Lexical Definition

‎יְהוֹנָתָן‎ Yᵉhôwnâthân (yeh-ho-naw-thawn') Jonathan ^N:N-M-P
from ‎יְהֹוָה‎ and ‎נָתַן‎; Jehovah-given

Jonathan. Compare ‎יוֹנָתָן‎.

• § Jonathan or Jehonathan = "Jehovah has given"
• Jehonathan, the name of four Israelites

1) a son of king Saul and a friend of David
2) a son of the high priest Abiathar and the last descendant of Eli of whom we hear
3) a nephew of David who like David slew a giant of Gath
4) an uncle of David
5) one of David's mighty warriors
6) one of David's treasurers
7) a scribe in the time of Jeremiah
8) a Levite and father of Zechariah, a priest who blew the trumpet at the dedication of the wall
9) a son or descendant of Gershom, the son of Moses, and a priest to the tribe of Dan
10) a son of Kareah and a brother of Johanan; a Judaite captain after the fall of Jerusalem
11) another Judaite father of Peleth
12) father of Ebed in the time of Ezra
13) son of Asahel in the time of Ezra
14) a priest of the family of Melicu in the time of Nehemiah
15) son of Joiada and his successor to the high priesthood in the time of Nehemiah

Extended Information

• A man of the tribe of Benjamin living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at 1Sa.13.2
• son of: Saul (שָׁאוּל) and Ahinoam (אֲחִינֹעַם)
• brother of: Abinadab (אֲבִינָדָב), Malchi-shua (מַלְכִּישׁוּעַ), Merab (מֵרָב) and Michal (מִיכָל)
• half-brother of: Ish-bosheth (אִישׁ־בֹּשֶׁת), Armoni (אַרְמֹנִי) and Mephibosheth (מְפִיבֹשֶׁת)
• father of: Mephibosheth (מְפִיבֹשֶׁת)
• Also named: yo.na.tan (‎יו‎ֹ‎נ‎ָ‎ת‎ָ‎ן‎ "Jonathan" יוֹנָתָן)

Brown-Driver-Briggs

‎יְהוֺנָתָן‎, ‎יוֺנָתָן‎ proper name, masculine ᵐ5 Ἰωναθαν through-out, with occasional variant reading (‎׳‎‎י‎ hath given; compare ‎אֶלְנָתָן‎, ‎נְתַנְיָהוּ‎, ‎נְתַנְאֵל‎ & references, Temanite ‎רמננתן‎ Hal^{RÉJ 1884, ix. 7 f.} Nbr^{Stud. Bib. i. 211}; Sabean ‎והבאום‎, Hal¹⁰) —

1. ‎׳‎‎יְהוֺ‎ son of Saul 1Sam 14:6; 1Sam 14:8; 1Sam 18:1 (twice in verse) + 40 t. 1 Samuel; 2Sam 1:4 + 18 t. 2 Samuel; 1Chr 8:33; 1Chr 8:34; 1Chr 9:39; 1Chr 9:40 = ‎׳‎‎יוֺ‎ 1Sam 13:2; 1Sam 13:3 + 27 t. 1 Samuel; 1Chr 10:2.

2. ‎׳‎‎יְהוֺ‎ son of Abiathar 2Sam 15:27; 2Sam 15:36; 2Sam 17:17; 2Sam 17:20 = ‎׳‎‎יוֺ‎ 1Kgs 1:42; 1Kgs 1:43.

3. ‎׳‎‎יְהוֺ‎ nephew of David 2Sam 21:21 = 1Chr 20:7 apparently: called Jonadab 2Sam 13:3ff. where ᵐ5^L Ἰωναθαν, compare ‎יהונדב‎

2.

4. ‎׳‎‎יְהוֺ‎; ‎דּוֺד‎ of David, i.e. his uncle? 1Chr 27:32.

5. ‎׳‎‎יְהוֺ‎ one of David's heroes 2Sam 23:32 (compare Dr) = ‎יוֺנָתָן‎ 1Chr 11:34.

6. ‎׳‎‎יְהוֺ‎ one of David's treasurers 1Chr 27:25.

7. ‎׳‎‎יְהוֺ‎ Scribe Jer 37:15; Jer 37:20. Jer 38:26.

8. Levites
a. ‎׳‎‎יְהוֺ‎ 2Chr 17:8
b. ‎׳‎‎יוֺ‎ Neh 12:35.

9. ‎׳‎‎יְהוֺ‎ a priest Neh 12:18.

10. ‎׳‎‎יְהוֺ‎ priest to the tribe of Dan, son of Gershom Judg 18:30.

11. ‎׳‎‎יוֺ‎ a Judaite captain, after fall of Jerusalem Jer 40:8.

