Nehemiah 12

¹ Now these are the priests and the Levites that went up with Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua: Seraiah, Jeremiah, Ezra, ² Amariah, Malluch, Hattush, ³ Shechaniah, Rehum, Meremoth, ⁴ Iddo, Ginnetho, Abijah, ⁵ Miamin, Maadiah, Bilgah, ⁶ Shemaiah, and Joiarib, Jedaiah, ⁷ Sallu, Amok, Hilkiah, Jedaiah. These were the chief of the priests and of their brethren in the days of Jeshua. ⁸ Moreover the Levites: Jeshua, Binnui, Kadmiel, Sherebiah, Judah, and Mattaniah, which was over the thanksgiving, he and his brethren. ⁹ Also Bakbukiah and Unni, their brethren, were over against them in the watches. ¹⁰ And Jeshua begat Joiakim, Joiakim also begat Eliashib, and Eliashib begat Joiada, ¹¹ And Joiada begat Jonathan, and Jonathan begat Jaddua. ¹² And in the days of Joiakim were priests, the chief of the fathers: of Seraiah, Meraiah; of Jeremiah, Hananiah; ¹³ Of Ezra, Meshullam; of Amariah, Jehohanan; ¹⁴ Of Melicu, Jonathan; of Shebaniah, Joseph; ¹⁵ Of Harim, Adna; of Meraioth, Helkai; ¹⁶ Of Iddo, Zechariah; of Ginnethon, Meshullam; ¹⁷ Of Abijah, Zichri; of Miniamin, of Moadiah, Piltai; ¹⁸ Of Bilgah, Shammua; of Shemaiah, Jehonathan; ¹⁹ And of Joiarib, Mattenai; of Jedaiah, Uzzi; ²⁰ Of Sallai, Kallai; of Amok, Eber; ²¹ Of Hilkiah, Hashabiah; of Jedaiah, Nethaneel. ²² The Levites in the days of Eliashib, Joiada, and Johanan, and Jaddua, were recorded chief of the fathers: also the priests, to the reign of Darius the Persian. ²³ The sons of Levi, the chief of the fathers, were written in the book of the chronicles, even until the days of Johanan the son of Eliashib. 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. ²⁵ Mattaniah, and Bakbukiah, Obadiah, Meshullam, Talmon, Akkub, were porters keeping the ward at the thresholds of the gates. ²⁶ These were in the days of Joiakim the son of Jeshua, the son of Jozadak, and in the days of Nehemiah the governor, and of Ezra the priest, the scribe. 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. ²⁸ And the sons of the singers gathered themselves together, both out of the plain country round about Jerusalem, and from the villages of Netophathi; ²⁹ Also from the house of Gilgal, and out of the fields of Geba and Azmaveth: for the singers had builded them villages round about Jerusalem. ³⁰ And the priests and the Levites purified themselves, and purified the people, and the gates, and the wall. ³¹ Then I brought up the princes of Judah upon the wall, and appointed two great companies of them that gave thanks, whereof one went on the right hand upon the wall toward the dung gate: ³² And after them went Hoshaiah, and half of the princes of Judah, ³³ And Azariah, Ezra, and Meshullam, ³⁴ Judah, and Benjamin, and Shemaiah, and Jeremiah, ³⁵ 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: ³⁶ 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. ³⁷ And at the fountain gate, which was over against them, they went up by the stairs of the city of David, at the going up of the wall, above the house of David, even unto the water gate eastward. ³⁸ And the other company of them that gave thanks went over against them, and I after them, and the half of the people upon the wall, from beyond the tower of the furnaces even unto the broad wall; ³⁹ And from above the gate of Ephraim, and above the old gate, and above the fish gate, and the tower of Hananeel, and the tower of Meah, even unto the sheep gate: and they stood still in the prison gate. ⁴⁰ So stood the two companies of them that gave thanks in the house of God, and I, and the half of the rulers with me: ⁴¹ And the priests; Eliakim, Maaseiah, Miniamin, Michaiah, Elioenai, Zechariah, and Hananiah, with trumpets; ⁴² And Maaseiah, and Shemaiah, and Eleazar, and Uzzi, and Jehohanan, and Malchijah, and Elam, and Ezer. And the singers sang loud, with Jezrahiah their overseer. ⁴³ Also that day they offered great sacrifices, and rejoiced: for God had made them rejoice with great joy: the wives also and the children rejoiced: so that the joy of Jerusalem was heard even afar off. ⁴⁴ And at that time were some appointed over the chambers for the treasures, for the offerings, for the firstfruits, and for the tithes, to gather into them out of the fields of the cities the portions of the law for the priests and Levites: for Judah rejoiced for the priests and for the Levites that waited. ⁴⁵ And both the singers and the porters kept the ward of their God, and the ward of the purification, according to the commandment of David, and of Solomon his son. ⁴⁶ For in the days of David and Asaph of old there were chief of the singers, and songs of praise and thanksgiving unto God. ⁴⁷ And all Israel in the days of Zerubbabel, and in the days of Nehemiah, gave the portions of the singers and the porters, every day his portion: and they sanctified holy things unto the Levites; and the Levites sanctified them unto the children of Aaron.

