יְהוֹחָנָן (ye.ho.cha.nan)
ye.ho.cha.nan
Johanan
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 9 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
The name Yehohanān, rendered in English as Johanan, is a personal name rather than a descriptive word. It carries the meaning "Yahweh has shown favor" or "Jehovah has graced," combining the divine name with the verb for bestowing grace or kindness.
Unlike theological terms that define God’s nature, this name appears frequently in historical narratives to identify individuals across different eras of Israel’s history. It is found in books such as Chronicles, Ezra, and Nehemiah, where it distinguishes various priests, Levites, warriors, and officials who served under kings like Josiah and Jehoshaphat, or during the post-exilic restoration.
The recurrence of this name highlights a common ancient practice of honoring God through personal naming conventions. Its presence in lists of returning exiles and temple servants underscores the continuity of religious identity and service within the community, reflecting a life marked by the perceived favor of the Lord.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Johanan means "Yahweh has shown favor." In ancient Israel, this was more than a label; it was a declaration of faith that God’s kindness defined a person’s life. When we read about individuals carrying this name in Chronicles and Ezra-Nehemiah, we see ordinary people serving in specific roles—priests, captains, or community leaders. Their stories remind us that divine favor is often experienced through faithful participation in the daily work of God’s people.
Whether listed among the warriors defending the faith or returning exiles rebuilding their community, these figures illustrate a life marked by gratitude. The name serves as a quiet witness to the belief that every blessing comes from the Lord. For us today, it encourages a perspective where we recognize God’s grace in our own identities and callings, trusting that His favor sustains us through both times of strength and seasons of restoration.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 9 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Jehohanan7×
- and/ Jehohanan2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- יְהוֹחָנָ֣ן3×
- יְהוֹחָנָֽן\׃1×
- יְהוֹחָנָ֥ן1×
- יְהֽוֹחָנָן֙1×
- יְ֠הוֹחָנָן1×
- וִֽ/יהוֹחָנָ֥ן1×
- וִֽ/יהוֹחָנָ֣ן1×
Key Verses
-
II Chronicles 17:15
and next to him Jehohanan the captain, and with him two hundred eighty thousand;
This verse identifies Johanan as a military captain, showing how the name appears in contexts of national defense and leadership under King Jehoshaphat.
-
Ezra 10:6
Then Ezra rose up from before God’s house, and went into the room of Jehohanan the son of Eliashib. When he came there, he didn’t eat bread or drink water, for he mourned because of the trespass of the exiles.
Here the location 'the room of Jehohanan' highlights his role as a community figure during Ezra’s intense mourning over the exiles’ sins.
-
Nehemiah 12:42
and Maaseiah, Shemaiah, Eleazar, Uzzi, Jehohanan, Malchijah, Elam, and Ezer. The singers sang loud, with Jezrahiah their overseer.
Johanan is listed among the singers leading worship, demonstrating the name’s presence in the liturgical restoration of Jerusalem after the exile.