Nehemiah 9 4

Nehemiah 9:4 kjv

Then stood up upon the stairs, of the Levites, Jeshua, and Bani, Kadmiel, Shebaniah, Bunni, Sherebiah, Bani, and Chenani, and cried with a loud voice unto the LORD their God.

Nehemiah 9:4 nkjv

Then Jeshua, Bani, Kadmiel, Shebaniah, Bunni, Sherebiah, Bani, and Chenani stood on the stairs of the Levites and cried out with a loud voice to the LORD their God.

Nehemiah 9:4 niv

Standing on the stairs of the Levites were Jeshua, Bani, Kadmiel, Shebaniah, Bunni, Sherebiah, Bani and Kenani. They cried out with loud voices to the LORD their God.

Nehemiah 9:4 esv

On the stairs of the Levites stood Jeshua, Bani, Kadmiel, Shebaniah, Bunni, Sherebiah, Bani, and Chenani; and they cried with a loud voice to the LORD their God.

Nehemiah 9:4 nlt

The Levites ? Jeshua, Bani, Kadmiel, Shebaniah, Bunni, Sherebiah, Bani, and Kenani ? stood on the stairway of the Levites and cried out to the LORD their God with loud voices.

Nehemiah 9 verses

Nehemiah 9 4 Meaning

Nehemiah 9:4 describes a solemn moment during a great assembly in post-exilic Jerusalem where specific Levites, acting as spiritual leaders, took an elevated position on a designated platform. From this prominent place, they initiated a collective and fervent cry, audibly and intensely appealing to the Lord their God, signifying deep repentance, urgent petition, and profound worship from the gathered community.

Nehemiah 9 4 Context

Nehemiah chapter 9 captures a profound moment of spiritual renewal in post-exilic Jerusalem, occurring a few days after the joyful celebration of the Feast of Tabernacles. The chapter details a special assembly where the Israelites dedicated a quarter of the day to reading the Law of God and another quarter to public confession of their sins and the iniquities of their ancestors, having separated themselves from foreign elements (Neh 9:1-3). Verse 4 sets the stage for the intense, led prayer and historical recitation that follows (Neh 9:5-38). The described action of specific Levites, standing on an elevated platform and crying out to God, serves as the spiritual crescendo of the confession, preparing the people for deeper engagement with God's word and their covenant relationship with Him. Historically, this event signifies the rebuilding not only of walls but also of the spiritual fabric of the nation, returning to covenant faithfulness.

Nehemiah 9 4 Word analysis

• Then (וַיַּֽעַמְדוּ – wַyya‘aməḏû - and they stood): A temporal conjunction implying immediate succession, linking this action directly to the preceding period of Law reading and confession. It highlights the planned and sequential nature of the assembly's spiritual activities.
• the Levites (הַלְוִיִּם – hַlᵉwiyyim): Members of the tribe of Levi, consecrated for sacred service to God. Their role encompassed teaching, temple maintenance, and leading worship. Here, they fulfill their ministerial duty by guiding the congregation in corporate prayer.
• Jeshua (יֵשׁוּעַ – yêšûa‘): A common post-exilic name, meaning "The Lord is salvation." This Jeshua is likely a prominent Levite involved in teaching (Neh 8:7) and covenant sealing (Neh 10:9).
• Bani (בָּנִי – bānî): Meaning "my son" or "my builder." A frequently occurring name among those who returned from exile. His inclusion underscores the significant role of particular families and individuals within the Levites.
• Kadmiel (קַדְמִיאֵל – qaḏmî’êl): Meaning "God is ancient" or "God of old." A notable Levitical leader often mentioned with Jeshua (Ezra 2:40, Neh 7:43).
• Shebaniah (שְׁבַנְיָה – šəḇanyâ): Meaning "Yah has grown" or "Yah has caused to dwell." Identified as a Levitical leader in the covenant signing (Neh 10:10).
• Bunni (בֻּנִּי – bunnî): Potentially a shortened form of Binui or another variant of Bani, less common but still indicating a Levitical participant in this solemn assembly.
• Sherebiah (שֵׁרֵבְיָה – šêrēḇyâ): Meaning "Yah has sent the heat/dryness" or "Yah has acted/become mighty." A very prominent Levite who assisted Ezra in the return (Ezra 8:18, 24) and in teaching the Law (Neh 8:7). His leadership signifies authority.
• Bani (בָּנִי – bānî): Appears twice, indicating either two individuals with the same common name or a scribal nuance pointing to distinct roles or a repetition for emphasis.
• and Chenani (כְנָנִי – ḵᵉnānî): Possibly "planted" or "firm." This specific Levite might also be related to Kenanah or Hanan mentioned as Levites elsewhere.
• stood (וַיַּֽעַמְדוּ – wַyya‘aməḏû): To stand erect, signifying readiness, respect, attentiveness, and often a posture for prayer or service (e.g., Lk 18:11, 13). It implies a deliberate, public action.
• on the stairs of the Levites (עַֽל־מַֽעֲלֵה הַלְוִיִּם – ‘al-ma‘ălê halĕwiyyim): Literally "on the ascent of the Levites." This refers to a raised platform, probably the same wooden podium mentioned in Neh 8:4. This elevated position provided visibility and audibility, underscoring their leadership in directing the assembly. It marked their designated place for ministerial duties.
• and cried out (וַיִּזְעֲקוּ – wayyiz‘ăqû): Hebrew root za‘aq (צעק), "to cry aloud, call for help, shriek." This verb denotes an intense, urgent, and fervent vocal appeal, often expressing deep distress, pleading, or lamentation. It signifies more than just speaking; it's an impassioned outcry from the heart.
• with a loud voice (בְּקוֹל גָּדוֹל – bᵉqôl gāḏôl): Literally "with a great voice." This reinforces the intensity of their outcry, indicating that their prayer was not private but was meant to be heard by the entire congregation. It conveyed a unified and desperate corporate appeal, reflecting profound conviction and a turning towards God.
• to the Lord their God (אֶל־יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיהֶם – ’el-Yĕhwāh ’ĕlōhêhem): The ultimate recipient of their fervent prayer. "Lord (YHWH)" is God's covenant name, emphasizing His faithful relationship with Israel. "Their God (Elohim)" highlights His sovereignty and their specific belonging to Him. This collective address reaffirmed their unique covenant bond with the one true God, distinct from any pagan deities.