Study Helps

Glossary

Ezra Person v. 1, 13, 26, 33, 36: Help. (1. ) A priest among those that returned to Jerusalem under Zerubabel ( Neh. 12:1 ). (2. ) The “scribe” who led the second body of exiles that returned from Babylon to Jerusalem B. C.
Jeremiah Person v. 1, 12, 34: Raised up or appointed by Jehovah. (1. ) A Gadite who joined David in the wilderness ( 1 Chr. 12:10 ). (2. ) A Gadite warrior ( 1 Chr. 12:13 ). (3. ) A Benjamite slinger who joined David at Ziklag ( 1 Chr. 12:4 ).
Seraiah Person v. 1, 12: Soldier of Jehovah. (1. ) The father of Joab ( 1 Chr. 4:13 , 14). (2. ) The grandfather of Jehu ( 1 Chr. 4:35 ). (3. ) One of David’s scribes or secretaries ( 2 Sam. 8:17 ). (4. ) A Netophathite.
Shealtiel Person v. 1: Asked for of God, father of Zerubbabel ( Ezra 3:2 , 8; Neh. 12:1 ).
Zerubbabel Person v. 1, 47: The seed of Babylon, the son of Salathiel or Shealtiel ( Hag. 1:1 ; Zorobabel, Matt. 1:12 ); called also the son of Pedaiah ( 1 Chr. 3:17-19 ), i. e.
Amariah Person v. 2, 13: Said by Jehovah. (1. ) One of the descendants of Aaron by Eleazar ( 1 Chr. 6:7 , 52). He was probably the last of the high priests of Eleazar’s line prior to the transfer of that office to Eli, of the line of Ithamar.
Hattush Person v. 2: Assembled. (1. ) A priest who returned with Zerubbabel ( Neh. 12:2 ). (2. ) Ezra 8:2 . (3. ) Neh. 3:10 . (4. ) Neh. 10:4 . (5. ) 1 Chr. 3:22 .
Malluch Person v. 2: Reigned over, or reigning. (1. ) A Levite of the family of Merari ( 1 Chr. 6:44 ). (2. ) A priest who returned from Babylon ( Neh. 12:2 ). (3. ) Ezra 10:29 . (4. ) Ezra 10:32 .
Meremoth Person v. 3: Exaltations, heights, a priest who returned from Babylon with Zerubbabel ( Neh. 12:3 ), to whom were sent the sacred vessels ( Ezra 8:33 ) belonging to the temple. He took part in rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem.
Abijah Person v. 4, 17: Father (i. e., “possessor or worshipper”) of Jehovah. (1. ) 1 Chr. 7:8 . (2. ) 1 Chr. 2:24 . (3. ) The second son of Samuel ( 1 Sam. 8:2 ; 1 Chr. 6:28 ).
Iddo Person v. 4, 16: (1. ) Timely ( 1 Chr. 6:21 ). A Gershonite Levite. (2. ) Lovely. The son of Zechariah ( 1 Chr. 27:21 ), the ruler of Manasseh in David’s time. (3. ) Timely.
Bilgah Person v. 5, 18: Cheerful. (1. ) The head of the fifteenth sacerdotal course for the temple service ( 1 Chr. 24:14 ). (2. ) A priest who returned from Babylon with Zerubbabel ( Neh. 12:5 , 18).
