Nehemiah 11:13
What does Nehemiah 11:13 mean?
A plain-English look at Nehemiah 11:13 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Nehemiah 11:13 means
Here the narrative lists more priestly leaders—heads of fathers’ houses—totaling 242 associated with Adaiah’s group, and names Amashsai from the line of Immer. The emphasis remains on legitimate descent and substantial leadership within the priesthood. By quantifying these heads, the text conveys a layered structure: prominent families provide oversight for many serving priests. This arrangement promotes accountability and faithful transmission of priestly duties. In the fragile post-exilic community, such ordered leadership ensured that temple ministry remained stable, reverent, and rooted in enduring family lines acknowledged by the congregation.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000and 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,
KJV
King James Version · 1611And 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,
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901and 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,
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And his brothers, heads of families, two hundred and forty-two; and Amashsai, the son of Azarel, the son of Ahzai, the son of Meshillemoth, the son of Immer,
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and his brethren, heads of fathers, two hundred forty and two; and Amashsai son of Azareel, son of Ahazai, son of Meshillemoth, son of Immer,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And his brethren the chiefs of the fathers: two hundred forty-two. And Amassai the son of Azreel, the son of Ahazi, the son of Mosollamoth, the son of Emmer,
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890and his brethren, chief fathers, two hundred and forty-two; and Amassai the son of Azareel, the son of Ahzai, the son of Meshillemoth, the son of Immer;
Context
Following the workforce count and Adaiah’s lineage (v. 12), verse 13 adds further leaders and their tally, then introduces another priestly head from a distinct ancestral line. The cumulative effect is to display breadth and depth within the priesthood—multiple families, multiple leaders, and significant numbers. Next, verse 14 will describe a group of 128 “mighty men of valor” among the priests with an overseer named Zabdiel, rounding out the picture of a capable and courageous priestly cadre within Jerusalem.
v.12and 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,
v.13This passage
v.14and their brethren, mighty men of valor, a hundred twenty and eight; and their overseer was Zabdiel, the son of Haggedolim.
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