Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Nehemiah 11:10
Of the priests: Jedaiah the son of Joiarib, Jachin.
10. Jedaiah the son of Joiarib, Jachin ] The parallel passage in 1Ch 9:10 has ‘Jedaiah, and Jehoiarib, Jachin.’ As these three are the names of well-known priestly houses (cf. 1Ch 24:7, Jehoiarib the first, Jedaiah the second, Jachin the one and twentieth in the twenty-four), ‘the son of’ may possibly be an interpolation. If the text is correct, ‘Jedaiah’ must here represent a branch of the house of Joiarib.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Ver. 10,11 Of the priests,…. Who dwelt in Jerusalem, of whom the same account is given in these two verses as in 1Ch 9:10, only Seraiah here is called Azariah there.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Of the priests: Jedaiah, Joiarib, and Jachin, three heads of houses, therefore of orders of priests (for before Joiarib probably crept into the text by a clerical error; see rem. on 1Ch 9:10); Seraiah, a descendant of Ahitub, as ruler of the house of God, and their brethren, i.e., the eight hundred and twenty-two ministering priests belonging to these three orders. Also Adaiah, of the house or order of Malchiah, and his brethren, two hundred and forty-two fathers of families; and lastly, Amashai, of the order of Immer, with one hundred and twenty-eight brethren, i.e., priests. And their chief was Zabdiel ben Haggedolim (lxx ). refers to all the before-named priests. heads of fathers, i.e., of families, Neh 11:13, is striking, for the brethren of Adaiah ( ), in number two hundred and forty-two, could not be heads of houses, but only fathers of families. The words seem to have come into the text only by comparing it with 1Ch 9:13. If they were genuine, we should be obliged to understand of fathers of families, contrary to general usage.
Fuente: Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament
3. Priestly leaders.
TEXT, Neh. 11:10-14
10
From 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, the leader of the house of God,
12
and their kinsmen who performed the work of the temple, 822; 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,
13
and his kinsmen, heads of fathers households, 242; and Amashsai the son of Azarel, the son of Ahzai, the son of Meshillemoth, the son of Immer,
14
and their brothers, valiant warriors, 128. And their overseer was Zabdiel, the son of Haggedolim.
COMMENT
Neh. 11:10 is almost identical with 1Ch. 9:10.
Neh. 11:11 we recognize from the genealogy of Ezra (Ezr. 7:1-2). This list is very condensed; if you are interested in the way genealogies are used in the Scriptures, you might compare these two in Nehemiah and Ezra with 1Ch. 6:8-14; 1Ch. 9:11; no two are alike, and no one is complete.
Note the similar length of the genealogies of the other two priestly lines in Neh. 11:12-13. For the importance of these lengthy lists, see comments on Ezr. 2:59-62.
In Neh. 11:14 the mention of valiant warriors is a surprise. Priests were excluded from military service. Since the entire passage, Neh. 11:10-14, is paralleled by 1Ch. 9:10-13, we can supplement this description from that, where they are called very able men for the work of the service of the house of God. Of course, the Lords work is a warfare too, but this phrase need not be translated this way: in Rth. 2:1 the same words are translated, a man of great wealth. We could even say, manly man of holinesssee Word Studies on WEALTHY, Nehemiah 4.
WORD STUDY
LOT (Neh. 11:1, Goral; sound like gravel?): a small stone. Sometimes a number of stones, including one or more of an odd color, were shaken in a container and thrown onto the ground, thus deciding matters by chance; or they were shaken together and thrown into a vase, and each person drew one out, seeking for the odd-colored one. Eventually they were made into cubes and the faces numbered to form dice.
Fuente: College Press Bible Study Textbook Series
(10) This should be read Jedaiah, Joiarib, Jachin, three priestly families (1Ch. 9:10).
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
Of The Priests ( Neh 11:10-14 ).
From this point on there are closer parallels with 1 Chronicles 9. But this may simply be because the contributor of this information in Nehemiah included some as moving into Jerusalem on a full-time basis who were already ‘living in Jerusalem’ on a part time basis (as priests and Levites, etc), as described in 1 Chronicles 9. Then it had been on a secondary basis, with them also having homes elsewhere. Now they took up permanent residence. That he spoke in this way is clear from Neh 11:16 where Berechiah is listed as ‘dwelling in Jerusalem’, whilst at the same time ‘dwelling in the villages of the Neophathites’. As priests many would have had dual residence so that the Chronicler could include them as resident in Jerusalem (on a partial basis), whilst Nehemiah could include them in his list because they now took up sole residence in Jerusalem. Taking up full time residence was an important step, for it meant that they were continually available, if needed, to defend the city.
Neh 11:10
‘Of the priests:’
Neh 11:10
‘ Jedaiah the son of Joiarib, Jachin,’
1Ch 9:10 has ‘Jedaiah, and Jehoiarib and Jachin.’ These three seemingly resided in Jerusalem on a part time basis from the first, (as became leading priests), but now had come the time for them to take up full residence. Jehoiarib was seemingly Jedaiah’s father, and he had presumably died in the interim.
Jedaiah was a popular priestly name. One of the families of priests who returned with Zerubbabel was called ‘the sons of Jedaiah’ and a Jedaiah was one of the prominent priests who returned with Zerubbabel (Neh 12:6; Neh 12:19). It was apparently a family name and had here been given to Jedaiah’s grandson, clearly a man of great importance. Jachin was earlier the name of the leader of the twenty first course of priests under David (1Ch 24:17), and was thus a prominent priestly name. Here he too was seen as an important man and priest. The High Priest himself may be unmentioned because he already had full-time residence in Jerusalem.
Neh 11:11
‘Seraiah the son of Hilkiah, the son of Meshullam, the son of Zadok, the son of Meraioth, the son of Ahitub, the ruler of the house of God,’
Also taking up full-time residence in Jerusalem was Seraiah the son of Hilkiah. 1Ch 9:11 has ‘Azariah, the son of Hilkiah’, etc, but otherwise the same words. However, Seraiah and Azariah appear to be two names of the same person as is evidenced by comparison of Ezr 2:2 with Neh 7:7 (the two names are consonantally close). As a chief priest of the high priestly family of Ahitub (Ahitub was the ruler of the house of God, that is, he was the High Priest (2Ch 31:10; 2Ch 31:13)) he would necessarily have had a residence in Jerusalem. Now he was taking up residence full time.
Neh 11:12
‘And their brothers who did the work of the house, eight hundred and twenty two.
With these prominent priests came eight hundred and twenty two other priests who ‘did the work at the house of God’, presumably on a time on, time off, basis. Thus part of their time they had spent in their cities and part of their time in Jerusalem. Now they were moving into Jerusalem full time. We do not know for certain exactly what was involved in ‘doing the work of the house of God’ as distinguished from what the other priests did. But it may be that it was these who had responsibility for the maintenance of the cult worship in the Temple, while others had a preaching and teaching ministry, and various supervisory roles (such as watching over the gathering of the tithes – Neh 10:38), or even a military role in protecting the holy city.
Neh 11:12
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,’
1Ch 9:12 abbreviates this to ‘Adaiah, the son of Jeroham, the son of Pashhur, the son of Malchijah’, giving only details of the name of his father, his clan and his sub-tribe. He too had dwelt part time in Jerusalem, but from now on would dwell there full time. The Chronicler mentions Maasai, the son of Adiel, the son of Meshillemoth, the son of Immer who seemingly already had full time residence in Jerusalem.
It will be noted that Pashhur and Immer were two of the four priestly families who returned with Zerubbabel (Neh 7:40-41). The sons of Jedaiah may be seen as represented by Jedaiah and those who came with him (Neh 11:10-11). The sons of Harim seemingly did not take up residence in Jerusalem, possibly because of the type of duties they fulfilled.
Neh 11:13
‘And his brothers, chiefs of fathers’ (houses), two hundred and forty two.’
With Adaiah came 242 priestly heads of families, who like him had previously resided part time but now took up full time residence. However, as their being ‘chiefs of fathers’ (houses)’ contrasts with those who ‘did the work of the house (of God’ in Neh 11:12, this may indicate that they were captains of priestly military units organised for the defence of the holy city. With the 822 mentioned previously, and the 128 mentioned in Neh 11:14, this makes up 1,192 who now took up full time residence.
The Chronicler gives only one total, ‘1,760 very able men for the work of the service of the house of God’. The additional men presumably already resided full time, which would be why they are not included here.
Neh 11:13
‘And Amashsai the son of Azarel, the son of Ahzai, the son of Meshillemoth, the son of Immer,’
Amashsai of the sons of Immer is not mentioned by the Chronicler. He may have included him in his 1,760 men (in view of the fact that he mentions Maasai of the sons of Immer as representing the sons of Immer), or it may be that up to this time Amashsai had no residence in Jerusalem. Now, however, he took up full time residence.
Neh 11:14
‘And their brothers, mighty men of valour, a hundred and twenty eight, and their overseer was Zabdiel, the son of Haggedolim.’
And with him came 128 ‘mighty men of valour’ (which supports the idea that they formed military units), under their officer Zabdiel, the son of Haggedolim. The priests thus provided Jerusalem with a permanently present force able to help in the protection of the city, something which they clearly saw as part of their duties.
