Obed definition
Obed means “the serving one” and the reason is that the expectation of the women of the community is that as the boy grew he would serve Naomi and care for her in her old age. This name appears in another form in the name of the prophet “Obediah” which also means serving one but the last part of his name indicates that for him the one he is
Obed means something like, "one who serves."—The idea being that, he is a servant of Naomi by perpetuating her family line. But that's not THE surprise. We were anticipating THAT—Ruth and Boaz get married, have a son, and carry on the family line.