A high priest during the Persian period
Johanan
Named in 3 verses of Nehemiah, first in Nehemiah 12:11.
יוֹחָנָןJohanan
יוֹנָתָןJonathan
Also called Jonathan.
The name means “who is liberal or merciful.” Hitchcock's Bible Names, 1869
- Father
- Joiada
- Brothers and sisters
- Son of Joiada
- Children
- Jaddua
- People
- Tribe of Levi
About Johanan Written by AI
Johanan is mentioned in Nehemiah 12 as a high priest who served during the Persian period. In the genealogies of the priests and Levites, Johanan is listed as the son of Joiada and the father of Jaddua (Nehemiah 12:11). He is also mentioned in the context of the priests who were recorded as heads of their fathers' houses during the reigns of Darius the Persian, Xerxes, and Artaxerxes (Nehemiah 12:22 to 23). These genealogical records were important for establishing the legitimacy and continuity of the priesthood after the return from the Babylonian exile. Johanan's inclusion in these lists indicates that he played a significant role in leading the priesthood and maintaining religious order during a crucial period in Jewish history. However, no additional details are provided about his specific actions or achievements as high priest.
Drafted by an AI model for STEPBible's TIPNR (Tyndale House Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). Check it against the verses below.
Easton's Bible Dictionary, 1897
This entry is on the name Johanan, and may cover more than one person or place by that name.
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).
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(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.”
M. G. Easton, Illustrated Bible Dictionary, third edition (1897), public domain, from CrossWire. Shown as written; its Scripture quotes are from older translations.
Where the Bible names him
- Nehemiah 12:11
Joiada was the father of Jonathan, and Jonathan was the father of Jaddua.
- Nehemiah 12:22
In the days of Eliashib, Joiada, Johanan, and Jaddua, during the reign of Darius the Persian, the heads of the families of the Levites and priests were recorded.
- Nehemiah 12:23
As for the descendants of Levi, the family heads up to the days of Johanan son of Eliashib were recorded in the Book of the Chronicles.
From STEPBible's TIPNR, Tyndale House Cambridge (CC BY 4.0): names, family, references and the AI written article. Verse text is the BSB.