Who was Binnui in the Bible?

Binnui was a Levite who returned from the Babylonian exile. He is specifically mentioned as one of the men who helped weigh the silver and gold temple vessels being brought back to Jerusalem (Ezra 8:33).

What did Binnui do in the book of Ezra?

Binnui's key recorded action was assisting in the careful accounting of the sacred temple treasures. He, along with others, weighed and recorded the offerings to ensure their safe delivery for use in the rebuilt temple (Ezra 8:33).

Why is Binnui's role in Ezra significant?

His role highlights the meticulous care and faithfulness of the returning exiles in restoring proper worship. By carefully handling the temple vessels, figures like Binnui demonstrated reverence for God's house and its rituals during a crucial restoration period.

Binnui

Old TestamentExile & ReturnMaleLevite

Binnui, a Levite, was among those who weighed the temple vessels brought back from Babylon.

Binnui

Biography

This Binnui was a Levite entrusted with the critical responsibility of receiving and weighing the sacred temple vessels brought back from Babylon to Jerusalem, as recorded in Ezra 8:33. Acting alongside Meremoth son of Uriah the priest, and with the assistance of Eleazar son of Phinehas and Jozabad son of Jeshua, Binnui helped ensure the precise accountability of these holy items. The vessels, originally plundered from Solomon's temple by Nebuchadnezzar, had been kept by Cyrus and later entrusted to Ezra for the return journey. Their careful documentation upon arrival signified both the sanctity of the objects and the restored community's commitment to transparent stewardship of what belonged to God. Binnui's Levitical role made him a fitting custodian for this solemn task.

Significance

Binnui's role in receiving and weighing the temple vessels at Jerusalem (Ezra 8:33) carries rich symbolic and theological meaning. The return of the sacred vessels from Babylon was itself a prophetic sign that God was restoring his presence among his people. The prophet Isaiah had spoken of a second exodus (Isaiah 52:11-12), and the return of temple treasures was a tangible token of divine faithfulness. By assigning Levites to weigh and record every item, Ezra modeled the principle that stewardship of holy things demands scrupulous honesty and accountability. Binnui's faithful service in this moment reflects the broader calling of God's people to handle what is sacred with reverence, integrity, and communal oversight.

Verse Appearances (1)

Ezra

Ezra 8:33

References

Orr, J. (ed.) (1915) The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Chicago: Howard-Severance Company. [Public Domain]
Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Translators Individualised Proper Names with all References (TIPNR). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
Wikidata contributors (n.d.) Wikidata. Available at: https://www.wikidata.org. [CC0]
Church of England (1769) The Holy Bible, Authorized (King James) Version. [Public Domain]

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