Boy Old Testament Rare
Johanan
who is liberal or merciful
יְהוֹחָנָן ye.ho.cha.nan
Johanan (Hebrew: יוֹחָנָן, yo.cha.nan) means “who is liberal or merciful”, by traditional interpretation. Eleven men in scripture bear the name; the best attested belongs to the Divided Kingdom period. In 2025 it was given to 6 children in the United States. Appears with Abishai in 1 Chronicles 12.
Which Johanan?
Eleven men in scripture bear this name. Here is each of them.
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Johanan
son of Kareah
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Johanan
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Johanan
son of Jehohanan
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Johanan
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Johanan
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Johanan
Show all 11 bearers
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Johanan
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Johanan
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Johanan
son of Hakkatan
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Johanan
descendant of King Jehoiachin
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Johanan
Scripture against society
The two measures, side by side
At a glance
- Verses
- 28 across 6 books
- Bearers
- 11 distinct people in scripture
- Testament
- Old
- Era
- Divided Kingdom
Using it today
Based on 2025 births across the United States.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| Given in 2025 | 6 | Steady |
| All-time total | 246 | Since records begin in 1880 |
| Peak | 14 in 2006 | Its highest year on record |
In scripture
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| First appears | 2 Kings 25:23 |
| Last appears | Jeremiah 43:5 |
| Cross-references | 230 linked passages |
Names connected to this one
- Jonathan attested sibling Attested sibling — both named as children of Kareah.
- Kareah co-occurrence Appears with Kareah in Jeremiah 40.
- Jezaniah co-occurrence Appears with Jezaniah in Jeremiah 40.
- Jaazaniah co-occurrence Appears with Jaazaniah in Jeremiah 40.
- Hoshaiah co-occurrence Appears with Hoshaiah in 2 Kings 25.
- Seraiah co-occurrence Appears with Seraiah in Jeremiah 40.
- Tanhumeth co-occurrence Appears with Tanhumeth in Jeremiah 40.
- Nethaniah co-occurrence Appears with Nethaniah in Jeremiah 41.
Origin & meaning
A man living at the time of Divided Monarchy, only mentioned at 1Ch.12.12
§ Jehohanan = "Jehovah has graced"
1) a priest during the high priesthood of Joiakim who returned with Zerubbabel
2) a high priest in the time of Ezra
3) a Levite priest who took part in the dedication of the wall in the time of Nehemiah
4) son of Tobiah
5) a Korhite Levite and one of the doorkeepers to the tabernacle in the time of David
6) a captain of Judah under king Jehoshaphat
7) an Ephraimite
8) an Israelite with a foreign wife in the time of Ezra
9) a Jewish captain after the fall of Jerusalem
10) the eldest son of king Josiah
11) a post-exilic prince of the line of David
12) father of Azariah, priest in Solomon's time
13) a Benjamite, one of David's mighty warriors
14) a Gadite, one of David's mighty warriors
15) a returning exile
Johanan, a Gadite warrior, was one of the men who joined David at Ziklag and helped him fight against raiding bands.
The biblical story
Johanan is mentioned in 1Ch.12.12 as one of the Gadite warriors who joined David at Ziklag while he was fleeing from King Saul. He is listed among the men who came to David's aid and helped him fight against the raiding bands that were attacking the Negev region. The Gadites are described as brave warriors, trained for battle and skilled with the shield and spear (1Ch.12.8). Johanan's presence among this group indicates his military expertise and his willingness to support David during a challenging time. The chronicler notes that these men understood the times and knew what Israel should do (1Ch.12.32), suggesting their wisdom and discernment in aligning themselves with David.
Key verses
Johanan appears in 1 verse. Here are some of the most notable:
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Johanan the eighth, Elzabad the ninth,
1 Chronicles 12:12
Show all 1 reference
1 Chronicles (1)
- 1 Chronicles 12:12