Nehemiah 10:12

Zaccur, Sherebiah, Shebaniah,

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

Zakur, Sherevyah, Sh'vanyah,

Zaccur, Sherebiah, Shebaniah,

Zaccur, Sherebiah, Shebaniah,

Commentary

Nehemiah 10:12 KJV continues a significant listing of individuals who 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 agreement.

Context of Nehemiah 10:12

Following the completion of the walls of Jerusalem under Nehemiah's leadership, the people of Israel gathered for a period of spiritual revival and introspection. This culminated in a powerful confession of sins (Nehemiah 9) and a renewed commitment to God's law. Nehemiah 10 records the formal sealing of this covenant, where leaders, priests, and Levites, representing the entire community, put their names to the document. The inclusion of specific names like Zaccur, Sherebiah, and Shebaniah underscores the personal and public nature of this commitment made by the returned exiles to walk in God's statutes and judgments, as outlined in the Law of Moses.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Personal Commitment: While Nehemiah 10 is a long list of names, each one represents an individual who personally assented to the covenant. This highlights the importance of individual faith and commitment within the larger community.
  • Covenant Renewal: The entire chapter emphasizes the nation's spiritual renewal and their determination to live according to God's commandments, particularly after their return from the Babylonian exile. It was a formal reaffirmation of their relationship with Yahweh.
  • Accountability: The meticulous recording of names served as a public declaration, creating a sense of accountability among the leaders and the people to uphold their vows. This record ensured transparency and provided a historical testament to their renewed dedication.
  • Community Identity: These names, alongside others in the chapter, reinforce the restored community's identity as God's chosen people, bound by His covenant. Their collective action strengthened their resolve to rebuild not just physical structures but also their spiritual foundation.

Linguistic Insights

The names themselves are Hebrew, common for the period and often carrying significant meanings. For instance, "Zaccur" (ื–ึทื›ึผื•ึผืจ - Zakkur) means "mindful" or "remembered," often implying that God remembers. "Sherebiah" (ืฉึตืืจึตื‘ึฐื™ึธื” - Sherฤ“แธ‡yฤh) means "Yahweh has sent heat" or "Yahweh has caused to sit," and "Shebaniah" (ืฉึฐืื‘ึทื ึฐื™ึธื” - ล ษ™แธ‡anyฤh) means "Yahweh has caused to grow" or "Yahweh has brought back." While the specific meanings of these individual names aren't directly expounded upon in the text, their presence signifies real individuals, each with a unique identity before God, participating in a collective act of faith and commitment.

Practical Application

Nehemiah 10:12, though a list of names, offers a powerful reminder about the nature of faith and commitment. Just as these individuals publicly affirmed their dedication, believers today are called to a personal and public commitment to God. It encourages us to reflect on our own covenant with God through Christ, which is not merely a communal agreement but a deeply personal relationship. The meticulous recording of names also subtly points to God's own meticulous care for His people, where each individual is known and valued. This echoes the concept of names being written in the Book of Life, signifying divine recognition and eternal remembrance for those who are faithful.

Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified 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

    ยถ 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.
โ† Back