from בָּנָה; built up; Mebunnai, an Israelite; Mebunnai.
Transliteration:Mᵉbunnay
Pronunciation:meb-oon-hah'-ee
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word Mᵉbunnay (`{{H4012}}`) is a proper noun, a personal name. It is derived from the root בָּנָה (banah, `{{H1129}}`), which means "to build," "to establish," "to construct," or "to rebuild." The form Mᵉbunnay appears to be a passive participle, implying "one who is built up" or "established." As a proper name, its semantic range is limited to identifying a specific individual. However, the underlying meaning of "built up" carries connotations of divine establishment, stability, and perhaps even divine blessing in a person's life or lineage. It suggests a state of being firmly founded or constructed, often by an external agent.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
Mᵉbunnay (`{{H4012}}`) appears in the Hebrew Bible in a single instance:
* [[2 Samuel 23:27]]: "Benaiah the Pirathonite, Hiddai of the brooks of Gaash, Abialbon the Arbathite, Azmaveth the Barhumite, Eliahba the Shaalbonite, Jashen the Gunite, Jonathan the son of Shagee the Hararite, Ahiam the son of Sharar the Ararite, Eliphelet the son of Ahasbai the Maacathite, Eliam the son of Ahithophel the Gilonite, Hezro the Carmelite, Paarai the Arbite, Igal the son of Nathan of Zobah, Bani the Gadite, Zelek the Ammonite, Naharai the Beerothite, armor-bearer to Joab the son of Zeruiah, Ira the Ithrite, Gareb the Ithrite, Uriah the Hittite. All these were David’s mighty men."
In this passage, Mᵉbunnay is listed among "David's mighty men" (גִּבֹּרִים - gibborim), a distinguished group of warriors who served King David. His inclusion in this elite list signifies his prowess, loyalty, and importance within David's military and court. The immediate context provides no further details about Mᵉbunnay's specific exploits or lineage beyond his name. It is widely understood among scholars that Mᵉbunnay in [[2 Samuel 23:27]] is likely the same individual as Sibbecai (`{{H5458}}`) the Hushathite, who is listed in the parallel account in [[1 Chronicles 11:29]] and is noted for striking down Saph (`{{H5595}}`) in [[2 Samuel 21:18]]. This textual variation highlights potential scribal differences or alternative names for the same person, common in ancient Near Eastern naming conventions. For the purpose of this study, we focus solely on the meaning and occurrence of H4012.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary related word to Mᵉbunnay (`{{H4012}}`) is its root, בָּנָה (banah, `{{H1129}}`), "to build." This root is foundational in biblical Hebrew, appearing thousands of times and carrying a wide semantic range related to construction, establishment, procreation (building a family), and divine creation.
Other names derived from or related to בָּנָה include:
* Benaiah (בְּנָיָה - `{{H1141}}`): Meaning "Yahweh has built," a common name in the Old Testament, borne by several notable figures, including one of David's mighty men and Solomon's chief commander. This name explicitly links the act of building to God's action.
* Nehemiah (נְחֶמְיָה - `{{H5166}}`): While not directly from בָּנָה, Nehemiah's life work was the "rebuilding" of Jerusalem's walls, a monumental act of physical and spiritual restoration, deeply resonant with the concept of building.
* Concepts of "building" in a theological sense extend to:
* The building of the tabernacle and temple, central to Israelite worship.
* God's promise to "build up" the house of David (e.g., [[2 Samuel 7:27]]).
* The establishment of the nation of Israel.
* The construction of families and lineages.
### Theological Significance
While Mᵉbunnay is a proper noun identifying a historical figure, the meaning of his name, "built up" or "established," carries subtle theological resonance. In a biblical worldview, anything truly established or built up is ultimately so by divine agency. For a mighty man serving David, the name Mebunnai could subtly point to God's hand in his strength, his position, or even his very existence. It implies divine providence and the idea that God establishes individuals for His purposes.
The inclusion of Mebunnai among David's mighty men, a group instrumental in establishing and maintaining David's kingdom, further underscores the theme of divine building. These men were instruments through whom God "built up" David's throne and protected His people. Thus, Mebunnay, as "one who is built up," could be seen as an individual divinely prepared and positioned to contribute to the divine plan for Israel, particularly through his service to God's anointed king. This reflects a broader biblical principle that God builds up and establishes individuals, families, and nations according to His sovereign will.
### Summary
Mᵉbunnay (`{{H4012}}`) is a Hebrew proper noun, a personal name meaning "built up" or "established," derived from the root בָּנָה (banah, `{{H1129}}`). He is mentioned in [[2 Samuel 23:27]] as one of King David's elite "mighty men," signifying his importance and prowess in service to the king. While his specific actions under this name are not detailed, his inclusion in this distinguished list points to his significant contribution to David's kingdom. The theological significance of his name lies in its implication of divine establishment and provision, reflecting the biblical truth that God is the ultimate builder and sustainer of individuals and nations, preparing and positioning His servants for His purposes.
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