Nehemiah explains that he is one of my brothers.
As a blood brother, Hanani would have grown up with Nehemiah, and that would have been in Babylon as exiles. That he now comes from Jerusalem indicates that Hanani most likely was among the exiles who returned to Jerusalem as described in Ezra 7:1–28. More, that he accompanies a delegation from Jerusalem indicates that in the years since his arrival in Jerusalem, he has achieved a position of influence and/or means in the Judean community. His name means Yahweh is gracious.
2 that Hanani, one of my brothers, came with certain men from Judah. And I asked them concerning the Jews who escaped, who had survived the exile, and concerning Jerusalem.