Nehemiah 10 16

Nehemiah 10:16 kjv

Adonijah, Bigvai, Adin,

Nehemiah 10:16 nkjv

Adonijah, Bigvai, Adin,

Nehemiah 10:16 niv

Adonijah, Bigvai, Adin,

Nehemiah 10:16 esv

Adonijah, Bigvai, Adin,

Nehemiah 10:16 nlt

Adonijah, Bigvai, Adin,

Nehemiah 10 verses

Nehemiah 10 16 Meaning

Nehemiah 10:16 lists three individuals or family heads: Ater, Hezekiah, and Azzur, who were among those affixing their seal to the solemn covenant of recommitment to God's law. This verse continues the detailed registry of signatories to the renewed national vow of fidelity to Yahweh following the Babylonian exile, affirming their dedication to live according to divine statutes.

Nehemiah 10 16 Context

Verse 16 "Ater, Hezekiah, Azzur," is a part of Nehemiah chapter 10, specifically within the detailed list of leaders who affixed their seal to the solemn covenant of recommitment (Neh 9:38 – Neh 10:27). Following a time of deep repentance and prayer for national sin (Neh 9:1-37), the returned exiles recognized the need for a formal agreement to walk in God's law. This comprehensive list of signatories from all strata of society – priests, Levites, gatekeepers, and the heads of the people – underscored the collective resolve to obey God and adhere to the Mosaic covenant. Historically, this occurred in the post-exilic period, under Persian rule, a time of rebuilding both physically (the walls of Jerusalem) and spiritually (the community's relationship with God). This sealing of the covenant was a pivotal moment in re-establishing the distinct identity and religious practices of the Israelite people, marking a renewed dedication to their ancestral faith and separating them from the practices of surrounding nations.

Nehemiah 10 16 Word analysis

• Ater (אטר, 'Aṭer): This is a proper noun, identifying an individual or a family leader who participated in the sealing of the covenant. The name itself can mean "bound" or potentially "left-handed," but its primary significance here is to mark participation in this momentous act.

• Hezekiah (חזקיה, Ḥizqiyyāh): A proper noun referring to another signatory. This is a theophoric name, meaning "Yahweh strengthens" or "Yahweh is my strength." While likely not King Hezekiah, the name's meaning would resonate powerfully within a community seeking divine strength for their spiritual renewal and the formidable task of rebuilding after exile. Its inclusion implicitly connects this new generation's resolve to God's enduring power and past deliverances.

• Azzur (עזור, ‘Azzûr): This is another proper noun, denoting an individual or the head of a family group who sealed the covenant. The name means "helper" or "my help," a fitting sentiment for a community dependent on mutual support and divine aid in fulfilling their renewed vows.

• "Ater, Hezekiah, Azzur": This grouping of names represents individual family heads or clan representatives within the post-exilic community. Their sequential listing emphasizes the meticulous record-keeping of all those who formally committed themselves and their households to the covenant. This isn't merely a roll call; it signifies widespread communal participation, showing that the agreement was comprehensive and affirmed by a broad cross-section of the people, not just the primary leaders. Their names attest to the corporate solidarity in the commitment to God's law.

Nehemiah 10 16 Bonus section

The careful listing of names throughout Nehemiah 10, as well as in books like Ezra (e.g., Ezra 2, Neh 7, Neh 11), serves multiple significant purposes for the community and historical record:

• Legal Validity: The signed names transformed the covenant from an oral agreement into a binding, legally recognized document, much like ancient contracts and treaties. This underscored its seriousness and permanency.
• Communal Solidarity: The act of many individuals, representing various family lines and positions within the society, signing the same document fostered a strong sense of unity and shared purpose among the returned exiles. It demonstrated a collective will for obedience.
• Divine Recognition: From a spiritual perspective, the listing echoes God's own meticulous care for His people, knowing each by name. It implicitly validates their commitment in the divine record.
• Accountability: Knowing who signed held each family responsible for adhering to the covenant's terms, including observance of Sabbath, prohibitions against intermarriage, and support for the Temple.
• Historical Documentation: For future generations, these lists served as a vital record of those who had participated in the foundational act of rebuilding their religious and national identity in the post-exilic era.

Nehemiah 10 16 Commentary

Nehemiah 10:16, a concise list of three names, embodies the solemn and meticulous act of Israel's national recommitment to God after their return from Babylonian exile. It underscores that the renewed covenant was not a casual promise but a deeply serious agreement, attested by named individuals who likely represented their families or clans. The presence of these specific names, amidst many others in the chapter, highlights the personal accountability and widespread collective responsibility embraced by the community. Each signatory, including Ater, Hezekiah, and Azzur, sealed a profound decision to live according to the Mosaic Law, rejecting the disobedient patterns of the past. This act of naming concretizes their vow, making it a firm foundation for their spiritual identity and national existence. It serves as a potent reminder that faith in action involves public declaration and individual commitment.