Atomic Bible

A city of priests near Jerusalem

Nob

Named in 6 verses across 3 books, first in 1 Samuel 21:1.

נֹבNob

The name means “discourse; prophecy.” Hitchcock's Bible Names, 1869

About Nob Written by AI

Nob was a city of priests located near Jerusalem, possibly between the city and Anathoth (1Sam. 21:1; 22:9, 11, 19; Neh. 11:32; Isa. 10:32). It is most notable as the site where King Saul ordered the massacre of the priests who had assisted David when he was fleeing from Saul (1Sam. 22:11-19). Ahimelech, the priest at Nob, had provided David with the sacred bread of the Presence and the sword of Goliath (1Sam. 21:1-9). Nob was also one of the places where the Ark of the Covenant was kept for a time during its travels (2Sam. 6:1). The exact location of Nob is uncertain, but it was likely situated on a hill north of Jerusalem, possibly at Ras el-Mesharif or another nearby site that afforded a view of the city.

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

High place, a city of the priests, first mentioned in the history of David’s wanderings (1 Sam. 21:1). Here the tabernacle was then standing, and here Ahimelech the priest resided. (See AHIMELECH.) From Isa. 10:28-32 it seems to have been near Jerusalem. It has been identified by some with el-Isawiyeh, one mile and a half to the north-east of Jerusalem. But according to Isa. 10:28-32 it was on the south of Geba, on the road to Jerusalem, and within sight of the city. This identification does not meet these conditions, and hence others (as Dean Stanley) think that it was the northern summit of Mount Olivet, the place where David “worshipped God” when fleeing from Absalom (2 Sam. 15:32), or more probably (Conder) that it was the same as Mizpeh (q.v.), Judg. 20:1; Josh. 18:26; 1 Sam. 7:16, at Nebi Samwil, about 5 miles north-west of Jerusalem.

After being supplied with the sacred loaves of showbread, and girding on the sword of Goliath, which was brought forth from behind the ephod, David fled from Nob and sought refuge at the court of Achish, the king of Gath, where he was cast into prison. (Comp. titles of Ps. 34 and 56.)

M. G. Easton, Illustrated Bible Dictionary, third edition (1897), public domain, from CrossWire. Shown as written; its Scripture quotes are from older translations.

31.800, 35.233 See it on a map

GenesisMatthewRevelation

Where the Bible names it

  1. 1 Samuel 21:1

    Then David came to Nob, to Ahimelech the priest. And when Ahimelech met David, he trembled and asked him, “Why are you alone? Why is no one with you?”

  2. 1 Samuel 22:9

    But Doeg the Edomite, who had stationed himself with Saul’s servants, answered: “I saw the son of Jesse come to Ahimelech son of Ahitub at Nob.

  3. 1 Samuel 22:11

    Then the king sent messengers to summon Ahimelech the priest, the son of Ahitub, and his father’s whole family, who were priests at Nob. And all of them came to the king.

  4. 1 Samuel 22:19

    He also put to the sword Nob, the city of the priests, with its men and women, children and infants, oxen, donkeys, and sheep.

  5. Nehemiah 11:32

    in Anathoth, Nob, Ananiah,

  6. Isaiah 10:32

    Yet today they will halt at Nob, shaking a fist at the mount of Daughter Zion, at the hill of Jerusalem.

From STEPBible's TIPNR, Tyndale House Cambridge (CC BY 4.0): names, family, references and the AI written article. Verse text is the BSB.