Joseph Peter Hobaish was born in the village of Sahel Aalma, near Jounieh, in the Keserwan District, Modern day Lebanon on April 23, 1787.

He studied at the seminary of 'Ain Warqa and was ordained priest on June 26, 1814, and later he was consecrated Bishop of Tripoli on January 30, 1820, by Patriarch John Helou.

The introduction of the double-Qaim maqamat, namely the division of Lebanon into two districts, one Druze and a Maronite, only served to exacerbate relations between the two sides, particularly in the years 1841–1845.

Youssef Hobaish intervened several times to restore peace between the two souls of Lebanon, and his efforts earned him a special praise by Pope Gregory XVI.

[8] Joseph Hobaish had a deep pastoral attitude, often visiting the parish churches of his country, instructing the priests, settling local quarrels and founding schools.