Nehemiah 10 19

Nehemiah 10:19 kjv

Hariph, Anathoth, Nebai,

Nehemiah 10:19 nkjv

Hariph, Anathoth, Nebai,

Nehemiah 10:19 niv

Hariph, Anathoth, Nebai,

Nehemiah 10:19 esv

Hariph, Anathoth, Nebai,

Nehemiah 10:19 nlt

Hariph, Anathoth, Nebai,

Nehemiah 10 verses

Nehemiah 10 19 Meaning

Nehemiah 10:19 lists three names: Hosea, Hananiah, and Hasshub. These individuals were among the priests, Levites, and heads of the people who sealed a solemn covenant with God, committing themselves and the nation to walk in God's Law. This verse emphasizes the communal and individual commitment to obedience and faithful living following the return from exile and the rebuilding efforts. Each name represents an individual person publicly assenting to this renewed dedication to the Lord and His commandments.

Nehemiah 10 19 Context

Nehemiah 10 is central to the spiritual renewal of the post-exilic community in Jerusalem. Following the great assembly where the Law was read and interpreted (Neh 8) and a prolonged confession of sins and worship (Neh 9), the people make a formal and binding commitment to God. This chapter details the sealing of a solemn covenant, a written agreement to faithfully observe God's commands. The verse Nehemiah 10:19 is part of the extensive list (Neh 10:1-27) of the names of priests, Levites, and heads of the people who personally affixed their seals to this document. This act signified not only their individual commitment but also their collective assent as representatives of the wider community. It was a tangible expression of their determination to obey God's Torah, support the temple, and live according to biblical principles in the newly rebuilt Judah.

Nehemiah 10 19 Word analysis

• Hosea (הוֹשֵׁעַ, Hoshea):

  • Meaning: "Salvation" or "He saves." This name conveys a profound theological message, emphasizing deliverance and the redemptive power of God.
  • Biblical Occurrences: It is the original name of Joshua, Moses' successor (Num 13:16). It is also the name of the prophet Hosea. While not the same individuals, these prominent bearers of the name signify God's working salvation and delivering His people, a fitting context for a covenant meant to bring about spiritual restoration.
  • Significance in Nehemiah 10: The presence of this name among the covenant signers could serve as a reminder of God's saving acts in delivering them from exile and establishing them back in the land, motivating them towards continued obedience. The name reflects hope for salvation inherent in renewed covenant faithfulness.

• Hananiah (חֲנַנְיָה, Ḥananyah):

  • Meaning: "Yahweh has been gracious" or "Yahweh shows grace." This name directly points to God's attribute of grace and favor.
  • Biblical Occurrences: This is a common name in the Bible, notably borne by one of Daniel's companions (Shadrach) and by a false prophet who opposed Jeremiah. In the context of Nehemiah, it represents an individual among those devoted to truth.
  • Significance in Nehemiah 10: The meaning underscores the understanding that their restoration was not due to their merit but God's gracious intervention. Their recommitment to the covenant is a response to the grace they have already received from Yahweh.

• Hasshub (חַשֻּׁב, Ḥashub):

  • Meaning: "Accounted" or "Considered." This implies recognition, esteemed standing, or being one who is 'reckoned' among the people.
  • Biblical Occurrences: Another Hasshub (potentially the same individual or a relative) is mentioned in Nehemiah 3:23 as repairing part of the wall in Jerusalem, indicating involvement in the physical rebuilding of the city.
  • Significance in Nehemiah 10: His inclusion highlights the involvement of individuals who were actively engaged in both the physical and spiritual reconstruction of the community. It may signify that those who were "accounted" among the people for their commitment and work were sealing the covenant, emphasizing both the visible commitment of key members.

Nehemiah 10 19 Bonus section

• The practice of formally "sealing" documents was common in ancient Near Eastern cultures, signifying authenticity, authority, and binding commitment. The communal sealing of this covenant mirrored legal practices of the time, making the spiritual commitment a concrete, actionable, and legally recognized agreement before God and within their society.
• The inclusion of specific names within such lists in the Bible often highlights the divine remembrance of individuals' faithfulness and service, not just of groups. Each name represents a unique life making a personal decision to serve God.
• This covenant in Nehemiah 10 reflects a corporate re-dedication akin to Israel's initial covenant at Sinai. It signifies that the return from exile was not merely a physical repatriation but, more profoundly, a spiritual renewal centered on adherence to God's law. This set the trajectory for later Second Temple Judaism's emphasis on legal adherence.

Nehemiah 10 19 Commentary

Nehemiah 10:19, despite its brevity and seemingly simple list of names, is deeply significant within the narrative of Israel's restoration. The very act of listing these names (and others in the chapter) underlines the seriousness and individual accountability inherent in the sealed covenant. This was not merely a general agreement but a specific, notarized commitment by individuals representing their respective families and clans. The names themselves, "Salvation," "Yahweh has been gracious," and "Accounted," subtly echo the overarching themes of God's redemptive work, His abundant grace in bringing His people back from exile, and the recognition of individuals within the community who were instrumental in this spiritual revival. This act served as a public and private affirmation of their devotion to walk in God's statutes, demonstrating a tangible turning from past disobedience and a renewed pursuit of holiness as a distinct people. It sets a pattern for collective and individual responsibility in adhering to God's Word.