Lexical Summary Yonathan: Jonathan Original Word: יוֹנָתָן Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Jonathan A form of Yhownathan; Jonathan, the name of ten Israelites -- Jonathan. see HEBREW Yhownathan NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originthe same as Yehonathan, q.v. Topical Lexicon Overview The personal name Jonathan appears about forty-four times in the Old Testament narrative and genealogical materials. The occurrences cluster around several individuals whose lives span the periods of the Judges, the united monarchy, the divided monarchy, the exile, and the post-exilic restoration. The name’s meaning, “Yahweh has given,” is repeatedly illustrated in the providential roles each Jonathan plays, whether in faithful devotion or in cautionary example. Jonathan son of Saul 1 Samuel 13–31; 2 Samuel 1; 2 Samuel 4; 2 Samuel 9; 2 Samuel 21 Jonathan son of Gershom (Levite of Judges) Judges 17:7–13; Judges 18:1–31 Originally an itinerant Levite from Bethlehem, he became household priest to Micah’s idolatrous shrine, then priest to the migrating Danites. “Jonathan son of Gershom, the son of Moses, and his sons were priests for the tribe of Dan until the day of the captivity of the land” (Judges 18:30). His account warns that priestly lineage does not guarantee covenant fidelity; without adherence to revealed worship, even a Levite may lead a tribe into syncretism persisting for generations. Jonathan son of Abiathar (Priestly courier of David) 2 Samuel 15:27, 36; 2 Samuel 17:17, 20; 1 Kings 1:42–43 When Absalom rebelled, David dispatched Zadok’s son Ahimaaz and Abiathar’s son Jonathan as covert messengers. Their successful intelligence work aided David’s safe retreat. Years later Jonathan was the first to inform Adonijah that Solomon, not Adonijah, had been proclaimed king (1 Kings 1:42–43), unwittingly sealing Adonijah’s defeat. His steady reliability underlines the value of unheralded yet crucial ministry. Jonathan son of Shimea (Nephew of David, Giant-slayer) 2 Samuel 21:21; 1 Chronicles 20:7 This Jonathan struck down a Philistine giant who defied Israel, paralleling David’s earlier victory over Goliath and demonstrating how courageous faith persisted in David’s extended family. Jonathan among David’s mighty men 1 Chronicles 11:34; 1 Chronicles 12:4, 7, 12, 36 Several warriors bearing the name served David during his wilderness years. Their inclusion among “the mighty men” indicates Jonathan’s commonality yet distinguishes each bearer as a divinely gifted asset to God’s anointed ruler. Genealogical and Post-exilic Jonathans • 1 Chronicles 2:32–33 records Jonathan of the line of Judah. Jonathan the Scribe (Jeremiah’s day) Jeremiah 37:15, 20; Jeremiah 38:26 Jonathan the scribe owned the house repurposed as a prison for Jeremiah. The prophet’s confinement there contrasts with Jonathan son of Saul’s protection of the Lord’s anointed. The same name thus juxtaposes fidelity and opposition. Theological Themes Illustrated 1. Covenant loyalty. Jonathan son of Saul embodies covenant faithfulness that transcends personal ambition and family ties, foreshadowing the sacrificial love later perfected in Christ. Legacy in Redemptive History Across the Old Testament the name Jonathan traces a spectrum from zealous faith to compromised religion. Most memorably, Jonathan son of Saul stands as the quintessential friend who yields prominence to God’s chosen king, thereby anticipating the New Testament call to “esteem others more highly than yourselves” and to rejoice when Christ increases (compare John 3:30). Every occurrence of the name invites readers to remember that what the Lord gives—whether courage, office, or relationship—must be returned to Him in loyal obedience. Forms and Transliterations בְּיוֹנָתָ֥ן ביונתן הֲֽיוֹנָתָ֤ן ׀ היונתן וְיוֹנָתָ֑ן וְיוֹנָתָ֖ן וְיוֹנָתָ֣ן וְיוֹנָתָֽן׃ וִ֠יהוֹנָתָן וִיהֽוֹנָתָן֙ וּלְיוֹנָתָ֖ן ויהונתן ויונתן ויונתן׃ וליונתן י֣וֹנָתָ֔ן יֽוֹנָתָ֔ן יֽוֹנָתָ֜ן יֽוֹנָתָן֙ יוֹנָתָ֑ן יוֹנָתָ֔ן יוֹנָתָ֖ן יוֹנָתָ֗ן יוֹנָתָ֛ן יוֹנָתָ֜ן יוֹנָתָ֣ן יוֹנָתָ֣ן ׀ יוֹנָתָ֤ן יוֹנָתָ֥ן יוֹנָתָ֧ן יוֹנָתָֽן׃ יונתן יונתן׃ bə·yō·w·nā·ṯān beyonaTan bəyōwnāṯān hăyō·w·nā·ṯān hayonaTan hăyōwnāṯān ū·lə·yō·w·nā·ṯān uleyonaTan ūləyōwnāṯān veyonaTan vihonaTan Vihonaton wə·yō·w·nā·ṯān wəyōwnāṯān wî·hō·w·nā·ṯān wîhōwnāṯān yō·w·nā·ṯān yonaTan yōwnāṯānLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Judges 18:30 HEB: אֶת־ הַפָּ֑סֶל וִ֠יהוֹנָתָן בֶּן־ גֵּרְשֹׁ֨ם INT: of Dan the graven Jonathan the son of Gershom 1 Samuel 13:2 1 Samuel 13:3 1 Samuel 13:16 1 Samuel 13:22 1 Samuel 13:22 1 Samuel 14:1 1 Samuel 14:3 1 Samuel 14:4 1 Samuel 14:12 1 Samuel 14:12 1 Samuel 14:13 1 Samuel 14:13 1 Samuel 14:14 1 Samuel 14:17 1 Samuel 14:21 1 Samuel 14:27 1 Samuel 14:29 1 Samuel 14:39 1 Samuel 14:40 1 Samuel 14:41 1 Samuel 14:42 1 Samuel 14:42 1 Samuel 14:43 1 Samuel 14:43 44 Occurrences |
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