Nehemiah 12:9 kjv
Also Bakbukiah and Unni, their brethren, were over against them in the watches.
Nehemiah 12:9 nkjv
Also Bakbukiah and Unni, their brethren, stood across from them in their duties.
Nehemiah 12:9 niv
Bakbukiah and Unni, their associates, stood opposite them in the services.
Nehemiah 12:9 esv
And Bakbukiah and Unni and their brothers stood opposite them in the service.
Nehemiah 12:9 nlt
Their associates, Bakbukiah and Unni, stood opposite them during the service.
Nehemiah 12 9 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Num 3:6 | Bring the tribe of Levi near and set them before Aaron the priest, that they may minister to him. | Levitical service; ministering to priests |
| Num 4:4 | This is the service of the sons of Kohath in the tent of meeting: the most holy things. | Specific duties for Levitical families |
| 1 Chr 9:33 | Now these are the singers, chief of the fathers of the Levites, who remaining in the chambers were free: for they were employed in that work day and night. | Dedicated Temple singers; constant service |
| 1 Chr 15:16 | And David spake to the chief of the Levites to appoint their brethren the singers with instruments of music... | Davidic organization of singers |
| 1 Chr 16:4 | And he appointed certain of the Levites to minister before the ark of the Lord, and to record, and to thank and to praise the Lord God of Israel: | Levitical roles: ministering, praising |
| 1 Chr 23:5 | ...four thousand praised the Lord with the instruments which I made, said David, to praise therewith. | Instrumental worship in the Temple |
| 1 Chr 24:3 | And David distributed them, both Zadok of the sons of Eleazar, and Ahimelech of the sons of Ithamar, according to their offices in their service. | Divisions of priests; structured service |
| 1 Chr 25:1 | Moreover David and the captains of the host separated to the service of the sons of Asaph, and of Heman, and of Jeduthun, who should prophesy with harps, with psalteries, and with cymbals... | Specific organization of musicians |
| 1 Chr 26:1-19 | Describes the divisions of the doorkeepers. | Detailed organization of Temple personnel |
| Ezra 3:10-11 | And when the builders laid the foundation of the temple of the Lord, they set the priests in their apparel with trumpets, and the Levites the sons of Asaph with cymbals, to praise the Lord... | Singing & music in restoration of Temple |
| Neh 7:44 | The singers: the children of Asaph, an hundred forty and eight. | Census of singers, part of the return |
| Neh 11:22 | The chief also of the Levites at Jerusalem was Uzzi the son of Bani, the son of Hashabiah, the son of Mattaniah, the son of Micah. Of the sons of Asaph, the singers were over the business of the house of God. | Levites and singers responsible for Temple affairs |
| Neh 12:24 | And the chief of the Levites: Hashabiah, Sherebiah, and Jeshua the son of Kadmiel, with their brethren over against them, to praise and to give thanks, according to the commandment of David the man of God, ward over against ward. | Supervision and orderly praise; continuing tradition |
| Neh 12:27 | And at the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem they sought the Levites out of all their places, to bring them to Jerusalem, to keep the dedication with gladness, both with thanksgivings, and with singing, with cymbals, psalteries, and with harps. | Joyful, organized worship at dedication |
| Neh 12:44-47 | In that day were appointees over the chambers... for the portions of the priests and Levites: for Judah rejoiced for the priests and for the Levites that waited. And both the singers and the doorkeepers kept the ward of their God... | System of provisions for worship leaders |
| Ezek 44:10-14 | But the Levites who went astray from me... shall bear their punishment... they shall minister in my sanctuary, having oversight at the gates... and they shall slaughter the burnt offering... | Warning regarding unfaithfulness; redefined roles of Levites |
| 1 Cor 14:33 | For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints. | God's nature is order, not chaos |
| 1 Cor 14:40 | Let all things be done decently and in order. | Principle of order in worship |
| Titus 1:5 | For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee: | Need for proper church organization |
| Heb 8:5 | Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount. | Worship follows divine pattern; order matters |
| Eph 4:11-12 | And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: | Different roles for body's building up |
Nehemiah 12 verses
Nehemiah 12 9 Meaning
Nehemiah 12:9 states the specific administrative roles of Bakbukiah and Unni. As Levites and "their brethren" (referring to other Levites mentioned earlier), they were tasked with supervising the "choirs" (singers and musicians) and ensuring their service was carried out "by courses" (in an organized, rotational manner). This verse underscores the meticulous structuring and leadership essential for the proper, continuous functioning of the Temple worship in the post-exilic community.
