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Obed-edom עֹבֵד אֱדוֹם

Male Tribe of Levi H5654 3 books

Gittite who housed the Ark

Who is Obed-edom in the Bible?

Obed-edom was a Gittite, or native of Gath, who played a crucial role in the history of the Ark of the Covenant in Israel (2 Samuel 6:10-12). When King David attempted to transport the Ark to Jerusalem, God struck down Uzzah for touching it, causing David to fear further divine judgment and leave the Ark in Obed-edom's house for three months. During this time, God blessed Obed-edom's entire household abundantly, demonstrating His approval of the faithful caretaker (1 Chronicles 13:14). After the Ark was brought to Jerusalem, Obed-edom and his eight sons were appointed as gatekeepers and musicians in the tabernacle, serving with distinction in the worship of God (1 Chronicles 15:18-24, 26:4-8). Obed-edom's story illustrates how faithfulness and reverence toward God's presence bring blessing both to individuals and their families.

Biography

Obed-edom was a Gittite in whose house the Ark of the Covenant stayed for three months after the death of Uzzah (2Sa.6.10-12; 1Ch.13.13-14). When David attempted to bring the Ark to Jerusalem, Uzzah was struck down by God for touching the Ark. Fearful of further divine judgment, David left the Ark in the house of Obed-edom. During its stay, Obed-edom's household was blessed by God (1Ch.13.14). Later, when David brought the Ark to Jerusalem, Obed-edom and his family were appointed as gatekeepers and musicians in the tabernacle (1Ch.15.18, 21, 24; 16.5, 38). Obed-edom had eight sons, all of whom served in the tabernacle (1Ch.26.4-8). He is also mentioned as a Levite in the context of the temple treasuries (2Ch.25.24). Obed-edom's faithfulness and the blessings he received highlight the importance of reverence for the Ark and the presence of God.

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In Scripture

3 biblical books
2 Samuel 3 verses
  • 2 Samuel 6:10

    "So he was unwilling to move the ark of the LORD to the City of David; instead, he took it aside to the house of Obed-edom the Gittite."

  • 2 Samuel 6:11

    "Thus the ark of the LORD remained in the house of Obed-edom the Gittite for three months, and the LORD blessed him and all his household."

  • 2 Samuel 6:12

    "Now it was reported to King David, “The LORD has blessed the house of Obed-edom and all that belongs to him, because of the ark of God.” So David went and had the ark of God brought up from the house of Obed-edom into the City of David with rejoicing."

1 Chronicles 5 verses
  • 1 Chronicles 13:13

    "So he did not move the ark with him to the City of David; instead, he took it aside to the house of Obed-edom the Gittite."

  • 1 Chronicles 13:14

    "Thus the ark of God remained with the family of Obed-edom in his house for three months, and the LORD blessed his household and everything he owned."

  • 1 Chronicles 15:18

    "and with them their brothers next in rank: Zechariah, Jaaziel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Unni, Eliab, Benaiah, Maaseiah, Mattithiah, Eliphelehu, Mikneiah, and the gatekeepers Obed-edom and Jeiel."

  • 1 Chronicles 15:21

    "And Mattithiah, Eliphelehu, Mikneiah, Obed-edom, Jeiel, and Azaziah were to lead the music with lyres according to Sheminith."

  • 1 Chronicles 15:24

    "Shebaniah, Joshaphat, Nethanel, Amasai, Zechariah, Benaiah, and Eliezer—the priests—were to blow the trumpets before the ark of God. Obed-edom and Jehiah were also to be guardians of the ark."

2 Chronicles 1 verse
  • 2 Chronicles 25:24

    "He took all the gold and silver and all the articles found in the house of God with Obed-edom and in the treasuries of the royal palace, as well as some hostages. Then he returned to Samaria."

Names & Aliases

Form Language Script Meaning
Named Hebrew עֹבֵד אֱדוֹם —
Named Hebrew שִׁמְעִי Shimi , the name of twenty Israelites
Encyclopedia Article

Obed-edom

ISBE 1915 (Public Domain)

hr.13.14">14; 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 f, though others explain it as = "servant of man"): In 2Sa 6:10,11,12; 1Ch 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" (2Sa 6:11). According to 1Ch 13:14 the Ark had a special "house" of its own while there. He is probably the same as the Levite of 1Ch 15:25. In 1Ch 15:16-21 Obed-edom is a "singer," and in 1Ch 15:24 a "doorkeeper," while according to 1Ch 26:4-8,15 he is a Korahite doorkeeper, to whose house fell the overseership of the storehouse (26:15), while 1Ch 16:5,38 names him as a "minister before the ark," a member of the house or perhaps guild of Jeduthun (see 2Ch 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 (Mt 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.

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The "obedience" (hupakoe) of Christ is directly mentioned but 3 times in the New Testament, although many other passages describe or allude to it: "Through the obedience of the one shall the many be made r

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