Nehemiah 12:35 kjv
And certain of the priests' sons with trumpets; namely, Zechariah the son of Jonathan, the son of Shemaiah, the son of Mattaniah, the son of Michaiah, the son of Zaccur, the son of Asaph:
Nehemiah 12:35 nkjv
and some of the priests' sons with trumpets?Zechariah the son of Jonathan, the son of Shemaiah, the son of Mattaniah, the son of Michaiah, the son of Zaccur, the son of Asaph,
Nehemiah 12:35 niv
as well as some priests with trumpets, and also Zechariah son of Jonathan, the son of Shemaiah, the son of Mattaniah, the son of Micaiah, the son of Zakkur, the son of Asaph,
Nehemiah 12:35 esv
and certain of the priests' sons with trumpets: Zechariah the son of Jonathan, son of Shemaiah, son of Mattaniah, son of Micaiah, son of Zaccur, son of Asaph;
Nehemiah 12:35 nlt
Then came some priests who played trumpets, including Zechariah son of Jonathan, son of Shemaiah, son of Mattaniah, son of Micaiah, son of Zaccur, a descendant of Asaph.
Nehemiah 12 35 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Num 10:2 | “Make two silver trumpets; you shall make them of hammered work. You shall use them for summoning the congregation and for breaking camp.” | Priests' role in trumpet blowing. |
| Num 10:8 | “And the sons of Aaron, the priests, shall blow the trumpets. They shall be to you a statute forever throughout your generations.” | Specific duty of priests for trumpets. |
| 1 Chr 6:31-32 | "These are the men whom David put in charge of the service of song in the house of the Lord... and their kinsmen, the Levites, appointed for all..." | Priestly and Levitical roles in worship. |
| 1 Chr 15:24 | "...and Shebaniah, Joshaphat, Nethanel, Amasai, Zechariah, Benaiah, and Eliezer, the priests, blew the trumpets before the ark of God." | Priests with trumpets in a sacred procession. |
| 2 Chr 5:12 | "...the Levites who were musicians, Asaph, Heman, Jeduthun... along with 120 priests who blew trumpets" | Levite musicians alongside trumpet-blowing priests. |
| 2 Chr 29:26 | "The Levites stood with the instruments of David, and the priests with the trumpets." | Division of labor in temple service. |
| 2 Chr 29:28-30 | "The whole assembly prostrated themselves... when the trumpets sounded, and the singers sang, and the instruments played." | Joyful worship with trumpets and music. |
| Ezra 2:62-63 | "...they sought their registration among those enrolled in the genealogies, but they were not found there... They were excluded from the priesthood" | Importance of priestly genealogies. |
| Neh 7:64 | "These sought their registration among those enrolled in the genealogies, but they were not found there... Therefore they were considered unclean..." | Emphasis on pure lineage for service. |
| Neh 12:27 | "And at the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem they sought the Levites in all their places, to bring them to Jerusalem to celebrate..." | Context: dedication of the wall. |
| Neh 12:31 | "Then I brought up the leaders of Judah to the top of the wall... I appointed two great thanksgiving choirs." | Two choirs in the dedication procession. |
| Neh 12:40 | "And the two thanksgiving choirs took their stand in the house of God..." | Concluding point of the procession at the Temple. |
| Psa 47:5-6 | "God has gone up with a shout, the Lord with the sound of a trumpet. Sing praises to God, sing praises!" | Trumpets as part of worship and celebration. |
| Joel 2:1 | "Blow a trumpet in Zion; sound an alarm on my holy mountain!" | Trumpet used for gathering or alarm. |
| Zec 9:14 | "Then the Lord will appear over them, and His arrow will go forth like lightning... The Lord God will sound the trumpet..." | Trumpet signifying God's presence or action. |
| Rom 12:4-5 | "For as in one body we have many members... we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another." | Diversity of roles in God's service. |
| 1 Cor 12:28 | "And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles... administrations..." | Specific gifts and roles in the spiritual body. |
| Heb 4:14 | "Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession." | Emphasizes the significance of the priestly office. |
| Heb 5:4 | "And no one takes this honor for himself, but only when called by God, just as Aaron was." | Divine appointment to the priesthood. |
| 1 Pet 2:9 | "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for His own possession..." | Believers as a spiritual priesthood. |
Nehemiah 12 verses
Nehemiah 12 35 Meaning
This verse details Zechariah, one of the sons of priests, who participated in the dedication ceremony of Jerusalem's rebuilt wall. He was part of the group tasked with blowing trumpets, and his extensive genealogy is recorded, tracing his lineage through Mattaniah, Micaiah, Zaccur, and ultimately to Asaph, emphasizing his authentic priestly heritage and role in this significant event.
