יוֹאָח
𐤉𐤅𐤀𐤇
Yoach
H3098 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A personal name meaning 'Yahweh is (my) brother' or 'Yahweh (is) a brother.' Used in the Hebrew Bible as the name of several Israelite individuals. The name expresses familial relationship or close kinship metaphorically with Yahweh, indicating divine favor, support, or protection, as was common in Israelite theophoric names.
Semantic Range
personal name, expression of divine relationship, theophoric designation, symbolic of protection or alliance
Root / Etymology
Compound of יוֹ ('Yahweh,' a short form of the divine name, from the root היה 'to be') and אָח ('brother,' from the root אחח 'to be a brother'). The elements combine to signify a special relationship with Yahweh, rendering the meaning as 'Yahweh is brother' or 'Yahweh (is like a) brother.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
יוֹאָח appears as the name of multiple individuals in the Hebrew Bible, notably a recorder and other officials in the monarchic period. The use of 'brother' in Hebrew names often denotes an especially close relationship or trusted ally. The rendering 'Joach' or 'Joah' in English translations derives from later forms, but the original Hebrew directly expresses the theophoric significance. The name reflects the Israelite custom of integrating their deity into personal names as a way to invoke divine presence in family's life. Usage is concentrated in monarchic records; no evidence suggests the term shifted in meaning across periods. Translations often render the name with 'Joah,' but this may obscure the original theophoric nuance and relational aspect.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from יְהֹוָה and אָח; Jehovahbrothered; Joach, the name of four Israelites; Joah.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
יהו, אח (y-h-w, ʾ-ḥ) — to be, exist (as Yahweh); brother, kinship, close relation
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H3098-01 |
וְ/יוֹאָ֥ח | veyoach | HC/Np |
and Joah | and Yahweh-is-Brother | 6 |
H3098-02 |
יוֹאָ֤ח | yoach | HNp |
Joah | Yahweh-is-brother | 5 |
Occurrences in Scripture
11 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H3098-01 |
2 Kings 18:18 | וְ/יוֹאָ֥ח | veyoach | HC/Np |
and Joah | and Yahweh-is-Brother |
H3098-01 |
2 Kings 18:26 | וְ/יוֹאָ֜ח | veyoach | HC/Np |
and Joah | and Yahweh-is-Brother |
H3098-01 |
2 Kings 18:37 | וְ/יוֹאָ֨ח | veyoach | HC/Np |
and-Joah | and Yahweh-is-Brother |
H3098-01 |
Isaiah 36:3 | וְ/יוֹאָ֥ח | veyoach | HC/Np |
and Joah | and Yahweh-is-Brother |
H3098-01 |
Isaiah 36:11 | וְ/יוֹאָ֜ח | veyoach | HC/Np |
and Joah | and Yahweh-is-Brother |
H3098-01 |
Isaiah 36:22 | וְ/יוֹאָ֨ח | veyoach | HC/Np |
and Joah | and Yahweh-is-Brother |
H3098-02 |
1 Chronicles 6:6 | יוֹאָ֤ח | yoach | HNp |
Joah | Yahweh-is-brother |
H3098-02 |
1 Chronicles 26:4 | יוֹאָ֤ח | yoach | HNp |
Joah | Yahweh-is-brother |
H3098-02 |
2 Chronicles 29:12 | יוֹאָח֙ | yoach | HNp |
Joah | Yahweh-is-brother |
H3098-02 |
2 Chronicles 29:12 | יוֹאָֽח | yoach-2 | HNp |
Joah | Yahweh-is-brother |