from בָּנָה; built up; Binnui, an Israelite; Binnui.
Transliteration:Binnûwy
Pronunciation:bin-noo'-ee
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word `{{H1131}}` (Binnûwy) is a proper noun, a personal name. Its etymology traces directly to the verb `{{H1129}}` (banah), which signifies "to build, to establish, to construct, to rebuild." The form Binnûwy itself can be understood as a passive participle or a verbal noun, conveying the sense of "built up," "established," or "my building/construction." As a personal name, it inherently carries connotations of stability, foundation, divine establishment, or perhaps one who is instrumental in building. It speaks to a state of being firmly established or a process of being brought into existence through construction.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The name `{{H1131}}` (Binnûwy) appears in the post-exilic books of Ezra and Nehemiah, consistently associated with individuals involved in the crucial work of rebuilding Jerusalem and the Temple after the Babylonian exile.
1. **Ezra 3:9**: Here, "Jeshua with his sons and his brothers, Kadmiel and his sons, the sons of Judah, together stood as one to oversee the workmen in the house of God, along with the sons of Henadad, Binnui and Kadmiel, and their sons and their brothers, the Levites." This Binnui, identified as a son of Henadad, is a Levite directly involved in overseeing the rebuilding of the Second Temple. His name, "built up," resonates powerfully with the task at hand.
2. **Ezra 8:33**: "On the fourth day the silver and the gold and the vessels were weighed out in the house of our God into the hand of Meremoth the son of Uriah the priest, and with him was Eleazar the son of Phinehas; and with them were the Levites, Jozabad the son of Jeshua and Noadiah the son of Binnui." This reference to Noadiah, son of Binnui, indicates a family line descended from a Binnui, again highlighting a Levite connection, this time in the careful accounting of sacred vessels for the Temple.
3. **Nehemiah 3:24**: "After him Binnui the son of Henadad repaired another section, from the house of Azariah as far as the angle and the corner." This Binnui, explicitly identified as "the son of Henadad" (likely the same Levite from Ezra 3:9), is a key figure in the actual physical rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem. His name perfectly reflects his active role in construction and restoration.
4. **Nehemiah 7:15**: "The sons of Binnui, six hundred forty-eight." This verse lists "the sons of Binnui" among those who returned from exile with Zerubbabel. This likely refers to a family group whose progenitor was named Binnui, perhaps distinct from the Levite Binnui, or representing a broader family lineage.
5. **Nehemiah 10:9**: "And the Levites: Jeshua the son of Azaniah, Binnui of the sons of Henadad, Kadmiel." Binnui, again "of the sons of Henadad," is listed among the Levites who sealed the solemn covenant to walk in God's law. This shows his involvement not only in physical rebuilding but also in spiritual and communal restoration.
6. **Nehemiah 12:8**: "And the Levites: Jeshua, Binnui, Kadmiel, Sherebiah, Judah, Mattaniah, who with his brothers was in charge of the songs of thanksgiving." Binnui is listed among the Levites, further confirming his prominent role within the priestly tribe during this period of renewal.
Across these occurrences, the individuals named Binnui are consistently associated with the core post-exilic themes of rebuilding, restoration, and establishing the community and its sacred structures, aligning profoundly with the name's inherent meaning.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary linguistic connection for `{{H1131}}` (Binnûwy) is its root verb, `{{H1129}}` (banah), "to build." This verb is foundational to understanding the name's significance. Other related terms and concepts include:
* **`{{H1004}}` (bayit)**: "House, household, temple." This noun is the direct object of `{{H1129}}` (banah) in many contexts, referring to the structures being built, whether a physical dwelling, a family lineage, or the sacred Temple.
* **`{{H1121}}` (ben)**: "Son." While not directly from the same root, the concept of a "son" is intrinsically linked to "building" a family, a legacy, or a nation.
* **`{{H7225}}` (rab)**: "Great, numerous." Often associated with the idea of building up a great nation or people.
* **Restoration and Renewal**: The historical context of Ezra and Nehemiah is one of profound restoration after destruction. The name Binnui embodies this theme, representing the physical and spiritual rebuilding of a people and their land.
* **Foundation and Establishment**: The act of "building" implies laying a firm foundation and establishing something enduring. This resonates with God's work in establishing His covenant people.
### Theological Significance
The name `{{H1131}}` (Binnûwy), meaning "built up" or "my building," carries significant theological weight, particularly within its biblical context:
1. **Divine Providence in Restoration**: The very existence of individuals named Binnui, actively engaged in rebuilding the Temple and Jerusalem's walls, serves as a testament to God's faithfulness in restoring His people. Even after the devastation of exile, God's promise to "build up" His remnant (e.g., [[Jeremiah 24:6]], [[Amos 9:11]]) is fulfilled through human agents like Binnui. The name itself becomes a living affirmation of God's redemptive work.
2. **Human Cooperation in God's Plan**: While God is the ultimate builder and establisher, the presence of Binnui and others like him highlights the essential role of human obedience, effort, and dedication in accomplishing God's purposes. The name underscores the dignity of labor in service to God's kingdom and the communal effort required for spiritual and physical reconstruction.
3. **Spiritual Building**: Beyond the physical structures, the concept of "building" extends to the spiritual realm. In the New Testament, believers are described as being "built up" in Christ (e.g., [[Ephesians 2:20-22]], [[1 Peter 2:5]]), and the church as a spiritual house. The Old Testament name Binnui, with its focus on tangible construction, prefigures this deeper spiritual reality of God building His people into a holy dwelling.
4. **Hope Amidst Desolation**: In a period marked by the ruins of a once-glorious city and Temple, the name Binnui offered a profound message of hope. It declared that new life, new structures, and a new future were being "built up" by divine grace and human perseverance.
### Summary
`{{H1131}}` (Binnûwy) is a Hebrew proper noun, a personal name meaning "built up" or "my building," derived from the verb `{{H1129}}` (banah), "to build." It appears primarily in the post-exilic books of Ezra and Nehemiah, identifying several individuals, most notably a Levite of the sons of Henadad, who played a crucial role in the physical rebuilding of the Temple and the walls of Jerusalem. The name's intrinsic meaning perfectly aligns with the historical context of restoration and reconstruction in which these individuals lived and served. Theologically, Binnûwy powerfully underscores God's unwavering commitment to rebuilding His people and their sacred structures after desolation, highlighting the vital partnership between divine providence and human endeavor in the unfolding of God's redemptive plan. It stands as a testament to hope, renewal, and the enduring nature of God's work of establishment.
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