Advanced Commentary
Texts -- Nehemiah 12:1-12 (NET)
Pericope
NET
- Neh 12:1-26 -- The Priests and the Levites Who Returned to Jerusalem
Bible Dictionary
-
Nehemiah
[ebd] 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). He was one of the "Jews of the d...
[nave] NEHEMIAH 1. Son of Hachaliah, Neh. 1:1. Cupbearer of Artaxerxes, Neh. 1:11; 2:1. Is grieved over the desolation of his country, Neh. 1. Is sent by the king to rebuild Jerusalem, Neh. 2:1-8. Register of the people whom he...
-
Ezra
[ebd] 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. 459, and author of the book of Scriptur...
[isbe] EZRA - ez'-ra (Aramaic or Chaldee, `ezra', "help"; a hypocoristicon, or shortened form of Azariah, "Yahweh has helped." The Hebrew spells the name `ezrah, as in 1 Ch 4:17, or uses the Aramaic spelling of the name, as in Ezr ...
[nave] EZRA 1. A famous scribe and priest, Ezra 7:1-5, 6, 10, 21; Neh. 12:36. Appoints a fast, Ezra 8:21. Commissioned by Artaxerxes, returns to Jerusalem with a large company of Jews, Ezra 7:8. His charge to the priests, Ezra 8...
-
Zerubbabel
[isbe] ZERUBBABEL - ze-rub'-a-bel (zerubbabhel, probably a transliteration of the Babylonian name Zeru-Babili, "seed of Babylon"; Zorobabel): 1. Name: Is commonly called the son of Shealtiel (Ezr 3:2,8; 5:2; Neh 12:1; Hag 1:1,12,14...
[nave] ZERUBBABEL, called also Sheshbazzar. Directs the rebuilding of the altar and temple after his return from captivity in Babylon, Ezra 3:2-8; 4:2, 3; 5:2, 14-16; Hag. 1:12-14. Leads the emancipated Jews back from Babylon, Ezra...
-
Israel
[nave] ISRAEL 1. A name given to Jacob, Gen. 32:24-32; 2 Kin. 17:34; Hos. 12:3, 4. 2. A name of the Christ in prophecy, Isa. 49:3. 3. A name given to the descendants of Jacob, a nation. Called also Israelites, and Hebrews, Gen. 4...
-
DARIUS
[isbe] DARIUS - da-ri'-us: The name of three or four kings mentioned in the Old Testament. In the original Persian it is spelled "Darayavaush"; in Babylonian, usually "Dariamush"; in Susian(?), "Tariyamaush"; in Egyptian "Antaryuas...
-
Levites
[nave] LEVITES The descendants of Levi. Set apart as ministers of religion, Num. 1:47-54; 3:6-16; 16:9; 26:57-62; Deut. 10:8; 1 Chr. 15:2. Substituted in the place of the firstborn, Num. 3:12, 41-45; 8:14, 16-18; 18:6. Religious ...
-
GENEALOGY, 8 part 2
[isbe] GENEALOGY, 8 part 2 - I. Primeval Genealogies (1 Chronicals 1:1-54). To show Israel's place among the nations; follows Genesis closely, omitting only the Cainites; boldly, skillfully compressed, as if the omitted facts were ...
-
Joiakim
[ebd] (whom Jehovah has set up) = Jehoiakim, a high priest, the son and successor of Jeshua (Neh. 12:10, 12, 26).
[isbe] JOIAKIM - joi'-a-kim (yoyaqim, "Yahweh raises up"; compare JEHOIAKIM; JOKIM): Son of Jeshua and father of Eliashib, the high priest (Neh 12:10,12,26).
[smith] (whom Jehovah sets up), a high priest, son of the renowned Jeshua. (Nehemiah 12:10) (B.C. before 446.)
[nave] JOIAKIM, a high priest, Neh. 12:10, 12, 26.
-
Jeshua
[ebd] (1.) Head of the ninth priestly order (Ezra 2:36); called also Jeshuah (1 Chr. 24:11). (2.) A Levite appointed by Hezekiah to distribute offerings in the priestly cities (2 Chr. 31:15). (3.) Ezra 2:6; Neh. 7:11. (4.) Ezra 2:...
