Who is…
Obed-Edom

also known as: Obededom or Oved Edom

Meaning: servant of Edom

This was the name of 3 or 4 Biblical men. Their name appears 20 times in 15 verses in the King James and New King James Versions, and 19 times in 16 verses in the New International Version.

  1. Obededom “the Gittite”

    His title either means that he was a native of Gath-Rimmon (Gath Rimmon) in Dan and a Levite (1 Chronicles 15:18) of the family of the Korhites (1 Chronicles 26:1, 4-8) or that he was a native of Gath.

    If the later, he may have been one of David's bodyguards.

    He was specially intrusted the custody of the ark of the covenant (2 Samuel 6:10-12). “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 Obed-edom (2 Samuel 6:1-12)” [Matthew G. Easton, Easton’s Bible Dictionary].

    The ark remained in Obed-Edom's home for 3 months (1 Chronicles 13:13-14). It brought him and his house great blessing.

    Afterward, King David moved it with great gladness (1 Chronicles 15:25) to Jerusalem. There he placed it in the tabernacle that he had constructed for it.

  2. Obededom, a Levite musician

    This Levite musician is mentioned in 1 Chronicles 16:5; 16:38

    It is not clear whether this is the same person as mentioned above, or a second man named Obed-Edom. He played was assigned by David to “minister before the ark of the LORD” when it was placed in the Holy Tabernacle.

  3. Obededom, a Merarite Levite

    He was a temple porter (gatekeeper), who, with his 8 sons guarded the southern gate (26:4, 8, 15; 15:18, 21, 24)

    He helped bring the ark of the covenant to Jerusalem (1 Chronicles 15).

    His sons were Shemaiah, Jehozabad, Joah, Sacar, Nethaneel, Ammiel, Issachar, Peulthai (in that order).

  4. Obededom, treasure keeper

    He servered as a Temple treasure keeper in Jerusalem.

    He was in charge of the Temple’s treasures during the time of King Amaziah of Kingdom of Judah (2 Chronicles 25:24).

More information

Article Version: May 6, 2025