מְבֻנַּי
Mebunnai, an Israelite
Definition
Mebunnai is a proper name referring to a specific individual in the Old Testament. He is identified as one of King David's mighty warriors, known as the 'Thirty' or the 'Thirty-Seven' (2 Samuel 23:8-39). The name itself means 'built up' or 'constructed,' likely signifying a hope for strength or establishment. As a personal name, it carries no other major senses or meanings beyond identifying this single historical figure.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only once in the entire Old Testament, in 2 Samuel 23:27. It appears in a military roster listing the names of David's most valiant warriors. The context is a historical record of loyalty and military service to the king during the establishment of his kingdom.
Etymology
The name Mebunnai (מְבֻנַּי) is derived from the passive participle form of the Hebrew root בָּנָה (bānâ, H1129), meaning 'to build.' The name literally translates as 'built up' or 'constructed.' It is a theophoric name, implying that the person is 'built up' by God, similar to names like Benjamin ('son of the right hand').
Semantic Range
While the name itself is not theologically dense, its appearance among David's warriors connects it to the theme of God building and establishing His kingdom through faithful servants. Understanding the name's meaning ('built up') can enrich the reading of 2 Samuel 23, highlighting that the strength of David's kingdom was composed of individuals, each significant in God's plan. It subtly points to God as the ultimate builder of His people and His royal line.
In ancient Israelite culture, names were often descriptive or expressed a hope or characteristic. 'Mebunnai' reflects a value placed on stability, strength, and being established—qualities highly prized in a warrior. Being listed among David's mighty men was a great honor, denoting exceptional bravery, loyalty, and skill in battle.
Benaiah (בְּנָיָה, H1141) — Another of David's mighty men; name means 'Yahweh has built.'
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.
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