"And the women her neighbours gave it a name, saying, There is a son born to Naomi; and they called his name Obed: he is the father of Jesse, the father of David."
Biblical Name · Hebrew Origin
Obed Meaning in the Bible
Obed
boy
Obed means "Servant; Worshipper", a boy's name of Hebrew origin. Obed appears in the King James Bible, and Ruth 4:17 is the passage most often tied to it. Obed — 'servant' — quietly connected Ruth's redemption to David's throne. His life teaches that faithful, unglamorous service in God's plan can have royal consequences we never imagine.
Is Obed in the Bible?
Yes — Obed appears in the King James Bible, including Ruth 4:17.
Pronunciation:/OH-bed/
OriginHebrew
MeaningServant; Worshipper
What does Obed mean?
Obed is a boy name of Hebrew origin meaning "Servant; Worshipper". Obed means "servant" or "worshipper" in Hebrew. He was the son of Ruth and Boaz, the grandfather of King David, and a crucial link in the genealogical chain leading to Jesus Christ.
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What does Obed mean in the Bible?
Obed means "Servant; Worshipper" and is a name of Hebrew origin. Below is what Scripture and Christian tradition attach to that meaning.
Obed means "servant" or "worshipper" in Hebrew. He was the son of Ruth and Boaz, the grandfather of King David, and a crucial link in the genealogical chain leading to Jesus Christ.
Obed's birth is the triumphant conclusion of the Book of Ruth. When Naomi held the infant Obed, the women of Bethlehem declared: "There is a son born to Naomi... he shall be unto thee a restorer of thy life, and a nourisher of thine old age." They named him Obed — the servant who would restore what was lost.
Though Scripture records little about Obed's own life, his position in the lineage is extraordinary. He connects Ruth the Moabitess (a Gentile convert) to David the king, demonstrating that God's redemptive plan includes people from every nation. Through Obed, a foreign gleaner's great-grandson became Israel's greatest king.
Obed's name — "servant" — proved prophetically appropriate. His life of faithful service in Bethlehem produced the family line through which the ultimate Servant-King would come.
Where does Obed appear in the Bible (KJV)?
Obed is connected to 2 key passages in the King James Bible, beginning with Ruth 4:17. Each verse is quoted in full below.
"And Salmon begat Booz of Rachab; and Booz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse."
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Which books of the Bible mention Obed?
Obed is mentioned across 4 books of the Bible. Follow any book below to read it in the KJV.
What is the spiritual meaning of Obed?
Related Promises of God
Promises connected to the meaning of the name Obed:
God Promises to Be Faithful
Bible promises about God's unwavering faithfulness in every situation.
God Promises Contentment Through Him
Bible promises about finding true satisfaction and contentment in God.
God Promises to Answer Prayer
Bible promises that God hears and answers the prayers of His people.
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Word Meaning
Faithfulness (אֱמוּנָה (emunah))
Steadfast reliability and trustworthiness — firm, unwavering loyalty.
What names are related to Obed?
Names like Obed
Other Hebrew biblical names that share the spirit of "Servant; Worshipper" — discovered by matching meaning category and origin.
Eliana
"My God has answered"
girl
Jonathan
"The LORD has given"
boy
Abijah
"My father is the LORD; The LORD is my father"
unisex
Ruth
"Friend; Companion"
girl
Carmi
"My vineyard; Vinedresser; Fruitful"
boy
Eliab
"My God is father; God is my father"
boy
Zilpah
"Dripping; Fragrant drop; Myrrh"
girl
Abraham
"Father of many nations"
boy
Names that pair well with Obed
Sibling sets, middle-name combinations, and complementary pairings chosen for matching origin, meaning, and similar syllable weight.
Share the meaning of Obed
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Obed name meaning: frequently asked questions
Yes — Obed appears in the King James Bible, including Ruth 4:17.
Obed means "Servant; Worshipper." It is a Hebrew name. The King James Bible uses it in Ruth 4:17, so the meaning is carried by a real person in Scripture.
Hebrew. Obed comes into English from Hebrew and carries the sense "Servant; Worshipper." It appears in the King James Bible, including Ruth 4:17.
Common questions about the name Obed
Can I download a free King James Bible PDF to study the name Obed?
Yes. The complete King James Bible is available as a free PDF download — all 66 books, 1,189 chapters, ready to read offline or print. No sign-up required.
Where can I read the full biblical context for Obed?
You can read every verse where Obed appears in the King James Bible by downloading the free KJV PDF or reading online. The download page also includes a bookmarked Book of Psalms KJV PDF for easy reference.