• Then the Levites... stood on the stairs of the Levites: This phrasing highlights the specific tribal identity (Levites), their appointed leaders, their physical action (standing), and the sacred place from which they ministered (the Levites' platform). It signifies an orderly and authoritative leadership, visible and central to the corporate worship.
• and cried out with a loud voice: This expresses the intensity and urgency of the collective prayer. It emphasizes a passionate, audibly demonstrative form of communication with God, suggesting a moment of deep spiritual earnestness, repentance, and dependence on divine mercy. It points to heartfelt confession rather than mere ritual.
• to the Lord their God: This indicates the specific object of their worship and plea. The use of God's personal covenant name, YHWH, alongside the possessive "their God," strongly affirms the unique relationship between God and His people Israel, despite their shortcomings. It represents an appeal to God's covenant faithfulness and mercy.

Nehemiah 9 4 Bonus section

• A Public Act of Leadership: The selection of specific Levites by name, and their prominent physical placement, underscores that this was a public, deliberate, and organized act of spiritual leadership. Their role was to represent and guide the collective repentance and worship of the entire community.
• Echo of Prophets' Calls: The "loud voice" echoes the calls of prophets to cry aloud in repentance or declaration (Isa 58:1), emphasizing the gravity and public nature of the appeal to God. It reflects the understanding that God's people should be earnest in seeking Him.
• Holistic Worship: This verse illustrates a form of holistic worship that integrates hearing God's Word, acknowledging sin, engaging in passionate prayer, and reaffirming the covenant relationship. It shows that true worship is not merely ritualistic but deeply experiential and transformative.
• Contrast to Silence: In contrast to mere silent reflection, this "loud cry" represents a vocal, audible outpouring, stressing the desperation and conviction of a people collectively turning back to their God. It distinguishes public, corporate intercession from individual, quiet devotion.

Nehemiah 9 4 Commentary

Nehemiah 9:4 presents a crucial turning point in Israel's post-exilic repentance and renewal. Following a dedicated time of hearing the Law and confessing national sin, specific Levites, functioning as appointed spiritual facilitators, took their position on an elevated platform—a symbol of authority and prominence. Their action was not passive; they "cried out with a loud voice" to "the Lord their God." This fervent outcry (za‘aq) signals deep communal distress, sincere repentance, and an urgent appeal to God's covenant mercy. It indicates a spiritual awakening marked by genuine emotional expression and a return to wholehearted reliance on YHWH, setting the tone for the profound historical confession and prayer that followed, and signifying Israel's reaffirmation of their unique relationship with Him. This example shows that communal prayer in response to God's Word often involves heartfelt, even passionate, corporate supplication led by devoted leaders.