Nehemiah 10:24

KJV

Hallohesh, Pileha, Shobek,

KJV (with Strong's)

Hallohesh {H3873}, Pileha {H6401}, Shobek {H7733},

Complete Jewish Bible

HaLochesh, Pilcha, Shovek,

Berean Standard Bible

Hallohesh, Pilha, Shobek,

American Standard Version

Hallohesh, Pilha, Shobek,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Nehemiah 10:24 presents three more names—Hallohesh, Pileha, and Shobek—as part of the extensive roster of individuals who affixed their seals to a solemn covenant in Jerusalem. This verse is embedded within a pivotal chapter detailing the post-exilic community's formal and public reaffirmation of their commitment to God's laws and practices, underscoring the individual and collective responsibility undertaken in the renewal of their relationship with Yahweh.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Nehemiah 10 follows a profound spiritual revival ignited by the reading of the Law in [Nehemiah 8](/nehemiah/8 "Nehemiah 8 - The Reading of the Law"). This awakening led to a national confession of sin and a renewed commitment to God's covenant, articulated in the lengthy prayer of [Nehemiah 9](/nehemiah/9 "Nehemiah 9 - Confession and Covenant Renewal"). Chapter 10 then records the formalization of this commitment: a binding written agreement sealed by the leaders of the community. Verses [Nehemiah 10:1-27](/nehemiah/10-1 "Nehemiah 10:1-27 - Signatories of the Covenant") meticulously list the priests, Levites, and chiefs of the people who personally endorsed this covenant. Nehemiah 10:24, with its simple enumeration of Hallohesh, Pileha, and Shobek, is a specific entry within this comprehensive register, highlighting the personal participation of these individuals, representing the broader populace, in this crucial act of national and spiritual renewal. The subsequent verses ([Nehemiah 10:28-39](/nehemiah/10-28 "Nehemiah 10:28-39 - Terms of the Covenant Renewal")) detail the specific terms of the covenant, including pledges regarding Sabbath observance, temple support, and marriage purity.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The events of Nehemiah take place in the mid-5th century BCE, after the return of Jewish exiles from Babylon. The community in Jerusalem was striving to re-establish its identity and practices in their ancestral land, under Persian suzerainty. The rebuilding of the city walls, completed in [Nehemiah 6:15](/nehemiah/6-15 "Nehemiah 6:15 - Completion of the Wall"), provided physical security, but the spiritual and social fabric needed restoration. Covenants were a foundational element of ancient Near Eastern society, often involving formal documents, public readings, and solemn oaths. For Israel, the covenant with God was central to their identity, stemming from the Mosaic Law. The act of sealing a written document in public, as described in [Nehemiah 9:38](/nehemiah/9-38 "Nehemiah 9:38 - The Written Covenant"), was a legally binding and culturally significant act, signifying a profound commitment. The listing of names, even seemingly minor ones, was a common practice in ancient administrative and religious documents, serving as a permanent record of participation and accountability within the community.
* **Key Themes:** The meticulous listing of names, including Hallohesh, Pileha, and Shobek, reinforces several key themes. Primarily, it underscores **Covenant Renewal and Commitment**, demonstrating the community's solemn pledge to live according to God's commands, as detailed in [Nehemiah 10:28-39](/nehemiah/10-28 "Nehemiah 10:28-39 - Specific Pledges of the Covenant"). This was not merely a general agreement but a binding pledge made by identifiable individuals, emphasizing **Corporate Identity and Accountability**. Each name represents a personal "yes" to God's will, fostering a sense of collective ownership and mutual responsibility within the restored community. Furthermore, the covenant aimed at the **Restoration of Godly Order**, re-establishing proper worship, Sabbath observance, temple support, and community purity. The signatories, including those in [Nehemiah 10:24](/nehemiah/10-24 "Nehemiah 10:24 - Hallohesh, Pileha, Shobek"), committed to these specific reforms, vital for the nation's spiritual health and the re-establishment of their unique identity as God's chosen people.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Hallohesh (Hebrew, _ḥallōḥēš'_):** The name likely means "the enchanter" or "the whisperer," though its exact etymology is debated and not central to the verse's theological significance. Its importance lies solely in its inclusion within the official list of those who sealed the covenant. This individual, regardless of their personal background or the meaning of their name, was a recognized member of the community who personally affirmed the covenant.
* **Pileha (Hebrew, _pîlḥā'_):** The meaning of this name is also uncertain, possibly related to "division" or "cutting." As with Hallohesh, the theological weight is not in the name's etymology but in the fact that Pileha was a distinct individual whose commitment to God's law was formally recorded. This highlights the comprehensive nature of the covenant, involving various members of the community.
* **Shobek (Hebrew, _šōvêq'_):** This name might mean "forsaking" or "leaving." Like the others, Shobek's inclusion signifies personal participation in the covenant. The consistent pattern of listing names emphasizes that the covenant was not a vague, abstract agreement but a concrete, personal pledge by specific individuals, making their commitment a permanent part of Israel's spiritual heritage.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Hallohesh,"**: This opening name signifies the first of three individuals specifically mentioned in this verse. Its placement within the larger list of signatories underscores the meticulous record-keeping of the covenant, ensuring that each participant, regardless of their prominence, was acknowledged and their commitment documented. This highlights the individual's personal responsibility in the corporate act of covenant renewal.
* **"Pileha,"**: The second name in the sequence reinforces the idea of individual participation in a collective act. The inclusion of distinct names, rather than a general statement, emphasizes the personal nature of the commitment. Pileha's presence on this list means they were a recognized member of the community who stood in solidarity with their brethren to uphold God's law.
* **"Shobek,"**: The final name in this verse completes the trio, further cementing the principle that the covenant was sealed by a multitude of specific individuals. Shobek's inclusion, like the others, serves as a testament to the broad-based commitment across the community, where leaders and common people alike formally bound themselves to the terms of the renewed covenant with God.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device employed in Nehemiah 10:24, and indeed throughout [Nehemiah 10:1-27](/nehemiah/10-1 "Nehemiah 10:1-27 - The Signatories of the Covenant"), is **Listing** or **Roster**. This meticulous enumeration of names serves to formalize and authenticate the covenant, transforming a general agreement into a legally and spiritually binding document. The **Repetition** of names across these verses creates a cumulative effect, emphasizing the breadth and depth of the community's commitment. This literary choice underscores the **Emphasis** on individual accountability within the corporate body. By naming each signatory, the text highlights that the covenant was not merely a top-down decree but a bottom-up affirmation, where every named individual, including Hallohesh, Pileha, and Shobek, personally assented to the terms. This technique also lends historical veracity and gravity to the narrative, providing a tangible record of a momentous spiritual event.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Nehemiah 10:24, though a simple list of names, is deeply significant for its theological implications. It underscores the biblical principle that covenant relationships with God are both corporate and intensely personal. While the nation of Israel entered into a covenant with God at Sinai, the post-exilic renewal required individual affirmation. Each name listed, including Hallohesh, Pileha, and Shobek, represents a personal "amen" to God's commands, demonstrating that true spiritual revival leads to tangible, individual commitment. This meticulous record-keeping by God's people reflects God's own attention to detail and His valuing of each person's response to His call. It reminds us that our faith is not merely a private affair but has public, communal implications, binding us to God and to one another in shared purpose and accountability.

