Dictionaries :: Obed-Edom

Obed-Edom:

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 (1Ch 26:1,4-8), to whom was specially intrusted the custody of the ark (1Ch 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 (2Sa 6:1-12). There it remained for three 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 (1Ch 15:18,21; 26:4,8,15).

(3.) One who had charge of the temple treasures (2Ch 25:24).

Obed-Edom:

servant of Edom

Obed-Edom:

o'-bed-e'-dom (‘obhedh ‘edhowm (2Ch 25:24), ‘obhedd ‘edhom (2Sa 6:10; 1Ch 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 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.

Written by David Francis Roberts

Obed-Edom: 1. A Korhite Levite

Doorkeeper of the ark of the covenant,

1Ch 15:18, 24; 26:4-8.

David leaves the ark of the covenant with,

2Sa 6:10; 1Ch 13:13, 14.

The ark of the covenant removed from,

2Sa 6:12; 1Ch 15:25.

Appointed to sound with harps,

1Ch 15:21.

Appointed to minister before the ark of the covenant,

1Ch 16:4, 5, 37, 38.

Obed-Edom: 2. A Doorkeeper of the Temple

1Ch 16:38

Obed-Edom: 3. A Conservator of the Vessels of the Temple

In the time of Amaziah,

2Ch 25:24.