Kareah קָרֵחַ
Father of Johanan and Jonathan
Who is Kareah in the Bible?
Kareah was the father of Johanan and Jonathan, two military leaders who played a crucial role in Judah following the fall of Jerusalem to the Babylonians in 586 BC. After the Babylonians appointed Gedaliah as governor, Johanan and Jonathan came to Gedaliah at Mizpah and pledged their allegiance to him (2 Kings 25:23, Jeremiah 40:8). When Johanan discovered a plot by Ishmael to assassinate Gedaliah, he warned the governor, but Gedaliah refused to believe him (Jeremiah 40:13-16). After Ishmael murdered Gedaliah and took captives, Johanan and his men pursued him and rescued the prisoners (Jeremiah 41:11-16). Though Kareah himself is not named as a direct actor in these events, his sons were instrumental in attempting to maintain stability and protect the remnant of Judah during the turbulent period after the Babylonian conquest.
Biography
Kareah is mentioned in 2 Kings 25 and Jeremiah 40-43 as the father of Johanan and Jonathan, two military leaders who played a significant role in the events following the fall of Jerusalem to the Babylonians in 586 BC.
After the Babylonians appointed Gedaliah as governor over the remnant of Judah, Johanan and Jonathan, along with other army officers, came to Gedaliah at Mizpah (2Ki.25.23; Jer.40.8). They pledged their allegiance to Gedaliah and agreed to serve the Babylonians (Jer.40.9-10).
Later, when Johanan learned of a plot by Ishmael to assassinate Gedaliah, he warned the governor, but Gedaliah did not believe him (Jer.40.13-16). After Ishmael carried out the assassination and fled with captives, Johanan and his men pursued Ishmael and rescued the captives (Jer.41.11-16).
Following these events, Johanan, his brother Jonathan, and the other military leaders sought the advice of Jeremiah the prophet, asking whether they should stay in Judah or flee to Egypt (Jer.42.1-3). Despite Jeremiah's warning to stay in the land, Johanan and the others disobeyed and took the remnant of Judah, including Jeremiah, to Egypt (Jer.43.2-7).
Throughout these passages, Kareah is consistently mentioned as the father of Johanan and Jonathan, highlighting their family connection and the significance of their roles in the events surrounding the fall of Jerusalem and its aftermath. The actions of Johanan and Jonathan, as well as their disobedience to Jeremiah's prophetic word, had far-reaching consequences for the remnant of Judah.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | קָרֵחַ |