### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word **Yibnîyâh**, represented by `{{H2998}}`, is a personal name meaning **building of Jah**. It is the name of an Israelite and is found only **1 time** in **1 unique verse** within the biblical text, making it a rare and specific reference.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The single appearance of `{{H2998}}` is within a genealogical record in the book of 1 Chronicles. This passage lists the descendants of Benjamin who resettled in Jerusalem. Ibnijah is mentioned as an ancestor in a specific lineage: he is the father of Reuel and the great-great-grandfather of Meshullam, one of the men listed [[1 Chronicles 9:8]]. His inclusion serves to establish the paternal line of a significant family.
### Related Words & Concepts
The lineage of Ibnijah connects him to several other individuals mentioned in the same verse:
* `{{H7467}}` **Rᵉʻûwʼêl** (Reuel): This name, meaning "friend of God," identifies the son of Ibnijah [[1 Chronicles 9:8]].
* `{{H8203}}` **Shᵉphaṭyâh** (Shephatiah): Meaning "Jah has judged," this is the name of Ibnijah's grandson and the son of Reuel [[1 Chronicles 9:8]].
* `{{H4918}}` **Mᵉshullâm** (Meshullam): Defined as "allied," this is the name of Ibnijah's great-grandson, who is central to this part of the genealogy [[1 Chronicles 9:8]].
* `{{H1121}}` **bên** (son): This foundational word, meaning "a son (as a builder of the family name)," is the term used to link each generation in the lineage described in [[1 Chronicles 9:8]].
### Theological Significance
Though mentioned only once, the name Ibnijah carries theological weight through its definition and context.
* **Divine Construction:** The name itself, **building of Jah**, implies that a person or family line is a work constructed and established by God.
* **Genealogical Preservation:** Ibnijah's inclusion in the post-exilic lists of 1 Chronicles highlights the importance of every individual in the continuity of the tribes of Israel. These genealogies are a testament to God's faithfulness in preserving His people.
* **Ancestral Foundation:** By being named as an ancestor, Ibnijah is recognized as a foundational part of a family line that contributed to the ongoing community of Israel [[1 Chronicles 9:8]].
### Summary
In summary, `{{H2998}}` **Ibnijah** is a personal name that appears once in scripture. Its significance is derived almost entirely from its meaning, **building of Jah**. Its context within a genealogy in 1 Chronicles emphasizes the theme of God's role in establishing and preserving the family lines of Israel, illustrating that each person is a part of a larger structure built by God.
TRV