עֲנָנִי

Anani, an Israelite

Definition

Anani is a proper name meaning 'my cloud' or 'cloudy,' derived from the Hebrew root for cloud (עָנָן). In the Bible, Anani appears as the name of an Israelite, specifically a descendant of David's royal line. He is listed in 1 Chronicles 3:24 as one of the sons of Elioenai, belonging to the post-exilic generation of Judah's genealogy. The name carries the literal sense of 'cloud,' but as a personal name, it functions primarily as an identifier within a familial and historical context, with no additional symbolic meanings attached in its single biblical occurrence.

Biblical Usage

The word is used exactly once in the Old Testament, in 1 Chronicles 3:24. It functions solely as a proper name within a genealogical list tracing the lineage of King David. The context is post-exilic, recording the descendants of Zerubbabel. There are no patterns of usage beyond this singular historical record.

Etymology

The name Anani (עֲנָנִי) is a derivative of the Hebrew noun עָנָן (ʿānān, H6051), meaning 'cloud.' It is formed with the first-person singular possessive suffix (ִי-, -î), giving it the meaning 'my cloud.' This follows a common Hebrew pattern for creating personal names from nouns, often expressing a relationship with God or a natural phenomenon (e.g., 'my rock,' 'my light').

Semantic Range

In ancient Israelite culture, names were often significant, conveying meaning or hope. A name derived from 'cloud' could evoke various associations, such as God's guidance (as in the pillar of cloud in Exodus) or, more generally, a natural element. However, for Anani, the specific theological connotation is not developed in the biblical text; it simply serves as a personal identifier within a genealogy, a common practice for preserving family lineage and tribal identity, especially after the exile.

עָנָן (ʿānān, H6051) — The root noun meaning 'cloud,' from which the proper name is derived.

Word Details

Scripture References