This is a reminder that all of God’s people are called on to be both servants and warriors, walking in obedience with His will, and ever ready to defend the truth, ‘always ready to give an answer to all who ask concerning the hope that is in us’ (1Pe 3:15). We are His servants and engaged in spiritual warfare (Eph 6:10-18). And we do well if we volunteer to commit ourselves full time to God’s holy city.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Neh 11:10-14
10From the priests: Jedaiah the son of Joiarib, Jachin, 11Seraiah the son of Hilkiah, the son of Meshullam, the son of Zadok, the son of Meraioth, the son of Ahitub, the leader of the house of God, 12and their kinsmen who performed the work of the temple, 822; 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, 13and his kinsmen, heads of fathers’ households, 242; and Amashsai the son of Azarel, the son of Ahzai, the son of Meshillemoth, the son of Immer, 14and their brothers, valiant warriors, 128. And their overseer was Zabdiel, the son of Haggedolim.
Neh 11:11
NASB, NKJVthe leader of the house of God
NRSVofficer of the house of God
TEVwho was High Priest
NJBthe chief of the Temple of God
The term (BDB 617) means one in front. It is used of political leaders, but also of religious leaders (cf. 2Ch 31:12; 2Ch 35:8; Jer 20:1, also of High Priest, 1Ch 9:11; 2Ch 31:13 [different word in Neh 11:10]; Neh 11:11; Dan 11:22).
Neh 11:14
NASB, NRSVvaliant warriors
NKJVmighty men of valor
TEVoutstanding soldiers
NJBoutstanding people
NET capable men
REBmen of substance
This term (BDB 298) can refer to
1. physical strength
2. military prowess (e.g., Jos 1:14; Jos 8:3; Jos 10:7; Jdg 6:12; Jdg 11:1; 2Ch 13:3; 2Ch 14:8)
3. ability (cf. Neh 11:6; Exo 18:21; Exo 18:25; 1Ch 9:13)
4. wealth (1Sa 9:1; 2Ki 15:20)
Because these men are priests either #1 or #3 fits the context best.
NASB, NRSVthe son of Haggedolim
NKJVthe son of one of the great men
TEVa member of a leading family
NJBmen of substance
The term (BDB 153, KB 177) means great and is used to describe many things and persons (NASB 1970 marginal note, p. 700, the great ones). The TEV translation carries the basic thought of the PLURAL form in this context.
Fuente: You Can Understand the Bible: Study Guide Commentary Series by Bob Utley
Neh 11:10-14
Neh 11:10-14
THE LIST OF THE PRIESTS
“Of the priests: Jedaiah the son of Joiarib, Jachin, Seraiah the son of Hilkiah, the son of Meshullam, the son of Zadok, the son of Meraioth, the son of Ahitub, the ruler of the house of God, and their brethren that did the work of the house, eight hundred twenty and two; and Adaiah the son of Jeroham, the son of Pelatiah, the son of Amzi, the son of Zechariah, the son of Pashhur, the son of Malchjah, and his brethren, chiefs of fathers’ houses, two hundred forty and two; and Amashsai the son of Azarel, the son of Ahzai, the son of Meshillemoth, the son of Immer, and their brethren, mighty men of valor, a hundred twenty and eight. And their overseer was Zabdiel, the son of Heggedolim.”
This list of the priests numbered 1,192.
E.M. Zerr:
Neh 11:10-11. There would always be a need for priestly services in Jerusalem. Hilkiah, Zadok and Ahitub are among the names with whom we are somewhat familiar. Verse 12. Since the brethren of the priestly men numbered 822, it is easy to understand why all would not be named. Then another outstanding man is named, Adiah, and a few of his lineal ancestors.
Neh 11:13. The brethren of Adaiah numbered 242. Next another man is named. Adaiah, and a few of his ancestors, engaging in the work about the Lord’s house.
Neh 11:14. The brethren of Amashai numbered 128. They are said to have been men of valour. This word in the Old Testament always comes from CHAYIL and Strong defines it as follows: “probably a force, whether of men, means or other resources, an army, wealth, virtue, valor, strength.” Its outstanding meaning is force or strength.
Fuente: Old and New Testaments Restoration Commentary
Jedaiah: One of Dr. Kennicott’s manuscripts omits, [Strong’s H1121], ben, “son of,” and reads “Jedaiah, Joiarib, Jachin,” which is nearly that of the parallel place. Joiarib, [Strong’s H3114], is merely a contracted form of [Strong’s H3080], Jehoiarib, by the elision of , hay. Neh 7:39, Neh 12:19, 1Ch 9:10, Jehoiarib, Ezr 2:36, Ezr 8:16
Joiarib: Neh 12:6
Reciprocal: 1Ch 24:7 – to Jedaiah 2Ch 35:4 – the houses