בָּנִי (ba.ni)
ba.ni
Bani
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 12 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
The name bani means “my son” in Hebrew, yet it appears in Scripture primarily as a proper noun for several distinct individuals rather than a term of address. The sources identify at least five separate bearers of this name across the Old Testament, ranging from warriors to priests, which reflects how common such patronymic-style names were in ancient Israel.
Among these figures, Bani is notably listed as one of King David’s mighty warriors in 2 Samuel 23:36. He also appears in the genealogies of Ezra and Nehemiah, where he is identified either as a Levite descended from Merari or as an ancestor of those who returned from exile with Zerubbabel. In these contexts, the name serves to anchor specific people within the tribal and religious structures of Judah.
While the literal meaning points to familial connection, the biblical usage emphasizes identity through lineage. The recurrence of the name among both military leaders and temple servants suggests that “my son” was a standard personal identifier rather than a title with special theological weight in these narrative contexts.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Bani literally means “my son,” yet in Scripture it appears primarily as a proper noun for several distinct individuals rather than a term of address. This reflects how common such patronymic-style names were in ancient Israel, anchoring specific people within the tribal and religious structures of Judah. While the literal meaning points to familial connection, the biblical usage emphasizes identity through lineage.
We see Bani listed among King David’s mighty warriors in 2 Samuel 23:36, highlighting strength and loyalty. He also appears in the genealogies of Ezra and Nehemiah, identified as a Levite descended from Merari or an ancestor of those who returned from exile with Zerubbabel. This recurrence among both military leaders and temple servants suggests that “my son” was a standard personal identifier rather than a title with special theological weight.
For your faith, this reminds us that God values every individual within His community. Whether serving in battle or rebuilding walls, each person’s name is recorded. Your identity in Christ is secure, not because of your lineage alone, but because you are known by name to the Lord who calls you His own.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 12 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Bani9×
- and/ Bani3×
- Bani/ /from1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- בָּנִ֑י2×
- בָנִ֔י2×
- וּ/בָנִ֥י1×
- וּ/בָנִ֡י1×
- וּ/בָנִ֜י1×
- בָּנִי֙1×
- בָּנִי1×
- בָּנִ֨י1×
- בָּנִ֣י1×
- בָּנִ֖י1×
- בָּנִ֔י/ /מִן1×
Key Verses
-
II Samuel 23:36
Igal the son of Nathan of Zobah, Bani the Gadite,
This verse identifies Bani as one of David’s mighty warriors, showing his role in military service and loyalty to the king.
-
Ezra 2:10
The children of Bani, six hundred forty-two.
Here Bani is listed as an ancestor of a group returning from exile, emphasizing the importance of family lineage in restoring the community.
-
Nehemiah 8:7
Also Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, and the Levites, caused the people to understand the law; and the people stayed in their place.
Bani stands with other Levites to help the people understand the Law, highlighting his role in spiritual instruction and community restoration.