Nehemiah 11:16
What does Nehemiah 11:16 mean?
A plain-English look at Nehemiah 11:16 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Nehemiah 11:16 means
Shabbethai and Jozabad are named as chief Levites overseeing the “outward business” of God’s house. Their role likely included administrative, logistical, and maintenance responsibilities—managing supplies, facilities, and practical needs that sustain worship. This recognizes that faithful ministry requires organization behind the scenes. The text honors such service as part of the temple’s life, showing that spiritual vitality is linked to wise stewardship. By establishing capable managers for external affairs, the community ensured that priests and other Levites could perform their sacred tasks without distraction, and the house of God would function smoothly day by day.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000and Shabbethai and Jozabad, of the chiefs of the Levites, who had the oversight of the outward business of the house of God;
KJV
King James Version · 1611And Shabbethai and Jozabad, of the chief of the Levites, had the oversight of the outward business of the house of God.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901and Shabbethai and Jozabad, of the chiefs of the Levites, who had the oversight of the outward business of the house of God;
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And Shabbethai and Jozabad, of the chiefs of the Levites, who were responsible for the outside business of the house of God;
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and Shabbethai, and Jozabad, <FI>are<Fi> over the outward work of the house of God, of the heads of the Levites,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And Sabathai and Jozabed, who were over all the outward business of the house of God, of the princes of the Levites,
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890and Shabbethai and Jozabad, of the chiefs of the Levites, [who were] over the outward work of the house ofGod;
Context
Continuing the Levite roster, verse 16 highlights those entrusted with the temple’s external operations. After naming a Levite in verse 15, the passage now demonstrates the breadth of Levite responsibilities, not only liturgical but also practical. Next, verse 17 will move to musical and prayer leadership among the Levites, connecting the administrative side with the worship life. The section will then give totals (v. 18) and identify the gatekeepers (v. 19), completing the portrait of Levite service in Jerusalem.
v.15And of the Levites: Shemaiah the son of Hasshub, the son of Azrikam, the son of Hashabiah, the son of Bunni;
v.16This passage
v.17and Mattaniah the son of Mica, the son of Zabdi, the son of Asaph, who was the chief to begin the thanksgiving in prayer, and Bakbukiah, the second among his brethren; and Abda the son of Shammua, the son of Galal, the son of Jeduthun.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 1 Chronicles 26:29
Of the Izharites, Chenaniah and his sons were for the outward business over Israel, for officers and judges.
- Acts 6:2
And the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not fit that we should forsake the word of God, and serve tables.
- Nehemiah 8:7
Also Jeshua, and Bani, and Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, and the Levites, caused the people to understand the law: and the people stood in their place.
- Ezra 8:33
And on the fourth day the silver and the gold and the vessels were weighed in the house of our God into the hand of Meremoth the son of Uriah the priest (and with him was Eleazar the son of Phinehas; and with them was Jozabad the son of Jeshua, and Noadiah the son of Binnui, the Levites)—
- 1 Chronicles 26:20
And of the Levites, Ahijah was over the treasures of the house of God, and over the treasures of the dedicated things.
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