Jedaiah Person v. 6-7, 19, 21: (1. ) Invoker of Jehovah. The son of Shimri, a chief Simeonite ( 1 Chr. 4:37 ). (2. ) One of those who repaired the walls of Jerusalem after the return from Babylon ( Neh. 3:10 ). (3. ) Knowing Jehovah.
Shemaiah Person v. 6, 18, 34-36, 42: Whom Jehovah heard. (1. ) A prophet in the reign of Rehoboam ( 1 Kings 12:22-24 ). (2. ) Neh. 3:29 . (3. ) A Simeonite ( 1 Chr. 4:37 ). (4. ) A priest ( Neh. 12:42 ). (5. ) A Levite ( 1 Chr. 9:16 ). (6. ) 1 Chr. 9:14 ; Neh. 11:15 .
Hilkiah Person v. 7, 21: Portion of Jehovah. (1. ) 1 Chr. 6:54 . (2. ) 1 Chr. 26:11 . (3. ) The father of Eliakim ( 2 Kings 18:18 , 26, 37). (4. ) The father of Gemariah ( Jer. 29:3 ). (5. ) The father of the prophet Jeremiah (1:1).
Mattaniah Person v. 8, 25, 35: Gift of Jehovah. (1. ) A Levite, son of Heman, the chief of the ninth class of temple singers ( 1 Chr. 25:4 , 16). (2. ) A Levite who assisted in purifying the temple at the reformation under Hezekiah ( 2 Chr. 29:13 ).
Sherebiah Person v. 8, 24: Flame of the Lord, a priest whose name is prominent in connection with the work carried on by Ezra and Nehemiah at Jerusalem ( Ezra 8:17 , 18, 24-30; Neh. 8:7 ; 9:4 , 5; 10:12).
Unni Person v. 9: Afficted. (1. ) A Levite whom David appointed to take part in bringing the ark up to Jerusalem from the house of Obed-edom by playing the psaltery on that occasion ( 1 Chr. 15:18 , 20).
Eliashib Person v. 10, 22-23: Whom God will restore. (1. ) A priest, head of one of the courses of the priests of the time of David ( 1 Chr. 24:12 ). (2. ) A high priest in the time of Ezra and Nehemiah ( Neh. 12:22 , 23).
Jaddua Person v. 11, 22: Known. (1. ) One of the chiefs who subscribed the covenant ( Neh. 10:21 ). (2. ) The last high priest mentioned in the Old Testament ( Neh. 12:11 , 22), sons of Jonathan.
Jonathan Person v. 11, 14, 35: Whom Jehovah gave, the name of fifteen or more persons that are mentioned in Scripture. The chief of these are, (1. ) A Levite descended from Gershom ( Judg. 18:30 ). His history is recorded in 17:7-13 and 18:30.
Hananiah Tribe v. 12, 41: Jehovah has given. (1. ) A chief of the tribe of Benjamin ( 1 Chr. 8:24 ). (2. ) One of the sons of Heman ( 1 Chr. 25:4 , 23). (3. ) One of Uzziah’s military officers ( 2 Chr. 26:11 ).
Jehohanan Person v. 13, 42: Jehovah-granted, Jeroboam II. (1. ) A Korhite, the head of one of the divisions of the temple porters ( 1 Chr. 26:3 ). (2. ) One of Jehoshaphat’s “captains” ( 2 Chr. 17:15 ). (3. ) The father of Azariah ( 2 Chr. 28:12 ).
Meshullam Person v. 13, 16, 25, 33: Befriended. (1. ) One of the chief Gadites in Bashan in the time of Jotham ( 1 Chr. 5:13 ). (2. ) Grandfather of Shaphan, “the scribe,” in the reign of Josiah ( 2 Kings 22:3 ). (3. ) A priest, father of Hilkiah.
Shebaniah Person v. 14: Whom Jehovah hides, or has made grow up. (1. ) A Levite appointed to blow the trumpet before the ark of God ( 1 Chr. 15:24 ). (2. ) Another Levite ( Neh. 9:4 , 5). (3. ) A priest ( Neh. 10:12 ). (4. ) A Levite ( Neh. 10:4 ).
