Name Meaning: The name "Obed-edom" is traditionally understood to mean "servant of Edom" or "worshiper of Edom." The name reflects a common practice in ancient Israel of combining a personal name with a reference to a deity or place.

Biblical References: Obed-edom is mentioned primarily in the context of the Ark of the Covenant's journey to Jerusalem during the reign of King David. His account is found in 2 Samuel 6:10-12 and 1 Chronicles 13:13-14, 15:18, 15:21, 15:24, 16:5, 16:38, 26:4-8.

Historical Context: Obed-edom was a Gittite, which indicates he was from the Philistine city of Gath. Despite this, he is portrayed as a faithful servant of the God of Israel. His inclusion in the narrative highlights the broader theme of God's blessing extending beyond ethnic Israel to those who honor Him.

Role in the Ark Narrative: After the death of Uzzah, who was struck down by God for touching the Ark, David was afraid to bring the Ark into the City of David. Instead, he placed it in the house of Obed-edom the Gittite. The Ark remained there for three months, during which time the LORD blessed Obed-edom and all his household. This blessing was so significant that it was reported to King David, prompting him to bring the Ark to Jerusalem with great rejoicing (2 Samuel 6:10-12).

Service in the Temple: Obed-edom's association with the Ark did not end with its departure from his house. He and his family were later appointed as gatekeepers and musicians in the service of the tabernacle and, subsequently, the temple. 1 Chronicles 15:18, 21, and 24 list Obed-edom as a gatekeeper and musician, indicating his continued dedication to the worship of God. His family is noted for their strength and ability, with 62 descendants serving in the temple (1 Chronicles 26:4-8).

Significance: Obed-edom's account is a testament to the blessings that come from honoring and serving God. His willingness to house the Ark, despite the potential danger, demonstrates his faith and reverence. The blessings he received underscore the biblical principle that God rewards those who earnestly seek Him. Furthermore, his role in the temple service highlights the inclusivity of God's covenant, extending grace and service opportunities to those outside the traditional boundaries of Israel.

Theological Implications: Obed-edom's narrative illustrates the transformative power of God's presence. The Ark, representing God's presence, brought blessing and prosperity to his household. This serves as a reminder of the importance of God's presence in the life of believers and the blessings that flow from a life dedicated to His service. Obed-edom's account also foreshadows the New Testament teaching that God's grace and blessings are available to all who believe, regardless of their background or origin.Obed-Edom

servant of Edom

Obed-Edom

A Levite, whose special prosperity while keeper of the ark after the dreadful death of Uzziah encouraged David to carry it up to Jerusalem. Obed-edom and his sons were made doorkeepers of the tabernacle at Jerusalem, 2 Samuel 6:10-12; 1 Chronicles 15:18-24; 16:38; 26:4- 8,15.

Servant of Edom.

(1.) "The Gittite" (probably so called because he was a native of Gath-rimmon), a Levite of the family of the Korhites (1 Chronicles 26:1, 4-8), to whom was specially intrusted the custody of the ark (1 Chronicles 15:18). When David was bringing up the ark "from the house of Abinadab, that was in Gibeah" (probably some hill or eminence near Kirjath-jearim), and had reached Nachon's threshing-floor, he became afraid because of the "breach upon Uzzah," and carried it aside into the house of Obededom (2 Samuel 6:1-12). There it remained for six months, and was to him and his house the occasion of great blessing. David then removed it with great rejoicing to Jerusalem, and set it in the midst of the tabernacle he had pitched for it.

(2.) A Merarite Levite, a temple porter, who with his eight sons guarded the southern gate (1 Chronicles 15:18, 21; 26:4, 8, 15).

(3.) One who had charge of the temple treasures (2 Chronicles 25:24).

OBED-EDOM

o'-bed-e'-dom (`obhedh 'edhowm (2 Chronicles 25:24), `obhedd 'edhom (2 Samuel 6:10 1 Chronicles 13:13, 14; 1 Chronicles 15:25), but elsewhere without hyphen, "servant of (god) Edom"; so W. R. Smith, Religion of Semites (2), 42, and H. P. Smith, Samuel, 294, though others explain it as = "servant of man"): In 2 Samuel 6:10, 11, 12 1 Chronicles 13:13, 14 a Philistine of Gath and servant of David, who received the Ark of Yahweh into his house when David brought it into Jerusalem from Kiriath-jearim. Because of the sudden death of Uzzah, David was unwilling to proceed with the Ark to his citadel, and it remained three months in the house of Obed-edom, "and Yahweh blessed Obed-edom, and all his house" (2 Samuel 6:11). According to 1 Chronicles 13:14 the Ark had a special "house" of its own while there. He is probably the same as the Levite of 1 Chronicles 15:25. In 1 Chronicles 15:16-21 Obed-edom is a "singer," and in 1 Chronicles 15:24 a "doorkeeper," while according to 1 Chronicles 26:4-8, 15 he is a Korahite doorkeeper, to whose house fell the overseership of the storehouse (26:15), while 1 Chronicles 16:5, 38 names him as a "minister before the ark," a member of the house or perhaps guild of Jeduthun (see 2 Chronicles 25:24).

Obed-edom is an illustration of the service rendered to Hebrew religion by foreigners, reminding one of the Simon of Cyrene who bore the cross of Jesus (Matthew 27:32, etc.). The Chronicler naturally desired to think that only Levites could discharge such duties as Obed-edom performed, and hence, the references to him as a Levite.

David Francis Roberts.

