עֶבֶד
Ebed, the name of two Israelites
Definition
Ebed is a proper noun used as the name of at least two distinct individuals in the Old Testament. The primary figure is Ebed, the father of Gaal, who incited rebellion against Abimelech in Judges 9:26-35. This Ebed is central to a narrative of political intrigue and conflict in Shechem. The second is Ebed, the son of Jonathan, listed among those who returned from exile with Ezra in Ezra 8:6. The name itself means 'servant' or 'slave,' derived from the common noun עֶבֶד (ʿeved, H5650).
Biblical Usage
The name Ebed appears exclusively in two biblical books. In Judges 9, it is used six times (Judges 9:26, 9:28, 9:30, 9:31, 9:35) to identify the father of Gaal, a key antagonist in the story of Abimelech's kingship. In Ezra 8:6, it identifies a different individual, a returning exile from the family of Adin. The usage is strictly as a personal name without symbolic or metaphorical application in these texts.
Etymology
Ebed is directly derived from the common Hebrew noun עֶבֶד (ʿeved, H5650), meaning 'servant,' 'slave,' or 'worshipper.' As a proper name, it follows a common Hebrew practice of using nouns describing relationship or status (e.g., servant of God/god) as personal names. It shares this root with significant terms like עֲבָדִים (avadim, 'slaves') and the concept of service/worship (עֲבוֹדָה, avodah).
Semantic Range
While the individuals named Ebed play relatively minor narrative roles, the name's meaning—'servant'—connects to a major biblical theme. The concept of being a 'servant' (ʿeved) is foundational for understanding humanity's relationship to God (e.g., the 'servants of the LORD') and is famously applied to key figures like Moses (Deuteronomy 34:5) and the prophesied Messiah in Isaiah's 'Servant Songs' (Isaiah 42:1, 52:13). The name serves as a subtle reminder of this ideal identity.
Using 'Ebed' (Servant) as a personal name was common in the ancient Near East, often appearing in theophoric names like Obadiah ('Servant of Yahweh'). It likely expressed humility, devotion, or the parents' hope for the child's character. In the context of Judges 9, Ebed's son Gaal leverages his father's name, possibly indicating a family of some local standing in Shechem, to challenge Abimelech's rule.
עֶבֶד (ʿeved, H5650) — The common noun meaning 'servant' or 'slave,' from which the proper name is derived. שָׂכִיר (sakhir, H7916) — A hired servant or hired worker, distinguished by a temporary, contractual relationship. מְשָׁרֵת (meshareth, H8334) — A minister or attendant, often in a cultic or royal service context. עָבַד (avad, H5647) — The verbal root meaning 'to work,' 'to serve,' or 'to worship.'
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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