Binnui, Father of Noadiah
A Levite during the post-exilic return to Jerusalem whose son, Noadiah, assisted in the critical task of accounting for the temple's gold and silver.
Binnui was a Levite who lived during the pivotal era of the Exile and Return. He is primarily identified in the biblical record through his son, Noadiah, who served as a prominent liturgical and administrative assistant during the repatriation of the Jewish people from Babylon to Jerusalem under the leadership of Ezra the Scribe.
His place in the biblical narrative is specifically linked to the Year 458 BC, the second major wave of returnees. While Binnui himself is not described as participating in the journey, his lineage was integral to the restoration of the sacrificial system and the securing of the temple treasury, which had been funded by the Persian King Artaxerxes.
Background and Family
Binnui lived during the post-exilic period, an era defined by the return of the Jewish remnants from Babylon to Judea. He is identified as a Levite, belonging to the tribe set apart for the service of the Tabernacle and later the Temple. While the biblical text in Ezra 8:33 focuses on the actions of his son, Noadiah, the mention of Binnui serves to establish the legitimate priestly and Levite pedigree required for those handling the sacred articles of the house of God.
Major Life Events
The single scriptural mention of Binnui occurs in the context of the arrival of Ezra’s caravan in Jerusalem. After a perilous four-month journey from Babylon, Ezra ordered a public accounting of the vast quantities of gold, silver, and bronze vessels donated by the Persian court and the Jewish exiles.
On the fourth day after their arrival, these treasures were weighed in the House of God. The record notes that Noadiah, son of Binnui, was one of the four specific Levites and priests appointed to receive and verify these sacred items. Binnui’s legacy is thus tied to this moment of institutional transparency and religious restoration.
Relationship to Other Biblical Figures
Binnui is directly connected to his son, Noadiah. He is also associated by proxy with the ecclesiastical leaders of the return, including Ezra and the priests Meremoth son of Uriah and Eleazar son of Phinehas. The text groups Noadiah with Jozabad son of Jeshua, another Levite, suggesting that Binnui’s family was part of a select group of Levitical houses entrusted with the highest levels of administrative responsibility in the Second Temple.
Spiritual Significance
The significance of Binnui lies in the continuity of the Levitical service. Despite the decades of displacement in Babylon, families like Binnui's preserved their identities and their commitment to the Law of Moses. By fathering a son who was deemed trustworthy enough to handle the "sacred articles," Binnui represents the successful transmission of faith and duty from the generation of the exile to the generation of the restoration. His name stands as a marker of the genealogical integrity required to rebuild the spiritual foundations of Israel.
Spiritual Significance
Binnui represents the preservation of the Levitical line during the Babylonian Captivity. His inclusion in the genealogical record of Ezra 8:33 underscores the importance of heritage and specialized service in the restoration of the Second Temple. By producing a son like Noadiah, Binnui contributed to the administrative stability and financial integrity of the early post-exilic community.
His role, though mentioned briefly, highlights that the reconstruction of Jerusalem was not merely a feat of masonry but a renewal of organized worship and stewardship. The presence of his family in the temple treasury records confirms that the Levitical structures survived the exile intact, ready to resume their divinely appointed duties.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Binnui in the book of Ezra?
Binnui was a Levite whose son, Noadiah, was responsible for weighing the gold and silver brought back from Babylon to the temple in Jerusalem.
What tribe did Binnui belong to?
Binnui was a member of the tribe of Levi, as evidenced by his son's role working alongside priests in the house of God.
When did Binnui live?
He lived during the Post-Exilic Period, specifically during the time of Ezra's return to Jerusalem around 458 BC.
What was Binnui's occupation?
While his specific personal duties are not listed, he was a Levite, and his son served as a temple official and treasurer.
Connected Figures
Noadiah
Son
Ezra
Leader of the return
Jozabad
Levitical colleague of his son
Categories
Mentions by Book
- Ezra1
Family & Relationships
Child
Ezra 8:33
Others Named Binnui
Binnui, Ancestor of ShimeiEzra 10:38
A man of Israel during the post-exilic period whose descendant, Shimei, was identified in the census of those who had married foreign women.
Binnui, Son of HenadadNehemiah 3:24
A laborer and descendant of Henadad who participated in the reconstruction of the Jerusalem wall under Nehemiah's leadership.
Binnui, Son of Pahath-moabEzra 10:30
A descendant of Pahath-moab who participated in the post-exilic reformation by putting away his foreign wife in Jerusalem.