Ebed
“Servant, slave (likely short for 'servant of God')”
Summary
A Hebrew name meaning 'servant,' borne by two men in the Old Testament: the father of Gaal who led a rebellion against Abimelech, and a family head who returned from Babylon with Ezra.
☩Ebed, Father of Gaal
The first Ebed was the father of Gaal, who led an uprising at Shechem against Abimelech during the period of the judges. When God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the men of Shechem as judgment for their treachery, Gaal son of Ebed arrived with his kinsmen and won the confidence of the Shechemites. He publicly challenged Abimelech's authority and led the men of Shechem in battle against him. The rebellion was quickly crushed by Zebul, Abimelech's governor, and Abimelech subsequently destroyed the city and sowed it with salt.
☩Ebed, Son of Jonathan
The second Ebed was a son of Jonathan and head of a family in the lineage of Adin. He returned from the Babylonian captivity with Ezra, bringing fifty males of his family with him. His return represents the faithful remnant who responded to God's call to restore the community in Jerusalem.
Related Verses12 mentions
References
- 1.James Orr (ed.), "Ebed," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. II (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 2.George Morrish, "Ebed," in Morrish's Concise Bible Dictionary (George Morrish, 1898).
- 3.John McClintock and James Strong, "Ebed," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. III (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).