Nehemiah 10:10

KJV

And their brethren, Shebaniah, Hodijah, Kelita, Pelaiah, Hanan,

KJV (with Strong's)

And their brethren {H251}, Shebaniah {H7645}, Hodijah {H1941}, Kelita {H7042}, Pelaiah {H6411}, Hanan {H2605},

Complete Jewish Bible

and their kinsmen Sh'vanyah, Hodiyah, K'lita, P'layah, Hanan,

Berean Standard Bible

and their associates: Shebaniah, Hodiah, Kelita, Pelaiah, Hanan,

American Standard Version

and their brethren, Shebaniah, Hodiah, Kelita, Pelaiah, Hanan,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Nehemiah 10:10 presents a concise but significant list of five Levites—Shebaniah, Hodijah, Kelita, Pelaiah, and Hanan—who, as representatives of their brethren, formally affixed their seals to the renewed covenant document. This act was a pivotal moment in post-exilic Judah, signifying the community's solemn commitment to God's laws and statutes following the public reading of the Law and a period of national repentance. The inclusion of these specific names underscores the widespread participation and personal accountability involved in the spiritual restoration of the nation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Nehemiah 10:10 is situated within the broader narrative of covenant renewal in post-exilic Judah. Chapters 8 and 9 describe the public reading of the Law by Ezra, which led to a profound spiritual awakening, national confession of sin, and a corporate prayer of repentance. Chapter 10 then details the formal sealing of a binding agreement, a "firm covenant" or "sure agreement" (`אֲמָנָה`, _ʾămānāh_), by the people to walk in God's law. Verses 1-8 list the priests and Levites who sealed the document, and verse 9 continues with more Levites. Nehemiah 10:10 specifically names five additional Levites, emphasizing the extensive participation of this priestly tribe in affirming the covenant, moving from the general categories of leadership to specific individuals who publicly committed themselves. This meticulous listing underscores the solemnity and legal weight of the agreement, ensuring that the commitment was not merely theoretical but a tangible, recorded pledge.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The events of Nehemiah 10 unfold in Jerusalem during the Persian period, likely around 444 BC, following the return of Jewish exiles from Babylon. The community was striving to re-establish its identity and practices in the homeland, facing both internal challenges and external opposition. Covenants were a fundamental aspect of ancient Near Eastern legal and religious life, often sealed with oaths and written documents, and witnessed by prominent figures. The act of "sealing" (`חָתַם`, _ḥātam_) a document made it legally binding and publicly attested. For the returning exiles, this covenant renewal was not merely a legal formality but a profound spiritual act, a re-commitment to their unique relationship with Yahweh after generations of exile, which they understood as divine judgment for covenant breaking. The Levites, as spiritual leaders and administrators of the temple service, played a crucial role in facilitating this national recommitment.
* **Key Themes:** Nehemiah 10:10, as part of the larger covenant renewal narrative, strongly reinforces several key themes central to the book of Nehemiah and the broader post-exilic period. Primarily, it highlights **Covenant Faithfulness and Renewal**, demonstrating Israel's renewed commitment to God's commands after their previous failures led to exile, as recounted in the great prayer of [Nehemiah 9](/nehemiah/9 "Nehemiah 9 - National Confession and Prayer"). Secondly, the extensive list of names emphasizes **Corporate Responsibility and Individual Accountability**. While the nation as a whole entered the covenant, the individual names underscore that this was a personal pledge by each leader and, by extension, by all the people who later joined in the oath, as described in [Nehemiah 10:28-29](/nehemiah/10-28 "Nehemiah 10:28-29 - The Rest of the People Join the Covenant"). Finally, the meticulous recording of names speaks to the theme of **Divine Record-Keeping and Remembrance**, suggesting that God takes note of those who commit themselves to Him, a concept echoed in passages like [Malachi 3:16](/malachi/3-16 "Malachi 3:16 - Book of Remembrance").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **brethren (Hebrew, _ʾăḥêhem'_):** This term, meaning "their brothers" or "their kinsmen," refers specifically to the other Levites mentioned in Nehemiah 10:9 who had already sealed the covenant. The use of "brethren" here emphasizes the shared identity, solidarity, and collective responsibility of the Levites in this pivotal act of covenant renewal. It highlights that the individuals listed in verse 10 were not isolated figures but part of a larger, unified group within the community's spiritual leadership, all participating in the same solemn commitment.
* **Shebaniah (Hebrew, _Šəḇanyāh'_):** The name Shebaniah means "Yah has caused to dwell" or "Yah has returned." While the specific meaning of each name is not the primary focus of this verse, the etymology of "Shebaniah" resonates with the post-exilic context, where the people had literally returned to dwell in the land after exile. The inclusion of this name, along with the others, signifies that individuals with meaningful, God-centric names were actively participating in the re-establishment of the community's relationship with God.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And their brethren,"**: This introductory phrase immediately links the individuals about to be named with the group of Levites already listed in Nehemiah 10:9. It establishes their shared identity and role as fellow members of the Levitical order, emphasizing the collective nature of the covenant sealing. This is not a random list but a continuation of the authoritative signatories.
* **"Shebaniah, Hodijah, Kelita, Pelaiah, Hanan,"**: This is a direct enumeration of five specific Levites. Their inclusion by name underscores the personal and public nature of their commitment to the covenant. In ancient Near Eastern legal documents, the meticulous listing of names served to authenticate the agreement and hold the signatories accountable. For the biblical narrative, it highlights the broad participation of the Levitical leadership in the spiritual revival and their solemn pledge to uphold God's law.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device employed in Nehemiah 10:10, and indeed throughout much of Nehemiah 10, is **Listing** or **Register**. This meticulous enumeration of names serves several crucial functions. Firstly, it lends an air of historical authenticity and legal weight to the covenant document, mirroring the practices of ancient Near Eastern treaties where signatories were carefully recorded. Secondly, it emphasizes the **Corporate Responsibility** and widespread participation in the covenant renewal; this was not merely an act of a few leaders but a collective commitment involving many key figures. The sheer volume of names listed throughout the chapter (Nehemiah 10:1-27) reinforces the idea that the entire community, through its representatives, was united in this solemn pledge. Finally, the act of listing names can also be seen as a form of **Emphasis**, drawing attention to the significance of each individual's commitment within the larger communal act of faith.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Nehemiah 10:10, despite being a simple list of names, profoundly illustrates the biblical theme of covenant faithfulness and the importance of individual commitment within a corporate body. The Levites, as spiritual custodians and teachers of the Law, were among the first to formally pledge themselves, setting an example for the rest of the community. This act was a tangible demonstration of their repentance and desire to live in obedience to God's commands, recognizing that their national well-being was inextricably linked to their covenant relationship with Yahweh. It underscores that true spiritual revival involves not just emotional fervor but concrete, public commitments to God's revealed will.

* [Deuteronomy 29:10-15](/deuteronomy/29-10 "Deuteronomy 29:10-15 - All Israel Enters into Covenant")
* [Joshua 24:25-27](/joshua/24-25 "Joshua 24:25-27 - Covenant Renewal at Shechem")
* [Hebrews 8:6-13](/hebrews/8-6 "Hebrews 8:6-13 - The New Covenant is Superior")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The meticulous recording of names in Nehemiah 10:10, and throughout the chapter, serves as a powerful reminder of the personal nature of our commitment to God within the context of a faith community. Just as these Levites publicly and formally pledged their allegiance to the covenant, believers today are called to a deliberate and active commitment to Christ and His teachings. Our faith is not a passive inheritance but an ongoing, intentional choice to live in obedience and devotion. This verse challenges us to consider the seriousness with which we approach our spiritual vows and commitments, whether they are baptismal vows, membership pledges, or promises made in prayer. It also highlights the strength and accountability found in corporate faith; when individuals within a community are united in their commitment to God, the entire body is strengthened and better equipped to fulfill its divine purpose.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What does it mean for me to "seal" my commitment to God in a tangible way today?**
* **How does my individual commitment contribute to the strength and witness of my faith community?**
* **In what areas of my life do I need to renew my commitment to God's will and principles?**
* **How can I encourage greater corporate accountability and faithfulness within my church or spiritual group?**

### FAQ
**Why are so many names listed in Nehemiah 10?**

Answer: The extensive listing of names throughout Nehemiah 10, including those in Nehemiah 10:10, serves several crucial purposes. Firstly, it provides a meticulous historical record, authenticating the solemn covenant that the post-exilic community entered into with God. In ancient Near Eastern legal and religious contexts, detailed registers of signatories were common to validate agreements. Secondly, it emphasizes the widespread and corporate nature of the commitment. This was not merely an act by a few leaders but a collective pledge by representatives from all segments of the community—priests, Levites, chiefs of the people, and later, the rest of the people (as seen in [Nehemiah 10:28-29](/nehemiah/10-28 "Nehemiah 10:28-29 - The Rest of the People Join the Covenant")). Each name signifies an individual's personal accountability and participation in this pivotal spiritual renewal, underscoring the seriousness with which they took their re-established relationship with God.

**What was the significance of the Levites sealing the covenant?**

Answer: The Levites played a critical role in ancient Israelite society, serving as spiritual teachers, temple administrators, and guardians of the Law. Their prominent involvement in sealing the covenant, as seen in Nehemiah 10:10 and the preceding verses, was highly significant. As those responsible for instructing the people in God's ways and facilitating worship, their public commitment set a powerful example for the entire nation. It demonstrated that even those closest to the sacred duties recognized the necessity of personal and corporate repentance and recommitment to God's commands. Their pledge underscored the importance of spiritual leadership in guiding the community back to covenant faithfulness, ensuring that the renewed commitment permeated all levels of society, from the temple service to daily life.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Nehemiah 10:10 lists Old Testament individuals committing to an Old Covenant, it powerfully foreshadows aspects of Christ's work and the New Covenant. The meticulous record of names in a covenant document points to God's divine record-keeping, ultimately culminating in the [Lamb's Book of Life](/revelation/21-27 "Revelation 21:27 - Book of Life"), where the names of those redeemed by Christ are eternally inscribed. The Levites' commitment to the Law, though imperfect, prefigures Christ's perfect obedience, who alone fulfilled every requirement of the Law on our behalf ([Matthew 5:17](/matthew/5-17 "Matthew 5:17 - Jesus Fulfills the Law")). The corporate act of covenant renewal by the people of Israel, led by their representatives, finds its ultimate fulfillment in the Church, the body of Christ, united under the [New Covenant inaugurated by His blood](/luke/22-20 "Luke 22:20 - The New Covenant in His Blood"). In this New Covenant, believers are not merely signatories to a written document but are indwelt by the Holy Spirit, enabling a transformative obedience from the heart ([Jeremiah 31:33](/jeremiah/31-33 "Jeremiah 31:33 - The New Covenant Written on Hearts")). Thus, this Old Testament list of names points forward to the ultimate covenant mediator, Jesus Christ, and the spiritual reality of a people whose names are truly known and eternally secured in Him.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Ezra 10:23

Also of the Levites; Jozabad, and Shimei, and Kelaiah, (the same [is] Kelita,) Pethahiah, Judah, and Eliezer.

Nehemiah 9:4

¶ 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 9:5

Then the Levites, Jeshua, and Kadmiel, Bani, Hashabniah, Sherebiah, Hodijah, Shebaniah, [and] Pethahiah, said, Stand up [and] bless the LORD your God for ever and ever: and blessed be thy glorious name, which is exalted above all blessing and praise.

Nehemiah 8:7

Also Jeshua, and Bani, and Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodijah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, and the Levites, caused the people to understand the law: and the people [stood] in their place.