Original Word: יוֹאָח
Part of Speech: Proper Name Masculine
Transliteration: Yow'ach
Pronunciation: yo-AKH
Phonetic Spelling: (yo-awkh')
KJV: Joah
NASB: Joah
Word Origin: [from H3068 (יְהוֹוָה - LORD) and H251 (אָח - brother)]

1. Jehovah-brothered
2. Joach, the name of four Israelites

Joah

From Yhovah and 'ach; Jehovah-brothered; Joach, the name of four Israelites -- Joah.

see HEBREW Yhovah

see HEBREW 'ach

Word Origin
from Yhvh and ach
Definition
"the LORD is brother," the name of several Isr.
NASB Translation
Joah (11).

יוֺאָח proper name, masculine (׳י is brother; compare אֲחִיָּהוּ & references) —

1 son of Asaph the chronicler in Hezekiah's time 2 Kings 18:18,26,37 (ᵐ5 Ἰωας, ᵐ5^L Ἰωαχ), = Isaiah 36:3,11,22 (ᵐ5 Ἰωαχ).

2 Levites

a. son of Zimmah 1 Chronicles 6:6;

b. id. 2 Chronicles 29:12 (twice in verse) (ᵐ5 Ἰωα, Ἰωαχ(α), Ἰωδααθ).

3 son of Joahaz the chronicles in Josiah's time2Chronicles 34:8 (ᵐ5 Ἰωαχ, Ἰωας ).

4 a Levite, son of Obed-edom 1 Chronicles 26:4 (ᵐ5 Ἰωαθ, Ἰωαα, Ἰωαδ).

יוֺאָחָז see יְהוֺאָחָז

Name Overview

Joah appears as the personal name of four distinct men in the Old Testament, across eleven verses. Each reference situates the bearer in service to covenant faithfulness—preserving the kingdom’s records, guarding the sanctity of worship, or participating in temple renewal.

Occurrences

2 Kings 18:18, 26, 37

1 Chronicles 6:21

1 Chronicles 26:4

2 Chronicles 29:12

2 Chronicles 34:8

Isaiah 36:3, 11, 22

Joah son of Asaph – Royal Recorder in the Days of Hezekiah

Six of the eleven occurrences centre on this court official (2 Kings 18; Isaiah 36). As recorder, Joah was charged with chronicling royal acts, preserving treaties, and communicating royal policy. During Sennacherib’s invasion he stood alongside Eliakim and Shebna before the Assyrian field commander. His presence underscores Hezekiah’s commitment to accurate national memory amid crisis. By remaining silent while the Rabshakeh blasphemed, then returning with torn clothes (2 Kings 18:37), Joah exemplified reverent sorrow for reproach cast upon the living God.

“Then Eliakim son of Hilkiah, Shebna the scribe, and Joah son of Asaph the recorder went out to him” (2 Kings 18:18).

Joah son of Joahaz – Royal Recorder under Josiah

More than a century later, another Joah held the same office (2 Chronicles 34:8). King Josiah dispatched him with Shaphan and Maaseiah to oversee Temple repairs. His continuity with the earlier recorder’s role highlights the enduring need for faithful stewards of Israel’s documentary heritage—guardians of both history and covenant. As reforms progressed, Joah’s meticulous record-keeping would have safeguarded financial integrity and authenticated the rediscovered Book of the Law.

Joah son of Zimmah – Gershonite Levite

Listed in genealogies (1 Chronicles 6:21) and summoned by Hezekiah for Temple cleansing (2 Chronicles 29:12), this Joah represents the Levitical commitment to worship order. Descended from Gershon, he assisted in purifying the sanctuary after the neglect of Ahaz, affirming that proper lineage and obedient service converge in genuine revival.

Joah son of Obed-Edom – Gatekeeper

Among the sons of the faithful Obed-Edom, “Joah the third” (1 Chronicles 26:4) inherited the charge of guarding the gates of the house of God. The gatekeepers protected the sacred space from profanation and ensured only the ceremonially clean entered. Joah’s lineage traces back to the man who had hosted the ark (2 Samuel 6:11); thus his service perpetuated a family heritage of honoring the divine presence.

Roles and Offices Highlighted

• Recorder: archival custodian, royal secretary, diplomat.
• Levite: participant in musical, custodial, and purification ministries.
• Gatekeeper: guardian of holy access points.

Together the four men named Joah demonstrate the multi-faceted stewardship required for covenant life—administrative accuracy, ceremonial purity, and vigilant protection.

Spiritual Significance

1. Fidelity across Generations – The two recorders show how God raises successors to maintain righteous administration from Hezekiah to Josiah.
2. Holiness Preserved – The Levite Joah’s participation in cleansing the Temple coincides with spiritual revival, illustrating that reform begins with sanctification.
3. Guarded Worship – Joah the gatekeeper reminds believers that reverent boundaries safeguard true worship (compare Psalm 84:10).

Lessons for the Church Today

• Cherish and preserve the written record of God’s works; meticulous history serves faith.
• Engage every vocation—civil, liturgical, custodial—as worship unto the Lord (Colossians 3:23).
• Embrace generational continuity; God often answers present needs through faithfulness seeded long before.

וְיוֹאָ֜ח וְיוֹאָ֥ח וְיוֹאָ֨ח ויואח יוֹאָ֤ח יוֹאָֽח׃ יוֹאָח֙ יואח יואח׃ veyoAch wə·yō·w·’āḥ wəyōw’āḥ yō·w·’āḥ yoAch yōw’āḥInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts