Jonathan (son of Kareah)
A person in the Bible. Also called Jonathan son of Kareah, Jonathan son of Careah, Jonathan the brother of Johanan.
| Classification | Biblical figure |
|---|---|
| Era | Early 6th century BC, shortly after the fall of Jerusalem (dating varies among scholars) |
| Related Figures | Kareah (father); Johanan son of Kareah (brother); Gedaliah (governor) |
| Biblical References | Jeremiah 40:8 |
Jonathan, son of Kareah and brother of Johanan, was one of the captains of the forces of Judah who came to Gedaliah, governor of Judah, at Mizpah after the fall of Jerusalem.
About this articleAI draft from a Korean source. Notes on Korean Protestant practice. No sources listed. Not yet reviewed by a person.
- Origin
Drafted by AI from the Korean church.wiki article, then translated and adapted for English readers on 5 November 2026.
- Perspective
Includes notes on Korean Protestant practice; other traditions are noted where they differ.
- Sources
None listed yet. The article draws on the biblical text and general reference works. Add a source
- Review
Not yet reviewed by a person. Last edited by a person: never. Translation updated 5 November 2026. Edit history
Biblical Account
This Jonathan is named only once, in Jeremiah 40:8. After the Babylonian army destroyed Jerusalem, the king of Babylon appointed Gedaliah the son of Ahikam governor over the land of Judah (Jeremiah 40:7). The captains of the forces of Judah, who had been scattered in the fields, then came with their men to Gedaliah at Mizpah. The text lists them as "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 a Maachathite." Gedaliah swore to them that they need not fear to serve the Chaldeans (the Babylonians) and told them to dwell in the land (Jeremiah 40:9-10).
In the narrative that follows, his brother Johanan takes the lead. Johanan warned Gedaliah of Ishmael's plot, and after Gedaliah was murdered, he led the remnant of the people down to Egypt (Jeremiah 40:13-43:7). Jonathan's name does not appear again in these events. He may have been among the "captains of the forces" who acted together, but the text does not say so.
Significance in Scripture
Jonathan appears as one name in a list that reflects the turmoil among those who remained in the land of Judah after the fall of Jerusalem. None of his words or deeds is recorded, and the New Testament does not mention him. The name "Jonathan" is understood to mean "the LORD has given."
Interpretation and Issues
2 Kings 25:23, which records the same event, mentions only "Johanan the son of Careah"; Jonathan is absent. In Jeremiah 40:8 as well, "Jonathan" is reportedly missing from the Septuagint (the Greek translation of the Old Testament) and from some Hebrew manuscripts. Accordingly, some scholars regard "Jonathan" in the Masoretic Text (the standard text of the Hebrew Old Testament today) as a scribal addition, while others consider it part of the original text. Among Korean Bible translations, the Korean Revised Version and the Revised New Korean Version follow the Masoretic Text, rendering the phrase "Johanan and Jonathan."
Several people in the Bible bear this name, which can easily cause confusion. Notable examples include Saul's son Jonathan; Jonathan, son of the priest Abiathar; and Jonathan, son of David's brother Shimea. The person discussed in this article is distinct from all of them.
Perspective: Korean Protestant practiceHow this figure is used in Korean churches, kept from the original Korean article.
In Korean Protestant churches, sermons or Sunday school lessons devoted specifically to this Jonathan are rare. His name may, however, be mentioned alongside Johanan's in expository preaching on Jeremiah that deals with the death of the governor Gedaliah and the remnant's flight to Egypt.
See also 8
Is there a problem with this article? Report it
Log in to report. Reports are reviewed within 24 hours.
Discussion 0
Share corrections, other viewpoints or questions about this article.