Lexical Summary Benayahu or Benayah: Benaiah Original Word: בְּנָיָה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Benaiah Or (prolonged) Bnayahuw {ben-aw-yaw'-hoo}; from banah and Yahh; Jah has built; Benajah, the name of twelve Israelites -- Benaiah. see HEBREW banah see HEBREW Yahh NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom banah and Yah Definition "Yah has built up," the name of several Isr. NASB Translation Benaiah (42). Brown-Driver-Briggs בְּנָיָ֫הוּ, בְּנָיָה proper name, masculine (Yah hath built up, compare יבנאל, Sabean בנאל DHMZMG 1883, 15) — 1 one of David's captains and heroes, son of Jehoiada, בניהו 2 Samuel 8:18; 2 Samuel 23:20,22; 1 Kings 1:8,10,26,32,36,38,44; 1 Kings 2:25,29,30 (twice in verse); 1 Kings 2:34; 1 Kings 2:35; 1 Kings 2:46; 1 Kings 4:4; 1 Chronicles 11:24; 1 Chronicles 18:17; 1 Chronicles 27:5,6 compare 1 Chronicles 27:34 (see Be); = בניה 2 Samuel 20:23; 1 Chronicles 11:22. 2 one of David's thirty, בניהו 2 Samuel 23:30 = בניה 1 Chronicles 11:31; 1 Chronicles 27:14. 3 a Simeonite, בניה 1 Chronicles 4:36. 4 Levites, a. בניהו 1 Chronicles 15:18,20,24; b. (id.) 2 Chronicles 31:13; c. בניה2Chronicles 20:14. 5 Israelites, בניה a. Ezra 10:25; b. Ezra 10:30; c. Ezra 10:35; d. Ezra 10:43; e. Ezekiel 11:13 = בניהו Ezekiel 11:1. Topical Lexicon Occurrences and Distribution בְּנָיָה (Benaiah) appears about forty-two times across the Old Testament. The name identifies at least twelve distinct men who served in military, priestly, Levitical, and civic roles from the monarchy through the post-exilic period. Though varying in vocation, each reference contributes to a composite picture of courageous, covenant-minded service rendered to the Lord and His people. Benaiah son of Jehoiada The most prominent bearer of the name is the son of Jehoiada, a valiant man from Kabzeel (2 Samuel 23:20). Scripture traces his life through the reigns of David and Solomon. • Heroic deeds. “He struck down two heroes of Moab. On a snowy day, he also went down into a pit and killed a lion” (2 Samuel 23:20). He further “struck down an imposing Egyptian” with the foreigner’s own spear (23:21). These exploits rank him above the “Thirty” yet below the first tier of “The Three” (23:22–23). • Captain of the bodyguard. As head of the Cherethites and Pelethites (2 Samuel 8:18; 20:23), he safeguarded David’s person and throne. The post demanded both martial expertise and unwavering loyalty as David weathered internal revolts and foreign wars. • Loyalist at the royal succession. When Adonijah attempted to seize the throne, “Benaiah son of Jehoiada, Nathan the prophet, Shimei and Rei, and David’s mighty men were not with Adonijah” (1 Kings 1:8). Instead Benaiah sided with the dying king’s expressed will and accompanied Solomon’s anointing at Gihon (1:32-40). His ringing affirmation, “Amen! May the LORD, the God of my lord the king, so declare it” (1:36), frames him as a man who submits to divine sovereignty rather than political expediency. • Instrument of righteous judgment. Under Solomon’s orders he executed Adonijah (1 Kings 2:25), Joab (2:29-34), and Shimei (2:46), purging blood-guilt from the kingdom in fulfillment of David’s final instructions (2:5-9). • Commander in chief. “The king appointed Benaiah son of Jehoiada over the army in Joab’s place” (1 Kings 2:35). By 1 Kings 4:4 he stands among Solomon’s highest officials. Across these scenes Benaiah models courage, moral clarity, and covenant faithfulness that help secure Israel’s united monarchy. Other Military Figures Named Benaiah 1. Benaiah the Pirathonite—listed