Nob is a significant location in the biblical narrative, primarily noted as a city of priests during the time of King Saul and King David. It is mentioned in the Old Testament, particularly in the books of 1 Samuel and Isaiah. Nob's historical and theological implications are noteworthy, as it serves as a backdrop for events that highlight themes of divine justice, leadership, and the consequences of disobedience.

Geographical and Historical Context

Nob is identified as a city in the territory of Benjamin, near Jerusalem. Its exact location remains uncertain, but it is traditionally associated with a site northeast of the city. Nob's prominence arises from its role as a priestly city, housing the tabernacle and the sacred ephod during the time of King Saul. This made it a central place of worship and religious activity in Israel.

Biblical Narrative

The most significant event associated with Nob is found in 1 Samuel 21-22. David, fleeing from King Saul, arrives at Nob and seeks assistance from Ahimelech the priest. David receives consecrated bread and the sword of Goliath, which had been kept there. This encounter sets off a tragic chain of events. Saul, upon learning of David's visit, accuses Ahimelech and the priests of conspiring against him. In a fit of rage, Saul orders the massacre of the priests of Nob, carried out by Doeg the Edomite. This brutal act results in the death of eighty-five priests and the destruction of the city (1 Samuel 22:18-19): "Then the king ordered Doeg, 'You turn and strike down the priests!' So Doeg the Edomite turned and struck them down, killing eighty-five men who wore the linen ephod. He also struck down Nob, the city of the priests, with the sword—men and women, children and infants, oxen, donkeys, and sheep."

This event underscores the themes of Saul's disobedience and the resulting divine judgment. It also highlights the protection and provision of God for David, as Abiathar, the son of Ahimelech, escapes and joins David, bringing the ephod with him (1 Samuel 22:20-23).

Prophetic Reference

Nob is also mentioned in the book of Isaiah as part of a prophecy against Assyria. In Isaiah 10:32, the prophet describes the Assyrian army's advance toward Jerusalem, mentioning Nob as a point from which the enemy shakes his fist at the city: "This very day they will halt at Nob; they will shake a fist at the mount of Daughter Zion, at the hill of Jerusalem." This reference serves as a reminder of God's sovereignty and the ultimate futility of human arrogance against His chosen city.

Theological Significance

Nob's narrative illustrates the severe consequences of rejecting God's anointed and the sanctity of His appointed places and people. The massacre of the priests is a stark reminder of the cost of disobedience and the misuse of power. It also foreshadows the protection and establishment of David's kingship, as God preserves a remnant through Abiathar, ensuring the continuity of the priestly line and the fulfillment of His promises to David.

In summary, Nob serves as a poignant symbol of divine justice and the unfolding of God's redemptive plan through the lineage of David, despite human failings and opposition.Nob

discourse; prophecy

Nob

(high place) (1 Samuel 22:19; Nehemiah 11:32) a sacerdotal city in the tribe of Benjamin and situated on some eminence near Jerusalem. It was one of the places where the ark of Jehovah was kept for a time during the days of its wanderings. (2 Samuel 6:1) etc. But the event for which Nob was most noted in the Scripture annals was a frightful massacre which occurred there in the reign of Saul. (1 Samuel 22:17-19)

Nob

A city of priests, in Benjamin, near Jerusalem; its inhabitants were once put to the sword by command of Saul, for their hospitality to David, 1 Samuel 21:2; 22:9-23; Nehemiah 11:32; Isaiah 10:32. Its site is unknown.

High place, a city of the priests, first mentioned in the history of David's wanderings (1 Samuel 21:1). Here the tabernacle was then standing, and here Ahimelech the priest resided. (see AHIMELECH.) From Isaiah 10:28-32 it seems to have been near Jerusalem. It has been identified by some with el-Isawiyeh, one mile and a half to the north-east of Jerusalem. But according to Isaiah 10:28-32 it was on the south of Geba, on the road to Jerusalem, and within sight of the city. This identification does not meet these conditions, and hence others (as Dean Stanley) think that it was the northern summit of Mount Olivet, the place where David "worshipped God" when fleeing from Absalom (2 Samuel 15:32), or more probably (Conder) that it was the same as Mizpeh (q.v.), Judges 20:1; Joshua 18:26; 1 Samuel 7:16, at Nebi Samwil, about 5 miles north-west of Jerusalem.

After being supplied with the sacred loaves of showbread, and girding on the sword of Goliath, which was brought forth from behind the ephod, David fled from Nob and sought refuge at the court of Achish, the king of Gath, where he was cast into prison. (Comp. titles of Psalm 34 and 56.)

1. (n.) The head.

2. (n.) A person in a superior position in life; a nobleman.

NOB

nob (nobh; Codex Vaticanus Nomba; Codex Alexandrinus Noba, and other forms): An ancient priestly town to which David came on his way South when he fled from Saul at Gibeah (1 Samuel 21:1). Here he found refuge and succor with Ahimelech. This was observed by Doeg the Edomite, who informed the king, and afterward became the instrument of Saul's savage vengeance on the priests, and on all the inhabitants of the city (1 Samuel 22). The name occurs in Nehemiah 11:32 in a list of cities, immediately after Anathoth. In Isaiah's ideal account of the Assyrians' march against Jerusalem, Nob is clearly placed South of Anathoth. Here, says the prophet, the Assyrian shall shake his hand at the mount of the daughter of Zion, the hill of Jerusalem. It was a place, therefore, from which the Holy City and the temple were clearly visible.

The district in which the site must be sought is thus very definitely indicated; but within this district no name at all resembling Nob has been discovered, and so no sure identification is yet possible. `Anata (Anathoth) is 2 1/2 miles Northeast of Jerusalem. Nob therefore lay between that and the city, at a point where the city could be seen, apparently on the great road from the Nob. Rather more than a mile North of Jerusalem rises the ridge Ras el-Mesharif (2, 665 ft.), over which the road from the Nob passes; and here the traveler approaching from that direction obtains his first sight of the city. It is fittingly named "the look-out." Col. Conder states the case for identifying this height with Mt. Scopus where Titus established his camp at the siege of Jerusalem (PEFS, 1874, 111;). Immediately South of the ridge, to the East of the road, there is a small plateau, South of which there is a lower ridge, whence the slopes dip into Wady el-Joz. This plateau, on which Titus may have sat, is a very probable site for Nob. It quite suits the requirements of Isaiah's narrative, and not less those of David's flight. Gibeah lay not far to the North, and this lay in the most likely path to the South.

W. Ewing

5011. Nob -- a priestly city, perhaps also a place North of Jer.
... 5010, 5011. Nob. 5012 . a priestly city, perhaps also a place North of Jer.
Transliteration: Nob Phonetic Spelling: (nobe) Short Definition: Nob. ...
/hebrew/5011.htm - 6k

3430. Yishbo Benob -- "his dwelling (is) in Nob," a Philistine
... Yishbo Benob. 3431 . "his dwelling (is) in Nob," a Philistine. Transliteration:
Yishbo Benob Phonetic Spelling: (yish-bo'beh-nobe) Short Definition: Ishbi-benob ...
/hebrew/3430.htm - 6k

5108. nob -- fruit
... 5107, 5108. nob. 5109 . fruit. Transliteration: nob Phonetic Spelling: (nobe)
Short Definition: praise. ... 5107, 5108. nob. 5109 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/5108.htm - 6k

5022. Naboth -- a Jezreelite
... Naboth. Feminine plural from the same as Nob; fruits; Naboth, an Israelite -- Naboth.
see HEBREW Nob. 5021, 5022. Naboth. 5023 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/5022.htm - 6k

5109. Nobay -- an Israelite leader
... Nobay. 5110 . an Israelite leader. Transliteration: Nobay Phonetic Spelling:
(no-bah'ee) Short Definition: Nebai. Word Origin from nob Definition an Isr. ...
/hebrew/5109.htm - 6k

Nob. Bahurim.
... A Chorographical Century. Chapters 41-50 Chapter 44 Nob. Bahurim. That ...
&c. Where Kimchi thus; "Jerusalem might be seen from Nob. ...
/.../lightfoot/from the talmud and hebraica/chapter 44 nob bahurim.htm

The Cost of a Lie
... Then David went to Nob, to Ahimelech the priest who came trembling to meet David
and said to him, "Why are you alone, and no one with you?" David answered ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sherman/the childrens bible/the cost of a lie.htm

How David Fled to Ahimelech and Afterwards to the Kings of the ...
... 1. But David fled from the king, and that death he was in danger of by him, and
came to the city Nob, to Ahimelech the priest, who, when he saw him coming all ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 12 how david fled.htm

