Obed (biblical figure)
Obed | |
|---|---|
 Salmon, Boaz, and Obed by Michelangelo, 1511, depicts the infant Obed | |
| Born | c. 1203 BCE[1] |
| Children | Jesse |
| Parent(s) | Boaz and Ruth |
Obed (Hebrew: עוֹבֵד, ‘Ōḇēḏ, also rendered Oved, "worshipper"), in the Hebrew Bible (Tanakh), was a son of Boaz and Ruth.[2] Obed was the father of Jesse, the grandfather of Israel’s King David.[3]
The Hebrew Bible (Tanakh) in its third (final) division — Writings (Ketuvim) — contains the Book of Ruth (Hebrew: מְגִלַּת רוּת, Megillath Ruth, "the Scroll of Ruth"), which introduces Obed and describes his Israelite lineage and progeny in Bethlehem, Judea.[4][2]
Genealogies and commemoration
In Jewish scripture, the Book of Ruth and Chronicles trace Obed’s lineage and descendants: [5][6][2][7]
Patriarchal line: Abraham → Isaac → Jacob →
Judahite line: Judah and Tamar → Perez → Hezron → Ram → Amminadab → Nahshon → Salmon →
Ruth/Obed line: Boaz, son of Salmon and Ruth → Obed (Oved) → Jesse → David
David’s sons:
Solomonic royal line: Solomon → Rehoboam → Abijah → Asa → Jehoshaphat → Joram → Ahaziah → Joash → Amaziah → Azariah → Jotham → Ahaz → Hezekiah → Manasseh → Amon → Josiah
Sons of Josiah:
Descendants of Jehoiakim and Jeconiah:
Descendants of Pedaiah and Zerubbabel:
- Pedaiah → Zerubbabel
- Sons of Zerubbabel: Meshullam, Hananiah, Hashubah, Ohel, Berechiah, Hasadiah, and Jushab-hesed; Shelomith is listed as their sister.
Later descendants:
In Christian scripture, Obed is named as one of Jesus's ancestors in the genealogies recorded in the Gospel of Matthew[8] and the Gospel of Luke.[9] He is honored as a Patriarch on the Sunday of the Holy Ancestors in the Eastern Orthodox and Eastern Catholic churches.[10]
References
- ↑ "Obed". The Biblical Timeline. Retrieved 2026-06-15.
- 1 2 3 "Ruth 4:13–22". Sefaria. Retrieved 2026-06-15.
They named him Obed (Oved); he was the father of Jesse (Yishay), father of David.
- ↑ Executive Committee of the Editorial Board; Schulim Ochser. "Obed". Jewish Encyclopedia. Retrieved 2026-06-15.
Obed was the father of Jesse and the grandfather of David.
- ↑ "Ruth 1:2, 19–22". Sefaria. Ruth 1:2, 19–22. Retrieved 2026-06-15.
Ephrathites of Bethlehem in Judah. ... They arrived in Bethlehem at the beginning of the barley harvest.
- ↑ "I Chronicles 1, The Koren Jerusalem Bible translation". Sefaria. I Chronicles 1:28, 34. Retrieved 2026-06-15.
Abraham begot Isaac. The sons of Isaac: Esau and Israel.
- ↑ "I Chronicles 2, The Koren Jerusalem Bible translation". Sefaria. I Chronicles 2:1–15. Retrieved 2026-06-15.
Ram begot Amminadab, and Amminadab begot Nahshon, prince of the sons of Judah.
- ↑ "I Chronicles 3, The Koren Jerusalem Bible translation". Sefaria. I Chronicles 3:1–24. Retrieved 2026-06-15.
These are the sons of David who were born to him in Hebron.
- ↑ Matthew 1:5
- ↑ Luke 3:32
- ↑ "Sunday of the Holy Forefathers". Greek Namedays (in Dutch). Retrieved 2026-01-04.