Nehemiah 10 24

Nehemiah 10:24 kjv

Hallohesh, Pileha, Shobek,

Nehemiah 10:24 nkjv

Hallohesh, Pilha, Shobek,

Nehemiah 10:24 niv

Hallohesh, Pilha, Shobek,

Nehemiah 10:24 esv

Hallohesh, Pilha, Shobek,

Nehemiah 10:24 nlt

Hallohesh, Pilha, Shobek,

Nehemiah 10 verses

Nehemiah 10 24 Meaning

Nehemiah 10:24 presents a continuation of the meticulously recorded list of the heads of the people who set their seal on the renewed covenant in Jerusalem. This verse specifically names "Hodiah, Anani, Ananiah, Elim, Hananiah, Anani." These individuals, representing various families and clans, publicly affixed their signature or seal to the solemn oath to walk in God's law and observe all His commandments, statutes, and ordinances. Their names being individually listed signifies the widespread and individual commitment made by the community to rededicate themselves to the Lord after their return from exile and the rebuilding of the walls.

Nehemiah 10 24 Context

Nehemiah chapter 10 records the official sealing of a solemn covenant by the people of Judah, following the spiritual revival orchestrated by Nehemiah and Ezra. After listening to the Law (chapter 8) and repenting through corporate confession and historical recitation (chapter 9), the community voluntarily committed themselves to God’s ordinances. This act was initiated by the leaders who signed a written agreement, establishing a public record of their renewed devotion to the Lord and His laws. The chapter lists the names of various individuals—princes, Levites, and priests—who put their seal on this document, signifying their individual and collective adherence to the covenant. Verse 24 continues this precise enumeration of those heads of the people who sealed the commitment, highlighting the widespread participation of the community in this pivotal moment of national rededication. It emphasizes that this was not merely a top-down mandate but a comprehensive, consensual act involving representative figures from across society.

Nehemiah 10 24 Word analysis

• Hodiah (Hebrew: הוֹדִיָּה, Hōwdiyyāh): A theophoric name, meaning "My majesty is Yahweh" or "Praise Yahweh." This name expresses devotion and acknowledgment of God's glory and worthiness of praise. Its inclusion signifies an individual whose very name declared submission to God's sovereignty.
• Anani (Hebrew: עֲנָנִי, ʿĂnānî): The meaning is less certain, possibly "my cloud" or related to "answering." As a proper name in this context, it marks an individual committed to the covenant. Its simple form stands amidst names with more explicit divine references.
• Ananiah (Hebrew: חֲנַנְיָה, Chanan'yah): A common Biblical name meaning "Yah has been gracious" or "Yahweh is gracious." This name powerfully proclaims God's unmerited favor and kindness, underscoring the foundation of their covenant in divine grace rather than human merit.
• Elim (Hebrew: אֵלִם, ʾĒlîm): If a personal name here, it is rare. It could mean "gods" or "mighty ones" (plural of El, God), or possibly related to "rams" or "oaks/terebinths" (strength). Its inclusion would point to a specific individual of this name among the covenant signatories. (Note: Often this name appears as Hoshea or other similar-sounding names in other translations of this verse; adhering to the user's supplied text, it refers to a distinct person.)
• Hananiah (Hebrew: חֲנַנְיָה, Chanan'yah): This is the same name as "Ananiah," meaning "Yah has been gracious." The repetition indicates a different individual with the same popular name, emphasizing that different persons with similar, devotion-filled names pledged allegiance.
• Anani (Hebrew: עֲנָנִי, ʿĂnānî): This name appears again, suggesting either two distinct individuals sharing the same name or potentially a scribal note referring back. In a formal document listing signatories, two distinct individuals sharing a name would both be included, stressing comprehensive documentation.

Words-Group Analysis:

• List of Names: The meticulous enumeration of individual names like Hodiah, Anani, Ananiah, Elim, Hananiah, and Anani emphasizes the specific, personal, and collective nature of the commitment. Each name represents a unique individual who voluntarily and publicly affixed their seal to the covenant, showing the breadth and depth of dedication among the heads of the people. This act transformed an abstract promise into a tangible, recorded oath by identified representatives of the community.
• Theophoric Names: Many names, such as "Hodiah" ("Praise Yahweh") and "Ananiah/Hananiah" ("Yah has been gracious"), reflect the deeply embedded spiritual understanding and relationship with God that permeated Israelite society. Even without direct instruction, names frequently served as a testimony to God's character and their ancestors' faith. Their inclusion among the covenant signers underscored that those making the commitment were, by their very identity, proclaiming aspects of God.

Nehemiah 10 24 Bonus section

The repeated recording of names throughout the books of Ezra and Nehemiah, particularly in contexts like this covenant sealing (Neh 10) or lists of returnees and builders (Ezra 2; Neh 7), served several crucial functions in ancient Near Eastern society:

1. Legal Validation: It provided irrefutable legal proof and historical documentation of agreements and commitments, especially significant in a culture where oral tradition was strong but written records solidified pledges. The detailed list of names ensured that the covenant was recognized as a genuine and widely accepted commitment by the heads of families and leaders, making it legally binding for their constituencies.
2. Accountability: Each person named was publicly accountable for upholding the covenant's stipulations. Their names would stand as a perpetual reminder of their solemn promise before God and the community.
3. Community Identity: It reinforced a sense of national and spiritual identity among the returned exiles, distinguishing them as God's chosen people who had willingly recommitted themselves to His laws, unlike the surrounding nations.
4. Generational Link: These lists provided a historical bridge to future generations, reminding them of the foundations upon which their community was built – foundations of faith, obedience, and renewed covenant with Yahweh. This genealogical meticulousness mirrored God's own carefulness in tracking lineage, particularly in anticipation of the Messiah.

Nehemiah 10 24 Commentary

Nehemiah 10:24 is a segment within a crucial historical document, detailing the solemn oath of the post-exilic community. While merely a list of names to modern readers, for the original audience, it signified individual accountability and communal responsibility. Each name on this document was a concrete promise made to God, reflecting a heartfelt response to the revival that had taken place. This was more than a formal ceremony; it was a reaffirmation of Israel’s identity as God’s covenant people, a resolve to live distinctively according to His laws in the midst of surrounding pagan cultures. The names, especially the many theophoric ones, testify to a lingering desire among the returnees to center their lives and future around Yahweh's sovereignty and grace. This painstaking recording serves as a historical testament, ensuring future generations understood the magnitude of their forefathers' vow to separate from defiling practices and dedicate themselves entirely to the statutes given through Moses.