[smith] (a saviour), another form of the name of Joshua of Jesus. Joshua the son of Nun. (Nehemiah 8:17) [JOSHUA] A priest in the reign of David, to whom the nine course fell by David, to whom the ninth course fell by lot. (1Â Chr...
[nave] JESHUA 1. Called also Jeshuah. A priest, head of the ninth course, 1 Chr. 24:11. Nine hundred and seventy-three of his descendants returned from Babylon, Ezra 2:36; Neh. 7:39. 2. A Levite, had charge of the tithes, 2 Chr. ...
-
Priest
[nave] PRIEST. Before Moses Melchizedek, Gen. 14:18; Heb. 5:6, 10, 11; 6:20; 7:1-21. Jethro, Ex. 2:16. Priests in Israel before the giving of the law, Ex. 19:22, 24. Called angel, Eccl. 5:6. Mosaic Ex. 28:1-4; 29:9, 44; Num....
-
PRIESTS AND LEVITES
[isbe] PRIESTS AND LEVITES - (kohen, "priest"; nothing is definitely known as to the origin of the word; Lewi, "Levite," on which see LEVI): I. DIFFERENT VIEWS OF THE HISTORY 1. The Old View 2. The Graf-Wellhausen View 3. Mediating...
-
Seraiah
[ebd] 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 (Jer. 40:8), a chief priest of the time...
[isbe] SERAIAH - se-ra'-ya, se-ri'-a (serayahu, "Yah hath prevailed"; Septuagint Saraias, or Saraia): (1) Secretary of David (2 Sam 8:17); in 2 Sam 20:25 he is called Sheva; in 1 Ki 4:3 the name appears as Shisha. This last or Shas...
[smith] The king?s scribe or secretary in the reign of David. (2Â Samuel 8:17) (B.C. 1043.) The high priest in the reign of Zedekiah. (2Â Kings 25:18; 1Â Chronicles 6:14; Jeremiah 52:24) (B.C. 594.) The son of Tanhumeth the Ne...
[nave] SERAIAH 1. Called also Sheva, Shisha, and Shavsha. David's scribe, 2 Sam. 8:17; 20:25; 1 Kin. 4:3; 1 Chr. 18:16. 2. Chief priest at time of taking of Jerusalem, 2 Kin. 25:18. Father of Ezra, Ezra 7:1. Slain by Nebuchadne...
-
Joiada
[ebd] (whom Jehovah favours) = Jehoiada. (1.) Neh. 3:6. (2.) One of the high priests (12:10, 11, 22).
[isbe] JOIADA - joi'-a-da (yoyadha`, "Yahweh knows"; compare JEHOIADA): (1) A repairer of the Jerusalem walls (Neh 3:6); the King James Version "Jehoiada." (2) Son of Eliashib the high priest (Neh 12:10,11,22; 13:28).
[nave] JOIADA, son and successor of Eliashib in the high priesthood, Neh. 12:10, 11, 22; 13:28.
-
Meremoth
[ebd] 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 (Neh. 3:4).
[isbe] MEREMOTH - mer'-e-moth, me-re'-moth (meremoth, "heights"; Mereimoth): (1) Son of Uriah (Ezr 8:33), who was head of the 7th course of priests appointed by David (1 Ch 24:10, Hakkoz = Koz; compare Neh 3:4,21). The family of Ko...
[nave] MEREMOTH 1. A priest who was appointed to weigh and register gold and silver vessels brought to Jerusalem, Ezra 8:33; Neh. 3:4, 21. 2. A Jew who divorced his Gentile wife after the captivity, Ezra 10:36. 3. A priest who se...
-
Rehum
[ebd] merciful. (1.) One of "the children of the province" who returned from the Captivity (Ezra 2:2); the same as "Nehum" (Neh. 7:7). (2.) The "chancellor" of Artaxerxes, who sought to stir him up against the Jews (Ezra 4:8-24) a...
[isbe] REHUM - re'-hum (rechum, or rechum): (1) One of the twelve heads of the Jewish community returning from captivity with Zerubbabel (Ezr 2:2; Neh 7:7 (by a copyist's error "Nehum"); 12:3; 1 Esdras 5:8, "Roimus"). (2) A Persian...
