TRV
Translation
King James Version
And their brethren that did the work of the house were eight hundred twenty and two: and Adaiah the son of Jeroham, the son of Pelaliah, the son of Amzi, the son of Zechariah, the son of Pashur, the son of Malchiah,
KJV (with Strong's)
And their brethren H251 that did H6213 the work H4399 of the house H1004 were eight H8083 hundred H3967 twenty H6242 and two H8147: and Adaiah H5718 the son H1121 of Jeroham H3395, the son H1121 of Pelaliah H6421, the son H1121 of Amzi H557, the son H1121 of Zechariah H2148, the son H1121 of Pashur H6583, the son H1121 of Malchiah H4441,
Complete Jewish Bible
and their kinsmen who did the work for the house; in all 822; and 'Adayah the son of Yerocham, the son of P'lalyah, the son of Amtzi, the son of Z'kharyah, the son of Pash'chur, the son of Malkiyah;
American Standard Version
and their brethren that did the work of the house, eight hundred twenty and two; and Adaiah the son of Jeroham, the son of Pelaliah, the son of Amzi, the son of Zechariah, the son of Pashhur, the son of Malchijah,
World English Bible Messianic
and their brothers who did the work of the house, eight hundred twenty-two; and Adaiah the son of Jeroham, the son of Pelaliah, the son of Amzi, the son of Zechariah, the son of Pashhur, the son of Malchijah,
Geneva Bible (1599)
And their brethren that did the worke in the Temple, were eight hundreth, twenty and two: and Adaiah, the sonne of Ieroham, the sonne of Pelaliah, the sonne of Amzi, the sonne of Zechariah, the sonne of Pashur, the sonne of Malchiah:
Young's Literal Translation
and their brethren doing the work of the house are eight hundred twenty and two; and Adaiah son of Jeroham, son of Pelaliah, son of Amzi, son of Zechariah, son of Pashhur, son of Malchiah,
Study This Verse
Commentary on Nehemiah 11 verses 1–19
1 ¶ And the rulers of the people dwelt at Jerusalem: the rest of the people also cast lots, to bring one of ten to dwell in Jerusalem the holy city, and nine parts to dwell in other cities.
2 And the people blessed all the men, that willingly offered themselves to dwell at Jerusalem.
3 Now these are the chief of the province that dwelt in Jerusalem: but in the cities of Judah dwelt every one in his possession in their cities, to wit, Israel, the priests, and the Levites, and the Nethinims, and the children of Solomon's servants.
4 And at Jerusalem dwelt certain of the children of Judah, and of the children of Benjamin. Of the children of Judah; Athaiah the son of Uzziah, the son of Zechariah, the son of Amariah, the son of Shephatiah, the son of Mahalaleel, of the children of Perez;
5 And Maaseiah the son of Baruch, the son of Colhozeh, the son of Hazaiah, the son of Adaiah, the son of Joiarib, the son of Zechariah, the son of Shiloni.
6 All the sons of Perez that dwelt at Jerusalem were four hundred threescore and eight valiant men.
7 And these are the sons of Benjamin; Sallu the son of Meshullam, the son of Joed, the son of Pedaiah, the son of Kolaiah, the son of Maaseiah, the son of Ithiel, the son of Jesaiah.
8 And after him Gabbai, Sallai, nine hundred twenty and eight.
9 And Joel the son of Zichri was their overseer: and Judah the son of Senuah was second over the city.
10 Of the priests: Jedaiah the son of Joiarib, Jachin.
11 Seraiah the son of Hilkiah, the son of Meshullam, the son of Zadok, the son of Meraioth, the son of Ahitub, was the ruler of the house of God.
12 And their brethren that did the work of the house were eight hundred twenty and two: and Adaiah the son of Jeroham, the son of Pelaliah, the son of Amzi, the son of Zechariah, the son of Pashur, the son of Malchiah,
13 And his brethren, chief of the fathers, two hundred forty and two: and Amashai the son of Azareel, the son of Ahasai, the son of Meshillemoth, the son of Immer,
14 And their brethren, mighty men of valour, an hundred twenty and eight: and their overseer was Zabdiel, the son of one of the great men.
15 Also of the Levites: Shemaiah the son of Hashub, the son of Azrikam, the son of Hashabiah, the son of Bunni;
16 And Shabbethai and Jozabad, of the chief of the Levites, had the oversight of the outward business of the house of God.
17 And Mattaniah the son of Micha, the son of Zabdi, the son of Asaph, was the principal to begin the thanksgiving in prayer: and Bakbukiah the second among his brethren, and Abda the son of Shammua, the son of Galal, the son of Jeduthun.
