Nehemiah 11:24
What does Nehemiah 11:24 mean?
A plain-English look at Nehemiah 11:24 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Nehemiah 11:24 means
Pethahiah, of the children of Zerah from Judah, served “at the king’s hand” in matters concerning the people. He functioned as a royal liaison, ensuring communication between the Persian court and the Jewish community. This position was crucial for securing resources, resolving disputes, and maintaining legal order under imperial oversight. The verse shows that Jerusalem’s restoration operated within the realities of the time: God’s people were under a foreign king, yet God provided representatives to advocate for them. Such a role helped safeguard the community’s interests while they rebuilt life and worship in the land.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And Pethahiah the son of Meshezabel, of the children of Zerah the son of Judah, was at the king’s hand in all matters concerning the people.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And Pethahiah the son of Meshezabeel, of the children of Zerah the son of Judah, was at the king’s hand in all matters concerning the people.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And Pethahiah the son of Meshezabel, of the children of Zerah the son of Judah, was at the king’s hand in all matters concerning the people.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And Pethahiah, the son of Meshezabel, of the sons of Zerah, the son of Judah, was the king's servant in everything to do with the people.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And Pethahiah son of Meshezabeel, of the sons of Zerah, son of Judah, <FI>is<Fi> by the hand of the king, for every matter of the people.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And Phathahia the son of Mesezebel of the children of Zara the son of Juda was at the hand of the king, in all matters concerning the people,
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And Pethahiah the son of Meshezabeel, of the children of Zerah the son of Judah, was at the king's hand in all matters concerning the people.
Context
Following the note of royal provision for singers (v. 23), verse 24 names a Judahite who managed royal relations for the people. This concludes the internal civic-religious organization within Jerusalem: leaders, priests, Levites, singers, gatekeepers, servants, and a royal liaison are in place. From verse 25 onward, the chapter shifts to listing where the broader populace lived in the villages and towns of Judah, and then in Benjamin’s territory, showing the full territorial footprint of the post-exilic community.
v.23For there was a commandment from the king concerning them, and a settled provision for the singers, as every day required.
v.24This passage
v.25And as for the villages, with their fields, some of the children of Judah dwelt in Kiriath-arba and the towns thereof, and in Dibon and the towns thereof, and in Jekabzeel and the villages thereof,
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Genesis 38:30
And afterward came out his brother, that had the scarlet thread upon his hand: and his name was called Zerah.
- 1 Chronicles 18:17
and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and the Pelethites; and the sons of David were chief about the king.
- Matthew 1:3
and Judah begat Perez and Zerah of Tamar; and Perez begat Hezron; and Hezron begat Ram;
- Numbers 26:20
And the sons of Judah after their families were: of Shelah, the family of the Shelanites; of Perez, the family of the Perezites; of Zerah, the family of the Zerahites.
- 1 Chronicles 23:28
For their office was to wait on the sons of Aaron for the service of the house of Jehovah, in the courts, and in the chambers, and in the purifying of all holy things, even the work of the service of the house of God;
- Nehemiah 10:21
Meshezabel, Zadok, Jaddua,
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