Jehoiarib

Two priests bear the name Jehoiarib (also Joiarib) in scripture. The first is the head of the first of the twenty-four priestly courses set up under David; the second is named in the post-exilic priestly resettlement of Jerusalem.

Head of the First Priestly Course

When the lots are cast to assign the priestly courses, Jehoiarib draws the first: "Now the first lot came forth to Jehoiarib, the second to Jedaiah" (1Ch 24:7). The order of the courses is set with him at the head.

Among the Priests Resettled in Jerusalem

The Chronicler's roster of priests living in Jerusalem after the return lists Jehoiarib in the same group as Jedaiah and Jachin: "And of the priests: Jedaiah, and Jehoiarib, Jachin" (1Ch 9:10).

The parallel in Nehemiah carries the same priestly listing with the spelling Joiarib, and reorders the relation as a patronymic: "Of the priests: Jedaiah the son of Joiarib, Jachin" (Neh 11:10). The two notices place this priestly name at the head of the post-exilic priestly community in Jerusalem.