Lexical Summary Yobab: Jobab Original Word: יוֹבָב Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Jobab From yabab; howler; Jobab, the name of two Israelites and of three foreigners -- Jobab. see HEBREW yabab NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom yabab Definition a son of Joktan, also his desc., also two non-Isr. kings, also two Benjamites NASB Translation Jobab (9). Brown-Driver-Briggs יוֺבָב proper name, masculine (Sabean proper name יהיבב GlaserSkizze ii. 303 ff.) — 1 'son' of Yoktân Genesis 10:29 = 1 Chronicles 1:23, ᵐ5 Ιωβαβ. 2 a king in Edom Genesis 36:33,34 = 1 Chronicles 1:44,45, ᵐ5 Ιω(α)βαβ. 3 king of Madon (Northern Canaan) Joshua 11:1, ᵐ5 Ιω(β)αβ. 4 Benjamites: a. 1 Chronicles 8:9, ᵐ5 Ιωβαβ. b. 1 Chronicles 8:18, ᵐ5 Ιω(β)αβ. יְבוּס, יְבוּסִי, יְבֻסִי see below בוס above יִבְחָר see below בחר above יָבִין see below בין above יוֺבָב proper name see יבב; יוֺבֵל, יוּבַל see יבל. Topical Lexicon JobabOverview Nine Old Testament references attest to several men named Jobab. They span the post-Flood genealogies, Edomite monarchy, Canaanite resistance to Israel, and later Benjaminite family records, revealing how one name threads through diverse settings in redemptive history. 1. Jobab son of Joktan (Genesis 10:29; 1 Chronicles 1:23) A descendant of Shem through Joktan, Jobab belongs to the Table of Nations that maps humanity after the Flood. His placement among thirteen Joktanite brothers—“Ophir, Havilah, and Jobab” (Genesis 10:29)—locates him in the line that settled the Arabian peninsula. Scripture does not record personal exploits, yet his inclusion affirms the breadth of God’s covenant concern: nations springing from Shem would ultimately be blessed through Abraham’s Seed (Genesis 12:3; Galatians 3:16). 2. Jobab son of Zerah, King of Edom (Genesis 36:33-34; 1 Chronicles 1:44-45) When Bela died, “Jobab son of Zerah from Bozrah reigned in his place” (Genesis 36:33). Edomite kings ruled long before any Israelite monarchy, underscoring Esau’s rapid national development. Jobab’s capital at Bozrah lay southeast of the Dead Sea—later a prophetic focus for divine judgment (Isaiah 34:6; Jeremiah 49:13). His reign ended and Husham succeeded him, illustrating the transient glory of kingdoms outside the covenant line. Ministry reflection: The Edomite king demonstrates God’s sovereignty over all nations. While Edom’s lineage parallels Israel’s, spiritual privilege rests not in ancestry but in covenant faithfulness (Obadiah 1-4). 3. Jobab king of Madon (Joshua 11:1) In the northern coalition against Joshua, “Jobab king of Madon” joined Jabin of Hazor and others (Joshua 11:1). Their swift defeat at the waters of Merom fulfilled earlier promises: “No one will be able to stand against you” (Joshua 1:5). Jobab’s resistance typifies the futile opposition of Canaanite powers to God’s advancing purposes. Ministry reflection: Human alliances cannot thwart divine mandate. The conquest narrative encourages believers to trust God’s power amid formidable opposition (Romans 8:31). 4. Two Benjamites named Jobab (1 Chronicles 8:9, 18) a. “By his wife Hodesh he had Jobab, Zibia, Mesha, Malcam” (1 Chronicles 8:9)—a son of the expatriate Shaharaim. b. “Ishvi, Eliel, and Jobab, the sons of Elpaal” (1 Chronicles 8:18). Both appear in extensive Benjamin genealogies compiled after the exile. The listings restore tribal identity, demonstrate God’s preservation of a remnant, and anticipate the apostle Paul, the most renowned Benjamite (Philippians 3:5). Patterns and Theological Significance 1. Continuity of the divine record: Whether Shemite, Edomite, Canaanite, or Israelite, each Jobab is noted because “the eyes of the LORD move to and fro throughout the earth” (2 Chronicles 16:9). Practical Applications • Names recorded in Scripture, however briefly, affirm individual worth before God. Related Topics Genealogies in Genesis; Edomite monarchy; Northern Canaanite coalition; Tribe of Benjamin. Forms and Transliterations וְיוֹבָ֖ב ויובב יוֹבָ֑ב יוֹבָ֥ב יוֹבָב֙ יובב veyoVav wə·yō·w·ḇāḇ wəyōwḇāḇ yō·w·ḇāḇ yoVav yōwḇāḇLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Genesis 10:29 HEB: חֲוִילָ֖ה וְאֶת־ יוֹבָ֑ב כָּל־ אֵ֖לֶּה NAS: and Havilah and Jobab; all KJV: and Havilah, and Jobab: all these [were] the sons INT: and Ophir and Havilah and Jobab all these Genesis 36:33 Genesis 36:34 Joshua 11:1 1 Chronicles 1:23 1 Chronicles 1:44 1 Chronicles 1:45 1 Chronicles 8:9 1 Chronicles 8:18 9 Occurrences |
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