עוֹבֵד (o.ved)
o.ved
Obed
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 9 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
The name `oved` means "servant" or "one who serves." In Scripture, it appears nine times, primarily in Ruth and Chronicles, attached to several different men within the tribe of Judah. The most prominent figure is Obed, son of Boaz and Ruth, who becomes the grandfather of King David. His name reflects a life defined by faithful service, bridging the gap between the Moabite convert Ruth and the royal lineage of Israel.
Lexical sources note that this personal name derives from the Hebrew root for working or serving. While it is most famous as the name of David’s grandfather, Chronicles lists other individuals with the same name: a gatekeeper, a warrior, and descendants of an Egyptian slave named Jarha. This repetition suggests the name was common among Judahites who identified closely with their role in God’s community.
Translators consistently render `oved` as "Obed," preserving the phonetic sound while losing the literal meaning of "servant." The theological weight of the name lies in its placement in the Messianic genealogy. It highlights that the line of David was built not just on power, but on the faithful service of outsiders and insiders alike, culminating in a king who would ultimately serve as the shepherd of God’s people.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Obed carries the simple, steady meaning of "servant." In the Bible, it appears nine times, most notably attached to the grandfather of King David. This is not a title for a king, but a description of a life defined by faithful service. It reminds us that God often works through ordinary people who are willing to serve within their communities and families.
When we look at Ruth 4:17, we see neighbors naming this child Obed. His existence bridges the gap between Ruth, a Moabite convert, and the royal line of Israel. This shows that God’s plan includes those from outside the expected group, welcoming them through faithful living rather than status or power.
Your own name may not be Obed, but your daily actions can reflect that same spirit. Whether in your home, workplace, or church, serving others quietly and consistently honors God. It is a humble path that often leads to significant blessings for those around you, building a legacy of love and faithfulness.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 9 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ Obed5×
- Obed5×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- עוֹבֵֽד\׃2×
- עוֹבֵ֔ד2×
- עוֹבֵ֜ד1×
- וְ/עוֹבֵד֙1×
- וְ/עוֹבֵ֧ד1×
- וְ/עוֹבֵ֖ד1×
- וְ/עוֹבֵ֔ד1×
- וְ/עֹבֵד֙1×
Key Verses
-
Ruth 4:17
The women, her neighbors, gave him a name, saying, “A son is born to Naomi”. They named him Obed. He is the father of Jesse, the father of David.
This verse marks the moment Obed is named by the community, highlighting his role as a bridge between Ruth and Naomi’s family line.
-
Ruth 4:22
and Obed became the father of Jesse, and Jesse became the father of David.
Here the genealogy explicitly links Obed to David, showing how this servant’s life became part of the Messianic lineage.
-
I Chronicles 11:47
Eliel, Obed, and Jaasiel the Mezobaite.
This list includes an Obed among warriors, suggesting the name was common among those who served in defense of Israel.