Topical Encyclopedia
Introduction:Obededom is a biblical figure known for his association with the Ark of the Covenant during the reign of King David. His account is primarily found in the books of 2 Samuel and 1 Chronicles. Obededom's interaction with the Ark highlights themes of divine blessing and reverence for God's holiness.
Biblical Account:The narrative of Obededom begins in the context of King David's efforts to bring the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem. After the Ark had been captured by the Philistines and subsequently returned to Israel, David sought to transport it to the City of David. However, during the journey, an incident occurred when Uzzah, one of the men guiding the Ark, touched it to steady it and was struck dead by God for his irreverence (
2 Samuel 6:6-7). This event caused David to fear the Lord and temporarily halt the relocation of the Ark.
Obededom's Role:In response to the incident, David decided to place the Ark in the house of Obededom the Gittite. "So David was unwilling to move the ark of the LORD to the City of David; instead, he took it to the house of Obed-edom the Gittite" (
2 Samuel 6:10). Obededom's willingness to host the Ark in his home demonstrated his reverence and faithfulness to God.
Divine Blessing:The presence of the Ark in Obededom's house brought significant blessings. "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 6:11). This blessing was so notable that it was reported to King David, prompting him to resume the Ark's journey to Jerusalem with renewed reverence and joy (
2 Samuel 6:12).
Obededom's Legacy:Obededom's association with the Ark did not end with its departure from his home. He and his family continued to serve in roles related to the Ark and the worship of God. In
1 Chronicles 15:24, Obededom is mentioned as a gatekeeper for the Ark, and in
1 Chronicles 16:38, he is listed among those who ministered before the Ark. His descendants were also noted for their service and faithfulness, as recorded in
1 Chronicles 26:4-8, where his family is described as capable and blessed.
Significance:Obededom's account underscores the importance of honoring God's holiness and the blessings that come from faithful service. His willingness to host the Ark and his subsequent service in the temple highlight the rewards of obedience and reverence for God. Obededom's legacy is a testament to the enduring impact of faithfulness across generations, as his family continued to play a significant role in the worship and service of the Lord.
Conclusion:The account of Obededom serves as a powerful reminder of the blessings that accompany a life dedicated to honoring God. His account is a vivid illustration of the principle that those who honor God will themselves be honored and blessed.
Smith's Bible Dictionary
Obededom(servant of Edom).
- A Levite, described as a Gittite, (2 Samuel 6:10,11) that is, probably, a native of the Levitical city of Gath-rimmon in Manasseh, which was assigned to the Kohathites. (Joshua 21:25) (B.C. 1045.) After the death of Uzzah, the ark, which was being conducted from the house of Abinadab in Gibeah to the city of David, was carried aside into the house of Obed edom, where it continued three months. It was brought thence by David. (2 Samuel 6:12;1 Chronicles 15:25)
- "Obed-edom the son of Jeduthun" (1 Chronicles 16:38) a Merarite Levite, appears to be a different person from the last mentioned. He was a Levite of the second degree and a gate-keeper for the ark, (1 Chronicles 15:18,24) appointed to sound "with harps on the Sheminith to excel." (1 Chronicles 15:21;16:5) (B.C. 1043.)
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Servant of Edom.
(1.) "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, 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.
(2.) A Merarite Levite, a temple porter, who with his eight sons guarded the southern gate (1 Chronicles 15:18, 21;26:4, 8, 15).
(3.) One who had charge of the temple treasures (2 Chronicles 25:24).
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
OBED-EDOMo'-bed-e'-dom (`obhedh 'edhowm (2 Chronicles 25:24), `obhedd 'edhom (2 Samuel 6:101 Chronicles 13:13, 14;1 Chronicles 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"): In2 Samuel 6:10, 11, 121 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 to1 Chronicles 13:14 the Ark had a special "house" of its own while there. He is probably the same as the Levite of1 Chronicles 15:25. In1 Chronicles 15:16-21 Obed-edom is a "singer," and in1 Chronicles 15:24 a "doorkeeper," while according to1 Chronicles 26:4-8, 15 he is a Korahite doorkeeper, to whose house fell the overseership of the storehouse (26:15), while1 Chronicles 16:5, 38 names him as a "minister before the ark," a member of the house or perhaps guild of Jeduthun (see2 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.
Library
That when David had Conquered the Philistines who Made War against...
... he did not receive it to himself into the city, but he took it aside unto a certain
place belonging to a righteous man, whose name wasObededom, who was by his...
Oration Concerning Simeon and Anna
... not run to Him? Let no Jew contradict the truth, looking at the type which
went before the house ofObededom. [2991] The Lord has...
Every Inch a King.
... the Ark of God. David feared to bring it further, and so he placed it in
the house ofObededom which was near by. It was there three...
A Path in the Sea
... it. The ark, which slew Philistines, and flung Dagon prone on his own
threshold, brought blessing to the house ofObededom. The...
Death and Life from the Ark
... and himself a Levite. There is anObededom in the lists of David's Levites
in Chronicles who is probably the same man. He did not...
Ahab and Elijah
... To you God and His truth are like that ark of His covenant which to Dagon and the
Philistines was a curse, but to the house ofObededom was a blessing....
Book 5 Footnotes
... this ark in a cart, when it ought to have been carried by the priests or Levites,
as it was presently here in Josephus so carried fromObededom's house to...
Thesaurus
Obededom (15 Occurrences)... 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
...Porters (34 Occurrences)
... Ben, and Jaaziel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehiel, and Unni, Eliab, and Benaiah, and
Maaseiah, and Mattithiah, and Elipheleh, and Mikneiah, andObededom, and Jeiel...
Threescore (87 Occurrences)
... 1 Chronicles 16:38 AndObededom with their brethren, threescore and eight;Obededom
also the son of Jeduthun and Hosah to be porters: (KJV JPS ASV)....
Obed-edom (16 Occurrences)
Obed-edom.Obededom, Obed-edom. O'bed-e'dom . Easton's Bible Dictionary... (WEB
JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV).Obededom, Obed-edom. O'bed-e'dom ....
Nethaneel (14 Occurrences)
... and Nethaneel, and Amasai, and Zechariah, and Benaiah, and Eliezer, the priests,
did blow with the trumpets before the ark of God: andObededom and Jehiah were...
Pertaineth (18 Occurrences)
... 2 Samuel 6:12 And it was told king David, saying, The LORD hath blessed the house
ofObededom, and all that pertaineth unto him, because of the ark of God....
Gladness (83 Occurrences)
... 2 Samuel 6:12 And it was told king David, saying, The LORD hath blessed the house
ofObededom, and all that pertaineth unto him, because of the ark of God....
Obed (13 Occurrences)
Zechariah (55 Occurrences)
... (6.) 1 Chronicles 9:37. (7.) A Levite who assisted at the bringing up of
the ark from the house ofObededom (1 Chronicles 15:20-24)....
Nethanel (14 Occurrences)
... 2:14). (3) One of the trumpet-blowers before the ark when it was brought
up from the house ofObededom (1 Chronicles 15:24). (4) A...
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