7441. Rinnah

Lexical Summary

Rinnah: Joyful shouting, singing, cry of joy, rejoicing

Original Word: רִנָּה
Part of Speech: Proper Name Masculine
Transliteration: Rinnah
Pronunciation: rin-naw'
Phonetic Spelling: (rin-naw')
KJV: Rinnah
NASB: Rinnah
Word Origin: [the same as H7440 (רִנָּה - cry)]

1. Rinnah, an Israelite

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

Rinnah

The same as rinnah; Rinnah, an Israelite -- Rinnah.

see HEBREW rinnah

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from ranan
Definition
a man of Judah
NASB Translation
Rinnah (1).

Brown-Driver-Briggs

II. רִנָּה proper name, masculine in Judah 1 Chronicles 4:20; Ανα, A Ραννων, ᵐ5^L Ρεννα.

Topical Lexicon

Meaning and Setting

Rinnah (רִנָּה) is a proper name built upon the Hebrew root רנן, a stem that elsewhere describes jubilant singing or a ringing cry. In the Chronicles genealogy the name stands as a witness to the atmosphere of praise that surrounded many Judahite families and localities.

Biblical Occurrence

1 Chronicles 4:20 is the sole occurrence: “The sons of Shimon: Amnon, Rinnah, Ben-hanan, and Tilon. And the sons of Ishi: Zoheth and Ben-zoheth”.

Historical Context

1. Tribal Placement. The list belongs to the larger Judahite register (1 Chronicles 4:1–23). Though Shimon’s line is mentioned, the Chronicler embeds these men within Judah’s inheritance, reflecting post-exilic realities in which Simeonite remnants were absorbed into Judah’s territory (cf. Joshua 19:1, 9).
2. Post-exilic Purpose. Compiled after the Babylonian captivity, Chronicles retraces covenant roots to assure the restored community that its tribal structures—and therefore its promises—remain intact. Rinnah’s appearance, though brief, supports the meticulous preservation of Judah’s clan lines.
3. Local Significance. Many names in this section eventually became place-names or family designations. Excavations in the Shephelah and Negev reveal Judean settlements whose founders’ names mirror the Chronicles lists, suggesting that Rinnah (or his descendants) may have lent their name to a hamlet or clan enclave.

Theological Insights

• Covenant Memory: By recording even lesser-known sons, Scripture teaches that every covenant participant is remembered by God. Isaiah 49:16 pictures this reality: “Behold, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands.”
• Praise Embedded in Identity: A name meaning “shout of joy” signals that worship is woven into Israelite self-understanding. Psalm 30:5 couples the same root: “Weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing (rinnah) comes in the morning.” Rinnah’s very name proclaims the community’s orientation toward thanksgiving.
• Foreshadowing the Messiah’s Line. The Chronicler’s care for Judah’s branches prepares readers for the emergence of David’s royal line and, ultimately, the Messiah (Matthew 1:3). Each branch, Rinnah included, testifies that God’s redemptive timeline is orderly and uninterrupted.

Ministry Application

1. Valuing Every Believer. Congregations today reflect the genealogical principle that no member is insignificant (1 Corinthians 12:22). Small or obscure service still advances the kingdom.
2. Naming as Testimony. Parents may choose names that declare God’s character—joy, praise, or salvation—reminding children and church alike of their calling to proclaim His deeds (1 Peter 2:9).
3. Corporate Praise. The root idea behind Rinnah challenges worship planners to cultivate gatherings marked by audible, heartfelt rejoicing (Psalm 95:1).

Intertextual Echoes of the Root רנן

Psalm 5:11 “But let all who take refuge in You rejoice; let them ever shout for joy (yarannēnû).”

Psalm 32:11 “Be glad in the LORD and rejoice, you righteous; shout for joy (rinnô) all you upright in heart.”

Habakkuk 3:18 “Yet I will exult in the LORD; I will rejoice (arannēn) in the God of my salvation.”

Though Rinnah the man receives only a brief mention, his name links him to a rich biblical theme: the Spirit-inspired shout that rises from redeemed hearts.

Forms and Transliterations

וְרִנָּ֔ה ורנה wə·rin·nāh wərinnāh

Englishman's Concordance

1 Chronicles 4:20
HEB: שִׁימ֔וֹן אַמְנ֣וֹן וְרִנָּ֔ה בֶּן־ חָנָ֖ן
NAS: [were] Amnon and Rinnah, Benhanan
KJV: [were], Amnon, and Rinnah, Benhanan,
INT: of Shimon Amnon and Rinnah Benhanan birth

1 Occurrence

Strong's Hebrew 7441
1 Occurrence

wə·rin·nāh — 1 Occ.