Nehemiah 11:12
What does Nehemiah 11:12 mean?
A plain-English look at Nehemiah 11:12 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Nehemiah 11:12 means
The verse quantifies the priests’ workforce: 822 brethren engaged in the labor of the house, and it introduces Adaiah, a priest from the line of Pashhur and Malchijah. The numbers show that temple service required many hands, not merely a few prominent leaders. Mentioning Adaiah’s lineage affirms recognized families among the priesthood. Together, these details communicate that worship involves both visible leadership and extensive, often less visible, service. In the restored Jerusalem, the day-to-day functions—sacrifices, teaching, maintenance—depended on a sizable, organized body of priests faithfully doing their duty before God and the people.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000and 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,
KJV
King James Version · 1611And 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,
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901and 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,
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And their brothers who did the work of the house, eight hundred and 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,
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and their brethren doing the work of the house <FI>are<Fi> 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,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And their brethren that do the works of the temple: eight hundred twenty-two. And Adaia the son of Jeroham, the son of Phelelia, the son of Amsi, the son of Zacharias, the son of Pheshur, the son of Melchias,
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And their brethren that did the work of the house, eight hundred and 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;
Context
After identifying a leading priest (v. 11), the text broadens the picture by noting the large number of priests dedicated to temple work and by naming another head, Adaiah. The flow is from leadership to labor force, portraying the temple as both sacred and administratively complex. Verse 13 will continue with more heads of fathers’ houses and their numbers, followed by verse 14’s note about valiant men among the priests and their overseer. This progression shows comprehensive staffing, leadership, and capability within the priesthood.
v.11Seraiah 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,
v.12This passage
v.13and 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,
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 1 Chronicles 9:12
and Adaiah the son of Jeroham, the son of Pashhur, the son of Malchijah, and Maasai the son of Adiel, the son of Jahzerah, the son of Meshullam, the son of Meshillemith, the son of Immer;
Related questions readers ask
Keep reading
Want to dig deeper? Explore Nehemiah 11
Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on Nehemiah 11.
Topics that quote it
Topic
Bible Verses About Confession of Sin
Confession of sin is an essential step in drawing near to God and receiving His forgiveness and cleansing.
Topic
Bible Verses About Fasting
Fasting in the Bible is a spiritual discipline involving abstinence from food for a period, often coupled with prayer and repentance.
What the Bible says about…