Focused Passage

Nehemiah 12:1-26

The Priests and Levites Are Remembered, the Wall Is Dedicated, and Worship Support Is Restored

The chapter remembers priestly and Levitical continuity, gathers and purifies worship servants, dedicates the wall with two great thanksgiving choirs, rejoices with sacrifices, and appoints support systems for singers, gatekeepers, priests, and Levites.

Berean Standard Bible, Public Domain - Translation notes - Reference sources

1Now these are the priests and Levites who went up with Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel and with Jeshua: Seraiah, Jeremiah, Ezra,

2Amariah, Malluch, Hattush,

3Shecaniah, Rehum, Meremoth,

4Iddo, Ginnethon, Abijah,

5Mijamin, Maadiah, Bilgah,

6Shemaiah, Joiarib, Jedaiah,

7Sallu, Amok, Hilkiah, and Jedaiah. These were the leaders of the priests and their associates in the days of Jeshua.

8The Levites were Jeshua, Binnui, Kadmiel, Sherebiah, Judah, and Mattaniah, who, with his associates, led the songs of thanksgiving.

9Bakbukiah and Unni, their associates, stood across from them in the services.

10Jeshua was the father of Joiakim, Joiakim was the father of Eliashib, Eliashib was the father of Joiada,

11Joiada was the father of Jonathan, and Jonathan was the father of Jaddua.

12In the days of Joiakim, these were the heads of the priestly families: of the family of Seraiah, Meraiah; of Jeremiah, Hananiah;

13of Ezra, Meshullam; of Amariah, Jehohanan;

14of Malluchi, Jonathan; of Shebaniah, Joseph;

15of Harim, Adna; of Meraioth, Helkai;

16of Iddo, Zechariah; of Ginnethon, Meshullam;

17of Abijah, Zichri; of Miniamin and of Moadiah, Piltai;

18of Bilgah, Shammua; of Shemaiah, Jonathan;

19of Joiarib, Mattenai; of Jedaiah, Uzzi;

20of Sallai, Kallai; of Amok, Eber;

21of Hilkiah, Hashabiah; and of Jedaiah, Nethanel.

22In the days of Eliashib, Joiada, Johanan, and Jaddua, during the reign of Darius the Persian, the heads of the families of the Levites and priests were recorded.

23As for the descendants of Levi, the family heads up to the days of Johanan son of Eliashib were recorded in the Book of the Chronicles.

24The leaders of the Levites were Hashabiah, Sherebiah, and Jeshua son of Kadmiel, along with their associates, who stood across from them to give praise and thanksgiving as one section alternated with the other, as prescribed by David the man of God.

25Mattaniah, Bakbukiah, Obadiah, Meshullam, Talmon, and Akkub were gatekeepers who guarded the storerooms at the gates.

26They served in the days of Joiakim son of Jeshua, the son of Jozadak, and in the days of Nehemiah the governor and Ezra the priest and scribe.

Study Helps

References and Original Words

Verse 1

Original words

Now theseוְאֵ֙לֶּה֙H428Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - common pluralare the priestsהַכֹּהֲנִ֣יםH3548Article | Noun - masculine pluraland Levitesוְהַלְוִיִּ֔םH3881Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - proper - masculine pluralwhoאֲשֶׁ֥רH834Pronoun - relativewent upעָל֛וּH5927Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common pluralwithעִם־H5973PrepositionZerubbabelזְרֻבָּבֶ֥לH2216Noun - proper - masculine singularsonבֶּן־H1121Noun - masculine singular constructof Shealtielשְׁאַלְתִּיאֵ֖לH7597Noun - proper - masculine singularand with Jeshuaוְיֵשׁ֑וּעַH3442Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singularSeraiahשְׂרָיָ֥הH8304Noun - proper - masculine singularJeremiahיִרְמְיָ֖הH3414Noun - proper - masculine singularEzraעֶזְרָֽא׃H5830Noun - proper - masculine singular
Verse 2

