Lexical Summary
Yehonathan: Jonathan
Original Word:יְהוֹנָתָן
Part of Speech:Proper Name Masculine
Transliteration:Yhownathan
Pronunciation:yeh-ho-nah-thahn
Phonetic Spelling:(yeh-ho-naw-thawn')
KJV: Jonathan
NASB:Jonathan, Jehonathan, Jonathan's
Word Origin:[fromH3068 (יְהוֹוָה - LORD) andH5414 (נָתַן - give)]
1. Jehovah-given
2. Jehonathan, the name of four Israelites
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
Jonathan
FromYhovah andnathan; Jehovah-given; Jehonathan, the name of four Israelites -- Jonathan. CompareYownathan.
see HEBREWYhovah
see HEBREWnathan
see HEBREWYownathan
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Originfrom
Yhvh and
nathanDefinition"the LORD has given," the name of a number of Isr.
NASB TranslationJehonathan (2), Jonathan (120), Jonathan's (2).
Brown-Driver-Briggs
, through-out, with occasional variant reading (
hath given; compare , , & references, Temanite Hal
RÉJ 1884, ix. 7 f. Nbr
Stud. Bib. i. 211; Sabean , Hal
10) —
son of Saul1 Samuel 14:6,8;1 Samuel 18:1 (twice in verse) + 40 t. 1Samuel;2 Samuel 1:4 18t. 2Samuel;1 Chronicles 8:33,34;1 Chronicles 9:39,40; =1 Samuel 13:2,327t. 1Samuel;1 Chronicles 10:2.
son of Abiathar2 Samuel 15:27,36;2 Samuel 17:17,20; =1 Kings 1:42,43.
nephew of David2 Samuel 21:21 =1 Chronicles 20:7; apparently: called Jonadab2 Samuel 13:3ff. whereL , compare
; of David, i.e. his uncle?1 Chronicles 27:32.
one of David's heroes2 Samuel 23:32 (compare Dr) =1 Chronicles 11:34.
one of David's treasurers1 Chronicles 27:25.
ScribeJeremiah 37:15,20.Jeremiah 38:26.
2Chronicles 17:8;
Nehemiah 12:35.
a priestNehemiah 12:18.
priest to the tribe of Dan, son of GershomJudges 18:30.
a Judaite captain, after fall of JerusalemJeremiah 40:8.
a Judaite1 Chronicles 2:32,33.
father of EbedEzra 8:6.
son of AsahelEzra 10:15.
a priestNehemiah 12:14.
a son of JoiadaNehemiah 12:11 (twice in verse) apparently =
Topical Lexicon
Occurrences and OverviewThe name Jonathan appears roughly eighty times in the Old Testament, designating at least ten distinct men. The majority of references concern the heroic son of King Saul, yet the name also marks priests, Levites, military leaders, and post-exilic officials. Across these contexts Jonathan repeatedly exemplifies God’s gracious gifting—whether in courage, covenant faithfulness, or leadership.
Jonathan Son of King Saul
The eldest of Saul’s sons first steps onto the biblical stage as a victorious warrior who single-handedly attacks a Philistine garrison (1 Samuel 13:3). From that point forward he embodies Israelite ideals of faith and loyalty.
• Military exploits. His daring ascent with his armor-bearer is celebrated for its trust in divine sovereignty: “Nothing can hinder the LORD from saving, whether by many or by few” (1 Samuel 14:6). The ensuing rout confirms that genuine reliance upon God conquers numerically superior foes.
• Respect for divine order. When Saul’s rash oath imperiled the troops, Jonathan not only acknowledged his unwitting violation (1 Samuel 14:43-44) but submitted himself to potential death, placing covenant law above personal safety.
• Humility regarding David. Though the throne naturally belonged to him, Jonathan discerned God’s choice of David and rejoiced in the Lord’s plan rather than resent it (1 Samuel 18:4; 23:17).
Friendship with David
Scripture records that “the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David” (1 Samuel 18:1). Their bond highlights several theological themes:
1. Covenant loyalty (hesed). Jonathan’s gift of robe, armor, bow, belt, and sword (1 Samuel 18:4) symbolically transfers royal rights, mirroring God’s election of David.
2. Truth-telling love. Confronting Saul’s murderous intent, Jonathan risks court standing to protect David (1 Samuel 19:4-6; 20:32).
3. Perpetual kindness. The covenant extends to David’s care for Jonathan’s house; thus Mephibosheth receives a permanent seat at the king’s table (2 Samuel 9:7).
Man of Faith and Valor
Jonathan’s trust in the LORD is practical, courageous, and publicly visible. By stepping into battle before the trembling Israelite army, he models the believer’s call to act on divine promises. His exploits echo earlier judges such as Gideon, yet, unlike many judges, Jonathan preserves humility and purity throughout his narrative.
Principled Submission to God
Jonathan’s submission appears most clearly in1 Samuel 23:17, where he renounces personal succession: “You will be king over Israel, and I will be second to you.” By subordinating ambition to divine decree, he teaches that true greatness rests in joyful obedience, not self-promotion.
