עֹבֵד אֱדוֹם
Obed-Edom, the name of five Israelites
Definition
Obed-Edom is a proper name meaning 'servant of Edom' or 'worker of Edom,' referring to five distinct individuals in the Old Testament. The most prominent is the Gittite (likely from Gath-rimmon) in whose house the Ark of the Covenant was kept for three months after Uzzah's death, during which time his household was greatly blessed by God (2 Samuel 6:10-12, 1 Chronicles 13:13-14). Other individuals include a Levite gatekeeper and musician for the Ark during David's reign (1 Chronicles 15:18, 15:21, 15:24), a treasurer under King Amaziah (2 Chronicles 25:24), and a gatekeeper in the time of Nehemiah (Nehemiah 12:25).
Biblical Usage
The name Obed-Edom appears 15 times, primarily in historical narratives about the Ark of the Covenant in 2 Samuel 6 and 1 Chronicles 13-16. It is used to identify specific individuals, often in contexts of divine blessing, Levitical service, or temple duties. Key passages highlight the blessing on Obed-Edom's household for hosting the Ark (2 Samuel 6:11-12) and his role as a musician and gatekeeper during its procession to Jerusalem (1 Chronicles 15:18-24). Later references appear in Chronicles and Nehemiah for other individuals with the same name.
Etymology
Derived from the active participle of the verb עָבַד (ʿāvaḏ, H5647), meaning 'to serve' or 'to work,' and אֱדֹם (ʾEḏōm, H123), the name for Edom or the region/people descended from Esau. Thus, the name literally means 'servant of Edom' or 'worker of Edom,' possibly indicating ancestral or geographical connections to the region of Edom.
Semantic Range
The story of Obed-Edom the Gittite highlights God's blessing on those who honor His presence, as seen when the Ark brought prosperity to his household (2 Samuel 6:11-12). It underscores God's grace extending even to a foreigner (a Gittite, possibly a Philistine or resident alien) who faithfully hosts the Ark. His inclusion among the Levitical musicians (1 Chronicles 15:21) also illustrates God's incorporation of faithful individuals into worship, emphasizing that blessing follows reverence for God's holiness.
In ancient Israel, names often reflected ancestry, geography, or divine attributes. 'Obed-Edom' may indicate Edomite heritage or residence near Edom, showing the integration of non-Israelites into Israel's community. As a Gittite, Obed-Edom was likely from Gath-rimmon, a Levitical city (Joshua 21:24-25), suggesting he lived among the Levites. His role in guarding the Ark placed him in a position of high religious trust, blending cultural backgrounds in service to God.
עֶבֶד (ʿeḇeḏ, H5650) — A more common noun for 'servant' or 'slave,' whereas עֹבֵד is an active participle meaning 'one who serves.'
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.
Full methodology & sources →