Who was Jehohanan in the Bible?

Jehohanan was a military commander from the tribe of Judah who served during the reign of King Jehoshaphat. He is mentioned as one of the five commanders placed in charge of the fortified cities of Judah (2 Chronicles 17:15).

What was Jehohanan's role in King Jehoshaphat's army?

Jehohanan commanded 280,000 men, forming a significant part of Judah's defensive military force. His appointment was part of Jehoshaphat's nationwide reforms to strengthen the kingdom spiritually and militarily (2 Chronicles 17:12-19).

Why is Jehohanan mentioned in the Bible?

Jehohanan's mention highlights the organization and strength of Judah under the godly leadership of Jehoshaphat. His role exemplifies how faithful administration and military preparedness were part of God's blessing for a king who sought the Lord (2 Chronicles 17:3-5).

Jehohanan

Old TestamentDivided MonarchyMaleKingCommander

Jehohanan was a military commander from Judah during the reign of King Jehoshaphat.

Jehohanan

Biography

Jehohanan was a senior military commander in the army of King Jehoshaphat of Judah, as recorded in 2 Chronicles 17:15. He commanded 280,000 troops, making his division the second largest in Jehoshaphat's reorganized military force, surpassed only by the division commanded by the king's firstborn son Adnah. Jehoshaphat's reign was characterized by significant military buildup alongside religious reform: he sent Levites and priests throughout Judah to teach the law of God to the people (2 Chronicles 17:7–9), and simultaneously fortified his army. Jehohanan's prominent military role during this reign reflects the dual strategy of covenantal faithfulness and national security that defined the high point of Jehoshaphat's kingship.

Significance

Jehohanan's military leadership under Jehoshaphat illustrates the biblical conviction that national security and covenant fidelity are interrelated. The Chronicler presents Jehoshaphat's military strength as a direct consequence of his seeking God (2 Chronicles 17:3–5), and commanders like Jehohanan were instruments of that providentially granted security. His role as commander of a force second only to the king's firstborn son indicates the high degree of trust Jehoshaphat placed in his military leadership. Theologically, his story reflects the Deuteronomic principle that obedience to God's covenant brings blessing in all spheres of national life, including the protection of God's people from external enemies.

Verse Appearances (1)

2Chr

2Chr 17:15

References

Orr, J. (ed.) (1915) The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Chicago: Howard-Severance Company. [Public Domain]
Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Translators Individualised Proper Names with all References (TIPNR). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
Wikidata contributors (n.d.) Wikidata. Available at: https://www.wikidata.org. [CC0]
Church of England (1769) The Holy Bible, Authorized (King James) Version. [Public Domain]

View all sources & licensing →

See our editorial standards →

Content compiled from public domain scholarship, academic sources, and verified references. Editorial standards · View all sources