Nehemiah 11 8

Nehemiah 11:8 kjv

And after him Gabbai, Sallai, nine hundred twenty and eight.

Nehemiah 11:8 nkjv

and after him Gabbai and Sallai, nine hundred and twenty-eight.

Nehemiah 11:8 niv

and his followers, Gabbai and Sallai?928 men.

Nehemiah 11:8 esv

and his brothers, men of valor, 928.

Nehemiah 11:8 nlt

After him were Gabbai and Sallai and a total of 928 relatives.

Nehemiah 11 verses

Nehemiah 11 8 Meaning

Nehemiah 11:8 names two specific individuals, Obadiah and Berekiah, tracing their lineage and identifying their dwelling place. Obadiah, descended from Jeduthun, a chief musician and temple leader, and Berekiah, are noted as living in the villages of the Netophathites. This verse details part of the critical repopulation effort of Jerusalem and its surrounding areas by those returned from exile, highlighting the role and settlement of specific Levites, particularly those associated with the vital ministry of temple worship and music. It emphasizes the re-establishment of the community and its sacred functions under divine providence.

Nehemiah 11 8 Context

Nehemiah chapter 11 details the repopulation of Jerusalem and other Judean towns after the return from Babylonian exile. Many leaders and a tenth of the remaining population, chosen by lot, moved into the fortified city of Jerusalem to strengthen it. The surrounding villages were also populated, including specific Levites essential for the re-establishment of Temple service. Verse 8 fits within this larger demographic registry, specifically identifying Levites connected to the revered Temple musical tradition. This section underlines the rebuilding not only of walls and houses but of the community's spiritual and social infrastructure, emphasizing the importance of ordered worship in their national life.

Nehemiah 11 8 Word analysis

• And Obadiah (וְעֹבַדְיָה - v’‘Ovadyah): "And servant of Yahweh." This name often indicates piety and dedication to God. Its appearance here signifies the Lord's service being central to the returned community.
• the son of Shemaiah (בֶּן-שְׁמַעְיָה - ben-Shema'yah): "son of heard by Yahweh." The lineage emphasizes historical connection and family ties, which were vital for identity and societal structure in post-exilic Judah.
• the son of Galal (בֶּן-גָּלָל - ben-Galal): "son of rolling" or "heavy." While not as immediately symbolic as other names, it anchors the genealogy in an established, if less prominent, line.
• the son of Jeduthun (בֶּן-יְדֻתוּן - ben-Yeduthun): This is a pivotal ancestral name. Jeduthun (יְדֻתוּן) was one of the three principal Levite musicians and seers appointed by King David for temple worship (1 Chr 25:1, 3, 6). His lineage's presence indicates the continuation and re-establishment of the highly organized sacred musical tradition in the Second Temple era. This lineage signifies a spiritual legacy of praise and organized worship.
• and Berekiah (וּבֶרֶכְיָה - uVerekhyah): "And blessed by Yahweh." Another name with a positive divine connotation, reflecting divine favor and blessing.
• the son of Asa (בֶּן-אָסָא - ben-’Asa): "son of healer" or "physician." A common name, often found among Judah's royal line or notable individuals.
• the son of Elkanah (בֶּן-אֶלְקָנָה - ben-Elqanah): "son of God has created/possessed." This name is famously linked to Samuel's father, further adding depth to the ancestral lineage of those returning to serve God.
• who lived in the villages of the Netophathites (אֲשֶׁר יָשְׁבוּ בְּחַצְרֵי הַנְּטֹפָתִי - ’asher yashvu b’hatzrei haN'ṭophati): Netophah was a town south of Jerusalem, identified with musicians and singers who returned from exile (Ezra 2:22). This detail indicates that while some Levites resided in Jerusalem (as specified in Neh 11:4-7), others, important for Temple duties, settled in the nearby agricultural areas, providing sustenance and proximity for service. It illustrates the dispersed yet functionally connected nature of the post-exilic community.

Words-group analysis:

• Lineage of Jeduthun: The explicit mention of Jeduthun’s line signifies the meticulous efforts to reinstate the dedicated musicians and singers for the Temple worship, emphasizing the continuity of sacred praise across generations, linking the past glory of David’s time to the present restoration. It underscores the theological principle that faithful worship is essential to the people's identity.
• Dwelling in Netophathite villages: This geographic detail shows the broader repopulation strategy beyond Jerusalem's walls, providing both security and practical support for the city, especially concerning Levites involved in agricultural sustenance and ceremonial duties who might travel to the Temple. It points to a communal effort to thrive both spiritually and practically.

Nehemiah 11 8 Bonus section

The careful preservation of genealogies in books like Nehemiah (and Ezra and Chronicles) was not merely for historical record-keeping but served crucial theological and practical functions for the returned exiles. They confirmed tribal identities, hereditary priestly and Levite roles (like the sons of Jeduthun as musicians), land ownership claims, and the legitimacy of religious leadership. In a period of national rebuilding, this meticulous detail reinforced covenant identity and God's faithfulness in bringing His people back to their land and roles of service. The re-establishment of Jeduthun's line signified a return to ordered worship that was vital for spiritual revival.

Nehemiah 11 8 Commentary

Nehemiah 11:8, seemingly a mere list of names, is deeply significant for the theological and practical reconstruction of post-exilic Judah. The mention of Obadiah and Berekiah, specifically the former’s lineage tracing back to Jeduthun, points to the meticulous re-establishment of divine worship as commanded through the Mosaic Law and modeled by King David. It confirms the re-institution of specialized Levite service in Temple music, critical for liturgical practice and communal spiritual life. Their residence in the Netophathite villages highlights the broader repopulation strategy—filling both Jerusalem and its vital surrounding communities—necessary for the full functioning of the renewed nation, encompassing both city and supporting hinterland, all serving God’s purpose.