among the Thirty (2 Samuel 23:30; 1 Chronicles 11:31). These men display the breadth of loyal warriors beyond the famous son of Jehoiada, underscoring that valor was not monopolized by a single tribe or pedigree. Levitical Musicians and Gatekeepers A separate Benaiah (or possibly more than one) appears repeatedly in the liturgical reforms associated with the Ark’s relocation and the establishment of temple worship: • Listed among the Levites appointed to play instruments of “triangled harps tuned to Alamoth” (1 Chronicles 15:20). His service highlights the union of musical excellence and priestly responsibility, pointing to the holistic worship God desires—combining skilled artistry with sanctified hearts. Priests and Spiritual Leaders 1. Benaiah, leader of the house of Jehoiarib, signs Nehemiah’s covenant of national repentance (Nehemiah 10:13). These occurrences portray Benaiah-descended priests as teachers and guardians of spiritual fidelity during times of reform. Post-Exilic Disciplinary Lists Three separate clans include men named Benaiah who had married foreign wives contrary to the Law and were required to put them away (Ezra 10:25, 30, 43). Their presence in a public register of repentance illustrates both the pervasiveness of the name and the seriousness with which covenant transgression was addressed after the exile. Theological and Practical Lessons 1. Courage tempered by obedience. The son of Jehoiada’s fearlessness is repeatedly presented in tandem with submission to divine and royal authority, showing that true bravery serves righteous ends. Christological Foreshadowing Benaiah son of Jehoiada—warrior who descends into a pit to slay a lion “on a snowy day”—anticipates the Messiah who would descend into death to defeat “the lion that roars” (1 Peter 5:8) and rise triumphant. Likewise, his role in cleansing the kingdom parallels the greater Son of David who will ultimately purge wickedness and reign in perfect justice (Revelation 19:11-16). Summary The many men named בְּנָיָה sketch a portrait of steadfast service in the army, the sanctuary, and the community. Whether defending Israel’s throne, leading worship, teaching the Law, or correcting national sin, each occurrence reinforces the biblical conviction that the Lord builds (root of the name: “Yah builds”) His people through courageous, obedient servants. Forms and Transliterations בְּ֠נָיָה בְּנָיָ֖ה בְּנָיָ֖הוּ בְּנָיָ֙הוּ֙ בְּנָיָ֣הוּ בְּנָיָ֤ה בְּנָיָ֤הוּ בְּנָיָ֥ה בְּנָיָ֧הוּ בְּנָיָ֨ה בְּנָיָֽה׃ בְנָיָ֛הוּ בְנָיָ֜הוּ בניה בניה׃ בניהו וְלִבְנָיָ֖הוּ וְלִבְנָיָ֧הוּ וּבְנָיָ֑הוּ וּבְנָיָ֙הוּ֙ וּבְנָיָ֜הוּ וּבְנָיָ֡הוּ וּבְנָיָ֣הוּ וּבְנָיָ֤הוּ וּבְנָיָ֥הוּ וּבְנָיָ֨הוּ וּבְנָיָֽה׃ וּבְנָיָה֙ וּבְנָיָהוּ֩ ובניה ובניה׃ ובניהו ולבניהו bə·nā·yā·hū ḇə·nā·yā·hū bə·nā·yāh benaYah bənāyāh benaYahu bənāyāhū ḇənāyāhū ū·ḇə·nā·yā·hū ū·ḇə·nā·yāh ūḇənāyāh ūḇənāyāhū uvenaYah uvenaYahu velivnaYahu venaYahu wə·liḇ·nā·yā·hū wəliḇnāyāhūLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 2 Samuel 8:18 HEB: וּבְנָיָ֙הוּ֙ בֶּן־ יְה֣וֹיָדָ֔ע NAS: Benaiah the son of Jehoiada KJV: And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada INT: Benaiah the son of Jehoiada 2 Samuel 20:23 2 Samuel 23:20 2 Samuel 23:22 2 Samuel 23:30 1 Kings 1:8 1 Kings 1:10 1 Kings 1:26 1 Kings 1:32 1 Kings 1:36 1 Kings 1:38 1 Kings 1:44 1 Kings 2:25 1 Kings 2:29 1 Kings 2:30 1 Kings 2:30 1 Kings 2:34 1 Kings 2:35 1 Kings 2:46 1 Kings 4:4 1 Chronicles 4:36 1 Chronicles 11:22 1 Chronicles 11:24 1 Chronicles 11:31 1 Chronicles 15:18 42 Occurrences |
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