Jobab
A Name Across Biblical History
The name Jobab appears in the Old Testament in connection with five different individuals spanning from the earliest genealogies of Genesis to the tribal records of Chronicles. The name may be related to a Hebrew word meaning "howling" or "calling out," though its exact etymology remains debated.
Jobab Son of Joktan
The earliest Jobab in Scripture is listed as a son of Joktan in the Table of Nations (Genesis 10:29; 1 Chronicles 1:23). Joktan was a descendant of Shem, and his sons are generally associated with peoples of the Arabian Peninsula. This Jobab represents one of the many tribal groups that spread across the ancient world after the flood, fulfilling God's design for the nations to fill the earth.
Jobab King of Edom
A second Jobab was a king of Edom, listed in the sequence of rulers who reigned "before any king ruled over Israel" (Genesis 36:33). He was the son of Zerah of Bozrah and succeeded Bela son of Beor as king. The parallel account in 1 Chronicles 1:44-45 preserves the same information. The Edomite king list is significant because it records a line of rulers in the land of Esau that predates the Israelite monarchy.
Jobab King of Madon
A third Jobab was the king of Madon, one of the Canaanite rulers who joined a coalition against the Israelites under Joshua (Joshua 11:1). This coalition, led by Jabin king of Hazor, gathered a massive army near the waters of Merom. Despite the overwhelming numbers, God gave Joshua a decisive victory, and the coalition forces were completely defeated (Joshua 11:7-8). Jobab's inclusion in this coalition underscores the widespread Canaanite resistance to Israel's entry into the Promised Land.
Jobab in the Tribe of Benjamin
Two additional individuals named Jobab appear in the genealogies of Benjamin (1 Chronicles 8:9, 18). These Benjamites are part of the detailed tribal records preserved in Chronicles, which trace family lines from the earliest ancestors through the post-exilic period. While little narrative detail accompanies these names, their preservation reflects the importance of genealogical continuity in Israelite identity.
Connection to Job
An intriguing tradition in the Septuagint (the ancient Greek translation) connects Jobab with the patriarch Job. In the appendix to Job 42:17 in the Septuagint, Jobab the Edomite king is identified with Job. While this identification is not present in the Hebrew text and is generally not accepted by scholars, it reflects early Jewish and Christian interest in connecting the suffering figure of Job with known historical figures.
Biblical Context
Jobab appears in Genesis 10:29 and 1 Chronicles 1:23 as a descendant of Joktan; in Genesis 36:33 and 1 Chronicles 1:44-45 as a king of Edom; in Joshua 11:1 as a Canaanite king defeated by Joshua; and in 1 Chronicles 8:9, 18 as two Benjamites. The Septuagint tradition also links Jobab to the figure of Job.
Theological Significance
The various Jobabs illustrate God's sovereign involvement across nations and peoples. From the Table of Nations to the conquest of Canaan, these individuals appear at pivotal moments in salvation history. The defeat of Jobab king of Madon demonstrates God's faithfulness in giving Israel the Promised Land despite formidable opposition.
Historical Background
The Table of Nations in Genesis 10 is one of the oldest ethnographic documents in existence, mapping the spread of peoples after the flood. The Edomite king list predates the Israelite monarchy, providing evidence of organized governance in the Transjordan region from an early period. The battle at the waters of Merom, where Jobab king of Madon was defeated, is one of the major military engagements of the Israelite conquest of Canaan.