Who was Obed in the Bible?
Lived before Israel had a king
Obed was the son of Boaz and Ruth, born in Bethlehem (Rut.4.17). His birth was a significant event in the story of Ruth, as it marked the restoration of Naomi's family line and the continuation of the lineage that would eventually lead to King David. Obed appears in 5 verses across 3 books of the Bible.
What does the Bible say about Obed?
Obed was the son of Boaz and Ruth, born in Bethlehem (Rut.4.17). His birth was a significant event in the story of Ruth, as it marked the restoration of Naomi's family line and the continuation of the lineage that would eventually lead to King David. Obed was the father of Jesse and the grandfather of David (Rut.4.21-22; 1Ch.2.12; Mat.1.5; Luk.3.32). His name means "servant" or "worshiper," possibly reflecting his family's devotion to God. Obed's life is not detailed in the Bible, but his role in the genealogy of David and ultimately Jesus Christ highlights the importance of his place in God's plan.
Definition text: STEPBible · Tyndale House Cambridge. Licensed CC BY 4.0. Lightly edited for length and formatting.
Compiled by Protos: the verse list on this page. Where one name belongs to more than one person or place, each of them gets a separate entry.
Where does Obed appear in the Bible?
Obed is referenced in 5 verses across 3 books. Every passage below is about this one, not just every verse the word turns up in.
- 1 Chronicles 2:12
- Luke 3:32
- Ruth 4:17
- Ruth 4:21
- Ruth 4:22
What else appears in these passages?
These turn up in the same passages as Obed.
Common questions
How many times does the Bible mention Obed?
Obed appears in 5 verses across 3 books, most often in Ruth, which accounts for 3 of them.
Which books of the Bible mention Obed?
Ruth, 1 Chronicles, Luke.
Where can I read every verse about Obed?
This page lists 5 of them. Protos carries all 5, and opens this entry on the verse you are reading rather than in a separate tab.