Meraioth Person v. 15: Rebellions. (1. ) Father of Amariah, a high priest of the line of Eleazar ( 1 Chr. 6:6 , 7, 52). (2. ) Neh. 12:15 , a priest who went to Jerusalem with Zerubbabel. He is called Meremoth in Neh. 12:3 .
Zechariah Person v. 16, 35, 41: Jehovah is renowned or remembered. (1. ) A prophet of Judah, the eleventh of the twelve minor prophets. Like Ezekiel, he was of priestly extraction. He describes himself (1:1) as.
Zichri Person v. 17: Remembered; illustrious. (1. ) A Benjamite chief ( 1 Chr. 8:19 ). (2. ) Another of the same tribe ( 1 Chr. 8:23 ).
Jehonathan Person v. 18: Whom Jehovah gave. (1. ) One of the stewards of David’s store-houses ( 1 Chr. 27:25 ). (2. ) A Levite who taught the law to the people of Judah ( 2 Chr. 17:8 ). (3. ) Neh. 12:18 .
Shammua Tribe v. 18: Heard. (1. ) One of the spies sent out by Moses to search the land ( Num. 13:4 ). He represented the tribe of Reuben. (2. ) One of David’s sons ( 1 Chr. 14:4 ; 3:5 , “Shimea;” 2 Sam. 5:14 ).
Uzzi Person v. 19, 42: The Lord is my strength. (1. ) The son of Bukki, and a descendant of Aaron ( 1 Chr. 6:5 , 51; Ezra 7:4 ). (2. ) A grandson of Issachar ( 1 Chr. 7:2 , 3). (3. ) A son of Bela, and grandson of Benjamin ( 1 Chr. 7:7 ).
Sallai Person v. 20: Basket-maker. (1. ) A Benjamite ( Neh. 11:8 ). (2. ) A priest in the days of Joshua and Zerubbabel ( Neh. 12:20 ).
Hashabiah Person v. 21, 24: Regarded by Jehovah. (1. ) Merarite Levite ( 1 Chr. 6:45 ; 9:14 ). (2. ) A son of Jeduthun (25:3, 19). (3. ) Son of Kemuel (26:30). (4. ) One of the chief Levites ( 2 Chr. 35:9 ). (5. ) A Levite ( Neh. 11:22 ).
Nethaneel Person v. 21, 36: Given of God. (1. ) The son of Zuar, chief of the tribe of Issachar at the Exodus ( Num. 1:8 ; 2:5 ). (2. ) One of David’s brothers ( 1 Chr. 2:14 ).
Darius Person v. 22: The holder or supporter, the name of several Persian kings. (1. ) Darius the Mede ( Dan. 11:1 ), “the son of Ahasuerus, of the seed of the Medes” (9:1).
Levi Person v. 23: Adhesion. (1. ) The third son of Jacob by Leah. The origin of the name is found in Leah’s words ( Gen. 29:34 ).
David Person v. 24, 36-37, 45-46: Beloved, the eighth and youngest son of Jesse, a citizen of Bethlehem. His father seems to have been a man in humble life. His mother’s name is not recorded. Some think she was the Nahash of 2 Sam. 17:25 .
Akkub Person v. 25: (another form of Jacob). (1. ) The head of one of the families of Nethinim ( Ezra 2:45 ). (2. ) A Levite who kept the gate of the temple after the return from Babylon ( 1 Chr. 9:17 ; Ezra 2:42 ; Neh. 7:45 ).
Obadiah Person v. 25: Servant of the Lord. (1. ) An Israelite who was chief in the household of King Ahab ( 1 Kings 18:3 ).
Nehemiah Tribe v. 26, 47: Comforted by Jehovah. (1. ) Ezra 2:2 ; Neh. 7:7 . (2. ) Neh. 3:16 . (3. ) The son of Hachaliah ( Neh. 1:1 ), and probably of the tribe of Judah. His family must have belonged to Jerusalem ( Neh. 2:3 ).
Jerusalem Place v. 27-29, 43: Biblical settlement. Modern identification: Jerusalem.
Azmaveth Place v. 29: Biblical settlement. Modern identification: Hizma.
Beth-gilgal Place v. 29: House of Gilgal, a place from which the inhabitants gathered for the purpose of celebrating the rebuilding of the walls on the return exile ( Neh. 12:29 ). (See GILGAL. ). Modern identification: Khirbet el Mefjir.