[smith] (merciful). One who went up from Babylon with Zerubbabel. (Ezra 2:2) (B.C. 536.) "Rehum the chancellor." (Ezra 4:8,9,17,23) He was perhaps a kind of lieutenant-governor of the province under the king of Persia. (B.C. 535.) A...
[nave] REHUM 1. A captive who returned to Jerusalem from Babylon, Ezra 2:2. Called Nehum, Neh. 7:7. 2. A chancellor who wrote a letter to Artaxerxes, influencing him against the Jews, Ezra 4:8, 9, 17, 23. 3. A Levite who repaire...
-
Shealtiel
[ebd] asked for of God, father of Zerubbabel (Ezra 3:2, 8; Neh. 12:1).
[isbe] SHEALTIEL - she-ol'-ti-el (she'alti'el, but in Hag 1:12,14; 2:2, shalti'el; Septuagint and the New Testament always Salathiel, hence, "Salathiel" of 1 Esdras 5:5,48,56; 6:2; the King James Version of Mt 1:12; Lk 3:27): Fathe...
[smith] (asked of God), father of Zerubbabel. (Ezra 3:2,8; 5:2; Nehemiah 12:1; Haggai 1:1,12,14; 2:2,23) (B.C. about 580.)
[nave] SHEALTIEL, called also Salathiel. Father of Zerubbabel and ancestor of Jesus, 1 Chr. 3:17; Ezra 3:2, 8; 5:2; Neh. 12:1; Hag. 1:1, 12, 14; 2:2, 23; Matt. 1:12; Luke 3:27.
-
Joiarib
[ebd] (whom Jehovah defends) = Jehoiarib. (1.) The founder of one of the courses of the priests (Neh. 11:10). (2.) Neh. 11:5; a descendant of Judah. (3.) Neh. 12:6. (4.) Ezra 8:16, a "man of understanding" whom Ezra sent to "bring...
[isbe] JOIARIB - joi'-a-rib (yoyaribh, "Yahweh pleads" or "contends"; compare JEHOIARIB): (1) A "teacher" of Ezra's time (Ezr 8:16). (2) A Judahite (Neh 11:5). (3) In Neh 11:10; 12:6,19 = JEHOIARIB (which see).
[smith] (whom Jehovah defends.) A layman who returned form Babylon with Ezra. (Ezra 8:16) (B.C. 459.) The founder of one of the courses of priests, elsewhere called in full JEHOIARIB. (Nehemiah 12:6,19) A Shilonite --i.e. probably a...
[nave] JOIARIB 1. A returned exile, Ezra 8:16. 2. A descendant of Judah, Neh. 11:5. 3. A priest who returned from Babylon, Neh. 12:6, 19. 4. See: Jehoiarib.
-
Hananiah
[ebd] 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). (4.) Grandfather of the captain who arrested Jere...
[isbe] HANANIAH - han-a-ni'-a (chananyahu, chananyah; Ananias; also with aspirate, "Yahweh hath been gracious"): This was a common name in Israel for many centuries. (1) A Benjamite (1 Ch 8:24). (2) A captain of Uzziah's army (2 Ch...
[smith] (gift of God). One of the fourteen sons of Heman, and chief of the sixteenth course of singers. (1Â Chronicles 25:4,5,23) (B.C. 1014.) A general in the army of King Uzziah. (2Â Chronicles 26:11) Father of Zedekiah, in th...
[nave] HANANIAH 1. Son of Heman, 1 Chr. 25:4, 23. 2. A captain of Uzziah's army, 2 Chr. 26:11. 3. Father of Zedekiah, Jer. 36:12. 4. A prophet of Gibeon who uttered false prophecies in the temple during the reign of Zedekiah, Je...
-
Jedaiah
[isbe] JEDAIAH - je-da'-ya, je-di'-a: (1) (yedha`yah, "Yah knows"): (a) A priest in Jerusalem (1 Ch 9:10; 24:7). (b) Ezr 2:36 = Neh 7:39, where "children of Jedaiah" are mentioned = "Jeddu" in 1 Esdras 5:24. (c) Jedaiah is among "t...
[nave] JEDAIAH 1. Descendant of Simeon, 1 Chr. 4:37. 2. A returned exile, Neh. 3:10. 3. A priest of the captivity, 1 Chr. 9:10; 24:7; Ezra 2:36; Neh. 7:39. 4. A priest who dwelt at Jerusalem after the return of the captivity, Ne...
