Benaiah
Benaiah in the Bible — over the Cherethites and the Pelethites (2SA 8:18), the fifth of "the thirty" of David's men (2SA 23:20). Benaiah belonged to the tribe of Levi. Referenced in 6 scripture passages.
Name meaning: “son of the Lord”
Profile
- Gender
- male
- Tribe
- Levi
- Scripture References
- 6 references
- Known Names
- 1 name
- Relationships
- 5 connections
Biography
Benaiah was a male Levite who held significant military leadership roles under King David. He was notably over the Cherethites and the Pelethites and served as commander of the third division of David's army. He was also recognized as the fifth among "the thirty," an elite group of David's warriors.
Names & Titles
The name Benaiah means "y-h-v-h has built," reflecting a theophoric element that acknowledges God's role in his life. This proper name is recorded in 2 Samuel 8:18.
Family
Benaiah was the son of Jehoiada, as explicitly stated in Scripture. He is also inferred to be the son of Ammizabad. In his role, he was responsible for executing justice by killing Adonijah, Joab, and Shimei, demonstrating his loyalty to the Davidic kingdom.
Significance
Benaiah's importance in the biblical narrative lies in his military leadership and his role in upholding King David's authority. As commander over elite troops and one of David's mighty men, he was entrusted with critical tasks, including carrying out capital judgments against key figures who opposed the king. His service highlights the divine providence and order within David's reign.
Names & Labels (1)
- Hebrew
- בְּנָיָהוּ
- Transliteration
- bənayahu
- Meaning
- y-h-v-h has built
- Greek
- Βαναιας
- Reference
- 2SA 8:18
- Strong's
- H1141
Notes
commander of the third division (1CH 27:5)
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Benaiah in the Bible?
Benaiah was a male Levite who held significant military leadership roles under King David. He was notably over the Cherethites and the Pelethites and served as commander of the third division of David's army. He was also recognized as the fifth among "the thirty," an elite group of David's warriors.
What does the name Benaiah mean?
The name Benaiah means “son of the Lord” according to Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary.