Boy Old Testament Known
Benaiah
son of the Lord
בְּנָיָ֫הוּ be.na.yah
Benaiah (Hebrew: בְּנָיָ֫הוּ, be.na.yah) means “son of the Lord”, by traditional interpretation. Twelve men in scripture bear the name; the best attested is a king. In 2025 it was given to 181 children in the United States. Use is rising. Around 2,421 Americans have been given it since 1880. Appears with Abiathar in 1 Chronicles 27.
Which Benaiah?
Twelve men in scripture bear this name. Here is each of them.
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Benaiah
son of Jehoiada
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Benaiah
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Benaiah
son of Benaiah
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Benaiah
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Benaiah
father of Jahaziel
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Benaiah
Show all 12 bearers
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Benaiah
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Benaiah
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Benaiah
son of Benaiah
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Benaiah
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Benaiah
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Benaiah
Scripture against society
The two measures, side by side
At a glance
- Verses
- 41 across 6 books
- Bearers
- 12 distinct people in scripture
- Testament
- Old
- Era
- United Monarchy
Using it today
Based on 2025 births across the United States.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| Given in 2025 | 181 | Rising |
| All-time total | 2,421 | Since records begin in 1880 |
| Peak | 181 in 2025 | Its highest year on record |
| Strongest state | TX | Highest share relative to births |
In scripture
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| First appears | 2 Samuel 8:18 |
| Last appears | Ezekiel 11:13 |
| Cross-references | 489 linked passages |
Names connected to this one
- Jehoiada co-occurrence Appears with Jehoiada in 1 Kings 1.
- Jaaziel co-occurrence Appears with Jaaziel in 1 Chronicles 15.
- Shemiramoth co-occurrence Appears with Shemiramoth in 1 Chronicles 15.
- Jehiel co-occurrence Appears with Jehiel in 1 Chronicles 15.
- Eliab co-occurrence Appears with Eliab in 1 Chronicles 15.
- Jeiel co-occurrence Appears with Jeiel in 1 Chronicles 15.
- Zechariah co-occurrence Appears with Zechariah in 1 Chronicles 15.
- Pelatiah co-occurrence Appears with Pelatiah in Ezekiel 11.
Origin & meaning
A man living at the time of Divided Monarchy, first mentioned at 1Ch.15.18
§ Benaiah = "Jehovah has built" or "Yahweh has built up"
1) one of David's mighty warriors, son of Jehoiada the chief priest, a Levite, set by David over his bodyguard, later having remained faithful to Solomon during Adonijah's attempt on the crown, was raised into the place of Joab as commander-in-chief of the army
2) the Pirathonite, an Ephraimite, one of David's thirty mighty warriors, and the captain of the eleventh monthly course
3) a Simeonite, a prince of the families of Simeon
4) a Levite in the time of David who played with a psaltery on Alamoth
5) a priest in the time of David, appointed to blow the trumpet before the ark
6) a Levite of the sons of Asaph
7) a Levite in the time of Hezekiah
8) Four Israelites in the time of Ezra who had taken strange wives
9) the father of Pelatiah
Benaiah, a Levite, played the lyre and served as a gatekeeper during the transfer of the ark to Jerusalem.
The biblical story
Benaiah is mentioned in 1 Chronicles 15-16 as one of the Levites who participated in the transfer of the ark of the covenant from the house of Obed-edom to Jerusalem during the reign of King David. In 1Ch.15.18 and 20, Benaiah is listed among the Levites who were appointed to play the lyre, along with other musicians. This suggests that he was skilled in music and had a designated role in the worship and celebration surrounding the ark. In 1Ch.15.24, Benaiah is also mentioned as one of the gatekeepers for the ark, responsible for its security and proper handling. During the celebration after the ark's successful transfer, Benaiah is once again mentioned as a musician, playing the lyre before the ark (1Ch.16.5-6). These passages highlight Benaiah's multifaceted role as a Levite, serving as both a musician and a gatekeeper in the context of the ark's transfer and the accompanying worship.
Key verses
Benaiah appears in 5 verses. Here are some of the most notable:
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And with them their brethren of the second degree, Zechariah, Ben, and Jaaziel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehiel, and Unni, Eliab, and Benaiah, and Maaseiah, and Mattithiah, and Elipheleh, and Mikneiah, and Obed–edom, and Jeiel, the porters.
1 Chronicles 15:18 -
And Zechariah, and Aziel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehiel, and Unni, and Eliab, and Maaseiah, and Benaiah, with psalteries on Alamoth;
1 Chronicles 15:20 -
And Shebaniah, and Jehoshaphat, and Nethaneel, and Amasai, and Zechariah, and Benaiah, and Eliezer, the priests, did blow with the trumpets before the ark of God: and Obed–edom and Jehiah were doorkeepers for the ark.
1 Chronicles 15:24 -
Asaph the chief, and next to him Zechariah, Jeiel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehiel, and Mattithiah, and Eliab, and Benaiah, and Obed–edom: and Jeiel with psalteries and with harps; but Asaph made a sound with cymbals;
1 Chronicles 16:5 -
Benaiah also and Jahaziel the priests with trumpets continually before the ark of the covenant of God.
1 Chronicles 16:6
Show all 5 references
1 Chronicles (5)
- 1 Chronicles 15:18
- 1 Chronicles 15:20
- 1 Chronicles 15:24
- 1 Chronicles 16:5
- 1 Chronicles 16:6