עוֹבֵד
𐤏𐤅𐤁𐤃
Oved
H5744 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Proper noun designating an individual named Oved, likely meaning 'servant,' 'one who serves,' or 'worshipper,' depending on context. Used exclusively as a personal name in the Hebrew Bible, never as a generic term for a servant. The implication is of service, often understood as service to the deity (YHWH), or, by extension, service in a relational or generational sense within narrative genealogies.
Semantic Range
personal name derived from 'servant,' 'one who serves,' or 'worshipper' (contextual); in wider Hebrew usage, the participle עוֹבֵד also means 'worker,' 'laborer,' 'servant'; but as a proper noun here, strictly a name
Root / Etymology
From the root עבד (ʻ-b-d), which means 'to serve, to work, to labor.' The form עוֹבֵד is the masculine singular active participle meaning 'servant' or 'one who works/serves.' As a name, יוֹבֵד (Oved) likely functions as a theophoric or honorific, possibly implying 'one who serves' (God), though explicit theophoric element is not present.
Historical & Contextual Notes
The name עוֹבֵד is attested as belonging to several individuals in the Hebrew Bible, most notably as the son of Boaz and Ruth (Ruth 4:17, 21-22), and as an ancestor of King David. In genealogical contexts, his role as a pivotal link—grandfather of David—carries narrative significance, emphasizing humility, service, or piety. In other instances, the name belongs to less prominent individuals. Ancient translations (e.g., the Septuagint) typically transliterate the name. Although later English translations historically render the name as 'Obed,' sometimes with the understanding of 'servant,' the sense in the biblical text is only nominal, not descriptive. The participle form of the root עבד, used elsewhere to denote one who serves, in this case is fossilized as a personal name. The meaning should not be conflated with formal titles for slaves, servants, or worshippers in biblical Hebrew, which are conceptually related but distinct in use and nuance.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
active participle of עָבַד; serving; Obed, the name of five Israelites; Obed.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been recorded for this word yet.
Root Family
עבד (Eved) — to work, to serve, to labor
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H4566 | מַעְבָּד | their deeds |
| H4567 | מַעְבָד | his deeds |
| H5647 | עָבַד | he served |
| H5648 | עֲבַד | he perished |
| H5649 | עֲבַד | servant |
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H5744-01 |
עוֹבֵ֔ד | oved | HNp |
Obed | servant of Edom | Oved | 5 |
H5744-02 |
וְ/עוֹבֵ֖ד | veoved | HC/Np |
and Obed | and Oved | and Oved | 5 |
Occurrences in Scripture
10 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H5744-01 |
Ruth 4:17 | עוֹבֵ֔ד | oved | HNp |
Obed | servant of Edom | Oved |
H5744-01 |
Ruth 4:21 | עוֹבֵֽד | oved | HNp |
Obed | servant of Edom | Oved |
H5744-02 |
Ruth 4:22 | וְ/עֹבֵד֙ | veoved | HC/Np |
and Obed | and Oved | and Oved |
H5744-01 |
1 Chronicles 2:12 | עוֹבֵ֔ד | oved | HNp |
Obed | servant of Edom | Oved |
H5744-02 |
1 Chronicles 2:12 | וְ/עוֹבֵ֖ד | veoved | HC/Np |
and Obed | and Oved | and Oved |
H5744-01 |
1 Chronicles 2:37 | עוֹבֵֽד | oved | HNp |
Obed | servant of Edom | Oved |
H5744-02 |
1 Chronicles 2:38 | וְ/עוֹבֵד֙ | veoved | HC/Np |
and Obed | and Oved | and Oved |
H5744-02 |
1 Chronicles 11:47 | וְ/עוֹבֵ֔ד | veoved | HC/Np |
and Obed | and Oved | and Oved |
H5744-02 |
1 Chronicles 26:7 | וְ/עוֹבֵ֧ד | veoved | HC/Np |
and Obed | and Oved | and Oved |
H5744-01 |
2 Chronicles 23:1 | עוֹבֵ֜ד | oved | HNp |
Obed | servant of Edom | Oved |