Geba Place v. 29: Biblical settlement. Modern identification: Jaba.
Dung Gate Place v. 31: Biblical gate. Modern identification: Jerusalem.
Azariah Person v. 33: Whom Jehovah helps. (1. ) Son of Ethan, of the tribe of Judah ( 1 Chr. 2:8 ). (2. ) Son of Ahimaaz, who succeeded his grandfather Zadok as high priest ( 1 Chr. 6:9 ; 1 Kings 4:2 ) in the days of Solomon.
Benjamin Person v. 34: Son of my right hand. (1. ) The younger son of Jacob by Rachel ( Gen. 35:18 ). His birth took place at Ephrath, on the road between Bethel and Bethlehem, at a short distance from the latter place.
Asaph Person v. 35, 46: Convener, or collector. (1. ) A Levite; one of the leaders of David’s choir ( 1 Chr. 6:39 ). Psalms 50 and 73-83 inclusive are attributed to him. He is mentioned along with David as skilled in music, and a “seer”.
Michaiah Person v. 35, 41: (1. ) The queen-mother of King Abijah ( 2 Chr. 13:2 ). (See MAACAH [4]). (2. ) One of those sent out by Jehoshaphat to instruct the people in the law ( 2 Chr. 17:7 ). (3. ) 2 Kings 22:12 . (4. ) The son of Gemariah.
Zaccur Person v. 35: Mindful. (1. ) Father of Shammua, who was one of the spies sent out by Moses ( Num. 13:4 ). (2. ) A Merarite Levite ( 1 Chr. 24:27 ).
Hanani Person v. 36: God has gratified me, or is gracious. (1. ) One of the sons of Heman ( 1 Chr. 25:4 , 25). (2. ) A prophet who was sent to rebuke king Asa for entering into a league with Benhadad I., king of Syria, against Judah.
City People v. 37: The earliest mention of city-building is that of Enoch, which was built by Cain ( Gen. 4:17 ). After the confusion of tongues, the descendants of Nimrod founded several cities (10:10-12).
City of David Place v. 37: Biblical settlement. Modern identification: City of David.
Fountain Gate Place v. 37: Biblical gate. Modern identification: Jerusalem.
Water Gate Place v. 37: Biblical gate. Modern identification: Jerusalem.
Broad Wall Place v. 38: Biblical structure. Modern identification: Broad Wall.
Tower of the Ovens Place v. 38: Biblical structure. Modern identification: Jerusalem.
Ephraim Gate Place v. 39: Biblical gate. Modern identification: Jerusalem.
Fish Gate Place v. 39: Biblical gate. Modern identification: Jerusalem.
Gate of the Guard Place v. 39: Biblical gate. Modern identification: Jerusalem.
Gate of Yeshanah Place v. 39: Biblical gate. Modern identification: Jerusalem.
Sheep Gate Place v. 39: Biblical gate. Modern identification: Jerusalem.
Tower of Hananel Place v. 39: Biblical structure. Modern identification: Antonia Fortress.
Tower of the Hundred Place v. 39: Biblical structure. Modern identification: Antonia Fortress.
Eliakim Person v. 41: Whom God will raise up. (1. ) The son of Melea ( Luke 3:30 ), and probably grandson of Nathan. (2. ) The son of Abiud, of the posterity of Zerubbabel ( Matt. 1:13 ).
Elioenai Person v. 41: Toward Jehovah are my eyes, the name of several men mentioned in the Old Testament ( 1 Chr. 7:8 ; 4:36 ; Ezra 10:22 , 27). Among these was the eldest son of Neariah, son of Shemaiah, of the descendants of Zerubbabel.
Eleazar Person v. 42: God has helped. (1. ) The third son of Aaron ( Ex. 6:23 ). His wife, a daughter of Putiel, bore him Phinehas ( Ex. 6:25 ). After the death of Nadab and Abihu.
Ezer Person v. 42: Treasure. (1. ) One of the sons of Seir, the native princes, “dukes,” of Mount Hor ( Gen. 36:21 , 27). (2. ) 1 Chr. 7:21 ; (3. ) 4:4. (4. ) One of the Gadite champions who repaired to David at Ziklag (12:9).