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In the KJVVerse 12,563 of 31,102
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Commentary on Nehemiah 10 verses 1–31
1 ¶ Now those that sealed were, Nehemiah, the Tirshatha, the son of Hachaliah, and Zidkijah,
2 Seraiah, Azariah, Jeremiah,
3 Pashur, Amariah, Malchijah,
4 Hattush, Shebaniah, Malluch,
5 Harim, Meremoth, Obadiah,
6 Daniel, Ginnethon, Baruch,
7 Meshullam, Abijah, Mijamin,
8 Maaziah, Bilgai, Shemaiah: these were the priests.
9 And the Levites: both Jeshua the son of Azaniah, Binnui of the sons of Henadad, Kadmiel;
10 And their brethren, Shebaniah, Hodijah, Kelita, Pelaiah, Hanan,
11 Micha, Rehob, Hashabiah,
12 Zaccur, Sherebiah, Shebaniah,
13 Hodijah, Bani, Beninu.
14 The chief of the people; Parosh, Pahathmoab, Elam, Zatthu, Bani,
15 Bunni, Azgad, Bebai,
16 Adonijah, Bigvai, Adin,
17 Ater, Hizkijah, Azzur,
18 Hodijah, Hashum, Bezai,
19 Hariph, Anathoth, Nebai,
20 Magpiash, Meshullam, Hezir,
21 Meshezabeel, Zadok, Jaddua,
22 Pelatiah, Hanan, Anaiah,
23 Hoshea, Hananiah, Hashub,
24 Hallohesh, Pileha, Shobek,
25 Rehum, Hashabnah, Maaseiah,
26 And Ahijah, Hanan, Anan,
27 Malluch, Harim, Baanah.
28 And the rest of the people, the priests, the Levites, the porters, the singers, the Nethinims, and all they that had separated themselves from the people of the lands unto the law of God, their wives, their sons, and their daughters, every one having knowledge, and having understanding;
29 They clave to their brethren, their nobles, and entered into a curse, and into an oath, to walk in God's law, which was given by Moses the servant of God, and to observe and do all the commandments of the LORD our Lord, and his judgments and his statutes;
30 And that we would not give our daughters unto the people of the land, nor take their daughters for our sons:
31 And if the people of the land bring ware or any victuals on the sabbath day to sell, that we would not buy it of them on the sabbath, or on the holy day: and that we would leave the seventh year, and the exaction of every debt.
When Israel was first brought into covenant with God it was done by sacrifice and the sprinkling of blood, Ex. 24. But here it was done by the more natural and common way of sealing and subscribing the written articles of the covenant, which bound them to no more than was already their duty. Now here we have,
I. The names of those public persons who, as the representatives and heads of the congregation, set their hands and seals to this covenant, because it would have been an endless piece of work for every particular person to do it; and, if these leading men did their part in pursuance of this covenant, their example would have a good influence upon all the people. Now observe, 1. Nehemiah, who was the governor, signed first, to show his forwardness in this work and to set others a good example, Neh 10:1. Those that are above others in dignity and power should go before them in the way of God. 2. Next to him subscribed twenty-two priests, among whom I wonder we do not find Ezra, who was an active man in the solemnity (Ezr 8:2) which was but the first day of the same month, and therefore we cannot think he was absent; but he, having before done his part as a scribe, now left it to others to do theirs. 3. Next to the priests, seventeen Levites subscribed this covenant, among whom we find all or most of those who were the mouth of the congregation in prayer, Ezr 9:4, Ezr 9:5. This showed that they themselves were affected with what they had said, and would not bind those burdens on others which they themselves declined to touch. Those that lead in prayer should lead in every other good work. 4. Next to the Levites, forty-four of the chief of the people gave it under their hands for themselves and all the rest, chiefly those whom they had influence upon, that they would keep God's commandments. Their names are left upon record here, to their honour, as men that were forward and active in reviving and endeavouring to perpetuate religion in their country. The memory of such shall be blessed. It is observable that most of those who were mentioned, Ezr 7:8, etc., as heads of houses or clans, are here mentioned among the first of the chief of the people that subscribed, whoever was the present head bearing the name of him that was head when they came out of Babylon, and these were fittest to subscribe for all those of their father's house. Here are Parosh, Pahathmoab, Elam, Zatthu, Bani (Neh 10:14), Azgad, Bebai, Bigvai, Adin, Ater, Hashum, Bezai, Hariph, Anathoth, and some others in the following verses, that are all found in that catalogue. Those that have interest must use it for God.
