Jewish general of the Maccabean period. He, together with Azariah, was left in charge of the forces when the Maccabean brothers Judah, Jonathan, and Simon were obliged to go to Gilead and Galilee for the protection of the Jews there (I Macc. 5:18; Josephus, "Ant." 12:8, § 2). Although Judah had expressly commanded Joseph and Azariah to fight no battles, they, being ambitious to make a name for themselves, attacked the city of Jabneh. The Syrians under Gorgias repulsed them with a loss of 2,000 men, and pursued them into Judea (I Macc. 5:56-62; Josephus, c. § 6).