Nehemiah 12:36 kjv
And his brethren, Shemaiah, and Azarael, Milalai, Gilalai, Maai, Nethaneel, and Judah, Hanani, with the musical instruments of David the man of God, and Ezra the scribe before them.
Nehemiah 12:36 nkjv
and his brethren, Shemaiah, Azarel, Milalai, Gilalai, Maai, Nethanel, Judah, and Hanani, with the musical instruments of David the man of God. Ezra the scribe went before them.
Nehemiah 12:36 niv
and his associates?Shemaiah, Azarel, Milalai, Gilalai, Maai, Nethanel, Judah and Hanani?with musical instruments prescribed by David the man of God. Ezra the teacher of the Law led the procession.
Nehemiah 12:36 esv
and his relatives, Shemaiah, Azarel, Milalai, Gilalai, Maai, Nethanel, Judah, and Hanani, with the musical instruments of David the man of God. And Ezra the scribe went before them.
Nehemiah 12:36 nlt
And Zechariah's colleagues were Shemaiah, Azarel, Milalai, Gilalai, Maai, Nethanel, Judah, and Hanani. They used the musical instruments prescribed by David, the man of God. Ezra the scribe led this procession.
Nehemiah 12 36 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Neh 12:27 | At the dedication of the wall... they sought out the Levites... to bring them to Jerusalem to celebrate the dedication with joy, with thanksgiving and with singing, with cymbals, harps, and lyres. | Establishes the celebratory and musical nature of the wall's dedication, providing the immediate context for verse 36. |
| Neh 12:35 | ...Zechariah the son of Jonathan... of the sons of Asaph, with trumpets. | Immediately preceding verse, indicating Zechariah's role and "his kinsmen" referring to fellow Levite musicians, likely Asaphites. |
| Neh 12:43 | ...And they offered great sacrifices that day and rejoiced, for God had made them rejoice with great joy... | Highlights the pervasive joy and divine source of the celebration during the dedication. |
| 1 Chr 6:31-32 | These are the men whom David appointed... to be in charge of the music in the house of the Lord... | Shows David's foundational role in establishing musical service for the sanctuary. |
| 1 Chr 23:5 | ...4,000 are to praise the Lord with the instruments which I have made for praise. | Records David's specific commissioning of Levites and instruments for divine praise, linking directly to "instruments of David." |
| 1 Chr 25:1-7 | ...David and the commanders of the army set apart for the service... the sons of Asaph... Jeduthun, and Heman, who prophesied with lyres, harps, and cymbals. | Details David's organized musical orders for temple worship, featuring the Levite clans mentioned (like Asaphites). |
| 2 Chr 7:6 | The priests stood at their posts; the Levites also, with the instruments for music to the Lord, which King David had made for giving thanks to the Lord... | Explicitly states David made instruments for the Temple's dedicatory worship. |
| 2 Chr 29:26 | The Levites stood with the musical instruments of David... for thus was the commandment of the Lord by His prophets. | Records Hezekiah restoring temple worship using "instruments of David," commanded by God through prophets, validating their divine origin. |
| 2 Chr 29:27 | Then Hezekiah commanded to offer the burnt offering on the altar. And when the burnt offering began, the song of the Lord also began with the trumpets, and with the instruments of David, king of Israel. | Further reinforces the link between sacrifices, singing, and David's instruments in proper temple worship. |
| Ps 33:2 | Give thanks to the Lord with the lyre; Sing praises to Him with a harp of ten strings. | An example of praise being rendered to God with stringed instruments, echoing the nature of instruments in Neh 12:36. |
| Ps 42:4 | I would lead the procession to the house of God... with shouts of joy and praise, a multitude keeping festival. | Describes a joyful procession to God's house, akin to the dedication described in Nehemiah. |
| Ps 92:3 | ...with the ten-stringed lute and with the harp, with accompanying music on the lyre. | Mentions various stringed instruments used in praise, part of the range of Davidic instruments. |
| Ps 149:3 | Let them praise His name with dancing; Let them sing praises to Him with tambourine and lyre. | Emphasizes joyous praise involving music and instruments. |
| Ps 150:3-5 | Praise Him with trumpet sound... harp and lyre... tambourine and dancing... stringed instruments and pipe... loud cymbals... clashing cymbals. | A comprehensive call to praise God with all manner of instruments, reflecting the fullness of Davidic worship. |
| Ezra 3:10 | When the builders laid the foundation of the temple... they took their posts with trumpets, and the Levites, the sons of Asaph, with cymbals... | Shows musical performance by Asaphites during a major restoration event (Temple foundation), linking post-exilic music to established lineage. |
| 1 Sam 16:23 | Whenever the evil spirit from God came upon Saul, David would take the lyre and play it with his hand; so Saul would be refreshed... | Illustrates David's personal musical skill and its effect, predating his royal institution of worship music. |
| 2 Sam 6:5 | And David and all the house of Israel were celebrating before the Lord with all kinds of instruments made of cypress wood... lyres, harps, tambourines, castanets, and cymbals. | Early example of David leading vibrant, instrument-filled worship before the Lord during the ark's procession. |
| Amos 6:5 | Who improvise to the sound of the harp, And like David, invent for themselves instruments of music. | A critical passage. Though critical of misused musical talents, it confirms David's role as an innovator and institutor of musical instruments. |
| Eph 5:19 | speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord. | New Testament emphasis on communal musical worship, carrying forward the spirit of OT musical dedication. |
| Col 3:16 | Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. | Reiterates the importance of musical expression in corporate and personal worship, linking it to spiritual edification. |
| Rev 5:8 | When He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each one holding a harp and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. | Harps (musical instruments) are part of heavenly worship, connecting the earthly musical traditions to their ultimate spiritual reality. |
Nehemiah 12 verses
Nehemiah 12 36 Meaning
Nehemiah 12:36 lists key Levites and others, likely part of the priestly procession, who participated in the joyful dedication of the rebuilt wall of Jerusalem. It highlights their role as musicians, specifically using "the musical instruments of David the man of God." This signifies adherence to the divinely ordained and established practices for temple worship, reinforcing the re-establishment of sacred order and praise in post-exilic Judah.