Original words

Amariahאֲמַרְיָ֥הH568Noun - proper - masculine singularMalluchמַלּ֖וּךְH4409Noun - proper - masculine singularHattushחַטּֽוּשׁ׃H2407Noun - proper - masculine singular

BSB notes

  • Malluch is a variant of Malluchi; see verse 14.
Verse 3

Original words

Shecaniahשְׁכַנְיָ֥הH7935Noun - proper - masculine singularRehumרְחֻ֖םH7348Noun - proper - masculine singularMeremothמְרֵמֹֽת׃H4822Noun - proper - masculine singular

BSB notes

  • Rehum is a variant of Harim; see verse 15, Nehemiah 7:42, and Ezra 2:39.
Verse 4

Original words

Iddoעִדּ֥וֹאH5714Noun - proper - masculine singularGinnethonגִנְּת֖וֹיH1599Noun - proper - masculine singularAbijahאֲבִיָּֽה׃H29Noun - proper - masculine singular

BSB notes

  • Many Hebrew manuscripts and Vulgate (see also verse 16); most MT manuscripts Ginnethoi
Verse 5

Original words

Mijaminמִיָּמִ֥יןH4326Noun - proper - masculine singularMaadiahמַֽעַדְיָ֖הH4573Noun - proper - masculine singularBilgahבִּלְגָּֽה׃H1083Noun - proper - masculine singular

BSB notes

  • Mijamin is a variant of Miniamin; see verse 17.
  • Maadiah is a variant of Moadiah; see verse 17.
  • Bilgah is a variant of Bilgai; also in verse 18; see Nehemiah 10:8.
Verse 6

Original words

Shemaiahשְׁמַֽעְיָ֥הH8098Noun - proper - masculine singularJoiaribוְיוֹיָרִ֖יבH3114Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singularJedaiahיְדַֽעְיָֽה׃H3048Noun - proper - masculine singular
Verse 7

Original words

Salluסַלּ֣וּH5543Noun - proper - masculine singularAmokעָמ֔וֹקH5987Noun - proper - masculine singularHilkiahחִלְקִיָּ֖הH2518Noun - proper - masculine singular[and] Jedaiahיְדַֽעְיָ֑הH3048Noun - proper - masculine singularTheseאֵ֣לֶּהH428Pronoun - common pluralwere the leadersרָאשֵׁ֧יH7218Noun - masculine plural constructof the priestsהַכֹּהֲנִ֛יםH3548Article | Noun - masculine pluraland their associatesוַאֲחֵיהֶ֖םH251Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine pluralin the daysבִּימֵ֥יH3117Preposition-b | Noun - masculine plural constructof Jeshuaיֵשֽׁוּעַ׃פH3442Noun - proper - masculine singular
Verse 8

Original words

The Levites [were]וְהַלְוִיִּ֗םH3881Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - proper - masculine pluralJeshuaיֵשׁ֧וּעַH3442Noun - proper - masculine singularBinnuiבִּנּ֛וּיH1131Noun - proper - masculine singularKadmielקַדְמִיאֵ֥לH6934Noun - proper - masculine singularSherebiahשֵׁרֵבְיָ֖הH8274Noun - proper - masculine singularJudahיְהוּדָ֣הH3063Noun - proper - masculine singularand Mattaniahמַתַּנְיָ֑הH4983Noun - proper - masculine singularwhoה֥וּאH1931Pronoun - third person masculine singularwith his associatesוְאֶחָֽיו׃H251Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singularledעַֽל־H5921Prepositionthe songs of thanksgivingהֻיְּד֖וֹתH1960Noun - feminine plural
Verse 9

Original words

Bakbukiahוּבַקְבֻּֽקְיָ֨הH1229Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singularand UnniוְעֻנּוֹH6042Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singulartheir associatesאֲחֵיהֶ֛םH251Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural[stood] across from themלְנֶגְדָּ֖םH5048Preposition-l | third person masculine pluralin the servicesלְמִשְׁמָרֽוֹת׃H4931Preposition-l | Noun - feminine plural
Verse 10

