Meaning & History
Iobed is a Greek transliteration of the Hebrew name Obed, appearing in the Greek New Testament in the genealogy of Jesus (Luke 3:15–38).
Obed, meaning “serving, worshipping” in Hebrew, is borne by several Old Testament figures, most notably the grandfather of King David. In Luke’s genealogy, which traces Jesus’ lineage through Nathan, a son of David, Iobed appears as the son of Boaz and Ruth and the father of Jesse. This makes Iobed a link in the chain from the patriarchs to the Messiah, fulfilling prophecies that the Savior would come from the house of David.
The name Iobed is almost exclusively found in Greek biblical contexts. It is not commonly used as a given name outside of religious scholarship, but it appears in translations and commentaries on the New Testament. Its rarity and strong biblical resonance make it of interest to those studying onomastic variations or the textual history of scripture.
- Meaning: “serving, worshipping” (derived from Hebrew Obed)
- Origin: Greek adaptation of Hebrew name; used in the Greek New Testament
- Type: Biblical variant
- Usage Regions: Only in Greek biblical manuscripts