The meaning of Benaiah in the Bible
(From International Standard Bible Encyclopedia)
be-na'-ya, be-ni'-a (benayah, benayahu, "Yahweh has built." Compare HPN, 182, 265, 268):
(1) Benaiah, the son of Jehoiada of Kabzeel (compare Joshua 15:21), was a man of "mighty deeds" and was more honorable than any of the mighty men of David except the three chiefs. Therefore David made him his chief counselor (II Samuel 23:23 m; compare I Chronicles 27:34 where the order of names seems to be reversed) and set him over the Cherethites (compare Carites, II Kings 11:4 ff. and margin) and Pelethites and he was made the 3rd captain of the host and chief over the course of the 3rd month (I Chronicles 27:5 f.; II Samuel 8:18; II Samuel 20:23; I Chronicles 18:17; II Samuel 23:20 ff.; II Samuel 11:22 ff.). Being a true friend of David (compare II Samuel 15:18) he did not take part in the usurpation of Adonijah (I Kings 1:8, I Kings 1:10, I Kings 1:26), and was therefore with others chosen by the king to proclaim Solomon king over Israel (I Kings 1:32 ff.) and later by Solomon to execute Adonijah (I Kings 2:25), Joab (I Kings 2:29 ff.), and Shimei (I Kings 2:46). In recognition of his services Solomon appointed him over the host in Joab's place (I Kings 2:35; I Kings 4:4).
(2) Benaiah, a Pirathonite (compare Judges 12:13, Judges 12:15), was one of David's 30 mighty men (II Samuel 23:30; I Chronicles 11:31). He was captain over the course of the 11th month numbering 24,000 (I Chronicles 27:14).
(3) A ruler of the house of Simeon (I Chronicles 4:36).
(4) A Levite of second degree appointed as singer (I Chronicles 15:18) with "psalteries Set to Alamoth" (I Chronicles 15:20; I Chronicles 16:5).
(5) A priest appointed "to blow the trumpet before the ark of God" (I Chronicles 15:24; I Chronicles 16:6).
(6) The father of Jehoiada (I Chronicles 27:34), but see (1) above.
(7) An ancestor of Jahaziel of the house of Asaph (II Chronicles 20:14).
(8) An overseer in the service of Hezekiah (II Chronicles 31:13).
(9, 10, 11, 12) Four different men of Israel who had taken "strange wives" (Ezra 10:25, Ezra 10:30, Ezra 10:35, Ezra 10:43).
(13) The father of Pelatiah who was seen by Ezekiel in his vision (Ezekiel 11:1, Ezekiel 11:13).
A. L. Breslich
See more on the meaning of Benaiah in the Bible:
Benaiah {Easton's Bible Dictionary}
Benaiah {Hitchcock's Bible Name}
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