Nehemiah 10:18

KJV

Hodijah, Hashum, Bezai,

KJV (with Strong's)

Hodijah {H1941}, Hashum {H2828}, Bezai {H1209},

Complete Jewish Bible

Hodiyah, Hashum, Betzai,

Berean Standard Bible

Hodiah, Hashum, Bezai,

American Standard Version

Hodiah, Hashum, Bezai,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Nehemiah 10:18 presents three names—Hodijah, Hashum, and Bezai—as part of an extensive roster of individuals who formally affixed their seals to a solemn covenant in Jerusalem. This act, undertaken by priests, Levites, and chiefs representing the entire post-exilic community, signified a profound national re-commitment to the Mosaic Law, emphasizing corporate responsibility and a renewed dedication to God's commandments following a period of spiritual revival and repentance.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Nehemiah 10:18 is situated within the broader narrative of the post-exilic community's spiritual renewal and re-establishment in Jerusalem. Chapter 9 culminates in a powerful prayer of confession and repentance led by the Levites, recounting Israel's history of disobedience and God's enduring faithfulness ([Nehemiah 9](/nehemiah/9 "Nehemiah 9 - The Great Prayer of Confession")). This profound spiritual awakening directly precedes the covenant-sealing ceremony detailed in [Nehemiah 10](/nehemiah/10 "Nehemiah 10 - The Sealing of the Covenant"). The chapter meticulously lists the names of those who signed the document, beginning with the priests ([Nehemiah 10:1-8](/nehemiah/10-1 "Nehemiah 10:1-8 - Priests Signing the Covenant")), followed by the Levites ([Nehemiah 10:9-13](/nehemiah/10-9 "Nehemiah 10:9-13 - Levites Signing the Covenant")), and then the chiefs of the people ([Nehemiah 10:14-27](/nehemiah/10-14 "Nehemiah 10:14-27 - Chiefs Signing the Covenant")). Our verse, Nehemiah 10:18, falls within this latter section, underscoring the broad representation of the community in this pivotal act of national commitment.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The events of Nehemiah 10 unfold approximately a century after the first wave of exiles returned from Babylon, and shortly after the walls of Jerusalem were rebuilt under Nehemiah’s leadership. The community was grappling with the challenges of re-establishing Jewish identity and religious practice in their ancestral land. The covenant-sealing ceremony was a culturally significant act, akin to a formal treaty or legal document, binding the signatories and, by extension, the entire community, to specific obligations. This public declaration was crucial for solidifying their commitment to the Torah and differentiating themselves from surrounding pagan influences, ensuring the purity of their worship and social life in accordance with God's Law, as they sought to live faithfully under Persian rule.
* **Key Themes:** The names listed in Nehemiah 10:18 contribute to several overarching themes within Nehemiah and the broader post-exilic books. Foremost is the theme of **Covenant Renewal**, where the people, having heard and understood the Law ([Nehemiah 8](/nehemiah/8 "Nehemiah 8 - Ezra Reads the Law")), consciously choose to re-enter into a binding agreement with God, acknowledging past failures and pledging future obedience. This act highlights **Corporate Responsibility**, as the named individuals represent the collective will and commitment of the entire nation, emphasizing that faith is both personal and communal. Furthermore, the meticulous listing of names underscores the theme of **Identity and Restoration**, as the returned exiles sought to re-establish their distinct identity as God's chosen people, purified from idolatry and dedicated to His statutes, laying a foundation for spiritual and social reconstruction in Judah, as seen in their specific promises concerning the Sabbath, temple support, and marriage regulations ([Nehemiah 10:29-39](/nehemiah/10-29 "Nehemiah 10:29-39 - Terms of the Renewed Covenant")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Hodijah (Hebrew, _hôdîyāh_):** Meaning "My glory is Yahweh" or "Praise Yah," this name reflects a common Hebrew naming convention that incorporates a divine element, expressing a theological statement or hope. Its inclusion here signifies a person whose very name declares allegiance to God, fitting for a signatory of a covenant dedicated to Him.
* **Hashum (Hebrew, _ḥāšum_):** The meaning of this name is debated, possibly deriving from "wealthy" or "silent." Regardless of its precise etymology, its presence in this list, alongside other prominent individuals, indicates a person of standing or influence within the community who was deemed worthy to represent a segment of the people in this solemn act of national commitment.
* **Bezai (Hebrew, _bēṣay_):** Meaning "By my spoils" or "By my plunder," this name might suggest a family lineage with a history of prowess or acquisition, or perhaps a symbolic reference to God's provision. Like the other names, its inclusion emphasizes that real individuals, with their unique identities and family histories, were personally involved in this corporate pledge, lending weight and authenticity to the covenant document.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Hodijah, Hashum, Bezai":** This phrase, a simple enumeration of three proper nouns, serves as a vital component within the larger list of "chiefs of the people" who sealed the covenant. Each name represents an individual leader or family head, whose personal commitment was deemed essential for the corporate affirmation of the nation's renewed vows to God. The very act of recording these names in scripture highlights the importance of individual accountability and participation within the broader communal act of covenant renewal. While the specific actions or roles of these particular individuals beyond their signing are not detailed, their inclusion signifies their public endorsement and leadership in this pivotal moment for post-exilic Israel.

