Nehemiah 10 26

Nehemiah 10:26 kjv

And Ahijah, Hanan, Anan,

Nehemiah 10:26 nkjv

Ahijah, Hanan, Anan,

Nehemiah 10:26 niv

Ahiah, Hanan, Anan,

Nehemiah 10:26 esv

Ahiah, Hanan, Anan,

Nehemiah 10:26 nlt

Ahiah, Hanan, Anan,

Nehemiah 10 verses

Nehemiah 10 26 Meaning

Nehemiah 10:26 lists three individuals, Ahijah, Hanan, and Anan, as signatories of the solemn covenant renewed by the Israelite community in Jerusalem. This verse is part of a larger list of specific leaders, priests, Levites, and heads of the people who affixed their seals to the document. The inclusion of these names signifies their personal commitment and the broader community's re-dedication to obeying God's Law and living according to His precepts, distinguishing themselves as His people after the return from exile.

Nehemiah 10 26 Context

Nehemiah 10:26 falls within a significant section of Nehemiah (chapters 9-10) detailing the spiritual renewal and commitment of the post-exilic community. Following the public reading of the Law by Ezra (Neh 8) and a corporate confession of sins and worship (Neh 9), the people, led by their leaders, entered into a solemn, binding covenant. This covenant explicitly outlined their renewed dedication to follow God's commandments, reject foreign practices, uphold the Sabbath, support the temple, and contribute to its maintenance. Chapter 10 systematically lists all the prominent individuals who affixed their seals to this written covenant. Verse 26, specifically listing "Ahijah, Hanan, Anan," identifies three more members of the larger group of people, specifically listed as heads of the people (Neh 10:14). This act of public declaration and signing served to formally consecrate their resolve and solidify the identity of the returning Jewish remnant as a people consecrated to Yahweh and His Law in the land.

Nehemiah 10 26 Word analysis

• and Ahijah, Hanan, Anan. (וַאֲחִיָּה, חָנָן, עָנָן׃)

  • וַאֲחִיָּה (wa’áchiyyah): "And Ahijah"
    • וַ (wa): Hebrew conjunction "and," connecting this name to the preceding list, indicating continuation.
    • אֲחִיָּה ('Achiyyah): Personal name. Meaning: "My brother is Yah" or "Brother of Yahweh."
      • Significance: Names incorporating "Yah" (short for Yahweh) reflect a family's devotion or hope tied to the covenant God of Israel. This name indicates a connection to God as a personal "brother" or "kinsman," emphasizing intimacy and relationship, reflecting a post-exilic community intent on affirming its identity through divine relationship. It highlights the pervasive Yahwistic faith within the naming conventions of the period.
  • חָנָן (Chanan): Personal name. Meaning: "Gracious" or "He has been gracious."
    • Significance: This name likely serves as a short form of a longer name such as "Hananiah" ("Yah has been gracious") or "Elhanan" ("God has been gracious"). The root חנן (chanan) universally signifies favor, grace, or mercy.
      • Biblical Connection: The name reflects a common Israelite recognition of God's attribute of grace, especially pertinent for a community that had experienced exile and now the grace of return and rebuilding. It points to a theology where human existence is deeply rooted in divine favor, echoing themes in the Torah about God's steadfast love and mercy.
  • עָנָן ('Anan): Personal name. Meaning: "Cloud" or "clouds."
    • Significance: Less explicitly theological than the other two names.
      • Possible Associations: In a biblical context, "clouds" often symbolize God's presence, glory, or guidance (e.g., pillar of cloud leading Israel, God appearing in a cloud). While this name may simply reflect a common natural phenomenon, within Israelite thought, it could subtly hint at divine manifestations or the protective guidance of God. It's a name that grounds a person's identity in the physical world but can be imbued with spiritual significance in a covenant context.

• Words-group Analysis

  • "Ahijah, Hanan, Anan": This grouping represents three specific individuals among the broader list of leaders. Their inclusion by name signifies personal accountability and collective agreement.
    • Collective Identity: These names, regardless of individual fame, are essential components of a communal act. They underscore that the covenant was not merely an abstract ideal but a concrete commitment made by real people.
    • Continuity of Faith: The names themselves (especially Ahijah and Hanan) speak to a persistent faith in Yahweh, reflecting the values and hopes embedded in their society, even after exile.
    • Administrative Precision: The meticulous listing of names (including fathers' names and other identifying details elsewhere in the list) highlights the organized nature of the post-exilic community and the formal, legalistic way in which they established their renewed commitment to God and His Law. It's a record for posterity and accountability.

Nehemiah 10 26 Bonus section

The act of recording names in lists like this, seen frequently in Ezra-Nehemiah (e.g., those who returned, those who worked on the wall, those who confessed), emphasizes accountability, legitimacy, and the structured re-formation of the community after the Babylonian exile. It served a dual purpose: a historical record for future generations and a testament before God of their unwavering commitment. Such lists also had administrative importance, clarifying roles, responsibilities, and ensuring adherence to the new order, particularly concerning purity laws, temple support, and tithing, which were explicitly outlined in the signed covenant. The biblical emphasis on individual names within larger groups underscores the value God places on each person's role in His redemptive plan, whether famous or not.

Nehemiah 10 26 Commentary

Nehemiah 10:26, though listing only three names, forms a crucial part of the communal act of covenant renewal post-exile. It moves from the general principles and specific articles of the covenant (Neh 10:28-39) to the concrete demonstration of commitment through named individuals. Each signatory, including Ahijah, Hanan, and Anan, represents a binding personal assent to the covenant terms on behalf of themselves and their households. This detailed register provided a permanent record of their solemn oath before God and their peers. The names themselves, particularly "Ahijah" and "Hanan," carry embedded theological meaning, reflecting reliance on God's divine relationship and grace, serving as subtle reminders of the community's core beliefs even in naming their children. This verse illustrates the detailed process by which Israel formally re-established its national and spiritual identity, laying a foundational commitment to God's Law in their rebuilding efforts.