תִּבְנִי (tiv.ni)
tiv.ni
Tibni
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
Tibni is a proper name appearing only twice in the Hebrew Bible, both times in 1 Kings 16. The sources identify him as the son of Ginath and a significant political rival to Omri during the turbulent period following King Zimri’s brief reign. His name is traditionally interpreted as meaning "intelligent" or "wise," a title that perhaps reflected his standing among the faction that supported him.
After Zimri seized the throne for only seven days, the Israelite army encamped against the Philistines chose Omri as their commander. However, the people of the city split into two camps: one followed Omri, while the other backed Tibni (1 Kings 16:16). This division sparked a civil war that lasted four years, demonstrating that Tibni was not merely a minor figure but a serious contender for power in the northern kingdom.
Ultimately, the sources note that Tibni died, leaving Omri to secure the throne and establish a dynasty that would rule Israel for several decades. While his name suggests wisdom, his historical legacy is defined by this failed bid for kingship. The brevity of his mention highlights the volatile nature of the divided monarchy, where loyalty could shift rapidly between competing leaders.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Tibni appears in a moment of deep division within Israel’s history. When the army chose Omri as their leader, the people split into two camps, with half supporting Tibni, son of Ginath. This was not just a political disagreement but a fracture in community loyalty, leading to years of conflict.
Though Tibni’s bid for power ended with his death, his story reminds us that human authority is fragile and often contested. In times of uncertainty, it is easy to feel pulled in different directions or to question who truly leads. Yet even in such turbulence, God’s sovereignty remains steady, working through history to establish His purposes.
For your faith, this passage invites trust in God’s ultimate plan, even when people around you are divided or when leadership seems unstable. You can find peace knowing that no human faction has the final word—only God guides the course of nations and hearts.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Tibni3×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- תִּבְנִ֣י1×
- תִּבְנִ֔י1×
- תִבְנִ֤י1×
Key Verses
-
I Kings 16:21
Then the people of Israel were divided into two parts: half of the people followed Tibni the son of Ginath, to make him king, and half followed Omri.
This verse shows how Tibni’s name became a rallying point for half of Israel, highlighting the deep division between his followers and Omri’s.
-
I Kings 16:22
But the people who followed Omri prevailed against the people who followed Tibni the son of Ginath; so Tibni died, and Omri reigned.
Here we see the outcome: Omri’s faction prevailed, Tibni died, and Omri secured the throne, ending the immediate civil struggle.