Tragic Death and Aftermath
Jonathan falls with Saul on Mount Gilboa (1 Samuel 31:2). David’s lament honors him: “I grieve for you, Jonathan my brother; you were a friend who was very dear to me” (2 Samuel 1:26). The elegy extols covenantal love that “surpassed the love of women,” a statement of spiritual depth and sacrificial devotion, not of illicit affection. Jonathan’s death clears the path to Davidic kingship, yet Scripture never depicts it as divine judgment on Jonathan; rather, he shares his father’s fate out of loyal service and battlefield duty.
Jonathan in the Line of Promise
Although Jonathan left no adult sons to occupy the throne, his crippled son Mephibosheth (2 Samuel 4:4) experiences royal kindness. Through this mercy the Davidic line foreshadows the Messiah’s inclusive kingdom, welcoming the weak for the sake of covenant faithfulness.
Other Jonathans in Scripture
• Priest of Micah and Dan (Judges 17–18). A descendant of Moses (textually disguised by a suspended nun inJudges 18:30), he leads the Danites into idolatry. His negative example warns that privileged heritage cannot substitute for fidelity.
• Son of Abiathar (2 Samuel 15:27, 36; 17:17-21;1 Kings 1:42-43). Acts as courier during Absalom’s revolt and Adonijah’s conspiracy, aiding David’s rightful rule and Solomon’s coronation.
• David’s uncle, a counselor noted for insight (1 Chronicles 27:32).
• Son of Shimea, David’s nephew, who slays a giant of Gath (2 Samuel 21:21;1 Chronicles 20:7).
• Post-exilic leaders: a Reubenite (1 Chronicles 2:32); a Benjaminite who opposed unlawful marriages (Ezra 10:15); a returnee listed by Ezra (Ezra 8:6); heads of priestly sections in the days of Joiakim (Nehemiah 12:11, 14); a signer of the renewed covenant (Nehemiah 10:16).
These diverse occurrences display the name’s spread across tribal, royal, priestly, and lay spheres, illustrating the breadth of God’s gifts among His people.
Liturgical and Prophetic Resonances
Jonathan’s covenant with David becomes a template for later psalms and prophecies celebrating steadfast love (for example,Psalm 89:24, 28). His humble recognition of David’s future reign prefigures John the Baptist’s cry, “He must increase, but I must decrease,” underscoring a pattern of yielding to God’s chosen king.
Theological Themes
1. Divine gift. Every Jonathan in Scripture highlights God as giver, whether in triumph, counsel, or warning.
2. Covenant faithfulness. The son of Saul illustrates how personal devotion shapes national destiny.
3. Spiritual discernment versus fleshly ambition. Jonathan discerns God’s plan; Saul resists it.
4. Legacy. Even negative Jonathans (Judges) teach that misuse of divine gifts can harm generations.
Practical Lessons for Believers
• Bold faith trusts God against overwhelming odds.
• Kingdom friendships advance God’s purposes more than personal interests.
• Submitting to God’s revealed will brings peace, even when it costs position or life.
• Heritage is a privilege to steward, not an entitlement to presume upon.
Christological Foreshadows
Jonathan’s mediating role between Saul and David, his sacrifice of royal insignia, and his death that precedes David’s enthronement all anticipate the greater Friend who lays down His life so that the true King’s reign may be established. His account therefore points forward to the self-giving love perfected in Jesus Christ.
Forms and Transliterations
בִּיה֣וֹנָתָ֔ן ביהונתן וְלִיהֽוֹנָתָן֙ וִֽיהוֹנָתָ֤ן וִֽיהוֹנָתָן֩ וִיה֣וֹנָתָ֔ן וִיהֽוֹנָתָ֜ן וִיהֽוֹנָתָ֥ן וִיהוֹנָֽתָן־ וִיהוֹנָתָ֖ן וִיהוֹנָתָ֗ן וִיהוֹנָתָ֥ן וִיהוֹנָתָ֧ן וִיהוֹנָתָ֨ן ויהונתן ויהונתן־ וליהונתן יְה֣וֹנָתָ֔ן יְהֽוֹנָתָן֙ יְהוֹנָתָ֑ן יְהוֹנָתָ֖ן יְהוֹנָתָ֗ן יְהוֹנָתָ֛ן יְהוֹנָתָ֜ן יְהוֹנָתָ֣ן יְהוֹנָתָ֤ן יְהוֹנָתָ֥ן יְהוֹנָתָ֧ן יְהוֹנָתָֽן׃ יְהוֹנָתָן֙ יהונתן יהונתן׃ לִֽיהוֹנָתָ֜ן לִיהוֹנָתָ֖ן ליהונתן bî·hō·w·nā·ṯān biHonaTan bîhōwnāṯān lî·hō·w·nā·ṯān lihonaTan lîhōwnāṯān velihonaTan vihonaTan vihonaton wə·lî·hō·w·nā·ṯān wəlîhōwnāṯān wî·hō·w·nā·ṯān wî·hō·w·nā·ṯān- wîhōwnāṯān wîhōwnāṯān- yə·hō·w·nā·ṯān yehonaTan yəhōwnāṯān
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