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לִבְנִי

𐤋𐤁𐤍𐤉

Libnîy

H3846 noun

SILEX Entry

Root לבן to be white, to make white

Definition

Libni — the ethnicon or patronymic designating a descendant of Libni, an individual identified as a member of the Libnites (a Levitical clan). Primarily denotes clan membership among the Levites, specifically as descendants of Libni, who was a son of Gershon (one of Levi's sons). Used collectively for members of this group. In broader biblical contexts, the term functions mainly as an identifier, distinguishing lineage within the Levitical tribe.

Semantic Range

descendant of Libni, member of the Libnite clan, collective of Libnites (Levitical subgroup)

Root / Etymology

From the root לָבַן (l-b-n), meaning 'to be white' or 'white.' The name Libni, and thus לִבְנִי (Libni) as a patronymic, likely derives from this root, with the formation denoting 'white one' or ‘whitish.’ However, its function as a proper noun/patronymic in this context is as a family-clan name. The -î ending marks descent or association.

Historical & Contextual Notes

The designation לִבְנִי is used in genealogical, priestly, and census passages to specify a sub-group within the Gershonite Levites (e.g., Numbers 3:18, 3:21; 26:58; 1 Chronicles 6:2, 6:17). Biblical usage reflects its administrative function for organization and service duties within the Israelite sanctuary and, later, the Temple. The term is strictly genealogical, without broader social or religious connotations. English translations using 'Libnite' or 'descendant of Libni' are accurate for its contextual biblical usage but may obscure its clan-based nature. The term’s meaning does not shift across periods but becomes functionally obsolete with the loss of Levitical divisions after the Second Temple period. Distinguished from other Levite clan names such as 'Shimei' or 'Kohathite,' each reflecting subgroups of the Levitical tribe.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

patronymically from לִבְנִי; a Libnite or descendants of Libni (collectively); Libnites.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

לבן (l-b-n) — to be white, to make white

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H3828 לְבוֹנָה frankincense resin
H3829 לְבוֹנָה to Lebonah
H3835 לָבַן I will whiten
H3836 לָבָן the white one
H3837 לָבָן with Laban

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H3846-01 הַ/לִּבְנִ֔י haliveni HTd/Ngmsa the Libnite the White-one clansman 2

Occurrences in Scripture

2 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H3846-01 Numbers 3:21 הַ/לִּבְנִ֔י haliveni HTd/Ngmsa the Libnite the White-one clansman
H3846-01 Numbers 26:58 הַ/לִּבְנִ֜י haliveni HTd/Ngmsa the Libnite the White-one clansman
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