← Back to Learn

Biblical Names

An extensive dictionary of names found in the Bible, with meanings and references.

← Back to All Biblical Names (A-Z Directory)
Bavvai son of Henadad பாவாய் (ஏனாதாத்தின் மகன்)
👦 Boy 📜 Hebrew
💡 Meaning & Tamil Translation:
Heart's Desire / Loving Devotion
தமிழ் அர்த்தம்: உள்ளத்தின் வாஞ்சை / அன்பின் அர்ப்பணிப்பு

Ruler of the other half of Keilah who labored faithfully next to Hashabiah on the city defenses.

Nehemiah 3:18

📜 Biblical History & Significance of Bavvai son of Henadad

In the sacred post-exilic and royal historical records of Scripture, Bavvai son of Henadad (பாவாய் (ஏனாதாத்தின் மகன்)) is an authentic Hebrew biblical name signifying "Heart's Desire / Loving Devotion". The biblical record chronicles this individual as ruler of the other half of keilah who labored faithfully next to hashabiah on the city defenses. (Nehemiah 3:18).

The historical testimony preserved in Nehemiah 3:18 highlights how God mobilized faithful men from every station—rulers, priests, craftsmen, and gatekeepers—to labor sacrificially for the restoration of the covenant community and the defense of Zion.

Today, the spiritual legacy of Bavvai son of Henadad reminds believers of the timeless truth that every labor undertaken for God's kingdom has enduring eternal significance. Signifying "Heart's Desire / Loving Devotion", it encourages modern believers to build faithfully in their generation.

📖 Key Scripture Milestones & Passages

Nehemiah 3:18 Primary Scripture Citation
Biblical Onomastics

Biblical Names: Theological Nuance & Original Language Roots

Understanding the spiritual weight, covenant transformations, and prophetic destiny embedded in biblical nomenclature.

The Hebrew Concept of 'Shem'

In Ancient Near Eastern Semitic thought, a name (shem) was not an arbitrary tag. It represented an individual's intrinsic essence, character, and providential vocation under Yahweh's covenant.

Covenant Renaming

When God establishes an unconditional covenant, He frequently renames His servants: Abram ('Exalted Father') becomes Abraham ('Father of Multitudes'); Jacob ('Supplanter') becomes Israel ('He Strives with God and Prevails').

Messianic Nomenclature

The name Jesus derives from the Hebrew Yeshua, meaning 'Yahweh is Salvation' (Matthew 1:21). Combined with the prophetic title Immanuel ('God with us', Isaiah 7:14), it defines the core of Christian soteriology.

Choosing a Name Today

Bestowing a biblical name is an act of spiritual dedication, connecting the next generation to centuries of orthodox faith, moral resilience, and divine favor recorded in Holy Scripture.

Jeba

Researched & Verified by Jeba (Lead Biblical Researcher & Creator)

Comprehensive onomastics directory cross-referencing over 1,400 biblical names with primary Hebrew and Greek scriptural lexicons.