Jonathan

Jonathan, a Levite from Bethlehem, became a priest for the tribe of Dan after they set up a carved image.

Jonathan, a Levite from Bethlehem in Judah, is mentioned in the book of Judges as a priest who served the tribe of Dan. The Danites, who had not yet secured their inheritance, sent out spies to find a suitable place to settle. The spies came to the house of Micah, where they encountered Jonathan, who was serving as Micah's personal priest (Jdg 18:3-4).

When the Danites later returned to take possession of the land, they also took Micah's carved image, ephod, household gods, and Jonathan to serve as their priest (Jdg 18:19-20). Jonathan, being a Levite, was likely seen as a legitimate religious authority, despite the fact that the Danites were setting up an idolatrous worship system.

The narrative in Judges 18 highlights the moral and spiritual decline of Israel during the period of the judges, as the Danites adopted false worship practices and the Levites, who were meant to serve God, became complicit in these practices. Jonathan's story serves as an example of the compromises and failures of religious leaders during this turbulent time in Israel's history.

A Levite descended from Gershom (Judg. 18:30). His history is recorded in 17:7-13 and 18:30. The Rabbins changed this name into Manasseh “to screen the memory of the great lawgiver from the stain of having so unworthy an apostate among his near descendants.” He became priest of the idol image at Dan, and this office continued in his family till the Captivity.