אֹבֵד (o.ved)
o.ved
destruction
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun oved signifies destruction or ruin, appearing only twice in the Old Testament, both within the prophetic oracle of Balaam in Numbers 24. In these verses, it describes the ultimate fate of the Amalekites and other nations that stand opposed to God’s people. The word conveys a sense of complete devastation, pointing to an end that is total and irreversible.
Its usage here is striking because it appears in a context of blessing rather than curse. Balaam pronounces doom upon Israel’s enemies using this term, highlighting the certainty of their defeat. The form suggests a state of being lost or perished, emphasizing the finality of the judgment described. Translators typically render it as "destruction" to capture this weight of total loss.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word oved carries a heavy weight in Scripture, pointing to a finality that leaves no room for recovery. In Numbers 24, it describes the end of those who oppose God’s people. This is not merely a setback or a temporary defeat; it is a complete ruin. Seeing this term reminds us that justice is real and that evil does not have the last word.
For believers, this certainty offers comfort rather than fear. It assures us that God sees all injustice and will ultimately set things right. When we face opposition or see chaos in the world, we can rest in the knowledge that destruction has no power over those who belong to Him. His faithfulness stands firm against every threat.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- destruction2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- אֹבֵֽד\׃2×
Key Verses
-
Numbers 24:20
He looked at Amalek, and took up his parable, and said, “Amalek was the first of the nations, but his latter end shall come to destruction.”
This verse applies oved to Amalek, showing that even the most established nations cannot withstand God's declared judgment.
-
Numbers 24:24
But ships shall come from the coast of Kittim. They shall afflict Asshur, and shall afflict Eber. He also shall come to destruction.”
Here the word extends beyond Israel’s immediate enemies to distant powers like Asshur, indicating that no nation is safe from this fate if it opposes God’s purposes.