Who was Jobab in the Bible?

Jobab was a descendant of Shem through his son Joktan, listed in the genealogical records known as the Table of Nations. He is mentioned as one of the sons of Joktan, whose descendants are associated with the Arabian peninsula (Genesis 10:29; 1 Chronicles 1:23).

What is the significance of Jobab in the Bible?

Jobab's significance lies in his inclusion in the genealogies that trace the spread of nations after the Flood, establishing the lineage of the Semitic peoples. His mention helps connect the biblical narrative to specific geographical regions and peoples in the ancient Near East.

Are there any stories or key events about Jobab's life?

No, the Bible does not record any specific stories or key events from Jobab's life. His mention is purely genealogical, serving to document his place in the family line from Shem to the various tribes that populated the region.

Jobab

Old TestamentPatriarchsMaleSon

Jobab, a descendant of Shem through Joktan, is mentioned in the Table of Nations (Gen.10.29; 1Ch.1.23).

Jobab

Biography

Jobab was a son of Joktan, himself a son of Eber, descended from Shem, the son of Noah (Genesis 10:29; 1 Chronicles 1:23). He appears in the Table of Nations, the biblical genealogy that traces the post-flood dispersion of humanity from Noah's sons across the known world. Joktan's numerous sons, including Jobab, are associated with the Arabian Peninsula region, as his descendants are said to have extended from Mesha toward Sephar in the eastern hill country. Jobab thus represents one of the Semitic peoples who settled the regions of ancient Arabia following the dispersion from the plain of Shinar. His inclusion in both Genesis and Chronicles confirms his place in the biblical account of how the nations of the earth were formed from the single post-flood family of Noah.

Significance

Jobab's presence in the Table of Nations carries theological weight far beyond genealogical record-keeping. His listing within the Shemite descent from Noah affirms the biblical teaching that all peoples share a common origin, holding together human unity and ethnic diversity under the sovereignty of the Creator. The Table of Nations in Genesis 10 serves as the foundational framework for understanding Israel's later mission to the nations, anticipating the Abrahamic promise that 'all families of the earth shall be blessed' (Genesis 12:3). Jobab, as one of the many nations traced to Noah, participates in that larger narrative, representing the breadth of humanity that God's redemptive purposes ultimately encompass.

Authority Records

Wikidata

FatherJoktanChildAdinahChildEridahSiblingHazarmavethSiblingAlmodadSiblingHadoramSiblingUzalSiblingAbimaelSiblingDikla

Verse Appearances (2)

Genesis

Genesis 10:29

1Chr

1Chr 1:23

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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