Lexical Summary Yoyada: Jehoiada Original Word: יוֹיָדָע Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Jehoiada, Joiada A form of Yhowyada'; Jojada, the name of two Israelites -- Jehoiada, Joiada. see HEBREW Yhowyada' NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originthe same as Yehoyada, q.v. Topical Lexicon Biblical OccurrencesNehemiah records five appearances of the name Joiada (Strong’s Hebrew 3111). Two distinct men bear the name: 1. Joiada son of Paseah, a lay leader who helped rebuild Jerusalem’s wall (Nehemiah 3:6). Historical Context All references fall within the mid-to-late fifth century BC, after the return from Babylonian exile. Ezra had restored temple worship (Ezra 6), and Nehemiah came later to fortify the city and renew covenant fidelity (Nehemiah 1–13). The wall-building campaign (chapter 3) and the listing of priestly generations (chapter 12) both underscore Yahweh’s faithfulness to re-establish His people in the Land. Joiada son of Paseah: Builder of the Old Gate “Moreover, Joiada son of Paseah and Meshullam son of Besodeiah repaired the Old Gate; they built it and set up its doors, bolts, and bars” (Nehemiah 3:6). Though only mentioned once, this Joiada illustrates the cooperative spirit behind Nehemiah’s project. Families, tradesmen and officials each accepted a section of the wall. Joiada and Meshullam took the strategic “Old Gate,” likely on the north side, where earlier invasions had pierced the city. Their work demonstrates that covenant faithfulness is expressed not merely in ritual but in tangible obedience and shared labor. Joiada son of Eliashib: Fourth-Generation High Priest Genealogy. “Jeshua was the father of Joiakim, Joiakim was the father of Eliashib, and Eliashib was the father of Joiada; Joiada was the father of Jonathan, and Jonathan was the father of Jaddua” (Nehemiah 12:10-11). Administrative record. “The Levite heads of families were recorded in the days of Eliashib, Joiada, Johanan and Jaddua, during the reign of Darius the Persian” (Nehemiah 12:22). Position. Joiada served between Eliashib and Johanan/Jonathan, probably spanning the reigns of Artaxerxes II and Darius II (c. 430–400 BC). As high priest he supervised temple worship, guarded the sacred vessels, and represented Israel before God (cf. Exodus 28; Leviticus 16). Challenge of Mixed Marriages “One of the sons of Joiada son of Eliashib the high priest had married a daughter of Sanballat the Horonite, so I drove him away from me” (Nehemiah 13:28). The union linked the priestly household to Sanballat, a persistent enemy of Judah (Nehemiah 2:10, 19; 4:1–8). By expelling the offending priest, Nehemiah protected both the sanctity of the priesthood (cf. Leviticus 21:7, 14) and the purity of Israel’s worship community (Ezra 9–10). The incident exposes a drift toward compromise even within the highest spiritual office and underscores the need for ongoing reformation. Genealogical and Messianic Significance The priestly succession from Jeshua (the first post-exilic high priest) through Joiada to Jaddua preserves continuity from the exile to the intertestamental era. This continuity safeguarded messianic expectation: the coming Anointed One would enter a faithful temple order (Malachi 3:1–4) served by legitimate priests. Spiritual Themes and Lessons 1. Covenant Cooperation. Joiada son of Paseah models lay participation in God’s work; every believer has a gate to mend. Summary The name Joiada in Nehemiah attaches both to a diligent builder of Jerusalem’s wall and to a high priest whose family tested the community’s resolve for purity. Together these appearances illustrate post-exilic Israel’s twin priorities: reconstructing physical defenses and maintaining spiritual integrity. Through their accounts Scripture invites God’s people to wholehearted service, uncompromising holiness, and trust in the Lord who preserves His covenant from generation to generation. Forms and Transliterations וְיוֹיָדָע֙ ויוידע יֽוֹיָדָע֙ יוֹיָדָ֤ע יוֹיָדָֽע׃ יוידע יוידע׃ veyoyaDa wə·yō·w·yā·ḏā‘ wəyōwyāḏā‘ yō·w·yā·ḏā‘ yōwyāḏā‘ yoyaDaLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Nehemiah 3:6 HEB: הַיְשָׁנָ֜ה הֶחֱזִ֗יקוּ יֽוֹיָדָע֙ בֶּן־ פָּסֵ֔חַ KJV: repaired Jehoiada the son INT: the Old repaired Jehoiada the son of Paseah Nehemiah 12:10 Nehemiah 12:11 Nehemiah 12:22 Nehemiah 13:28 5 Occurrences |
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