Nehemiah 12 14

Nehemiah 12:14 kjv

Of Melicu, Jonathan; of Shebaniah, Joseph;

Nehemiah 12:14 nkjv

of Melichu, Jonathan; of Shebaniah, Joseph;

Nehemiah 12:14 niv

of Malluk's, Jonathan; of Shekaniah's, Joseph;

Nehemiah 12:14 esv

of Malluchi, Jonathan; of Shebaniah, Joseph;

Nehemiah 12:14 nlt

Jonathan was leader of the family of Malluch.
Joseph was leader of the family of Shecaniah.

Nehemiah 12 verses

Nehemiah 12 14 Meaning

Nehemiah 12:14 is an integral entry within the detailed list of priestly heads who served during the era of Joiakim, son of Jeshua, the High Priest, in the post-exilic Jerusalem. This specific verse identifies the families of "Rehum, of Minah; of Iddo, of Pedaiah," establishing their lineage and continuation in priestly duties after the return from Babylonian captivity. It serves as a meticulously kept record of the spiritual leadership crucial for the proper functioning and legitimate administration of temple worship and the re-established covenant community in Judah.

Nehemiah 12 14 Context

Nehemiah 12:14 is found within a section of Nehemiah (verses 1-26) that provides a crucial record of the priests and Levites who returned from Babylonian exile and established the Second Temple worship in Jerusalem. This chapter meticulously lists the heads of priestly and Levitical families, first those who came back with Zerubbabel and Joshua (vv. 1-7), then those serving in the days of Joiakim (vv. 12-21), to which verse 14 belongs. The chapter concludes by recounting the dedication of Jerusalem's rebuilt wall (vv. 27-43) and the provision for temple service (vv. 44-47). Historically, these records underscore the meticulous efforts of the returning community to adhere to Mosaic law concerning temple service, ensuring that only those of verifiable priestly descent performed the sacred duties. The accurate documentation of these lineages was paramount for legitimate worship and administration within the post-exilic Jewish community, emphasizing continuity with the Aaronic priesthood and reinforcing the spiritual order of the newly re-established Judah.

Nehemiah 12 14 Word analysis

• of Rehum (רְחוּם, Rechum): The Hebrew preposition 'of' (min) here denotes belonging to a family or line. "Rehum" means "compassion" or "pity." This is a recurring name in post-exilic lists, indicating an important priestly family whose lineage was traced. In this context, Rehum is a representative head of a priestly division from the initial return.

• of Minah (מִינָה, Minah): The prefix 'of' (min) again denotes association. This specific form of the name is unique to Nehemiah 12:14. Scholarly consensus often views "Minah" as a shortened or scribal variant of "Minyamin" (מִנְיָמִן), who is listed in Nehemiah 12:5 as one of the chief priests returning with Zerubbabel. If so, this suggests "Minah" either represents a specific descendant of Minyamin, or perhaps Minyamin's family branch that served alongside Rehum's line. Its textual peculiarity highlights the precise nature of ancient record-keeping and occasional variant readings.

• of Iddo (עִדּוֹ, Iddo): This also signifies belonging to the lineage of Iddo. The name "Iddo" means "his witness" or "timely." An Iddo is likewise mentioned among the priestly returnees in Nehemiah 12:4. This indicates another distinct and verifiable priestly family head whose line was active during Joiakim's high priesthood.

• of Pedaiah (פְדָיָה, Pedayah): "Pedaiah" means "Yahweh has ransomed" or "redeemed by Yah." As with the preceding names, the preposition "of" signifies the head of a priestly line, associated with or succeeding that of Iddo. Pedaiah is a relatively common name, emphasizing the faithfulness of God in redemption which was central to the exilic experience.

• "of Rehum, of Minah; of Iddo, of Pedaiah;": This structure, pairing two individuals/families separated by a semicolon (or implied break in ancient texts), likely represents the family heads or principal priests within their respective lineages active at the specific time mentioned. The repetition of "of" reinforces that each named entity represents a distinct and legitimate priestly succession. The precision in this enumeration underscores the post-exilic community's commitment to maintaining a religiously pure and ancestrally validated priestly class, essential for the proper observance of God's covenant requirements at the Second Temple. Such lists are not merely historical records but profound affirmations of divine order and human faithfulness in upholding the sacred institutions established by God.

Nehemiah 12 14 Bonus section

• Significance of Lists in Biblical Narratives: Beyond administrative necessity, genealogical lists in the Bible, including those in Nehemiah, often serve deeper theological purposes. They demonstrate divine faithfulness in preserving a chosen people, validate specific callings (like the priesthood), and highlight the lineage through which God's promises would be fulfilled (e.g., the lineage of the Messiah). These lists provided legal and historical validation for the identity and authority of the returnees, solidifying their claims to the land and temple service in the eyes of their contemporaries and future generations.
• The Problem of "Minah" and Textual Integrity: The potential variant for "Minah" (likely "Minyamin" from Neh 12:5) illustrates the challenges and integrity of biblical textual transmission. Scribes painstakingly copied and preserved texts, sometimes encountering abbreviated forms or minor variants, which modern scholarship meticulously attempts to reconcile. This demonstrates not an error, but rather the faithfulness of the transmission process itself, preserving textual complexities while maintaining the overarching message. It reminds us that these were real records handled by real people in an effort to maintain divine truth and historical accuracy.

Nehemiah 12 14 Commentary

Nehemiah 12:14 is a snapshot from an administrative roster, yet it carries deep theological and historical significance. Its placement within the comprehensive lists of priests and Levites (Nehemiah 12:1-26) underscores the post-exilic community's paramount concern for re-establishing legitimate and divinely ordained temple worship. Far from being a dry genealogy, this verse, like others in the list, assures the reader that the restored Jerusalem possessed authentic spiritual leadership, maintaining continuity with the Aaronic priesthood prescribed by Mosaic law. The meticulous recording of names like Rehum, Minah, Iddo, and Pedaiah demonstrates an unwavering commitment to order, accountability, and the preservation of sacred lineage against potential corruptions or false claims. This act of preservation reflects a profound faith that God's covenant with His people and His temple would endure, laying the spiritual and administrative foundations for generations to come. It implicitly contrasts the divinely ordered worship of Yahweh with the chaotic or unauthorized religious practices of the surrounding pagan cultures.