12. ‎׳‎‎יוֺ‎ a Judaite 1Chr 2:32; 1Chr 2:33.

13. ‎׳‎‎יוֺ‎ father of Ebed Ezra 8:6.

14. ‎׳‎‎יוֺ‎ son of Asahel Ezra 10:15.

15. ‎׳‎‎יוֺ‎ a priest Neh 12:14.

16. ‎׳‎‎יוֺ‎ a son of Joiada Neh 12:11 (twice in verse) apparently = ‎יְהוֺחָנָן‎

2.

Brown-Driver-Briggs References

Book	Refs
Judges	18:30
1 Samuel	13:2 · 13:3 · 14:6 · 14:8 · 18:1
2 Samuel	1:4 · 13:3 · 15:27 · 15:36 · 17:17 · 17:20 · 21:21 · 23:32
1 Kings	1:42 · 1:43
1 Chronicles	2:32 · 2:33 · 8:33 · 8:34 · 9:39 · 9:40 · 10:2 · 11:34 · 20:7 · 27:25 · 27:32
2 Chronicles	17:8
Ezra	8:6 · 10:15
Nehemiah	12:11 · 12:14 · 12:18 · 12:35
Jeremiah	37:15 · 37:20 · 38:26 · 40:8

Profile

Male • David's friend • Eldest son of King Saul and friend of David

David's compatriot living at the time of United Monarchy

Jonathan, the eldest son of King Saul, was a valiant warrior and a close friend of David, ultimately dying in battle alongside his father (1Sa.14.6,8; 18.1,1,3,4; 19.1,2,4,6,7,7; 20; 23.16,18; 31.2; 2Sa.1; 4.4,4; 9.1,3,6,7; 21.7,7,12,13,14; 1Ch.8.33,34; 9.39,40; 1Sa.13.2,3,16,22,22; 14; 1Ch.10.2).

• David's compatriot from the tribe of Benjamin living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at 1Sa.13.2;
• referred to as Jonathan יְהוֹנָתָן, or Jonathan יוֹנָתָן;
• son of Saul שָׁאוּל and Ahinoam אֲחִינֹעַם;
• a brother of Abinadab אֲבִינָדָב, Malchi-shua מַלְכִּישׁוּעַ, Merab מֵרָב and Michal מִיכָל;
• half-brother of: Ish-bosheth אִישׁ־בֹּשֶׁת, Armoni אַרְמֹנִי and Mephibosheth מְפִיבֹשֶׁת;
• father of Mephibosheth מְפִיבֹשֶׁת.

Jonathan was the eldest son of King Saul and a prominent figure in the early monarchy of Israel. He first appears in the biblical narrative as a brave warrior, leading a thousand men in a successful attack against a Philistine garrison (1Sa.13.2-3). Jonathan's faith and courage were further demonstrated when he and his armor-bearer challenged another Philistine outpost, believing that God could save by many or by few (1Sa.14.6-14).

Jonathan is perhaps best known for his deep friendship with David, which began after David's victory over Goliath (1Sa.18.1). The two made a covenant, and Jonathan gave David his robe, armor, sword, bow, and belt as a sign of their bond (1Sa.18.3-4). When Saul's jealousy towards David grew, Jonathan interceded on David's behalf, temporarily reconciling them (1Sa.19.1-7).

As Saul's hostility towards David intensified, Jonathan helped David escape and reaffirmed their covenant (1Sa.20). They parted ways, with Jonathan remaining loyal to his father while still maintaining his friendship with David (1Sa.23.16-18).

Jonathan died in battle alongside his father and brothers at Mount Gilboa, fighting against the Philistines (1Sa.31.2; 1Ch.10.2). David deeply mourned the loss of his friend, composing a lament in honor of Saul and Jonathan (2Sa.1).

Jonathan's legacy continued through his son Mephibosheth, whom David showed kindness for Jonathan's sake (2Sa.4.4; 9.1-7). David also spared Mephibosheth's life when the Gibeonites sought retribution for Saul's actions (2Sa.21.7-9).

The story of Jonathan and David's friendship has become a timeless example of loyalty, selflessness, and the power of covenant relationships. Despite the challenges and conflicts they faced, their bond remained strong, transcending political and familial ties.

All entries for Jonathan: יְהוֹנָתָן ☩ יוֹנָתָן

Related Profiles:

• Saul (father)
• Ahinoam (mother)
• Abinadab (sibling)
• Malchi-shua (sibling)
• Merab (sibling)
• Michal (sibling)
• Ish-bosheth (sibling)
• Armoni (sibling)
• Mephibosheth (sibling)
• Mephibosheth (child)