Johanan

Also known as: Johanan the son of Kareah · Family: Judah · Role: captain · First appears: Jeremiah 40

Johanan, also known as Johanan the son of Kareah, was a captain of Judah. In Jeremiah 40 at Mizpah, he was identified as a son of Kareah and offered to kill Ishmael secretly, warning that Ishmael’s actions could scatter the gathered Jews and cause the remnant in Judah to perish. Gedaliah rejected the proposal, saying, “Thou shalt not do this thing: for thou speakest falsely of Ishmael.”

In Jeremiah 41, Johanan and his captains fought Ishmael at Gibeon. The people Ishmael had taken captive returned to Johanan, while Ishmael escaped with eight men to the Ammonites. Johanan then recovered the remaining captives, including men, women, children, and eunuchs, and led them from Bethlehem toward Egypt because of fear of the Chaldeans.

In Jeremiah 42, Johanan and the captains came with the remnant to Jeremiah, asking him to pray for guidance and promising to follow the answer. After Jeremiah declared that they had not obeyed, Johanan joined Azariah and the proud men in accusing him: “Thou speakest falsely.” In Jeremiah 43, Johanan led the remnant, Jeremiah, and Baruch into Egypt, and they reached Tahpanhes.