3135. Yoash

Lexical Summary

Yoash: Joash

Original Word: יוֹעָשׁ
Part of Speech: Proper Name Masculine
Transliteration: Yow`ash
Pronunciation: yo-AHSH
Phonetic Spelling: (yo-awsh')
KJV: Joash
NASB: Joash
Word Origin: [from H3068 (יְהוֹוָה - LORD) and H5789 (עוּשׁ - hasten)]

1. Jehovah-hastened
2. Joash, the name of two Israelites

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

Joash

From Yhovah and uwsh; Jehovah-hastened; Joash, the name of two Israelites -- Joash.

see HEBREW Yhovah

see HEBREW uwsh

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from Yhvh and ush
Definition
"the LORD has aided," two Isr.
NASB Translation
Joash (2).

Brown-Driver-Briggs

יוֺעָשׁ proper name, masculine ᵐ5 Ἰωας (׳י hath aided (?; compare Arabic ); compare Sabean אלעֿותֿ DHM in MV) —

1 a Benjamite, son of Becher 1 Chronicles 7:8.

2 an officer under David 1 Chronicles 27:28.

יוֺצָדָק see יְהוֺצָדָק.

יוֺקִים see יְהוֺיָקִים.

יוֺרָם see יְהוֺרָם.

יוֺשָׁפָט see יְהוֺשָׁפָט.

Topical Lexicon

Occurrences and Context

Joash (Strong’s Hebrew 3135) appears twice in Scripture, both times in 1 Chronicles. He is mentioned first in the tribal genealogies (1 Chronicles 7:8) and later among the royal stewards who served King David (1 Chronicles 27:28). Though his role is brief, these two settings connect him with Israel’s covenant lineage and with the orderly administration of the united kingdom.

Genealogical Significance (1 Chronicles 7:8)

The Chronicler lists Joash among the sons of Becher, the son of Benjamin. “The sons of Becher were Zemirah, Joash, Eliezer, Elioenai, Omri, Jeremoth, Abijah, Anathoth, and Alemeth” (1 Chronicles 7:8). In its context, this verse affirms several truths:
• Continuity of the covenant people. The lineage from Benjamin through Becher highlights the precise keeping of family histories that safeguarded tribal inheritance (Numbers 26:55-56).
• Preservation after exile. Chronicles was compiled for post-exilic readers who needed assurance that their tribal roots remained intact despite national upheaval. Joash’s name, therefore, helps anchor later generations in God’s enduring promises to the patriarchs.

Administrative Service under David (1 Chronicles 27:28)

The second occurrence places Joash among the officers in David’s well-organized government. “Over the olive and sycamore trees in the lowlands was Joash” (1 Chronicles 27:28). From this appointment several insights emerge:
• Steward of agricultural resources. Olives and sycamores were staples of the Shephelah. Their produce—olive oil, fruit, lumber—was essential for both everyday life and temple worship (Exodus 27:20; 1 Kings 6:15). By overseeing these groves, Joash served the nation’s economic strength and its liturgical life.
• Evidence of wise kingship. David’s administration distributed responsibilities to capable men (1 Chronicles 27:25-31). Joash’s inclusion testifies to a merit-based structure that simultaneously honored tribal representation, echoing Exodus 18:21 in which qualified leaders shoulder specific duties.
• Foreshadowing of faithful service. Scripture often elevates apparently minor roles to teach that “it is required of stewards that they be found faithful” (1 Corinthians 4:2). Joash’s quiet diligence prefigures the New Testament ethic of serving Christ in whatever task is given (Colossians 3:23-24).

Spiritual and Theological Reflections

1. God values ordinary faithfulness. Joash never appears on a battlefield nor delivers a prophetic oracle, yet the Spirit memorializes his service. This underscores that the LORD sees hidden labor and records it for eternal remembrance (Hebrews 6:10).
2. Covenant participation through vocation. As an agricultural overseer, Joash’s work sustained temple worship by providing oil and wood. Practical vocations become sacred when offered to God’s purposes (1 Samuel 2:30).
3. Preservation of the remnant. The Chronicler’s precise genealogies, including otherwise unknown figures such as Joash, declare that not one covenant heir is forgotten (Isaiah 49:16).

Connections to Broader Biblical Themes

• Stewardship: Joash’s management of natural resources anticipates later teaching on stewardship found in the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30).
• Community order: His role within David’s kingdom models the orderliness enjoined in the New Testament church (1 Corinthians 14:40).
• Tribal unity: Though Benjamite, his service under a Judahite king reflects the intended unity of Israel’s tribes, hinting at the future union of Jew and Gentile in Christ (Ephesians 2:14-16).

Lessons for Today

1. Count seemingly minor duties as sacred trust; God records them.
2. Excellence in secular labor can directly support spiritual worship.
3. Faithful administration buttresses national and congregational health; gifted organizers, like Joash, fulfill an indispensable ministry alongside prophets and warriors.

In the brief but purposeful mentions of Joash, Scripture shows that every name matters, every task has kingdom value, and the LORD’s meticulous record-keeping reinforces His unbreakable covenant faithfulness.

Forms and Transliterations

וְיוֹעָ֡שׁ ויועש יוֹעָֽשׁ׃ יועש׃ veyoAsh wə·yō·w·‘āš wəyōw‘āš yō·w·‘āš yoAsh yōw‘āš

Englishman's Concordance

1 Chronicles 7:8
HEB: בֶ֗כֶר זְמִירָ֡ה וְיוֹעָ֡שׁ וֶ֠אֱלִיעֶזֶר וְאֶלְיוֹעֵינַ֤י
NAS: [were] Zemirah, Joash, Eliezer,
KJV: Zemira, and Joash, and Eliezer,
INT: of Becher Zemirah Joash Eliezer Elioenai

1 Chronicles 27:28
HEB: אֹצְר֥וֹת הַשֶּׁ֖מֶן יוֹעָֽשׁ׃ ס
NAS: in the Shephelah; and Joash had charge
KJV: of oil [was] Joash:
INT: of the stores of oil and Joash

2 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 3135
2 Occurrences

wə·yō·w·‘āš — 1 Occ.
yō·w·‘āš — 1 Occ.