Who was Shobab in the bible?
Shobab is the name of two Israelites in genealogical lists in 1 Chronicles 2:18; 3:5; 14:4; and 2 Samuel 5:14.
Caleb’s List
In one genealogy, “Caleb the son of Hezron” had sons including “Jesher, Shobab, and Ardon” (1 Chronicles 2:18).
Learn More →Jerusalem Births
In lists of children “born to him in Jerusalem,” Shobab is named alongside others: “Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon” (2 Samuel 5:14; 1 Chronicles 14:4) and “Shimea, Shobab, Nathan, and Solomon” (1 Chronicles 3:5).
Learn More →Shobab is a Hebrew personal name (traditionally explained as “rebellious,” with a sense connected to apostasy or idolatry) borne by more than one Israelite in the genealogical records. In Scripture, the name appears for (1) a son listed among the children of Caleb son of Hezron, and (2) a son born to David in Jerusalem.
Shobab in Scripture
The first appearance of the name is in the genealogical material of 1 Chronicles 2, where Shobab is listed among the sons connected with Caleb son of Hezron and his household.
“Caleb the son of Hezron became the father of children of Azubah his wife, and of Jerioth; and these were her sons: Jesher, Shobab, and Ardon.” (1 Chronicles 2:18)
This verse places Shobab alongside Jesher and Ardon in a brief list of sons. The surrounding setting remains genealogical and family-focused: immediately before, the text mentions sisters and sons in the wider family lines,
“and their sisters were Zeruiah and Abigail. The sons of Zeruiah: Abishai, Joab, and Asahel, three.” (1 Chronicles 2:16)
“Abigail bore Amasa; and the father of Amasa was Jether the Ishmaelite.” (1 Chronicles 2:17)
Immediately after Shobab’s mention, the genealogy continues by noting changes within Caleb’s household and subsequent descendants:
“Azubah died, and Caleb married Ephrath, who bore him Hur.” (1 Chronicles 2:19)
“Hur became the father of Uri, and Uri became the father of Bezalel.” (1 Chronicles 2:20)
And the larger record proceeds with another branch connected to Hezron:
“Afterward Hezron went in to the daughter of Machir the father of Gilead, whom he took as wife when he was sixty years old; and she bore him Segub.” (1 Chronicles 2:21)
The second Shobab appears in lists of David’s children born in Jerusalem. In 1 Chronicles 3, Shobab is one of four children born to David in Jerusalem, with the mother named in the verse:
“and these were born to him in Jerusalem: Shimea, Shobab, Nathan, and Solomon, four, of Bathshua the daughter of Ammiel;” (1 Chronicles 3:5)
That list sits within a larger summary of David’s reign and family line. The immediate context states that David reigned first in Hebron and then in Jerusalem:
“six were born to him in Hebron; and he reigned there seven years and six months. He reigned thirty-three years in Jerusalem;” (1 Chronicles 3:4)
After naming Shobab and his brothers Shimea, Nathan, and Solomon, the chapter continues with additional children’s names:
“and Ibhar, Elishama, Eliphelet,” (1 Chronicles 3:6)
“Nogah, Nepheg, Japhia,” (1 Chronicles 3:7)
“Elishama, Eliada, and Eliphelet, nine.” (1 Chronicles 3:8)
Another narrative setting for the same Jerusalem-born list appears in 1 Chronicles 14. The chapter frames David’s royal establishment and then notes his expanding household in Jerusalem before providing a list that again includes Shobab:
“David perceived that Yahweh had established him king over Israel; for his kingdom was exalted on high, for his people Israel’s sake.” (1 Chronicles 14:2)
“David took more wives at Jerusalem, and David became the father of more sons and daughters.” (1 Chronicles 14:3)
“These are the names of the children whom he had in Jerusalem: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon,” (1 Chronicles 14:4)
The list then continues beyond Shobab, showing that this is part of a larger record of David’s children in Jerusalem:
“Ibhar, Elishua, Elpelet,” (1 Chronicles 14:5)
