Jonathan יוֹנָתָן
Son of Kareah, came to Gedaliah at Mizpah
Who is Jonathan in the Bible?
Jonathan, son of Kareah, was a military officer in ancient Judah who appears in Jeremiah 40:8 during the aftermath of Jerusalem's fall to Babylon in 586 BC. After the Babylonians destroyed the city, they appointed Gedaliah as governor over the remaining towns of Judah, and Jonathan was among the army officers who came to meet him at Mizpah. Gedaliah assured Jonathan and the other officers of their safety if they submitted to Babylonian rule and helped the people settle the land. Jonathan's appearance in Scripture illustrates the difficult circumstances facing Judah's remnant and the collaboration required between military leaders and the Babylonian-appointed governor for survival during the exile period.
Biography
Jonathan, the son of Kareah, is mentioned in Jer.40.8 as one of the army officers who came to Gedaliah at Mizpah after the fall of Jerusalem to the Babylonians in 586 BC. Gedaliah had been appointed by the Babylonians as governor over the towns of Judah (Jer.40.5). After the Babylonians departed, Gedaliah encouraged the remaining people in the land to serve the king of Babylon and settle in the land (Jer.40.9-10). Jonathan, along with other officers and their men, came to Gedaliah at Mizpah and were assured by him of safety as long as they remained submitted to Babylonian rule.
Family
In Scripture
1 biblical book ; 1 with study contentJeremiah 1 verse
- 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."
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Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script |
|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | יוֹנָתָן |