Lexical Definition

‎יוֹאָב‎ Yôwʼâb (yo-awb') Joab ^N:N-M-P
from ‎יְהֹוָה‎ and ‎אָב‎; Jehovah-fathered

Joab.

• § Joab = "Jehovah is father"
• Joab, the name of three Israelites

1) son of David's sister Zeruiah and general of David's army
2) a Judaite descendant of Kenaz
3) a post exilic family

Extended Information

• A man living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at 1Sa.26.6 his mother was Zeruiah (צְרוּיָה)
• brother of: Abishai (אֲבִישַׁי) and Asahel (עֲשָׂהאֵל)

Brown-Driver-Briggs

‎יוֺאָב‎ proper name, masculine (‎׳‎‎י‎ is father; compare ‎אֲבִיָּהוּ‎, ‎אֱלִיאָב‎, ‎אֲבִיאֵל‎ & references) —

1. David's sister's son & captain of his host (ᵐ5 Ἰωαβ) 1Sam 26:6; 2Sam 2:13 + 100 t. 2 Samuel (also 2Sam 20:6 for ᵑ0 ‎אֲבִישַׁי‎ compare ᵑ6 We Dr); 1Kgs 1:7 + 14 t. 1 Kings; 1Chr 2:16 + 22 t. 1 Chronicles; Ps 60:2*.

2. a descendant of Judah 1Chr 4:14 (but ᵐ5 B ᵐ5^L Ἰωβαβ).

3. a family-name after the exile Ezra 2:6 = Neh 7:11 (ᵐ5 Ἰωβαβ, Ἰωαβ) Ezra 8:9 (ᵐ5 Ἰωαβ).

Brown-Driver-Briggs References

Profile

Male • David's compatriot • Son of Zeruiah, commander of David's army

David's compatriot living at the time of United Monarchy

Joab, David's nephew and commander of his army, was a key figure in David's reign, known for his military prowess and loyalty (2Sa.8.16; 1Ch.11.6).

• David's compatriot living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at 1Sa.26.6;
• only referred to as Joab יוֹאָב;
• his mother was Zeruiah צְרוּיָה;
• a brother of Abishai אֲבִישַׁי and Asahel עֲשָׂהאֵל.

Joab, the son of Zeruiah, was King David's nephew and the commander of his army. He first appears in 1 Samuel 26:6, accompanying David on a mission to Saul's camp. Joab played a significant role in David's rise to power and the establishment of his kingdom (2Sa.2-3; 8.16; 1Ch.11.6,8).

As a military commander, Joab led David's forces in various battles against the Ammonites, Syrians, and other enemies (2Sa.10; 12.26-27; 1Ch.19). He also helped quell Absalom's rebellion and was instrumental in defeating Sheba's revolt (2Sa.18; 20).

However, Joab's loyalty to David was sometimes overshadowed by his own ambition and ruthlessness. He killed Abner, Saul's former commander, in revenge for his brother Asahel's death (2Sa.3). He also disobeyed David's orders by killing Absalom (2Sa.18) and supported Adonijah's attempt to seize the throne (1Ki.1.7,19).

Despite his flaws, Joab remained a key figure in David's reign until the end. He was involved in the census that brought God's judgment upon Israel (2Sa.24; 1Ch.21) and was eventually killed by Benaiah on Solomon's orders for his support of Adonijah (1Ki.2.28-35).

All entries for Joab: יוֹאָב

Related Profiles:

• husband_of_Zeruiah (father)
• Zeruiah (mother)
• Abishai (sibling)
• Asahel (sibling)