II. The concurrence of the rest of the people with them, and the rest of the priests and Levites, who signified their consent to what their chiefs did. With them joined, 1. Their wives and children; for they had transgressed, and they must reform. Every one that had knowledge and understanding must covenant with God. As soon as young people grow up to be capable of distinguishing between good and evil, and of acting intelligently, they ought to make it their own act and deed to join themselves to the Lord. 2. The proselytes of other nations, all that had separated themselves from the people of the lands, their gods and their worship, unto the law of God, and the observance of that law. See what conversion it; it is separating ourselves from the course and custom of this world, and devoting ourselves to the conduce of the word of God. And, as there is one law, so there is one covenant, one baptism, for the stranger and for him that is born in the land. Observe how the concurrence of the people is expressed, Neh 10:29. (1.) They clave to their brethren one and all. Here those whom the court blessed the country blessed too! The commonalty agreed with their nobles in this good work. Great men never look so great as when they encourage religion, and are examples of it; and they would by that, as much as any thing, secure an interest in the most valuable of their inferiors. Let but the nobles cordially espouse religious causes, and perhaps they will find people cleave to them therein closer than they can imagine. Observe, Their nobles are called their brethren; for, in the things of God, rich and poor, high and low, meet together. (2.) They entered into a curse and an oath. As the nobles confirmed the covenant with their hands and seals, so the people with a curse and an oath, solemnly appealing to God concerning their sincerity, and imprecating his just revenge if they dealt deceitfully. Every oath has in it a conditional curse upon the soul, which makes it a strong bond upon the soul; for our own tongues, if false and lying tongues, will fall, and fall heavily, upon ourselves.
III. The general purport of this covenant. They laid upon themselves no other burden than this necessary thing, which they were already obliged to by all other engagements of duty, interest, and gratitude - to walk in God's law, and to do all his commandments, Neh 10:29. Thus David swore that he would keep God's righteous judgments, Psa 119:106. Our own covenant binds us to this, if not more strongly, yet more sensibly, than we were before bound, and therefore we must not think it needless thus to bind ourselves. Observe, When we bind ourselves to do the commandments of God we bind ourselves to do all his commandments, and therein to have an eye to him as the Lord and our Lord.
IV. Some of the particular articles of this covenant, such as were adapted to their present temptations. 1. That they would not intermarry with the heathen, Neh 10:30. Many of them had been guilty of this, Ezr 9:1. In our covenants with God we should engage particularly against those sins that we have been most frequently overtaken in and damaged by. Those that resolve to keep the commandments of God must say to evil doers, Depart, Psa 119:115. 2. That they would keep no markets on the sabbath day, or any other day of which the law had said, You shall do no work therein. They would not only not sell goods themselves for gain on that day, but they would not encourage the heathen to sell on that day by buying of them, no not victuals, under pretence of necessity; but would buy in their provisions for their families the day before, Neh 10:31. Note, Those that covenant to keep all God's commandments must particularly covenant to keep sabbaths well; for the profanation of them is an inlet to other instances of profaneness. The sabbath is a market day for our souls, but not for our bodies. 3. That they would not be severe in exacting their debts, but would observe the seventh year as a year of release, according to the law, Neh 10:31. In this matter they had been faulty (ch. 5), and here therefore they promise to reform. This was the acceptable fast, to undo the heavy burden, and to let the oppressed go free, Isa 58:6. It was in the close of the day of expiation that the jubilee trumpet sounded. It was for the neglect of observing the seventh year as a year of rest for the land that God had made it enjoy its sabbaths seventy years (Lev 26:35), and therefore they covenanted to observe that law. Those are stubborn children indeed that will not amend the fault for which they have been particularly corrected.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 1–31. Public domain.
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SUMMARY
Nehemiah 10:13 concisely lists three Levites—Hodijah, Bani, and Beninu—who personally affixed their seals to the solemn covenant forged by the returned exiles in Jerusalem. This seemingly straightforward enumeration of names is central to a pivotal chapter that records the nation's collective recommitment to God's Law, serving as a powerful testament to the individual accountability and unified resolve of the post-exilic community in their profound spiritual renewal.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Nehemiah 10:13, like the surrounding verses, primarily employs Enumeration and Cataloging. The meticulous listing of names serves as a literary device to establish the historical veracity and comprehensive nature of the covenant. By naming each signatory, the text underscores the individual accountability of those involved, transforming an abstract agreement into a concrete, verifiable event. This detailed Historical Record also functions as a form of Witness Testimony, demonstrating that a vast number of identifiable individuals from all levels of society formally committed to the Law. The Repetition of names across the chapter, though varied, emphasizes the breadth of participation and the unified resolve of the community, lending weight and solemnity to the covenant renewal.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Nehemiah 10:13, though a simple list of names, powerfully illustrates the biblical principle that individual commitment is foundational to corporate faithfulness. The act of publicly signing or sealing a covenant was a profound theological statement, signifying a personal and communal re-alignment with God's will. It highlights that God values each person's intentional decision to follow Him, even within a large assembly. This meticulous record-keeping underscores the seriousness of covenant obligations and the importance of accountability before God and the community. The Levites, in particular, were crucial for teaching the Law and maintaining temple service, making their commitment vital for the spiritual health of the nation. Their names, preserved for millennia, serve as a timeless reminder that genuine revival requires not just corporate enthusiasm but also individual, intentional dedication to God's commands.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The seemingly mundane list of names in Nehemiah 10:13 offers profound spiritual insights for believers today. It reminds us that God sees and values every individual's commitment, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant their role. Just as Hodijah, Bani, and Beninu personally affixed their seals to a covenant, so too are we called to make a personal, intentional commitment to God in our lives. Our faith is not merely a passive inheritance but an active, daily decision to "walk in His ways" and "obey His voice". This verse challenges us to consider the depth of our own covenant relationship with God, urging us to move beyond mere association to active participation and accountability within the community of faith. It underscores that true spiritual revival begins with individual hearts turning towards God, culminating in a powerful, unified testimony that impacts the collective body of Christ.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why does the Bible include such detailed lists of names, like in Nehemiah 10:13?
Answer: The inclusion of detailed lists of names, such as "Hodijah, Bani, Beninu" in Nehemiah 10:13, serves several crucial purposes. Firstly, it lends historical authenticity and verifiability to the biblical narrative, demonstrating that these were real events involving real people, not mythical figures. Secondly, it underscores the importance of individual accountability and participation within the community. Each name represents a person who made a conscious decision to commit to God's covenant, highlighting that God values every individual's choice. Thirdly, these lists document the breadth of involvement, showing that the covenant renewal in Nehemiah's time was a comprehensive national undertaking, involving leaders, priests, Levites, and the people. Finally, for the original audience, these lists served as a record of their heritage and lineage, connecting them to the faithful acts of their ancestors, reinforcing their identity as God's covenant people (see Ezra 2 for another example of detailed lists of returnees).
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Nehemiah 10:13 lists individuals who sealed an Old Covenant commitment, it powerfully foreshadows the New Covenant established in Christ. The meticulous recording of names in Nehemiah speaks to God's intimate knowledge and valuing of each person who commits to Him. In the New Covenant, our names are not merely affixed to a physical document but are "written in the Lamb's Book of Life" through faith in Jesus Christ. Just as the Levites Hodijah, Bani, and Beninu were essential to the spiritual administration of Israel, Christ, our ultimate High Priest, mediates a "better covenant, which was established on better promises" (Hebrews 8:6). Our personal commitment to Christ, symbolized by baptism and a life of obedience, echoes the public declarations of Nehemiah's time, yet it is rooted in God's grace and Christ's finished work (Ephesians 2:8-9). Ultimately, the individual names in Nehemiah 10:13 point to the countless individuals from "every tribe and language and people and nation" (Revelation 5:9) whose names are known by God and are eternally secured in the new and everlasting covenant through the precious blood of Jesus (Luke 22:20).