Jonathan יוֹנָתָן
Head of priestly family of Malluchi
Who is Jonathan in the Bible?
Jonathan was the head of the priestly family of Malluchi during the high priesthood of Joiakim in the post-exilic period (Nehemiah 12:14). He lived in the late fifth century BC, after the Jewish people had returned from their exile in Babylon. Like other priestly family heads listed in Nehemiah 12, Jonathan was responsible for leading his designated group of priests in the restored Jerusalem community. His mention in Nehemiah's record reflects the organized religious leadership structure that was essential to rebuilding Jewish worship and temple life after the exile.
Biography
In Neh.12.14, Jonathan is listed as the head of the priestly family of Malluchi (or Malluch) during the days of Joiakim the high priest. This was in the post-exilic period after the return from Babylon, likely in the late 5th century BC. The priests were organized into groupings called families, with a head over each family. Nehemiah 12 records the heads of priestly families in the generations after the first exiles returned under Jeshua the high priest (Neh.12.1-7) and then in the time of the high priest Joiakim (Neh.12.12-21).
In Scripture
1 biblical book ; 1 with study contentNehemiah 1 verse
- Nehemiah 12:14
"of Malluchi, Jonathan; of Shebaniah, Joseph;"
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Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script |
|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | יוֹנָתָן |