Johanan
“Jehovah has been gracious”
Summary
A Hebrew name meaning 'Jehovah has been gracious,' borne by numerous men in the Old Testament, most notably the military leader who rescued the remnant of Judah from Ishmael but then disobeyed Jeremiah by fleeing to Egypt.
☩Captain After Jerusalem's Fall
The most prominent Johanan was a son of Kareah and one of the Jewish military captains who survived the Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem in 586 BC. When Gedaliah was appointed governor over the remnant, Johanan loyally supported him and warned him of a plot by Ishmael to assassinate him, even offering to kill the conspirator secretly. Gedaliah fatefully dismissed the warning, and when Ishmael carried out the murder at Mizpah, Johanan pursued him, rescued the captives Ishmael had taken, and defeated his forces at Gibeon. Now fearing Babylonian reprisal for Gedaliah's death, Johanan and his men sought guidance from the prophet Jeremiah, solemnly promising to obey whatever God commanded. When Jeremiah declared that they should remain in Judah and not fear the Babylonians, Johanan accused him of speaking falsely and led the remnant into Egypt—taking Jeremiah with them against his will.
☩Other Individuals
Several other men bore this name: the firstborn son of King Josiah who apparently died young; a son of Elioenai in the post-exilic royal line; a high priest who was son of Azariah and served in Solomon's Temple; a Benjamite warrior who joined David at Ziklag; a Gadite captain who defected to David in the wilderness; a post-exilic priest who returned with Zerubbabel; and Tobiah's son-in-law mentioned in Nehemiah.
Related Verses31 mentions
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Johanan," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. IV (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Johanan," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. III (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 3.F. N. Peloubet & M. A. Peloubet (ed.), "Johanan," in Smith's Bible Dictionary (Porter & Coates, 1884).