Bible Dictionary
Jehonathan
Jehonathan was the name of several officials, including a Levite who taught the law under Jehoshaphat, a priestly family head, and a steward of David’s storehouses. It is a form of Jonathan.
Definition
Jehonathan means “whom Jehovah gave” or “Yahweh has given.” It is a form of Jonathan and identifies a Levite who taught the law in Judah, the head of the priestly family of Shemaiah, and a steward of David’s storehouses.
Biblical Usage
Jehonathan appears in records of teaching the Torah, priestly families, and David’s administration.
Historical Background
The Hebrew uses Jehonathan and Jonathan as forms of the same name, and different records sometimes preserve one form or the other.
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Whom Jehovah gave. (1.) One of the stewards of David’s store-houses (1 Chr. 27:25). (2.) A Levite who taught the law to the people of Judah (2 Chr. 17:8). (3.) Neh. 12:18.
Smith's Bible Dictionary
(whom Jehovah gave).
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>je-hon'-a-than (yehonathan, "Yahweh has given"): The name is the same as Jonathan: the Hebrew has the two forms for the same person sometimes; sometimes only one is found. See JONATHAN. The form "Jehonathan" occurs as follows in English Versions of the Bible:</p><p>(1) A Levite who took part in teaching the Torah in the cities of Judah under Jehoshaphat (2Ch 17:8 English Versions of the Bible and Hebrew).</p><p>(2) Head of the priestly family of Shemaiah (Ne 12:18 English Versions of the Bible and Hebrew).</p><p>(3) the King James Version and Hebrew in 1Ch 27:25; see JONATHAN, (7).</p>