Boy Old Testament Rare
Joab
paternity; voluntary
יוֹאָב yo.av
Joab (Hebrew: יוֹאָב, yo.av) means “paternity; voluntary”, by traditional interpretation. Four men in scripture bear the name; the best attested is a warrior. In 2025 it was given to 60 children in the United States. Use is rising. Appears with Abishai in 2 Samuel 18.
Which Joab?
Four men in scripture bear this name. Here is each of them.
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Joab
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Joab
father of Zichri
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Joab
son of Seraiah
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Joab
Scripture against society
The two measures, side by side
At a glance
- Verses
- 125 across 7 books
- Bearers
- 4 distinct people in scripture
- Testament
- Old
- Era
- United Monarchy
Using it today
Based on 2025 births across the United States.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| Given in 2025 | 60 | Rising |
| All-time total | 1,000 | Since records begin in 1880 |
| Peak | 60 in 2025 | Its highest year on record |
| Ten-year trend | +104% | Change in share of births |
| Strongest state | TX | Highest share relative to births |
In scripture
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| First appears | 1 Samuel 26:6 |
| Last appears | Psalms 60:1 |
| Cross-references | 1,401 linked passages |
Names connected to this one
- Zeruiah co-occurrence Appears with Zeruiah in 1 Kings 2.
- Abishai co-occurrence Appears with Abishai in 2 Samuel 18.
- Asahel co-occurrence Appears with Asahel in 2 Samuel 2.
- Amasa co-occurrence Appears with Amasa in 2 Samuel 20.
- Abner co-occurrence Appears with Abner in 2 Samuel 3.
- Absalom co-occurrence Appears with Absalom in 2 Samuel 14.
- Sheba co-occurrence Appears with Sheba in 2 Samuel 20.
- Bichri co-occurrence Appears with Bichri in 2 Samuel 20.
Origin & meaning
A man of the tribe of Judah living at the time of Divided Monarchy, only mentioned at 1Ch.4.14;
son of: Seraiah (H8304J)
§ Joab = "Jehovah is father"
1) son of David's sister Zeruiah and general of David's army
2) a Judaite descendant of Kenaz
3) a post exilic family
Joab, the son of Seraiah, was the father (ie founder) of Ge-harashim.
The biblical story
Joab, mentioned in 1Ch.4.14, was the son of Seraiah from the tribe of Judah. He is described as the father (ie founder) of Ge-harashim, which likely refers to a place or a group of craftsmen.
Key verses
Joab appears in 1 verse. Here are some of the most notable:
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And Meonothai begat Ophrah: and Seraiah begat Joab, the father of the valley of Charashim; for they were craftsmen.
1 Chronicles 4:14
Show all 1 reference
1 Chronicles (1)
- 1 Chronicles 4:14