Johanan

Fausset's Bible Dictionary

JOHANAN or Jehohanan ("Jehovah's gift".) Equates to "John".

1.  1 Chronicles 6:9;  1 Chronicles 6:19. Highpriest in Rehoboam's reign, as his father (See Azariah was in Solomon's reign. This requires the transposition of the clause, "he it is that executed the priest's office in the temple that Solomon built in Jerusalem" from  1 Chronicles 6:10 to follow Johanan's father "Azariah" in  1 Chronicles 6:9. Keil objects to this, and there is probably some omission of names in the genealogy (compare  1 Kings 4:2).

2. Son of Kareah. Captain of a band, a remnant of the Jewish army, after Jerusalem's overthrow by the Chaldees. (See Gedaliah Ishmael Jeremiah ) Johanan consulted the prophet that Jehovah, Jeremiah's God, might show the Jewish remnant "the way wherein to walk, and the thing to do" (Jeremiah 42); imitating pious Hezekiah's request for Isaiah's intercession ( Isaiah 37:4), "lift up thy prayer for the remnant that is left." Johanan had already determined to go to Egypt whether it were God's will or not, but he wished if possible to have God's sanction ( Jeremiah 42:20; compare  1 Kings 22:13-14). Jeremiah reminds Johanan and his company that Jehovah is their God as well as his (wholehearted obedience is therefore their part:  Exodus 19:5-6;  1 Corinthians 6:19-20); and that He will pray, and whatsoever Jehovah shall answer he will declare, "keeping nothing back" ( Acts 20:20).

They called God to witness they would obey whatever Jehovah might command. Ten days they were kept waiting, to give them time to deliberate, that the sincerity of their professions might be tested ( Deuteronomy 8:2). True obedience accepts God's time, as well as God's will, at all costs (contrast  1 Samuel 13:8-14-15); the ardour of hasty professions soon cools down. While he was declaring God's will that they should stay where they were, Jeremiah saw indications, in their countenance and manner, of disinclination to fulfill what they had so solemnly engaged. Men want to have the reputation of piety, yet to retain their darling lusts. The very evils which they thought to escape by going they brought on themselves thereby, the sword and famine; they would have escaped them had they stayed, for God had promised it, and they might have been sure of His keeping His promise.

Change of position brings no change of disposition, and evil follows sinners wherever they go ( Ezekiel 11:8); none lose who venture on His promise. After the lesson just given in Jerusalem's overthrow, one would have thought the Jews would never more have doubted God's faithfulness to His threats as well as to His promises. But Johanan and his party charged Jeremiah with false prophecy (though their city and temple in ruins attested his truth), as if he were instigated by Baruch so as to deliver them up to the Chaldees. Bad men when resolved on a bad act never want a pretext for it. All they gained by forcing Jeremiah and Baruch to accompany them to Egypt was that Jeremiah there under the Spirit foretold their doom and that of Pharaoh upon whom they trusted instead of God.

3.  1 Chronicles 3:15.

4.  1 Chronicles 3:24.

5.  1 Chronicles 12:1;  1 Chronicles 12:4.

6. Eighth of the lion faced Gadite warriors who joined David during Jordan's overflow (when it is dangerous to cross) in the spring, the river being swollen by the melted snows of Lebanon; and put to flight all Saul's adherents among the valley dwellers eastward and westward ( 1 Chronicles 12:12).

7.  2 Chronicles 28:12.

8.  Ezra 8:12.

9.  Ezra 10:6;  Nehemiah 12:23.

10.  Nehemiah 8:18.

Smith's Bible Dictionary

Joha'nan. (Gift Or Grace Of God).

1. Son of Azariah, and grandson of Ahimaaz, the son of Zadok, and father of Azariah,  1 Chronicles 6:9-10, Authorized Version.

2. Son of Elioenai, the son of Neariah, the son of Shemaiah, in the line of Zerubbabel's heirs.  1 Chronicles 3:24. (B.C. after 406).

3. The son of Kaereah, and one of the captains of the scattered remnants, of the army of Judah, who escaped in the final attack, upon Jerusalem by the Chaldeans. (B.C. 588).