18 All the Levites in the holy city were two hundred fourscore and four.
19 Moreover the porters, Akkub, Talmon, and their brethren that kept the gates, were an hundred seventy and two.
Jerusalem is called here the holy city (Neh 11:1), because there the temple was, and that was the place God had chosen to put his name there; upon this account, one would think, the holy seed should all have chosen to dwell there and have striven for a habitation there; but, on the contrary, it seems they declined dwelling there, 1. Because a greater strictness of conversation was expected from the inhabitants of Jerusalem than from others, which they were not willing to come up to. Those who care not for being holy themselves are shy of dwelling in a holy city; they would not dwell in the New Jerusalem itself for that reason, but would wish to have a continuing city here upon earth. Or, 2. Because Jerusalem, of all places, was most hated by the heathen their neighbours, and against it their malicious designs were levelled, which made that the post of danger (as the post of honour usually is) and therefore they were not willing to expose themselves there. Fear of persecution and reproach, and of running themselves into trouble, keeps many out of the holy city, and makes them backward to appear for God and religion, not considering that, as Jerusalem is with a special malice threatened and insulted by its enemies, so it is with a special care protected by its God and made a quiet habitation, Isa 33:20; Psa 46:4, Psa 46:5. Or, 3. Because it was more for their worldly advantage to dwell in the country. Jerusalem was no trading city, and therefore there was no money to be got there by merchandise, as there was in the country by corn and cattle. Note, All seek their own, not the things that are Jesus Christ's, Phi 2:21. It is a general and just complaint that most people prefer their own wealth, credit, pleasure, ease, and safety, before the glory of God and the public good. People being thus backward to dwell at Jerusalem, now that it was poor, we are here told,
I. By what means it was replenished. 1. The rulers dwelt there, Neh 11:1. That was the proper place for them to reside in, because there were set the thrones of judgment (Psa 122:5), and thither, in all difficult matters, the people resorted with their last appeals. And if it were an instance of eminent affection to the house of God, zeal for the public good, and of faith, and holy courage, and self-denial, to dwell there at this time, the rulers would be examples of these to their inferiors. Their dwelling there would invite and encourage others to dwell there too. Magnates magnetes - the mighty are magnetic. When great men choose the holy city for their habitation their example brings holiness into reputation, and their zeal will provoke very many. 2. There were some that willingly offered themselves to dwell at Jerusalem, nobly foregoing their own secular interest for the public welfare, Neh 11:2. It is upon record, to their honour, that when others were shy of venturing upon difficulty, loss, and danger, they sought the good of Jerusalem, because of the house of the Lord their God. Those shall prosper that thus love Zion, Psa 122:6, Psa 122:9. It is said, The people blessed them. They praised them; they prayed for them; they praised God for them. Many that do not appear forward themselves for the public good will yet give a good word to those that do. God and man will bless those that are public blessings, which should encourage us to be zealous in doing good. 3. They, finding that yet there was room, concluded upon a review of their whole body to bring one in ten to dwell in Jerusalem; who they should be was determined by lot, the disposal whereof, all knew, was of the Lord. This would prevent strife, and would be a great satisfaction to those on whom the lot fell to dwell at Jerusalem, that they plainly saw God appointing the bounds of their habitation. They observed the proportion of one in ten, as we may suppose, to bring the balance between the city and country to a just and equal poise; so it seems to refer to the ancient rule of giving the tenth to God; and what is given to the holy city he reckons given to himself.
II. By what persons it was replenished. A general account is here given of the inhabitants of Jerusalem because the governors of Judah looked upon them as their strength in the Lord of hosts their God, and valued them accordingly, Zac 12:5. 1. Many of the children of Judah and Benjamin dwelt there; for, originally, part of the city law in the lot of one of those tribes and part in that of the other; but the greater part was in the lot of Benjamin, and therefore here we find of the children of Judah only 468 families in Jerusalem (Neh 11:6), but of Benjamin 928, Neh 11:7, Neh 11:8. Thus small were its beginnings, but afterwards, before our Saviour's time, it grew much more populous. Those of Judah all descended from Perez, or Pharez, that son of Judah of whom, as concerning the flesh, Christ came. And, though the Benjamites were more in number, yet of the men of Judah it is said (Neh 11:6) that they were valiant men, fit for service, and able to defend the city in case of an attack. Judah has not lost its ancient character of a lion's whelp, bold and daring. Of the Benjamites that dwelt in Jerusalem we are here told who was overseer, and who was second, Neh 11:9. For it is as necessary for a people to have good order kept up among themselves as to be fortified against the attacks of their enemies from abroad, to have good magistrates as to have good soldiers. 