Meaning of JOAB

"Jehovah his father."
(a) Son of Zeruiah, sister of David, and brother of Abishai and Asahel, commander of David's army during almost his entire reign (2 Samuel 2:13, 28; 10:7; 1 Kings 11:15; 1 Chron. 27:34).

He was a brave warrior and a skilled general, and a sagacious statesman, and his great influence in public affairs was often exercised for the good of the nation, as in the rebellion of Absalom, and in the census that was ordered to be taken of Israel (2 Sam. 18; 19; 24).

But, as a man, he was haughty, vengeful and ruthless, which is corroborated by the death he treacherously gave to his rival Abner and his cousin Amasa (2 Sam. 3:27; 20:9, 10), his behavior towards David (2 Sam. 3:39; 19:5) and his connivance with him in the matter of Uriah; having killed Absalom and conspiring with Adonijah against God's designated heir to the throne; reasons for which he was finally condemned to death by Solomon and executed next to the altar (1 Kings 2) around the year 1013 BC.

(b) Son of Seraiah, whose descendants were craftsmen (Hebrew "charashim") in a valley north of Jerusalem (1 Chron. 4:14; Neh.11:34).

(c) he Head of a family who returned after the captivity (Ezra 2:6; 8:9; Neh. 7:11).