נְתַנְיָ֫הוּ (ne.tan.yah)
ne.tan.yah
Nethaniah
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 20 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
The name Nethaniah means "given of Jehovah," formed from the Hebrew verbs for giving and the divine abbreviation Yah. It appears twenty times in the Old Testament, primarily in the books of Jeremiah and Kings, identifying four distinct men who lived during the turbulent final years of Judah.
One bearer was a Levite musician, son of Asaph, whose family served in temple worship under King Jehoshaphat (1 Chronicles 25:12). Another held a position of authority as an official in Jehoshaphat’s court (2 Chronicles 17:8). A third is mentioned simply as the father of Jehudi (Jeremiah 36:14).
The most prominent figure bearing this name was Ishmael’s father, a royal relative who led a group of men to assassinate Gedaliah, the governor appointed by Babylon (2 Kings 25:25; Jeremiah 40:8). This act triggered further violence and exile, marking Nethaniah as a central actor in the collapse of Jerusalem’s remaining political order.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Nethaniah means "given of Jehovah." In Scripture, this name belongs to several men living during Judah’s final days. One was a Levite musician praising God in the temple (1 Chronicles 25:12). Another served as an official helping King Jehoshaphat lead the people back to faithful worship (2 Chronicles 17:8). These examples show that being "given" to God can mean serving quietly in praise or standing firm in leadership.
Yet the name also appears in the story of Ishmael, who assassinated the governor Gedaliah (Jeremiah 40:8). This darker use reminds us that even those with sacred names can turn toward violence when fear and pride take hold. The contrast between these bearers highlights a simple truth: our heritage or title does not save us; our daily choices do.
When we feel overwhelmed by the chaos around us, we can look to the Nethaniahs who chose worship and service. God honors those who remain faithful in small things. Let this name encourage you to offer your life as a gift to Him, trusting that He receives it with grace.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 20 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Nethaniah18×
- and/ Nethaniah2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- נְתַנְיָ֔ה3×
- נְתַנְיָה֙2×
- נְתַנְיָ֗ה2×
- נְתַנְיָֽה\׃1×
- נְתַנְיָ֤ה1×
- נְתַנְיָ֣ה1×
- נְתַנְיָ֡הוּ1×
- נְתַנְיָ֡ה1×
- נְתַנְיָ֜ה1×
- נְתַנְיָ֖הוּ1×
- נְתַנְיָ֔הוּ1×
- נְתַנְיָ֑ה1×
Key Verses
-
I Chronicles 25:12
the fifth to Nethaniah, his sons and his brothers, twelve;
This verse places Nethaniah among the Levitical musicians, showing how the name is associated with organized temple worship and prophetic song under royal order.
-
II Chronicles 17:8
and with them Levites, even Shemaiah, Nethaniah, Zebadiah, Asahel, Shemiramoth, Jehonathan, Adonijah, Tobijah, and Tobadonijah, the Levites; and with them Elishama and Jehoram, the priests.
Here Nethaniah is one of the Levites sent by King Jehoshaphat to teach the law, illustrating his role in restoring spiritual understanding to the people.
-
Jeremiah 40:8
then 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 the Maacathite, they and their men came to Gedaliah to Mizpah.
This reference identifies Ishmael as the son of Nethaniah, linking the name to the political instability and betrayal that followed Gedaliah’s appointment.
-
Jeremiah 41:2
Then Ishmael the son of Nethaniah arose, and the ten men who were with him, and struck Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan with the sword and killed him, whom the king of Babylon had made governor over the land.
In this verse, Ishmael kills Gedaliah, marking the tragic turn where a man bearing a holy name becomes an agent of destruction rather than deliverance.