Nehemiah 10:1 kjv
Now those that sealed were, Nehemiah, the Tirshatha, the son of Hachaliah, and Zidkijah,
Nehemiah 10:1 nkjv
Now those who placed their seal on the document were: Nehemiah the governor, the son of Hacaliah, and Zedekiah,
Nehemiah 10:1 niv
Those who sealed it were: Nehemiah the governor, the son of Hacaliah. Zedekiah,
Nehemiah 10:1 esv
"On the seals are the names of Nehemiah the governor, the son of Hacaliah, Zedekiah,
Nehemiah 10:1 nlt
The document was ratified and sealed with the following names: The governor: Nehemiah son of Hacaliah, and also Zedekiah.
Nehemiah 10 1 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Neh 9:38 | "In view of all this, we make a firm agreement in writing, and on that sealed document are the names of our officials, our Levites, and our priests." | Direct antecedent: explains the purpose of the sealing. |
| Exod 24:7 | Then he took the Book of the Covenant and read it to the people. And they said, "All that the Lord has spoken we will do, and we will be obedient." | Covenant confirmation by public declaration and written agreement. |
| Deut 29:10-15 | "You are standing today, all of you, before the Lord your God… in order that you may enter into the covenant of the Lord your God…" | People entering into a solemn covenant with God. |
| 2 Kgs 23:3 | "The king stood by the pillar and made a covenant before the Lord, to walk after the Lord and to keep his commandments…" | A king (Josiah) leading the people in covenant renewal. |
| 2 Chron 29:10 | "Now it is in my heart to make a covenant with the Lord, the God of Israel, that his fierce wrath may turn away from us." | Commitment to covenant as an act of devotion and turning from judgment. |
| Ezra 10:3 | "Therefore let us make a covenant with our God to put away all these wives…" | Another instance of formal covenant made to address a specific sin. |
| Jer 31:31-34 | "Behold, days are coming," declares the Lord, "when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel…" | Prophecy of the New Covenant, showing God's enduring covenant faithfulness. |
| Heb 8:6 | "But as it is, Christ has obtained a ministry that is as much more excellent than the old as the covenant he mediates is better…" | Christ mediating a superior New Covenant. |
| Heb 12:24 | "and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel." | Jesus as the mediator of the New Covenant, ratified by His blood. |
| Psa 119:57 | "You are my portion, O Lord; I have promised to keep Your words." | Personal commitment to keep God's word, mirroring the collective oath. |
| Prov 2:2-3 | "making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding; yes, if you call out for insight…" | Emphasizes a deliberate decision to seek and obey God’s wisdom/law. |
| Isa 55:3 | "Incline your ear, and come to me; hear, that your soul may live; and I will make with you an everlasting covenant…" | God inviting people to an eternal covenant through listening to Him. |
| Rom 10:9-10 | "because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." | Individual "covenant" of salvation through confession and belief. |
| Gal 3:15 | "To give a human example, brothers: even with a man-made covenant, no one annuls it or adds to it once it has been ratified." | Emphasizes the binding nature of a sealed covenant. |
| 2 Cor 1:21-22 | "And it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us, and who has also put his seal on us…" | God's seal (Spirit) on believers, signifying ownership and guarantee. |
| Eph 1:13 | "In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit…" | Spiritual sealing of believers, akin to the binding nature of a physical seal. |
| Rev 7:3 | "saying, 'Do not harm the earth or the sea or the trees, until we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads.'" | Future spiritual sealing of God's servants. |
| Phil 2:12 | "Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling," | Emphasis on obedience and actively living out one's faith commitment. |
| Josh 24:24-25 | "And the people said to Joshua, "The Lord our God we will serve, and his voice we will obey." So Joshua made a covenant with the people that day…" | Corporate decision to obey God and subsequent covenant ratification. |
| Gen 15:18 | "On that day the Lord made a covenant with Abram, saying, "To your offspring I give this land..." | God initiating a covenant with Abram, the foundation of Israel's identity. |
Nehemiah 10 verses
Nehemiah 10 1 Meaning
Nehemiah 10:1 begins the formal process of covenant ratification after the people's repentance and confession described in Nehemiah chapter 9. It names the primary individuals who affixed their seals to the binding agreement, symbolizing the collective commitment of the returning exiles to obey God's law. Nehemiah, as the governor, leads this list, signifying both his divinely appointed leadership and the official, binding nature of the covenant document, which aimed to establish justice and devotion in the restored community.
Nehemiah 10 1 Context
Nehemiah 10:1 stands as the pivotal verse initiating the formal ratification of the covenant agreement. Preceding it, Nehemiah chapter 9 meticulously recounts the Levites' comprehensive prayer of confession, praising God's faithfulness from creation through their history, acknowledging Israel's consistent disobedience, and culminating in a corporate admission of sin and a desperate plea for God's mercy amidst their present affliction. This collective act of humility and repentance sets the spiritual foundation for the concrete commitment. Immediately following this grand prayer and lament (Neh 9:38), the people declare their intention to enter into a "firm agreement in writing," marked by the sealing of their names. Therefore, Nehemiah 10:1 begins the physical embodiment of this resolution, listing the key figures who would lead the community in signing and sealing this solemn promise. Historically, this event took place in the post-exilic period, roughly in the mid-5th century BC, signifying a profound renewal movement in Jerusalem following the rebuilding of the walls and a spiritual awakening under Nehemiah and Ezra's leadership.
