Joiada יוֹיָדָע
A high priest, son of Eliashib
Who is Joiada in the Bible?
Joiada was a high priest who served during the Persian period and is mentioned in the book of Nehemiah as the son of Eliashib and father of Jonathan (Nehemiah 12:10, 12:11). He succeeded his father in the priesthood and oversaw the organization of the temple personnel, as evidenced by the recording of priests and Levites according to their genealogies during his tenure (Nehemiah 12:22). Joiada's significance is highlighted not only by his legitimate claim to the high priesthood through genealogy, but also by a controversy involving one of his sons, who married a daughter of Sanballat the Horonite, an opponent of Nehemiah and the Jewish community. This marriage violated the Jewish covenant to separate themselves from foreign influences, demonstrating the tensions the Jewish community faced during the restoration period regarding maintaining religious and cultural boundaries.
Biography
Joiada is mentioned in the book of Nehemiah as a high priest who served during the Persian period. He was the son of Eliashib and the father of Jonathan (Neh.12.10,11). Joiada is listed in the genealogy of the high priests, indicating his legitimate claim to the office.
During Joiada's tenure as high priest, the priests and Levites were recorded according to their genealogies (Neh.12.22). This suggests that he oversaw the organization and administration of the temple personnel.
In Neh.13.28, it is revealed that one of Joiada's sons had married a daughter of Sanballat the Horonite, who was a prominent opponent of Nehemiah and the Jewish community. This marriage was seen as a violation of the covenant made by the Jews to separate themselves from foreign influences (Neh.10.30). Nehemiah responded by driving the offending son away from the community.
Joiada's high priesthood was marked by the ongoing challenges of maintaining religious purity and identity in the face of external pressures and influences. His son's marriage to a foreign woman highlights the difficulties faced by the Jewish community in preserving their distinct faith and culture during this period.
Family
In Scripture
1 biblical book ; 1 with study contentNehemiah 4 verses
- Nehemiah 12:10
"Jeshua was the father of Joiakim, Joiakim was the father of Eliashib, Eliashib was the father of Joiada,"
Study Nehemiah → - Nehemiah 12:11
"Joiada was the father of Jonathan, and Jonathan was the father of Jaddua."
Study Nehemiah → - Nehemiah 12:22
"In the days of Eliashib, Joiada, Johanan, and Jaddua, during the reign of Darius the Persian, the heads of the families of the Levites and priests were recorded."
Study Nehemiah → - Nehemiah 13:28
"Even one of the sons of Jehoiada son of Eliashib the high priest had become a son-in-law to Sanballat the Horonite. Therefore I drove him away from me."
Study Nehemiah →
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script |
|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | יוֹיָדָע |
| (same form as previous) | Hebrew | יוֹיָדָע |