Overview
The Bible addresses joab across 10 verses, drawn from the Old Testament. These passages cluster most in 2 Samuel and 1 Chronicles. Closely related themes include Armies, Self-Will and Stubbornness, Valleys and Tyre. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Joab and David.
Key Bible verses about joab
Old Testament
2 Samuel
Notwithstanding the king's word prevailed against Joab, and against the captains of the host. And Joab and the captains of the host went out from the presence of the king, to number the people of Israel.
And they passed over Jordan, and pitched in Aroer, on the right side of the city that lieth in the midst of the river of Gad, and toward Jazer: river: or, valley
Then they came to Gilead, and to the land of Tahtimhodshi; and they came to Danjaan, and about to Zidon, land of Tahtimhodshi: or, nether land newly inhabited
And came to the strong hold of Tyre, and to all the cities of the Hivites, and of the Canaanites: and they went out to the south of Judah, even to Beersheba.
So when they had gone through all the land, they came to Jerusalem at the end of nine months and twenty days.
And Joab gave up the sum of the number of the people unto the king: and there were in Israel eight hundred thousand valiant men that drew the sword; and the men of Judah were five hundred thousand men.
1 Chronicles
Nevertheless the king's word prevailed against Joab. Wherefore Joab departed, and went throughout all Israel, and came to Jerusalem.
And Joab gave the sum of the number of the people unto David. And all they of Israel were a thousand thousand and an hundred thousand men that drew sword: and Judah was four hundred threescore and ten thousand men that drew sword.
But David took not the number of them from twenty years old and under: because the LORD had said he would increase Israel like to the stars of the heavens.
Joab the son of Zeruiah began to number, but he finished not, because there fell wrath for it against Israel; neither was the number put in the account of the chronicles of king David. was: Heb. ascended
People in the Bible and joab
Biblical figures whose stories intersect with this theme.
In the Bible dictionary
Studying joab for yourself
- Begin with 2 Samuel 24:4, then read the passages below in canonical order.
- Compare how 2 Samuel and 1 Chronicles each treat the theme.
- Consider the lives of Joab and David and how their stories intersect with it.
- Widen the study to related themes: Armies, Self-Will and Stubbornness, Valleys and Tyre.
Frequently asked questions
What does the Bible say about joab?
The Bible addresses joab across 10 verses, drawn from the Old Testament. These passages cluster most in 2 Samuel and 1 Chronicles. Closely related themes include Armies, Self-Will and Stubbornness, Valleys and Tyre. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Joab and David.
How many Bible verses are about joab?
The Bible references joab in 10 verses (King James Version).
Where does the Bible first mention joab?
In canonical order, the first of these passages is 2 Samuel 24:4: “Notwithstanding the king's word prevailed against Joab, and against the captains of the host. And Joab and the captains of the host went out from the presence of the king, to number the people of Israel.”
Which people in the Bible are associated with joab?
Joab and David.
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