Boy Old Testament Known
Jonadab
who gives liberally
יְהוֹנָדָב ye.ho.na.dav
Jonadab (Hebrew: יְהוֹנָדָב, ye.ho.na.dav) means “who gives liberally”, by traditional interpretation. Two men in scripture bear the name; the best attested belongs to the Divided Kingdom period. In 2011 it was given to 5 children in the United States. Appears with Amnon in 2 Samuel 13.
Which Jonadab?
Two men in scripture bear this name. Here is each of them.
-
Jonadab
son of Rechab
-
Jonadab
son of David's; son of Shimeah
Scripture against society
The two measures, side by side
At a glance
- Verses
- 16 across 4 books
- Bearers
- 2 distinct people in scripture
- Testament
- Old
- Era
- Divided Kingdom
Using it today
Based on 2011 births across the United States.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| Given in 2011 | 5 | Steady |
| All-time total | 21 | Since records begin in 1880 |
| Peak | 6 in 1996 | Its highest year on record |
In scripture
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| First appears | 2 Samuel 13:3 |
| Last appears | Jeremiah 35:19 |
| Cross-references | 165 linked passages |
Names connected to this one
- Rechab co-occurrence Appears with Rechab in Jeremiah 35.
- Jonathan co-occurrence Appears with Jonathan in 1 Chronicles 27.
- Shimeah co-occurrence Appears with Shimeah in 2 Samuel 13.
- Shammah co-occurrence Appears with Shammah in 2 Samuel 13.
- Jehiel co-occurrence Appears with Jehiel in 1 Chronicles 27.
- Hachmoni co-occurrence Appears with Hachmoni in 1 Chronicles 27.
- Tamar co-occurrence Appears with Tamar in 2 Samuel 13.
- Amnon co-occurrence Appears with Amnon in 2 Samuel 13.
Origin & meaning
A man living at the time of Divided Monarchy, first mentioned at 2Ki.10.15;
son of: Rechab (H7394H); also called Jehonadab at 2Ki.10.15,23;
Also named: yo.na.dav (יוֹנָדָב "Jonadab" H3122H)
§ Jehonadab = "Jehovah is willing"
1) a son of Rechab, chief of the Rechabites, in the time of Jehu and Ahab
2) a nephew of David
Jonadab, the son of Rechab, instructed his descendants to abstain from wine, live in tents, and follow a nomadic lifestyle, which they faithfully observed.
The biblical story
Jonadab, the son of Rechab, is mentioned in the books of Jeremiah and 2 Kings as the founder of the Rechabites, a nomadic tribe known for their strict adherence to a set of rules that he established. Jonadab instructed his descendants to abstain from drinking wine, building houses, sowing seed, and planting vineyards (Jer.35.6-7). Instead, they were to live in tents and follow a nomadic way of life.
The Rechabites' faithfulness to Jonadab's commands is highlighted in Jeremiah 35, where the prophet uses their example to contrast the disobedience of the people of Judah. When offered wine by Jeremiah, the Rechabites refused, stating that they were following the instructions of their ancestor Jonadab (Jer.35.6,8). God commends the Rechabites for their steadfast obedience and promises that they will always have a descendant to serve Him (Jer.35.18-19).
In 2Ki.10.15-23, Jonadab is mentioned in connection with Jehu, the king of Israel. After Jehu had carried out a purge of the worshippers of Baal, he met Jonadab and invited him to witness his zeal for the Lord. Jonadab's presence and approval of Jehu's actions suggest that he was a respected figure known for his devotion to God.
The example of Jonadab and the Rechabites serves as a reminder of the importance of obedience, faithfulness, and the value of maintaining a distinct identity in the midst of a changing society. Their commitment to their way of life and their ancestor's instructions stands in stark contrast to the disobedience and unfaithfulness of the people of Judah during the time of Jeremiah.
Key verses
Jonadab appears in 9 verses. Here are some of the most notable:
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And when he was departed thence, he lighted on Jehonadab the son of Rechab coming to meet him: and he saluted him, and said to him, Is thine heart right, as my heart is with thy heart? And Jehonadab answered, It is. If it be, give me thine hand. And he gave him his hand; and he took him up to him into the chariot.
2 Kings 10:15 -
And Jehu went, and Jehonadab the son of Rechab, into the house of Baal, and said unto the worshippers of Baal, Search, and look that there be here with you none of the servants of the Lord, but the worshippers of Baal only.
2 Kings 10:23 -
But they said, We will drink no wine: for Jonadab the son of Rechab our father commanded us, saying, Ye shall drink no wine, neither ye, nor your sons for ever:
Jeremiah 35:6 -
Thus have we obeyed the voice of Jonadab the son of Rechab our father in all that he hath charged us, to drink no wine all our days, we, our wives, our sons, nor our daughters;
Jeremiah 35:8 -
But we have dwelt in tents, and have obeyed, and done according to all that Jonadab our father commanded us.
Jeremiah 35:10
Show all 9 references
2 Kings (2)
- 2 Kings 10:15
- 2 Kings 10:23
Jeremiah (7)
- Jeremiah 35:6
- Jeremiah 35:8
- Jeremiah 35:10
- Jeremiah 35:14
- Jeremiah 35:16
- Jeremiah 35:18
- Jeremiah 35:19