יוֹאָב
𐤉𐤅𐤀𐤁
Yoav
H3097 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Yôʼâb is a personal name meaning 'YHWH is father' or possibly 'YHWH (is the) father.' The term functions as a theophoric compound, found as the name of prominent individuals in the Hebrew Bible, especially a military commander under King David. Its semantic range is limited to use as a proper name but reflects theological understanding of divine paternity and patronage.
Semantic Range
proper name of individuals (primarily the Israelite military leader, but also other Israelites), affirmation of YHWH’s fatherhood or patronage, emblem of divine affiliation or protection, marker of familial and religious identity
Root / Etymology
From the compound of יְהוָה (YHWH), the personal name of the Israelite deity, and אָב (father), forming a theophoric personal name. The root value is the combination of divine name and familial title. See also related constructions in other theophoric Hebrew names.
Historical & Contextual Notes
Throughout the Hebrew Bible, יוֹאָב is used primarily for the son of Zeruiah, a key commander under King David, as well as other minor characters. The use of theophoric elements (incorporating the name of the deity) was common in ancient Israelite naming practices. The frequent rendering as 'Joab' in English Bibles follows historic translation tradition, but this Anglicization does not convey the theological weight and familial connection inherent in the original name. In the biblical context, names embedding divine elements signal claims of divine patronage, piety, or dedication. The meaning's possible nuances ('YHWH is father' or 'YHWH (is) father') indicate both a declaration about the deity's role in the life of the named individual and an affirmation of relationship. The component יְהוָה (YHWH) is a personal, covenantal title for the god of Israel, and אָב (father) represents kinship and authority; their combination distinguishes the name within the larger pool of biblical personal names.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from יְהֹוָה and אָב; Jehovah-fathered; Joab, the name of three Israelites; Joab.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
יהב (y-h-b) — to give, bestow, grant, produce (especially in name formation)
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H1890 | הַבְהָב | my whole-burnt gift-offerings |
| H1934 | הָוָא | Give! |
| H3051 | יָהַב | Give! |
| H3052 | יְהַב | Give! |
| H3053 | יְהָב | your given-portion |
Word Forms
5 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H3097-05 |
יוֹאָב֙ | yoav | HNp |
Joab | YHWH is Father | 123 |
H3097-04 |
וְ/יוֹאָ֨ב | veyoav | HC/Np |
and Joab | and YHWH-is-Father | 15 |
H3097-02 |
לְ/יוֹאָב֙ | leyoav | HR/Np |
to Joab | to YHWH-is-Father | 4 |
H3097-03 |
וּ/לְ/יֹאָ֖ב | uleyoav | HC/R/Np |
and to Joab | and to YHWH-is-Father | 2 |
H3097-01 |
בְּ/יוֹאָ֛ב | beyoav | HR/Np |
Joab | in YHWH-is-Father | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
145 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H3097-05 |
1 Samuel 26:6 | יוֹאָב֙ | yoav | HNp |
of Joab | YHWH is Father |
H3097-04 |
2 Samuel 2:13 | וְ/יוֹאָ֨ב | veyoav | HC/Np |
and Joab | and YHWH-is-Father |
H3097-05 |
2 Samuel 2:14 | יוֹאָ֔ב | yoav | HNp |
Joab | YHWH is Father |
H3097-05 |
2 Samuel 2:14 | יוֹאָ֖ב | yoav-2 | HNp |
Joab | YHWH is Father |
H3097-05 |
2 Samuel 2:18 | יוֹאָ֥ב | yoav | HNp |
Joab | YHWH is Father |
H3097-05 |
2 Samuel 2:22 | יוֹאָ֖ב | yoav | HNp |
Joab | YHWH is Father |
H3097-05 |
2 Samuel 2:24 | יוֹאָ֥ב | yoav | HNp |
Joab | YHWH is Father |
H3097-05 |
2 Samuel 2:26 | יוֹאָ֗ב | yoav | HNp |
Joab | YHWH is Father |
H3097-05 |
2 Samuel 2:27 | יוֹאָ֔ב | yoav | HNp |
Joab | YHWH is Father |
H3097-05 |
2 Samuel 2:28 | יוֹאָב֙ | yoav | HNp |
Joab | YHWH is Father |