Original words

Jeshuaוְיֵשׁ֖וּעַH3442Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singularwas the father ofהוֹלִ֣ידH3205Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person masculine singular-אֶת־H853Direct object markerJoiakimיֽוֹיָקִ֑יםH3113Noun - proper - masculine singularJoiakimוְיֽוֹיָקִים֙H3113Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singularwas the father ofהוֹלִ֣ידH3205Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person masculine singular-אֶת־H853Direct object markerEliashibאֶלְיָשִׁ֔יבH475Noun - proper - masculine singularEliashibוְאֶלְיָשִׁ֖יבH475Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular-אֶת־H853Direct object markerwas the father of Joiadaיוֹיָדָֽע׃H3111Noun - proper - masculine singular
Verse 11

Original words

Joiadaוְיוֹיָדָע֙H3111Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singularwas the father ofהוֹלִ֣ידH3205Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person masculine singular-אֶת־H853Direct object markerJonathanיוֹנָתָ֔ןH3129Noun - proper - masculine singularand Jonathanוְיוֹנָתָ֖ןH3129Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singularwas the father ofהוֹלִ֥ידH3205Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person masculine singular-אֶת־H853Direct object markerJadduaיַדּֽוּעַ׃H3037Noun - proper - masculine singular

BSB notes

  • Jonathan is a variant of Johanan; see verse 22.
Verse 12

Original words

In the daysוּבִימֵי֙H3117Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Noun - masculine plural constructof Joiakimיֽוֹיָקִ֔יםH3113Noun - proper - masculine singularthese wereהָי֥וּH1961Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common pluralthe headsרָאשֵׁ֣יH7218Noun - masculine plural constructof the priestlyכֹהֲנִ֖יםH3548Noun - masculine pluralfamiliesהָאָב֑וֹתH1Article | Noun - masculine pluralof [the family of] Seraiahלִשְׂרָיָ֣הH8304Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singularMeraiahמְרָיָ֔הH4811Noun - proper - masculine singularof Jeremiahלְיִרְמְיָ֖הH3414Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singularHananiahחֲנַנְיָֽה׃H2608Noun - proper - masculine singular
Verse 13

Original words

of Ezraלְעֶזְרָ֣אH5830Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singularMeshullamמְשֻׁלָּ֔םH4918Noun - proper - masculine singularof Amariahלַאֲמַרְיָ֖הH568Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singularJehohananיְהוֹחָנָֽן׃H3076Noun - proper - masculine singular
Verse 14

Original words

of MalluchiלִמְלוּכִיH4409Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singularJonathanיֽוֹנָתָ֔ןH3129Noun - proper - masculine singularof Shebaniahלִשְׁבַנְיָ֖הH7645Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singularJosephיוֹסֵֽף׃H3130Noun - proper - masculine singular

BSB notes

  • Malluchi is a variant of Malluch; see verse 2.
  • Shebaniah is a variant of Shecaniah; see verse 3; see also Syriac and some Hebrew and LXX manuscripts.
Verse 15

Original words

of Harimלְחָרִ֣םH2766Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singularAdnaעַדְנָ֔אH5733Noun - proper - masculine singularof Meraiothלִמְרָי֖וֹתH4812Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singularHelkaiחֶלְקָֽי׃H2517Noun - proper - masculine singular

BSB notes

  • Meraioth is a variant of Meremoth; see verse 3 and also some LXX manuscripts.
Verse 16

Original words

of IddoלַעֲדָיָאH5718Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singularZechariahזְכַרְיָ֖הH2148Noun - proper - masculine singularof Ginnethonלְגִנְּת֥וֹןH1599Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singularMeshullamמְשֻׁלָּֽם׃H4918Noun - proper - masculine singular
Verse 17

