לִבְנִי
𐤋𐤁𐤍𐤉
Libnîy
H3845 noun
SILEX Entry
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
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot 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 |