2. The priests and Levites did many of them settle at Jerusalem; where else should men that were holy to God dwell, but in the holy city? (1.) Most of the priests, we may suppose, dwelt there, for their business lay where the temple was. Of those that did the work of the house in their courses here were 822 of one family, 242 of another, and 128 of another, Neh 11:12-14. It was well that those labourers were not few. It is said of some of them that they were mighty men of valour (Neh 11:14); it was necessary that they should be so, for the priesthood was not only a work, which required might, but a warfare, which required valour, especially now. Of one of these priests it is said that he was the son of one of the great men. It was no disparagement to the greatest man they had to have his son in the priesthood; he might magnify his office, for his office did not in the least diminish him. (2.) Some of the Levites also came and dwelt at Jerusalem, yet but few in comparison, 284 in all (Neh 11:18), with 172 porters (Neh 11:19), for much of their work was to teach the good knowledge of God up and down the country, for which purpose they were to be scattered in Israel. As many as there was occasion for attended at Jerusalem; the rest were doing good elsewhere. [1.] It is said of one of the Levites that he had the oversight of the outward business of the house of God, Neh 11:16. The priests were chief managers of the business within the temple gates; but this Levite was entrusted with the secular concerns of God's house, that were in ordine ad spiritualia - subservient to its spiritual concerns, the collecting of the contributions, the providing of materials for the temple service, and the like, which it was necessary to oversee, else the inward business would have been starved and have stood still. Those who take care of the ta exō the outward concerns of the church, the serving of its tables, are as necessary in their place as those who take care of its ta esō its inward concerns, who give themselves to the word and prayer. [2.] It is said of another that he was the principal to begin the thanksgiving in prayer. Probably he had a good ear and a good voice, and was a scientific singer, and therefore was chosen to lead the psalm. He was precentor in the temple. Observe, Thanksgiving is necessary in prayer; they should go together; giving thanks for former mercies is a becoming way of begging further mercies. And care should be taken in public service that every thing be done in the best manner, decently and in good order - in prayer, that one speak and the rest join-in singing, that one begin and the rest follow.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 1–19. Public domain.
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SUMMARY
Nehemiah 11:12 meticulously records the number of priests dedicated to the sacred "work of the house" in post-exilic Jerusalem, specifying eight hundred twenty-two individuals and initiating the detailed lineage of Adaiah. This verse is an integral part of a broader census in Nehemiah 11, which underscores the vital repopulation of Jerusalem with those committed to restoring its spiritual life and Temple service, thereby emphasizing the divine importance of order, accountability, and faithful dedication in the re-establishment of God's covenant community.
CONTEXT
Literary Context: Nehemiah 11 immediately follows the successful completion of Jerusalem's walls (Nehemiah 6-7) and the profound covenant renewal ceremony led by Ezra and Nehemiah (Nehemiah 8-10). Despite the physical security provided by the rebuilt walls, Jerusalem remained sparsely populated and vulnerable. Chapter 11 details the strategic repopulation of the holy city, with one-tenth of the general population and many leaders chosen by lot to reside there (Nehemiah 11:1-2). Verses 3-9 list the lay residents from various tribes, while verses 10-19 specifically enumerate the priests and Levites who settled in Jerusalem, highlighting their indispensable role in resuming the regular Temple worship and functions. Nehemiah 11:12, therefore, is situated within this critical section, providing precise numbers and genealogical details for those consecrated to the sacred duties of the Temple, ensuring the continuity of divine service.
Historical & Cultural Context: The historical backdrop is post-exilic Judah, operating under the benevolent oversight of the Persian Empire. Following the decree of Cyrus in 538 BC, waves of Jewish exiles returned from Babylon. Zerubbabel led the initial return and the rebuilding of the Temple (Ezra 1-6), while Nehemiah focused on the city walls and social-spiritual reform. Jerusalem, though fortified, was still an underpopulated city, making the repopulation effort crucial for its security, economic viability, and spiritual vitality. In ancient Israel, meticulous genealogical records were paramount, especially for priestly families, as only those of proven Aaronic descent could legitimately serve in the Temple. Such records ensured legitimacy, maintained tribal and family identities, and preserved the integrity of sacred offices, reflecting a deep cultural value placed on heritage, divine order, and the purity of religious practice.
Key Themes: Nehemiah 11:12 contributes significantly to several overarching themes in the book of Nehemiah. Firstly, it underscores the theme of Restoration and Rebuilding, not merely of physical infrastructure but of the spiritual and communal life of Israel. The presence of a dedicated body of priests and Levites in Jerusalem was fundamental to the re-establishment of corporate worship and covenant fidelity, symbolizing a renewed commitment to God. Secondly, the detailed lists and genealogies highlight the theme of Order and Accountability. God's work is not chaotic but structured, requiring meticulous organization and clear lines of responsibility, as also seen in the numbering of the Levites in Numbers 3:15 for their service. This precision ensured proper functioning and integrity within the post-exilic community. Finally, the phrase "work of the house" emphasizes Dedicated Service to God. These individuals were committed to the sacred duties of the Temple, ensuring the continuation of sacrifices, prayers, and instruction, a commitment echoed in the broader call to serve God with faithfulness throughout the biblical narrative, as exemplified by the diverse roles within the body of Christ described in 1 Corinthians 12:27.
