יְהוֹנָדָב
𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤍𐤃𐤁
Yehonadav
H3082 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A personal name meaning 'Yahweh is generous' or 'Yahweh has been gracious/favored.' Refers specifically to an Israelite figure, notably the son of Rechab, who appears in narratives concerning Jehu (2 Kings 10) as an ally and moral leader, and his descendants, the Rechabites, in prophetic literature (Jeremiah 35). The name may also appear as a variant Jonadab (יֹונָדָב) in some texts. The meaning highlights the agency or benevolence of Yahweh as the benefactor.
Semantic Range
personal name, 'Yahweh is generous,' 'Yahweh bestows favor,' proper noun for notable Rechabite leader, variations include Jonadab (shorter form), used for Israelite and at times Arabian figures
Root / Etymology
Constructed from the theophoric element יְהוֹ (Yaho/Yahweh) and the verbal root נָדַב (nadav, 'to be willing, to give voluntarily, to show favor'). Thus, the name literally connotes 'Yahweh has been generous/willing/gracious.' The root נָדַב expresses the concept of voluntary generosity or willingness, which informs the semantic sense of the name as reflecting divine favor or munificence.
Historical & Contextual Notes
יְהוֹנָדָב appears chiefly in reference to the son of Rechab, an Israelite associated with the Rechabite clan, renowned for their asceticism and commitment to their ancestral traditions (see Jeremiah 35). His association with Jehu's reforms portrays him as a figure of religious integrity during the monarchic era. The name is transparently theophoric; later forms (particularly in post-exilic usage) may appear as יֹונָדָב (Jonadab), including both Israelite and non-Israelite bearers. While some translations render the name as 'Jehonadab,' others use 'Jonadab,' but the difference reflects spelling preferences rather than distinct individuals. The KJV and other translations occasionally use the term 'Jew' or 'Jewish' in readings related to this name, but this is anachronistic for the monarchic period and should not be used in reference to the historical individuals named. Comparison may be made with יוֹנָדָב (Jonadab), which omits the theophoric element but shares a similar meaning derived from the same verbal root. Later rabbinic tradition continues to reference the Rechabites, but the primary biblical references are monarchic and exilic.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from יְהֹוָה and נָדַב; Jehovah-largessed; Jehonadab, the name of an Israelite and of an Arab; Jehonadab, Jonadab. Compare יוֹנָדָב.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
יהו; נדב (y-h-w; n-d-b) — Yahweh, to be generous, to show willingness, to bestow favor
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H3082-02 |
יְה֣וֹנָדָ֔ב | yehonadav | HNp |
Jehonadab | Yahweh is generous | 7 |
H3082-01 |
וִ/יהוֹנָדָ֥ב | vihonadav | HC/Np |
and Jehonadab | Yahweh-is-generous | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
8 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H3082-02 |
2 Samuel 13:5 | יְה֣וֹנָדָ֔ב | yehonadav | HNp |
Jonadab | Yahweh is generous |
H3082-02 |
2 Kings 10:15 | יְהוֹנָדָב֩ | yehonadav | HNp |
Jehonadab | Yahweh is generous |
H3082-02 |
2 Kings 10:15 | יְהוֹנָדָ֥ב | yehonadav-2 | HNp |
Jehonadab | Yahweh is generous |
H3082-01 |
2 Kings 10:23 | וִ/יהוֹנָדָ֥ב | vihonadav | HC/Np |
and Jehonadab | Yahweh-is-generous |
H3082-02 |
Jeremiah 35:8 | יְהוֹנָדָ֤ב | yehonadav | HNp |
Jonadab | Yahweh is generous |
H3082-02 |
Jeremiah 35:14 | יְהוֹנָדָ֣ב | yehonadav | HNp |
Jonadab | Yahweh is generous |
H3082-02 |
Jeremiah 35:16 | יְהוֹנָדָ֣ב | yehonadav | HNp |
Jehonadab | Yahweh is generous |
H3082-02 |
Jeremiah 35:18 | יְהוֹנָדָ֣ב | yehonadav | HNp |
Jehonadab | Yahweh is generous |