Hananeel
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Topical Encyclopedia
Etymology and Meaning
The name "Hananeel" is derived from the Hebrew words "חָנַן" (chanan), meaning "to be gracious" or "to show favor," and "אֵל" (El), meaning "God." Thus, Hananeel can be understood to mean "God is gracious" or "Grace of God."

Biblical References
Hananeel is primarily mentioned in the context of a significant landmark in Jerusalem, known as the "Tower of Hananeel." This tower is referenced in several key passages of the Old Testament, highlighting its importance in the city's fortifications and its symbolic significance in the restoration and protection of Jerusalem.

1. Nehemiah 3:1 · "Then Eliashib the high priest and his fellow priests set to work and rebuilt the Sheep Gate. They dedicated it and installed its doors, after which they rebuilt the wall to the Tower of Hananel and dedicated it as far as the Tower of the Hundred."

2. Nehemiah 12:39 · "over the Gate of Ephraim, the Jeshanah Gate, the Fish Gate, the Tower of Hananel, and the Tower of the Hundred, as far as the Sheep Gate. And they stopped at the Gate of the Guard."

3. Jeremiah 31:38 · "Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when the city will be rebuilt for the LORD, from the Tower of Hananel to the Corner Gate."

4. Zechariah 14:10 · "All the land will be changed into a plain from Geba to Rimmon south of Jerusalem. But Jerusalem will be raised up and remain in its place, from the Benjamin Gate to the site of the First Gate, to the Corner Gate, and from the Tower of Hananel to the royal winepresses."

Historical and Theological Significance
The Tower of Hananeel was part of the northern wall of Jerusalem, serving as a critical point in the city's defenses. Its repeated mention in the context of rebuilding and restoration projects underscores its strategic and symbolic importance. The tower's inclusion in prophetic visions, such as those in Jeremiah and Zechariah, highlights its role in the eschatological hope of a restored Jerusalem, a city that stands as a testament to God's faithfulness and grace.

In Nehemiah's time, the rebuilding of the wall, including the Tower of Hananeel, was a tangible expression of the Jewish people's return from exile and their commitment to reestablishing their covenantal relationship with God. The tower, therefore, is not only a physical structure but also a symbol of divine protection and the fulfillment of God's promises.

Symbolism and Application
For believers, the Tower of Hananeel can be seen as a metaphor for God's gracious protection and the strength found in His promises. Just as the tower was a part of the fortifications that safeguarded Jerusalem, so too does God's grace serve as a fortress for His people. The restoration of the tower in the prophetic texts serves as a reminder of the hope and renewal that God offers to His people, both in historical contexts and in the ultimate fulfillment of His redemptive plan through Jesus Christ.
Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary
Hananeel

grace, or gift, of God

Smith's Bible Dictionary
Hananeel

(whom God graciously gave), The tower of, a tower which formed part of the wall of Jerusalem (Nehemiah 3:1; 12:39) From these two passages, particularly from the former, it might almost be inferred that Hananeel was but another name for the tower of Meah; at any rate they were close together, and stood between the sheep-gate and the fish-gate. This tower is further mentioned in (Jeremiah 31:38) The remaining passage in which it is named, (Zechariah 14:10) also connects this tower with the "corner-gate," which lay on the other side of the sheep-gate.

ATS Bible Dictionary
Hananeel

A kinsman of Jeremiah, from whom the prophet bought a piece of ground before the captivity, and had the legal record made, in token of his prophetic assurance that his people would return to their possessions, Jeremiah 32:6-12.

Easton's Bible Dictionary
God has graciously given, a tower in the wall of Jerusalem (Nehemiah 3:1; 12:39). It is mentioned also in Jeremiah 31:38; Zechariah 14:10.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
TOWER OF HANANEEL

See HANANEL.

