Nehemiah 12 7

Nehemiah 12:7 kjv

Sallu, Amok, Hilkiah, Jedaiah. These were the chief of the priests and of their brethren in the days of Jeshua.

Nehemiah 12:7 nkjv

Sallu, Amok, Hilkiah, and Jedaiah. These were the heads of the priests and their brethren in the days of Jeshua.

Nehemiah 12:7 niv

Sallu, Amok, Hilkiah and Jedaiah. These were the leaders of the priests and their associates in the days of Joshua.

Nehemiah 12:7 esv

Sallu, Amok, Hilkiah, Jedaiah. These were the chiefs of the priests and of their brothers in the days of Jeshua.

Nehemiah 12:7 nlt

Sallu, Amok, Hilkiah, and Jedaiah.
These were the leaders of the priests and their associates in the days of Jeshua.

Nehemiah 12 verses

Nehemiah 12 7 Meaning

Nehemiah 12:7 lists four heads of priestly families: Sallu, Amok, Hilkiah, and Jedaiah. These individuals and their houses were among the initial group of priests who returned from Babylonian exile with Zerubbabel and Jeshua. Their inclusion signifies their foundational role in re-establishing and maintaining the divine worship and structured communal life in post-exilic Jerusalem, underscoring the importance of established leadership and lineage in the renewed Israelite community.

Nehemiah 12 7 Context

Nehemiah chapter 12 begins with a comprehensive listing of the priests and Levites who returned from the Babylonian exile alongside Zerubbabel and Jeshua, instrumental figures in the rebuilding efforts (verses 1-7). These meticulously recorded names underscore the critical task of re-establishing the legitimate religious infrastructure—specifically the priesthood and temple service—in the post-exilic Jewish community. Following these foundational lists, the chapter transitions to detailing the lineage of high priests and then later generations of priestly families, culminating in the joyous dedication of the rebuilt wall of Jerusalem. Historically, after enduring seventy years of captivity in Babylon, the returning exiles faced the monumental task of not only physically rebuilding Jerusalem and the Temple but also restoring their covenant identity. The systematic registration of priestly houses, as seen in Nehemiah 12:7, provided vital legal and religious validation, ensuring the purity and continuity of worship according to Mosaic Law in a new era under Persian oversight.

Nehemiah 12 7 Word analysis

• Sallu (סַלּוּ, Sallu): This Hebrew proper noun signifies one of the heads of a priestly house. The name likely connects to the verb "salal," meaning "to lift up" or "to weigh," potentially denoting distinction or establishment. His inclusion in this list validates his priestly lineage and role in the renewed religious life of the community. In Nehemiah 12:20, he is also referred to as "Sallai," possibly the same individual or family line.
• Amok (עָמוֹק, Amok): Meaning "deep" or "profound" in Hebrew. As a priestly head, his name appears here as part of the formal record of those essential to the Temple's re-establishment. The act of listing such individuals by name emphasizes the thoroughness of the records kept during the Persian period and highlights the foundational significance of each family's participation in the restoration.
• Hilkiah (חִלְקִיָּה, Hilkiyyah): A significant Hebrew name meaning "My portion is Yahweh" or "Yahweh is my portion." This profound theological statement, embedded in the name itself, would serve as a constant reminder of the priests' dedication and reliance on God. While this Hilkiah is not the same high priest who found the Book of the Law during King Josiah's reign (2 Kgs 22:8), the continued use of such a name across generations within the priestly line signifies the family's esteemed heritage and commitment to divine service.
• Jedaiah (יְדַעְיָה, Yedaya): This name means "Yahweh knows" or "Yahweh has known." It is also prominent in other biblical records, appearing in the list of returnees in Ezra 2:36 and among priestly divisions (1 Chr 24:7). The recurring presence of the Jedaiah family in these foundational records emphasizes their enduring importance and the recognition of their contribution to the sacred practices of Israel after the exile.

Word Group Analysis:

• "Sallu, Amok, Hilkiah, Jedaiah": This specific enumeration of names within Nehemiah 12:7 represents individual heads of prominent priestly families who participated in the pivotal initial return from Babylonian exile. These individuals and their ancestral houses were integral to re-establishing the Mosaic law, the sacrificial system, and proper Temple worship in Jerusalem. The detailed listing of their names not only served as a critical genealogical record validating their eligibility for priestly duties but also testified to God's faithfulness in preserving a righteous remnant. Such meticulous records underlined the order and divine intentionality behind the reconstruction of the covenant community, ensuring a seamless continuation of spiritual legacy after generations of dispersion. Their recognition affirmed the restored divine authority in the land and for future generations of leadership.

Nehemiah 12 7 Bonus section

The lists of priests and Levites, especially their family heads, were essential for distributing responsibilities in the re-established Temple and its services. Without these meticulous records, confusion and unauthorized claims to service could have undermined the spiritual integrity of the entire community. Furthermore, these lists served a vital administrative function, guiding the allocation of tithes and offerings due to the priestly and Levitical families for their sustenance. The specific inclusion of these names here reinforces the theme of covenant fidelity – God's promise to restore His people, including their designated spiritual leaders, despite their exile and disobedience. This meticulous documentation also indirectly counters any contemporary challenges to the legitimacy of the re-established priesthood, demonstrating a verifiable, unbroken line of service chosen by God.

Nehemiah 12 7 Commentary

Nehemiah 12:7, while seemingly a straightforward list of names, is pivotal for understanding the meticulousness of the post-exilic community's re-establishment. These are not arbitrary individuals but "heads of priestly houses," signifying the enduring presence and commitment of God's consecrated servants. Their listing serves several crucial functions: it validates their lineage for proper service in the rebuilt Temple, demonstrates the comprehensive divine preservation of the Levitical priesthood despite exile, and provides the framework for organized worship and instruction in the law. This attention to detail speaks to the seriousness with which the returning exiles approached their covenant responsibilities and God's sovereign hand in restoring structure and order to His people. For example, like the foundation stones of a renewed building, these named priests signify the essential components upon which the spiritual life of Israel was re-erected, preparing the way for future generations to worship according to God's design.