Nehemiah 11 15

Nehemiah 11:15 kjv

Also of the Levites: Shemaiah the son of Hashub, the son of Azrikam, the son of Hashabiah, the son of Bunni;

Nehemiah 11:15 nkjv

Also of the Levites: Shemaiah the son of Hasshub, the son of Azrikam, the son of Hashabiah, the son of Bunni;

Nehemiah 11:15 niv

From the Levites: Shemaiah son of Hasshub, the son of Azrikam, the son of Hashabiah, the son of Bunni;

Nehemiah 11:15 esv

And of the Levites: Shemaiah the son of Hasshub, son of Azrikam, son of Hashabiah, son of Bunni;

Nehemiah 11:15 nlt

From the Levites: Shemaiah son of Hasshub, son of Azrikam, son of Hashabiah, son of Bunni.

Nehemiah 11 verses

Nehemiah 11 15 Meaning

Nehemiah 11:15 identifies specific Levites, Mattaniah, Bakbukiah, and Abda, who were appointed to reside in repopulated Jerusalem. It highlights Mattaniah as the chief leader in thanksgiving and prayer, and Bakbukiah as his assistant. These individuals, from prominent Levitical musical lineages (Asaph, Jeduthun), underscore the crucial restoration and prioritization of public worship and praise in post-exilic Jerusalem.

Nehemiah 11 15 Context

Nehemiah chapter 11 details the repopulation of Jerusalem after its walls were rebuilt. Following the dedication of the wall and a census, it was determined that one-tenth of the population of Judah and Benjamin would be chosen by lot to live in Jerusalem, while the rest would remain in other towns. This was a critical step in re-establishing Jerusalem not just as a defensive stronghold, but as the functioning religious and political center of the restored Jewish community. The verse specifically focuses on the Levites, outlining those responsible for temple services and, particularly, public worship and music. Their relocation to Jerusalem signified the re-establishment of formalized worship and praise at the heart of the newly fortified capital. This also reflects the post-exilic commitment to re-order the spiritual life of Israel, moving away from past neglects that led to the exile, by ensuring dedicated personnel for divine service.

Nehemiah 11 15 Word analysis

• Mattaniah (מַתַּנְיָה, Mattanyah): Meaning "Gift of Yah." A common Levite name. His presence indicates a specific individual committed to the worship roles within the newly organized community.
• Mica (מִיכָא, Mika): A patriarchal figure in Mattaniah's lineage.
• Zabdi (זַבְדִּי, Zabdi): Another ancestor, indicating established family lines for priestly/Levitical service.
• Asaph (אָסָף, Asaph): A chief Levite musician during David's time (1 Chron 6:39). Mattaniah's descent from Asaph connects him to a renowned lineage of temple singers and composers, emphasizing a strong tradition of sacred music being revived and sustained in Jerusalem.
• the chief who began the thanksgiving in prayer (הָרֹאשׁ לְהוֹדֹת לִתְפִלָּה, ha-Rosh l'hodot litfillah):
  • ha-Rosh: "The chief," "the head." Designates a primary leader or initiator.
  • l'hodot: "To give thanks," "to praise," "to confess." Points to the specific act of formal thanksgiving. This suggests Mattaniah's foundational and leading role in public praise and liturgy.
  • litfillah: "In prayer." This specifies the context of the thanksgiving – integrated into corporate prayer.
  • This phrase indicates Mattaniah was not merely a participant but the prime mover or leader in the collective offering of praise and supplication. This could refer to initiating a new practice of organized public thanksgiving or restoring it with renewed vigor. His role highlights the importance placed on vocalized praise and prayer in their worship.
• Bakbukiah (בַקְבֻּקְיָה, Bakbukyah): "Emptying of Yah." Another Levite. Listed elsewhere (e.g., Neh 12:9) among those returning.
• the second among his brethren (הַמִּשְׁנֶה בֵּין אֶחָיו, ha-mishneh bein echav):
  • ha-mishneh: "The second," "deputy," or "substitute."
  • This denotes a hierarchical structure within the Levitical roles. Bakbukiah served in a secondary, perhaps supportive or sequential, capacity to Mattaniah, or as the next in command. This reflects organized, well-defined roles within the temple service.
• Abda (עַבְדָּא, Abda): "Servant." Another Levite, a worshiper.
• Shammua (שַׁמּוּעַ, Shammua): "Heard." Ancestor of Abda.
• Galal (גָּלָל, Galal): "Dung" or "rolled." Ancestor of Abda.
• Jeduthun (יְדֻתוּן, Yeduthun): Another one of the three principal Levite musical directors during David's reign (1 Chron 16:41; 25:1, 6). Abda's lineage through Jeduthun confirms the continuous presence and vital role of the specific musical families designated for temple worship. This shows a direct continuity of sacred function from the days of the monarchy into the post-exilic period.

Nehemiah 11 15 Bonus section

• Continuity of Musical Lineages: The explicit mention of descendants from Asaph and Jeduthun underscores the importance of historical continuity and inherited tradition in Israelite worship. These were not new inventions but the revival and continuation of established practices and family guilds.
• Parallelism with 1 Chronicles 9: This passage has parallels with 1 Chron 9:14-16, which also lists the families of Levites, including similar names (Mattaniah, Bakbukiah), indicating these were well-known and consistent lineages committed to temple service over generations.
• Sacrifice of Repopulation: The people chosen to live in Jerusalem, especially spiritual leaders, made a sacrifice. Life within the city walls was perhaps more crowded or less economically viable than outside, but it carried spiritual honor and responsibility to maintain the purity and functions of the holy city.

Nehemiah 11 15 Commentary

Nehemiah 11:15 is part of a detailed registry outlining the re-establishment of key community functions and personnel within Jerusalem after the rebuilding of the city walls. This verse specifically enumerates three Levites – Mattaniah, Bakbukiah, and Abda – chosen to dwell in the sacred city, highlighting the indispensable role of worship leaders in the revitalized Jewish state. Mattaniah, distinguished as the chief initiator of thanksgiving in public prayer, underscores that the physical reconstruction of Jerusalem was inherently linked to a spiritual re-ordering, placing corporate worship and praise at its core. His descent from Asaph and Abda's from Jeduthun affirms the continuity and significance of long-standing Levitical musical traditions established since Davidic times. This systematic repopulation and appointment of spiritual leaders illustrate the commitment of the returning exiles to not only physical restoration but also profound spiritual renewal, demonstrating faith in action and reliance on God's provision and guidance for a prosperous community. The emphasis on defined roles within the worship ministry (like "the second") points to an organized, purposeful dedication to sacred duties.