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Obed-edom was a Gittite in whose house the Ark of the Covenant stayed for three months, bringing blessings to his household.
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Also known as Shimei
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.
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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 (1 Chr. 26:1, 4-8), to whom was specially intrusted the custody of the ark (1 Chr. 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 (2 Sam. 6:1-12). There it remained for six 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 (1 Chr. 15:18, 21; 26:4, 8, 15). (3.) One who had charge of the temple treasures (2 Chr. 25:24).
O'BED-E'DOM. (servant of Edom). A Gittite who lived in David's time, 1 Chr 13:13, and at whose house the ark was deposited, after the dreadful death of Uzzah. 2 Sam 6:6-10. The blessing which came on the house of Obed-edom for the ark's sake encouraged David to remove it to Jerusalem. 2 Sam 6:10-12. The temple-treasurer in the reign of Amaziah. 2 Chr 25:24.
O'BED-E'DOM. (servant of Edom). A Gittite who lived in David's time, 1 Chr 13:13, and at whose house the ark was deposited, after the dreadful death of Uzzah. 2 Sam 6:6-10. The blessing which came on the house of Obed-edom for the ark's sake encouraged David to remove it to Jerusalem. 2 Sam 6:10-12. The temple-treasurer in the reign of Amaziah. 2 Chr 25:24.
Easton (1897), Smith (1863), Hitchcock (1869), Hastings (1898) and Schaff are in the public domain. Parsed text: neuu-org/bible-dictionary-dataset (CC BY 4.0). Headwords and whitespace normalised for this site.
16 verses in 3 books · English text: BSB (change it from the menu at the top) · Strong’s H5654
So he was unwilling to move the ark of the LORD to the City of David; instead, he took it aside to the house of Obed-edom the Gittite.
Thus the ark of the LORD remained in the house of Obed-edom the Gittite for three months, and the LORD blessed him and all his household.
Now it was reported to King David, “The LORD has blessed the house of Obed-edom and all that belongs to him, because of the ark of God.” So David went and had the ark of God brought up from the house of Obed-edom into the City of David with rejoicing.
So he did not move the ark with him to the City of David; instead, he took it aside to the house of Obed-edom the Gittite.
Thus the ark of God remained with the family of Obed-edom in his house for three months, and the LORD blessed his household and everything he owned.
and with them their brothers next in rank: Zechariah, Jaaziel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Unni, Eliab, Benaiah, Maaseiah, Mattithiah, Eliphelehu, Mikneiah, and the gatekeepers Obed-edom and Jeiel.
And Mattithiah, Eliphelehu, Mikneiah, Obed-edom, Jeiel, and Azaziah were to lead the music with lyres according to Sheminith.
Shebaniah, Joshaphat, Nethanel, Amasai, Zechariah, Benaiah, and Eliezer—the priests—were to blow the trumpets before the ark of God. Obed-edom and Jehiah were also to be guardians of the ark.
So David, the elders of Israel, and the commanders of thousands went with rejoicing to bring the ark of the covenant of the LORD from the house of Obed-edom.
Asaph was the chief, Zechariah was second, then Jeiel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Mattithiah, Eliab, Benaiah, Obed-edom, and Jeiel. They were to play the harps and lyres, while Asaph sounded the cymbals
along with Obed-edom and his sixty-eight relatives. Obed-edom son of Jeduthun, and also Hosah, were to be gatekeepers.
the tenth to Shimei, his sons, and his brothers—12 in all;
And Obed-edom also had sons: Shemaiah the firstborn, Jehozabad the second, Joah the third, Sachar the fourth, Nethanel the fifth,
All these were descendants of Obed-edom; they and their sons and brothers were capable men with strength to do the work—62 in all from Obed-edom.
The lot for the South Gate fell to Obed-edom, and the lot for the storehouses to his sons.
He took all the gold and silver and all the articles found in the house of God with Obed-edom and in the treasuries of the royal palace, as well as some hostages. Then he returned to Samaria.
Names, family links and references: STEPBible TIPNR (Tyndale House Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). Short descriptions were drafted with AI assistance by STEPBible. Family links follow STEPBible’s scholarly decisions where genealogies are ambiguous.