Lebanah is a masculine name that appears briefly in the Old Testament, mentioned only in the Book of Ezra and Nehemiah among the list of exiles returning from Babylon. The name is of Hebrew origin, derived from the root lavan, meaning "white". Its poetic sense means "moon", evoking the pale, luminous celestial body. This etymology connects it symbolically to brightness, purity, and nocturnal light.
In the biblical context, Lebanah (לְבָנָה) appears in Ezra 2:45 and Nehemiah 7:48 as the name of a family head among the Nethinim—temple servants assigned to assist the Levites. The name is not widely used in later religious or secular tradition, remaining a rare scriptural mention.
A related variant is Levana, a feminine name from Biblical Hebrew with a similar derivation meaning "moon" or "white". While Lebanah is distinctly masculine in its biblical occurrence, Levana has been used in modern times as a feminine given name, especially in Jewish and English-speaking communities, though both names remain uncommon.
Etymology
The Hebrew word lebhanah (לְבָנָה) is poetically used for the moon in the Hebrew Bible, most notably in Isaiah 24:23, 30:26, and Song of Solomon 6:10, where it pairs with chamah (sun) as a celestial descriptor. The underlying root laban means "to be white", possibly referencing the moon's pale glow. This etymology parallels Akkadian labānu and Arabic labina, suggesting a Semitic cognate meaning "to make bricks" (white clay) or "whiteness".
Key facts
- Meaning: "moon" or "white", from Hebrew lavan
- Origin: Hebrew, Biblical
- Type: First name
- Usage: English Bible (as a translation and direct borrowing)
- Related name: Levana (Biblical Hebrew feminine form)