-
Jaddua
[ebd] 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.
[isbe] JADDUA - jad'-u-a, ja-du'-a (yaddua`, "known"): (1) One of the "chiefs of the people" who with Nehemiah sealed the covenant, thus signifying their voluntary acceptance of the law and their solemn promise to submit to its yok...
[smith] (known). Son and successor in the high priesthood of Jonathan or Johanan. He is the last of the high priests mentioned in the Old Testament, and probably altogether the latest name in the canon. (Nehemiah 12:11,22) (B.C. 406...
[nave] JADDUA Neh. 10:21; 12:11; 12:22
Resources/Books
Expository Notes on the Bible (Constable)
-
The Book of Samuel covers the period of Israel's history bracketed by Samuel's conception and the end of David's reign. David turned the kingdom over to Solomon in 971 B.C.3David reigned for 40 and one-half years (2 Sam. 2:11...
-
The writer evidently chose, under divine inspiration, to open his book with genealogies to help his readers appreciate their heritage and to tie themselves to Adam, Abraham, and David in particular. Adam was important as the ...
-
The years of history the book covers are 445-431 B.C. or perhaps a few years after that.In 445 B.C. (the twentieth year of Artaxerxes' reign, 1:1) Nehemiah learned of the conditions in Jerusalem that led him to request permis...
-
I. The fortification of Jerusalem chs. 1-7A. The return under Nehemiah chs. 1-21. The news concerning Jerusalem 1:1-32. The response of Nehemiah 1:4-113. The request of Nehemiah 2:1-84. The return to Jerusalem 2:9-20B. The re...
-
"The first seven chapters of Nehemiah as well as 12:31-13:31 are written in the first person. This, as well as all or part of Neh 11 and the rest of Neh 12, constitutes what is called the Nehemiah Memoirs. As such it offers a...
-
Eliashib (v. 1) was evidently the grandson of Jeshua (12:10; Ezra 3:2). Construction was an act of consecration because this was a project that God had ordained.Archaeologists are currently studying the exact location of the ...
-
One writer viewed chapters 8-13 (really 7:73-13:37) as the third part of the tripartite structure of Ezra-Nehemiah. Ezra 1:1-4 deals with "potentiality,"the decree to the community to build God's house. Ezra 1:5--Nehemiah 7:7...
-
The names in verses 2-8 are those of the heads of 21 priestly families (cf. 12:12-21). Verses 9-13 record the names of 17 Levites. Then the writer gave the names of 44 heads of other leading families (vv. 14-27)....
-
When the exiles returned to the Promised Land, living in Jerusalem was not an attractive prospect because the city lay in ruins. However with the rebuilding of the temple and the walls the capital became a more desirable plac...
-
The priests and Levites were the most important people who returned from exile because they reestablished worship in the land. Verses 1-7 give the names of 22 leaders among them who had returned in 537 B.C. with Zerubbabel an...
-
The Book of Nehemiah records the fortification of Jerusalem and the restoration of the Jews, two essential steps that were necessary to reestablish God's people in His will and in their land.Nehemiah continued the good work t...
-
1:1 Yahweh sent a message to Zerubbabel and Joshua through the prophet Haggai, though it went to all the Israelites too (vv. 2, 4). Zerubbabel was the political governor (overseer) of the Persian province of Judah who had led...
-
The title of this book comes from its traditional writer, as is true of all the prophetical books of the Old Testament. The name "Zechariah"(lit. Yahweh remembers) was a common one among the Israelites identifying as many as ...
-
Zechariah's inspired preaching began in the eighth month of 520 B.C. (1:1). His eight night visions followed three months later in 520 B.C. (1:7), when he was a young man (2:4). He delivered the messages in chapters 7-8 in 51...
-
Zechariah began ministering among the Jews who had returned from captivity in Babylon (i.e., the restoration community) two months after Haggai began preaching (1:1; 7:1; cf. Neh. 12:10-16; Hag. 1:1). In a sense, Zechariah's ...
-
That this pericope introduces the whole book seems clear since verse 7 introduces the eight night visions that follow it (1:7-6:8). Its content is also foundational to all that follows."It strikes the keynote of the entire bo...
