Kenani was a Levite who served in Jerusalem after the return from the Babylonian exile. He is mentioned in connection with the public penitence and worship service led by the Levites, where the people confessed their sins and worshipped the Lord. His name means 'my helper' or is linked to Canaan.
Hechos clave
Participation in the public penitence service
Kenani was among the Levites who cried out with a loud voice to the Lord their God during the great penitence service that the people held after hearing the words of the law.
4On the platform of the Levites stood Jeshua, Bani, Kadmiel, Shebaniah, Bunni, Sherebiah, Bani, and Kenani, and they cried out with a loud voice to the LORD their God.
Kenani and the other Levites encouraged the people to stand up and praise the Lord their God from everlasting to everlasting, leading the great prayer of praise.
5Then the Levites—Jeshua, Kadmiel, Bani, Hashabneiah, Sherebiah, Hodiah, Shebaniah, and Pethahiah—said: "Stand up and bless the LORD your God from everlasting to everlasting." "Blessed be your glorious name, which is exalted above every blessing and praise.
As part of the group of Levites, Kenani took part in the long prayer that reviewed Israel's history, God's faithfulness, and the people's disobedience.
5Then the Levites—Jeshua, Kadmiel, Bani, Hashabneiah, Sherebiah, Hodiah, Shebaniah, and Pethahiah—said: "Stand up and bless the LORD your God from everlasting to everlasting." "Blessed be your glorious name, which is exalted above every blessing and praise.
6You alone are the LORD. You made the heavens, the highest heavens and all their host, the earth and everything on it, the seas and everything in them. You give life to them all, and the host of heaven bows down before you.
8You found his heart faithful before you, and you made a covenant with him to give him the land of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Jebusites, and Girgashites—to give it to his descendants. And you have kept your word, for you are righteous.
After the day of confession, Kenaniah and the Levites led the people in renewing their covenant with God and committing themselves to keep His commands.
The Service of the Levites in Rebuilt Jerusalem
Kenaniah was part of the Levitical service restored during the reforms of Nehemiah and Ezra, when worship in the temple was reorganized.
4On the platform of the Levites stood Jeshua, Bani, Kadmiel, Shebaniah, Bunni, Sherebiah, Bani, and Kenani, and they cried out with a loud voice to the LORD their God.
5Then the Levites—Jeshua, Kadmiel, Bani, Hashabneiah, Sherebiah, Hodiah, Shebaniah, and Pethahiah—said: "Stand up and bless the LORD your God from everlasting to everlasting." "Blessed be your glorious name, which is exalted above every blessing and praise.