Nehemiah 7:2
What does Nehemiah 7:2 mean?
A plain-English look at Nehemiah 7:2 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Nehemiah 7:2 means
Nehemiah entrusts Jerusalem’s oversight to two men: Hanani, his brother who first reported Jerusalem’s distress, and Hananiah, the fortress governor. The key qualification is not skill alone but character: he was faithful and feared God more than many. In times of vulnerability, God-fearing integrity is the surest safeguard. Nehemiah delegates wisely, pairing familial loyalty with proven public responsibility. The combination of spiritual reverence and administrative authority aims to protect the city’s welfare and maintain order. This verse underscores that leadership in God’s work depends on trustworthy hearts as much as on strong hands, and that reverence for God produces reliable service to people.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000that I gave my brother Hanani, and Hananiah the governor of the castle, charge over Jerusalem; for he was a faithful man, and feared God above many.
KJV
King James Version · 1611That I gave my brother Hanani, and Hananiah the ruler of the palace, charge over Jerusalem: for he was a faithful man, and feared God above many.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901that I gave my brother Hanani, and Hananiah the governor of the castle, charge over Jerusalem; for he was a faithful man, and feared God above many.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949I made my brother Hanani, and Hananiah, the ruler of the tower, responsible for the government of Jerusalem: for he was a man of good faith, fearing God more than most.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and I charge Hanani my brother, and Hananiah head of the palace, concerning Jerusalem--for he <FI>is<Fi> as a man of truth, and fearing God above many--
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752I commanded Hanani my brother, and Hananias ruler of the house of Jerusalem, (for he seemed as a sincere man, and one that feared God above the rest,)
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And I gave my brother Hanani, and Hananiah the ruler of the citadel, charge over Jerusalem; for he was a faithful man and fearedGod above many.
Context
Following the appointment of roles in verse 1, verse 2 narrows focus to the city’s top-level oversight. Nehemiah names leaders who will carry the responsibility forward, which is crucial since the wall’s completion attracts both hope and potential threats. This choice paves the way for the security measures in verse 3 and explains why Nehemiah can focus on the larger project of gathering genealogies in verse 5. Wise delegation of authority undergirds the long list that follows, ensuring the city is in capable hands while its population and identity are re-established.
v.1Now it came to pass, when the wall was built, and I had set up the doors, and the porters and the singers and the Levites were appointed,
v.2This passage
v.3And I said unto them, Let not the gates of Jerusalem be opened until the sun be hot; and while they stand on guard, let them shut the doors, and bar ye them: and appoint watches of the inhabitants of Jerusalem, every one in his watch, and every one to be over against his house.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Nehemiah 13:13
And I made treasurers over the treasuries, Shelemiah the priest, and Zadok the scribe, and of the Levites, Pedaiah: and next to them was Hanan the son of Zaccur, the son of Mattaniah; for they were counted faithful, and their business was to distribute unto their brethren.
- 1 Kings 18:3
And Ahab called Obadiah, who was over the household. (Now Obadiah feared Jehovah greatly:
- 2 Samuel 23:3
The God of Israel said, The Rock of Israel spake to me: One that ruleth over men righteously, That ruleth in the fear of God,
- Nehemiah 1:2
that Hanani, one of my brethren, came, he and certain men out of Judah; and I asked them concerning the Jews that had escaped, that were left of the captivity, and concerning Jerusalem.
- Matthew 25:21
His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will set thee over many things; enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
- Psalms 101:6
Mine eyes shall be upon the faithful of the land, that they may dwell with me: He that walketh in a perfect way, he shall minister unto me.
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