Johanan יוֹחָנָן
A Judean military leader after the fall of Jerusalem
Who is Johanan in the Bible?
Johanan, son of Kareah, was a prominent Judean military leader who emerged after the Babylonians destroyed Jerusalem in 586 BC (2 Kings 25:23). After the Babylonians appointed Gedaliah as governor over the remaining people in Judah, Johanan and other army officers submitted to his authority at Mizpah (Jeremiah 40:8). When the royal official Ishmael assassinated Gedaliah and took captives, Johanan pursued him and rescued those who had been taken (Jeremiah 41:11-16). Subsequently, Johanan and the other surviving leaders asked the prophet Jeremiah to seek God's guidance for their future (Jeremiah 42:1-3). Although Jeremiah delivered God's word that they should remain in the land, Johanan and his associates refused to obey and instead fled to Egypt, demonstrating the spiritual disobedience that characterized the remnant of Judah following the exile (Jeremiah 43:2-5).
Biography
Johanan, the son of Kareah, was a prominent Judean military leader who was active in the aftermath of the fall of Jerusalem to the Babylonians in 586 BC. After the Babylonians appointed Gedaliah as governor over the remnant of Judah, Johanan and other army officers came to him at Mizpah (2Ki.25.23; Jer.40.8). When Ishmael, a member of the royal family, assassinated Gedaliah and killed many others, Johanan pursued him and rescued the captives Ishmael had taken (Jer.41.11-16).
Following these events, Johanan and the other leaders sought the advice of the prophet Jeremiah, asking him to pray for guidance (Jer.42.1-3). However, when Jeremiah conveyed God's message that they should remain in the land and not flee to Egypt, Johanan and the others refused to obey (Jer.43.2-4). Instead, they took the remnant of Judah, including Jeremiah, and went to Egypt (Jer.43.5-7).
Johanan's story highlights the complex political situation in Judah after the Babylonian conquest and the challenges faced by those who remained in the land. While he initially seemed to support Gedaliah and sought Jeremiah's guidance, his ultimate refusal to obey God's word led him and the remnant of Judah into further disobedience and exile.
Family
In Scripture
2 biblical books ; 1 with study content2 Kings 1 verse
- 2 Kings 25:23
"When all the commanders of the armies and their men heard that the king of Babylon had appointed Gedaliah as governor, they came to Gedaliah at Mizpah—Ishmael son of Nethaniah, Johanan son of Kareah, Seraiah son of Tanhumeth the Netophathite, and Jaazaniah son of the Maacathite,..."
Jeremiah 5 verses
- Jeremiah 40:8
"they came to Gedaliah at Mizpah—Ishmael son of Nethaniah, Johanan and Jonathan the sons of Kareah, Seraiah son of Tanhumeth, the sons of Ephai the Netophathite, and Jezaniah son of the Maacathite—they and their men."
Study Jeremiah → - Jeremiah 40:13
"Meanwhile, Johanan son of Kareah and all the commanders of the armies in the field came to Gedaliah at Mizpah"
Study Jeremiah → - Jeremiah 40:15
"Then Johanan son of Kareah spoke privately to Gedaliah at Mizpah. “Let me go and kill Ishmael son of Nethaniah,” he said. “No one will know it. Why should he take your life and scatter all the people of Judah who have gathered to you, so that the remnant of Judah would perish?”"
Study Jeremiah → - Jeremiah 40:16
"But Gedaliah son of Ahikam said to Johanan son of Kareah, “Do not do such a thing! What you are saying about Ishmael is a lie.”"
Study Jeremiah → - Jeremiah 41:11
"When Johanan son of Kareah and all the commanders of the armies with him heard of all the crimes that Ishmael son of Nethaniah had committed,"
Study Jeremiah →
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | יוֹחָנָן | ywōḥānān | Jochanan , the name of nine Israelites |