at Revelation 21:11 is called a “most precious stone . . . shining crystal-clear,” the ancient stone may have been of greater rarity and value than the comparatively inexpensive modern jasper, and brilliantly translucent rather than opaque. Some scholars have suggested that the Greek term in reality refers to the diamond.

JATHNIEL

(Jathʹni·el) [God hires].

One of the Levitical gatekeepers for the house of Jehovah; the fourth son of Meshelemiah, a Korahite.—1 Chron. 26:1, 2.

JATTIR

(Jatʹtir) [possibly, preeminence].

A priestly city in the mountainous region of Judah. (Josh. 15:20, 48; 21:9, 10, 14; 1 Chron. 6:54, 57) It was to Jattir that David sent a portion of the spoils of victory taken from Amalekite raiders. Perhaps this was in appreciation for hospitality and friendship accorded to him, a fugitive from King Saul.—1 Sam. 30:17-20, 26, 27, 31.

Jattir is usually identified with Khirbet ʽAttir, about thirteen miles (c. 21 kilometers) SW of Hebron.

JAVAN

(Jaʹvan).

Fourth-listed son of Japheth and the father of Elishah, Tarshish, Kittim and Dodanim (or Rodanim). As post-Flood descendants of Noah, they are included among those populating “the isles of the nations,” which phrase can also refer to the coastlands and not simply to islands surrounded by water. (Gen. 10:2, 4, 5; 1 Chron. 1:5, 7) Historical evidence indicates that the descendants of Javan and his four sons settled in the islands and coastlands of the Mediterranean Sea from Cyprus (Kittim) to perhaps as far W as Spain.—See DODANIM; ELISHAH; KITTIM; TARSHISH No. 1.

Javan (Heb., Ya·wanʹ) is identified as the progenitor of the ancient Ionians, called by some “the parent tribe of the Greeks.” (Keil-Delitzsch, The Pentateuch, Vol. I, p. 163) The name I·aʹo·nes is used by the poet Homer (of at least the seventh century B.C.E.) as referring to the early Greeks, and, beginning with Sargon II (seventh century B.C.E.), the name Iavanu begins to appear in Assyrian inscriptions. Persian Emperor Darius also mentions them (as Iauna), and the name is to be found in a similar form in ancient Egyptian records referring to the Ionians.

In course of time the name Ionia came to be restricted to Attica (the region around Athens), the western coast of Asia Minor (corresponding to the coasts of the later provinces of Lydia and Caria), and the neighboring islands of the Aegean Sea. The sea that lies between southern Greece and southern Italy still retains the name “Ionian,” and this name is acknowledged to be of very ancient origin, supporting the view that this form of the name of Javan once applied to the mainland of Greece as well as the later smaller area designated Ionia.

Following the Genesis account, the descendants of Javan first begin to be mentioned about the latter part of the ninth century B.C.E. by the prophet Joel. The prophet there condemns the Tyrians, Sidonians and Philistines for selling the sons of Judah and Jerusalem in their slave trade with “the sons of the Greeks” (literally, “the sons of Javan”). (Joel 3:4-6) Isaiah, in the eighth century B.C.E., foretells that some of the Jews surviving God’s expression of wrath would travel to many lands, including “Javan,” there proclaiming Jehovah’s glory.—Isa. 66:19.

Slaves and copper articles were listed in the late seventh or early sixth century B.C.E. as items being supplied by “Javan, Tubal and Meshech [these latter places evidently being located in eastern Asia Minor or to the N thereof]” to the wealthy commercial center of Tyre. (Ezek. 27:13) Verse 19 of the same prophecy again mentions Javan, but the fact that the other places mentioned in the context are in Syria, Palestine and Arabia has led some to view the appearance of the name there to be the result of a scribal error. Rather than reading “and Javan from Uzal,” the Greek Septuagint renders Javan as “wine,” thus reading, “and with wine. From Asel [Uzal] . . . ” (LXX, Thompson-Muses) The Revised Standard Version reads “and wine from Uzal.” Others, however, suggest that Javan may here refer to a Greek colony located in Arabia or that it may perhaps be the name of an Arabian tribe or town.

In Daniel’s prophecy “Javan” is usually rendered by translators as “Greece,” since the historical fulfillment of Daniel’s writings makes this meaning evident. (Dan. 8:21; 10:20; 11:2) So, likewise, Zechariah’s prophecy (520-518 B.C.E.), foretelling the successful warfare of the ‘sons of Zion’ against Javan (“Greece”).—Zech. 9:13.

JAVELIN

See ARMS, ARMOR.

JAZER

(Jaʹzer) [perhaps, helpful].

An Amorite city with dependent towns, located E of the Jordan. In the time of Moses, the Israelites took Jazer and the surrounding region. (Num. 21:25, 32) Originally granted to Gad and fortified by that tribe, Jazer was subsequently assigned to the Levites. (Num. 32:1, 3-5, 34, 35; Josh. 13:24, 25; 21:34, 38, 39; 1 Chron. 6:77, 81) It was one of the places mentioned in connection with the route followed by Joab and the chiefs of the military forces when taking the census that David had ordered without having divine authorization. (2 Sam. 24:4, 5) Toward the close of David’s reign certain mighty men of the Hebronites residing at Jazer were assigned administrative duties in Israel’s territory E of the Jordan.—1 Chron. 26:31, 32.

In the eighth century B.C.E. Jazer was in Moabite hands. It seems that the region was then, if not already earlier, famous for its vine culture. Jazer and other Moabite cities were foretold to suffer future calamity.—Isa. 16:8-10; Jer. 48:32, 33.

Various possible identifications have been suggested for ancient Jazer, but its precise location remains unknown.

JAZIZ

(Jaʹziz).

The chief caretaker of King David’s flocks; a Hagrite.—1 Chron. 27:31.

JEALOUS, JEALOUSY

[Heb., qin·ʼahʹ, jealousy, zeal, ardor; Gr., zeʹlos, jealousy, zeal].

“Jealous” is defined as “exacting exclusive devotion,” “intolerant of rivalry or unfaithfulness; envious, suspicious.” The Hebrew and Greek words can have good or bad connotations and are used in the Bible in both senses.

JEHOVAH’S JEALOUSY

Jehovah describes himself as “a God exacting exclusive devotion.” (Ex. 20:5; Deut. 4:24; 5:9; 6:15) He also says: “Jehovah, whose name is Jealous, he is a jealous God.” (Ex. 34:14) Over what and with what kind of jealousy? Not with the envious, selfish jealousy of humans. It is a jealousy, a zeal or ardor for his holy name, concerning which he himself says: “I will show exclusive devotion for my holy name.”—Ezek. 39:25.

For his name

When one considers what God’s name stands for, the reason for his “insistence on exclusive devotion” becomes clear. (Ezek. 5:13) His name represents all that is right and righteous. He is holy, clean, upright, loyal in the superlative degree. (Isa. 6:3; Rev. 4:8; 16:5) His sovereignty is necessary to the existence of the universe, and allegiance to his sovereignty and laws is essential to the order and peace of all creation. (Prov. 29:2; 1 Cor. 14:33) His jealousy is therefore a pure, clean jealousy, and is altogether for the benefit of his creatures, for their devotion brings him, the Creator, Provider and Giver of all good things, no profit. (Job 41:11; Ps. 145:16; Rom. 11:35; Jas. 1:17; Rev. 4:11) But in his devotion to righteousness his heart is made glad with loving appreciation when his servants stand firm for righteousness and give exclusive devotion to him.—Prov. 23:15, 16; 27:11.