יוֹב
𐤉𐤅𐤁
Yov
H3102 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Yôwb — a personal name found in the genealogical lists, generally identified as the name of an individual descendant of the patriarch Joktan. The name appears to refer to a person (likely a clan ancestor) rather than a geographic location, and in later tradition has been associated with the figure known as Job, though this identification is not linguistically well-founded. The usage in the genealogical context suggests a clan or lineage name rather than a narrative character.
Semantic Range
personal name, clan ancestor, descendant of Joktan, possibly associated with southern Semitic lineages
Root / Etymology
The etymology is uncertain. Yôwb (יוֹב) may be superficially similar to יוֹבָב (Yôwḇāḇ, 'Jobab'), but there is no clear root connection. Some suggest it may be a form of the root שׁוּב (shuv, 'to return'), especially if it was confused with יָשׁוּב (Yashuv), but textual evidence is inconclusive. If related to Job (אִיּוֹב, 'Iyyov'), the root is unclear, as the etymology of אִיּוֹב itself is disputed.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In the Masoretic Text, יוֹב appears only in genealogical listings (Genesis 10:29; 1 Chronicles 1:23), probably denoting a clan or patriarch among the descendants of Joktan (pre-Israelite, early patriarchal setting). The later association with the character of Job (Iyyov) is not supported by the Hebrew form; the vocalization and spelling differ. English translations sometimes conflate Yôwb with Job due to the similarity in spelling, but contextual and linguistic evidence distinguishes them. In these contexts, the name does not carry the individual narrative or theological significance that accrues to Job in later literature. The association with the region of Arabia in the Table of Nations places Yôwb among southern Semitic peoples, not within the line of Israelite tribal genealogies proper.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
perhaps a form of יוֹבָב, but more probably by erroneous transcription for יָשׁוּב; Job, an Israelite; Job.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
uncertain (uncertain) — uncertain; possibly related to returning (if linked to shuv), but unproven
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H1085 | בִּלְדַּד | Bildad |
| H1095 | בֵּלְטְשַׁאצַּר | Belteshatsar |
| H1114 | בִּלְשָׁן | Bilshan |
| H1150 | בִּנְעָא | Bin'a |
| H116 | אֱדַיִן | and then |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H3102-01 |
וְ/י֥וֹב | veyov | HC/Np |
and Job | Yōb | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H3102-01 |
Genesis 46:13 | וְ/י֥וֹב | veyov | HC/Np |
and Job | Yōb |