Jonathan (son of Kareah)

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 (military commanders), who had been scattered in the open country, 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 urged 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. 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. The Korean Revised Version and the New Korean Revised 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.

In the Korean Church

Sermons or Sunday school lessons devoted specifically to this Jonathan are rare. However, his name may be mentioned alongside Johanan's in expository studies of Jeremiah that deal with the death of the governor Gedaliah and the remnant's flight to Egypt.