Nehemiah 10:15

KJV

Bunni, Azgad, Bebai,

KJV (with Strong's)

Bunni {H1138}, Azgad {H5803}, Bebai {H893},

Complete Jewish Bible

Buni, 'Azgad, B'vai,

Berean Standard Bible

Bunni, Azgad, Bebai,

American Standard Version

Bunni, Azgad, Bebai,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Nehemiah 10:15 succinctly lists "Bunni, Azgad, Bebai" as three of the numerous individuals who affixed their seals to the renewed covenant in post-exilic Jerusalem. This seemingly simple enumeration of names carries profound significance, representing the personal commitment and corporate unity of the returned exiles to uphold the Mosaic Law and walk faithfully with God. It underscores the meticulous record-keeping inherent in the biblical narrative and highlights the individual accountability within a communal act of spiritual renewal, solidifying the binding nature of their solemn vow before the Lord.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Nehemiah 10 serves as the formalization of a powerful spiritual revival that began in [Nehemiah 8](/nehemiah/8 "Nehemiah 8 - Ezra Reads the Law"), where Ezra publicly read the Law, leading to widespread understanding and repentance among the assembled people. This was immediately followed by a profound prayer of confession and remembrance of God's enduring faithfulness in [Nehemiah 9](/nehemiah/9 "Nehemiah 9 - Prayer of Confession and God's Faithfulness"). Chapter 10 meticulously details the solemn act of covenant renewal, a binding agreement to obey God's commands. This covenant was spearheaded by the leaders and Levites, as outlined in [Nehemiah 10:1-8](/nehemiah/10-1 "Nehemiah 10:1-8 - The Leaders Seal the Covenant"). Verses 9-27 then provide an exhaustive list of the priests, Levites, and heads of the people's families who personally affixed their seals, signifying their individual and communal commitment to the specific stipulations detailed in [Nehemiah 10:29-39](/nehemiah/10-29 "Nehemiah 10:29-39 - Terms of the Covenant"). The inclusion of names like Bunni, Azgad, and Bebai emphasizes the broad participation and personal ownership of this covenant renewal by a diverse cross-section of the returned exiles.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The events described in Nehemiah unfold in the mid-5th century BC, during the Persian imperial period, following the return of Jewish exiles from their Babylonian captivity. While the physical rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls under Nehemiah's leadership (cf. [Nehemiah 1-6](/nehemiah/1 "Nehemiah 1-6 - Rebuilding the Walls")) provided essential security, the spiritual restoration of the community was equally, if not more, vital. Covenant making and renewal were foundational to ancient Israelite identity, serving as central acts that bound the people to Yahweh and His divine laws. The act of "sealing" (Hebrew: חָתַם, _chatham_) a document in this historical period was a legally binding procedure, akin to formally signing and authenticating a contract, rendering the agreement official and enforceable. The public listing of names, particularly those of heads of families or prominent individuals, was a common socio-political practice to validate important documents and ensure accountability within the community, reinforcing the solemnity and permanence of the agreement.
* **Key Themes:** The meticulous listing of names in Nehemiah 10:15 significantly contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Nehemiah and the broader post-exilic narrative. **Covenant Renewal** is paramount, as the returned exiles reaffirm their identity and commitment to God's Law, marking a crucial spiritual reset after generations of exile and dispersion. This act profoundly highlights **Personal and Corporate Commitment**, demonstrating that the covenant was not merely a top-down decree but a grassroots affirmation by individuals such as Bunni, Azgad, and Bebai, underscoring both individual dedication and communal solidarity. The formal sealing process emphasizes **Accountability**, as each signatory publicly declared their intention to walk in God's ways, thereby holding them responsible before God and the community. Finally, the meticulous enumeration of names lends **Historical Authenticity** to the biblical account, affirming that these were real events involving real people, grounding the spiritual narrative in tangible historical fact, much like the detailed genealogies found in [Ezra 2](/ezra/2 "Ezra 2 - The List of Those Who Returned From Exile").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Bunni (Hebrew, _Bunnîy'_):** This proper name, likely derived from the Hebrew root meaning "built," identifies an Israelite individual who affixed his seal to the covenant. While the etymology might suggest a connection to building or establishment, its primary significance here is his personal participation in the communal act of covenant renewal, representing his individual commitment to God's Law.
* **Azgad (Hebrew, _ʻAzgâd'_):** Meaning "stern troop" or "strong fortune," Azgad is another Israelite whose name is recorded among those who sealed the covenant. His inclusion signifies that individuals from various families and backgrounds, possibly representing different social or familial groups, were united in this solemn agreement, emphasizing the broad and inclusive nature of the covenant commitment.
* **Bebai (Hebrew, _Bêbay'_):** This name, possibly of foreign origin, identifies a third individual participating in the covenant sealing. The presence of a name potentially of foreign origin, or at least one whose etymology is less clear, further underscores the comprehensive nature of the list, indicating that the covenant was embraced by a wide array of individuals within the returned community, solidifying its collective binding power.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Bunni, Azgad, Bebai,"**: This clause, comprising the entirety of Nehemiah 10:15, is a straightforward enumeration of three specific individuals. The brevity of the verse belies its profound significance within the broader narrative of Nehemiah 10. It is not merely a roll call but a deliberate act of recording the names of those who personally and publicly committed to the renewed covenant. Each name represents an individual decision to align with God's will and the community's collective resolve to obey the Law. Their inclusion emphasizes the personal accountability of each Israelite within the communal undertaking, demonstrating that the covenant was not a theoretical exercise but a tangible, binding agreement involving real people. It highlights the meticulous nature of the biblical record, affirming the historical reality of this pivotal moment in Israel's spiritual journey and the comprehensive participation of the people.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in Nehemiah 10:15, and indeed throughout the extensive list in Nehemiah 10:9-27, is **Enumeration** or **Listing**. This detailed cataloging of names serves multiple crucial purposes: it underscores the comprehensive nature of the covenant agreement, demonstrating that a broad representation of the community participated in this solemn act. It also lends significant **Historical Authenticity** to the narrative, grounding the spiritual revival in the tangible reality of specific individuals and families rather than presenting it as an abstract event. Furthermore, the act of listing individual names can be seen as a form of **Synecdoche**, where the mention of specific parts (these individuals) stands for the whole (the entire community of returned exiles). This emphasizes that while the covenant was corporate, it was ultimately made up of countless individual commitments, each vital to the collective spiritual health and identity of the nation.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The inclusion of specific names like Bunni, Azgad, and Bebai in the covenant list profoundly emphasizes the dual nature of faith: both intensely personal and inherently communal. The post-exilic community understood that their corporate identity as God's chosen people was inextricably dependent on the individual faithfulness of its members. This act of sealing was not a passive assent but an active, public declaration of allegiance to Yahweh and His Law, reflecting a deep theological understanding that true worship involves tangible commitment and obedience. It echoes the very nature of God's covenant relationship with Israel, which always called for a response of faithfulness from His people, a theme seen from the earliest days of the nation's formation, where the entire community was brought into a binding agreement with God.

