Devine Scripture

Nehemiah 11:15

What does Nehemiah 11:15 mean?

A plain-English look at Nehemiah 11:15 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Nehemiah 11:15 means

The text turns to the Levites, beginning with Shemaiah and his ancestry. Levites were set apart to assist the priests in the house of God. By recording names and lineages, the passage assures the community that those serving in sacred support roles were rightly appointed. In the difficult work of rebuilding and maintaining temple life, Levites provided essential functions—teaching, care of sacred spaces, and service in worship. Their presence in Jerusalem signaled readiness to sustain ongoing ministry, not merely to celebrate a one-time dedication of the walls or the temple.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And of the Levites: Shemaiah the son of Hasshub, the son of Azrikam, the son of Hashabiah, the son of Bunni;

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Also of the Levites: Shemaiah the son of Hashub, the son of Azrikam, the son of Hashabiah, the son of Bunni;

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And of the Levites: Shemaiah the son of Hasshub, the son of Azrikam, the son of Hashabiah, the son of Bunni;

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And of the Levites: Shemaiah, the son of Hasshub, the son of Azrikam, the son of Hashabiah, the son of Bunni,

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And of the Levites: Shemaiah son of Hashub, son of Azrikam, son of Hashabiah, son of Bunni,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And of the Levites Semeia the son of Hasub, the son of Azaricam, the son of Hasabia, the son of Boni,

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And of the Levites: Shemaiah the son of Hasshub, the son of Azrikam, the son of Hashabiah, the son of Bunni;

Context

With priests accounted for (vv. 10–14), verse 15 introduces the Levites, the tribe designated to assist in temple matters. This begins a sequence (vv. 15–19) detailing specific Levites, their leadership, and their functions. Next, verse 16 will identify chiefs responsible for external affairs of the temple, followed by verse 17’s mention of those who led thanksgiving in prayer and other named Levites. The section will culminate with totals and the inclusion of gatekeepers, presenting a comprehensive support network for worship in Jerusalem.

v.14and their brethren, mighty men of valor, a hundred twenty and eight; and their overseer was Zabdiel, the son of Haggedolim.

v.15This passage

v.16and Shabbethai and Jozabad, of the chiefs of the Levites, who had the oversight of the outward business of the house of God;

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • 1 Chronicles 9:19

    And Shallum the son of Kore, the son of Ebiasaph, the son of Korah, and his brethren, of his father’s house, the Korahites, were over the work of the service, keepers of the thresholds of the tent: and their fathers had been over the camp of Jehovah, keepers of the entry.

  • 1 Chronicles 9:14

    And of the Levites: Shemaiah the son of Hasshub, the son of Azrikam, the son of Hashabiah, of the sons of Merari;

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