Original Word: בָּנִי
Part of Speech: Proper Name Masculine
Transliteration: Baniy
Pronunciation: bah-NEE
Phonetic Spelling: (baw-nee')
KJV: Bani
NASB: Bani
Word Origin: [from H1129 (בָּנָה - built)]

1. built
2. Bani, the name of five Israelites

Bani

From banah; built; Bani, the name of five Israelites -- Bani.

see HEBREW banah

Word Origin
from banah
Definition
the name of several Isr.
NASB Translation
Bani (16).

בָּנִי proper name, masculine 1. one of David's heroes 2 Samuel 23:36 בָּנִי הַגָּדִי ("" 1 Chronicles 11:38 has בֶּןהַֿגְרִי, but see Dr^Sm).

2 Levites,

a. 1 Chronicles 6:31;

b. Nehemiah 3:17; compare Nehemiah 8:7 (= בִּנּוּי Nehemiah 10:10) Nehemiah 9:4 (twice in verse) (repeated probably by error, compare BeRy) Nehemiah 9:5; Nehemiah 10:14; Nehemiah 11:22. On Ezra 2:40 = Nehemiah 7:43 compare Gr^{Geschichte.ii.2,389}; he reads קדמיאל בני for קדמיאל לבני, taking בני as proper name, as 3 Ezra 5:26 Καδμιηλου καὶ Βαννου.

3 a man of Judah 1 Chronicles 9:4 (מִן) בָּנִי Qr ( > Kt בנימן).

4 Ezra 2:10 read בִּנּוּי compare "" Nehemiah 7:15.

5 heads of families of Isr.

a. Ezra 10:29;

b. Nehemiah 10:15;

c. Ezra 10:34 but perhaps read בִּנּוּי or בִּגְּוַי compare above

6 an Israelite Ezra 10:38. — (בני as proper name Palmyrene Vog^{No. 94}.)

Occurrences and Persons Bearing the Name

Fourteen verses record the name Bani, attached to at least six distinct men and several family groupings. Together they span the united monarchy, the genealogies of Levi, and the era of the post-exilic restoration. Their accounts trace a path from military heroism to temple service, from compromise to repentance, and finally to covenant fidelity.

Bani the Gadite: A Mighty Man of Valor

In the roll of David’s elite warriors we read, “Igal son of Nathan of Zobah, Bani the Gadite” (2 Samuel 23:36). Although only a brief notice, inclusion in this prestigious list places Bani among the thirty who risked their lives for the anointed king. His presence from the tribe of Gad highlights the kingdom-wide unity that gathered around David and foreshadows the later national solidarity sought after the exile.

Bani in Levitical Genealogies

1 Chronicles 6:46 traces the Merarite branch of Levi through “the son of Amzi, the son of Bani, the son of Shemer.” This Bani stands in the priestly lineage that produced temple musicians, showing the name’s early association with worship. The same emphasis re-emerges centuries later when “Uzzi son of Bani … from the descendants of Asaph” becomes “the chief officer of the Levites … responsible for the service of the house of God” (Nehemiah 11:22).

Bani and the Returned Exiles

Ezra 2:10 lists “the sons of Bani, 642,” among those who came back from Babylon. Their willingness to leave comfort and start anew in a devastated land underscores the faith that drove the restoration. By Nehemiah’s day the clan is still prominent: “Parosh, Pahath-Moab, Elam, Zattu, Bani” stand among the lay leaders of the community (Nehemiah 10:14).

Purity and Repentance

Some descendants faltered. Ezra’s reform names them twice: “From the descendants of Bani: Meshullam, Malluch, Adaiah, …” (Ezra 10:29) and again in verse 34. These men had married foreign wives, a direct violation of the Mosaic law in that setting. Yet their appearance in the list of those who put away these relationships shows repentance. Scripture records the failure candidly, but also the grace that receives confession.

Builders of Jerusalem

During wall reconstruction, “the Levites made repairs under Rehum son of Bani” (Nehemiah 3:17). Physical labor on the wall complements spiritual labor in the temple, illustrating the holistic service expected of God’s people.

Teachers of the Law and Leaders of Worship

When Ezra read the Law, “Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah … brought understanding to the people” (Nehemiah 8:7). Soon after, corporate confession was led by a similar group: “Jeshua, Bani, Kadmiel … cried out with a loud voice to the LORD their God” (Nehemiah 9:4). Their ministry combined exposition, intercession, and exhortation—an enduring model for spiritual leadership.

Covenant Renewal

In the solemn oath to walk in God’s commandments, “Hodiah, Bani, Beninu” (Nehemiah 10:13) signed for the priestly families, while a separate Bani signed for the laity. Their dual appearance—clerical and lay—signals the shared responsibility of all believers to uphold God’s covenant.

Spiritual Themes Illustrated by Bani

Service: Whether on the battlefield or in the choir loft, the various Banis illustrate consecrated service that advances God’s kingdom purposes.

Repentance: The family that erred in Ezra 10 also repented, reminding readers that restoration remains possible for those who return to the Lord.

Instruction: The Levite teachers named Bani model a ministry devoted to making Scripture understood and obeyed.

Covenant Faithfulness: From David’s reign to Nehemiah’s covenant, each mention of Bani reinforces the call to honor God’s enduring promises.

Legacy for the Church

Though scattered across centuries, the Banis collectively portray a lineage of courage, worship, humility, and obedience. Their narrative urges believers today to serve valiantly, guard holiness, teach truth, and stand together in covenant loyalty to the Lord.

בְּנֵי־ בָּנִ֑י בָּנִ֖י בָּנִ֣י בָּנִ֨י בָּנִֽי׃ בָּנִי֙ בָנִ֔י בָנִ֖י בני בני־ בני׃ וּבָנִ֜י וּבָנִ֡י ובני bā·nî ḇā·nî baNi bānî ḇānî bə·nê- bənê- benei ū·ḇā·nî ūḇānî uvaNi vaNiInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts