5418. Nethanyah or Nethanyahu
Lexical Summary
Nethanyah or Nethanyahu: Yahweh has given

Original Word: נְתַנְיָה
Part of Speech: Proper Name Masculine
Transliteration: Nthanyah
Pronunciation: neh-than-YAH
Phonetic Spelling: (neth-an-yaw')
KJV: Nethaniah
NASB: Nethaniah
Word Origin: [from H5414 (נָתַן - give) and H3050 (יָהּ - LORD)]

1. given of Jah
2. Nethanjah, the name of four Israelites

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 Origin
from 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.
2. Invest in Teachers who Ground Reform in Scripture.
3. Carry God’s Word Faithfully, Regardless of Reception.
4. Anchor Hope in the True Son of David, whose righteous reign remedies the failures of every Nethaniah’s lineage.

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 ūnəṯanyāhū
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Englishman'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
HEB: יִשְׁמָעֵ֣אל בֶּן־ נְ֠תַנְיָה בֶּן־ אֱלִ֨ישָׁמָ֜ע
NAS: the son of Nethaniah, the son
KJV: the son of Nethaniah, the son
INT: Ishmael the son of Nethaniah the son of Elishama

1 Chronicles 25:2
HEB: זַכּ֧וּר וְיוֹסֵ֛ף וּנְתַנְיָ֥ה וַאֲשַׂרְאֵ֖לָה בְּנֵ֣י
NAS: Joseph, Nethaniah and Asharelah;
KJV: and Joseph, and Nethaniah, and Asarelah,
INT: Zaccur Joseph Nethaniah and Asharelah the sons

1 Chronicles 25:12
HEB: הַחֲמִישִׁ֣י נְתַנְיָ֔הוּ בָּנָ֥יו וְאֶחָ֖יו
NAS: the fifth to Nethaniah, his sons
KJV: The fifth to Nethaniah, [he], his sons,
INT: the fifth to Nethaniah his sons and his relatives

2 Chronicles 17:8
HEB: הַלְוִיִּ֗ם שְֽׁמַֽעְיָ֡הוּ וּנְתַנְיָ֡הוּ וּזְבַדְיָ֡הוּ וַעֲשָׂהאֵ֡ל
NAS: Shemaiah, Nethaniah, Zebadiah,
KJV: [even] Shemaiah, and Nethaniah, and Zebadiah,
INT: the Levites Shemaiah Nethaniah Zebadiah Asahel

Jeremiah 36:14
HEB: יְהוּדִ֡י בֶּן־ נְ֠תַנְיָהוּ בֶּן־ שֶׁלֶמְיָ֣הוּ
NAS: the son of Nethaniah, the son
KJV: the son of Nethaniah, the son
INT: Jehudi the son of Nethaniah the son of Shelemiah

Jeremiah 40:8
HEB: וְיִשְׁמָעֵ֣אל בֶּן־ נְתַנְיָ֡הוּ וְיוֹחָנָ֣ן וְיוֹנָתָ֣ן
NAS: the son of Nethaniah, and Johanan
KJV: the son of Nethaniah, and Johanan
INT: Ishmael the son of Nethaniah and Johanan and Jonathan

Jeremiah 40:14
HEB: יִשְׁמָעֵ֣אל בֶּן־ נְתַנְיָ֔ה לְהַכֹּתְךָ֖ נָ֑פֶשׁ
NAS: the son of Nethaniah to take
KJV: the son of Nethaniah to slay
INT: Ishmael the son of Nethaniah to take any

Jeremiah 40:15
HEB: יִשְׁמָעֵ֣אל בֶּן־ נְתַנְיָ֔ה וְאִ֖ישׁ לֹ֣א
NAS: the son of Nethaniah, and not a man
KJV: the son of Nethaniah, and no man
INT: Ishmael the son of Nethaniah A man not

Jeremiah 41:1
HEB: יִשְׁמָעֵ֣אל בֶּן־ נְתַנְיָ֣ה בֶן־ אֱלִישָׁמָ֣ע
NAS: the son of Nethaniah, the son
KJV: the son of Nethaniah the son
INT: Ishmael the son of Nethaniah the son of Elishama

Jeremiah 41:2
HEB: יִשְׁמָעֵ֨אל בֶּן־ נְתַנְיָ֜ה וַעֲשֶׂ֥רֶת הָאֲנָשִׁ֣ים ׀
NAS: the son of Nethaniah and the ten
KJV: the son of Nethaniah, and the ten
INT: Ishmael the son of Nethaniah and the ten men

Jeremiah 41:6
HEB: יִשְׁמָעֵ֨אל בֶּן־ נְתַנְיָ֤ה לִקְרָאתָם֙ מִן־
NAS: the son of Nethaniah went
KJV: the son of Nethaniah went forth
INT: Ishmael the son of Nethaniah to meet from

Jeremiah 41:7
HEB: יִשְׁמָעֵ֤אל בֶּן־ נְתַנְיָה֙ אֶל־ תּ֣וֹךְ
NAS: the son of Nethaniah and the men
KJV: the son of Nethaniah slew
INT: Ishmael the son of Nethaniah about inside

Jeremiah 41:9
HEB: יִשְׁמָעֵ֥אל בֶּן־ נְתַנְיָ֖הוּ חֲלָלִֽים׃
NAS: the son of Nethaniah filled
KJV: the son of Nethaniah filled
INT: Ishmael the son of Nethaniah the slain

Jeremiah 41:10
HEB: יִשְׁמָעֵ֣אל בֶּן־ נְתַנְיָ֔ה וַיֵּ֕לֶךְ לַעֲבֹ֖ר
NAS: the son of Nethaniah took them captive
KJV: the son of Nethaniah carried them away captive,
INT: Ishmael the son of Nethaniah and proceeded to cross

Jeremiah 41:11
HEB: יִשְׁמָעֵ֖אל בֶּן־ נְתַנְיָֽה׃
NAS: the son of Nethaniah had done.
KJV: the son of Nethaniah had done,
INT: Ishmael the son of Nethaniah

Jeremiah 41:12
HEB: יִשְׁמָעֵ֣אל בֶּן־ נְתַנְיָ֑ה וַיִּמְצְא֣וּ אֹת֔וֹ
NAS: the son of Nethaniah and they found
KJV: the son of Nethaniah, and found
INT: Ishmael the son of Nethaniah found about

Jeremiah 41:15
HEB: וְיִשְׁמָעֵ֣אל בֶּן־ נְתַנְיָ֗ה נִמְלַט֙ בִּשְׁמֹנָ֣ה
NAS: the son of Nethaniah escaped
KJV: the son of Nethaniah escaped
INT: Ishmael the son of Nethaniah escaped eight

Jeremiah 41:16
HEB: יִשְׁמָעֵ֤אל בֶּן־ נְתַנְיָה֙ מִן־ הַמִּצְפָּ֔ה
NAS: the son of Nethaniah, after
KJV: the son of Nethaniah, from Mizpah,
INT: Ishmael the son of Nethaniah from Mizpah

Jeremiah 41:18
HEB: יִשְׁמָעֵ֣אל בֶּן־ נְתַנְיָ֗ה אֶת־ גְּדַלְיָ֙הוּ֙
NAS: the son of Nethaniah had struck down
KJV: the son of Nethaniah had slain
INT: Ishmael the son of Nethaniah Gedaliah the son

20 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 5418
20 Occurrences


nə·ṯan·yāh — 14 Occ.
nə·ṯan·yā·hū — 4 Occ.
ū·nə·ṯan·yāh — 1 Occ.
ū·nə·ṯan·yā·hū — 1 Occ.

5417
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