Nehemiah 10:14

KJV

The chief of the people; Parosh, Pahathmoab, Elam, Zatthu, Bani,

KJV (with Strong's)

The chief {H7218} of the people {H5971}; Parosh {H6551}, Pahathmoab {H6355}, Elam {H5867}, Zatthu {H2240}, Bani {H1137},

Complete Jewish Bible

The leaders of the people: Par'osh, Pachat-Mo'av, 'Eilam, Zatu, Bani,

Berean Standard Bible

And the leaders of the people: Parosh, Pahath-moab, Elam, Zattu, Bani,

American Standard Version

The chiefs of the people: Parosh, Pahath-moab, Elam, Zattu, Bani,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Nehemiah 10:14 introduces the first five names among the "chiefs of the people" who formally affixed their seals to the renewed covenant with God. This act, following a period of spiritual revival, confession, and the public reading of the Law, signified a profound corporate commitment by the post-exilic Israelite community to uphold the Mosaic Law, observe its statutes, and faithfully support the Temple and its services. The listing of these prominent family heads underscores the leadership's public endorsement and the collective responsibility of the nation in re-establishing their relationship with Yahweh.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Nehemiah 10:14 is situated within a pivotal chapter that records the formal sealing of a covenant by the returned exiles. This solemn agreement immediately follows the joyous celebration of the Feast of Tabernacles in [Nehemiah 8](/nehemiah/8 "Nehemiah 8 - The Reading of the Law and Feast of Tabernacles") and a profound national confession of sin and review of God's faithfulness in [Nehemiah 9](/nehemiah/9 "Nehemiah 9 - Confession and Covenant History"). The public reading and explanation of the Law by Ezra the scribe, as detailed in [Nehemiah 8:8](/nehemiah/8-8 "Nehemiah 8:8 - Understanding the Law"), had deeply impacted the people, leading them to a renewed commitment. Chapter 10 systematically lists those who signed, beginning with Nehemiah himself, then the priests, the Levites, and finally, the "chiefs of the people," of whom Parosh, Pahathmoab, Elam, Zatthu, and Bani are the first mentioned. This sequence emphasizes the hierarchical and representative nature of the covenant renewal.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is Jerusalem in the mid-5th century BC, during the Persian period, approximately 90 years after the initial return from Babylonian exile. The community was struggling to rebuild not just walls and a temple, but their national and spiritual identity. The Exile had been a stark consequence of generations of covenant unfaithfulness. Therefore, this covenant renewal was a desperate and intentional effort to avoid past mistakes and re-establish a right relationship with God. Culturally, signing a document with a seal was a legally binding act, akin to a modern contract. The "chiefs of the people" were heads of ancestral houses or clans, representing thousands of individuals. Their public endorsement was crucial for the legitimacy and widespread acceptance of the covenant's terms, ensuring that the commitment permeated all levels of society, from the leadership down to the common people.
* **Key Themes:** This verse, as part of Nehemiah 10, significantly contributes to several overarching themes in the book of Nehemiah and the broader post-exilic narrative. The primary theme is **Covenant Renewal**, demonstrating Israel's reaffirmation of the Mosaic Law as the foundational document for their national and spiritual life. This was not a new covenant but a re-engagement with the terms of the original covenant established at Sinai, emphasizing obedience after a period of profound disobedience that led to exile. Another crucial theme is **Corporate Responsibility and Leadership**, highlighted by the explicit listing of the "chiefs." These leaders publicly acknowledged their accountability and took the initiative to bind their families and clans to God's commands, exemplifying the principle that the spiritual health of a community often hinges on the commitment of its leaders, as seen in the call for obedience in [Deuteronomy 29:10-15](/deuteronomy/29-10 "Deuteronomy 29:10-15 - Corporate Covenant at Moab"). Finally, the entire chapter, including this verse, underscores the **Commitment to God's Law**, with specific promises detailed in [Nehemiah 10:29-39](/nehemiah/10-29 "Nehemiah 10:29-39 - Specific Promises of the Covenant"). The act of signing symbolized a concrete, public, and binding resolve to live according to God's precepts, including observing the Sabbath, supporting the Temple, and avoiding intermarriage.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Chief (Hebrew, _ro'sh_):** This term literally means "head" and is used metaphorically to denote a leader, chief, or principal person. In this context, it refers to the heads of families or clans, indicating their prominent position and authority within the community. Their signing of the covenant was not merely personal but represented the commitment of their entire lineage, underscoring the corporate nature of the agreement.
* **People (Hebrew, _'am_):** This word refers to the nation or community of Israel. When combined with "chief," it emphasizes that these individuals were not just private citizens but public figures representing the collective will and identity of God's chosen people. Their participation solidified the covenant as a national, rather than merely individual, pledge.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The chief of the people;":** This introductory phrase establishes the category of individuals whose names follow. It signifies that these are not just any members of the community, but the recognized leaders and representatives of the various family groups and clans within Israel. Their leadership role made their commitment especially impactful and binding for the larger population they represented.
* **"Parosh, Pahathmoab, Elam, Zatthu, Bani,":** These are specific names of prominent family heads. While the individual etymology of each name is less critical here, their inclusion by name highlights the meticulous record-keeping and the personal, public nature of the covenant. These families, particularly Parosh and Pahathmoab, are consistently listed among the largest groups returning from exile in [Ezra 2:3](/ezra/2-3 "Ezra 2:3 - List of Returnees") and [Nehemiah 7:8](/nehemiah/7-8 "Nehemiah 7:8 - List of Returnees"), indicating their significant influence and the weight their signatures carried in affirming the national commitment to God's Law.

#### Literary Devices
Nehemiah 10:14 primarily employs **Listing** or **Enumeration**, a common literary device in historical and legal texts of the Old Testament. The meticulous cataloging of names, which continues throughout the chapter, serves to establish the authenticity and comprehensive nature of the covenant. It underscores that this was not a casual agreement but a formally documented and witnessed act involving the most influential members of the community. This **Precision** in naming also lends historical verifiability to the account. Furthermore, there is an element of **Synecdoche**, where the named "chiefs" represent their entire family lines and, by extension, the whole nation. The act of a few prominent individuals signing stands for the corporate commitment of the many. This formal enumeration of leaders reinforces the theme of **Corporate Responsibility** and the importance of leadership by example in spiritual matters.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Nehemiah 10:14, though a simple list of names, is deeply significant in its theological implications. It represents a profound moment of covenant renewal, where the returned exiles, having experienced the consequences of disobedience, publicly and formally recommitted themselves to the terms of God's covenant with Israel. This act underscores the enduring nature of God's covenant faithfulness, even when His people are unfaithful, and the necessity of human response in repentance and obedience. The leaders' public signing demonstrates the principle that true spiritual leadership involves taking the lead in commitment and accountability, setting an example for the entire community. This renewal was a corporate act, signifying that faith is not only a personal journey but also a communal responsibility, binding the entire body of believers to uphold God's standards.

* [Deuteronomy 29:10-15](/deuteronomy/29-10 "Deuteronomy 29:10-15 - Covenant with All Israel")
* [Joshua 24:25](/joshua/24-25 "Joshua 24:25 - Joshua's Covenant Renewal at Shechem")
* [Nehemiah 10:29](/nehemiah/10-29 "Nehemiah 10:29 - The People's Oath to the Covenant")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The listing of names in Nehemiah 10:14, far from being a mere historical record, offers profound lessons for believers today. It reminds us of the critical importance of intentional, public, and binding commitment to God. Just as these ancient leaders affixed their seals, we are called to a wholehearted dedication to Christ, a commitment that should manifest not only in personal devotion but also in public declarations of faith, such as baptism or active participation in the body of Christ. The example of these "chiefs" highlights the vital role of leadership in inspiring and modeling spiritual obedience. True spiritual leadership is not about power but about pioneering commitment, accountability, and service, drawing others into deeper faithfulness. Moreover, this corporate act of covenant renewal underscores that our faith is lived out in community. We are part of a larger body, the Church, where shared responsibility, mutual accountability, and collective worship strengthen individual resolve and uphold God's standards in a fallen world.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life do you need to make a more public or intentional commitment to God?**
* **How does your personal commitment to Christ impact the community around you, whether your family, church, or workplace?**
* **What role do leaders play in fostering a culture of commitment and obedience within a spiritual community, and how can you support them in this?**
* **How does understanding the corporate nature of faith in Nehemiah 10 inform your participation in the local church?**

### FAQ
**Why are specific names listed in Nehemiah 10:14 and subsequent verses?**

Answer: The listing of specific names, such as Parosh, Pahathmoab, Elam, Zatthu, and Bani, serves several crucial purposes. First, it lends authenticity and historical weight to the covenant document, akin to a modern legal record of signatories. Second, it highlights the representative nature of the commitment; these individuals were "chiefs of the people," meaning they were heads of prominent families or clans. Their signatures signified the corporate commitment of their entire lineages, making the covenant a national, rather than merely individual, pledge. Third, it underscores the importance of leadership by example. By publicly affixing their seals, these leaders demonstrated their personal and corporate resolve to obey God's Law, setting a precedent for the rest of the community. This meticulous record-keeping emphasizes the solemnity and binding nature of the agreement.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Nehemiah 10:14 details a renewal of the Old Covenant, it powerfully foreshadows the ultimate and perfect covenant established through Jesus Christ. The "chiefs of the people" in Nehemiah represented their families in a solemn pledge to a written law, but their commitment, like all human efforts, was imperfect and temporary. In contrast, Jesus Christ is the ultimate "Chief" and "Head" of a new people, the Church, representing all who believe in Him. He did not merely sign a covenant but embodied and fulfilled it through His perfect life, atoning death, and resurrection. The New Covenant, inaugurated by His blood, is not written on tablets of stone but on the hearts of believers by the Holy Spirit, as promised in [Jeremiah 31:33](/jeremiah/31-33 "Jeremiah 31:33 - The New Covenant"). Where the Old Covenant required human effort and often failed due to human weakness, the New Covenant offers forgiveness and empowers obedience through divine grace. The corporate commitment seen in Nehemiah finds its truest expression in the Church, the body of Christ, where believers are united under the leadership of the [Good Shepherd](/john/10-11 "John 10:11 - Jesus the Good Shepherd") and empowered to live out God's will, not by a list of rules, but by the indwelling Spirit, fulfilling the promise of a transformed heart and a new creation in [2 Corinthians 5:17](/2_corinthians/5-17 "2 Corinthians 5:17 - New Creation in Christ").

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 7:8

The children of Parosh, two thousand an hundred seventy and two.

Nehemiah 7:15

The children of Binnui, six hundred forty and eight.

Nehemiah 7:11

The children of Pahathmoab, of the children of Jeshua and Joab, two thousand and eight hundred [and] eighteen.

Nehemiah 7:13

The children of Zattu, eight hundred forty and five.

Nehemiah 3:11

Malchijah the son of Harim, and Hashub the son of Pahathmoab, repaired the other piece, and the tower of the furnaces.

Ezra 2:3

The children of Parosh, two thousand an hundred seventy and two.

Ezra 2:70

So the priests, and the Levites, and [some] of the people, and the singers, and the porters, and the Nethinims, dwelt in their cities, and all Israel in their cities.