“Nogah, Nepheg, Japhia,” (1 Chronicles 14:6)
“Elishama, Beeliada, and Eliphelet.” (1 Chronicles 14:7)
A parallel list appears in 2 Samuel 5 in a similar narrative frame. The chapter presents David’s recognition of Yahweh’s establishing him as king, then notes the growth of David’s household in Jerusalem, and then gives the names that include Shobab:
“David perceived that Yahweh had established him king over Israel, and that he had exalted his kingdom for his people Israel’s sake.” (2 Samuel 5:12)
“David took more concubines and wives for himself out of Jerusalem, after he had come from Hebron; and more sons and daughters were born to David.” (2 Samuel 5:13)
“These are the names of those who were born to him in Jerusalem: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon,” (2 Samuel 5:14)
As in Chronicles, the list continues with additional children’s names:
“Ibhar, Elishua, Nepheg, Japhia,” (2 Samuel 5:15)
“Elishama, Eliada, and Eliphelet.” (2 Samuel 5:16)
Immediately after the list, the narrative continues to another event in David’s reign:
“When the Philistines heard that they had anointed David king over Israel, all the Philistines went up to seek David, but David heard about it and went down to the stronghold.” (2 Samuel 5:17)
Multiple Bearers
The biblical references indicate at least two distinct individuals named Shobab.
First, Shobab appears in the genealogies of Caleb son of Hezron as one of the sons named together: “Jesher, Shobab, and Ardon” (1 Chronicles 2:18). The verse situates this Shobab within Caleb’s children connected to “Azubah his wife, and of Jerioth” (1 Chronicles 2:18), and the surrounding verses keep the focus on family succession (1 Chronicles 2:16–21).
Second, Shobab is listed among David’s children born in Jerusalem. In 1 Chronicles 3, he appears among four children “of Bathshua the daughter of Ammiel” (1 Chronicles 3:5). In 1 Chronicles 14 and 2 Samuel 5, Shobab appears in the Jerusalem-born list in a context describing David’s established kingship and his fathering “more sons and daughters” (1 Chronicles 14:2–4; 2 Samuel 5:12–14).
Name and Meaning
The name is written in Hebrew as שׁוֹבָב, transliterated Showbab, and pronounced sho-bawb’. Lexical explanation connects it to a Hebrew term associated with being “rebellious,” and also links its component sense to that of an apostate, described in terms of idolatry; this name is noted as belonging to two Israelites in the scriptural occurrences cited above.
Observation
Across the passages where Shobab appears, the name is preserved within lists that emphasize family lines and the naming of children—whether in Caleb’s genealogy (1 Chronicles 2:18) or in the records of David’s sons “born to him in Jerusalem” (1 Chronicles 3:5; 1 Chronicles 14:4; 2 Samuel 5:14).
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the name Shobab mean?
The name Shobab means “rebellious.”
How many times does Shobab appear in the Bible?
Shobab appears 4 times.
Who was Shobab in the Bible?
Shobab is the name of two Israelites. One is listed among the sons of Caleb the son of Hezron (1 Chronicles 2:18), and another is listed among those born in Jerusalem to David (2 Samuel 5:14; 1 Chronicles 3:5; 1 Chronicles 14:4).
Where is Shobab listed as being born in Jerusalem?
Shobab is listed among those born in Jerusalem in 2 Samuel 5:14 and in 1 Chronicles 3:5 and 1 Chronicles 14:4.
Explore Further
If you found this page about Shobab interesting and would like to discover more about other biblical characters, explore our comprehensive Encyclopedia of Biblical Characters. For those looking to delve deeper into the Greek origins of these names and terms, our Greek Lexicon is an invaluable resource.
Sources: Name and occurrence data from Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance and STEPBible reference data (CC BY). Scripture quotations from the World English Bible (public domain).
