Lexical Summary Chanani: Hanani Original Word: חֲנָני Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Hanani From chanan; gracious; Chanani, the name of six Israelites -- Hanani. see HEBREW chanan NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom chanan Definition the name of several Isr. NASB Translation Hanani (11). Brown-Driver-Briggs חֲנָנִי proper name, masculine (perhaps abbreviated from following); — 1 father of the prophet Jehu 1 Kings 16:1,7; 2Chronicles 16:7; 19:2; 20:34. 2 brother of Nehemiah Nehemiah 1:2; Nehemiah 7:2. 3 a chief musician of David 1 Chronicles 25:4,25. 4 a chief musician in time of Nehemiah Nehemiah 12:36. 5 a priest of Ezra's time Ezra 10:20. Topical Lexicon OverviewThe name חֲנָני (Hanani) is borne by at least four distinct individuals in the Old Testament, appearing eleven times across the historical books. Together they illustrate prophetic courage, musical service, priestly repentance, and administrative faithfulness. Hanani the Seer of Judah 2 Chronicles 16:7–10 portrays Hanani as a “seer” who confronted King Asa after the king enlisted Aram’s help instead of relying on the LORD. His fearless rebuke—“Because you have relied on the king of Aram and not on the LORD your God, the army of the king of Aram has escaped from your hand” (verse 7)—cost him imprisonment (verse 10) but solidified the prophetic principle that trust in worldly alliances invites divine displeasure. Hanani’s ministry extended to the next generation through his son Jehu, also a prophet (1 Kings 16:1; 2 Chronicles 19:2), confirming a legacy of speaking truth to power. Hanani the Father of Jehu In 1 Kings 16:1, 7 and 2 Chronicles 19:2; 20:34, Hanani is referenced as the father of Jehu the prophet. These notices root Jehu’s authority in a prophetic household, suggesting that Hanani’s faithfulness influenced national history beyond his own lifetime. The chronicler’s final allusion—“recorded in the Chronicles of Jehu son of Hanani” (2 Chronicles 20:34)—shows that the family preserved written testimonies of God’s dealings with the kings. Hanani the Musician 1 Chronicles 25:4, 25 lists Hanani among the sons of Heman whom David appointed “for the ministry of prophesying, accompanied by harps, lyres, and cymbals” (25:1). As the seventeenth lot (25:4) and later leading the eighteenth course (25:25), this Hanani contributed to the temple’s twenty-four-course rotation that maintained unbroken praise. His inclusion highlights how prophetic utterance and musical excellence met in Davidic worship. Hanani the Post-Exilic Priest Ezra 10:20 names Hanani among the priests who had intermarried with foreign women and who “pledged to send away their wives” (Ezra 10:19). His willingness to repent safeguarded the sanctity of the priesthood and underscored the call to covenant purity that marked Ezra’s reforms. Hanani the Brother of Nehemiah Nehemiah’s memoir opens: “Hanani, one of my brothers, arrived from Judah” (Nehemiah 1:2). His report of Jerusalem’s broken walls stirred Nehemiah’s famous prayer and the subsequent rebuilding mission. Later Nehemiah “put my brother Hanani in charge of Jerusalem… because he was a faithful man who feared God more than most” (Nehemiah 7:2). Hanani’s integrity and reverence qualified him for civic oversight during a fragile phase of restoration. He also joined the dedicatory procession with musical instruments (Nehemiah 12:36), linking administrative responsibility with joyful worship. Ministry Significance Prophetic Accountability Hanani the seer embodies the divine mandate to confront ungodly compromise, proving that even righteous kings must bow to the covenant. Generational Influence By fathering Jehu, Hanani shows how faithfulness can shape successive ministries and preserve inspired history. Worship Leadership The musician Hanani reminds believers that skilled artistry, grounded in prophecy, magnifies God’s glory in corporate worship. Holiness and Repentance The priest Hanani demonstrates that leaders must model repentance, ensuring that worship is not corrupted by disobedience. Faithful Governance Nehemiah’s brother illustrates that civic administration belongs in the hands of those whose primary loyalty is to God. Theological Themes 1. Reliance on the LORD versus human alliances (2 Chronicles 16). Lessons for Today • Confront sin even when costly; God honors fearless obedience. Hanani’s scattered mentions weave a single tapestry: God raises diverse servants—prophets, musicians, priests, administrators—who, despite differing roles, share one indispensable trait: unwavering devotion to the LORD. Forms and Transliterations חֲנָ֔נִי חֲנָ֖נִי חֲנָ֗נִי חֲנָ֘נִי֮ חֲנָ֜נִי חֲנָ֣נִי חנני לַחֲנָ֔נִי לחנני chaNani ḥă·nā·nî ḥănānî la·ḥă·nā·nî lachaNani laḥănānîLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 1 Kings 16:1 HEB: יֵה֣וּא בֶן־ חֲנָ֔נִי עַל־ בַּעְשָׁ֖א NAS: the son of Hanani against KJV: the son of Hanani against Baasha, INT: Jehu the son of Hanani against Baasha 1 Kings 16:7 1 Chronicles 25:4 1 Chronicles 25:25 2 Chronicles 16:7 2 Chronicles 19:2 2 Chronicles 20:34 Ezra 10:20 Nehemiah 1:2 Nehemiah 7:2 Nehemiah 12:36 11 Occurrences |
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