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Introduction to Nehemiah

Part 1: General Introduction

Outline of Nehemiah

  1. Nehemiah returns to Jerusalem and inspects the walls (1:1-2:20)
  2. The people rebuild the walls of Jerusalem (3:1-4:23)
  3. Nehemiah helps the poor and provides an unselfish example (5:119)
  4. Enemies try to slow down the work, but the people finish the walls (6:119)
  5. Nehemiah lists the people who returned from exile (7:673)
  6. Ezra reads the Law of Yahweh and the people respond (8:1-10:39)
  7. Nehemiah lists the people who lived in and around Jerusalem (11:136)
  8. Nehemiah lists the priests and Levites (12:126)
  9. The people dedicate the walls of Jerusalem (12:2747)
  10. Nehemiah corrects problems (13:131)

What is the Book of Nehemiah about?

A Jew named Nehemiah lived in Persia and worked for King Artaxerxes. Nehemiah received a report that the walls around Jerusalem were broken down. Nehemiah returned to Jerusalem to help rebuild the city walls. The walls around the city helped protect the city against armies and invaders.

How should the title of this book be translated?

The Book of Nehemiah is named for a Jewish leader named Nehemiah. Translators can use the traditional title “Nehemiah.” Or they may choose a clearer title, such as “The Book about Nehemiah.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

Part 2: Important Religious and Cultural Concepts

Why were Israelites not allowed to marry people from other nations?

Foreigners worshiped many false gods. Yahweh did not allow his people to marry foreigners. He knew this would cause the people of Israel to worship false gods. (See: [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/falsegod]])

Did all of the people of Israel return to their homeland?

Many of the Jews remained in Babylon instead of returning to the Promised Land. Many of them were successful in Babylon and desired to remain there. However, this meant that they were unable to worship Yahweh in Jerusalem as their ancestors had done. (See: [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/promisedland]])

Part 3: Important Translation Issues

How does the Book of Nehemiah use the term “Israel”?

The Book of Nehemiah uses the term “Israel” to refer to the kingdom of Judah. It was mostly made up of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin. The other ten tribes had ended their loyalty to any kings descended from David. God allowed the Assyrians to conquer the other ten tribes and take them into exile. As a result, they mixed with other people groups and did not return to the land of Israel. (See: [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/israel]])

Are the events in the Book of Nehemiah told in the order that they actually happened?

Some of the events in the Book of Nehemiah are not told in the order they actually happened. Translators should pay attention to notes that signal when events are probably out of order.

3NEH1introy5jf0

Nehemiah 01 General Notes

Structure and formatting

“The words of Nehemiah son of Hacaliah:”

This phrase serves as an introduction to this entire book.

Special concepts in this chapter

Repentance

This chapter is a single long record of Nehemiahs repentance on behalf of the people. (See: [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/repent]])

Other possible translation difficulties in this chapter

I

While the author of this book is probably Ezra, the word “I” always refers to Nehemiah.

Israel

It is uncertain to whom “Israel” refers. It probably does not refer to the northern kingdom of Israel. Neither does it likely refer to the twelve tribes of Israel. Instead, it is probably a reference to Israel in the sense of the surviving people group. At Nehemiahs time, this people group exclusively comprised the tribe of Judah because the other tribes had already been scattered throughout the entire Near East, where they lost their identity, for the most part.

4NEH11bi9htranslate-namesנְחֶמְיָ֖ה…חֲכַלְיָ֑ה1Nehemiah…Hakaliah

These are names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

5NEH11qd3etranslate-hebrewmonthsבְ⁠חֹֽדֶשׁ־כִּסְלֵיו֙1in the month of Kislev

“Kislev” is the ninth month of the Hebrew calendar. It is during the last part of November and the first part of December on Western calendars. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-hebrewmonths]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

6NEH11hn28figs-explicitשְׁנַ֣ת עֶשְׂרִ֔ים1in the twentieth year

Nehemiah is referring to the number of years that Artaxerxes had been reigning as king. Alternate translation: “in the twentieth year of the reign of Artaxerxes, King of Persia” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal]])

7NEH11g6dlבְּ⁠שׁוּשַׁ֥ן הַ⁠בִּירָֽה׃1fortress of Susa

This was one of the royal cities of Persian kings, located in the country of Elam. It was a large, fortified city with high walls surrounding it.

