לִבְנִי

𐤋𐤁𐤍𐤉

Libnîy

H3845 noun

SILEX Entry

Root לבן to be white, whiten; to make white

Definition

Personal name meaning 'white' or 'whitish.' Refers specifically to Libni, a descendant of Gershon son of Levi, and progenitor of the Libnite clan within the Israelite tribal structure. In genealogical and narrative texts, the term functions exclusively as a proper noun identifying specific individuals and lineages.

Semantic Range

proper name—Libni, ancestor of the Libnites; clan of the Levites; derivative form of 'white' used only as a personal name

Root / Etymology

From the root לָבַן (lbn), meaning 'to be white' or 'white.' The form לִבְנִי (Libnî) is constructed with a formative 'i'-ending that can indicate descent or relation ('my whiteness' or 'white one, descendant of whiteness'), a standard pattern for Hebrew personal and clan names.

Historical & Contextual Notes

The name לִבְנִי (Libni) appears in the Pentateuchal priestly traditions (e.g., Exodus 6:17; Numbers 3:18; 1 Chronicles 6:2, 17) as a Levitical ancestor, specifically as the son of Gershon, himself son of Levi. This establishes the Libnite clan among the Gershonite Levites in priestly and administrative genealogies. The name reflects descriptive naming customs found in ancient Israel, often referencing physical attributes or symbolic qualities—in this case, 'white' or 'whitish.' English translations sometimes render 'Libni' as part of census lists or ancestral rosters without additional comment. The term 'Israelite' as used in older glosses accurately reflects the ethnic/clan context; the English 'Jew' is anachronistic for this period. No evidence suggests broader usage beyond the identification of this specific individual and his descendants. The related name לָבָן (Laban) is etymologically similar but refers to a different figure and does not denote a tribal or clan group.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from לָבַן; white; Libni, an Israelite; Libni.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

בנה (b-n-h) — build, construct, establish family

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H1004 בַּיִת in the houses
H1005 בַּיִת the built-house
H1006 בַּיִת the house
H1007 בֵּית אָוֶן house-of
H1008 בֵּית־אֵל in house of

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H3845-01 לִבְנִ֥י liveni HNp Libni to my son 5

Occurrences in Scripture

5 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H3845-01 Exodus 6:17 לִבְנִ֥י liveni HNp Libni to my son
H3845-01 Numbers 3:18 לִבְנִ֖י liveni HNp Libni to my son
H3845-01 1 Chronicles 6:2 לִבְנִ֥י liveni HNp Libni to my son
H3845-01 1 Chronicles 6:5 לִבְנִ֥י liveni HNp Libni to my son
H3845-01 1 Chronicles 6:14 לִבְנִ֥י liveni HNp Libni to my son