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

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 h...

Full description

Saved in:  
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal for the study of the Old Testament
Main Author: Tan, Nancy (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
Check availability: HBZ Gateway
Journals Online & Print:
Drawer...
Fernleihe:Fernleihe für die Fachinformationsdienste
Published: Sage 2007
In: Journal for the study of the Old Testament
Year: 2007, Volume: 32, Issue: 2, Pages: 217-230
Further subjects:B Foreigner
B Blessing
B Gittite
B Gate-Keeper
B Ark
B Levite
B Obed-edom
Online Access: Volltext (lizenzpflichtig)
Description
Summary: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.
ISSN:1476-6728
Contains:Enthalten in: Journal for the study of the Old Testament
Persistent identifiers:DOI: 10.1177/0309089207085884