Nehemiah 10 21

Nehemiah 10:21 kjv

Meshezabeel, Zadok, Jaddua,

Nehemiah 10:21 nkjv

Meshezabel, Zadok, Jaddua,

Nehemiah 10:21 niv

Meshezabel, Zadok, Jaddua,

Nehemiah 10:21 esv

Meshezabel, Zadok, Jaddua,

Nehemiah 10:21 nlt

Meshezabel, Zadok, Jaddua,

Nehemiah 10 verses

Nehemiah 10 21 Meaning

Nehemiah 10:21 lists three individuals—Hoshiah, Ananiah, and Hanan—among the "chiefs of the people" who sealed the solemn covenant made by the returned exiles. This covenant signified their collective and individual commitment to walk in God's Law, as delivered through Moses, particularly concerning strict observance of the Sabbath, support for the Temple service, and avoidance of intermarriage with foreign peoples. Their inclusion in this roll underscores their personal affirmation of faithfulness to the Lord.

Nehemiah 10 21 Context

Nehemiah 10:21 is situated within the broader narrative of the post-exilic restoration of Jerusalem. Following the physical rebuilding of the walls under Nehemiah's leadership (Neh 1-7) and the spiritual renewal initiated by Ezra's public reading of the Law (Neh 8), the people engage in a profound confession of national sin and a renewal of their covenant with God (Neh 9). Chapter 10 then details the formal sealing of this covenant. The verse in question is part of a comprehensive list (Neh 10:1-27) enumerating the specific leaders, Levites, and priests who personally affixed their seals or names to this sacred document. This act symbolized a definitive recommitment by the nation, led by its key figures, to adhere to God's laws and practices after generations of disobedience that led to the Babylonian exile. It was a foundational moment for re-establishing a holy community dedicated to Yahweh in the promised land.

Nehemiah 10 21 Word analysis

• Hoshiah (הוֹשַׁע):

  • Original Hebrew: From the root יָשַׁע (yashaʿ), meaning "to save," "deliver," or "rescue."
  • Meaning: The name Hoshiah likely means "Yah has saved" or "Salvation of Yah." It is a form of "Hoshea," known from other biblical figures (e.g., Moses renamed Hoshea to Joshua, meaning "Yahweh is salvation").
  • Significance: Reflects a prevailing theme among the returned exiles: God's act of salvation in delivering them from Babylon. It testifies to their recognition of divine intervention in their history.

• Ananiah (חֲנַנְיָה):

  • Original Hebrew: From the root חָנַן (hanan), meaning "to be gracious," "show favor," or "have pity." The suffix -yah means "Yahweh."
  • Meaning: The name Ananiah means "Yah has been gracious" or "Gracious is Yah." It is similar to "Hananiah" found elsewhere.
  • Significance: Emphasizes God's undeserved grace and mercy in restoring His people, despite their past rebellion. It points to divine favor as the basis for their return and opportunity to renew the covenant.

• Hanan (חָנָן):

  • Original Hebrew: From the same root חָנַן (hanan) as Ananiah.
  • Meaning: Hanan means "gracious" or "merciful." It can be a shorter form of Ananiah or a distinct name conveying the same core idea.
  • Significance: Reinforces the theme of divine grace and favor that permeated the post-exilic community's understanding of their return and spiritual renewal. It underscores that their ability to enter this covenant was due to God's initiative.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • List of Names: The presence of these specific names, all linked to "salvation" and "grace/favor" in their etymology, within the longer list of covenant signatories, subtly underscores the theological understanding of the exiles. Their very names echoed the core message of God's redemptive work through history, especially in their recent liberation from exile. These individuals, through their names, symbolized the community's reliance on God's saving grace and unmerited favor as they committed to walking in His statutes once more. This section of the chapter signifies personal accountability and collective endorsement of the covenant's stipulations.

Nehemiah 10 21 Bonus section

• Personal Commitment: The listing of individual names highlights the importance of personal commitment in the covenant. It wasn't enough for the nation as a whole to acknowledge God; each person, especially the leaders, needed to take individual responsibility and sign their pledge, mirroring the biblical emphasis on both corporate and individual faithfulness.
• Cultural Significance of Naming: In ancient Hebrew culture, names were not merely labels but often conveyed hopes, circumstances of birth, or spiritual meanings. The names "Hoshiah," "Ananiah," and "Hanan," steeped in concepts of salvation and grace, reflect the deep theological consciousness of a people who had just experienced a monumental act of divine deliverance and restoration. Their names implicitly bore witness to God's past mercies and underscored the rationale for their renewed devotion.
• A Precedent for Future Faithfulness: This act of signing the covenant provided a significant historical and spiritual precedent. It was a tangible step in "building a fence around the Torah," where strict adherence to detailed regulations became a mark of identity and devotion, seeking to prevent a recurrence of the sins that led to exile.

Nehemiah 10 21 Commentary

Nehemiah 10:21 presents three names among a lengthy roster, signaling that the covenant sealed in Nehemiah 9-10 was not merely a ceremonial act by a few leaders but a documented commitment by many heads of households and influential men among the returned exiles. Each name on this list represents an individual who publicly and formally pledged to adhere to God's Law. The meaning embedded in names like "Hoshiah" ("Yah has saved") and "Ananiah"/"Hanan" ("Yah has been gracious") resonates with the overwhelming sense of gratitude and reliance on God's salvation and grace that defined the post-exilic community. Their history of rebellion, followed by divine judgment (exile) and then merciful restoration, formed the bedrock of this renewed commitment. Thus, the signing was both a public declaration of repentance and a forward-looking promise of obedience, grounded in the understanding of who God is and what He had done for them. This act provided a crucial spiritual foundation for the rebuilding of Jerusalem and the nation' Israel's spiritual life.