Joiada (Hebrew: יוֹיָדָע Yōyāḏā‘, "Yah knows") is a name found from the form "Jehoiada" in the Hebrew Bible and used alternately in English versions.[1]

"The Jeshanah Gate was repaired by Joiada son of Paseah and Meshullam son of Besodeiah. They laid its beams and put its doors with their bolts and bars in place"

— Nehemiah, 3:6, NIV

Joiada is the fourth High Priest of Israel after the Babylonian captivity and his name is only found in the lists of Neh 12:10-11, 22 and in Neh 13:28. Most historians describe Joiada as the son of Eliashib, ca. 433-410 BCE. However, there are two existing problems with the chronologies. First, it is believed that Joiada may be the grandson of Eliashib. The word "son" may refer to a father-son relationship, but alternatively refers to a grandson or brother. However, it is suggested that (Ezra 2:43 & Neh 12:23) are related and may be referring to another Eliashib and Johanan because they were common names at that time. The second problem involves the time span of the list given because some believe the list Eliashib to Joiada to Jonathan to Jaddua was a time span of 150 years. It is also possible that not all of the names of the high priests are included.

The only information given about Joiada is that his son married the daughter of Sanballat the Horonite for which he was driven out of the Temple by Nehemiah.[2] This is important because the books of Ezra and Book of Nehemiah contain severe instructions against marrying foreign women. These foreign marriages led to tension between the Jewish governor and the high-priestly family. The son of Joiada was removed from the temple by Nehemiah and banished from Judah, however nothing suggests that Joiada's family received further punishment.

Patrilineal Ancestry

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Patrilineal descent
  1. Abraham
  2. Isaac
  3. Jacob
  4. Levi
  5. Kehath
  6. Amram
  7. Aaron
  8. Eleazar
  9. Phinehas
  10. Abishua
  11. Bukki
  12. Uzzi
  13. Zerahiah
  14. Meraioth
  15. Azariah
  16. Amariah
  17. Ahitub
  18. Zadok
  19. Ahimaaz
  20. Azariah
  21. Yohanan
  22. Azariah II
  23. Amariah
  24. Ahitub
  25. Zadok II
  26. Shallum
  27. Hilkiah
  28. Azariah IV
  29. Seraiah
  30. Jehozadak
  31. Joshua the High Priest
  32. Joiakim
  33. Eliashib

References

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  1. ^ (Neh 13:28; Neh 3:6 KJV)[full citation needed]
  2. ^ (Neh 13:28)

Sources

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  • Williamson, H.G.M. 1977. The Historical Value of Josephus' Jewish Antiquities XI. 297-301. JTS 28:49-66.
  • Vanderkam, James. From Joshua to Caiaphas. 53-54.
  • Gottheil/Krauss, 2002. Jewishencyclopedia.com
Jewish titles
Preceded by High Priest of Israel
Mid 5th century BC
Succeeded by