Original Word: יְהוֹחָנָן
Part of Speech: Proper Name Masculine
Transliteration: Yhowchanan
Pronunciation: yeh-ho-khah-nawn'
Phonetic Spelling: (yeh-ho-khaw-nawn')
KJV: Jehohanan, Johanan
NASB: Johanan, Jehohanan
Word Origin: [from H3068 (יְהוֹוָה - LORD) and H2603 (חָנַן - To be gracious)]

1. Jehovah-favored
2. Jehochanan, the name of eight Israelites

Jehohanan, Johanan

From Yhovah and chanan; Jehovah-favored; Jehochanan, the name of eight Israelites -- Jehohanan, Johanan. Compare Yowchanan.

see HEBREW Yhovah

see HEBREW chanan

see HEBREW Yowchanan

Word Origin
from Yhvh and chanan
Definition
"the LORD has been gracious," the name of a number of Isr., a lso a son of Tobiah
NASB Translation
Jehohanan (5), Johanan (28).

יְהוֺחָנָן, יוֺחָנָן proper name, masculine ᵐ5 mostly Ἰωαναν, Ἰωναν (׳י hath been gracious, compare אֶלְחָנָן חֲנַנְאֵל & references; also Phoenician יחנבעל בעליחן) — 1. a. ׳יְהוֺ a priest Nehemiah 12:13;

b. high priest Ezra 10:6 = יוֺחָנָן Nehemiah 12:22,23 apparently = יוֺנָתָן Nehemiah 12:11 (twice in verse) (ᵐ5 Ἰωναθαν).

2 ׳יְהוֺ Levite Nehemiah 12:42.

3 ׳יְהוֺ son of Tobiah Nehemiah 6:18 (ᵐ5 Manuscripts Ἰωναθαν).

4 ׳יְהוֺ porter in David's time 1 Chronicles 26:3 (ᵐ5 Ἰωνας, ᵐ5^L Ἰωναθαν).

5 ׳יְהוֺ a Judaite captain 2Chronicles 17:15 apparently also 2 Chronicles 23:1.

6 ׳יְהוֺ an Ephraimite 2 Chronicles 28:12.

7 ׳יְהוֺ an Israelite, Ezra's time Ezra 10:28.

8 ׳יוֺ (& so all following) a Jewish captain, after fall of Jerusalem 2 Kings 25:23; Jeremiah 40:8,13,15,16; Jeremiah 41:11,13,14,15,16; Jeremiah 42:1,8; Jeremiah 43:2,4,5

9 eldest son of king Josiah 1 Chronicles 3:15 ᵐ5^L Ἰωαχας (apparently = יְתוֺאָחָז 2 Kings 23:30 + ).

10 a post-exilic prince of the line of David 1 Chronicles 3:24.

11 father of Azariah, priest in Solomon's time 1 Chronicles 5:35; 1 Chronicles 5:36.

12 two of David's mighty men:

a. a Benjamite 1 Chronicles 12:5;

b. a Gadite 1 Chronicles 12:13.

13 a returning exile Ezra 8:12.

Overview of Biblical Usage

Yehohanan (Strong’s Hebrew 3076) appears eleven times, designating at least eight distinct individuals spanning the united monarchy, divided kingdom, and post-exilic periods. In every setting the bearers of the name stand at strategic moments of covenant faithfulness, military valor, or priestly service, displaying the Lord’s readiness to raise up servants suited to each generation’s need.

Warriors in David’s Ranks (1 Chronicles 12:5, 1 Chronicles 12:13)

Two early Jehohanans join David while he is still a fugitive. One is counted among the Benjamite defectors at Ziklag; the other is the eighth-ranked Gadite champion who crossed the Jordan “in the first month when it was overflowing all its banks” (1 Chronicles 12:15). Their willingness to abandon Saul’s failing regime and hazard their lives for the anointed king anticipates David’s kingdom and foreshadows the Messiah’s call to wholehearted allegiance.

Gatekeeping and Temple Support (1 Chronicles 26:3)

Another Jehohanan is sixth son of Meshelemiah, a Korahite gatekeeper. The chronicler links his service to the stewardship of “the treasuries of the house of God” (1 Chronicles 26:20), underscoring how secure worship depends on faithful, often unseen, guardians.

