Boy Old Testament Rare
Joah
fraternity; brother of the Lord
יוֹאָח yo.ach
Joah (Hebrew: יוֹאָח, yo.ach) means “fraternity; brother of the Lord”, by traditional interpretation. Six men in scripture bear the name; the best attested is a king. In 2025 it was given to 79 children in the United States. Use is rising. Around 1,246 Americans have been given it since 1880. Appears with Abdi in 2 Chronicles 29.
Which Joah?
Six men in scripture bear this name. Here is each of them.
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Joah
son of Asaph
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Joah
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Joah
son of Joahaz
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Joah
son of Joahaz
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Joah
son of Obed-edom
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Joah
son of Zimmah
Scripture against society
The two measures, side by side
At a glance
- Verses
- 11 across 4 books
- Bearers
- 6 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 | 79 | Rising |
| All-time total | 1,246 | Since records begin in 1880 |
| Peak | 79 in 2023 | Its highest year on record |
| Strongest state | TX | Highest share relative to births |
In scripture
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| First appears | 2 Kings 18:18 |
| Last appears | Isaiah 36:22 |
| Cross-references | 134 linked passages |
Names connected to this one
- Asaph co-occurrence Appears with Asaph in 2 Kings 18.
- Shebna co-occurrence Appears with Shebna in 2 Kings 18.
- Eliakim co-occurrence Appears with Eliakim in 2 Kings 18.
- Hilkiah co-occurrence Appears with Hilkiah in 2 Kings 18.
- Abdi co-occurrence Appears with Abdi in 2 Chronicles 29.
- Maaseiah co-occurrence Appears with Maaseiah in 2 Chronicles 34.
- Joahaz co-occurrence Appears with Joahaz in 2 Chronicles 34.
- Joel co-occurrence Appears with Joel in 2 Chronicles 29.
Origin & meaning
A man of the tribe of Levi living at the time of United Monarchy, only mentioned at 1Ch.26.4;
son of: Obed-edom (H5654);
brother of: Shemaiah (H8098I), Jehozabad (H3075H), Sachar (H7940), Nethanel (H5417K), Ammiel (H5988I), Issachar (H3485H) and Peullethai (H6469)
§ Joah = "Jehovah is brother"
1) son of Asaph and chronicler to Hezekiah
2) a Gershonite son or grandson of Zimmah
3) a Korhite, 3rd son of Obed-edom and doorkeeper in the time of David
4) son of Joahaz and chronicler to king Josiah
Joah, a son of Obed-edom, was one of the gatekeepers assigned to guard the temple.
The biblical story
Joah is briefly mentioned in 1Ch.26.4 as one of the sons of Obed-edom, a Levite who served as a gatekeeper for the tabernacle during King David's reign. Obed-edom and his family were entrusted with the responsibility of guarding the temple gates. Joah is listed among Obed-edom's eight sons, who are described as capable men with the strength to do the work.
Key verses
Joah appears in 1 verse. Here are some of the most notable:
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Moreover the sons of Obed–edom were, Shemaiah the firstborn, Jehozabad the second, Joah the third, and Sacar the fourth, and Nethaneel the fifth,
1 Chronicles 26:4
Show all 1 reference
1 Chronicles (1)
- 1 Chronicles 26:4