Who is…
Nathan

Meaning: given

This is the name of 3 biblical men.

  1. Nathan the Prophet

    He was a prophet during the reigns of King David and King Solomon (2 Chr. 9:29).

    He is first mentioned in connection with the arrangements David made for the building of the temple (2 Sam. 7:2-3; 7:17), and next appears as the reprover of David on account of his sin with Bathsheba (2 Sam. 12:1-14).

    He was charged with the education of Solomon (2 Samuel 12:25), at whose inauguration to the throne he took a prominent part (1 Kings 1:8; 1:10-11; 1:22-45).

    His two sons, Zabad (1 Chr. 2:36) and Azariah (1 Kings 4:5) occupied places of honor at the king’s court.

    His final appearance in Scripture is when he assisted David in reorganizing public worship (2 Chr. 29:25).

    He seems to have written a record of the life of David, and also a life of Solomon (1 Chr. 29:29; 2 Chr. 9:29).

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  2. Prince Nathan

    He is a son of King David by Queen Bathsheba (2 Sam. 5:14).

    Nathan’s name appears in the lineage of Mary, the mother of our Lord (Luke 3:31).

    KING DAVID and Queen BathshebaPrince Nathan → Mattathah → Menan / Menna → MeleaEliakim → Jonan → JosephJudahSimeonLeviMatthat → Jorim → EliezerJose (Joshua, Jesus)ErElmodamCosamAddiMelchiNeriShealtielZerubbabelRhesaJoannas / JoannaJudahJosephSemeiMattathiah / MattathiasMaath → Naggai → Esli → NahumAmosMattathiah / MattathiasJosephJannaMelchiLeviMatthatHeliMARY, mother of JesusThe 2nd Adam, JESUS THE CHRIST, the God-Man

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  3. Nathan, a leading man of Ezra’s time

    He is a Jewish man among other leaders sent for by Ezra (Ezra 8:16) to find and bring Levites for temple service.

    …when I observed the people and the priests, I did not find any Levites there.

    So I sent for Eliezer, Ariel, Shemaiah, Elnathan, Jarib, Elnathan, Nathan, Zechariah and Meshullam, leading men, and for Joiarib and Elnathan, teachers. I sent them to Iddo the leading man at the place Casiphia; and I told them what to say to Iddo and his brothers, the temple servants at the place Casiphia, that is, to bring ministers to us for the house of our God.

    According to the good hand of our God upon us they brought us a man of insight of the sons of Mahli, the son of Levi, the son of Israel, namely Sherebiah, and his sons and brothers, 18 men; and Hashabiah and Jeshaiah of the sons of Merari, with his brothers and their sons, 20 men; and 220 of the temple servants, whom David and the princes had given for the service of the Levites, all of them designated by name. —Ezra 8:14-20 NASB excerpt

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Article Version: August 18, 2021