Joakim
Introduction to Joakim
Joakim (Greek: Ιωακιμ; sometimes rendered Joachim or Joacim) is a name meaning "Yahweh raises up" or "the Lord has set up." It appears in several books of the deuterocanonical/apocryphal literature, attached to different figures, including kings, priests, and a righteous husband. Unlike the Hebrew Bible's Jehoiakim, these Joakims are primarily found in texts like 1 Esdras, Baruch, Judith, and Susanna (Daniel 13), where they serve important narrative functions in tales of national crisis, personal virtue, and divine deliverance.
Key Biblical Figures Named Joakim
1. The High Priest in the Book of Judith The most prominent Joakim is the high priest in Jerusalem during the Assyrian crisis described in the Book of Judith (Judith 4:6-15). When the people learn of the advancing army of Holofernes, they appeal to Joakim. He responds by ordering nationwide prayer, fasting, and penitence, directing the people to implore God's mercy. He also coordinates the defense of strategic mountain passes. Later, after Judith's heroic deed, he and the elders of Israel travel to Bethulia to bless her and celebrate God's salvation (Judith 15:8-10). His leadership frames the story's theological core: turning to God in repentance is the true source of deliverance.
2. The Husband of Susanna In the story of Susanna, an addition to the Book of Daniel, Joakim is a wealthy and respected Jew living in Babylon (Susanna 1:1-4). He is married to the beautiful and devout Susanna. His home serves as a gathering place for the Jewish community and its judges. The narrative focuses on Susanna's wrongful accusation by two corrupt elders and her subsequent vindication by the young Daniel. Joakim's role, while secondary, establishes the setting of a pious Jewish household under threat from within its own leadership.
3. Other References In 1 Esdras, the name Joakim is used for King Jehoiakim of Judah (1 Esdras 1:37-39) and possibly his son Jehoiachin (1 Esdras 1:43), reflecting a Greek rendering of the Hebrew name. Baruch 1:7 mentions a Joakim as high priest, contemporary with the scribe Baruch. First Esdras 5:5 also lists a Joakim among the returning exiles, a figure corresponding to Joiakim son of Jeshua in Nehemiah 12:10.
Historical and Literary Context
The historical identification of figures like High Priest Joakim in Judith is challenging. He does not align neatly with the known high priests from the historical records of the First or Second Temple periods. Many scholars view the Book of Judith as a theological novel or historical fiction, written to encourage Jews during a period of foreign domination (likely the Hellenistic era). In this context, names like Joakim ("the Lord sets up") and Judith ("Jewess") may be symbolic or representative. The story uses an imagined past crisis to teach enduring lessons about faith, courage, and God's protection of his repentant people. Similarly, the tale of Susanna and Joakim, set in the Diaspora, addresses themes of justice, corruption, and the triumph of true piety.
Theological Significance and Legacy
The narratives featuring Joakim emphasize key theological themes. In Judith, Joakim's call to national prayer and humility underscores that Israel's security depends not on military might but on faithful reliance on God. His leadership complements Judith's daring action, showing that institutional and individual piety work together. In Susanna, the household of Joakim represents the vulnerable yet morally steadfast Jewish community in exile. God's intervention through Daniel affirms that He defends the innocent and exposes corruption, even among leaders.
These stories, while not part of the Hebrew canon, have been cherished in Catholic and Orthodox traditions as inspiring examples of virtue. They continue to be studied for their powerful depictions of prayer, resistance to oppression, and the belief that God raises up (the meaning of "Joakim") deliverers for his people in their time of greatest need.
Biblical Context
The name Joakim appears exclusively in the deuterocanonical/apocryphal books of the Old Testament. The most significant appearances are: 1) As the high priest in Jerusalem in the Book of Judith (Judith 4:6-15; 15:8-10), where he leads the nation's spiritual response to an invasion. 2) As the husband of Susanna in the addition to Daniel known as Susanna or Daniel 13 (Susanna 1:1-4). Other references include 1 Esdras 1:37-39 (for King Jehoiakim), 1 Esdras 5:5 (a returning exile), and Baruch 1:7 (a high priest). These texts are considered canonical by Catholic and Orthodox Christians but are placed in the Apocrypha by Protestants.
Theological Significance
The figures named Joakim, particularly the high priest, represent faithful leadership and institutional reliance on God during crises. Joakim's actions in Judith model turning to prayer, fasting, and repentance as the primary national defense, teaching that deliverance comes from God, not human strategy alone. The story of Susanna and Joakim highlights the sanctity of the righteous family, the danger of corruption within the community, and God's role as the ultimate vindicator of the innocent. Together, they reinforce that God 'raises up' (the name's meaning) both leaders and deliverance for those who remain faithful.
Historical Background
There is no confirmed extra-biblical evidence for the specific high priest Joakim from Judith or the husband of Susanna. Scholars generally date the Book of Judith to the late Second Temple period (likely 2nd or 1st century BCE), seeing it as a historical novel with a theological purpose. Its deliberate anachronisms and symbolic names suggest it was not intended as strict history but as an inspiring tale for Jews under Greek or Seleucid oppression. The story of Susanna is also considered a later addition to the Daniel cycle, possibly from the 1st century BCE, addressing issues of justice and community integrity in the Diaspora. The use of the name Joakim for kings in 1 Esdras reflects the common Greek translation of the Hebrew name Jehoiakim.