Topical Bible: Jonathan: The Name of Two Priests

◄ Jonathan: The Name of Two Priests ►

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The name Jonathan, meaning "Yahweh has given," is attributed to several individuals in the Bible, including two priests who played distinct roles in Israel's history. These figures are noted for their contributions to the religious and political life of ancient Israel, each serving during different periods and under varying circumstances.

1. Jonathan, the Son of Gershom:

Jonathan, the son of Gershom, is mentioned in the Book of Judges. He is identified as a Levite who became a priest for the tribe of Dan. This Jonathan is notably linked to the account of Micah's idol, where he initially served as a priest for Micah's household before being persuaded to become the priest for the Danites. This narrative is found in Judges 18, where the Danites, seeking a place to settle, encounter Jonathan and convince him to join them, offering him a more prestigious position as their tribal priest. The text states:

"And the priest was glad. He took the ephod, the household idols, and the carved image, and went with the people" (Judges 18:20).

Jonathan's role in this account highlights the religious syncretism and idolatry that plagued Israel during the time of the Judges, reflecting a period of moral and spiritual decline.

2. Jonathan, the Son of Abiathar:

Another priest named Jonathan appears during the reign of King David. He is the son of Abiathar, one of David's chief priests. Jonathan played a crucial role during the political turmoil surrounding Absalom's rebellion. As a loyal supporter of David, Jonathan, along with Ahimaaz, the son of Zadok, served as a messenger for David. They relayed critical information about Absalom's plans, helping David to strategize and ultimately regain control of his kingdom. In 2 Samuel 15:27-28, David instructs Zadok and Abiathar:

"Look, I will wait at the fords of the wilderness until word comes from you to inform me" (2 Samuel 15:28).

Jonathan's involvement in this episode underscores the importance of loyalty and the role of the priesthood in supporting the divinely appointed king. His actions contributed to the preservation of David's reign and the stability of Israel during a time of internal conflict.

These two priests named Jonathan illustrate the diverse roles and challenges faced by religious leaders in ancient Israel. Their accounts, while distinct, offer insights into the complexities of maintaining faithfulness to God amidst the political and social upheavals of their respective times.

Nave's Topical Index

Nehemiah 12:14,35
Of Melicu, Jonathan; of Shebaniah, Joseph;
Nave's Topical Index

Library

An Enumeration of the High Priests.
... these thirteen, who were the descendants of two of the ... had beaten the Macedonians
in war, appointed Jonathan to be ... in-law, his own son, whose name was Hyrcanus ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 10 an enumeration of.htm

The Story of Solomon and his Temple
... Solomon; and one of these sons, whose name was Adonijah ... the army, and Abiathar, one
of the two high-priests. ... A moment later, Jonathan, the son of Abiathar, came ...
/.../marshall/the wonder book of bible stories/the story of solomon and.htm

John the Baptist --visit of Jesus to John, and his Abode in the ...
... 6: The Aramean word seba, origin of the name of Sabians, is ... in the discourses of
Jesus.[4] The two schools appear ... ix.2), and in the Targums of Jonathan and of ...
/.../renan/the life of jesus/chapter vi john the baptistvisit.htm

After what Manner Upon the Death of Claudius, Nero Succeeded in ...
... friends, a citizen of Jerusalem, whose name was Doras ... among the multitude they slew
Jonathan [19] and ... Two of the principal Syrians in Cesarea persuaded Burrhus ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 8 after what manner.htm

Book 20 Footnotes
... implying the deluge to have been above two thousand five hundred ... as he also remarks
that Nero's name, which was ... murder of the good high priest Jonathan, by the ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/book 20 footnotes.htm

The Maccabees.
... Jewish history, He raised up a defender of His Name. ... His brothers, Jonathan and Simon,
took up his body, and ... for conquering the mightier of the two, so they ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson xviii the maccabees.htm

The Kingdom of all Israel.
... At last, by Jonathan's counsel, David fled from court, and ... Ishbosheth was soon after
murdered by two of his own ... it might be the place where God's Name was set ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson vi the kingdom of.htm

The History of the Psalter
... superscriptions and the predominant use of the name Jehovah or ... over the death of
Saul and Jonathan and of ... In these two groups the priests and Levites and the ...
/.../the origin and permanent value of the old testament/xii the history of the.htm

How David Fled to Ahimelech and Afterwards to the Kings of the ...
... that are between him and David, and that Jonathan is a ... there was one son of Ahimelech,
whose name was Abiathar ... on account of the transgression of his two sons. ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 12 how david fled.htm

How the Samaritans Made a Tumult and Pilate Destroyed Many of Them ...
... Containing The Interval Of Thirty-Two Years. ... to Antonius, he called it by the name
of Antonia. ... Caiaphas, of the high priesthood, and appointed Jonathan the son ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 4 how the samaritans.htm