Who was Jobab in the Bible?

Jobab was the king of Madon, a city in northern Canaan. He is mentioned as one of the allied kings who joined Jabin, king of Hazor, to fight against the Israelites during Joshua's conquest (Joshua 11:1).

What happened to King Jobab in the Bible?

Jobab and his coalition were defeated by the Israelites under Joshua's command at the Waters of Merom. The Bible states that Joshua and his army struck them down and hamstrung their horses, fulfilling God's command (Joshua 11:6-9).

Why is King Jobab significant in the Bible?

Jobab's story is significant as part of the narrative showing God's faithfulness in giving Israel the Promised Land. His defeat demonstrates the fulfillment of God's promise to deliver Israel's enemies into their hands, as recorded in Joshua 11:23.

Jobab

Old TestamentMaleKing

Jobab, the king of Madon, was one of the northern kings who allied against Israel during the conquest of Canaan (Jos.11.1).

Jobab

Biography

Jobab, king of Madon, was one of the Canaanite rulers of the northern hill country who formed a military coalition against Israel under the leadership of Jabin, king of Hazor, during the conquest of Canaan (Joshua 11:1). When Joshua received divine assurance not to fear the assembled armies despite their overwhelming numbers, described as being 'as numerous as the sand on the seashore' with vast cavalry and chariots, he launched a surprise attack at the waters of Merom, routing the coalition decisively (Joshua 11:6–8). Jobab's participation in this northern confederation placed him among the rulers whose combined opposition represented the greatest military challenge Israel faced during the conquest. The defeat of this coalition effectively broke organized Canaanite resistance in the north and opened the hill country to Israelite settlement.

Significance

Jobab's appearance in Joshua 11:1 as a member of the northern coalition against Israel serves a significant theological function in the conquest narrative. The sheer size and military superiority of the assembled Canaanite forces was designed to underscore the impossibility of Israel's victory by human means alone, thereby magnifying the divine intervention that secured Joshua's triumph. God's command, 'Do not be afraid of them' (Joshua 11:6), frames the campaign as an act of holy war in which human opposition, regardless of scale, cannot thwart divine purpose. Jobab and his allies thus exemplify the futility of resisting the sovereign advance of God's redemptive program for his people.

Authority Records

Wikidata

FatherJoktanChildAdinahChildEridahSiblingHazarmavethSiblingAlmodadSiblingHadoramSiblingUzalSiblingAbimaelSiblingDikla

Verse Appearances (1)

Josh

Josh 11:1

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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