Original Word: עֶבֶד
Part of Speech: Proper Name Masculine
Transliteration: `Ebed
Pronunciation: EH-bed
Phonetic Spelling: (eh'-bed)
KJV: Ebed
NASB: Ebed
Word Origin: [the same as H5650 (עֶבֶד - servants)]

1. Ebed, the name of two Israelites

Ebed

The same as ebed; Ebed, the name of two Israelites -- Ebed.

see HEBREW ebed

Word Origin
from abad
Definition
"servant," two Isr.
NASB Translation
Ebed (6).

II. עֶ֫בֶד proper name, masculine (servant of God = עַבְדְּאֵל); —

1 father of Gaal Judges 9:26,28,30,31,35 (GFM, after Hollenb^{ThLz 1891, 371} [compare Bu^{Ib. 1892, 63}] עֹבֵד, as ᵐ5^L; see also Gray^{Prop. N. 184, 272}); ᵐ5 Ιωβηλ, A ᵐ5^L Αβεδ.

2 a companion of Ezra Ezra 8:6; ᵐ5 Ωβηθ, ᵐ5^L Αμιναδαβ. — For list of Arabic names beginning with see Nö^{ZMG xli (1887), 724 ff.}, compare also Id^{ib, xlii (1888), 486} We^{Heid. 2, 2 ff}.

Name and Significance

Ebed is a Hebrew personal name meaning “servant.” Although borne by only two men in the Old Testament, the name’s God-honoring connotation links both figures to the larger biblical theme of humble service.

Occurrences and Contexts

1. Father of Gaal in the Shechem narrative (Judges 9:26, 28, 30, 31, 35).
2. A post-exilic returnee listed with the clan of Adin (Ezra 8:6).

Ebed in the Shechem Revolt (Judges 9)

The text introduces Ebed only by patronymic reference: “Now Gaal son of Ebed came with his brothers and moved into Shechem, and the men of Shechem trusted him” (Judges 9:26). While nothing further is said of Ebed himself, the narrative contrasts his name (“servant”) with the proud, self-promoting speech of his son. Gaal stirs rebellion against Abimelech, declaring: “Who is Abimelech, and who is Shechem, that we should serve him?” (Judges 9:28). The account ends with Abimelech’s crushing of the insurgents, underscoring how arrogance leads to ruin. The silence concerning Ebed may imply that his legacy was overshadowed by his son’s folly—a sobering reminder that the faithfulness implied in a godly name does not automatically transfer to the next generation (cf. Proverbs 20:7).

Ebed among the Returnees (Ezra 8:6)

Centuries later, another bearer of the name surfaces as God gathers His exiled people: “of the descendants of Adin, Ebed son of Jonathan, and with him fifty men” (Ezra 8:6). This Ebed answered Ezra’s call to leave the relative security of Babylon and journey to Jerusalem, contributing manpower to the rebuilding of covenant life. His willingness embodies the servant-heart his name proclaims, paralleling the wider revival spirit of the post-exilic community (Haggai 1:12-14).

Servanthood in the Redemptive Narrative

The name Ebed echoes the broader biblical pattern in which true greatness is measured by service (Matthew 20:26-28). Key examples include:
• Moses, “the servant of the LORD” (Deuteronomy 34:5).
• David, “My servant” (2 Samuel 7:5).
• The prophetic vision of the Suffering Servant (Isaiah 52:13–53:12).
• Jesus Christ, who “emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant” (Philippians 2:7).

The contrast between the two Ebeds highlights the decisive element of personal response. A noble name or heritage is valuable, yet obedience and humility must be personally embraced (Luke 3:8).

Ministry Reflections

• Legacy: Parents cannot assume their devotion will shield children from pride; intentional discipleship is essential (Deuteronomy 6:6-7).
• Leadership: Gaal’s rebellion warns against charismatic leaders who lack submission to God’s appointed order (Romans 13:1-2).
• Restoration: The post-exilic Ebed exemplifies believers who forsake comfort for kingdom restoration, a model for mission and church planting today (Nehemiah 2:17-18).
• Identity: Every Christian bears the calling implicit in the name Ebed—“You are not your own; you were bought at a price” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).

Summary

Though mentioned only six times, Ebed’s name anchors two contrasting snapshots: one shadowed by insurrection, the other shining in renewal. Together they reinforce Scripture’s consistent call to live as faithful servants of the Lord, trusting that He “exalts the humble” (Luke 14:11) and weaves their obedience into His unfolding redemptive plan.

עֶ֔בֶד עֶ֖בֶד עֶ֗בֶד עֶ֙בֶד֙ עֶ֤בֶד עָ֑בֶד עבד ‘ā·ḇeḏ ‘āḇeḏ ‘e·ḇeḏ ‘eḇeḏ Aved evedInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts