Nehemiah 12

KJ3 Literal Translation — Chapter 12 of 13

1 ¶ And these are the priests and the Levites who 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,

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Chapter Summary

The priests, and the Levites, which came to Zerubbabel

Key Hebrew Words

חֲנֻכָּה dedication H2598 · TWOT 693b
תּוֹדָה thanksgiving (choir) H8426 · TWOT 847b
חוֹמָה wall H2346 · TWOT 674c
שִׁיר singer H7891 · TWOT 2378
שִׂמְחָה joy H8057 · TWOT 2268b
חֲצֹצְרָה trumpet H2689 · TWOT 726a

People & Context

Nehemiah

The governor who leads the wall dedication, bringing up rulers and choirs onto the wall (vv.31-40)

Ezra

The scribe who goes before the procession of one thanksgiving choir (vv.33,36)

David

Israel's king; the singers' worship follows his command and uses his musical instruments (vv.24,36,45-46)

Zerubbabel

Leader with whom the listed priests and Levites first came up from exile (vv.1,47)

Jeshua

Son of Jozadak; head of the returning Levites and ancestral line of high priests (vv.1,8,10,26)

Solomon

David's son; the singers and gatekeepers serve by the command of David and Solomon (v.45)

Timeline

Genealogy of Priests and Levites

A genealogical record is detailed of the priests and Levites who returned with Zerubbabel, and the heads of the fathers up to the days of Nehemiah and Ezra.

Nehemiah 12:1-26
Purification for the Wall's Dedication

Levites and singers are sought out from all regions and brought to Jerusalem for the dedication of the wall. They purify themselves, the people, the gates, and the wall.

Nehemiah 12:27-30
The Two Thanksgiving Choirs and Rejoicing

Nehemiah appoints two great choirs to march in opposite directions on top of the wall with musical instruments, eventually meeting at the house of God for great sacrifices and loud rejoicing.

Nehemiah 12:31-43

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