Commander under Jehoshaphat (2 Chronicles 17:15)

In Judah’s reforms Jehoshaphat appoints a captain named Jehohanan who commands 280,000 seasoned troops. His presence in a roster headed by “valiant warriors” demonstrates that spiritual renewal is accompanied by prudent national defense (2 Chronicles 17:12-19).

Legacy in the Overthrow of Athaliah (2 Chronicles 23:1)

While Jehohanan himself is not on Jehoiada’s five-man task force, his son Ishmael is. That the priest-reformer chooses the son of a Jehohanan as a chief captain suggests a respected family line committed to covenant fidelity when the Davidic throne was imperiled.

A Voice of Conscience in Israel (2 Chronicles 28:12)

During Pekah’s brutal invasion of Judah, chiefs from Ephraim—including a Jehohanan—intervene to stop the enslavement of Judean captives. “You shall not bring the captives here,” they warn, reminding their countrymen that “the fierce wrath of the LORD is upon Israel” (2 Chronicles 28:13-14). Their prophetic protest averts further guilt and models courageous intercession within a fallen culture.

Priestly Chamber for Ezra (Ezra 10:6)

Ezra retires to “the chamber of Jehohanan son of Eliashib,” fasting and mourning over intermarriage with foreign wives. The room’s association with a priestly Jehohanan indicates readiness to shelter repentance and reform. The chamber becomes the locus of Ezra’s travail that sparks widespread renewal.

Participant in Covenant Repentance (Ezra 10:28)

One Jehohanan, descended from Bebai, is listed among those who put away pagan wives. His submission illustrates personal cost in restoring covenant purity—a pattern the post-exilic community needed if it were to stand apart from surrounding nations.

Marriage Alliances and Reform Opposition (Nehemiah 6:18)

A different Jehohanan, grandson-in-law to Shecaniah and allied to Tobiah, enters Nehemiah’s narrative on the wrong side of the wall controversy. Through intermarriage he becomes an avenue for Tobiah’s intrigue, reminding readers that family ties can either strengthen or undermine godly leadership depending on spiritual allegiance.

Priestly Household Head (Nehemiah 12:13)

At the dedication of the restored wall, Jehohanan heads the priestly family of Amariah. His name is inscribed among twenty-two chief priests, confirming that the priesthood, though reduced in numbers, still bears witness to God’s unbroken covenant promises.

Choir Member at the Wall Dedication (Nehemiah 12:42)

Another Jehohanan (possibly the same as verse 13) joins eight Levites who “sang loudly under the direction of Jezrahiah.” Their thanksgiving procession atop the walls fulfills ancient prophecy that Jerusalem would again be filled “with the voices of joy and gladness” (compare Jeremiah 33:10-11).

Spiritual Themes and Lessons

1. Covenant loyalty over personal safety: the earliest Jehohanans risked everything to stand with David.
2. Hidden faithfulness sustains public worship: the gatekeeper Jehohanan serves as a silent pillar of the Temple.
3. Leadership grounded in righteousness: commanders and chiefs named Jehohanan defend God’s people militarily and morally.
4. Repentance and reform require safe spaces: Ezra’s fast in a priestly chamber shows how private sorrow leads to corporate renewal.
5. The dangers of compromised alliances: Tobiah’s familial link through Jehohanan illustrates how unguarded relationships can sabotage God-given work.
6. Joyful worship crowns restoration: the singing Jehohanan reminds every generation that praise is the fitting end of God’s saving acts.

Across centuries and settings, the Jehohanans collectively testify that the LORD faithfully supplies men of courage, conscience, and worship to advance His redemptive purposes.

וְי֣וֹחָנָ֔ן וִֽיהוֹחָנָ֣ן וִֽיהוֹחָנָ֥ן ויהוחנן ויוחנן יְ֠הוֹחָנָן יְהֽוֹחָנָן֙ יְהוֹחָנָ֣ן יְהוֹחָנָ֥ן יְהוֹחָנָֽן׃ יֽוֹחָנָן֙ יהוחנן יהוחנן׃ יוחנן veYochaNan vihochaNan wə·yō·w·ḥā·nān wəyōwḥānān wî·hō·w·ḥā·nān wîhōwḥānān yə·hō·w·ḥā·nān yehochaNan Yehochanon yəhōwḥānān yō·w·ḥā·nān yochaNan yōwḥānānInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts