Son of Boaz and Ruth; grandfather of David
Obed
OH-bed
The son born to Boaz and the Moabite widow Ruth, celebrated by the women of Bethlehem as a restorer of Naomi's family line, who became the grandfather of David and an ancestor of Jesus.
Life and work
Obed was born to Boaz and Ruth after their marriage, the culmination of the book of Ruth's story of loyalty and kinsman-redemption (Ruth 4:13). When the child was born, the women of Bethlehem blessed the Lord and praised Ruth to Naomi as 'more to you than seven sons,' since the boy would carry on the family name and provide for Naomi in her old age (Ruth 4:14-15).
Naomi took the child and cared for him, and the neighbor women gave him his name, Obed, meaning 'servant' or 'one who serves' (Ruth 4:16-17). The narrative closes by identifying Obed as the father of Jesse and grandfather of David, tying the story of Ruth directly into the royal line of Israel (Ruth 4:17,21-22; 1 Chronicles 2:12). Matthew's genealogy carries this line forward to Jesus (Matthew 1:5).
- Occupation
- None recorded
- Places
- Bethlehem
Extra-biblical evidence
No extra-biblical source attests to Obed; he is known only from the book of Ruth and the genealogies built on it.
Scripture references
- Ruth 4:13-17 — Birth account and naming
- Ruth 4:21-22 — Named as father of Jesse, grandfather of David
- Matthew 1:5 — Named in Jesus's genealogy
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