Joash יוֹאָשׁ
The father of Gideon, a judge of Israel
Who is Joash in the Bible?
Joash was an Abiezrite from the tribe of Manasseh and the father of Gideon, one of Israel's judges (Judges 6:11). He first appears in Scripture when the Angel of the Lord visits Gideon at Joash's winepress to commission him as a deliverer from Midianite oppression. When Gideon tears down the altar of Baal and the Asherah pole, the men of the city demand that Joash hand over his son for execution, but Joash courageously defends Gideon by arguing that if Baal is truly a god, he can defend himself (Judges 6:29-31). This defense protects Gideon and results in his name being changed to Jerubbaal, meaning "Let Baal contend against him." Joash's willingness to stand against idolatry and support his son's obedience to God demonstrates the faith that characterized the judge's family and enabled Israel's deliverance during a period of spiritual compromise.
Biography
Joash, an Abiezrite from the tribe of Manasseh, was the father of Gideon, one of the judges of Israel. He first appears in Jdg.6.11, where the Angel of the Lord visits Gideon while he is threshing wheat in Joash's winepress to hide from the Midianites.
When Gideon tears down the altar of Baal and the Asherah pole beside it, the men of the city demand that Joash surrender his son to be put to death (Jdg.6.29-30). However, Joash defends Gideon, saying that if Baal is truly a god, he can defend himself (Jdg.6.31). This event earns Gideon the name Jerubbaal, meaning "Let Baal contend against him."
Joash is mentioned again in Jdg.7.14, where the Midianites interpret a dream as a sign that God has given them into the hand of Gideon, the son of Joash. After Gideon's victory over the Midianites, he returns to his father's house in Ophrah (Jdg.8.13,29). Joash dies at a good old age and is buried in the tomb of his father in Ophrah (Jdg.8.32).
Family
In Scripture
1 biblical bookJudges 5 verses
- Judges 6:11
"Then the angel of the LORD came and sat down under the oak in Ophrah that belonged to Joash the Abiezrite, where his son Gideon was threshing wheat in a winepress to hide it from the Midianites."
- Judges 6:29
"“Who did this?” they said to one another. And after they had investigated thoroughly, they were told, “Gideon son of Joash did it.”"
- Judges 6:30
"Then the men of the city said to Joash, “Bring out your son. He must die, because he has torn down Baal’s altar and cut down the Asherah pole beside it.”"
- Judges 6:31
"But Joash said to all who stood against him, “Are you contending for Baal? Are you trying to save him? Whoever pleads his case will be put to death by morning! If Baal is a god, let him contend for himself with the one who has torn down his altar.”"
- Judges 7:14
"His friend replied: “This is nothing less than the sword of Gideon son of Joash, the Israelite. God has delivered Midian and the whole camp into his hand.”"
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script |
|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | יוֹאָשׁ |