* [Deuteronomy 29:10-15](/deuteronomy/29-10 "Deuteronomy 29:10-15 - All Stand Before the Lord")
* [Joshua 24:22](/joshua/24-22 "Joshua 24:22 - You Are Witnesses")
* [Hebrews 10:24-25](/hebrews/10-24 "Hebrews 10:24-25 - Mutual Encouragement")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The seemingly mundane list of names in Nehemiah 10:24 carries profound lessons for contemporary believers. It reminds us that our faith journey, while deeply personal, is also inherently communal. Just as Hallohesh, Pileha, and Shobek were individually named as participants in a collective covenant, our commitment to Christ is both a personal decision and an integration into the body of believers. This verse challenges us to consider the tangible nature of our own covenant with God—whether through baptism, church membership, or daily discipleship. It calls us to move beyond passive assent to active, identifiable participation in God's work, recognizing that every individual's commitment contributes to the spiritual health and vitality of the whole. Moreover, it highlights God's meticulous care and recognition of every person's contribution, no matter how small or seemingly obscure, affirming that every name is known and valued by Him.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways do I personally and actively affirm my covenant relationship with God in my daily life?**
* **How does my individual commitment contribute to the health and witness of my local church or Christian community?**
* **Do I recognize and value the contributions of every member within my spiritual community, even those who may seem "obscure"?**
* **What specific areas of my life need to be brought into fuller alignment with my declared commitment to Christ?**

### FAQ
**Why are these specific names listed in the Bible? Are they important figures?**

Answer: The listing of Hallohesh, Pileha, and Shobek, along with dozens of other names in [Nehemiah 10:1-27](/nehemiah/10-1 "Nehemiah 10:1-27 - The Covenant Signatories"), serves a crucial purpose beyond highlighting individual prominence. In ancient Near Eastern culture, formal documents, especially covenants, were authenticated and made legally binding by the signatures or seals of participants. The meticulous enumeration of names here emphasizes the comprehensive and personal commitment of the post-exilic community to God's renewed covenant. It demonstrates that the agreement was not merely a general proclamation but a solemn, individual pledge by recognized members of the community—from the high priest to ordinary citizens. This act underscores the corporate identity and accountability of the people before God, ensuring that their commitment was publicly recorded and historically verifiable, making every signatory, regardless of their historical fame, an integral part of this momentous spiritual event.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Nehemiah 10:24 records names under the Old Covenant, it subtly points towards the Christ-centered fulfillment of God's redemptive plan. The meticulous listing of individuals who personally sealed a covenant foreshadows the new covenant established through Jesus Christ, where individual commitment is paramount. In Christ, the old covenant's demands, which these individuals pledged to uphold, are perfectly fulfilled by the [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"). Our names are not merely recorded on an earthly scroll, but believers are said to have their names written in the [Lamb's Book of Life](/revelation/21-27 "Revelation 21:27 - The Lamb's Book of Life"), signifying a far deeper and eternal covenant relationship with God through faith in Jesus. Just as Hallohesh, Pileha, and Shobek individually affirmed their allegiance, so too does each believer personally enter into a new covenant with God through Christ's atoning work, becoming a living stone in a spiritual temple ([1 Peter 2:5](/1_peter/2-5 "1 Peter 2:5 - Living Stones")). This new covenant is not based on human effort or adherence to external laws, but on the grace provided by Christ's sacrifice, empowering us to live in true obedience and fellowship with God, a fulfillment of the deepest desires of the hearts of those who signed the covenant in Nehemiah's day.

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.