Nehemiah 11 17

Nehemiah 11:17 kjv

And Mattaniah the son of Micha, the son of Zabdi, the son of Asaph, was the principal to begin the thanksgiving in prayer: and Bakbukiah the second among his brethren, and Abda the son of Shammua, the son of Galal, the son of Jeduthun.

Nehemiah 11:17 nkjv

Mattaniah the son of Micha, the son of Zabdi, the son of Asaph, the leader who began the thanksgiving with prayer; Bakbukiah, the second among his brethren; and Abda the son of Shammua, the son of Galal, the son of Jeduthun.

Nehemiah 11:17 niv

Mattaniah son of Mika, the son of Zabdi, the son of Asaph, the director who led in thanksgiving and prayer; Bakbukiah, second among his associates; and Abda son of Shammua, the son of Galal, the son of Jeduthun.

Nehemiah 11:17 esv

and Mattaniah the son of Mica, son of Zabdi, son of Asaph, who was the leader of the praise, who gave thanks, and Bakbukiah, the second among his brothers; and Abda the son of Shammua, son of Galal, son of Jeduthun.

Nehemiah 11:17 nlt

Also Mattaniah son of Mica, son of Zabdi, a descendant of Asaph, who led in thanksgiving and prayer. Also Bakbukiah, who was Mattaniah's assistant, and Abda son of Shammua, son of Galal, son of Jeduthun.

Nehemiah 11 verses

Nehemiah 11 17 Meaning

Nehemiah 11:17 identifies key Levites who resettled in Jerusalem, specifically focusing on those appointed for the sacred service of temple music and leadership in worship. It highlights Mattaniah, a descendant of Asaph, as the principal figure responsible for initiating public thanksgiving in prayer. It further mentions Bakbukiah as his deputy and Abda, from the line of Jeduthun, indicating the systematic re-establishment of dedicated temple musicians and praise leaders after the Babylonian exile. This verse underscores the priority given to organized worship and expressions of gratitude within the newly restored community.

Nehemiah 11 17 Context

Nehemiah 11 describes the repopulation of Jerusalem after the Babylonian exile, a crucial step in re-establishing Judah as a functioning, worship-centered community. Chapters 8-10 detail spiritual revival and renewed covenant commitment under Ezra and Nehemiah. This chapter lists the specific individuals, particularly leaders from various tribes, priests, and Levites, who willingly moved into the city to assume their responsibilities. Verse 17 focuses specifically on the Levites designated for musical and liturgical service within the recently rebuilt temple. The precise naming of individuals, including their genealogies (e.g., sons of Asaph, Jeduthun), highlights the emphasis on order, lineage, and the restoration of proper, historical worship practices as established in pre-exilic times, particularly by King David. It sets the scene for a fully operational central sanctuary that could draw the repatriated people together in unified worship and prayer.

Nehemiah 11 17 Word analysis

• and Mattaniah (וּמַתַּנְיָה - uMattanyah): The prefix "u-" means "and." Mattaniah means "gift of Yahweh." This name frequently appears in post-exilic lists, reflecting God's continued graciousness to His people. His presence as a leader signifies God's provision of leadership.
• the son of Mica, the son of Zabdi, the son of Asaph (בֶּן מִיכָא בֶּן־זַבְדִּי בֶּן־אָסָף - ben Mika ben-Zabdi ben-Asaph): This detailed lineage traces Mattaniah's ancestry back to Asaph, a prominent Levitical choir director appointed by King David (1 Chr 25:1). This genealogical link provides authority and legitimacy to his role, ensuring continuity with Israel's divinely ordained worship tradition. It implies faithfulness to ancestral calling.
• who was the chief (רֹאשׁ הַמְּהַלֵּל - ro'sh hamm'hallell): "Chief" (ro'sh) denotes a leadership position, a head or principal. "Praiser" (hamm'hallell) indicates one who is specially designated for leading praise or musical worship. This highlights a dedicated, formal role in liturgical service, not just informal singing.
• among them: Refers to the collective body of Levites mentioned or implied, distinguishing Mattaniah as preeminent in his specific function.
• to begin the thanksgiving (לְהוֹדוֹת - l'hodot): The infinitive l'hodot means "to give thanks" or "to confess." It signifies initiating or leading the acts of thanksgiving. This was a core element of temple worship, expressing gratitude to God for His blessings and faithfulness.
• in prayer (בַּתְּפִלָּה - batt'phillah): "In prayer" means that the thanksgiving was not merely vocal or instrumental, but embedded within structured supplication or formal worship. It shows a blend of praise and intercession. This also suggests the public and communal nature of the activity.
• and Bakbukiah (וּבַקְבֻּקְיָה - uBakbukyah): "And Bakbukiah" also signifies another named individual, perhaps from the same family group as Mattaniah, though not directly related in lineage in this verse. His role emphasizes comprehensive staffing for temple duties.
• the second among his brethren (הַמִּשְׁנֶה מֵאֶחָיו - hammishneh me'echav): "The second" (hammishneh) implies a deputy, assistant, or next in rank. This establishes a hierarchy and organization within the Levitical roles, ensuring continuity and order in temple services. "His brethren" refers to other Levites.
• and Abda the son of Shammua, the son of Galal, the son of Jeduthun (וְעַבְדָּא בֶן־שַׁמּוּעַ בֶּן־גָּלָל בֶּן יְדוּתוּן - v'Avda ben-Shammua ben-Galal ben-Yedutun): Abda, possibly a shortened form of Obadiah ("servant of Yahweh"), represents another line of prominent Levitical musicians descending from Jeduthun (1 Chr 25:1), another co-equal chief musician with Asaph under David. His inclusion reinforces the comprehensive restoration of musical ministry and historical tradition.

