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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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