{
  "id": "dict_003308",
  "term": "Libni",
  "slug": "libni",
  "letter": "L",
  "entry_type": "biblical_proper_name",
  "entry_family": "theological_term",
  "depth_profile": "standard",
  "short_definition": "Libni is a biblical personal name borne by at least two Old Testament figures, including a son of Gershon in the tribe of Levi. It is a proper name, not a doctrine or theological term.",
  "simple_one_line": "Libni is an Old Testament name, best known as a Levite descended from Gershon.",
  "tooltip_text": "Biblical proper name: most notably a son of Gershon in the Levitical line.",
  "aliases": [],
  "scripture_references": [],
  "original_language_terms": [],
  "related_entries": [
    "Gershon",
    "Levites",
    "Levitical priesthood",
    "Genealogy"
  ],
  "see_also": [
    "Shimei",
    "Exodus 6",
    "Numbers 3",
    "1 Chronicles 6"
  ],
  "lede_intro": "Libni is a biblical proper name appearing in Old Testament genealogical lists, most notably as a son of Gershon in the tribe of Levi.",
  "at_a_glance_definition": "A biblical personal name, not a theological concept.",
  "at_a_glance_key_points": [
    "Appears in Old Testament genealogies",
    "Most notably linked to the Levitical line through Gershon",
    "Another Libni is also listed in a Judahite genealogy",
    "The name preserves historical family records rather than doctrine"
  ],
  "description_academic_short": "Libni is an Old Testament personal name found in genealogical and tribal contexts. The best-known Libni is a son of Gershon in the Levitical line, while another Libni appears in a Judahite genealogy. Because it names persons rather than ideas, it belongs among biblical proper names rather than theological terms.",
  "description_academic_full": "Libni is a biblical personal name used in Old Testament genealogies. The best-known Libni is the son of Gershon and therefore part of the tribe of Levi, where the name appears in lists concerned with family lineage and Levitical service. Scripture also appears to use the same name for another person in a Judahite genealogy. Libni functions as a historical identifier within Israel's tribal records and does not denote a doctrine, office, or theological category in itself.",
  "background_biblical_context": "In the Pentateuch and Chronicles, names like Libni help trace Israel's covenant families, especially the Levitical lines associated with tabernacle ministry and later temple-era record keeping.",
  "background_historical_context": "Biblical genealogies preserved tribal inheritance, social identity, and ministerial descent. A name such as Libni therefore contributes to the historical framework of Israel's worship and tribal structure.",
  "background_jewish_ancient_context": "In ancient Israel, genealogical names mattered for tribal identity, inheritance, and Levitical service. Libni appears in that setting as part of the careful preservation of family lines.",
  "key_texts_primary": [
    "Exod 6:17",
    "Num 3:18",
    "1 Chr 6:17"
  ],
  "key_texts_secondary": [
    "1 Chr 4:11"
  ],
  "original_language_note": "Hebrew: לִבְנִי (Libnî). The exact etymology is uncertain and should not be overpressed.",
  "theological_significance": "Libni has no independent doctrinal meaning; its significance lies in the preservation of Israel's tribal and Levitical history.",
  "philosophical_explanation": "Proper names in Scripture ground theology in real persons and historical lineages rather than abstractions.",
  "interpretive_cautions": "Do not confuse separate individuals who share the same name. Do not build doctrine from the name itself, since Libni is primarily a historical identifier.",
  "major_views_note": "There is little interpretive dispute about the name itself; the main issue is distinguishing the individuals and placing them correctly in the genealogies.",
  "doctrinal_boundaries": "Libni is not a title, office, covenant, or theological doctrine. It should be treated as a proper name only.",
  "practical_significance": "Libni reminds readers that Scripture's family records are part of God's real historical dealings with Israel and help anchor the biblical account in actual people and tribes.",
  "meta_description": "Libni is an Old Testament proper name, most notably a son of Gershon in the Levitical line, and not a theological term.",
  "public_url": "/companion-bible-dictionary/libni/",
  "json_url": "/companion-bible-dictionary/data/dictionary/libni.json",
  "final_disposition": "PUBLISH_CANONICAL"
}