Nehemiah 10:12

KJV

Zaccur, Sherebiah, Shebaniah,

KJV (with Strong's)

Zaccur {H2139}, Sherebiah {H8274}, Shebaniah {H7645},

Complete Jewish Bible

Zakur, Sherevyah, Sh'vanyah,

Berean Standard Bible

Zaccur, Sherebiah, Shebaniah,

American Standard Version

Zaccur, Sherebiah, Shebaniah,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Nehemiah 10:12 continues the meticulous listing of individuals who formally affixed their seals to a solemn covenant with God during the post-exilic period in Jerusalem. This verse specifically names "Zaccur, Sherebiah, Shebaniah," three of the many Levites and chief men who participated in this momentous, national agreement. This act was a profound spiritual commitment by the returned exiles to obey God's law, signifying a personal and public affirmation of their renewed allegiance to Yahweh following the completion of the city walls and a period of national repentance.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Nehemiah 10 follows a period of intense spiritual revival for the returned exiles. [Nehemiah 8](/nehemiah/8 "Nehemiah 8 - Ezra Reads the Law") describes the public reading of the Law by Ezra, which led to deep conviction and repentance. This culminated in the great confession and prayer of [Nehemiah 9](/nehemiah/9 "Nehemiah 9 - The Great Confession and Prayer"), where the Levites recounted Israel's history of rebellion and God's enduring faithfulness. The spiritual awakening then led to a solemn vow recorded in [Nehemiah 10](/nehemiah/10 "Nehemiah 10 - The Covenant Sealed"), where the community formally committed to God's law. The chapter begins with a list of those who sealed the covenant (priests, Levites, and chiefs of the people), starting from [Nehemiah 10:1](/nehemiah/10-1 "Nehemiah 10:1 - The Signatories Begin"). Verse 12 specifically names three Levites, continuing the meticulous record of individuals who personally committed to the renewed covenant, underscoring the comprehensive and personal nature of this national commitment.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is post-exilic Jerusalem, approximately 444 BC, after the return from Babylonian captivity and the rebuilding of the city walls under Nehemiah's leadership. The people, having experienced the devastating consequences of disobedience to God's covenant, were seeking to re-establish their identity and relationship with God according to the Mosaic Law. Covenant renewal ceremonies were significant events in ancient Israel, often involving public declarations and written agreements, akin to treaties between kings or nations. The act of "sealing" (as mentioned in [Nehemiah 10:1](/nehemiah/10-1 "Nehemiah 10:1 - The Signatories Begin")) signified legal ratification and a binding commitment, a common practice in the ancient Near East to validate important documents. The inclusion of specific names highlights the personal responsibility inherent within a communal act, reflecting the tribal and family structures that were foundational to Israelite society.
* **Key Themes:** Nehemiah 10:12 contributes to several key themes within the book of Nehemiah and the broader post-exilic narrative. Firstly, it emphasizes **Covenant Renewal**, highlighting the nation's determination to live by God's commandments after their return from exile, a formal reaffirmation of their relationship with Yahweh. Secondly, it underscores **Personal Commitment within Community**, showing that while it was a national covenant, it required individual assent and responsibility from leaders and common people alike, as seen in the meticulous listing of names throughout [Nehemiah 10](/nehemiah/10 "Nehemiah 10 - The Covenant Sealed"). Thirdly, it points to **Accountability**, as the public recording of names served as a declaration, creating a sense of obligation for the signatories to uphold their vows. This meticulous record also reinforces the theme of **Restoration of Identity**, as the returned exiles sought to rebuild not just physical structures but also their spiritual foundation as God's chosen people, bound by His covenant, as they sought to live according to the Law revealed in [Deuteronomy](/deuteronomy "The Book of Deuteronomy").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Zaccur (Hebrew, _Zakkur'_):** Meaning "mindful" or "remembered." This name, common in the Old Testament, often implies that God remembers or is mindful of His people, or that the individual is to be mindful of God. In the context of a covenant renewal, it could subtly underscore the idea of remembering God's law and promises, and of God remembering His people's commitment.
* **Sherebiah (Hebrew, _Sherēḇyāh'_):** Meaning "Yahweh has sent heat" or "Yahweh has caused to sit." Sherebiah is a prominent Levitical name, appearing elsewhere in Nehemiah and Ezra as a leader involved in the return from exile and the teaching of the Law (e.g., [Ezra 8:18](/ezra/8-18 "Ezra 8:18 - Sherebiah, a Man of Understanding"), [Nehemiah 8:7](/nehemiah/8-7 "Nehemiah 8:7 - Sherebiah Teaching the Law")). His inclusion here signifies the active participation of key Levitical figures in the covenant renewal, emphasizing the spiritual leadership's buy-in.
* **Shebaniah (Hebrew, _Šəḇanyāh'_):** Meaning "Yahweh has caused to grow" or "Yahweh has brought back." This name also appears multiple times in the Old Testament, including other Levites and priests. Its meaning resonates powerfully with the post-exilic context of restoration and growth after a period of desolation, implying divine agency in their return and rebuilding, and their commitment to the God who brought them back.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Zaccur, Sherebiah, Shebaniah,"**: This clause presents a list of three specific individuals. Their inclusion by name, alongside many others in Nehemiah 10, emphasizes the personal and public nature of the covenant renewal. These were not anonymous participants but named individuals, likely prominent Levites, who formally and personally committed themselves and, by extension, their families and clans, to the terms of the covenant. The meticulous listing underscores the solemnity and binding nature of the agreement, ensuring that each signatory was known and accountable before God and the community. The comma at the end indicates that the list continues in subsequent verses, reinforcing the comprehensive nature of the commitment.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in Nehemiah 10:12, and indeed throughout much of [Nehemiah 10](/nehemiah/10 "Nehemiah 10 - The Covenant Sealed"), is **Cataloging** or **List-Making**. This device is employed to meticulously record the names of individuals who sealed the covenant. While seemingly a simple enumeration, this detailed listing serves several crucial functions: it emphasizes the **comprehensiveness** of the commitment, showing that a significant portion of the community's leadership (priests, Levites, and chiefs) participated. It also underscores the **Historical Veracity** of the event, providing a concrete and verifiable record of those present and accountable. Furthermore, the act of naming each individual contributes to a profound sense of **Personal Responsibility** within the collective national vow, highlighting that the covenant was not merely a general agreement but a series of individual affirmations, each bearing weight and consequence.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Nehemiah 10:12, though a simple list of names, powerfully illustrates the biblical principle that genuine spiritual revival culminates in concrete, personal commitment to God's revealed will. The meticulous recording of each name underscores the divine value placed on individual obedience and participation within the corporate body of believers. This act of sealing the covenant was not merely a legalistic ritual but a heartfelt response to God's grace and faithfulness, acknowledging His sovereignty and their obligation to walk in His statutes. It foreshadows the New Covenant, where individual faith leads to a personal relationship with God, yet always within the context of the community of believers, emphasizing that personal devotion and corporate worship are intertwined aspects of true faith.

* [Deuteronomy 29:10-15](/deuteronomy/29-10-15 "Deuteronomy 29:10-15 - The Covenant with All Israel")
* [Joshua 24:22](/joshua/24-22 "Joshua 24:22 - The People's Vow to Serve the Lord")
* [Hebrews 8:10](/hebrews/8-10 "Hebrews 8:10 - The New Covenant Written on Hearts")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The seemingly dry list of names in Nehemiah 10:12 carries profound implications for contemporary believers. It reminds us that faith is not merely an abstract belief but requires concrete, personal commitment and often public declaration. Just as Zaccur, Sherebiah, and Shebaniah affixed their seals to a covenant, we are called to live out our covenant relationship with God, established through Christ, with intentionality and integrity. This involves not only private devotion but also public alignment with God's word and active participation in the community of faith. Our names may not be recorded in a physical scroll, but our lives are a testament to our commitment, known to God and observed by the world. This verse challenges us to consider the depth of our own vows to God and whether our daily lives reflect the sincerity of our allegiance, prompting us to examine where our actions align with the spiritual commitments we have made.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the personal commitment of individuals like Zaccur, Sherebiah, and Shebaniah inspire your own walk of faith and commitment to God?**
* **In what practical ways do you publicly affirm your commitment to God's covenant and His church today?**
* **What specific areas of your life need to be brought into fuller alignment with God's will, mirroring the comprehensive covenant renewal in Nehemiah?**

### FAQ
**Why does the Bible list so many names in Nehemiah 10?**

Answer: The meticulous listing of names in [Nehemiah 10](/nehemiah/10 "Nehemiah 10 - The Covenant Sealed") serves several crucial purposes. Firstly, it underscores the **personal and public nature** of the covenant renewal. Each individual named, from priests to Levites to chiefs, personally affixed their seal, signifying a deliberate and binding commitment to God's law. This wasn't a general, vague agreement but a concrete, individual vow. Secondly, it provided **accountability**; the names served as a public record, ensuring that those who signed were bound by their promises and could be held responsible. Thirdly, it highlights the **comprehensiveness** of the commitment, showing that a significant portion of the community's leadership participated, representing the entire nation. Finally, it emphasizes the **historical veracity** and solemnity of the event, making it a tangible record of a pivotal moment in Israel's post-exilic history, a moment of profound spiritual dedication and realignment with God's will, as detailed in the great confession and prayer of [Nehemiah 9](/nehemiah/9 "Nehemiah 9 - The Great Confession and Prayer").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Nehemiah 10:12 details a covenant made under the Old Testament Law, it finds its ultimate fulfillment and transformation in Jesus Christ. The meticulous recording of names in Nehemiah foreshadows the divine registry of names in the [Lamb's Book of Life](/revelation/21-27 "Revelation 21:27 - Only Those Written in the Lamb's Book of Life"), where the names of those who belong to Christ are eternally recorded. The Old Covenant required human signatories to bind themselves to external laws, but the New Covenant, inaugurated by Christ's perfect sacrifice, is written not on tablets of stone but on the hearts of believers by the Spirit of God, as prophesied in [Jeremiah 31:33](/jeremiah/31-33 "Jeremiah 31:33 - The New Covenant Written on Hearts") and expounded in [Hebrews 8:10](/hebrews/8-10 "Hebrews 8:10 - The New Covenant Written on Hearts"). Zaccur, Sherebiah, and Shebaniah made a personal commitment to the law, but through Christ, believers are given a new heart and the power to obey, not by their own strength but by the indwelling Holy Spirit, enabling a deeper, more profound covenant relationship. Our "sealing" is not with ink and wax, but with the Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance in Christ ([Ephesians 1:13-14](/ephesians/1-13-14 "Ephesians 1:13-14 - Sealed with the Holy Spirit")). Thus, the individual commitment seen in Nehemiah 10:12 points forward to the personal, Spirit-empowered allegiance to Christ that defines the New Covenant believer, whose identity is found in Him ([Colossians 3:3](/colossians/3-3 "Colossians 3:3 - Your Life Hidden with Christ")) and whose eternal security is assured by His finished work.

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

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.

Nehemiah 12:8

Moreover the Levites: Jeshua, Binnui, Kadmiel, Sherebiah, Judah, [and] Mattaniah, [which was] over the thanksgiving, he and his brethren.

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.