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The Chronicler's 'Obed-edom': A Foreigner and/or a Levite?

Cultural and Religious Studies Department, Divinity School of Chung Chi College, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong

This article examines how the name 'Obed-edom', which has been identified in 2 Samuel 6 as a foreigner, becomes a Levitical household name in the books of Chronicles. It observes the function of this character in its original context in 2 Samuel 6, and compares how the Chronicler changes his role in the same account concerning the transportation of the ark in 1 Chronicles 15 and 16, as well as the other occurrences in the later portions of Chronicles. It also argues that the Chronicler is not anxious to distinguish how many Obed-edoms appear in his book, but is largely concerned that the name came to be recognized as a faithful and honored Levitical priest rather than a foreigner. While not denying the urgency to portray that the ark has not been desecrated by foreigners, as Gary N. Knoppers suggests, this article proposes that what underlies this portrayal of 'Obed-edom' by the Chronicler fits his overall intention to include not only foreigners, but also the marginalized groups of the temple servants as legitimate Levites.

Key Words: Obed-edom • Levite • foreigner • ark • Gittite • blessing • gate-keeper.

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