Miniamin

The name Miniamin attaches to a Levite under Hezekiah and to a priestly figure or house in the post-exilic period. The umbrella collects two — possibly three — distinct bearers of the name, all in temple-service contexts.

Levite under Hezekiah

In Hezekiah's reorganization of the priestly portions, Miniamin is one of those entrusted to distribute the offerings to the priests living in the cities outside Jerusalem: "And under him were Eden, and Miniamin, and Jeshua, and Shemaiah, Amariah, and Shecaniah, in the cities of the priests, in their office of trust, to give to their brothers by courses, to the great as well as to the small" (2Ch 31:15).

Post-Exilic Priest

A priestly house of Miniamin appears in Nehemiah's list of priests at the time of Joiakim, paired with a representative name as the other houses are: "of Abijah, Zichri; of Miniamin, of Moadiah, Piltai" (Neh 12:17). At the dedication of the wall a Miniamin stands among the priests carrying trumpets: "and the priests, Eliakim, Maaseiah, Miniamin, Micaiah, Elioenai, Zechariah, and Hananiah, with trumpets" (Neh 12:41). Whether this is the same person as the head of the house in Neh 12:17 or another priest of the same name, the umbrella keeps the figure in the post-exilic priestly circle.