Lexical Summary Binnuwy: Binnui Original Word: בִּנּוּי Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Binnui From banah; built up; Binnui, an Israelite -- Binnui. see HEBREW banah Brown-Driver-Briggs בִּנּוּי proper name, masculine 1. head of a family that returned with Zerubbabel Nehemiah 7:15 (= בָּנִי "" Ezra 2:10 & perhaps Ezra 10:34 compare SmListen 14; but BeRy proposes here בִּגְוַי). 2 a Levite of Ezra's time Ezra 8:33; Nehemiah 10:10 (properly = בָּנִי Nehemiah 8:7, בֻּנִּי Nehemiah 9:4) Nehemiah 12:8; compare Nehemiah 3:24 (בַּוַי, textual error Nehemiah 3:18) see BeRy; also Ezra 2:40 = Nehemiah 7:43 לִבְּנֵי read perhaps לְבִנֻּי compare SmListen 16 but BeRy otherwise; compare further GrGeschichte.ii.2, 389. 3 Israelites of Ezra's time, a. Ezra 10:30; b. Ezra 10:38. Topical Lexicon Name and Distinct Bearers The name בִּנּוּי (Binnui) is shared by several post-exilic Israelites whose lives are recorded exclusively in Ezra and Nehemiah. At least three identifiable men carry the name: (1) a Levite father of Noadiah (Ezra 8:33); (2) a head of the Pahath-Moab family who participated in the divorce of foreign wives (Ezra 10:30, Ezra 10:38; cf. Nehemiah 7:15); and (3) Binnui son of Henadad, an influential Levite who helped rebuild the wall, signed the renewed covenant, and served in temple worship (Nehemiah 3:24; Nehemiah 10:9; Nehemiah 12:8). Occurrences in Scripture Ezra 8:33; Ezra 10:30; Ezra 10:38; Nehemiah 3:24; Nehemiah 7:15; Nehemiah 10:9; Nehemiah 12:8. Historical Context Every mention of Binnui falls within the second half of the fifth century B.C., during the leadership of Ezra and Nehemiah. The remnant that returned from Babylon faced external opposition, internal compromise, and the colossal tasks of rebuilding Jerusalem’s wall, repopulating the city, and restoring pure worship. The various men named Binnui represent families whose choices either advanced or threatened those goals. Contribution to Jerusalem’s Reconstruction Nehemiah 3:24 highlights the diligence of “Binnui son of Henadad [who] repaired another section, from the house of Azariah to the Angle and to the corner”. His work on the western wall helped secure the city’s most vulnerable points. That a Levite took up masonry underscores the unified effort of priests, Levites, nobles, and commoners, each accepting whatever task was needed to make God’s city safe again. Participation in Spiritual Reform 1. Separation from Foreign Wives – Ezra’s call for holiness demanded painful obedience. Among “the descendants of Pahath-moab: … Binnui” (Ezra 10:30) who had married pagan women. By sending those wives away, Binnui and his kin affirmed that covenant fidelity outweighed personal comfort. Service in Temple Worship Nehemiah 12:8 lists Binnui among the Levites “in charge of the songs of thanksgiving.” His inclusion with Jeshua, Kadmiel, and Sherebiah indicates musical leadership and doctrinal instruction (cf. Nehemiah 8:7). Having helped erect the wall, he then helped fill its courts with praise—a seamless transition from physical to spiritual labor. Genealogical Influence Nehemiah 7:15 records “the sons of Binnui, six hundred forty-eight” returning to Judah. Such numbers signify both the fruitfulness of the family and their corporate commitment to restoration. The appearance of “descendants of Binnui” in Ezra 10:38 further shows how one man’s stance for holiness influenced an entire clan. Theological Observations • Holiness and Restoration Walk Together – The narrative arc moves from rebuilding stones (Nehemiah 3) to rebuilding lives (Ezra 10), teaching that structural security and moral purity are inseparable in God’s economy. Summary Binnui stands as a composite testimony to covenant loyalty in the post-exilic era. Whether repairing Jerusalem’s defenses, correcting familial compromise, or leading worship, the various bearers of this name illustrate how God uses committed individuals and families to restore, purify, and rejoice in His dwelling place among His people. Forms and Transliterations בִּנּ֕וּי בִּנּ֖וּי בִּנּ֛וּי בִנּ֔וּי בנוי וּבִנּ֖וּי ובנוי bin·nui ḇin·nui binnui ḇinnui ū·ḇin·nui ūḇinnui uvinNui vinNuiLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Ezra 8:33 HEB: וְנֽוֹעַדְיָ֥ה בֶן־ בִּנּ֖וּי הַלְוִיִּֽם׃ NAS: and Noadiah the son of Binnui. KJV: the son of Binnui, Levites; INT: and Noadiah the son of Binnui them the Levites Ezra 10:30 Ezra 10:38 Nehemiah 3:24 Nehemiah 7:15 Nehemiah 10:9 Nehemiah 12:8 7 Occurrences |
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