Jehonathan
“Jehovah has given”
Summary
A Hebrew name meaning 'Jehovah has given,' the full form of Jonathan, borne by three men in the Old Testament: an overseer of David's storehouses, a Levite teacher under Jehoshaphat, and a priest after the exile.
☩Name and Etymology
The Hebrew name יְהוֹנָתָן (Yehonathan) means 'Jehovah has given' or 'Jehovah-given.' It is the full form of the more common name Jonathan, which carries the same meaning. The Septuagint renders it as Ἰωνάθαν (Ionathan).
☩Persons Bearing This Name
Three men bear this name in Scripture: (1) The son of Uzziah, appointed as superintendent over certain of King David's storehouses (1 Chronicles 27:25). These storehouses (Hebrew אֹצָרוֹת, otserot) are also rendered 'treasures' or 'cellars' in the same chapter, containing agricultural produce from the royal estates. (2) One of the Levites sent by King Jehoshaphat throughout the cities of Judah with a book of the Law to teach the people (2 Chronicles 17:8). This teaching mission was part of Jehoshaphat's religious reforms to strengthen worship of Yahweh. (3) A priest in the generation after the return from Babylon, head of the family of Shemaiah when Joiakim was high priest (Nehemiah 12:18). He is apparently the same person called Jonathan in Nehemiah 12:35.
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Jehonathan," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. IV (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Jehonathan," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. III (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 3.F. N. Peloubet & M. A. Peloubet (ed.), "Jehonathan," in Smith's Bible Dictionary (Porter & Coates, 1884).