בִּנּוּי (bin.nuy)
bin.nuy
Binnui
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 6 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
The name Binnui means "built up" or "construction." In the Hebrew Bible it appears only six times, always as a personal name for men who lived during the period when Jewish exiles returned to Jerusalem after the Babylonian captivity. The word itself is not used as a common noun in these texts; instead, it functions strictly as a proper name identifying specific individuals.
These men are listed in the genealogical records of Ezra and Nehemiah. One Binnui, son of Henadad, is noted for helping repair the walls of Jerusalem under Nehemiah’s leadership (Nehemiah 3:21). Another appears as a Levite, the father of Noadiah (Ezra 8:33), while two others are mentioned among those who had married foreign wives and were required to send them away (Ezra 10:30, 38).
The recurrence of this name in such a specific historical context highlights the theme of restoration. Just as the city walls were being physically rebuilt, these individuals represent the rebuilding of the community’s religious and social structure. The name serves as a reminder that the return from exile involved both physical reconstruction and spiritual reformation.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Binnui means "built up," a title that appears only six times in Scripture, always attached to men who helped restore Jerusalem after exile. This is more than a label; it describes a life of active participation in God’s restoration project. When the walls were crumbling and the community was scattered, these individuals chose to show up and do the hard work of rebuilding.
In Nehemiah 3:24, Binnui son of Henadad repaired a section from Azariah’s house to the corner. His contribution was part of a larger effort where every person, regardless of status, played a role in securing the city’s safety. This reminds us that our own lives are being built up for God’s purposes, often through steady, faithful service rather than dramatic events.
Whether you are restoring relationships, rebuilding your faith after a setback, or simply showing up to serve in your local church, you are part of this same story. God uses ordinary people to construct something lasting and holy. Your efforts matter in His grand design for renewal and hope.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 6 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Binnui4×
- and/ Binnui2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- וּ/בִנּ֖וּי2×
- בִּנּ֛וּי2×
- בִּנּ֖וּי1×
- בִנּ֔וּי1×
Key Verses
-
Nehemiah 3:24
After him, Binnui the son of Henadad repaired another portion, from the house of Azariah to the turning of the wall, and to the corner.
This verse highlights Binnui’s direct involvement in the physical reconstruction of Jerusalem’s defenses, illustrating how personal labor contributes to communal restoration.
-
Ezra 8:33
On the fourth day the silver and the gold and the vessels were weighed 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 Jozabad the son of Jeshua, and Noadiah the son of Binnui, the Levites.
Here Binnui is identified as a Levite and father of Noadiah, showing his role in the spiritual leadership and order of the returning exiles.
-
Nehemiah 12:8
Moreover the Levites were Jeshua, Binnui, Kadmiel, Sherebiah, Judah, and Mattaniah, who was over the thanksgiving songs, he and his brothers.
This occurrence places Binnui among the Levites overseeing thanksgiving songs, linking the theme of being "built up" with worship and praise.