Nehemiah 10 8

Nehemiah 10:8 kjv

Maaziah, Bilgai, Shemaiah: these were the priests.

Nehemiah 10:8 nkjv

Maaziah, Bilgai, and Shemaiah. These were the priests.

Nehemiah 10:8 niv

Maaziah, Bilgai and Shemaiah. These were the priests.

Nehemiah 10:8 esv

Maaziah, Bilgai, Shemaiah; these are the priests.

Nehemiah 10:8 nlt

Maaziah, Bilgai, and Shemaiah. These were the priests.

Nehemiah 10 verses

Nehemiah 10 8 Meaning

Nehemiah 10:8 presents a direct listing of prominent Levite leaders who affixed their seal to the solemn covenant oath in Jerusalem. This verse identifies Jeshua the son of Azaniah, Binnui of the sons of Henadad, and Kadmiel, recognizing their essential roles as representatives of the Levites in recommitting to God's law. It highlights the importance of spiritual leadership and established order within the re-forming community in post-exilic Judah, particularly concerning the sacred service of the temple.

Nehemiah 10 8 Context

Nehemiah chapter 10 marks a crucial moment in the restoration of Israel after the Babylonian exile. Following a heartfelt prayer of repentance and historical recount of God's faithfulness in Nehemiah chapter 9, the community, led by Nehemiah and Ezra, commits to a solemn covenant (אֲמָנָה, 'amanah – "a firm covenant"). This verse specifically details those Levites who put their official seal on this binding agreement. The chapter lists individuals from different groups—leaders, priests, and Levites—who publicly affirm their devotion to the Law of Moses. Their names signify a re-establishment of order and accountability, essential for rebuilding both the physical walls of Jerusalem and the spiritual fabric of the people. This act underscored their dedication to proper worship, observing the Sabbath, supporting the temple, and avoiding intermarriage.

Nehemiah 10 8 Word analysis

• The Levites (הַלְוִיִּם - ha-Leviyyim):

  • This term denotes the entire tribe of Levi, consecrated by God for sacred service in the tabernacle and later the temple (Num 3:5-10, 8:14).
  • In the post-exilic period, they were instrumental in the administrative, teaching, and musical aspects of temple worship, and in maintaining communal order.
  • Their inclusion in sealing the covenant emphasized their collective responsibility for upholding the Law and promoting true worship, as their role involved teaching and enforcing the Mosaic Law.

• Jeshua (יֵשׁוּעַ - Yeshua):

  • A common Hebrew name meaning "Yahweh is salvation."
  • This Jeshua is identified as "the son of Azaniah." While there were several prominent Jeshuas in the post-exilic period (e.g., Jeshua the high priest in Ezra 3), this specific individual, Jeshua son of Azaniah, appears to be a distinct Levite leader in this context.
  • His prominent placement at the beginning of the Levite list indicates his significant standing.

• the son of (בֶּן - ben):

  • A common Hebrew term signifying direct paternal lineage.
  • It establishes family identity, validates hereditary rights (especially crucial for priestly and Levitical roles), and maintains genealogical records. This ensures proper order and legitimization in leadership.

• Azaniah (אָזַנְיָה - Azanyah):

  • Meaning "Yahweh hears." He is identified as the father of Jeshua.
  • His inclusion as the father emphasizes Jeshua's lineage and, by extension, the continuity of legitimate Levite leadership from recognized families.

• Binnui (בִּנּוּי - Binnuy):

  • Meaning "built" or "my building," a significant name in a rebuilding era.
  • Binnui is a well-attested Levite leader in Ezra-Nehemiah (e.g., Neh 3:24; Ezra 8:33), involved in various aspects of reconstruction and temple administration, including safeguarding temple treasures.
  • His mention highlights his active involvement and authority in the restored community.

• of the sons of (מִבְּנֵי - mib-benei):

  • This phrase indicates belonging to a larger clan or familial group within the Levites, in this case, the family of Henadad.
  • It stresses not just individual involvement but representation of a lineage or a collective family unit within the tribe.

• Henadad (חֵנָדָד - Henadad):

  • A prominent Levite family or clan. While "Hadad" refers to an ancient pagan deity, the name likely signifies "favor of [the Lord]" in the Jewish context of the post-exile, similar to how other names incorporate elements of God.
  • The family of Henadad played an important role in the rebuilding of the wall (Neh 3:9, 24) and likely continued their service in other administrative and cultic functions. Their inclusion signifies their deep integration into the renewed society.

• Kadmiel (קַדְמִיאֵל - Qadmi'el):

  • Meaning "God is ancient" or "God of antiquity."
  • Kadmiel is consistently associated with Binnui in the biblical narrative (Ezra 2:40, 3:9; Neh 7:43; 9:4; 12:8). They seem to be co-leaders of significant Levite branches involved in the initial return, temple foundations, and liturgical responsibilities.
  • His repeated mention across Ezra-Nehemiah underscores his sustained leadership and pivotal role.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "The Levites: Jeshua the son of Azaniah": This specific identification establishes the presence of authoritative Levite lineage among those making the covenant. It shows careful record-keeping and an emphasis on legitimacy through ancestry.
• "Binnui of the sons of Henadad": This highlights that the covenant was sealed not just by individual leaders but also by representatives of prominent Levite family lines. It indicates the organized structure of the Levites and the participation of family units in communal commitment.
• "Kadmiel": His standalone mention here, after Binnui, signifies his recognized status and possibly distinct branch of Levites, yet often associated with the 'sons of Henadad' or Binnui in other texts, implying a close working relationship among these leading Levite figures.

Nehemiah 10 8 Bonus section

• The lists of names in Nehemiah, though seemingly mundane, are historically valuable as administrative documents proving the organized re-establishment of the Jewish community post-exile.
• The consistent association of figures like Binnui and Kadmiel across different chapters (Ezra and Nehemiah) implies a long-standing, significant working relationship among these Levite leaders, suggesting a coherent structure for leadership roles over time.
• The phrase "sons of Henadad" indicates the enduring influence of family groups as corporate entities within Israel's socio-religious framework, highlighting that commitments were often made corporately as well as individually.
• The meticulous documentation of Levites, priests, and other leaders in Ezra-Nehemiah demonstrates a foundational commitment to genealogical accuracy and maintaining the sacred lines of service, especially given the purity requirements for temple roles. This practice helped guard against false claims of religious authority.

Nehemiah 10 8 Commentary

Nehemiah 10:8 provides a snapshot of the restored community's spiritual backbone—the Levites. By naming Jeshua son of Azaniah, Binnui from the sons of Henadad, and Kadmiel, the verse authenticates their crucial role in covenant renewal. These individuals represented the Levites, who were entrusted with vital functions in maintaining the purity of worship and instruction in the Law. Their public sealing of the covenant underscored the Levites' commitment to reform and obedience, setting a communal example for holiness and proper order. It emphasizes that a functional spiritual community relies on dedicated, God-ordained leadership willing to commit fully to divine standards. This structure ensured continuity of divine service and legal adherence for generations. The precise naming of these individuals underlines the real, tangible commitment of specific leaders.