The Exile Continued.
... thence by Saul's following him, and having had one last sorrowful hour of Jonathan's
companionship"the last but one on earth"he fled to Nob, whither the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/the life of david/v the exilecontinued.htm

The Doom of the Antichrist
... As yet shall he remain at Nob that day" (Isa.10:28-32). ... Nob must be some elevation
commanding a distant view of Jerusalem from the west. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the antichrist/the doom of the antichrist.htm

The Promise in 2 Samuel, Chap. vii.
... but also, that the place of this sanctuary was oftentimes changed, from one station
to another in the wilderness, then to Gilgal, Shiloh, Nob and Gibeon. ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/the promise in 2 samuel.htm

Book 5 Footnotes
... B. VIII. ch.14. sect.2. [21] This city Nob was not a city allotted to the priests,
nor had the prophets, that we know of, any particular cities allotted them. ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/book 5 footnotes.htm

From the Talmud and Hebraica
... Chapter 41 Bethany. Beth-hene. Chapter 42 Scopo. Chapter 43 Ramah. Ramathaim Zophim.
Gibeah. Chapter 44 Nob. Bahurim. Chapter 45 Emmaus. Kiriath-jearim. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/lightfoot/from the talmud and hebraica/

The Gathering Storm
... BOOK I. ANTIOCH CHAPTER I THE GATHERING STORM. Phoebe?? lauri domus, Antiochia
Turbida...et amentis populi male sana tumultu. Ausonius, Ord. Nob. Urbium. ...
/.../chapter i the gathering storm.htm

Trumpets and Street Corners
... ST. MATTHEW Chaps. I to VIII TRUMPETS AND STREET CORNERS. 'Take heed that ye do
nob your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/trumpets and street corners.htm

Nob (6 Occurrences)
... with the sacred loaves of showbread, and girding on the sword of Goliath, which
was brought forth from behind the ephod, David fled from Nob and sought ...NOB. ...
/n/nob.htm - 12k

Ish'bi-be'nob (1 Occurrence)
Ish'bi-be'nob. Ishbi-benob, Ish'bi-be'nob. Ishbosheth . Multi-Version
Concordance Ish'bi-be'nob (1 Occurrence). 2 Samuel ...
/i/ish'bi-be'nob.htm - 6k

Ahimelech (17 Occurrences)
... He was the twelfth high priest, and officiated at Nob, where he was visited by David
(to whom and his companions he gave five loaves of the showbread) when he ...
/a/ahimelech.htm - 20k

Ishbi-benob (1 Occurrence)
Ishbi-benob. Ishbibenob, Ishbi-benob. Ish'bi-be'nob . ... My seat at Nob, one
of the Rephaim, whose spear was three hundred shekels in weight. ...
/i/ishbi-benob.htm - 7k

Doeg (6 Occurrences)
... Fearful, an Edomite, the chief overseer of Saul's flocks (1 Samuel 21:7). At the
command of Saul he slew the high priest Ahimelech (qv) at Nob, together with ...
/d/doeg.htm - 9k

Ahim'elech (16 Occurrences)
... 1 Samuel 21:1 Then came David to Nob to Ahimelech the priest; and Ahimelech came
to meet David trembling, and said unto him: 'Why art thou alone, and no man ...
/a/ahim'elech.htm - 11k

Ananiah (2 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Protected by Jehovah, the name of a town in the
tribe of Benjamin between Nob and Hazor (Nehemiah 11:32). ...
/a/ananiah.htm - 7k

Abiathar (29 Occurrences)
... When his father was slain with the priests of Nob, he escaped, and bearing with
him the ephod, he joined David, who was then in the cave of Adullam (1 Samuel 22 ...
/a/abiathar.htm - 29k

Ishbibenob (1 Occurrence)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary My seat at Nob, one of the Rephaim, whose spear was three
hundred shekels in weight. He was slain by Abishai (2 Samuel 21:16, 17). ...
/i/ishbibenob.htm - 7k

Ephod (45 Occurrences)
... Thus, the boy Samuel was girded with a linen ephod while assisting the aged high
priest (1 Samuel 2:18); the priests at Nob, 85 in number, are described as men ...
/e/ephod.htm - 27k

Who was Doeg the Edomite? | GotQuestions.org

Nob: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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