Nehemiah 9:4

¶ Then stood up upon the stairs, of the Levites, Jeshua, and Bani, Kadmiel, Shebaniah, Bunni, Sherebiah, Bani, [and] Chenani, and cried with a loud voice unto the LORD their God.

Then stood up {H6965} upon the stairs {H4608}, of the Levites {H3881}, Jeshua {H3442}, and Bani {H1137}, Kadmiel {H6934}, Shebaniah {H7645}, Bunni {H1138}, Sherebiah {H8274}, Bani {H1137}, and Chenani {H3662}, and cried {H2199} with a loud {H1419} voice {H6963} unto the LORD {H3068} their God {H430}.

On the platform of the L'vi'im stood Yeshua, Bani, Kadmi'el, Sh'vanyah, Buni, Sherevyah, Bani and K'nani; they cried out loudly to ADONAI their God.

And the Levites—Jeshua, Bani, Kadmiel, Shebaniah, Bunni, Sherebiah, Bani, and Chenani—stood on the raised platform and cried out in a loud voice to the LORD their God.

Then stood up upon the stairs of the Levites, Jeshua, and Bani, Kadmiel, Shebaniah, Bunni, Sherebiah, Bani, and Chenani, and cried with a loud voice unto Jehovah their God.

Commentary

Nehemiah 9:4 describes a pivotal moment in the spiritual revival of the post-exilic Israelite community. Following the joyous Feast of Tabernacles and the public reading of the Law, the people gathered for a solemn assembly of fasting, confession, and worship. This verse specifically names several Levites who ascended a prominent platform or 'stairs' to lead the congregation in a fervent prayer of repentance and adoration.

Context

This verse is part of a larger narrative in Nehemiah chapter 9, which recounts a profound national day of confession and renewed covenant. It follows the events of Nehemiah 8, where Ezra publicly read the Law, leading to a deep conviction of sin among the people. The Levites, as spiritual guides and facilitators of worship, were central to this process. Their standing "upon the stairs" suggests an elevated position for visibility and audibility, enabling them to lead the entire assembly in this crucial act of turning back to God.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Levitical Leadership in Worship: The verse highlights the vital role of the Levites (Jeshua, Bani, Kadmiel, Shebaniah, Bunni, Sherebiah, Bani, and Chenani) in guiding the people spiritually. They were instrumental in facilitating the nation's return to God's ways, leading them in public prayer and confession.
  • Earnest and Public Prayer: The phrase "cried with a loud voice unto the LORD their God" emphasizes the urgency, sincerity, and collective nature of their supplication. This was not a private whisper but a powerful, united cry for divine attention and mercy.
  • Corporate Confession and Repentance: This act of calling out to God is a prelude to the detailed prayer of confession and remembrance of God's faithfulness that follows in Nehemiah 9. It underscores the nation's readiness to acknowledge their sins and seek forgiveness, a theme further developed in Nehemiah 9:2.
  • Access to God: Despite generations of disobedience, the Levites confidently addressed "the LORD their God," signifying their understanding of God's covenant relationship with Israel and His willingness to hear His people when they genuinely seek Him.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew phrase translated "cried with a loud voice" is qara' beqol gadol (קָרָא בְּקוֹל גָּדוֹל). The verb qara' means to call out, proclaim, or summon, often with urgency. The addition of "with a loud voice" (beqol gadol) intensifies this, indicating a fervent, audible, and public declaration, reflecting deep emotion and earnestness in their appeal to God.

Practical Application

Nehemiah 9:4 serves as a powerful reminder of several timeless spiritual principles:

  • The importance of spiritual leadership in guiding a community towards God.
  • The necessity of earnest, heartfelt prayer, especially in times of corporate repentance and seeking God's face.
  • God hears the cries of His people when they turn to Him with genuine contrition and faith.
  • There is power in corporate worship and unified prayer, drawing a community closer to God and to one another.

This verse encourages believers today to engage in prayer with sincerity and to value the role of leaders who guide them in worship and a deeper walk with God.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Nehemiah 8:7

    Also Jeshua, and Bani, and Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodijah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, and the Levites, caused the people to understand the law: and the people [stood] in their place.

  • Nehemiah 10:9

    And the Levites: both Jeshua the son of Azaniah, Binnui of the sons of Henadad, Kadmiel;

  • Nehemiah 10:13

    Hodijah, Bani, Beninu.

  • Nehemiah 9:5

    Then the Levites, Jeshua, and Kadmiel, Bani, Hashabniah, Sherebiah, Hodijah, Shebaniah, [and] Pethahiah, said, Stand up [and] bless the LORD your God for ever and ever: and blessed be thy glorious name, which is exalted above all blessing and praise.

  • 2 Chronicles 20:19

    And the Levites, of the children of the Kohathites, and of the children of the Korhites, stood up to praise the LORD God of Israel with a loud voice on high.

  • Nehemiah 12:8

    Moreover the Levites: Jeshua, Binnui, Kadmiel, Sherebiah, Judah, [and] Mattaniah, [which was] over the thanksgiving, he and his brethren.

  • Lamentations 3:8

    Also when I cry and shout, he shutteth out my prayer.
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