Jehozabad
Jehozabad was one of the sons of Obed-edom who served as a gatekeeper for the ark of the covenant.
Biography
Jehozabad was a son of Obed-edom, the Gittite in whose house the ark of the covenant had rested and brought great blessing (1 Chronicles 26:4). When David organized the Levitical gatekeepers for the sanctuary, Obed-edom's family was notably represented, and Jehozabad served among these gatekeepers charged with guarding the sacred precincts. The gatekeepers' duty was to regulate access to the sanctuary, protect its treasures, and ensure that worship proceeded with proper order and reverence. Jehozabad inherited his post within a family distinguished by God's remarkable blessing, Obed-edom's household had been visibly blessed during the ark's sojourn there (2 Samuel 6:11–12), and continued that tradition of sacred service.
Significance
Jehozabad's ministry as a gatekeeper illustrates that proximity to the holy carries both privilege and responsibility. His father Obed-edom's household had experienced the ark's blessing firsthand, and Jehozabad's continued service suggests that transformative encounters with God's presence can shape entire family vocations across generations. The gatekeeping role, often overlooked, was essential: without faithful guardians, the sanctuary's holiness could not be maintained. Psalm 84:10 captures this spirit perfectly: 'I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked.' Jehozabad embodied that calling.
Verse Appearances (1)
1Chr
References
- Orr, J. (ed.) (1915) The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Chicago: Howard-Severance Company. [Public Domain]
- Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Translators Individualised Proper Names with all References (TIPNR). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
- Wikidata contributors (n.d.) Wikidata. Available at: https://www.wikidata.org. [CC0]
- Church of England (1769) The Holy Bible, Authorized (King James) Version. [Public Domain]