#### Literary Devices
The presentation of Nehemiah 10:18, as part of an extended list of names, employs several literary devices to convey its significance. The most prominent is **Cataloguing** or **Listing**, which serves to emphasize the comprehensive and representative nature of the covenant signatories. This meticulous enumeration lends a sense of formality, legality, and historical authenticity to the event, demonstrating that the commitment was not a spontaneous, unorganized outburst but a deliberate, well-documented act involving a wide array of community leaders. Furthermore, **Synecdoche** is at play, where the individual names listed (like Hodijah, Hashum, Bezai) stand in for the larger groups or families they represent, thereby signifying the participation of the entire community through its chosen representatives. The **Repetition** of names across the chapter, though not within this single verse, reinforces the broad scope of the commitment and the unity of purpose among the returned exiles.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The listing of names in Nehemiah 10:18, though seemingly mundane, is deeply significant. It underscores the biblical principle that covenant relationships with God are concrete, requiring tangible commitment from individuals who are part of a larger community. This act of public, documented commitment reflects the seriousness with which God's people were to regard their relationship with Him and His Law. It highlights the interplay between individual responsibility and corporate identity, demonstrating that the spiritual health of the nation was contingent upon the faithfulness of its members, from the highest leaders to the common people. This historical moment served as a foundational re-affirmation of Israel's unique identity as God's chosen people, bound by His divine statutes.

* [Deuteronomy 29:10-15](/deuteronomy/29-10 "Deuteronomy 29:10-15 - All Israel Stands Before the Lord in Covenant")
* [Joshua 24:25-27](/joshua/24-25 "Joshua 24:25-27 - Joshua's Covenant Renewal at Shechem")
* [2 Chronicles 29:10](/2_chronicles/29-10 "2 Chronicles 29:10 - Hezekiah's Covenant with the Lord")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Nehemiah 10:18, despite being a simple list of names, offers profound lessons for contemporary believers. It reminds us that our faith is not merely a private affair but often involves public declaration and corporate commitment. Just as these individuals publicly affixed their names to a covenant, we are called to openly affirm our allegiance to God and His Word, whether through baptism, church membership, or simply living out our convictions visibly in the world. The act of signing represented a solemn vow to live in accordance with God's commands, emphasizing the importance of intentional obedience and personal accountability within the body of Christ. Our individual faithfulness contributes directly to the spiritual vitality and witness of the entire community, urging us to consider how our personal commitments strengthen or weaken the collective walk of faith.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the concept of "corporate commitment" in Nehemiah 10 challenge or affirm your understanding of individual faith?**
* **In what ways do you publicly affirm your commitment to God and His Word in your life today?**
* **What specific areas of your life might need a renewed "covenant" with God, reflecting a deeper dedication to His principles?**

### FAQ
**Why are these specific names listed in the Bible?**

Answer: The listing of names like Hodijah, Hashum, and Bezai in Nehemiah 10 is not primarily about the individual biographies of these specific people, but rather about the collective act they represent. These individuals were "chiefs of the people," meaning they were heads of families or clans, or prominent leaders who represented the broader community. Their names are recorded to lend authenticity, solemnity, and breadth to the covenant renewal ceremony. It signifies that the entire nation, through its representatives, formally and publicly committed to obey God's Law and uphold the terms of the covenant, ensuring that this was a truly national and binding agreement, as outlined in [Nehemiah 10:28-29](/nehemiah/10-28 "Nehemiah 10:28-29 - The Rest of the People Join the Covenant").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Nehemiah 10:18 lists names associated with an Old Covenant renewal, it powerfully foreshadows the New Covenant established through Jesus Christ. The meticulous recording of names in Nehemiah speaks to the importance of individual identity within God's redemptive plan and the seriousness of covenant commitment. In the New Covenant, our names are not merely affixed to a document by human hand, but are eternally inscribed in the [Lamb's Book of Life](/revelation/21-27 "Revelation 21:27 - The Lamb's Book of Life") through faith in Jesus Christ. He is the ultimate "signatory" and guarantor of this superior covenant, whose blood seals our reconciliation with God ([Hebrews 9:15](/hebrews/9-15 "Hebrews 9:15 - Christ, the Mediator of the New Covenant")). Unlike the Old Covenant, which required continuous human effort and often failed due to human weakness, the New Covenant is secured by Christ's perfect obedience and sacrifice, fulfilling the Law's demands on our behalf ([Romans 8:3-4](/romans/8-3 "Romans 8:3-4 - Christ Fulfills the Law")). Thus, the corporate commitment of Israel in Nehemiah points to the ultimate corporate body, the Church, whose members are united in Christ and whose identity is found in Him, making us a people whose very names are now linked to the glory of God through His Son ([Ephesians 1:3-14](/ephesians/1-3 "Ephesians 1:3-14 - Spiritual Blessings 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

Ezra 2:17

The children of Bezai, three hundred twenty and three.

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.

Nehemiah 7:22

The children of Hashum, three hundred twenty and eight.

Nehemiah 7:73

So the priests, and the Levites, and the porters, and the singers, and [some] of the people, and the Nethinims, and all Israel, dwelt in their cities; and when the seventh month came, the children of Israel [were] in their cities.