB: וְאֶת־ עוֹבָ֥ל וְאֶת־ אֲבִֽימָאֵ֖ל NAS: and Obal and Abimael and Sheba KJV: And Obal, and Abimael, and Sheba, INT: and Obal and Abimael and Sheba 1 Occurrence |