• Levitical Musician Lines (Asaph and Jeduthun): The specific mention of Asaph and Jeduthun indicates a strong emphasis on restoring the exact form of temple worship established in Davidic times (1 Chr 25). These lines were consecrated for song, prophecy, and instrumental music, highlighting the high calling of temple worship.
• Leadership in Thanksgiving and Prayer: The phrase "chief among them to begin the thanksgiving in prayer" signifies a prominent and essential role. Public prayer and thanksgiving were not left to spontaneity but required designated, skilled leaders for their solemn and corporate expression before God. This illustrates intentionality in spiritual leadership.
• Hierarchy and Order ("chief," "second"): The clear designation of "chief" and "second" demonstrates structured organization. This mirrors the biblical principle of order in worship (1 Cor 14:40) and highlights a disciplined, efficient, and well-governed approach to religious service, vital for the community's spiritual health and identity.

Nehemiah 11 17 Bonus section

The careful preservation and recording of genealogies, particularly for Levites in charge of sacred duties, like the musicians mentioned in Nehemiah 11:17, highlight a profound reverence for the Mosaic Law's instructions concerning tribal and familial roles. This post-exilic community demonstrated an unswerving commitment to purity of lineage and authenticity of divine calling. The mention of "Asaph" and "Jeduthun" explicitly connects the worship of their current era back to the golden age of David's kingdom, showcasing a deliberate continuity and an assertion of their identity rooted in God's historical dealings with His people, countering any attempts at syncretism or informal, uncommissioned worship practices. These detailed records ensured that temple service was executed by the legitimate heirs of the Levitical ministry, reinforcing a deep sense of heritage and divine mandate against external pressures or internal dilution of faith. This adherence to divine order reflected a robust rejection of arbitrary worship, embracing instead the pre-ordained methods of service that honored God.

Nehemiah 11 17 Commentary

Nehemiah 11:17 provides a meticulous snapshot of the re-established order in Jerusalem's spiritual life following the exile. It identifies key Levites responsible for the essential function of temple music and liturgical leadership. Mattaniah, of Asaph's lineage, stands out as the primary leader in initiating public thanksgiving during prayer. This role was crucial for the communal expression of gratitude and adoration, serving as a spiritual anchor for the rebuilding community. The inclusion of Bakbukiah as a deputy underscores the organizational structure put in place to ensure seamless and continuous worship. Furthermore, Abda, tracing his ancestry to Jeduthun, confirms the comprehensive reinstatement of all principal Levitical musician lines. This verse attests to the diligent effort made to restore temple service precisely according to ancient, divinely instituted patterns, emphasizing that worship, marked by thanksgiving and led by dedicated individuals, was central to Israel's revived national identity and relationship with God. The returnees valued their spiritual heritage and invested in its proper continuation.

Examples:

• Structured Worship: Just as Mattaniah led formal thanksgiving, churches today often designate worship leaders or choirs to guide congregational praise and prayer.
• Thankfulness: The emphasis on "thanksgiving in prayer" serves as a timeless reminder for believers to integrate gratitude into their supplications (Phil 4:6).