Bani is a name worn by several different men in Ezra and Nehemiah, so it helps to read each verse on its own. One Bani stands among the Levites who, in Nehemiah 8:7, “caused the people to understand the law,” explaining what was read so that everyone could follow. Another, in chapter 9, is among those who “stood up upon the stairs” and cried aloud to the Lord. A third is named as the father of Rehum, who repaired a section of Jerusalem’s wall. Nehemiah 8 is the best place to start.
7 verses
The children of Bani, six hundred forty and two.
After him repaired the Levites, Rehum the son of Bani. Next unto him repaired Hashabiah, the ruler of the half part of Keilah, in his part.
Also Jeshua, and Bani, and Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodijah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, and the Levites, caused the people to understand the law: and the people stood in their place.
Then stood up upon the stairs, of the Levites, Jeshua, and Bani, Kadmiel, Shebaniah, Bunni, Sherebiah, Bani, and Chenani, and cried with a loud voice unto the LORD their God.
Then the Levites, Jeshua, and Kadmiel, Bani, Hashabniah, Sherebiah, Hodijah, Shebaniah, and Pethahiah, said, Stand up and bless the LORD your God for ever and ever: and blessed be thy glorious name, which is exalted above all blessing and praise.
Hodijah, Bani, Beninu.
The overseer also of the Levites at Jerusalem was Uzzi the son of Bani, the son of Hashabiah, the son of Mattaniah, the son of Micha. Of the sons of Asaph, the singers were over the business of the house of God.
Matthew George Easton, 1897
Built. (1.) 1 Chr. 6:46. (2.) One of David’s thirty-seven warriors, a Gadite (2 Sam. 23:36). (3.) Ezra 2:10; 10:29,34,38. (4.) A Levite who was prominent in the reforms on the return from Babylon (Neh. 8:7; 9:4,5). His son Rehum took part in rebuilding the wall of Jerusalem (Neh. 3:17).
William Smith, 1884
(built).
(1.) A Gadite, one of David’s mighty men. (2 Samuel 23:36) (B.C. 1046.)
(2.) A Levite of the line of Merari, and forefather to Ethan. (1 Chronicles 6:46)
(3.) A man of Judah of the line of Pharez. (1 Chronicles 9:4)
(4.) "Children of Bani" returned from captivity with Zerubbabel. (Ezra 2:10; 10:29,34; Nehemiah 10:14) 1 Esd. 5:12. [BINNUI; MANI]
(5.) An Israelite "of the sons of Bani." (Ezra 10:38)
(6.) A Levite. (Nehemiah 3:17)
(7.) A Levite. (Nehemiah 8:7; 9:4,5; 10:13)
(8.) Another Levite, of the sons of Asaph. (Nehemiah 11:22)