Nehemiah 12 9 Context
Nehemiah chapter 12 primarily concerns the meticulously documented returnees from the Babylonian exile, focusing on the priests and Levites crucial for restoring Jerusalem's spiritual life. Verses 1-26 list the genealogies and divisions of priests and Levites who came back with Zerubbabel and Jeshua. This comprehensive record emphasizes continuity and legitimate authority within the Levitical and priestly lines, vital for establishing order in the rebuilt community. Nehemiah 12:9 specifically places Bakbukiah and Unni within this established structure, indicating their particular roles in organizing the musical worship. Following this administrative detail, the chapter culminates in verses 27-47 with the joyful and highly organized dedication of Jerusalem's wall, featuring prominent roles for singers, musicians, and Levites. Historically, this passage reflects the post-exilic period (circa 445-430 BC), where the physical rebuilding under Nehemiah's leadership transitioned into the spiritual restoration, guided by Ezra and Nehemiah, to fully reinstate covenant worship according to the Law of Moses and the traditions established by King David.
Nehemiah 12 9 Word Analysis
- Also Bakbukiah: בַּקְבּוּקְיָה (Bakbuqyah) – Likely means "emptying of Jehovah" or "bottle of Jehovah." This name may signify a person completely yielded as a vessel for God's purposes or one from whom the Lord pours out blessing. His mention here underscores the importance of specific individuals dedicated to sacred service in the meticulously structured Temple worship of the restored community.
- and Unni: וְעוּנִּי (wᵊʿunnî) – Means "my affliction" or "afflicted." The inclusion of this name, possibly reflecting the hardships of the exile, demonstrates God's use of individuals who have experienced suffering in His redemptive plan. His appointed role indicates divine restoration and triumph over adversity within the post-exilic leadership.
- their brethren: אֲחֵיהֶם (ʾaḥêhem) – "Their brothers." This phrase emphasizes the familial and communal bonds, particularly within the Levite lineage, that were crucial for continuity and orderly function in the Temple service. It highlights shared responsibility and a collaborative effort within the Levitical families, upholding an established, inherited sacred order.
- were over: לְנֶגֶד (lenegəd) – This preposition implies "over against," "corresponding to," or "in charge of," indicating a position of oversight or supervision. This signifies that Bakbukiah and Unni were not merely participants but held administrative and leadership responsibilities in organizing the liturgical services.
- the choirs: (Interpreted, not direct Hebrew) This KJV translation clarifies the group being supervised. The underlying Hebrew implies "the singers" (הַמְשֹֽׁרְרִים, meshorerim) from the preceding verse (Neh 12:8) and context (Neh 7:44, 11:22, 12:28-29, 12:42-47). This specialized group within the Levites was central to vocal and instrumental worship in the Temple, fulfilling traditions established by King David.
- by courses: מִפְקָדוֹת (mipqādôṯ) – Means "divisions," "watches," "assigned duties," or "officials." This refers to the systematic organization and rotation of priestly and Levitical duties, ensuring regularity, efficiency, and continuity in Temple service. This structured approach prevented chaos and guaranteed all liturgical tasks were fulfilled consistently, reflecting God's nature of order.
- "Bakbukiah and Unni, their brethren": This grouping emphasizes both individual appointment and the collective nature of Levitical service. Their specific identities signify personal calling and accountability, while "their brethren" highlights the essential framework of family lines and corporate responsibility within God's service. It shows that God recognizes and names His servants.
- "were over the choirs, by courses": This phrase describes the specific administrative function that provided structure and continuity to sacred worship. It speaks to organized leadership rather than spontaneous action, demonstrating the vital importance of systematic management for effective and reverent spiritual duties, in line with established Mosaic and Davidic precedents.
Nehemiah 12 9 Bonus Section
- The meticulous lists of names and assigned roles throughout Nehemiah and Ezra underscore the concept of accountability and specific divine appointments for service within God's people. No task, even organizational, was deemed too small when it contributed to the glory of God.
- The emphasis on "courses" for the Levites and priests echoes the detailed arrangements made by King David (as seen in 1 Chronicles 23-26), showing a conscious effort by the returning exiles to re-implement and abide by established biblical precedents for Temple service. This continuity provided stability and legitimacy to their restored religious practices.
- The re-establishment of musical worship was not merely aesthetic but a central part of Old Testament praise, often accompanied by prophetic utterance (1 Chr 25:1-3). Organizing these "choirs by courses" ensured that this powerful aspect of communal worship was sustained efficiently and reverently, contributing significantly to the spiritual vitality of the reborn nation.
Nehemiah 12 9 Commentary
Nehemiah 12:9 illustrates a key aspect of the post-exilic restoration: the deliberate and organized re-establishment of Temple worship. Bakbukiah and Unni, as Levites, were appointed to supervisory roles, overseeing the various divisions of singers and musicians. This precise organization into "courses" was paramount for consistent, dignified worship, ensuring that the Temple services functioned seamlessly according to prescribed divine order. It reflects a core principle of biblical faith: God is a God of order, not confusion, and His worship should mirror that divine characteristic, facilitating devotion and minimizing human error or disarray. This verse thus speaks to the importance of structured spiritual leadership in sustaining a vibrant and faithful community.