Nehemiah 11:17

What does Nehemiah 11:17 mean?

A plain-English look at Nehemiah 11:17 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Nehemiah 11:17 means

Mattaniah, of the Asaph line, is identified as the chief to begin thanksgiving in prayer—a leader in worship, likely initiating songs or prayers of praise. Bakbukiah is noted as second among his brethren, and Abda from the Jeduthun line is mentioned, connecting the present worship to established musical families. Their roles indicate regular, organized thanksgiving as part of temple life, essential for a community recently delivered and restored. Naming these leaders affirms that praise is not accidental; it is led, taught, and sustained by appointed servants, ensuring God’s goodness is continually acknowledged in the holy city.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

and 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.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And Mattaniah the son of Micha, the son of Zabdi, the son of Asaph, was the principal 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.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And Mattaniah, the son of Mica, the son of Zabdi, the son of Asaph, who had to give the first note of the song of praise in prayer, and Bakbukiah, the second among his brothers, and Abda, the son of Shammua, the son of Galal, the son of Jeduthun.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and Mattaniah son of Micha, son of Zabdi, son of Asaph, <FI>is<Fi> head--at the commencement he giveth thanks in prayer; and Bakbukiah <FI>is<Fi> second among his brethren, and Abda son of Shammua, son of Galal, son of Jeduthun.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And Mathania the son of Micha, the son of Zebedei, the son of Asaph, was the principal man to praise, and to give glory in prayer, and Becbecia, the second, one of his brethren, and Abda the son of Samua, the son of Galal, the son of Idithun.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

and Mattaniah the son of Mica, the son of Zabdi, the son of Asaph, [who was] the principal 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:

Context

After noting Levites who managed outward business (v. 16), verse 17 turns to worship leadership—those who initiate thanksgiving and prayer. The mention of Asaph and Jeduthun ties the post-exilic community to long-standing traditions of temple music. Next comes a total of Levites in the city (v. 18) and, following that, the gatekeepers (v. 19). The flow shows that Jerusalem’s restoration encompasses both the heart of worship—praise and prayer—and the hands that keep the temple secure and operational.

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

v.17This passage

v.18All the Levites in the holy city were two hundred fourscore and four.

Cross references

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

1 Chronicles 9:15
and Bakbakkar, Heresh, and Galal, and Mattaniah the son of Mica, the son of Zichri, the son of Asaph,
Nehemiah 12:8
Moreover the Levites: Jeshua, Binnui, Kadmiel, Sherebiah, Judah, andMattaniah, who was over the thanksgiving, he and his brethren.
Nehemiah 12:31
Then I brought up the princes of Judah upon the wall, and appointed two great companies that gave thanks and went in procession; whereof one went on the right hand upon the wall toward the dung gate:
Nehemiah 10:12
Zaccur, Sherebiah, Shebaniah,
1 Thessalonians 5:17
pray without ceasing;
1 Chronicles 25:1
Moreover David and the captains of the host set apart for the service certain of the sons of Asaph, and of Heman, and of Jeduthun, who should prophesy with harps, with psalteries, and with cymbals: and the number of them that did the work according to their service was:

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