"Then said Joab, I may not tarry thus with thee. And he took three darts in his hand, and thrust them through the heart of Absalom."
Biblical Name · Hebrew Origin
Joab Meaning in the Bible
Joab
boy
Joab means "The LORD is father", a boy's name of Hebrew origin. Joab appears in the King James Bible, and 2 Samuel 18:14 is the passage most often tied to it. Joab's story warns that loyalty and competence without moral integrity lead to tragic ends. His name — 'the LORD is father' — ironically points to the divine authority he often circumvented with his own judgment.
Is Joab in the Bible?
Yes — Joab appears in the King James Bible, including 2 Samuel 18:14.
Pronunciation:/JO-ab/
OriginHebrew
MeaningThe LORD is father
What does Joab mean?
Joab is a boy name of Hebrew origin meaning "The LORD is father". Joab means "the LORD is father" in Hebrew. He was David's nephew and the commander of his army — one of the most skilled but morally complex military leaders in Scripture.
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What does Joab mean in the Bible?
Joab means "The LORD is father" and is a name of Hebrew origin. Below is what Scripture and Christian tradition attach to that meaning.
Joab means "the LORD is father" in Hebrew. He was David's nephew and the commander of his army — one of the most skilled but morally complex military leaders in Scripture. Joab's loyalty to David was fierce but sometimes expressed through ruthless pragmatism.
Joab demonstrated brilliant military strategy in capturing Jerusalem by exploiting its water shaft. He was David's most capable general, winning numerous battles and consolidating the kingdom. Yet he also committed unauthorized murders — killing Abner and Absalom against David's wishes.
Joab represents the tension between effectiveness and ethics. His military genius served David well, but his willingness to act outside moral boundaries ultimately led to his downfall. Solomon ordered his execution, fulfilling David's dying instructions.
Where does Joab appear in the Bible (KJV)?
Joab is connected to 2 key passages in the King James Bible, beginning with 2 Samuel 18:14. Each verse is quoted in full below.
"And it came to pass, when Joab observed the city, that he assigned Uriah unto a place where he knew that valiant men were."
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Which books of the Bible mention Joab?
Joab is mentioned across 3 books of the Bible. Follow any book below to read it in the KJV.
What is the spiritual meaning of Joab?
Joab's story warns that loyalty and competence without moral integrity lead to tragic ends. His name — 'the LORD is father' — ironically points to the divine authority he often circumvented with his own judgment.
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Promises connected to the meaning of the name Joab:
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What names are related to Joab?
Names like Joab
Other Hebrew biblical names that share the spirit of "The LORD is father" — discovered by matching meaning category and origin.
Names that pair well with Joab
Sibling sets, middle-name combinations, and complementary pairings chosen for matching origin, meaning, and similar syllable weight.
Share the meaning of Joab
Download a printable name card with the KJV verse and meaning — perfect for Pinterest, Instagram, or a baptism keepsake.
Joab name meaning: frequently asked questions
Yes — Joab appears in the King James Bible, including 2 Samuel 18:14.
Joab means "The LORD is father." It is a Hebrew name. The King James Bible uses it in 2 Samuel 18:14, so the meaning is carried by a real person in Scripture.
Hebrew. Joab comes into English from Hebrew and carries the sense "The LORD is father." It appears in the King James Bible, including 2 Samuel 18:14.
Common questions about the name Joab
Can I download a free King James Bible PDF to study the name Joab?
Yes. The complete King James Bible is available as a free PDF download — all 66 books, 1,189 chapters, ready to read offline or print. No sign-up required.
Where can I read the full biblical context for Joab?
You can read every verse where Joab appears in the King James Bible by downloading the free KJV PDF or reading online. The download page also includes a bookmarked Book of Psalms KJV PDF for easy reference.