Nehemiah 12 10

Nehemiah 12:10 kjv

And Jeshua begat Joiakim, Joiakim also begat Eliashib, and Eliashib begat Joiada,

Nehemiah 12:10 nkjv

Jeshua begot Joiakim, Joiakim begot Eliashib, Eliashib begot Joiada,

Nehemiah 12:10 niv

Joshua was the father of Joiakim, Joiakim the father of Eliashib, Eliashib the father of Joiada,

Nehemiah 12:10 esv

And Jeshua was the father of Joiakim, Joiakim the father of Eliashib, Eliashib the father of Joiada,

Nehemiah 12:10 nlt

Jeshua the high priest was the father of Joiakim.
Joiakim was the father of Eliashib.
Eliashib was the father of Joiada.

Nehemiah 12 verses

Nehemiah 12 10 Meaning

Nehemiah 12:10 traces a crucial part of the high priestly lineage during the post-exilic period, listing Jeshua, Joiakim, Eliashib, and Joiada in succession. This verse provides a specific part of the chain of leadership for the sacred priestly office in Jerusalem after the return from Babylonian captivity, emphasizing the continuity of religious authority vital for the spiritual restoration of Israel. It serves as a genealogical record demonstrating the legitimate succession in the priesthood.

Nehemiah 12 10 Context

Nehemiah 12 details the organization of the re-established community in Jerusalem after the return from Babylonian exile. It begins with a list of priests and Levites who returned with Zerubbabel and Jeshua, signifying the continuity of religious roles (Neh 12:1-9). Verses 10-11 then specifically list the successive high priests during the post-exilic period, linking Jeshua (contemporary of Zerubbabel) down to Jaddua, who served in the time of Alexander the Great according to some traditions, extending beyond Nehemiah's immediate context. This genealogy serves to legitimize the high priestly line and illustrate the ongoing functioning of the temple and its services, which depended on the purity and authority of its religious leaders. The broader context of Nehemiah's book is the physical and spiritual restoration of Judah, with the temple and its associated offices being central to the covenant community.

Nehemiah 12 10 Word analysis

• And: A conjunction (waw) that links this verse to the preceding lists, emphasizing that the lineage of high priests is part of the established order following the initial returnees. It signifies continuity in the records.
• Jeshua: (יֵשׁוּעַ - Yeshua), meaning "YHWH is salvation" or "He saves." This is Jeshua (or Joshua) son of Jehozadak, the high priest who returned with Zerubbabel. He is a prominent figure in the books of Haggai and Zechariah, where he is portrayed as a crucial spiritual leader in the rebuilding of the temple and restoration of worship, even having a vision where his filthy garments are exchanged for pure ones, symbolizing divine cleansing and acceptance for the priestly office.
• begot: (הוֹלִיד - holid), the Hebrew Hiphil stem of the verb יָלַד (yalad), meaning "to give birth," "to bring forth," or "to beget." In a genealogical context, it specifically means "fathered." Its repeated use stresses the direct lineal succession of the high priestly office through a specific bloodline, underscoring the legal and religious legitimacy of each individual in their role, essential for maintaining the divinely ordained priestly structure of Israel (Exod 28:1).
• Joiakim: (יוֹיָקִים - Yoyaqim), meaning "YHWH raises up" or "YHWH establishes." He was the son and immediate successor of Jeshua. His presence here signifies the uninterrupted nature of the high priesthood following the first generation of returnees, bridging the period between the initial restoration and Nehemiah's active ministry.
• Eliashib: (אֶלְיָשִׁיב - Elyashiv), meaning "God restores" or "God returns." He was the grandson of Jeshua and served as high priest during Nehemiah's time. While instrumental in rebuilding the Sheep Gate (Neh 3:1), his later actions involving Tobiah the Ammonite (Neh 13:4-9) reveal a compromise of his sacred office, permitting an unholy alliance within the temple precincts. This highlights the ever-present challenge of maintaining purity and faithfulness within spiritual leadership.
• Joiada: (יוֹיָדָע - Yoyada), meaning "YHWH knows" or "YHWH has known." He was the son of Eliashib. Little is recorded of him directly here beyond his place in the succession. The name echoes a significant priest, Jehoiada, who protected the young King Joash from Athaliah and faithfully restored temple worship (2 Kgs 11-12), reminding the reader of the potential for both piety and deviation in priestly history.

Nehemiah 12 10 Bonus section

The accuracy and significance of genealogies in the Hebrew Bible, like this one, cannot be overstated. They served as vital records for establishing identity, tribal affiliation, rights to land, and eligibility for priestly service or kingship. For the post-exilic community, a reliable high priestly genealogy was critical for distinguishing legitimate spiritual leaders from impostors and for re-establishing the sacrificial system according to Mosaic law. This succession also shows the enduring nature of God's institutional provisions for His people, emphasizing the continuity of divine grace in Israel's story. While later traditions, such as the Mishnah, trace the high priestly line even further, Nehemiah's record here roots it firmly in the early post-exilic era, serving as a pillar for the restored community's spiritual identity.

Nehemiah 12 10 Commentary

Nehemiah 12:10, though seemingly a dry list of names, is profoundly significant. It asserts the unbroken and legitimate chain of the high priestly office in post-exilic Judah, providing a foundational validation for the temple's operations and the religious life of the returning exiles. This short verse silently testifies to God's faithfulness in preserving His covenant with Israel through the appointed Aaronic lineage, despite the challenges of exile and reconstruction. It is not merely a record of individuals but of divine providence in maintaining the channels of worship and instruction. The inclusion of Eliashib in this otherwise straightforward genealogy serves as a subtle reminder, particularly for those familiar with Nehemiah 13, that even legitimate leaders can compromise their office. This continuous line ultimately points towards the ultimate High Priest, Jesus Christ, who came from the true Davidic line, fulfilling the functions of mediation and atonement in a perfect and everlasting priesthood.

Examples of succession:

• A physical lineage: Davidic kings following each other on the throne.
• A spiritual authority line: Apostles passing on the gospel ministry to disciples.