Boy Old Testament Known
Obed-edom
servant of Edom
עֹבֵד אֱדוֹם o.ved e.dom
Obed-edom (Hebrew: עֹבֵד אֱדוֹם, o.ved e.dom) means “servant of Edom”, by traditional interpretation. Two men in scripture bear the name; the best attested belongs to the United Monarchy period. In 2025 it was given to 72 children in the United States. Around 4,135 Americans have been given it since 1880. Appears in the same passages as Abinadab.
Which Obed-edom?
Two men in scripture bear this name. Here is each of them.
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Obed-edom
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Obed-edom
Scripture against society
The two measures, side by side
At a glance
- Verses
- 16 across 3 books
- Bearers
- 2 distinct people in scripture
- Testament
- Old
- Era
- United Monarchy
Using it today
Based on 2025 births across the United States.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| Given in 2025 | 72 | Steady |
| All-time total | 4,135 | Since records begin in 1880 |
| Peak | 137 in 2005 | Its highest year on record |
| Strongest state | TX | Highest share relative to births |
In scripture
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| First appears | 2 Samuel 6:10 |
| Last appears | 2 Chronicles 25:24 |
| Cross-references | 186 linked passages |
Names connected to this one
- Jeiel co-occurrence Appears with Jeiel in 1 Chronicles 15.
- Mattithiah co-occurrence Appears with Mattithiah in 1 Chronicles 15.
- Mikneiah co-occurrence Appears with Mikneiah in 1 Chronicles 15.
- Eliphelehu co-occurrence Appears with Eliphelehu in 1 Chronicles 15.
- Benaiah co-occurrence Appears with Benaiah in 1 Chronicles 15.
- Jaaziel co-occurrence Appears with Jaaziel in 1 Chronicles 16.
- Eliab co-occurrence Appears with Eliab in 1 Chronicles 16.
- Nacon co-occurrence Appears in the same passages as Nacon.
Origin & meaning
A man of the tribe of Levi living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at 2Sa.6.10;
son of: Jeduthun (H3038);
brother of: Mattithiah (H4993H), Gedaliah (H1436I), Zeri (H6874), Jeshaiah (H3470H) and Hashabiah (H2811I);
father of: Shemaiah (H8098I), Jehozabad (H3075H), Joah (H3098I), Sachar (H7940), Nethanel (H5417K), Ammiel (H5988I), Issachar (H3485H) and Peullethai (H6469)
Also named: shim.i (שִׁמְעִי "Shimei" H8096X)
§ Obed-edom = "servant of Edom"
1) a Levite and a Gittite who kept the ark after Uzzah was slain by God for touching the ark while it was being taken to Jerusalem
2) a Merarite Levite and a singer and gatekeeper
2a) the family descended from him
Obed-edom was a Gittite in whose house the Ark of the Covenant stayed for three months, bringing blessings to his household.
The biblical story
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.
Key verses
Obed-edom appears in 16 verses. Here are some of the most notable:
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So David would not remove the ark of the Lord unto him into the city of David: but David carried it aside into the house of Obed–edom the Gittite.
2 Samuel 6:10 -
And the ark of the Lord continued in the house of Obed–edom the Gittite three months: and the Lord blessed Obed–edom, and all his household.
2 Samuel 6:11 -
And it was told king David, saying, The Lord hath blessed the house of Obed–edom, and all that pertaineth unto him, because of the ark of God. So David went and brought up the ark of God from the house of Obed–edom into the city of David with gladness.
2 Samuel 6:12 -
So David brought not the ark home to himself to the city of David, but carried it aside into the house of Obed–edom the Gittite.
1 Chronicles 13:13 -
And the ark of God remained with the family of Obed–edom in his house three months. And the Lord blessed the house of Obed–edom, and all that he had.
1 Chronicles 13:14
Show all 16 references
2 Samuel (3)
- 2 Samuel 6:10
- 2 Samuel 6:11
- 2 Samuel 6:12
1 Chronicles (12)
- 1 Chronicles 13:13
- 1 Chronicles 13:14
- 1 Chronicles 15:18
- 1 Chronicles 15:21
- 1 Chronicles 15:24
- 1 Chronicles 15:25
- 1 Chronicles 16:5
- 1 Chronicles 16:38
- 1 Chronicles 25:17
- 1 Chronicles 26:4
- 1 Chronicles 26:8
- 1 Chronicles 26:15
2 Chronicles (1)
- 2 Chronicles 25:24