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
| Form | Translated As | In Verse(s) |
|---|---|---|
| וִיהוֹנָתָ֨ן | and Jonathan | 2Sam.17.17 |
| וִיהוֹנָתָ֧ן | and Jonathan | 2Sam.15.27 |
| וִיהוֹנָתָ֖ן | and Jonathan | 2Sam.15.36 |
| וִיה֣וֹנָתָ֔ן | and Jonathan | 2Sam.17.20 |
Extended Information
- A man living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at 2Sa.15.27
- son of: Abiathar (אֶבְיָתָר)
- brother of: Ahimelech (אֲחִימֶלֶךְ)
- 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 HalRÉJ 1884, ix. 7 f. NbrStud. 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 ᵐ5L 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 • From Levi • Son of Abiathar the priest during David's reign
Priest living at the time of United Monarchy
Jonathan, the son of Abiathar the priest, served as a messenger and informant for David during Absalom's rebellion (2Sa.15.27,36; 17.17,20; 1Ki.1.42,43).
- A priest living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at 2Sa.15.27;
- son of Abiathar (H0054);
- brother of Ahimelech (H0288I);
- called Jonathan יְהוֹנָתָן; or Jonathan יוֹנָתָן
Jonathan, the son of Abiathar the priest, appears in the biblical narrative during the reign of King David. He served as a messenger and informant alongside Ahimaaz, the son of Zadok, during the time of Absalom's rebellion against David (2Sa.15.27,36).
When David was forced to flee Jerusalem due to Absalom's coup, he instructed Jonathan and Ahimaaz to remain in the city and send word to him about any developments (2Sa.15.27-29). The two young men stayed near En-rogel, outside the city, to avoid detection (2Sa.17.17). A servant girl would relay messages to them, which they would then deliver to David (2Sa.17.17).
When Absalom's men came searching for Jonathan and Ahimaaz, a woman hid them in a well and covered it, misleading the pursuers (2Sa.17.18-20). The two then escaped and informed David of Ahithophel's advice to Absalom (2Sa.17.21).
Later, during the tensions surrounding Solomon's succession to the throne, Jonathan brought news to Adonijah and his supporters that Solomon had been anointed king (1Ki.1.42-48). This report led to the disbanding of Adonijah's faction.
Jonathan's role as a messenger and informant highlights the importance of loyalty and communication during times of political upheaval. His service to David, along with that of Ahimaaz, was crucial in helping the king navigate the challenges posed by Absalom's rebellion and the uncertainties of the royal succession.
All entries for Jonathan: יְהוֹנָתָן ☩ יוֹנָתָן