Strong's Hebrew
2606. Chananel -- "God is gracious," a tower in Jer.
... Hananeel. From chanan and 'el; God has favored; Chananel, probably an Israelite,
from whom a tower of Jerusalem was named -- Hananeel. see HEBREW chanan. ...
/hebrew/2606.htm - 6k
Library

The Girdle of the City. Nehemiah 3
... Going forward, on the south part, was the tower Meah: and beyond that, "the tower
of Hananeel": in the Chaldee paraphrast it is, 'The tower Piccus,' Zechariah ...
/.../lightfoot/from the talmud and hebraica/chapter 26 the girdle of.htm

Thesaurus
Hananeel (3 Occurrences)
... 10. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. TOWER OF HANANEEL. See HANANEL.
Multi-Version Concordance Hananeel (3 Occurrences). Nehemiah ...
/h/hananeel.htm - 8k

Hananel (4 Occurrences)
... ban'-an-el (chanan'el, "El (God) is gracious"; the King James Version Hananeel,
ha-nan'e-el): A tower in the walls of Jerusalem adjoining (Nehemiah 3:1 ...
/h/hananel.htm - 9k

Corner-gate (3 Occurrences)
... (DBY). Jeremiah 31:38 Behold, the days come, saith Jehovah, that the city shall
be built to Jehovah, from the tower of Hananeel unto the corner-gate. (DBY). ...
/c/corner-gate.htm - 7k

Han'anel (2 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 31:38 Lo, days 'are coming', an affirmation of Jehovah, And the city hath
been built to Jehovah, From the tower of Hananeel to the gate of the corner. ...
/h/han'anel.htm - 7k

Hanan (19 Occurrences)

/h/hanan.htm - 14k

Gebo (1 Occurrence)
... high, and hath dwelt in her place, Even from the gate of Benjamin To the place of
the first gate, unto the front gate, And from the tower of Hananeel, Unto the ...
/g/gebo.htm - 6k

Wine-vats (2 Occurrences)
... high, and hath dwelt in her place, Even from the gate of Benjamin To the place of
the first gate, unto the front gate, And from the tower of Hananeel, Unto the ...
/w/wine-vats.htm - 7k

Fenced (61 Occurrences)
... The tower of Hananeel, near the north-east corner of the city wall, is
frequently referred to (Nehemiah 3:1; 12:39; Zechariah 14:10). ...
/f/fenced.htm - 27k

Towers (38 Occurrences)
... 29:10), Hananeel (Zechariah 14:10), Siloam (Luke 13:4). There were several
towers in Jerusalem (2 Chronicles 26:9; Psalm 48:12). ...
/t/towers.htm - 18k

Tires (3 Occurrences)
... tou'-er. See JERUSALEM. TOWER OF EDAR (THE FLOCK). See EDER. TOWER OF HANANEEL.
See HANANEL. TOWER OF MEAH. me'-a. See HAMMEAH. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/t/tires.htm - 8k

Resources
Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Concordance
Hananeel (3 Occurrences)

Nehemiah 3:1
Then Eliashib the high priest rose up with his brethren the priests, and they builded the sheep gate; they sanctified it, and set up the doors of it; even unto the tower of Meah they sanctified it, unto the tower of Hananeel.
(KJV DBY WBS YLT)

Jeremiah 31:38
Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that the city shall be built to the LORD from the tower of Hananeel unto the gate of the corner.
(KJV DBY WBS YLT)

Zechariah 14:10
All the land shall be turned as a plain from Geba to Rimmon south of Jerusalem: and it shall be lifted up, and inhabited in her place, from Benjamin's gate unto the place of the first gate, unto the corner gate, and from the tower of Hananeel unto the king's winepresses.
(KJV DBY WBS YLT)

Subtopics

Hananeel

Hananeel: Name of a Tower Forming Part of the Wall of Jerusalem

Related Terms

Hananel (4 Occurrences)

Corner-gate (3 Occurrences)

Han'anel (2 Occurrences)

Hanan (19 Occurrences)

Gebo (1 Occurrence)

Wine-vats (2 Occurrences)

Fenced (61 Occurrences)

Towers (38 Occurrences)

Tires (3 Occurrences)

Sheep-gate (2 Occurrences)

Builded (65 Occurrences)

Inhabited (64 Occurrences)

Tower (74 Occurrences)

Hallowed (86 Occurrences)

Hanan: Son of Shashak
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