After the murder of Gedaliah, Johanan was one of the foremost, in the pursuit of his assassin, and rescued the captives, he had carried off from Mizpah.  Jeremiah 41:11-16. Fearing the vengeance of the Chaldeans, the captains, with Johanan at their head, notwithstanding, the warnings of Jeremiah, retired into Egypt.

4. The first-born son of Josiah, king of Judah.  1 Chronicles 3:15. (B.C. 638-610).

5. A valiant Benjamite, who joined David at Ziklag.  1 Chronicles 12:4. (B.C. 1055).

6. A Gadite warrior, who followed David.  1 Chronicles 12:12.

7. The father of Azariah, an Ephraimite, in the time of Ahaz.  2 Chronicles 28:12.

8. The son of Hakkatan, and chief of the Bene-Azgad, (that is, sons of Azgad), who returned with Ezra.  Ezra 8:12.

9. The son of Eliashib, one of the chief Levites.  Ezra 10:6;  Nehemiah 12:23.

10. The son of Tobiah, the Ammonite.  Nehemiah 6:18.

Morrish Bible Dictionary

1. Son of Kareah and captain among the Jews left in the land after the destruction of Jerusalem. He warned Gedaliah of the plot against his life, and when Gedaliah was slain, and the people carried away, he was the means of rescuing them. He would not however listen to Jeremiah and remain in the land, but headed the remnant in going to Egypt, where they practised idolatry.  2 Kings 25:23;  Jeremiah 40:8-16;  Jeremiah 41:11-16;  Jeremiah 42:1-8;  Jeremiah 43:2,4,5 .

2. Eldest son of Josiah kingof Judah.  1 Chronicles 3:15 .

3. Son of Elioenai, a descendant of David.  1 Chronicles 3:24 .

4. Son of Azariah, a priest.   1 Chronicles 6:9,10 .

5,6. Two who resorted to David at Ziklag.  1 Chronicles 12:4,12 .

7. An Ephraimite, father of Azariah.   2 Chronicles 28:12 .

8. Son of Hakkatan: he returned from exile.  Ezra 8:12 .

9. Son of Eliashib, a Levite.  Ezra 10:6;  Nehemiah 12:22,23 .

10. Son of Tobiah the Ammonite.  Nehemiah 6:18 .

Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible

JOHANAN. 1.   2 Kings 25:23 ,   Jeremiah 40:8 to   Jeremiah 43:5 , the son of Kareah, chief of ‘the captains of the forces,’ who after the fall of Jerusalem joined Gedaliah at Mizpah. After the murder of Gedaliah he pursued Ishmael and the other conspirators, recovered the captives, and, in spite of the protest of Jeremiah, carried them to Egypt. 2. A son of Josiah (  1 Chronicles 3:15 ). 3.   1 Chronicles 3:24 a post-exilic prince of the line of David. 4.   1 Chronicles 6:9-10 a high priest. 5. 6.   1 Chronicles 12:4;   1 Chronicles 12:12 two warriors who came to David to Ziklag, a Benjamite and a Gadite respectively. 7.   Ezra 8:12 ( Joannes , 1Es 8:38 ) one of those who returned with   Ezra 8:1-36 .   2 Chronicles 28:12 an Ephraimite. 9. See Jonathan, No. 7, and Jehohanan, No. 3.

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Son of Careah, one of the Jewish chiefs who rallied round Gedaliah, whom Nebuchadnezzar had made governor in Jerusalem ( 2 Kings 25:23;  Jeremiah 40:8 ). He warned Gedaliah of the plans of Ishmael against him, a warning which was unheeded ( Jeremiah 40:13,16 ). He afterwards pursued the murderer of the governor, and rescued the captives (41:8,13,15,16). He and his associates subsequently fled to Tahpanhes in Egypt (43:2,4,5), taking Jeremiah with them. "The flight of Gedaliah's community to Egypt extinguished the last remaining spark of life in the Jewish state. The work of the ten centuries since Joshua crossed the Jordan had been undone."

Copyright Statement These dictionary topics are from M.G. Easton M.A., DD Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Third Edition, published by Thomas Nelson, 1897. Public Domain.

Bibliography Information Easton, Matthew George. Entry for 'Johanan'. Easton's Bible Dictionary. https://www.studylight.org/dictionaries/eng/ebd/j/johanan.html. 1897.

