Bible Dictionary
Obal
Obed was the son of Boaz and Ruth, the father of Jesse, and the grandfather of David. Other men named Obed are also listed in Chronicles.
Definition
Obal, meaning “stripped,” was the eighth son of Joktan. He is also called Ebal in Chronicles and was regarded as the founder or ancestor of an Arab tribe.
Biblical Usage
Obal appears in the genealogy of Joktan’s sons. The parallel form Ebal occurs in Chronicles.
Historical Background
The supplied material identifies Obal with an Arab tribal ancestor but provides no definite location or further history for the tribe.
Scripture References
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Stripped, the eight son of Joktan (Gen. 10:28); called also Ebal (1 Chr. 1:22).
Smith's Bible Dictionary
(stripped bare), son of Joktan, and, like the rest of family, apparently the founder of an Arab tribe. (Genesis 10:28) In (1 Chronicles 1:22) the name is written Ebal.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>o'-bal.</p><p>See EBAL, 1.</p>