Johanan יוֹחָנָן
A Judean military leader after the fall of Jerusalem
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
"Now when all the captains of the forces, they and their men, heard that the king of Babylon had made Gedaliah governor, they came to Gedaliah to Mizpah, even Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, and Johanan the son of Kareah, and Seraiah the son of Tanhumeth the Netophathite, and..."
Jeremiah 5 verses Study available
- Jeremiah 40:8
"then Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, and Johanan and Jonathan the sons of Kareah, and Seraiah the son of Tanhumeth, and the sons of Ephai the Netophathite, and Jezaniah the son of the Maacathite, they and their men came to Gedaliah to Mizpah."
Study Jeremiah → - Jeremiah 40:13
"Moreover Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the captains of the forces who were in the fields, came to Gedaliah to Mizpah,"
Study Jeremiah → - Jeremiah 40:15
"Then Johanan the son of Kareah spoke to Gedaliah in Mizpah secretly, saying, “Please let me go, and I will kill Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, and no man will know it. Why should he take your life, that all the Jews who are gathered to you should be scattered, and the remnant of..."
Study Jeremiah → - Jeremiah 40:16
"But Gedaliah the son of Ahikam said to Johanan the son of Kareah, “You shall not do this thing; for you speak falsely of Ishmael.”"
Study Jeremiah → - Jeremiah 41:11
"But when Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the captains of the forces who were with him, heard of all the evil that Ishmael the son of Nethaniah had done,"
Study Jeremiah →
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script | Strong's |
|---|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | יוֹחָנָן | H3110G |