Nehemiah 12 35 Context
Nehemiah 12 details the grand dedication ceremony of the rebuilt walls of Jerusalem, marking a significant milestone for the returned exiles. The chapter lists the priests and Levites who returned with Zerubbabel and Jeshua, highlighting the re-establishment of the temple and its services. The verses leading up to 12:35 describe the formation of two great thanksgiving choirs or processions. These choirs, led by prominent figures, including Ezra and Nehemiah, marched in opposite directions on top of the wall, ultimately converging at the Temple. Zechariah's inclusion, with his specified priestly lineage and his role in sounding the trumpets, emphasizes the highly ordered, sacred, and celebratory nature of this dedication, highlighting the full participation of the priestly class in affirming the Lord's hand in their restoration. This event not only commemorated the physical rebuilding but also represented a spiritual renewal for the community in Judah.
Nehemiah 12 35 Word analysis
- and some of the priests' sons: The Hebrew phrase for "priests' sons" is b'nei hakohanim (בְּנֵי הַכֹּהֲנִים). This designation specifies their hereditary status within the Aaronic priesthood, emphasizing their legitimate and divinely ordained role in Israel's worship and national life. Only those descended from Aaron could serve in priestly functions, ensuring a consecrated line.
- with trumpets: The term chatzotzrot (חֲצֹצְרוֹת) refers specifically to the silver trumpets prescribed in the Torah for priestly use. Unlike ram's horns (shofars), which could be blown by anyone for general calls, chatzotzrot were strictly for priests. They were used to summon the congregation, direct the camps during wilderness journeys, sound an alarm, and announce festivals or sacrifices. Their presence here signifies official, sacred, and joyful proclamation by the consecrated religious leadership.
- Zechariah: The name Zechariah means "the Lord remembers" or "Jehovah has remembered." This name is significant in the post-exilic context, as it speaks to God's faithfulness in remembering His covenant people and restoring them after the Babylonian exile, a theme central to Nehemiah. Many individuals bore this common Hebrew name.
- the son of Jonathan, the son of Shemaiah, the son of Mattaniah, the son of Micaiah, the son of Zaccur, the son of Asaph: This lengthy genealogical chain serves to authenticate Zechariah's priestly identity and status. In post-exilic Judaism, such precise genealogies were crucial for establishing one's claim to inheritance, property, and, most importantly for priests and Levites, their right to temple service (Ezr 2:61-63).
- Asaph: Asaph (אָסָף) was one of the three principal Levitical leaders of music established by King David (1 Chr 6:39). While Asaph himself was a Levite, not a priest, his descendants (bnei Asaph or "sons of Asaph") continued his musical tradition. The inclusion of "Asaph" in this priest's genealogy might indicate a branch of the priestly family that was also closely associated with or descended from the famous Levitical musician guild, thus integrating both priestly duty and musical heritage, especially trumpet blowing, which was a priestly musical function.
- priests' sons with trumpets: This phrase highlights the specific task assigned to members of the priestly lineage in the dedication ceremony. It underscores the fusion of sacred hereditary duty with the instruments specifically commanded for their use in ceremonial worship and significant national events, adding solemnity and authority to the proclamation of the wall's dedication.
- Zechariah the son of... Asaph: This group of words precisely identifies the individual by his lineage, stretching back several generations. This extensive listing provides full validation of his credentials. It connects this Zechariah directly to a venerable and renowned family associated with worship and service in the house of God from previous generations, signifying continuity and legacy in the sacred traditions of Israel.
Nehemiah 12 35 Bonus section
The unusual length of Zechariah's genealogy in this specific verse, especially in contrast to others in the same chapter that simply mention a person's father, draws particular attention to his status. It emphasizes the critical importance of verifiable lineage for those performing sacred duties, reinforcing the concept that access to certain religious offices was not based on personal ambition but on divine appointment through heredity. This detailed record is not merely for identification but serves as an act of legitimation within a community acutely aware of its covenantal history and future.
Nehemiah 12 35 Commentary
Nehemiah 12:35 provides a detailed and somewhat exceptional genealogy for a single individual, Zechariah, highlighting his precise identity within the priestly ranks and his specific role in the magnificent dedication of the reconstructed wall of Jerusalem. The inclusion of "Asaph" in his lineage connects him to a profound heritage of temple musicians and worshippers, even as he fulfills the specific priestly duty of trumpet blowing. This verse underscores the meticulous record-keeping essential for the proper ordering of post-exilic society, particularly concerning priestly roles which demanded pure and verifiable lineage. The sound of priestly trumpets during the dedication signified God's presence, solemn declaration, and the official nature of the event, marking the triumph of God's people in restoring both their physical security and their communal worship. It's a snapshot of God's divine order and provision for His people in an age of restoration.