Who was Joash in the Bible?

Joash was a descendant of Shelah, a son of Judah, and is listed in the genealogy of the tribe of Judah in 1 Chronicles 4:22. He is a relatively minor figure, mentioned only in this genealogical record.

What is the significance of Joash in the Bible?

His significance lies in his place within the lineage of Judah, which was the royal tribe from which King David and, ultimately, Jesus Christ descended (Matthew 1:3). His inclusion preserves an important genealogical link for the tribe of Judah.

Are there any key events in the life of Joash (son of Shelah)?

The Bible does not record any specific events from his life. The only information provided is his name and his position within the family tree of Judah in 1 Chronicles 4:21-23.

Joash

Old TestamentEgypt & WildernessMaleSon of shelah

Joash was a descendant of Shelah, mentioned in the genealogy of Judah (1Ch.4.22).

Joash

Biography

Joash, a descendant of Shelah, the third son of Judah by his Canaanite wife Shua, is preserved in the genealogical records of 1 Chronicles 4:22. Shelah's line is distinguished in Judah's genealogy for producing craftsmen and settlers; Joash is mentioned alongside his brother Saraph, who 'ruled in Moab.' The brief notation that Joash and Saraph 'returned to Lehem', possibly a reference to Bethlehem, may suggest a resettlement tradition preserved in tribal memory. As a member of Shelah's line, Joash represents the descendants of Judah through a lineage that ran parallel to the more prominent Perez line from which David descended, filling out the complete picture of Judah's tribal heritage during the patriarchal and early Egyptian periods.

Significance

Joash the Shelanite, though mentioned only incidentally in 1 Chronicles 4:22, contributes to Scripture's comprehensive accounting of Israel's tribal genealogies. His inclusion reflects the biblical conviction that the full breadth of God's covenant people matters, not only the prominent lineages. Shelah's descendants, despite occupying a secondary position relative to the Perez line, were nonetheless preserved in Israel's official records, affirming divine faithfulness to all branches of the covenant community. Joash's genealogical placement also reminds readers that God's redemptive purposes encompass the obscure and unnamed alongside the celebrated, weaving together all strands of Israel's story in the tapestry of salvation history.

Authority Records

Wikidata

ChildGideon

Verse Appearances (1)

1Chr

1Chr 4:22

References

Orr, J. (ed.) (1915) The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Chicago: Howard-Severance Company. [Public Domain]
Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Translators Individualised Proper Names with all References (TIPNR). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
Wikidata contributors (n.d.) Wikidata. Available at: https://www.wikidata.org. [CC0]
Church of England (1769) The Holy Bible, Authorized (King James) Version. [Public Domain]

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