Lexical Definition

‎בְּנָיָה‎ Bᵉnâyâh (ben-aw-yaw') Benaiah ^N:N-M-P
or בּנָיָהוּ Bnâyâhûw (ben-aw-yaw'-hoo); (prolonged) from ‎בָּנָה‎ and ‎יָהּ‎; Jah has built

Benaiah.

• § Benaiah = "Jehovah has built" or "Yahweh has built up"
• Benajah, the name of twelve Israelites

1) one of David's mighty warriors, son of Jehoiada the chief priest, a Levite, set by David over his bodyguard, later having remained faithful to Solomon during Adonijah's attempt on the crown, was raised into the place of Joab as commander-in-chief of the army
2) the Pirathonite, an Ephraimite, one of David's thirty mighty warriors, and the captain of the eleventh monthly course
3) a Simeonite, a prince of the families of Simeon
4) a Levite in the time of David who played with a psaltery on Alamoth
5) a priest in the time of David, appointed to blow the trumpet before the ark
6) a Levite of the sons of Asaph
7) a Levite in the time of Hezekiah
8) Four Israelites in the time of Ezra who had taken strange wives
9) the father of Pelatiah

Extended Information

• A man living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at 2Sa.8.18
• son of: Jehoiada (יְהוֹיָדָע)
• father of: Ammizabad (עַמִּיזָבָד)

Brown-Driver-Briggs

‎בְּנָיָ֫הוּ‎, ‎בְּנָיָה‎ proper name, masculine (Yah hath built up, compare ‎יבנאל‎, Sabean ‎בנאל‎ DHM^{ZMG 1883, 15}) —

1. one of David's captains and heroes, son of Jehoiada, ‎בניהו‎ 2Sam 8:18; 2Sam 23:20; 2Sam 23:22; 1Kgs 1:8; 1Kgs 1:10; 1Kgs 1:26; 1Kgs 1:32; 1Kgs 1:36; 1Kgs 1:38; 1Kgs 1:44; 1Kgs 2:25; 1Kgs 2:29; 1Kgs 2:30 (twice in verse); 1Kgs 2:34; 1Kgs 2:35; 1Kgs 2:46; 1Kgs 4:4; 1Chr 11:24; 1Chr 18:17; 1Chr 27:5; 1Chr 27:6 compare v1Chr 27:34 (see Be); = ‎בניה‎ 2Sam 20:23; 1Chr 11:22.

2. one of David's thirty, ‎בניהו‎ 2Sam 23:30 = ‎בניה‎ 1Chr 11:31; 1Chr 27:14.

3. a Simeonite, ‎בניה‎ 1Chr 4:36.

4. Levites,
a. ‎בניהו‎ 1Chr 15:18; 1Chr 15:20; 1Chr 15:24
b. (id.) 2Chr 31:13
c. ‎בניה‎ 2Chr 20:14.

5. Israelites, ‎בניה‎
a. Ezra 10:25
b. vEzra 10:30
c. vEzra 10:35
d. vEzra 10:43
e. Ezek 11:13 = ‎בניהו‎ vEzek 11:1.

Brown-Driver-Briggs References

Profile

Male • David's warrior • Son of Jehoiada, a mighty warrior and loyal supporter of David and Solomon.

David's compatriot living at the time of United Monarchy

Benaiah, the son of Jehoiada, was a mighty warrior in David's army and later served as the commander of Solomon's army and a key advisor to the king.

• David's compatriot living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at 2Sa.8.18;
• only referred to as Benaiah בְּנָיָה;
• a son of Jehoiada יְהוֹיָדָע;
• father of Ammizabad עַמִּיזָבָד.

Benaiah, the son of Jehoiada, was a prominent figure during the reigns of King David and King Solomon. He is first mentioned as one of David's mighty men, known for his bravery and military prowess (2 Samuel 23:20-23; 1 Chronicles 11:22-25). Benaiah's exploits included killing two warriors of Moab, a lion in a pit on a snowy day, and an Egyptian giant. He was highly respected and held leadership positions in David's army, such as being the head of the king's bodyguard (2 Samuel 8:18; 20:23). During the succession crisis at the end of David's reign, Benaiah remained loyal to Solomon and played a crucial role in establishing him as king (1 Kings 1:8, 10, 32-44). He carried out Solomon's orders to execute Adonijah, Joab, and Shimei, effectively removing potential threats to the new king's reign (1 Kings 2:25, 29-46). Under Solomon's rule, Benaiah served as the commander of the army (1 Kings 4:4) and was part of the king's inner circle of advisors. His loyalty, military skills, and unwavering support for the Davidic dynasty made him an invaluable asset to both David and Solomon.

All entries for Benaiah: בְּנָיָה

Related Profiles:

• Jehoiada (father)
• Ammizabad (child)