Lexical Summary Nethanyah or Nethanyahu: Yahweh has given Original Word: נְתַנְיָה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Nethaniah Or Nthanyahuw {neth-an-yaw'-hoo}; from nathan and Yahh; given of Jah; Nethanjah, the name of four Israelites -- Nethaniah. see HEBREW nathan see HEBREW Yahh NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom nathan and Yah Definition "given of Yah," the name of several Isr. NASB Translation Nethaniah (20). Brown-Driver-Briggs נְתַנְיָ֫הוּ, נְתַנְיָה proper name, masculine (compare GrayProp. N. 294), ᵐ5 Ναθανιας; — 1 נְתַנְיָ֫הנּ father of Jehudi Jeremiah 36:14. 2 ׳נ father of Ishmael Gedaliah's murderer Jeremiah 40:8; Jeremiah 41:9 = נְתַנְיָה 2 Kings 25:23,25; Jeremiah 40:14,15; Jeremiah 41:1 9t. Jeremiah 41.. 3 נְתַנְיָ֫הוּ Levite name: a.2Chronicles 17:8. b. 1 Chronicles 25:12 = נְתַנְיָה 1 Chronicles 25:2. Topical Lexicon Occurrences in Scripture Nethaniah is the personal name of four distinct men, appearing twenty times across the Old Testament narrative. The name surfaces in historical records spanning from the united monarchy under David to the turbulent years that followed the Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem. 1. Nethaniah the Musician (1 Chronicles 25:2, 12) Appointed by King David, Nethaniah is listed among “the sons of Asaph” who were “under the direction of Asaph, who prophesied under the supervision of the king” (1 Chronicles 25:2). The fifth lot in the twenty–four-course rotation of Levitical musicians fell to his family (1 Chronicles 25:12). This placement situates Nethaniah at the heart of Temple worship, where prophetic song and instrumental praise declared the greatness of the LORD before the assembled congregation. His inclusion underscores David’s careful organization of worship and the Spirit-empowered nature of music in Israel’s liturgy. 2. Nethaniah the Teacher of the Law (2 Chronicles 17:8) During King Jehoshaphat’s reforms, Nethaniah was one of the Levites dispatched to “teach in Judah, having with them the Book of the Law of the LORD” (2 Chronicles 17:9). Jehoshaphat’s campaign emphasized covenant fidelity; the presence of a Levite named Nethaniah among the instructors marks him as both literate in Torah and zealous for covenant renewal. His ministry helped lay the moral and spiritual groundwork that temporarily strengthened Judah against idolatry and foreign threat (2 Chronicles 17:10). 3. Nethaniah the Father of Jehudi (Jeremiah 36:14) More than two centuries later, Nethaniah reappears as the father of Jehudi, an official in King Jehoiakim’s court. When the princes heard Baruch’s reading of Jeremiah’s scroll, “the officials sent Jehudi son of Nethaniah, the son of Shelemiah, the son of Cushi” to summon Baruch (Jeremiah 36:14). Jehudi’s willingness to convey the prophetic message to the king—even though Jehoiakim ultimately burned the scroll—suggests that Nethaniah’s household retained some respect for the word of God amid rising apostasy. 