* [Deuteronomy 29:10-15](/deuteronomy/29-10-15 "All Israel Enters Covenant")
* [Joshua 24:25-27](/joshua/24-25-27 "Joshua's Covenant Renewal at Shechem")
* [Hebrews 8:6-7](/hebrews/8-6-7 "A Better Covenant Mediated by Christ")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Nehemiah 10:15, though a mere list of names, serves as a powerful reminder of the weight and significance of personal commitment within a community of faith. The Israelites meticulously recorded these names to signify that their covenant with God was not a fleeting emotion but a binding, public vow that carried individual accountability. For believers today, this passage challenges us to consider the seriousness with which we approach our own spiritual commitments—whether it be our baptismal vows, marriage covenants, church membership, or personal promises made to God in prayer. Our faith is deeply personal, yet it is also lived out in community, where our individual faithfulness contributes to the collective witness and strength of the body of Christ. Just as Bunni, Azgad, and Bebai stood as representatives, we too are called to be faithful stewards of our calling, understanding that our choices have implications for both our individual walk with God and the broader testimony of God's people in the world. This passage encourages us to live with intentionality, honoring our vows and actively participating in the life of faith with integrity, dedication, and a deep sense of responsibility.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What personal commitments have I made to God, and how seriously do I treat them in my daily life and actions?**
* **How does my individual faithfulness contribute to the overall health, witness, and spiritual vitality of my local church or spiritual community?**
* **In what tangible ways can I more intentionally "seal" my commitment to God's Word and His purposes in my life today, moving beyond mere intellectual assent to active obedience?**

