Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Nehemiah 11:14

And their brethren, mighty men of valor, a hundred twenty and eight: and their overseer [was] Zabdiel, the son of [one of] the great men.

14. mighty men of valour ] Cf. 1Ch 9:13 ‘Very able men (lit. mighty men of valour) for the work of the service of the house of God.’

their brethren an hundred twenty and eight ] Query: ‘their’ an error for ‘his’?

In our list of the priests, Neh 11:10-14 we have the following figures:

Jedaiah, Jachin, Seraiah, &c.

= 822

Adaiah, &c.

= 242

Amashsai

= 128

1192

It is noticeable that these figures do not correspond with the number 1760 mentioned in 1Ch 9:13.

overseer ] Cf. Neh 11:9.

the son of one of the great men] so R.V. marg. R.V. text the son of Haggedolim. It is a disputed point whether ‘Haggedolim’ is a proper name. The literal translation would be ‘the son of the great ones,’ so the LXX. renders . But who are ‘the great ones’? The explanation which has been given that they are the priests mentioned in this section, Neh 11:10-14, is merely a conjecture, which has no other evidence in its favour. Some (e.g. Neteler) think it means ‘the high-priests;’ and suppose Zabdiel to have been the Sagan or deputy high-priest. On the other hand, if ‘Haggedolim’ he a proper name, it is a very peculiar one; but cf. Neh 11:35, ‘Gehaharashim.’

Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

Verse 14. Mighty men of valour] Noted for strength of body, and military courage.

Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible

i.e. Of a person then or lately eminent in valour, or worth, or dignity. Or, of Gedolim, or Haggedolim, a man so called.

Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole

And their brethren, mighty men of valour, an hundred twenty and eight,…. The brethren of Adaiah and Amashai, who were able men to do the work of their office as priests, and men of courage to fight the enemy, and defend the city upon occasion:

and their overseer was Zabdiel, the son of one of the great men; or the son of Hagedolim, or Gedolim, as some, who take it to be the proper name of a man.

Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible

(14) Of valour.Able for the service of Gods house: men of ability, therefore.

The son of one of the great men.Rather, son of Haggedolim.

Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)

14. Son of one of the great men So the Septuagint and Vulgate read, but incorrectly. The Hebrew is to be taken as a proper name, son of Haggedolim.

Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments