Obed-edom
Gittite who kept the Ark of the Covenant for three months
- Described as
- "The Gittite" (from Gath, or Gittaim)
- Known for
- Housing the Ark after Uzzah's death
- Duration
- Three months (2 Samuel 6:11)
- Result
- His household was blessed
- Main texts
- 2 Samuel 6; 1 Chronicles 13, 15–16, 26
The man whose house sheltered the Ark of the Covenant for three months after it killed Uzzah, and whose household then prospered.
What is Obed-edom known for?
Obed-edom appears in the story of King David moving the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem. When Uzzah is struck dead for touching the Ark, David is afraid to take it further and leaves it in the house of Obed-edom the Gittite (2 Samuel 6:10–11). The Ark stays there three months, and the text says the Lord blessed Obed-edom and all his household. Hearing this, David brings the Ark into Jerusalem, this time carried by hand, with sacrifices along the way.
"Gittite" usually means a man from Gath, the Philistine city, which would make a foreigner the Ark's keeper; some interpreters suggest instead a Levite from a town called Gath-rimmon. The books of Chronicles list an Obed-edom among the Levite gatekeepers and musicians of the sanctuary, and rabbinic tradition elaborated on the blessings his family received.
He is known only from these biblical passages.
Obed-edom appears in the site's account of Uzzah and the dangers of handling the Ark.
Mentioned on these pages
Sources
- 2 Samuel 6 (KJV), Bible GatewayPrimary text
- 1 Chronicles 13 (KJV), Bible GatewayPrimary text
- Wikipedia, 'Obed-Edom'Reference
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