חֲנָנִי (cha.na.ni)
cha.na.ni
Hanani
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 11 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
The name Ḥănānî means "Yahweh is gracious." It appears eleven times in the Hebrew Bible, primarily within the historical books of Kings, Chronicles, and Nehemiah. Rather than describing a single individual, the entry identifies several distinct men who shared this title during the eras of the Divided Monarchy and the post-exilic restoration.
Among these bearers is a prophet who confronted King Asa for relying on military alliances rather than divine protection (2 Chronicles 16:7). Another figure, also named Hanani, served as a seer whose son Jehu delivered a message against King Baasha (1 Kings 16:1). The name also appears in the lineage of temple musicians and later among priests who returned from exile.
In Nehemiah’s account, a man named Hanani is identified as the narrator’s brother. He brings news about Jerusalem’s ruined walls to the governor, prompting Nehemiah’s subsequent efforts to rebuild the city (Nehemiah 7:2; 1:2). This usage highlights how personal family connections often intersected with the broader political and religious history of Israel.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Hanani carries a simple but profound meaning: "Yahweh is gracious." In the biblical narrative, this title belongs to several different men who lived during Israel’s most turbulent periods. Some were prophets who spoke hard truths to kings, while others were family members who brought news of hope from Jerusalem’s ruins. The name itself serves as a reminder that God’s favor is not limited by time or circumstance.
When Nehemiah heard about the broken walls of his city, it was his brother Hanani who brought the report. This personal connection sparked a major restoration project for the whole nation. It shows how ordinary relationships and faithful messages can lead to significant change. The grace of God often works through people we know and trust.
We see this same pattern in the prophets who warned kings against relying on human power instead of divine protection. Their message was not just about politics, but about where our true security lies. Hanani reminds us that God’s graciousness is available to those who seek Him, whether they are leaders or laypeople.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 11 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Hanani10×
- to/ Hanani1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- חֲנָ֔נִי3×
- חֲנָ֣נִי2×
- חֲנָ֜נִי2×
- לַ/חֲנָ֔נִי1×
- חֲנָ֘נִי֮1×
- חֲנָ֗נִי1×
- חֲנָ֖נִי1×
Key Verses
-
II Chronicles 16:7
At that time Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Judah, and said to him, “Because you have relied on the king of Syria, and have not relied on Yahweh your God, therefore the army of the king of Syria has escaped out of your hand.
This verse highlights the prophet Hanani confronting King Asa for trusting in military alliances rather than relying on God.
-
Nehemiah 1:2
Hanani, one of my brothers, came, he and certain men out of Judah; and I asked them about the Jews who had escaped, who were left of the captivity, and concerning Jerusalem.
Here, Hanani is identified as Nehemiah’s brother, bringing news of Jerusalem’s distress that leads to the city's rebuilding.
-
I Kings 16:1
Yahweh’s word came to Jehu the son of Hanani against Baasha, saying,
This occurrence introduces Jehu the son of Hanani, showing how the name appears in the lineage of prophets delivering divine judgment.