Who was Jonadab in the Bible?
Lived during the divided monarchy
Jonadab, the son of Rechab, is mentioned in the books of Jeremiah and 2 Kings as the founder of the Rechabites, a nomadic tribe known for their strict adherence to a set of rules that he established. Jonadab appears in 11 verses across 2 books of the Bible.
The Bible uses the name Jonadab for 2 different people. All 2 are below, each with its own passages.
Jonadab, son of Rechab
Jonadab, the son of Rechab, is mentioned in the books of Jeremiah and 2 Kings as the founder of the Rechabites, a nomadic tribe known for their strict adherence to a set of rules that he established. Jonadab instructed his descendants to abstain from drinking wine, building houses, sowing seed, and planting vineyards (Jer.35.6-7). Instead, they were to live in tents and follow a nomadic way of life. The Rechabites' faithfulness to Jonadab's commands is highlighted in Jeremiah 35, where the prophet uses their example to contrast the disobedience of the people of Judah. When offered wine by Jeremiah, the Rechabites refused, stating that they were following the instructions of their ancestor Jonadab (Jer.35.6,8). God commends the Rechabites for their steadfast obedience and promises that they will always have a descendant to serve Him (Jer.35.18-19). In 2Ki.10.15-23, Jonadab is mentioned in connection with Jehu, the king of Israel. After Jehu had carried out a purge of the worshippers of Baal, he met Jonadab and invited him to witness his zeal for the Lord. Jonadab's presence and approval of Jehu's actions suggest that he was a respected figure known for his devotion to God. The example of Jonadab and the Rechabites serves as a reminder of the importance of obedience, faithfulness, and the value of maintaining a distinct identity in the midst of a changing society. Their commitment to their way of life and their ancestor's instructions stands in stark contrast to the disobedience and unfaithfulness of the people of Judah during the time of Jeremiah.
Definition text: STEPBible · Tyndale House Cambridge. Licensed CC BY 4.0. Lightly edited for length and formatting.
Compiled by Protos: the verse list on this page. Where one name belongs to more than one person or place, each of them gets a separate entry.
Jonadab (Jonathan)
Jonadab, also referred to as Jonathan, was the son of Shimeah, King David's brother, making him David's nephew (2Sa.13.3; 21.21; 1Ch.20.7). He is primarily mentioned in the context of the tragic story of Amnon and Tamar, David's children. Jonadab is described as a very shrewd man and a close friend of Amnon (2Sa.13.3). When Amnon became infatuated with his half-sister Tamar and was distressed about how to approach her, Jonadab devised a plan for Amnon to be alone with Tamar (2Sa.13.5). This plan ultimately led to Amnon raping Tamar, an act that had severe consequences for the royal family (2Sa.13.11-14). After Amnon's actions were discovered, Jonadab was the one who informed David that only Amnon had been killed by Absalom, Tamar's full brother, contrary to the initial report that all of David's sons had been slain (2Sa.13.32-33). This suggests that Jonadab was well-informed about the events and dynamics within the royal family. In 1Ch.27.32, Jonadab is mentioned as King David's counselor, described as a wise man and a scribe. This indicates that he held a position of influence and trust within the royal court, despite his role in the events surrounding Amnon and Tamar. The story of Jonadab highlights the complex relationships and conflicts within David's family and the far-reaching consequences of sin and poor judgment. It also demonstrates the importance of wise counsel and the potential for even trusted advisors to contribute to negative outcomes when their wisdom is misused.
4 verses: 2 Samuel 13:3, 2 Samuel 13:5, 2 Samuel 13:32, 2 Samuel 13:35
Definition text: STEPBible · Tyndale House Cambridge. Licensed CC BY 4.0. Lightly edited for length and formatting.
Where does Jonadab appear in the Bible?
Jonadab is referenced in 11 verses across 2 books. Every passage below is about this one, not just every verse the word turns up in.
- Jeremiah 35:6
- Jeremiah 35:8
- Jeremiah 35:10
- Jeremiah 35:14
- Jeremiah 35:16
- Jeremiah 35:18
- Jeremiah 35:19
Showing the first 7 of 11.
Open all 11 references in ProtosWhat else appears in these passages?
These turn up in the same passages as Jonadab.
Common questions
How many people in the Bible are called Jonadab?
Jonadab refers to 2 different people in the Bible: Jonadab, son of Rechab; Jonadab (Jonathan).
How many times does the Bible mention Jonadab?
Jonadab appears in 11 verses across 2 books, most often in Jeremiah, which accounts for 7 of them.
Which books of the Bible mention Jonadab?
Jeremiah, 2 Samuel.
Where can I read every verse about Jonadab?
This page lists 7 of them. Protos carries all 11, and opens this entry on the verse you are reading rather than in a separate tab.
