Lexical Summary Unni: Unni Original Word: עֻנִּי Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Unni From anah; afflicted; Unni, the name of two Israelites -- Unni. see HEBREW anah NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originof uncertain derivation Definition two Levites NASB Translation Unni (3). Brown-Driver-Briggs ענו Kt see עֻנִּי. עֲנוֺק see I. עֲנָק. below, ענז (√ of following; Köii. 1, 38 compare Arabic עֻנִּי proper name, masculine Levites: — 1 1 Chronicles 15:18,20, ωνει, ᵐ5L Ανανιας. 2 Nehemiah 12:9 Qr (Kt ענו), Ιανα(ι) . Topical Lexicon Biblical Context Three men bearing the name עֻנִּי (Unni) appear in Scripture, each connected with Levitical musical ministry. The first two are found in the chronicler’s record of David’s great procession that brought the Ark to Jerusalem (1 Chronicles 15:18, 20). The third serves in the restored temple worship after the exile (Nehemiah 12:9). Together they span more than five hundred years of covenant history, illustrating the enduring place of ordered, skillful praise within Israel’s life. Levitical Identity and Lineage Unni is twice listed among “the sons of Merari,” the youngest branch of the Levitical tribe (compare 1 Chronicles 6:44 and Nehemiah 12:24 for the wider family). The Merarites were originally charged with carrying the boards, pillars, and sockets of the tabernacle (Numbers 4:29-33). By David’s time their descendants had become accomplished singers and instrumentalists (1 Chronicles 6:31-47). That transition from physical to musical service demonstrates the adaptive flexibility of Levitical ministry as Israel moved from tent to temple. Service in David’s Procession When David “clothed all the Levites who were carrying the Ark, all the singers, and Chenaniah the leader of the music with linen robes” (1 Chronicles 15:27), Unni stood in the second rank of musicians (15:18) and again among the harpists (15:20). His assignment is specifically tied to the musical term “according to Alamoth,” a soprano or high-pitched arrangement. The scene highlights several truths: Musical Function and Instruments Harpists such as Unni provided a melodic foundation that lifted and supported congregational singing. In 1 Chronicles 15:20 the harpists were differentiated from those playing lyres “to the Sheminith” (low register) and from trumpeters sounding with cymbals. The careful arrangement of high and low voices mirrors the later Pauline exhortation that worship be done “decently and in order” (1 Corinthians 14:40). It also anticipates the multivoiced praise described in Revelation 5:8-14. Post-exilic Continuity Nehemiah 12:9 records that “Bakbukiah and Unni, their brothers, stood opposite them in the services.” After decades of captivity, a new Unni joins the choir, answering the call to maintain antiphonal praise in the rebuilt temple. The pairing of ancient liturgical forms with renewed zeal underscores the covenant faithfulness of God, who both preserves a remnant and restores their worship. Theological Significance 1. God values generational transmission of worship. From David to Zerubbabel and Nehemiah, the same Levitical families are identified and re-commissioned. Ministerial Lessons • Hidden faithfulness matters. Aside from the lists, Scripture records no speeches, miracles, or songs penned by Unni, yet his obedience is eternally inscribed. Christological and Eschatological Echoes The Ark’s ascent to Zion with singers preceding it prefigures Christ’s triumphal entry into the heavenly sanctuary (Hebrews 9:24). The harpists and trumpeters foreshadow the redeemed who “sing a new song” before the throne (Revelation 14:2-3). Unni’s brief appearances, therefore, are threads in the tapestry that leads from David’s tent to the New Jerusalem, where music never ceases and every redeemed voice finds its place. Forms and Transliterations וְעֻנִּ֡י וְעֻנִּ֣י וְעֻנִּ֧י ועני veunNi wə‘unnî wə·‘un·nîLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 1 Chronicles 15:18 HEB: וּשְׁמִֽירָמ֡וֹת וִיחִיאֵ֣ל ׀ וְעֻנִּ֡י אֱלִיאָ֡ב וּבְנָיָ֡הוּ NAS: Jehiel, Unni, Eliab, KJV: and Jehiel, and Unni, Eliab, INT: Shemiramoth Jehiel Unni Eliab Benaiah 1 Chronicles 15:20 Nehemiah 12:9 3 Occurrences |
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turn aside, whence [from movements] 
goat, compare Assyrian enzu; Syriac 
, construct 
; also 
; 
goat-herd; Phoenician Palmyrene עז; Late Hebrew עֵז (rare)).