Nehemiah 12 36 Context
Nehemiah 12 details the grand dedication ceremony for the rebuilt wall of Jerusalem, a monumental achievement for the returning exiles. The chapter highlights the importance of re-establishing ordered worship and priestly duties alongside the physical reconstruction. Two large thanksgiving choirs or processions are described, proceeding along the wall, one moving clockwise and the other counter-clockwise, meeting at the temple. Nehemiah 12:36 identifies specific musicians belonging to one of these groups (the one moving left/north, after Zechariah mentioned in verse 35) who contribute to the joyful and praise-filled celebration. The re-introduction of music, especially that associated with David, symbolized the return to former glory and faithful adherence to the established worship practices that had been neglected or impossible during exile. It was a tangible expression of communal rejoicing and gratitude for God's protection and restoration.
Nehemiah 12 36 Word analysis
and his kinsmen: Refers back to Zechariah (Neh 12:35), identifying those in his group or associated with his lineage, likely fellow Levite musicians, perhaps from the clan of Asaph. Implies a collective, organized participation.
Shemaiah (שְׁמַעְיָה - "heard of Yah"): A common biblical name, often signifying a relationship with God. Here, it indicates a specific participant, a Levite musician.
Azarel (עֲזַרְאֵל - "God has helped"): Another significant name, perhaps reflecting the community's experience of divine aid in rebuilding.
Milalai (מִילַי - "my speech" or uncertain meaning): A less common name, emphasizing the individuality within the larger collective.
Gilalai (גִּלְלַי - uncertain meaning): As above, another individual named.
Maai (מַעֲיַי - "from a spring/fountain"): Implies refreshment or a source of life.
Nethanel (נְתַנְאֵל - "God has given"): Highlights God's benevolence, a fitting sentiment for the dedication.
Judah (יְהוּדָה - "praise" or "thanksgiving"): A deeply significant name for the region and a tribe, directly aligning with the theme of praise in the dedication.
and Hanani (חֲנָנִי - "my grace" or "gracious"): A name expressing grace, relevant to God's favor on the people's efforts. Hanani is also Nehemiah's brother, perhaps reflecting familial connection to leadership roles in the event.
with the musical instruments (כְּלֵי שִׁיר - k'lei shir): Literally "vessels/utensils of song/music." Denotes the specific types of instruments used in temple worship, such as harps, lyres, cymbals, trumpets, reflecting a rich sonic landscape for praise. These were not just any instruments but sacred, purpose-made ones.
of David (דָּוִיד - Dāwîḏ): Critical detail. Refers not merely to instruments made by David, but to the tradition and standards of worship music that David, as king and psalmist, instituted for the Levitical service in the sanctuary. It indicates a restoration of proper, divinely authorized forms of worship.
the man of God (אִישׁ הָאֱלֹהִים - 'îsh hā-'ĕlōhîm): A title applied to prophets (Moses, Samuel, Elijah, Elisha) and sometimes kings, indicating divine anointing, prophetic insight, and close relationship with God. Applying it to David elevates his role in establishing worship, signifying that his musical ordinances were inspired by God. It lends spiritual authority and legitimacy to the use of these instruments and practices in worship.
Word-groups Analysis:
- "his kinsmen, Shemaiah... Hanani": This specific listing of names indicates a meticulously organized structure for the celebration, emphasizing accountability and the individual contributions of each participant. Their inclusion confirms their vital role in the procession.
- "musical instruments of David the man of God": This phrase is a powerful theological statement. It asserts that the restored worship practices, particularly music, are not arbitrary but rooted in a divine pattern established by a divinely chosen and inspired leader. It links the post-exilic worship to the foundational principles of the First Temple, validating its authenticity and significance. It stresses that God delights in ordered, Spirit-led worship.
Nehemiah 12 36 Bonus Section
- The naming of individuals in this verse is not merely a register but serves to legitimize the Levitical participation in the solemn yet joyful dedication ceremony, grounding the event in lineage and spiritual continuity.
- The emphasis on "instruments of David" in Nehemiah, a post-exilic book, shows a conscious effort by the returning community to look back to their roots and restore what was "as commanded by the Lord" through figures like David, establishing continuity across generations and crises.
- This verse contributes to the biblical understanding that worship, especially communal worship, is often intended to be a vibrant, multi-sensory experience, involving sound and music as a means of expressing deep gratitude and praise to God.
Nehemiah 12 36 Commentary
Nehemiah 12:36 offers a glimpse into the organized and joyful worship marking the dedication of Jerusalem's wall. The listing of specific individuals underscores the personal investment and communal effort in this spiritual renewal. The phrase "musical instruments of David the man of God" is central. It does not necessarily mean literal instruments made by King David centuries prior, but rather the standardized types and, more importantly, the divine tradition of sacred music that David instituted for temple worship. This includes instruments like lyres, harps, and cymbals that he designated for Levitical use. The title "man of God" appended to David emphasizes that his reforms in worship were divinely inspired and authorized, giving spiritual weight and legitimacy to the forms of praise now being re-established. The act of using "instruments of David" was therefore a profound statement of adherence to ancient, divinely established worship practices, celebrating God's faithfulness in restoring their community and their spiritual life. It signifies a complete return to proper service before the Lord.