Nehemiah 12 18

Nehemiah 12:18 kjv

Of Bilgah, Shammua; of Shemaiah, Jehonathan;

Nehemiah 12:18 nkjv

of Bilgah, Shammua; of Shemaiah, Jehonathan;

Nehemiah 12:18 niv

of Bilgah's, Shammua; of Shemaiah's, Jehonathan;

Nehemiah 12:18 esv

of Bilgah, Shammua; of Shemaiah, Jehonathan;

Nehemiah 12:18 nlt

Shammua was leader of the family of Bilgah.
Jehonathan was leader of the family of Shemaiah.

Nehemiah 12 verses

Nehemiah 12 18 Meaning

Nehemiah 12:18 meticulously lists two specific priests, Shammua and Jehonathan, as belonging to distinct priestly family lines: Bilgah and Shemaiah, respectively. This verse contributes to the detailed registration of priests and Levites who were active in Jerusalem during the post-exilic period under Nehemiah's governorship and Jeshua and Joiakim's high priesthood. Its primary purpose is to document the proper priestly succession and organization vital for maintaining the divinely ordained temple services and the spiritual order of the community after their return from Babylonian exile.

Nehemiah 12 18 Context

Nehemiah 12 documents the various lists of priests and Levites crucial for the re-establishment and proper functioning of worship in post-exilic Jerusalem. Verses 10-26 specifically trace the lineage of the high priests and other prominent priestly and Levitical families from the return under Jeshua to the time of Joiakim and then through Ezra and Nehemiah's period. The listing in verses 12-21 identifies the heads of the priestly families during the high priesthood of Joiakim. Nehemiah 12:18 is an integral part of this meticulous record-keeping, ensuring that the necessary personnel were identified for their roles, particularly for the upcoming dedication of the rebuilt walls (Neh 12:27-47) and the subsequent resumption of full-scale temple worship and Levitical duties. This detailed census and organizational effort reflect a deep commitment to maintaining the Mosaic Law and the covenant responsibilities after a period of exile and spiritual disarray.

Nehemiah 12 18 Word analysis

• of Bilgah (מִבִּלְגָּה - mibbilgāh):
  • "of": The prefix "min-" indicates "from" or "belonging to," signifying descent or association with the priestly course or family.
  • Bilgah: This is not a personal name but refers to the priestly division descended from Bilgah, who was a priest during King David's time and served as one of the heads of the twenty-four courses (1 Chron 24:14). His course would serve in the Temple at specific times throughout the year. The importance lies in lineage and order within divine service.
• Shammua (שַׁמּוּעַ - Šammua‘):
  • This is a personal name, the specific priest leading the house of Bilgah in Joiakim's day.
  • The name means "heard" or "famous," implying someone of note or whose prayer/voice was heard. In the context of the list, it's about accurate identification for administrative purposes rather than character.
• of Shemaiah (מִשְּׁמַעְיָה - miššəma‘yāh):
  • "of": Again, indicates descent from or association with.
  • Shemaiah: Another priestly family line. The name "Shemaiah" means "Yah has heard" or "Heard by Yah" (a short form of Yahweh). This name was common and highlights the people's reliance on God's hearing of their prayers. This is not the personal name, but the name of the ancestral family head.
• Jehonathan (יְהוֹנָתָן - Yəhôānāṯān):
  • This is the personal name of the priest who represented the house of Shemaiah at that time.
  • The name "Jehonathan" means "The Lord has given." It carries the theological idea of divine provision and gifting, perhaps a subtle reminder of God's favor in restoring their community and their priesthood.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "of Bilgah, Shammua; of Shemaiah, Jehonathan;": This structure highlights a strict organizational principle: identifying the priestly head ("Shammua," "Jehonathan") by their ancestral division ("Bilgah," "Shemaiah"). This was crucial for establishing legitimacy, responsibility, and the rotation of priestly service within the Temple, as outlined in Levitical law and organized by David (1 Chron 24). It speaks to a divinely instituted order for worship and governance. The detailed nature of the lists affirms the importance of maintaining an authentic priesthood and proper Temple ritual, a matter of great concern for the returning exiles eager to re-establish true worship in contrast to the deviations that led to their exile. It implicitly underscores the accuracy of divine record-keeping and human responsibility in maintaining it.

Nehemiah 12 18 Bonus section

The inclusion of such detailed genealogical lists in Ezra and Nehemiah reflects a paramount concern for continuity and legitimacy in post-exilic Judah. The Temple service, crucial for atonement and maintaining the covenant relationship, depended entirely on the precise identification of priests belonging to the sons of Aaron and Levites descended from Levi. These lists served as the ancient equivalent of official church registers or ecclesiastical directories. The significance of names in these lists often extended to their meanings (e.g., Shammua "heard," Jehonathan "the Lord has given"), perhaps offering comfort or a subtle prophetic note to those compiling and reading them. This adherence to divine order contrasted sharply with the chaotic religious practices of surrounding pagan nations or even the previous period of spiritual decline in Judah, highlighting a commitment to a precise, biblically regulated faith. This divine ordering foreshadows the careful selection and ordination within the New Testament church for those in spiritual leadership roles, ensuring purity and fidelity to the apostolic teaching.

Nehemiah 12 18 Commentary

Nehemiah 12:18, as part of the detailed rosters in the chapter, may seem like a mere list of names, yet it holds significant spiritual and administrative depth. It showcases the rigorous process of documenting and verifying the lineage of the priests and Levites upon their return from exile. This was not simply a historical record but a functional blueprint for restoring the prescribed worship of God. By identifying specific priests like Shammua and Jehonathan under their respective ancestral courses (Bilgah and Shemaiah), Nehemiah ensured that the temple duties—from sacrifices to teaching the law—would be carried out by those genuinely consecrated and qualified according to God's covenant with the Levitical priesthood. This meticulousness underscores the biblical principle of order in God's service, recognizing that worship must adhere to divine instruction, even down to the detailed organization of those who serve. It also demonstrates God's faithfulness in preserving a remnant and providing leaders for His people to carry on His work across generations.