בּוּנָה
Bunah, an Israelite
Definition
Bunah is a proper name given to an individual in the genealogy of Judah, specifically as a son of Jerahmeel (1 Chronicles 2:25). As a proper noun, it refers solely to this one person within the biblical record. The name itself is derived from a Hebrew root meaning 'understanding' or 'discretion,' suggesting the name may have carried a positive connotation of wisdom. No other meanings or applications of the word are found in the Hebrew Bible.
Biblical Usage
The word בּוּנָה (Bunah) is used only once in the Old Testament, in the genealogical list of 1 Chronicles 2:25. It functions strictly as a personal name identifying one of the sons of Jerahmeel, who was a descendant of Judah. This places Bunah within the tribe of Judah, a lineage of theological importance for the Davidic monarchy and, later, Christian messianic expectation. There are no other contexts or patterns of usage.
Etymology
The name Bunah is derived from the Hebrew root בִּין (bîn, H995), which means 'to understand, to discern, to have insight.' It is related to nouns like תְּבוּנָה (tᵉbûnâh, H8394), meaning 'understanding' or 'intelligence.' As a proper name, Bunah likely means 'Understanding' or 'Discretion,' serving as a meaningful name that reflects a desirable character trait.
Semantic Range
While the individual Bunah is not a major biblical figure, his inclusion in the genealogy of Judah (1 Chronicles 2:3-55) is theologically significant. This genealogy establishes the lineage of David and, ultimately, Jesus Christ (Matthew 1:3-6, Luke 3:31-33). Every name in this list contributes to the preservation of the messianic line. Furthermore, the meaning of his name, 'understanding,' subtly points to the wisdom that should characterize God's people, a theme prevalent in the wisdom literature connected to the tribe of Judah.
In ancient Israelite culture, names were often descriptive and carried meaning related to circumstances at birth, parental hopes, or character traits. Naming a child 'Understanding' (Bunah) reflected a value placed on wisdom and discernment within the community. This differs from modern naming conventions, where the meaning is often secondary to sound or family tradition. His placement in a detailed genealogy underscores the importance of lineage, tribal identity, and inheritance rights in Israelite society.
There are no direct synonyms for this proper name. However, it shares its root with: תְּבוּנָה (tᵉbûnâh, H8394) — the common noun for 'understanding' or 'intelligence,' as used in Proverbs and Job.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
Full methodology & sources →