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The primary literary devices employed in Nehemiah 11:12, and indeed throughout much of Nehemiah 11, are Catalog and Genealogy. The entire chapter functions as a comprehensive register of those who resettled in Jerusalem, and this verse is a specific entry within the list of priests. The purpose of such a Catalog is not merely to provide historical data but to convey a profound sense of order, accountability, and the thoroughness of the repopulation effort. It demonstrates that the re-establishment of Jerusalem was a meticulously planned and executed endeavor, with every individual and family accounted for and assigned a place. Furthermore, the extended Genealogy of Adaiah serves as a specific form of cataloging, emphasizing the paramount importance of lineage for identity and legitimacy, particularly for those serving in the priesthood. This device underscores the historical continuity and divine preservation of the priestly line, even through the disruption of exile, ensuring that only those divinely appointed could serve in the sacred offices.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Nehemiah 11:12, with its precise numbering and detailed genealogy of those serving in the Temple, powerfully illustrates God's valuing of order, faithfulness, and the importance of corporate worship within His covenant community. The meticulous record-keeping reflects a divine principle that every individual and every role, no matter how seemingly minor or administrative, is significant in the grand tapestry of God's redemptive plan. It underscores the re-establishment of the Temple as the spiritual heart of the nation, a place where God's presence was manifested and where His people could draw near to Him through prescribed worship. The commitment of these priests to "the work of the house" speaks to the enduring call for dedicated service and accountability in stewarding God's sacred institutions, demonstrating that God's work is accomplished through organized, consecrated human effort.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Nehemiah 11:12 serves as a profound reminder that every contribution, no matter how seemingly ordinary or behind-the-scenes, is indispensable to the flourishing of God's kingdom. The individuals listed here were not necessarily renowned prophets or kings, but faithful servants performing essential, often unseen, duties for the spiritual well-being of the community. This verse challenges us to recognize and value the diverse gifts and roles within the church today, understanding that God uses every part of the body to build His kingdom. It calls us to a renewed commitment to "the work of the house," which in the New Covenant context refers to the building up of the church, the body of Christ, through faithful service, worship, and discipleship. It also highlights the importance of organized effort, committed leadership, and accountability in sustaining vibrant spiritual life, encouraging us to embrace our specific callings with diligence and integrity, knowing that our service contributes to a larger, divine purpose and is meticulously noted by God.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why are such detailed lists and genealogies important in the Bible, especially in a book like Nehemiah?
Answer: Detailed lists and genealogies in the Bible serve several crucial purposes. Firstly, they establish identity and legitimacy, particularly for those in positions of spiritual authority like the priests (as seen with Adaiah's lineage in Nehemiah 11:12) or for the royal line. This was vital for ensuring adherence to God's covenant requirements and preventing unauthorized service. Secondly, they demonstrate historical continuity and the fulfillment of God's promises, showing how God faithfully works through generations to accomplish His plans, often tracing lineages to specific individuals like Abraham or David. Thirdly, they highlight God's meticulous care and order in His dealings with humanity, emphasizing that even seemingly small details are important to Him and contribute to His grand design. Finally, they provide historical accuracy and a factual basis for the biblical narrative, grounding the spiritual truths in real-world events and people, as exemplified by the comprehensive lists of returnees in Ezra 2 or the genealogies from Adam to Noah in Genesis 5.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Nehemiah 11:12, with its focus on the "work of the house" and the meticulous listing of priests dedicated to Temple service, finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The earthly Temple, with its rituals and priestly functions, was a profound shadow of the greater reality to come. Jesus is not merely a priest but the perfect and eternal High Priest, who, unlike the Aaronic priests, offered a single, perfect sacrifice for sins once for all (Hebrews 7:27). He is also the true "house" or Temple of God, as He declared, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up" (John 2:19), referring to His own body. The detailed genealogies in Nehemiah, ensuring the purity of the priestly line, foreshadow God's meticulous plan to bring forth the Messiah through specific lineages, culminating in the perfect genealogy of Jesus Christ (Matthew 1:1-17). Through Christ, believers are no longer dependent on an earthly temple or a specific priestly lineage but are themselves incorporated into a "spiritual house" and become a "holy priesthood" (1 Peter 2:5), called to offer spiritual sacrifices of praise and service. Thus, the dedication to the "work of the house" in Nehemiah points forward to the perfect work of Christ and the ongoing spiritual service of His church, which is built upon Him as the cornerstone (Ephesians 2:20-22).