Nehemiah 10 18

Nehemiah 10:18 kjv

Hodijah, Hashum, Bezai,

Nehemiah 10:18 nkjv

Hodijah, Hashum, Bezai,

Nehemiah 10:18 niv

Hodiah, Hashum, Bezai,

Nehemiah 10:18 esv

Hodiah, Hashum, Bezai,

Nehemiah 10:18 nlt

Hodiah, Hashum, Bezai,

Nehemiah 10 18 Cross References

VerseTextReference
Deut 29:10-12"...you stand today, all of you, before the LORD your God...to enter into the sworn covenant of the LORD your God..."Entering into covenant
Josh 24:24-25"And the people said to Joshua, 'The LORD our God we will serve...So Joshua made a covenant with the people..."Renewing a national covenant
Neh 9:38"Because of all this we make a firm agreement and write it, and our princes, our Levites, and our priests seal it."Act of making and sealing the covenant
Neh 10:29"they joined with their brothers...and entered into a curse and an oath to walk in God's Law..."Entire people binding themselves by oath
2 Chr 15:12"They entered into a covenant to seek the LORD, the God of their fathers, with all their heart and with all their soul;"Covenant of wholehearted seeking of God
2 Chr 29:10"Now it is in my heart to make a covenant with the LORD, the God of Israel..."King Hezekiah's covenant
Ezra 10:3"Let us make a covenant with our God to put away all these wives..."Oath concerning foreign wives
Ps 15:4"...one who swears to his own hurt and does not change;"Integrity of an oath
Ps 119:106"I have sworn an oath and confirmed it, to keep your righteous rules."Personal oath to keep God's commands
Exod 28:12"...carry their names before the LORD on his two shoulders for remembrance."Names recorded for remembrance
Mal 3:16"...a book of remembrance was written before him of those who feared the LORD..."Names remembered by God
Phil 4:3"...whose names are in the book of life."Names recorded in God's book of life
Rev 3:5"...I will not blot his name out of the book of life..."Importance of one's name in God's book
Rev 20:15"And if anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire."Names signifying salvation and commitment
Deut 30:19-20"choose life...loving the LORD your God, obeying his voice and holding fast to him..."Personal choice and commitment
Matt 5:37"Let what you say be simply 'Yes' or 'No'..."Integrity of speech and vows
Jas 1:22"But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves."Active obedience, not just hearing
Rom 12:1"...present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God..."Personal dedication to God
Gen 46:8-27Listing of Jacob's descendants who came to EgyptBiblical significance of detailed lists
Num 1:1-46Census of the Israelite men of military ageListing for community organization/identity
1 Chr 9:2-34List of inhabitants of Jerusalem and those returning from exileLists for historical and spiritual continuity
Luke 10:20"...rejoice that your names are written in heaven."Names of believers written in heaven
Isa 44:5"...another will subscribe with his hand to the LORD and name himself by the name of Israel."Voluntarily affirming one's identity in God

Nehemiah 10 verses

Nehemiah 10 18 Meaning

Nehemiah 10:18 is a simple declarative verse listing three men: Hoshéa, Anania, and Hannania (or Hasshub depending on translation variant), who were among the many Jewish leaders and representatives that sealed a solemn covenant. This act solidified the nation's commitment to obey the law of God after their return from Babylonian exile, underscoring personal accountability and corporate resolve in their renewed relationship with God.

Nehemiah 10 18 Context

Nehemiah chapter 10 records the solemn covenant sworn by the post-exilic community in Jerusalem. Following a period of repentance and spiritual renewal described in chapters 8 and 9—where the Law was publicly read, and the people confessed their sins and acknowledged God's faithfulness—they felt compelled to formalize their commitment. Nehemiah 10:1-27 lists the specific individuals, starting with Nehemiah, then priests, Levites, and various heads of families, who personally affixed their seals to this binding agreement. This was not a new covenant but a renewal and re-affirmation of the Mosaic covenant, promising to obey its statutes, not intermarry with foreigners, keep the Sabbath, support the temple, and pay their tithes. Verse 18 falls within the list of leaders and heads of families who represented the broader community in this vital act of spiritual recommitment.

Nehemiah 10 18 Word analysis

  • Hoshéa (הוֹשַׁעַ - Hoshac): This is a variant of the Hebrew name "Hoshea," meaning "salvation" or "he saves." It is notably the original name of Joshua (Num 13:16), Moses' successor. Its inclusion here among the signatories reflects the theme of deliverance and divine provision central to the exiles' experience and their commitment to the God who saves.
  • Anania (אֲנַנְיָה - Hananyah): A very common Hebrew name meaning "the Lord has shown favor" or "gracious is the Lord." This name reflects the widespread recognition among the returning exiles of God's grace in allowing them to return and rebuild. It acknowledges divine benevolence as the basis for their renewed dedication.
  • Hannania (חַשּׁוּב - Chashuv): In the prevalent Masoretic text and many modern English translations (e.g., NIV, KJV, NASB), the third name is "Hasshub," meaning "considered," "reckoned," or "joined." If Hasshub, the name could signify a valued or reliable individual, one who has been accounted among the faithful or who is now 'joined' in this significant undertaking. If certain other textual traditions imply a second "Hananiah," it would double the emphasis on God's grace or the prevalence of individuals named as such due to that widespread sentiment. For this analysis, Hasshub (חַשּׁוּב) is assumed.
  • "Hoshéa, Anania, Hannania": These names collectively represent individual leaders and family heads taking personal responsibility for the nation's spiritual well-being and covenant fidelity. The meticulous listing of names (including 44 in the 'heads of the people' section, plus priests and Levites) demonstrates the depth and breadth of the covenant's acceptance within the community. It underscores that this was not a forced mandate but a voluntary and public affirmation by many, signifying corporate unity forged through individual commitment. This precise documentation contrasts with more general agreements, highlighting a unique moment of public accountability to God and each other, with each signatory embodying a family or communal segment pledging adherence to divine law. The act of "sealing" emphasizes the solemnity and binding nature of the vow, creating a permanent, written record for future generations.

Nehemiah 10 18 Bonus section

The act of sealing a document with one's personal seal or signature, as done in Nehemiah 10, carried immense legal and social weight in the Ancient Near East. It transformed an agreement into a binding legal instrument, signifying authenticity, authority, and accountability. In the biblical context, it meant binding oneself under divine oath. This specific detailed listing in Nehemiah 10 ensured that the covenant was neither hypothetical nor merely theoretical but concrete and enacted by identifiable people, making it an anchor for the community's future spiritual life. It also speaks to God's remembrance; just as human names are recorded in documents, so are the names of His faithful in the book of life (Rev 21:27).

Nehemiah 10 18 Commentary

Nehemiah 10:18 is a concise snapshot within a crucial list, highlighting individual participation in a momentous national event. It demonstrates that the renewed covenant was not merely a top-down decree but a grassroots affirmation, involving a wide array of individuals from all sectors of society. Each name, though often unknown to us today, represented a specific person committing their life and their family's future to the living God and His commandments. This detailed record served as a public testament, symbolizing the re-establishment of a sacred relationship based on deliberate, personal adherence to God's word. It was an essential step in rebuilding Israel's identity not just as a geographical entity but as God's chosen, covenant people. The verse subtly conveys that fidelity to God’s covenant required specific, accountable, and documented individual consent and not just collective assent.