עֻנִּי (un.ni)
un.ni
Unni
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 3 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
The name Unni appears only three times in the Hebrew Bible, identifying two distinct Levites who served God during pivotal moments in Israel’s history. In 1 Chronicles 15:18, he is listed among the doorkeepers appointed by King David to guard the ark of the covenant. This placement highlights his role in maintaining the sacred order of worship during the establishment of Jerusalem as the spiritual center.
The second figure bearing this name appears in Nehemiah 12:9, serving as a Levite involved in the religious restoration after the Babylonian exile. The meaning of the name, "afflicted," offers a poignant contrast to his duties. Rather than being defined by suffering, these men used their positions to facilitate worship and community cohesion during times of national instability.
Though brief, these mentions underscore the continuity of Levitical service across centuries. From David’s court to the post-exilic rebuilding effort, individuals named Unni contributed to the preservation of Israel’s religious identity. Their presence in the text reminds readers that faithful service often occurs behind the scenes, sustaining the community through quiet dedication.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Unni means "afflicted," yet the few times it appears in Scripture, these men are not defined by their suffering. Instead, they are listed among those who actively served God during critical moments in Israel’s history. In 1 Chronicles 15, an Unni stands as a doorkeeper for the ark of the covenant under King David. This role was vital for maintaining the sacred order of worship when Jerusalem became the spiritual center of the nation.
Another man with this name appears later in Nehemiah 12, helping to restore religious life after the Babylonian exile. These brief mentions remind us that faithful service often happens behind the scenes. Whether guarding the ark or leading music during rebuilding efforts, these Levites used their positions to support community cohesion. Their quiet dedication shows how ordinary people can sustain a community through times of instability.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ Unni3×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- וְ/עֻנִּ֧י1×
- וְ/עֻנִּ֣י1×
- וְ/עֻנִּ֡י1×
Key Verses
-
I Chronicles 15:18
and with them their brothers of the second rank: Zechariah, Ben, Jaaziel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Unni, Eliab, Benaiah, Maaseiah, Mattithiah, Eliphelehu, Mikneiah, Obed-Edom, and Jeiel, the doorkeepers.
This verse places Unni among the doorkeepers appointed by David, highlighting his specific role in protecting the ark during its transfer to Jerusalem.
-
I Chronicles 15:20
and Zechariah, Aziel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Unni, Eliab, Maaseiah, and Benaiah, with stringed instruments set to Alamoth;
Here, Unni is listed with musicians using stringed instruments, showing how Levites contributed to worship through both guarding and leading praise.
-
Nehemiah 12:9
Also Bakbukiah and Unno, their brothers, were close to them according to their offices.
This occurrence identifies a later Levite named Unni who served in the religious restoration after the exile, demonstrating the continuity of Levitical duty across generations.