Bible Dictionary
Johanan
Johanan was the name of several men, including a leader of the remnant after Jerusalem’s fall, sons or descendants of David, priests, and warriors who joined David. The name means “Jehovah has been gracious.”
Definition
Johanan is the name of several biblical men, including a Gadite warrior, a son of Josiah, a Davidic prince, priests, a Benjamite recruit of David, an Ephraimite chief, and a returned exile. The most prominent was Johanan son of Kareah, a leader of the remnant after Jerusalem’s fall.
Biblical Usage
Johanan son of Kareah warned Gedaliah of Ishmael’s plot, pursued Ishmael after Gedaliah’s murder, and later led the remnant toward Egypt, taking Jeremiah and Baruch with them. Other Johannans appear in royal genealogies, priestly records, David’s recruits, and the lists of returned exiles.
Historical Background
The principal Johanan served among the forces remaining after Jerusalem fell in 586 B.C. He settled near Bethlehem before the remnant went to Egypt. The name means “Yahweh has been gracious.”
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Whom Jehovah graciously bestows. (1.) One of the Gadite heroes who joined David in the desert of Judah (1 Chr. 12:12). (2.) The oldest of King Josiah’s sons (1 Chr. 3:15). (3.) Son of Careah, one of the Jewish chiefs who rallied round Gedaliah, whom Nebuchadnezzar had made governor in Jerusalem (2 Kings 25:23; Jer. 40:8). He warned Gedaliah of the plans of Ishmael against him, a warning which was unheeded (Jer. 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.”
Smith's Bible Dictionary
(gift or grace of God).
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>jo-ha'-nan (yochanan, "Yahweh has been gracious"; Ioanan; compare JEHOHANAN):</p><p>(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 (2Ki 25:23; Jer 40:7-43:7). 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 (Jer 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 (Jer 43).</p><p>(2) The eldest son of King Josiah (1Ch 3:15), apparently = "Jehoahaz" (2Ki 23:30-33).</p><p>(3) Son of Elioenai, and a Davidic post-exilic prince (1Ch 3:24).</p><p>(4) Father of the Azariah who was priest in Solomon's time (1Ch 6:9,10; (Hebrew 5:35,36)).</p><p>(5) A Benjamite recruit of David at Ziklag, but perhaps a Judean (1Ch 12:4 (Hebrew 5)).</p><p>(6) A Gadite recruit of David at Ziklag (1Ch 12:12 (Hebrew 13)).</p><p>(7) Hebrew has "Jehohanan," an Ephraimite chief (2Ch 28:12).</p><p>(8) A returned exile (Ezr 8:12) = "Joannes" (1 Esdras 8:38, the King James Version "Johannes").</p><p>(9) Ne 12:22,23 = JEHOHANAN, (3).</p><p>David Francis Roberts</p>