Joah יוֹאָח
Son of Asaph, King Hezekiah's secretary
Who is Joah in the Bible?
Joah was the son of Asaph and served as King Hezekiah's secretary during the Assyrian invasion of Judah. He appears in 2 Kings 18:18 and Isaiah 36:3 as one of three officials, along with Eliakim and Shebna, whom Hezekiah sent to negotiate with the Assyrian envoys demanding Jerusalem's surrender. When the Assyrians addressed the city in Hebrew, Joah and his colleagues requested that they speak in Aramaic instead, so the people listening from the walls would not understand the threatening message (2 Kings 18:26; Isaiah 36:11). After hearing the Assyrians' demand for surrender, Joah returned to report to Hezekiah with his fellow officials, all three tearing their clothes in distress at the grave threat to their nation (2 Kings 18:37; Isaiah 36:22). Joah's role illustrates the burden placed on court officials during times of national crisis and foreign military threat.
Biography
Joah, the son of Asaph, was a high-ranking official in King Hezekiah's court, serving as the king's secretary. He is mentioned in the context of the Assyrian invasion of Judah during Hezekiah's reign. When the Assyrian envoys came to Jerusalem to demand the city's surrender, Joah was one of the three officials sent by Hezekiah to meet with them (2Ki.18.18; Isa.36.3). Along with Eliakim and Shebna, Joah sought to negotiate with the Assyrians and asked them to speak in Aramaic rather than Hebrew, so the people on the wall would not understand (2Ki.18.26; Isa.36.11). After the Assyrian envoys delivered their threatening message, Joah and his colleagues reported back to Hezekiah, tearing their clothes in distress (2Ki.18.37; Isa.36.22).
Family
In Scripture
2 biblical books ; 1 with study content2 Kings 3 verses
- 2 Kings 18:18
"Then they called for the king. And Eliakim son of Hilkiah the palace administrator, Shebnah the scribe, and Joah son of Asaph the recorder, went out to them."
- 2 Kings 18:26
"Then Eliakim son of Hilkiah, along with Shebnah and Joah, said to the Rabshakeh, “Please speak to your servants in Aramaic, since we understand it. Do not speak with us in Hebrew in the hearing of the people on the wall.”"
- 2 Kings 18:37
"Then Hilkiah’s son Eliakim the palace administrator, Shebna the scribe, and Asaph’s son Joah the recorder came to Hezekiah with their clothes torn, and they relayed to him the words of the Rabshakeh."
Isaiah 3 verses
- Isaiah 36:3
"Then Eliakim son of Hilkiah the palace administrator, Shebna the scribe, and Joah son of Asaph the recorder, went out to him."
Study Isaiah → - Isaiah 36:11
"Then Eliakim, Shebna, and Joah said to the Rabshakeh, “Please speak to your servants in Aramaic, since we understand it. Do not speak to us in Hebrew in the hearing of the people on the wall.”"
Study Isaiah → - Isaiah 36:22
"Then Hilkiah’s son Eliakim the palace administrator, Shebna the scribe, and Asaph’s son Joah the recorder came to Hezekiah with their clothes torn, and they relayed to him the words of the Rabshakeh."
Study Isaiah →
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script |
|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | יוֹאָח |