Original words

of Abijahלַאֲבִיָּ֖הH29Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singularZichriזִכְרִ֑יH2147Noun - proper - masculine singularof Miniaminלְמִ֨נְיָמִ֔יןH4509Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singularand of Moadiahלְמוֹעַדְיָ֖הH4153Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singularPiltaiפִּלְטָֽי׃H6408Noun - proper - masculine singular

BSB notes

  • Moadiah is a variant of Maadiah; see verse 5.
Verse 18

Original words

of Bilgahלְבִלְגָּ֣הH1083Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singularShammuaשַׁמּ֔וּעַH8051Noun - proper - masculine singularof Shemaiahלִֽשְׁמַעְיָ֖הH8098Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singularJonathanיְהוֹנָתָֽן׃H3083Noun - proper - masculine singular
Verse 19

Original words

of Joiaribוּלְיוֹיָרִ֣יבH3114Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singularMattenaiמַתְּנַ֔יH4982Noun - proper - masculine singularof Jedaiahלִֽידַֽעְיָ֖הH3048Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singularUzziעֻזִּֽי׃H5813Noun - proper - masculine singular
Verse 20

Original words

of Sallaiלְסַלַּ֥יH5543Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singularKallaiקַלָּ֖יH7040Noun - proper - masculine singularof Amokלְעָמ֥וֹקH5987Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singularEberעֵֽבֶר׃H5677Noun - proper - masculine singular

BSB notes

  • Sallai is a variant of Sallu; see verse 7.
Verse 21

Original words

of Hilkiahלְחִלְקִיָּ֣הH2518Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singularHashabiahחֲשַׁבְיָ֔הH2811Noun - proper - masculine singular[and] of Jedaiahלִֽידַֽעְיָ֖הH3048Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singularNethanelנְתַנְאֵֽל׃H5417Noun - proper - masculine singular
Verse 22

Original words

In the daysבִּימֵ֨יH3117Preposition-b | Noun - masculine plural constructof Eliashibאֶלְיָשִׁ֜יבH475Noun - proper - masculine singularJoiadaיוֹיָדָ֤עH3111Noun - proper - masculine singularJohananוְיוֹחָנָן֙H3110Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singularand Jadduaוְיַדּ֔וּעַH3037Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singularduringעַל־H5921Prepositionthe reign ofמַלְכ֖וּתH4438Noun - feminine singular constructDariusדָּרְיָ֥וֶשׁH1867Noun - proper - masculine singularthe Persianהַפָּֽרְסִֽי׃פH6542Article | Noun - proper - masculine singularthe headsרָאשֵׁ֣יH7218Noun - masculine plural constructof the familiesאָב֑וֹתH1Noun - masculine pluralof the Levitesהַלְוִיִּם֩H3881Article | Noun - proper - masculine pluraland priestsוְהַכֹּ֣הֲנִ֔יםH3548Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - masculine pluralwere recordedכְּתוּבִ֖יםH3789Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - masculine plural

BSB notes

  • Johanan is a variant of Jonathan; see verse 11.
Verse 23

Original words

As for the descendantsבְּנֵ֤יH1121Noun - masculine plural constructof Leviלֵוִי֙H3878Noun - proper - masculine singularthe familyהָֽאָב֔וֹתH1Article | Noun - masculine pluralheadsרָאשֵׁ֣יH7218Noun - masculine plural constructup toוְעַד־H5704Conjunctive waw | Prepositionthe daysיְמֵ֖יH3117Noun - masculine plural constructof Johananיֽוֹחָנָ֥ןH3110Noun - proper - masculine singularsonבֶּן־H1121Noun - masculine singular constructof Eliashibאֶלְיָשִֽׁיב׃H475Noun - proper - masculine singularwere recordedכְּתוּבִ֕יםH3789Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - masculine pluralinעַל־H5921Prepositionthe Bookסֵ֖פֶרH5612Noun - masculine singular constructof the Chroniclesדִּבְרֵ֣יH1697Noun - masculine plural construct. . .הַיָּמִ֑יםH3117Article | Noun - masculine plural