Holman Bible Dictionary

 2 Kings 25:23 Jeremiah 40-43 2 Nehemiah 12:22-23  Nehemiah 12:11 Ezra 10:6  1 Chronicles 3:15 1 Chronicles 3:24 6 1 Chronicles 6:9-10 1 Kings 4:2 7 1 Chronicles 12:4 8 1 Chronicles 12:12 9 Ezra 8:12

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

Son of Kareah, a leading captain of the Jews after the destruction of Jerusalem, B. C. 588, who recognized the authority of Gedaliah, warned him in vain of the plot of Ishmael, and avenged his murder; but afterwards carried the remnant of the people to Egypt against the remonstrances of Jeremiah, who, unable to check his rebellious and idolatrous course, foretold divine judgments, which in due time were fulfilled,  2 Kings 25:23-26   Jeremiah 40:1-44:30 .

Hawker's Poor Man's Concordance And Dictionary

Son of Careah. ( 2 Kings 25:23) His name is compounded of Chanan, grace; and Jah, the Lord.

Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature

(Heb. Yochanan', יוֹחָנָן , a contracted form of the name JEHOHANAN; comp. also JOHN), the name of several men. (See Jehohanan), 3, 4, 6.

1. (Sept. Ι᾿Ωνάν V.R. Ι᾿Ωανάν . ) The eighth of the Gadite braves who joined David's band in the fastness of the desert of Judah ( 1 Chronicles 12:12). B.C. cir. 1061.

2. ( Sept. Ι᾿Ωανάν .) One apparently of the Benjamite slingers and archers who joined David at Ziklag ( 1 Chronicles 12:4). B.C. 1055.

3. (Sept. Ι᾿Ωανάς v.r. Ι᾿Ωανάν , Ι᾿Ωνάς . ) Son of Azariah and father of Azariah, high priests ( 1 Chronicles 6:9-10, where perhaps an erroneous repetition of names has occurred). He is thought by some to have been the same with Jehoiada ( 2 Chronicles 24:15). Josephus, however ( Ant. 10, 8, 6), seems to call him Joram and the Seder Olam JEHOAHAZ, whom it places in the reign of Jehoshaphat. (See High Priest).

4. (Sept. Ι᾿Ωανάν . ) The oldest son of king Josiah ( 1 Chronicles 3:15). He must have been born in the fifteenth year of his father's age, and he seems to have been of so feeble a constitution as not to have survived his father. B.C. cir. 635-610. (See Jehoahaz), 2.

5. (Sept. Ι᾿Ωνά , in Jeremiah Ι᾿Ωάναν and Ι᾿Ωάνναν ; Josephus Graecizes the name as John , Ι᾿Ωάννης , Ant. 10, 9, 2). The son of Careah (Kareah), and one of the Jewish chiefs who rallied around Gedaliah on his appointment as governor by the Chaldeans ( 2 Kings 25:23;  Jeremiah 40:8). It was he that warned Gedaliah of the nefarious plans of Ishmael, and offered to destroy him in anticipation, but the unsuspecting governor refused to listen to his prudent advice ( Jeremiah 40:13;  Jeremiah 40:16). After Gedaliah's assassination, Johanan pursued the murderer, and rescued the people taken away by him as captives to the Ammonites ( Jeremiah 41:8;  Jeremiah 41:13;  Jeremiah 41:15-16). He then applied to Jeremiah for counsel as to what course the remnant of the people should pursue, being apprehensive of severe treatment at the hands of the Chaldean authorities, as having interfered with the government ( Jeremiah 42:1;  Jeremiah 42:8); but, on hearing the divine injunction to remain in the land, he and his associates violated their promise of obedience, and persisted in retiring, with all their families and effects (carrying with them the prophet himself), to Tahpanes, in Egypt ( Jeremiah 43:2;  Jeremiah 43:4-5), where, doubtless, they were seized by the Chaldeans. B.C. 587.

6. (Sept. Ι᾿Ωάναν . ) Son of Katan (Hakkatan), of the "sons" of Azgad, who returned with 110 males from Babylon with Ezra ( Ezra 8:12). B.C. 459.

7. (Sept. Ι᾿Ωάναν . ) A son of Tobiah, who named Meshullam's daughter ( Nehemiah 6:18). B.C. 446.

