of foreign derivation; Minni, an Armenian province; Minni.
Transliteration:Minnîy
Pronunciation:min-nee'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term מִנִּי (Minnîy), Strong's H4508, is a proper noun, specifically a geographical designation. Its core meaning refers to "Minni," an ancient province located in the region of Armenia. This area was situated to the east of Ararat (Urartu), likely encompassing territory around Lake Urmia in what is present-day northwestern Iran. The definition "of foreign derivation" underscores its identity as a non-Israelite entity, a distinct political and geographical unit within the broader Ancient Near Eastern landscape. Unlike common nouns or verbs, Minni does not possess a broad semantic range; its meaning is fixed as the name of a particular place or people associated with that region.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term Minnîy (מִנִּי) occurs only once in the Hebrew Bible, found in the prophetic book of Jeremiah:
* **[[Jeremiah 51:27]]**: "Set up a standard on the earth; blow the trumpet among the nations; prepare the nations for war against her; summon against her the kingdoms of Ararat, Minni, and Ashkenaz; appoint a commander against her; bring up horses like bristling locusts."
In this singular occurrence, Minni is summoned by God, alongside Ararat `{{H780}}` and Ashkenaz `{{H814}}`, to participate in the divine judgment against Babylon. The context of Jeremiah 51 is a comprehensive prophecy detailing the utter destruction of Babylon, depicted as God's instrument of wrath against His people, but now facing its own downfall. The inclusion of Minni, a kingdom from the northern reaches, alongside other powerful entities, underscores the global scale of God's orchestration. These nations, though perhaps unaware of their role, are divinely conscripted to execute God's sovereign decree against the mighty Babylonian empire. The imagery of "bristling locusts" highlights the overwhelming and unstoppable nature of this divinely appointed coalition.
### Related Words & Concepts
As a proper noun, Minni does not have direct lexical cognates within the Hebrew Bible in the same way a verb or adjective might. However, it is contextually related to:
* **Geographical and Political Entities**: Its mention alongside Ararat `{{H780}}` (Urartu) and Ashkenaz `{{H814}}` (possibly Scythians or another northern group) places Minni within the geopolitical landscape of the ancient Near East, specifically the mountainous regions north of Mesopotamia. These are all non-Israelite nations.
* **Divine Sovereignty over Nations**: The broader theological concept it highlights is God's ultimate control over all nations, using them as instruments for His purposes, even those far removed from Israel.
* **Prophecy of Judgment**: Minni is an active participant in the fulfillment of Jeremiah's prophecy concerning the fall of Babylon, connecting it to themes of divine justice and the execution of God's word.
* **Military Mobilization**: The call to "prepare the nations for war" and "bring up horses" links Minni to the concept of military power and its deployment under divine command.
### Theological Significance
The singular appearance of Minni, though brief, carries profound theological weight. Its inclusion in the divine summons against Babylon in [[Jeremiah 51:27]] powerfully illustrates several key theological principles:
1. **God's Universal Sovereignty**: The Lord's ability to command distant and seemingly unrelated nations like Minni, Ararat, and Ashkenaz to execute His judgment demonstrates His absolute sovereignty over all of creation, not just Israel. He is the God of all nations, directing their paths and even their conflicts to fulfill His divine will.
2. **Instruments of Divine Justice**: Minni serves as an unwitting instrument in God's hand to bring about justice against Babylon, which had acted with excessive cruelty against Judah. This highlights God's justice system, which operates through various means, often using human agencies to accomplish His purposes.
3. **Fulfillment of Prophecy**: The explicit naming of these specific nations contributes to the precision and eventual fulfillment of Jeremiah's prophecy. It assures the reader that God's word is precise and will come to pass, even in the details of which nations will participate in a future event.
4. **The Scope of God's Plan**: The mobilization of nations from the northern reaches of the ancient world emphasizes the comprehensive and inescapable nature of God's judgment. No empire, however mighty, is beyond the reach of His divine decree.
### Summary
Minnîy (מִנִּי, H4508) is a proper noun referring to an ancient province in the Armenian region, likely situated near Lake Urmia. Its sole biblical occurrence is in [[Jeremiah 51:27]], where it is divinely summoned alongside Ararat and Ashkenaz to form a coalition against Babylon, serving as an instrument of God's judgment. Theologically, Minni's inclusion underscores God's universal sovereignty over all nations, His use of diverse instruments to enact divine justice, and the certain fulfillment of His prophetic word, demonstrating the comprehensive reach of His plan for history.