Johanan
Easton’s Bible Dictionary (1897) · International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (1915)
THE DICTIONARY — Easton’s Bible Dictionary (1897)
whom Jehovah graciously bestows. (1.) One of the Gadite heroes who joined David in the desert of Judah (1 Chronicles 12:12). (2.) The oldest of King Josiah’s sons (1 Chronicles 3:15). (3.) Son of Careah, one of the Jewish chiefs who rallied round Gedaliah, whom Nebuchadnezzar had made governor in Jerusalem (2 Kings 25:23; Jeremiah 40:8). He warned Gedaliah of the plans of Ishmael against him, a warning which was unheeded (Jeremiah 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.”
THE FULL ARTICLE — from the International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (1915), general editor James Orr — public domain, printed whole.
jo-ha'-nan (yochanan, "Yahweh has been gracious"; Ioanan; compare JEHOHANAN):
(1) Son of Kareah, and one of "the captains of the forces who were in the fields" (i.e. probably guerrilla bands), who allied with Gedaliah, governor of Judah, after the fall of Jerusalem, 586 BC (2Ki 25:23; Jer 40:7-43:7). He warned Gedaliah of the plot of Ishmael ben Nethaniah, who was instigated by the Ammonite king Baalis, to murder the governor; but the latter refused to believe him nor would he grant Johanan permission to slay Ishmael (Jer 40:8-16). After Ishmael had murdered Gedaliah and also 70 northern pilgrims, Johanan went in pursuit. He was joined by the unwilling followers of Ishmael, but the murderer escaped. Thereupon Johanan settled at Geruth-Chimham near Bethlehem (Jer 41). As Ishmael's plan was to take the remnant to the land of Ammon, so that of Johanan and his fellow-chiefs was to go to Egypt. They consulted the Divine oracle through Jeremiah, and received the answer that they should remain in Judah (Jer 42). But the prophet was accused of giving false counsel and of being influenced by Baruch. The chiefs then resolved to go to Egypt, and forced Jeremiah and Baruch to accompany them (Jer 43).
(2) The eldest son of King Josiah (1Ch 3:15), apparently = "Jehoahaz" (2Ki 23:30-33).
(3) Son of Elioenai, and a Davidic post-exilic prince (1Ch 3:24).
(4) Father of the Azariah who was priest in Solomon's time (1Ch 6:9,10; (Hebrew 5:35,36)).
(5) A Benjamite recruit of David at Ziklag, but perhaps a Judean (1Ch 12:4 (Hebrew 5)).
(6) A Gadite recruit of David at Ziklag (1Ch 12:12 (Hebrew 13)).
(7) Hebrew has "Jehohanan," an Ephraimite chief (2Ch 28:12).
(8) A returned exile (Ezr 8:12) = "Joannes" (1 Esdras 8:38, the King James Version "Johannes").
(9) Ne 12:22,23 = JEHOHANAN, (3).
David Francis Roberts