Obed-Edom

Share

Easton's Bible Dictionary - Obed-Edom

Obed-Edom [N] [H]

servant of Edom.

  • "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 1 Chronicles 26:4-8 ), 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.

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

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

    These dictionary topics are from
    M.G. Easton M.A., D.D., Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Third Edition,
    published by Thomas Nelson, 1897. Public Domain, copy freely.
    [N] indicates this entry was also found in Nave's Topical Bible
    [H] indicates this entry was also found in Hitchcock's Bible Names
    Bibliography Information

    Easton, Matthew George. "Entry for Obed-Edom". "Easton's Bible Dictionary". .

    • International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Obed-Edom

    OBED-EDOM

    o'-bed-e'-dom (`obhedh 'edhowm (2 Chronicles 25:24), `obhedd 'edhom (2 Samuel 6:10; 1 Chronicles 13:13,14; 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, 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.

    Copyright Statement
    These files are public domain.

    Bibliography Information
    Orr, James, M.A., D.D. General Editor. "Entry for 'OBED-EDOM'". "International Standard Bible Encyclopedia". 1915.