Gatekeeper, descendant of Jeduthun
Obadiah
Named in 3 verses across 2 books, first in 1 Chronicles 9:16.
עֹבַדְיָ֫הוּObadiah
עַבְדָּאAbda
Also called Abda.
The name means “servant of the Lord.” Hitchcock's Bible Names, 1869
- Father
- Shemaiah
- People
- Tribe of Levi
About Obadiah Written by AI
Obadiah, also known as Abda, was a gatekeeper in the temple during the post-exilic period (1 Chronicles 9:16; Nehemiah 12:25). He was a descendant of Jeduthun, one of the three principal musicians appointed by David (1 Chronicles 16:41 to 42). Obadiah's duties as a gatekeeper likely included guarding the entrance to the temple, maintaining order, and ensuring that only authorized individuals entered the sacred space. He was also a singer and was involved in the musical aspects of temple worship (Nehemiah 11:17). His service in the temple highlights the importance of the Levitical roles in maintaining the proper functioning of the temple and its worship.
Drafted by an AI model for STEPBible's TIPNR (Tyndale House Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). Check it against the verses below.
Easton's Bible Dictionary, 1897
This entry is on the name Obadiah, and may cover more than one person or place by that name.
Servant of the Lord. (1.) An Israelite who was chief in the household of King Ahab (1 Kings 18:3). Amid great spiritual degeneracy he maintained his fidelity to God, and interposed to protect The Lord’s prophets, an hundred of whom he hid at great personal risk in a cave (4, 13). Ahab seems to have held Obadiah in great honour, although he had no sympathy with his piety (5, 6, 7). The last notice of him is his bringing back tidings to Ahab that Elijah, whom he had so long sought for, was at hand (9-16). “Go,” said Elijah to him, when he met him in the way, “go tell thy lord, Behold, Elijah is here.”
(2.) A chief of the tribe of Issachar (1 Chr. 7:3).
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(3.) A descendant of Saul (1 Chr. 8:38).
(4.) A Levite, after the Captivity (1 Chr. 9:16).
(5.) A Gadite who joined David at Ziklag (1 Chr. 12:9).
(6.) A prince of Zebulun in the time of David (1 Chr. 27:19).
(7.) One of the princes sent by Jehoshaphat to instruct the people in the law (2 Chr. 17:7).
(8.) A Levite who superintended the repairs of the temple under Josiah (2 Chr. 34:12).
(9.) One who accompanied Ezra on the return from Babylon (Ezra 8:9).
(10.) A prophet, fourth of the minor prophets in the Hebrew canon, and fifth in the LXX. He was probably contemporary with Jeremiah and Ezekiel. Of his personal history nothing is known.
M. G. Easton, Illustrated Bible Dictionary, third edition (1897), public domain, from CrossWire. Shown as written; its Scripture quotes are from older translations.
Where the Bible names him
- 1 Chronicles 9:16
Obadiah son of Shemaiah, the son of Galal, the son of Jeduthun; and Berechiah son of Asa, the son of Elkanah, who lived in the villages of the Netophathites.
- Nehemiah 11:17
Mattaniah son of Mica, the son of Zabdi, the son of Asaph, who led in thanksgiving and prayer; Bakbukiah, second among his associates; and Abda son of Shammua, the son of Galal, the son of Jeduthun.
- Nehemiah 12:25
Mattaniah, Bakbukiah, Obadiah, Meshullam, Talmon, and Akkub were gatekeepers who guarded the storerooms at the gates.
From STEPBible's TIPNR, Tyndale House Cambridge (CC BY 4.0): names, family, references and the AI written article. Verse text is the BSB.