Nehemiah 10 1 Word analysis
- Now / And (וְעַל - Wĕʿal-): The Hebrew conjunctive prefix "and" or "now" links this verse directly to the conclusion of Chapter 9 (Neh 9:38), indicating a direct progression from the resolution to make a firm agreement to the actual sealing process. It marks the commencement of the specific list of those who would ratify the covenant.
- those that sealed (הַחֹתְמִים - haḥōtəmîm): This plural participle refers to "the signers" or "the sealers." In the ancient Near East, a "seal" was used to authenticate documents, indicate ownership, and make legal agreements binding. To "seal" was to make something official, unchangeable, and legally recognized. Its presence signifies the irreversible, public commitment made by the community, indicating the agreement was not merely a verbal promise but a formal, documented covenant with divine and communal witness.
- were, Nehemiah (נְחֶמְיָה - Něḥemyāh): The proper name Nehemiah means "Comfort of Yahweh" or "Yahweh comforts." As the first individual listed among the sealers, his name carries immense symbolic weight. It aligns with God's ongoing work of comforting and restoring His people, demonstrated through the rebuilding of the walls and the spiritual revival. His prominent position as the first signer underscores his leadership role, administrative authority (as Tirshatha), and his spiritual zeal in guiding the nation's repentance and renewal.
- the Tirshatha (הַתִּרְשָׁתָא - ha-tiršātāʾ): This title is Persian in origin, likely meaning "Excellency" or "Governor." It designates Nehemiah as the royal representative appointed by Artaxerxes I, granting him significant civil and administrative authority in Judah. Listing his title immediately after his name highlights that this covenant sealing was not just a spiritual act but also an officially recognized and sanctioned agreement under his governmental leadership, lending it legal weight within the Persian imperial framework. It also shows divine providence, using secular authority for sacred purposes.
- the son of Hachaliah (בֶּן-חֲכַלְיָה - ben-ḥăḵalyāh): This common genealogical designation establishes Nehemiah's lineage and identity within the Jewish community. While his administrative authority was Persian-derived, his paternal identification connects him organically to the people of Israel, grounding his leadership within their tribal and family structures. It highlights his genuine rootedness among them, not merely an imposed foreign official.
- and Zidkijah (וְצִדְקִיָּה - wĕṣiḏqiyāh): The name Zidkijah means "My righteousness is Yahweh" or "Yahweh is righteousness." While his specific identity is not detailed further in this verse, his immediate placement after Nehemiah, preceding the extensive list of priests, Levites, and chiefs, suggests he was a prominent figure, possibly a key leader or perhaps even a scribe who helped organize the document. His name, like Nehemiah's, subtly points to God's character as the source of righteousness, fitting for a covenant focused on righteous living before God.
Words-group analysis:
- "those that sealed were, Nehemiah, the Tirshatha": This opening phrase clearly identifies the principal person who inaugurated the sealing of the covenant. By naming Nehemiah first and associating him with his high gubernatorial office, the verse establishes the document's legitimacy and the seriousness of the people's commitment. It highlights the convergence of spiritual leadership and civil authority in fostering the spiritual renewal of the nation. The physical act of sealing underscored the permanence of the collective decision made after the deep spiritual introspection of chapter 9.
Nehemiah 10 1 Bonus section
- Covenant Enforcement: The sealing of this covenant provided a basis for enforcing the Mosaic Law within the restored community. It acted as a written constitution for the post-exilic Jewish state.
- Leadership by Example: Nehemiah's name appearing first demonstrates a principle of spiritual leadership: those who lead others in commitment must first commit themselves. This also showed a willingness to personally endorse and be accountable for the agreement.
- Precedent for Written Covenants: This event echoes ancient covenant renewals in Israel's history (e.g., Joshua 24, 2 Kings 23) but notably formalizes it through a detailed written document and the official act of sealing, reflecting the growing importance of written legal codes in the Persian period.
- Purpose Beyond Punishment: While previous covenants often contained curses for disobedience, this covenant in Nehemiah emphasized a renewed, positive commitment to God's law, a step toward holistic restoration of community and spiritual life.
Nehemiah 10 1 Commentary
Nehemiah 10:1 marks a crucial transition from the solemn spiritual renewal and confession of Nehemiah 9 to a tangible act of corporate commitment. The "sealing" of the covenant document, a common practice in ancient Near Eastern legal agreements, transformed a national vow into a binding legal and religious obligation. Nehemiah, explicitly named first with his title "the Tirshatha," signifying his Persian-appointed authority, underscored the grave seriousness and official nature of this commitment. This wasn't merely a verbal promise; it was a signed, sealed declaration that united the civil and spiritual leadership of the returned exiles in their vow to uphold God's law. This verse sets the stage for the specific provisions of the covenant detailed in the subsequent verses of chapter 10, highlighting a determined step toward genuine, practical obedience after acknowledging generations of failure.