BSB notes

  • Or the Book of the Annals or the Book of the Historical Events
Verse 24

Original words

The leadersוְרָאשֵׁ֣יH7218Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural constructof the Levitesהַ֠לְוִיִּםH3881Article | Noun - proper - masculine plural[were] Hashabiahחֲשַׁבְיָ֨הH2811Noun - proper - masculine singularSherebiahשֵֽׁרֵבְיָ֜הH8274Noun - proper - masculine singularand Jeshuaוְיֵשׁ֤וּעַH3442Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singularsonבֶּן־H1121Noun - masculine singular constructof Kadmielקַדְמִיאֵל֙H6934Noun - proper - masculine singularalong with their associatesוַאֲחֵיהֶ֣םH251Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural[who stood] across from themלְנֶגְדָּ֔םH5048Preposition-l | third person masculine pluralto give praiseלְהַלֵּ֣לH1984Preposition-l | Verb - Piel - Infinitive constructand thanksgivingלְהוֹד֔וֹתH3034Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive constructas one sectionמִשְׁמָ֖רH4929Noun - masculine singularalternated withלְעֻמַּ֥תH5980Preposition-lthe otherמִשְׁמָֽר׃H4929Noun - masculine singularas prescribedבְּמִצְוַ֖תH4687Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular constructby Davidדָּוִ֣ידH1732Noun - proper - masculine singularthe manאִישׁ־H376Noun - masculine singular constructof Godהָאֱלֹהִ֑יםH430Article | Noun - masculine plural

BSB notes

  • Or Sherebiah, Jeshua, Binnui, and Kadmiel
Verse 25

Original words

Mattaniahמַתַּנְיָ֧הH4983Noun - proper - masculine singularBakbukiahוּבַקְבֻּֽקְיָ֛הH1229Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singularObadiahעֹבַדְיָ֥הH5662Noun - proper - masculine singularMeshullamמְשֻׁלָּ֖םH4918Noun - proper - masculine singularTalmonטַלְמ֣וֹןH2929Noun - proper - masculine singular[and] Akkubעַקּ֑וּבH6126Noun - proper - masculine singular[were] gatekeepersשֽׁוֹעֲרִים֙H7778Noun - masculine pluralwho guardedשֹׁמְרִ֤יםH8104Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural. . .מִשְׁמָ֔רH4929Noun - masculine singularthe storeroomsבַּאֲסֻפֵּ֖יH624Preposition-b | Noun - masculine plural constructat the gatesהַשְּׁעָרִֽים׃H8179Article | Noun - masculine plural
Verse 26

Original words

They [served]אֵ֕לֶּהH428Pronoun - common pluralin the daysבִּימֵ֛יH3117Preposition-b | Noun - masculine plural constructof Joiakimיוֹיָקִ֥יםH3113Noun - proper - masculine singularsonבֶּן־H1121Noun - masculine singular constructof Jeshuaיֵשׁ֖וּעַH3442Noun - proper - masculine singularthe sonבֶּן־H1121Noun - masculine singular constructof Jozadakיוֹצָדָ֑קH3136Noun - proper - masculine singularand in the daysוּבִימֵי֙H3117Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Noun - masculine plural constructof Nehemiahנְחֶמְיָ֣הH5166Noun - proper - masculine singularthe governorהַפֶּחָ֔הH6346Article | Noun - masculine singularand Ezraוְעֶזְרָ֥אH5830Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singularthe priestהַכֹּהֵ֖ןH3548Article | Noun - masculine singularand scribeהַסּוֹפֵֽר׃פH5608Article | Noun - masculine singular

BSB notes

  • Jozadak is a variant of Jehozadak; see 1 Chronicles 6:14.

Berean Standard Bible (BSB): CC0 Public Domain Scripture text. Focused passages are drawn from the same reader contract as the full chapter. Reference sources explains external study-link sources.