Boy Old Testament Rare
Joash
who despairs or burns
יוֹאָשׁ yo.ash
Joash (Hebrew: יוֹאָשׁ, yo.ash) means “who despairs or burns”, by traditional interpretation. Eight men in scripture bear the name; the best attested is a king. In 2025 it was given to 22 children in the United States. Use is rising. Appears with Abijah in 1 Chronicles 7.
Which Joash?
Eight men in scripture bear this name. Here is each of them.
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Joash
son of Jehoahaz
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Joash
son of Ahaziah
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Joash
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Joash
son of King
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Joash
son of Shemaah
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Joash
Show all 8 bearers
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Joash
descendant of Shelah
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Joash
descendant of Benjamin
Scripture against society
The two measures, side by side
At a glance
- Verses
- 58 across 7 books
- Bearers
- 8 distinct people in scripture
- Testament
- Old
- Era
- Divided Kingdom
Using it today
Based on 2025 births across the United States.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| Given in 2025 | 22 | Rising |
| All-time total | 406 | Since records begin in 1880 |
| Peak | 29 in 2024 | Its highest year on record |
| Strongest state | PA | Highest share relative to births |
In scripture
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| First appears | Judges 6:11 |
| Last appears | Amos 1:1 |
| Cross-references | 686 linked passages |
Names connected to this one
- Amaziah co-occurrence Appears with Amaziah in 2 Kings 14.
- Jehoahaz co-occurrence Appears with Jehoahaz in 2 Kings 14.
- Jeroboam co-occurrence Appears with Jeroboam in 2 Kings 14.
- Jehosheba co-occurrence Appears with Jehosheba in 2 Kings 11.
- Amon co-occurrence Appears with Amon in 2 Chronicles 18.
- Zibiah co-occurrence Appears with Zibiah in 2 Kings 12.
- Beeri co-occurrence Appears with Beeri in Hosea 1.
- Jehoiada co-occurrence Appears with Jehoiada in 2 Kings 12.
Origin & meaning
A man living at the time of Divided Monarchy, only mentioned at 1Ch.12.3;
son of: Shemaah (H8094);
brother of: Ahiezer (H0295H)
§ Joash = "given by the Lord"
1) son of king Ahaziah and the 8th king of Judah
2) son of king Jehoahaz and the 12th king of the northern kingdom of Israel
3) father of Gideon
4) a son of king Ahab
5) a descendant of Shelah the son of Judah; either the son of Shelah or the son of Jokim
6) son of Shemaah of Gibeah who resorted to David at Ziklag
Joash, the son of Shemaah the Gibeathite, was a Benjaminite warrior who joined David at Ziklag.
The biblical story
Joash, the son of Shemaah the Gibeathite, is mentioned in 1Ch.12.3 as one of the Benjaminite warriors who joined David at Ziklag when he was fleeing from King Saul. Along with his brother Jeziel, Joash is described as a skillful archer and slingshot user. These warriors from the tribe of Benjamin provided valuable military support to David during his time of exile and later when he became king over Israel.
Key verses
Joash appears in 1 verse. Here are some of the most notable:
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The chief was Ahiezer, then Joash, the sons of Shemaah the Gibeathite; and Jeziel, and Pelet, the sons of Azmaveth; and Berachah, and Jehu the Antothite,
1 Chronicles 12:3
Show all 1 reference
1 Chronicles (1)
- 1 Chronicles 12:3