### FAQ

**Why are individual names listed in Nehemiah 10:15 and other verses in this chapter?**

Answer: The listing of individual names like Bunni, Azgad, and Bebai serves several crucial purposes within the narrative of Nehemiah 10. Firstly, it underscores the **personal commitment** of each Israelite to the renewed covenant with God. It wasn't merely a general, top-down agreement but a solemn vow affirmed by representatives from across the community, signifying their individual accountability before God. Secondly, it provides **historical authenticity** to the biblical narrative, demonstrating that these events were real and involved specific people, making the account more tangible and verifiable for future generations. Thirdly, it highlights the **corporate unity** of the people; while individuals signed, they did so as part of a collective act of spiritual renewal, emphasizing that the entire community was bound by this agreement. This meticulous record-keeping was a common practice for important legal and religious documents in the ancient Near East, making the covenant legally binding and publicly recognized, much like the detailed lists of those who returned from exile in [Ezra 2](/ezra/2 "Ezra 2 - The List of Those Who Returned From Exile").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Nehemiah 10:15, with its list of names, seems far removed from the person and work of Christ, it points powerfully to the ultimate covenant fulfillment found in Him. The meticulous recording of names in a human covenant document foreshadows God's perfect record-keeping and His intimate knowledge of those who belong to Him. Just as Bunni, Azgad, and Bebai affixed their seals to a covenant that they, in their human weakness, would ultimately struggle to perfectly uphold, so humanity continually falls short of God's righteous standards (cf. [Romans 3:23](/romans/3-23 "Romans 3:23 - All Have Sinned")). The very necessity of this covenant renewal in Nehemiah highlights the inadequacy of human effort to maintain a perfect relationship with God under the Old Covenant. This longing for a deeper, more enduring commitment, rooted in divine grace rather than human striving, is fully met in Christ, who is the mediator of a [new and better covenant](/hebrews/8-6 "Hebrews 8:6 - A Better Covenant"), established not on human vows but on His perfect sacrifice (cf. [Hebrews 9:15](/hebrews/9-15 "Hebrews 9:15 - Christ, Mediator of the New Covenant")). In this new covenant, our names are not merely listed on a physical scroll by human hands but are eternally "written in the [Lamb's Book of Life](/revelation/21-27 "Revelation 21:27 - The Book of Life")" through faith in Him (cf. [Philippians 4:3](/philippians/4-3 "Philippians 4:3 - Names Written in the Book of Life")). Thus, Nehemiah 10:15, far from being a dry list, serves as a testament to humanity's profound need for a perfect covenant keeper and points forward to the one in whom all God's promises are "Yes" and "Amen" (cf. [2 Corinthians 1:20](/2_corinthians/1-20 "2 Corinthians 1:20 - God's Promises are Yes 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 7:16

The children of Bebai, six hundred twenty and eight.

Nehemiah 7:17

The children of Azgad, two thousand three hundred twenty and two.

Ezra 10:28

Of the sons also of Bebai; Jehohanan, Hananiah, Zabbai, [and] Athlai.

Ezra 2:11

The children of Bebai, six hundred twenty and three.

Ezra 2:12

The children of Azgad, a thousand two hundred twenty and two.

Ezra 8:11

And of the sons of Bebai; Zechariah the son of Bebai, and with him twenty and eight males.

Ezra 8:12

And of the sons of Azgad; Johanan the son of Hakkatan, and with him an hundred and ten males.