Who was Jobab in the Bible?

Jobab was an early king of Edom, the son of Zerah from the city of Bozrah. He is listed in the genealogical records of the Edomite kings, reigning before the nation of Israel had its own monarchy (Genesis 36:33-34).

Why is King Jobab mentioned in the Bible?

Jobab's mention establishes the historical lineage and governance of Edom, Israel's neighboring nation and frequent rival. His record in Genesis and 1 Chronicles provides a historical framework, showing that organized kingdoms existed in the region long before King Saul (1 Chronicles 1:44-45).

What is significant about Jobab being king before Israel had a king?

It highlights that other nations in the region, like Edom, were established as kingdoms earlier than Israel. This context is important for understanding the geopolitical landscape and God's unique, later timing in establishing a monarchy for His chosen people.

Jobab

Old TestamentPatriarchsMaleKingSon

Jobab, the son of Zerah of Bozrah, was an early king of Edom who reigned before Israel had a king (Gen.36.33,34; 1Ch.1.44,45).

Jobab

Biography

Jobab, son of Zerah of Bozrah, reigned as the second king listed in the early Edomite king list recorded in Genesis 36:33–34 and repeated in 1 Chronicles 1:44–45. He succeeded Bela son of Beor on the Edomite throne, and his own reign was followed by Husham of the Temanite land. Jobab's city of origin, Bozrah, was one of Edom's most significant urban centers, situated in the mountainous terrain south and east of the Dead Sea, and later became a symbol of Edomite strength in prophetic literature (Isaiah 34:6; Amos 1:12). His reign predated the emergence of the Israelite monarchy, as these Edomite kings are explicitly listed as having 'reigned in the land of Edom before any king reigned over the Israelites' (Genesis 36:31).

Significance

Jobab's place in the Edomite king list of Genesis 36 carries theological significance as evidence of God's fulfillment of the promise to Esau, that he too would become a great nation (Genesis 25:23; 36:31). The list demonstrates that Esau's descendants developed sophisticated political structures, including hereditary or elective monarchy, before Israel had established kingship. This detail contextualizes later Israelite kingship within the broader fulfillment of Abrahamic and patriarchal promises across multiple lineages. Jobab of Bozrah also stands as a reminder that God's providential governance extends beyond Israel's borders, orchestrating the rise and fall of neighboring peoples as part of the larger drama of redemptive history.

Authority Records

Wikidata

FatherJoktanChildAdinahChildEridahSiblingHazarmavethSiblingAlmodadSiblingHadoramSiblingUzalSiblingAbimaelSiblingDikla

Verse Appearances (4)

Genesis

Genesis 36:33 Genesis 36:34

1Chr

1Chr 1:44 1Chr 1:45

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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