5654. Obed Edom -- "servant of Edom," an Israelite name
Obed Edom. 5653, 5654. Obed Edom. 5655 . "servant of Edom," an Israelite
name. Transliteration: Obed Edom Phonetic Spelling: (o ...
/hebrew/5654.htm - 6k

3485. Yissaskar -- perhaps "there is recompense," a son of Jacob ...
... perhaps "there is recompense," a son of Jacob and Leah, also a son of Obed-edom.
Transliteration: Yissaskar Phonetic Spelling: (yis-saw-kawr') Short Definition ...
/hebrew/3485.htm - 6k

The Ark of the House of Obed-Edom
... THE SECOND BOOK OF SAMUEL THE ARK OF THE HOUSE OF OBED-EDOM. 'The ark of
the Lord continued in the house of Obed-edom the Gittite ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/the ark of the house.htm

Jerusalem Made the Capital City
... of Jehovah come to me?" So David was not willing to remove the ark of Jehovah to
the City of David, but carried it aside to the house of Obed-edom, the Gittite ...
/.../sherman/the childrens bible/jerusalem made the capital city.htm

Death and Life from the Ark
... Obed- edom is called a 'Gittite,' or man of Gath; but he does not appear to ... There
is an Obededom in the lists of David's Levites in Chronicles who is probably ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/death and life from the.htm

That when David had Conquered the Philistines who Made War against ...
... he did not receive it to himself into the city, but he took it aside unto a certain
place belonging to a righteous man, whose name was Obededom, who was by his ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 4 that when david.htm

Expositions of Holy Scripture
... ONE FOLD AND ONE SHEPHERD. DEATH AND LIFE FROM THE ARK. THE ARK OF THE HOUSE OF
OBED-EDOM. THE PROMISED KING AND TEMPLE-BUILDER. DAVID'S GRATITUDE. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/

The King --Continued.
... and David was afraid of the Lord that day, and said, How shall the ark of God come
unto me?" The dangerous honour fell on the house of Obed-edom; and only ...
//christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/the life of david/xi the kingcontinued.htm

Oration Concerning Simeon and Anna
... not run to Him? Let no Jew contradict the truth, looking at the type which
went before the house of Obededom. [2991] The Lord has ...
/.../the writings of methodius fragments/oration concerning simeon and anna.htm

Every Inch a King.
... the Ark of God. David feared to bring it further, and so he placed it in
the house of Obededom which was near by. It was there three ...
/.../lathbury/childs story of the bible/chapter xxiii every inch a.htm

The Angel's Touch
... Just as the ark maimed Dagon and decimated the Philistine cities and slew Uzzah,
but brought blessing and prosperity to the house of Obed-edom, just as the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture the acts/the angels touch.htm

Contents
... A REIGN (2 Samuel 2:1-11) ONE FOLD AND ONE SHEPHERD (2 Samuel 5:1-12) DEATH AND
LIFE FROM THE ARK (2 Samuel 6:1-12) THE ARK IN THE HOUSE OF OBED-EDOM (2 Samuel ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/contents 2.htm

Obededom (15 Occurrences)
... had reached Nachon's threshing-floor, he became afraid because of the "breach upon
Uzzah," and carried it aside into the house of Obededom (2 Samuel 6 ...OBED-EDOM. ...
/o/obededom.htm - 14k

Obed-edom (16 Occurrences)
Obed-edom. Obededom, Obed-edom. O'bed-e'dom . Easton's Bible Dictionary Servant
of Edom. ... Obededom, Obed-edom. O'bed-e'dom . Reference Bible.
/o/obed-edom.htm - 15k

O'bed-e'dom (14 Occurrences)
O'bed-e'dom. Obed-edom, O'bed-e'dom. O'bed-e'dom's . Multi-Version Concordance ...
(See RSV). Obed-edom, O'bed-e'dom. O'bed-e'dom's . Reference Bible.
/o/o'bed-e'dom.htm - 10k

Obed (13 Occurrences)
... (3) One of David's mighty men (1 Chronicles 11:47). (4) A Korahite doorkeeper, son
of Shemaiah, and grandson of Obed-edom (1 Chronicles 26:7). (5) Father of ...
/o/obed.htm - 12k

Gittite (10 Occurrences)
... A native of the Philistine city of Gath (Joshua 13:3). Obed-edom, in whose
house the ark was placed, is so designated (2 Samuel 6:10). ...
/g/gittite.htm - 10k

Nethanel (14 Occurrences)
... up from the house of Obededom (1 Chronicles 15:24). (4) A Levite scribe, the father
of Shemaiah (1 Chronicles 24:6). (5) The 5th son of Obed-edom (1 Chronicles ...
/n/nethanel.htm - 12k

Jeiel (13 Occurrences)
... the King James Version is "Jehiel"; Kethibh is "Jeuel." (4) A Levite, keeper of
the ark with Obed-edom (1 Chronicles 15:18, 21; 1 Chronicles 16:5 2 Chronicles ...
/j/jeiel.htm - 13k

Gatekeepers (38 Occurrences)
... Ben, and Jaaziel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehiel, and Unni, Eliab, and Benaiah, and
Maaseiah, and Mattithiah, and Elipheleh, and Mikneiah; and Obed-Edom and Jeiel ...
/g/gatekeepers.htm - 19k

Doorkeepers (37 Occurrences)
... and Jaaziel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehiel, and Unni, Eliab, and Benaiah, and Maaseiah,
and Mattithiah, and Eliphelehu, and Mikneiah, and Obed-Edom, and Jeiel ...
/d/doorkeepers.htm - 18k

Zechari'ah (51 Occurrences)
... and Jaaziel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehiel, and Unni, Eliab, and Benaiah, and Maaseiah,
and Mattithiah, and Eliphalehu, and Mikneiah, and Obed-edom, and Jeiel ...
/z/zechari'ah.htm - 20k

Who was Obed-Edom in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Who was Obed in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Questions about People in the Bible (All) | GotQuestions.org

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