8. ( Sept. Ι᾿Ωανάν .) A chief priest, son (? grandson) of Eliashib, named as last of those whose contemporaries the Levites were recorded in "the book of the Chronicles" ( Nehemiah 12:22-23). He appears to be the same called JEHOHANAN (in the text, but "Johanan" in the Auth. Vers.) in  Ezra 10:6; also Jonathan the son of Joiada and father of Jaddua, in  Nehemiah 12:11; comp. 22. B.C. prob. 459.

9. (Sept. Ι᾿Ωανάμ . ) The fifth named of the seven sons of Elioenai, of the descendants of Zerubbabel ( 1 Chronicles 3:24). He is apparently the same with the Nahum mentioned among the ancestry of Christ ( Luke 3:25. See Strong's Harm. and Expos. of the Gosp. p. 16, 17). B.C. somewhat post 406. (See Genealogy Of Christ).

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

jṓ - hā´nan ( יוחנן , yōḥānān , "Yahweh has been gracious"; Ἰωανάν , Iōanán  ; compare Jehohanan ):

(1) Son of Kareah, and one of "the captains of the forces who were in the fields" (i.e. probably guerrilla bands), who allied with Gedaliah, governor of Judah, after the fall of Jerusalem, 586 Bc ( 2 Kings 25:23; Jer 40:7 through 43:7). He warned Gedaliah of the plot of Ishmael ben Nethaniah, who was instigated by the Ammonite king Baalis, to murder the governor; but the latter refused to believe him nor would he grant Johanan permission to slay Ishmael ( Jeremiah 40:8-16 ). After Ishmael had murdered Gedaliah and also 70 northern pilgrims, Johanan went in pursuit. He was joined by the unwilling followers of Ishmael, but the murderer escaped. Thereupon Johanan settled at Geruth-Chimham near Bethlehem (Jer 41). As Ishmael's plan was to take the remnant to the land of Ammon, so that of Johanan and his fellow-chiefs was to go to Egypt. They consulted the Divine oracle through Jeremiah, and received the answer that they should remain in Judah (Jer 42). But the prophet was accused of giving false counsel and of being influenced by Baruch. The chiefs then resolved to go to Egypt, and forced Jeremiah and Baruch to accompany them ( Jeremiah 43:1-13 ).

(2) The eldest son of King Josiah ( 1 Chronicles 3:15 ), apparently = "Jehoahaz" ( 2 Kings 23:30-33 ).

(3) Son of Elioenai, and a Davidic post-exilic prince ( 1 Chronicles 3:24 ).

(4) Father of the Azariah who was priest in Solomon's time ( 1 Chronicles 6:9 ,  1 Chronicles 6:10 (Hebrew 5:35, 36)).

(5) A B enjamite recruit of David at Ziklag, but perhaps a Judean ( 1 Chronicles 12:4 (Hebrew 5)).

(6) A G adite recruit of David at Ziklag ( 1 Chronicles 12:12 (Hebrew 13)).

(7) Hebrew has "Jehohanan," an Ephraimite chief ( 2 Chronicles 28:12 ).

(8) A returned exile ( Ezra 8:12 ) = "Joannes" (1 Esdras 8:38, the King James Version "Johannes").

(9)  Nehemiah 12:22 ,  Nehemiah 12:23 = Jehohanan , (3).

Kitto's Popular Cyclopedia of Biblial Literature

Joha´nan (God-bestowed); one of the officers who came and recognized Gedaliah as governor of Judea after the destruction of Jerusalem, and who appears to have been the chief in authority and influence among them. He penetrated the designs of Ishmael against the governor, whom he endeavored, without success, to put upon his guard. When Ishmael had accomplished his design by the murder of Gedaliah, and was carrying away the principal persons at the seat of government as captives to the Ammonites, Johanan pursued him, and released them. Being fearful, however, that the Chaldeans might misunderstand the affair, and make him and those who were with him responsible for it, he resolved to withdraw for safety into Egypt, with the principal persons of the remnant left in the land. Jeremiah remonstrated against this decision; but Johanan would not be moved, and even constrained the prophet himself to go with them. They proceeded to Taphanes, but nothing further is recorded of Johanan. B.C. 588 (;; to ).