4. Nethaniah the Father of Ishmael (2 Kings 25:23, 25; Jeremiah 40–41) The final and most frequently mentioned Nethaniah was of Davidic descent, identified in the narratives following Jerusalem’s fall: “In the seventh month, however, Ishmael son of Nethaniah, son of Elishama, who was of royal birth, came with ten men and struck down Gedaliah” (2 Kings 25:25). Nethaniah himself never acts in the text; his significance lies in his lineage, which confers royal legitimacy upon his son Ishmael. Ishmael’s massacre of Gedaliah (Jeremiah 41:2) and subsequent slaughter of pilgrims (Jeremiah 41:6-9) plunged the surviving remnant into chaos, driving them toward flight to Egypt. By repeatedly naming Ishmael “son of Nethaniah,” Scripture keeps the reader mindful that covenant promises and messianic hopes were tied to David’s house even as members of that house acted treacherously. Historical and Ministry Significance 1. Continuity of Worship: From David’s court to post-exilic hope, the musicians of Asaph—including Nethaniah—preserved a heritage of prophetic praise that shaped Israel’s theology and liturgy. Their songs informed the Psalter and anticipated New-Covenant worship in Spirit and truth. 2. Covenant Instruction: The Levite Nethaniah exemplifies God’s provision of faithful teachers in times of reform. His role under Jehoshaphat anticipates the New Testament mandate to “teach all nations” the commands of Christ, demonstrating that lasting revival is rooted in Scripture. 3. Faithful Witness in the Palace: Though Jehoiakim scorned Jeremiah’s scroll, Nethaniah’s son Jehudi became the courier of God’s word. The episode shows that even in hostile environments, the Lord raises voices willing to carry His message. 4. Tragedy of Unfaithful Royalty: The fatherhood of Nethaniah casts a somber light on the Davidic line. Royal privilege without submission to God produced the violence that shattered Gedaliah’s fragile governorship. The contrast between godly remnant and murderous ambition underscores the need for the righteous Branch—fulfilled in Jesus Christ—who alone embodies perfect kingship. Theological Reflections • Divine Gift, Human Response: Each bearer of the name demonstrates the varied responses to God’s gracious gifts—worship, teaching, witness, and royal responsibility. Faithful stewardship yields blessing; rebellion breeds ruin. • Sovereign Preservation: Despite Ishmael’s bloodshed, the prophetic promise of a Davidic Messiah was not thwarted. God’s plans advance even when some heirs prove faithless. • Centrality of the Word: Whether sung by Asaph’s descendants, taught by Levites, delivered by a palace official, or rejected by a king, the word of God remains the axis around which Israel’s history—and all redemptive history—turns. Practical Lessons 1. Cultivate Worship Leaders who Prophesy in Song. Thus, the scattered references to Nethaniah form a tapestry that highlights divine generosity, human responsibility, and the unwavering faithfulness of the LORD throughout Israel’s story. Forms and Transliterations וּנְתַנְיָ֡הוּ וּנְתַנְיָ֥ה ונתניה ונתניהו נְ֠תַנְיָה נְ֠תַנְיָהוּ נְתַנְיָ֑ה נְתַנְיָ֔ה נְתַנְיָ֔הוּ נְתַנְיָ֖הוּ נְתַנְיָ֗ה נְתַנְיָ֜ה נְתַנְיָ֡ה נְתַנְיָ֡הוּ נְתַנְיָ֣ה נְתַנְיָ֤ה נְתַנְיָֽה׃ נְתַנְיָה֙ נתניה נתניה׃ נתניהו nə·ṯan·yā·hū nə·ṯan·yāh netanYah nəṯanyāh netanYahu nəṯanyāhū ū·nə·ṯan·yā·hū ū·nə·ṯan·yāh unetanYah ūnəṯanyāh unetanYahu ūnəṯanyāhūLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 2 Kings 25:23 HEB: וְיִשְׁמָעֵ֣אל בֶּן־ נְתַנְיָ֡ה וְיוֹחָנָ֣ן בֶּן־ NAS: the son of Nethaniah, and Johanan KJV: the son of Nethaniah, and Johanan INT: Ishmael the son of Nethaniah and Johanan the son 2 Kings 25:25 1 Chronicles 25:2 1 Chronicles 25:12 2 Chronicles 17:8 Jeremiah 36:14 Jeremiah 40:8 Jeremiah 40:14 Jeremiah 40:15 Jeremiah 41:1 Jeremiah 41:2 Jeremiah 41:6 Jeremiah 41:7 Jeremiah 41:9 Jeremiah 41:10 Jeremiah 41:11 Jeremiah 41:12 Jeremiah 41:15 Jeremiah 41:16 Jeremiah 41:18 20 Occurrences |
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