יוֹבָב
Jobab, the name of two Israelites and of three foreigners
Definition
Jobab is a proper name given to several individuals in the Old Testament, both Israelites and foreigners. In the Table of Nations (Genesis 10:29), Jobab is listed as a descendant of Joktan, a son of Eber, making him part of the early Semitic lineage. In the Edomite king lists (Genesis 36:33-34, 1 Chronicles 1:44-45), Jobab is the name of a king who succeeded Bela in Edom. Another significant figure is Jobab, king of Madon, who led a coalition against Joshua (Joshua 11:1). Finally, a Benjamite named Jobab is mentioned in 1 Chronicles 8:9.
Biblical Usage
The name Jobab is used exclusively as a personal name in the Old Testament. It appears in genealogical contexts (Genesis 10:29, 1 Chronicles 1:23, 8:9), in historical king lists for Edom (Genesis 36:33-34, 1 Chronicles 1:44-45), and in the narrative of the conquest of Canaan, where he is a hostile king (Joshua 11:1). There is no pattern of usage beyond identifying these specific individuals.
Etymology
The name יוֹבָב (Yôwbâb) is derived from the root יָבַב (yābab, H2980), which means 'to cry, to howl, to shout.' It is likely a verbal form meaning 'howler' or 'one who calls out.' This suggests the name could have described a characteristic of the person, such as a loud or vocal individual, which was a common practice in Hebrew name-giving.
Semantic Range
While the name itself is not theologically loaded, the individuals bearing it connect to key biblical themes. The Edomite King Jobab fits into the theme of God's sovereignty over all nations, even those opposed to Israel. Jobab of Madon represents the hostile kings of Canaan whom God delivered into Joshua's hands, demonstrating His faithfulness to the conquest promises. The genealogical Jobabs highlight the meticulous preservation of lineage, which is foundational for the biblical covenants and the lineage of the Messiah.
In ancient Semitic culture, names were often descriptive or expressed a hope or characteristic. A name meaning 'howler' might have been given to a child with a strong cry or intended to denote a future leader with a commanding voice. The recurrence of the name among both Israelites and foreign kings (Edomite, Canaanite) shows it was a name used across different cultures and peoples in the ancient Near East.
As a proper name, Jobab has no direct synonyms. Other names with similar sounds or constructions from the same root are not attested with the same meaning in the biblical text.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
Full methodology & sources →