Johanan, Son of Kareah A Jewish military leader in Judah who is primarily known for providing leadership to the remnant left in Judah in the early years following Nebuchadnezzar’s destruction of Jerusalem in 587/6 bc.

Second Kings 25:23 introduces Johanan as the captain of a small band of soldiers who remained in Judah immediately after the beginning of the Babylonian exile. Jeremiah 40:7–43:5 provides more details of his leadership.

In Jeremiah 40:13–41:15 Johanan leads the effort to capture Ishmael, who assassinated Gedaliah, the governor of Judah appointed by the Babylonians. Johanan then prepares to lead the people into Egypt, fearing that the Babylonians will punish them for Ishmael’s actions (Jer 14:15–18). Before leaving, Johanan and other military commanders of Judah approach the prophet Jeremiah seeking God’s guidance for their journey (Jer 42:1–3). Jeremiah states that he will tell Johanan “everything the Lord says and will keep nothing back from you” (Jer 42:4 NIV). In response, Johanan’s band of soldiers state, “May the Lord be a true and faithful witness against us if we do not act in accordance with everything the Lord your God sends you to tell us. Whether it is favorable or unfavorable, we will obey the Lord our God, to whom we are sending you, so that it will go well with us, for we will obey the Lord our God” (Jer 42:5–6 NIV). Despite this statement, the narrative later reveals that Johanan would proceed to Egypt even if it was not God’s will, but he preferred to have God’s approval for his journey (see Jer 42:20–21).

After 10 days, Jeremiah provides God’s answer to Johanan and his men: If they stayed in Judah, God would protect and bless them. However, if they insisted on going to Egypt, they would suffer and die there (see Jer 42:9–18). Johanan then accuses Jeremiah of being a false prophet and compels him to accompany them to Egypt (Jer 43:1–7).

Robert Leslie Holmes