8NEH12f2abtranslate-namesחֲנָ֜נִי1Hanani

This is the name of a man. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

9NEH12l6cwחֲנָ֜נִי אֶחָ֧ד מֵ⁠אַחַ֛⁠י1one of my brothers, Hanani

Hanani was Nehemiahs biological brother.

10NEH12lg14וַ⁠יָּבֹ֨א חֲנָ֜נִי…⁠אֲנָשִׁ֖ים מִֽ⁠יהוּדָ֑ה1Hanani, came with some people from Judah

“Hanani came from Judah with some other people”

11NEH12q7zifigs-explicitהַ⁠יְּהוּדִ֧ים הַ⁠פְּלֵיטָ֛ה אֲשֶֽׁר־נִשְׁאֲר֥וּ מִן־הַ⁠שֶּׁ֖בִי1the Jews who had escaped, the remnant of the Jews who were there

These two phrases refer to the same group of people. Possible meanings are 1) the few Jews who were taken as exiles to Babylon but escaped and returned to live in Jerusalem or 2) the few Jews who had escaped from those who were trying to take them into exile in Babylon and so remained in Jerusalem. Since it is unclear from where they escaped, it may be best not to specify in the translation. Alternate translation: “the Jews who had escaped the exile and who remained in Jerusalem” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

12NEH13igf2וַ⁠יֹּאמְרוּ֮ לִ⁠י֒1They said to me

Here “They” refers to Hanani and the other people who had come from Judah.

13NEH13y1zgfigs-explicitבַּ⁠מְּדִינָ֔ה1the province

Here “province” refers to Judah as an administrative district under the Persian Empire. Alternate translation: “the province of Judah” or “Judah” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

14NEH13pk3ffigs-activepassiveוְ⁠חוֹמַ֤ת יְרוּשָׁלִַ֨ם֙ מְפֹרָ֔צֶת וּ⁠שְׁעָרֶ֖י⁠הָ נִצְּת֥וּ בָ⁠אֵֽשׁ1the wall of Jerusalem has been broken open, and its gates have been set on fire

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “armies have broken open the wall of Jerusalem and have set its gates on fire” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

15NEH15tzl8figs-explicitוָ⁠אֹמַ֗ר1Then I said

Nehemiah tells what he prayed. Alternate translation: “Then I said to Yahweh” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

16NEH15pf2lיְהוָה֙1Yahweh

This is the name of God that he revealed to his people in the Old Testament. See the translationWord page about Yahweh concerning how to translate this.

17NEH15zc64figs-123personלְ⁠אֹהֲבָ֖י⁠ו וּ⁠לְ⁠שֹׁמְרֵ֥י מִצְוֺתָֽי⁠ו1who love him and keep his commandments

Since Nehemiah is speaking to Yahweh, the pronouns “him” and “his” can be translated as “you” and “your.” Alternate translation: “who love you and keep your commandments” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-123person]])

18NEH16g947figs-metaphorוְֽ⁠עֵינֶ֪י⁠ךָ פְתֻוּח֟וֹת1open your eyes

“look at me.” Here “open your eyes” is a metaphor that represents paying attention to someone. Alternate translation: “pay attention to me” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

19NEH16qjf3לִ⁠שְׁמֹ֣עַ אֶל־תְּפִלַּ֣ת עַבְדְּ⁠ךָ֡1so you may hear the prayer of your servant

“so that you may hear the prayer that I, your servant, am praying.” The word “servant” refers to Nehemiah. This is how a person would address his superior in order to show humility and respect.

20NEH16v8gxfigs-merismהַ⁠יּוֹם֙ יוֹמָ֣ם וָ⁠לַ֔יְלָה1day and night

By saying that he prays both during the day and during the night, Nehemiah emphasizes the frequency of his prayers. Alternate translation: “all the time” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-merism]])

21NEH16bxj6figs-metonymyוַ⁠אֲנִ֥י וּ⁠בֵית־אָבִ֖⁠י1Both I and my fathers house

Here the word “house” represents family. Alternate translation: “Both I and my family” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

22NEH18brz70Connecting Statement:

Nehemiah continues praying to God.

23NEH18pv64figs-idiomזְכָר־נָא֙1Please call to mind

To “call to mind” is an idiom that means to remember. Alternate translation: “Please remember” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])

24NEH18y5jpfigs-youאֶת־הַ⁠דָּבָ֔ר אֲשֶׁ֥ר צִוִּ֛יתָ אֶת־מֹשֶׁ֥ה עַבְדְּ⁠ךָ֖1the word you commanded your servant Moses

The pronouns “you” and “your” refer to God and so are singular. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-you]])

25NEH18b6qhfigs-youאַתֶּ֣ם תִּמְעָ֔לוּ אֲנִ֕י אָפִ֥יץ אֶתְ⁠כֶ֖ם1If you act unfaithfully…scatter you

The pronouns “you” and “your” are plural and refer to the Israelite people. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-you]])

26NEH18evf5figs-metaphorאָפִ֥יץ אֶתְ⁠כֶ֖ם בָּ⁠עַמִּֽים1I will scatter you among the nations

Yahweh speaks of causing the Israelite people to live in other nations as if he scattered them like one would scatter seeds. Alternate translation: “I will cause you to live among the nations” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

27NEH19dqn5figs-youוְ⁠שַׁבְתֶּ֣ם אֵלַ֔⁠י וּ⁠שְׁמַרְתֶּם֙ מִצְוֺתַ֔⁠י וַ⁠עֲשִׂיתֶ֖ם1if you return…your people

The pronouns “you” and “your” are plural and refer to the Israelite people. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-you]])

28NEH19f8jzfigs-idiomבִּ⁠קְצֵ֤ה הַ⁠שָּׁמַ֨יִם֙1under the farthest skies

Yahweh speaks of places on the earth that are very far away as being “under the farthest skies.” Alternate translation: “to places very far away” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])

29NEH19lgh9figs-explicitאֶל־הַ⁠מָּק֔וֹם אֲשֶׁ֣ר בָּחַ֔רְתִּי לְ⁠שַׁכֵּ֥ן אֶת־שְׁמִ֖⁠י שָֽׁם1to that place where I have chosen…remain

This phrase refers to Jerusalem, where the temple was located. Alternate translation: “to Jerusalem, where I have chosen…remain” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

30NEH19g88jfigs-metonymyאֲשֶׁ֣ר בָּחַ֔רְתִּי לְ⁠שַׁכֵּ֥ן אֶת־שְׁמִ֖⁠י שָֽׁם1where I have chosen to make my name remain

Here the word “name” represents Yahweh himself. Alternate translation: “where I have chosen to dwell” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

31NEH110u4a80General Information:

Nehemiah continues his prayer.

32NEH110w4qwוְ⁠הֵ֥ם1Now

This word is used here to mark a break in Nehemiahs prayer. Here he begins to make his request based on Yahwehs promise.

33NEH110mjx7וְ⁠הֵ֥ם עֲבָדֶ֖י⁠ךָ1they are your servants

The word “they” refers to the Israelite people.

34NEH110zu4sfigs-metonymyבְּ⁠כֹחֲ⁠ךָ֣ הַ⁠גָּד֔וֹל וּ⁠בְ⁠יָדְ⁠ךָ֖ הַ⁠חֲזָקָֽה1by your great power and by your strong hand

Here “hand” represents strength or power. Together, these two phrases form a doublet that emphasizes the intensity of Yahwehs power. Alternate translation: “by your great power and by your mighty strength” or “by your very powerful strength” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet]])

35NEH111jjm7תְּפִלַּ֨ת עַבְדְּ⁠ךָ֜1the prayer of your servant

Here “servant” refers to Nehemiah. This is how a person would address his superior in order to show humility and respect. See how you translated this in Nehemiah 1:6.

36NEH111j433תְּפִלַּ֣ת עֲבָדֶ֗י⁠ךָ1the prayer of your servants

Here “servants” refers to the rest of the Israelite people who would have been praying for Yahweh to act on behalf of his people and on behalf of Jerusalem.

37NEH111hk3zfigs-metonymyהַֽ⁠חֲפֵצִים֙ לְ⁠יִרְאָ֣ה אֶת־שְׁמֶ֔⁠ךָ1who delight to honor your name

Here “name” represents Yahweh himself. Alternate translation: “who delight to honor you” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

38NEH111kr99וּ⁠תְנֵ֣⁠הוּ לְ⁠רַחֲמִ֔ים לִ⁠פְנֵ֖י הָ⁠אִ֣ישׁ הַ⁠זֶּ֑ה1grant him mercy in the sight of this man

Here “him” refers to Nehemiah, who refers to himself in the third person to express his humility before God, and “this man” refers to Artaxerxes, the king of Persia.

39NEH111r7affigs-metaphorלִ⁠פְנֵ֖י הָ⁠אִ֣ישׁ הַ⁠זֶּ֑ה1in the sight of this man

Nehemiah speaks of the kings attitude or disposition as if it were how the king viewed something. Alternate translation: “grant that the king will have mercy on me” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

40NEH111h9hlwriting-backgroundוַ⁠אֲנִ֛י הָיִ֥יתִי מַשְׁקֶ֖ה לַ⁠מֶּֽלֶךְ1I served as cupbearer to the king

This is background information about Nehemiahs role in the kings court. Your language may have a special way to mark background information. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-background]])

41NEH2intromj1d0

Nehemiah 02 General Notes

Structure and formatting

This chapter begins the account of the construction of the wall. Many scholars believe these chapters teach valuable lessons on leadership (Nehemiah 2-6).

Special concepts in this chapter

Nehemiahs character

Apparently, Nehemiahs character made an impression on the king. It was very unusual for a king to be so concerned with one of his servants. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

Cultural Customs

In ancient Persia, they thought it was important for their conquered peoples to practice their own cultural customs. It was thought that this independence promoted peace in their vast kingdom. The rebuilding of Jerusalem may have been seen as a way to allow for the Jewish cultural practices.

Yahwehs control

Yahweh is seen as very powerful. He is able to provide for his people, even through a foreign king. (See: [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/peopleofgod]])

42NEH21h3hutranslate-hebrewmonthsבְּ⁠חֹ֣דֶשׁ נִיסָ֗ן1In the month of Nisan

“Nisan” is the name of the first month of the Hebrew calendar. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-hebrewmonths]])

43NEH21l63ftranslate-ordinalשְׁנַ֥ת עֶשְׂרִ֛ים לְ⁠אַרְתַּחְשַׁ֥סְתְּא הַ⁠מֶּ֖לֶךְ1in the twentieth year of Artaxerxes the king

“in the 20th year that Artaxerxes was king” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal]])

44NEH21k1vfwriting-backgroundוְ⁠לֹא1Now

This word is used here to mark a break in the main story line. Here Nehemiah tells background information about his demeanor before the king. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-background]])

45NEH22n5wyוַ⁠יֹּאמֶר֩ לִ֨⁠י הַ⁠מֶּ֜לֶךְ1But the king

“So the king”

46NEH22ue51figs-synecdocheמַדּ֣וּעַ׀ פָּנֶ֣י⁠ךָ רָעִ֗ים1Why is your face so sad

Here Nehemiah is referred to by his face because the face shows ones emotions. Alternate translation: “Why are you so sad” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche]])

47NEH22g1k7figs-synecdocheאֵ֣ין זֶ֔ה כִּי־אִ֖ם רֹ֣עַֽ לֵ֑ב1This must be sadness of heart

This speaks of Nehemiah being sad as if his heart were sad, since the heart is often considered the center of emotions. Alternate translation: “You must be very sad” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche]])

48NEH22eyt8וָ⁠אִירָ֖א הַרְבֵּ֥ה מְאֹֽד1Then I became very much afraid

As Nehemiah prepares to answer, he is afraid because he does not know how the king will respond.

49NEH23qz4ifigs-hyperboleהַ⁠מֶּ֖לֶךְ לְ⁠עוֹלָ֣ם יִחְיֶ֑ה1May the king live forever

Nehemiah is showing honor to King Artaxerxes. Here “forever” is an exaggeration that refers to a long life. Alternate translation: “Long live the king” or “May the king have a long life” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole]])

50NEH23klj6figs-rquestionמַדּ֜וּעַ לֹא־יֵרְע֣וּ פָנַ֗⁠י1Why should not my face be sad?

Here Nehemiah uses this rhetorical question to tell the king that he has a reason to be sad. This can be written as a statement. Alternate translation: “I have very good reasons to be sad.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])

51NEH23eh23בֵּית־קִבְר֤וֹת אֲבֹתַ⁠י֙1the place of my fathers tombs

“the place where my ancestors are buried”

52NEH23g7f4figs-activepassiveוּ⁠שְׁעָרֶ֖י⁠הָ אֻכְּל֥וּ בָ⁠אֵֽשׁ1its gates have been destroyed by fire

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “fire has destroyed its gates” or “our enemy has burned its gates” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

53NEH25uv1pוָ⁠אֹמַ֣ר לַ⁠מֶּ֔לֶךְ1I replied to the king

“Then I replied to the king”

54NEH25u2zyעַבְדְּ⁠ךָ֖1your servant

Nehemiah refers to himself this way to show his submission to the king.

55NEH25ae4bfigs-metaphorלְ⁠פָנֶ֑י⁠ךָ1in your sight

Here sight represents judgment or evaluation. Alternate translation: “in your judgment” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

56NEH25df8lעִ֛יר קִבְר֥וֹת אֲבֹתַ֖⁠י1the city of my fathers tombs

“the city where my ancestors are buried”

57NEH25l6njfigs-synecdocheוְ⁠אֶבְנֶֽ⁠נָּה1that I may rebuild it

Nehemiah does not plan to do all of the building himself, but he will be the leader of the work. Alternate translation: “that I and my people may rebuild it” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche]])

58NEH27rgj6figs-activepassiveאִגְּרוֹת֙ יִתְּנוּ־לִ֔⁠י1may letters be given to me

This may be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “may you give letters to me” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

59NEH27qp9nעֵ֣בֶר הַ⁠נָּהָ֑ר1the Province Beyond the River

This is the name of the province that was west of the Euphrates River. It was across the river from the city of Susa.

60NEH28ar5vtranslate-namesאָסָף֩1Asaph

This is the name of a man. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

61NEH28wl1sfigs-metonymyכְּ⁠יַד־אֱלֹהַ֖⁠י הַ⁠טּוֹבָ֥ה עָלָֽ⁠י1the good hand of God was on me

Gods “good hand” represents his “favor.” Alternate translation: “Gods favor was upon me” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

62NEH210yz8ptranslate-namesסַנְבַלַּ֣ט הַ⁠חֹרֹנִ֗י1Sanballat the Horonite

Sanballat is the name of a man, and the Horonites were a people group. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

63NEH210eh4ctranslate-namesוְ⁠טֽוֹבִיָּה֙ הָ⁠עֶ֣בֶד הָֽ⁠עַמֹּנִ֔י1Tobiah the Ammonite servant

This man was likely a freed slave now serving as an officer in Ammon. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

64NEH210vb3pוַ⁠יִּשְׁמַ֞ע1heard this

“heard that I had arrived”

65NEH212s7mwfigs-metonymyנֹתֵ֣ן אֶל־לִבִּ֔⁠י1had put into my heart

Here Nehemiahs “heart” refers to his thoughts and will. Alternate translation: “had inspired me” or “had led me” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

66NEH212wd63וּ⁠בְהֵמָה֙ אֵ֣ין עִמִּ֔⁠י1There was no animal with me

“There were no animals with me”

67NEH213g1befigs-123person0General Information:

A few men accompanied Nehemiah on this inspection, but he speaks in the first person because he was the primary person. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-123person]])

68NEH213au61וָ⁠אֵצְאָ֨⁠ה בְ⁠שַֽׁעַר־הַ⁠גַּ֜יא לַ֗יְלָה1I went out by night by the Valley Gate

“At night, I went out through the Valley Gate”

69NEH213pt1hהַתַּנִּ֔ין1Jackal

a wild dog

70NEH213mif3שַׁ֖עַר הָ⁠אַשְׁפֹּ֑ת1Dung Gate

Presumably, refuse was removed from the city through this gate.

71NEH213a8u1figs-activepassiveאֲשֶׁר־הֵ֣ם פְּרוּצִ֔ים וּ⁠שְׁעָרֶ֖י⁠הָ אֻכְּל֥וּ בָ⁠אֵֽשׁ1which had been broken open, and the wooden gates were destroyed by fire

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “which Israels enemies had broken open, and the wooden gates which their enemies had destroyed with fire” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

72NEH215l39vfigs-synecdocheוָ⁠אֱהִ֨י עֹלֶ֤ה בַ⁠נַּ֨חַל֙ לַ֔יְלָה וָ⁠אֱהִ֥י שֹׂבֵ֖ר בַּ⁠חוֹמָ֑ה וָ⁠אָשׁ֗וּב וָ⁠אָב֛וֹא בְּ⁠שַׁ֥עַר הַ⁠גַּ֖יְא וָ⁠אָשֽׁוּב1So I went up…and I turned back

The other men with Nehemiah also followed him. Alternate translation: “So we went up…and we turned back” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche]])

73NEH215b637בְּ⁠שַׁ֥עַר הַ⁠גַּ֖יְא1by the Valley Gate

“through the Valley Gate”

74NEH216xd75figs-explicitוּ⁠לְ⁠יֶ֨תֶר֙ עֹשֵׂ֣ה הַ⁠מְּלָאכָ֔ה1the rest who did the work

This refers to the men who would later rebuild the walls. Alternate translation: “the others who would later do the work of rebuilding the walls” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

75NEH217we6mfigs-youאַתֶּ֤ם רֹאִים֙ הָ⁠רָעָה֙1You see the trouble

Here “you” is plural, referring to all the people mentioned in Nehemiah 2:16. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-you]])

76NEH217f468figs-activepassiveוּ⁠שְׁעָרֶ֖י⁠הָ נִצְּת֣וּ בָ⁠אֵ֑שׁ1its gates have been destroyed by fire

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “how our enemies destroyed its gates by fire” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

77NEH217ll6yוְ⁠לֹא־נִהְיֶ֥ה ע֖וֹד חֶרְפָּֽה1so we will no longer be in disgrace

“so we will no longer be ashamed”

78NEH218twi7figs-metonymyאֶת־יַ֣ד אֱלֹהַ֗⁠י אֲשֶׁר־הִיא֙ טוֹבָ֣ה עָלַ֔⁠י1the good hand of my God was on me

Gods “good hand” represents his “favor.” Alternate translation: “my Gods favor was upon me” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

79NEH218h3cjfigs-idiomנָק֣וּם וּ⁠בָנִ֔ינוּ1rise up and build

This is an idiom. Alternate translation: “begin building” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])

80NEH218y6uifigs-idiomוַ⁠יְחַזְּק֥וּ יְדֵי⁠הֶ֖ם לַ⁠טּוֹבָֽה1So they strengthened their hands for the good work

The phrase “strengthened their hands” means to prepare to do something. Alternate translation: “So they prepared do this good work” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])

81NEH219et87translate-namesסַנְבַלַּ֨ט…⁠טֹבִיָּ֣ה1Sanballat…Tobiah

These are the names of men. See how you translated this in Nehemiah 2:10. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

82NEH219cxe8translate-namesוְ⁠גֶ֨שֶׁם֙1Geshem

This is the name of a man. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

83NEH219ww1kfigs-rquestionמָֽה־הַ⁠דָּבָ֤ר הַ⁠זֶּה֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר אַתֶּ֣ם עֹשִׂ֔ים הַ⁠עַ֥ל הַ⁠מֶּ֖לֶךְ אַתֶּ֥ם מֹרְדִֽים1What are you doing? Are you rebelling against the king?

These rhetorical questions are used to mock Nehemiah. These can be written as statements. Alternate translation: “You are acting foolishly! You should not be rebelling against the king!” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])

84NEH219u8riהַ⁠מֶּ֖לֶךְ1the king

This refers to Artaxerses, the king of Persia.

85NEH220iv9xfigs-idiomנָק֣וּם וּ⁠בָנִ֑ינוּ1will arise and build

This is an idiom. Alternate translation: “will begin rebuilding” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])

86NEH220a4e6וְ⁠לָ⁠כֶ֗ם אֵֽין־חֵ֧לֶק וּ⁠צְדָקָ֛ה וְ⁠זִכָּר֖וֹן בִּ⁠ירוּשָׁלִָֽם1But you have no share, no right, and no historic claim in Jerusalem

“But you have no share, legal right, or religious claim to Jerusalem”

87NEH3introdfw60

Nehemiah 03 General Notes

Special concepts in this chapter

Priests

The priests worked on rebuilding the city. Normally, the priests were exempt from this type of work. Because they helped, it emphasizes that this is a holy work and something done for Yahweh. (See: [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/priest]] and [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/holy]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

Cooperation

Everyone worked on this project. Many names are mentioned to emphasize the cooperation between the different families. Each was given a section of the wall to rebuild.

88NEH31ald8וַ⁠יָּ֡קָם אֶלְיָשִׁיב֩ הַ⁠כֹּהֵ֨ן הַ⁠גָּד֜וֹל וְ⁠אֶחָ֣י⁠ו הַ⁠כֹּהֲנִ֗ים1Then Eliashib the high priest rose up with his brother priests

“Then Eliashib the high priest came forward with his brothers, the priests”

89NEH31g9aztranslate-namesאֶלְיָשִׁיב֩1Eliashib

This is the name of a man. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

90NEH31r9wntranslate-numbersמִגְדַּ֤ל הַ⁠מֵּאָה֙1Tower of the Hundred

“Tower of the 100” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers]])

91NEH31e1thtranslate-namesמִגְדַּ֥ל חֲנַנְאֵֽל1Tower of Hananel

This is the name of a tower. It is likely named after a man named “Hananel.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

92NEH32q84stranslate-namesזַכּ֖וּר בֶּן־אִמְרִֽי1Zaccur son of Imri

This is the name of a man. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

93NEH32qf25figs-possessionאַנְשֵׁ֣י יְרֵח֑וֹ1men of Jericho

This means that the men were from Jericho. Alternate translation: “men from Jericho” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-possession]])

94NEH33bbm9translate-namesהַ⁠סְּנָאָ֑ה1Hassenaah

This is the name of a man. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

95NEH33kxd6וַֽ⁠יַּעֲמִ֨ידוּ֙ דַּלְתֹתָ֔י⁠ו1set its doors

“installed its doors” or “put its doors in place”

96NEH33kc48מַנְעוּלָ֖י⁠ו וּ⁠בְרִיחָֽי⁠ו1its bolts, and its bars

“its locks and bars.” These locked the gates securely.

97NEH34c8hitranslate-namesמְרֵמ֤וֹת…אוּרִיָּה֙…הַקּ֔וֹץס…מְשֻׁלָּ֥ם…בֶּרֶכְיָ֖ה…מְשֵׁיזַבְאֵ֑לס…צָד֖וֹק…בַּעֲנָֽא1Meremoth…Uriah…Hakkoz…Meshullam…Berechiah…Meshezabel…Zadok…Baana

These are names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

98NEH34inh2figs-ellipsisהֶחֱזִ֗יק מְרֵמ֤וֹת…הֶחֱזִ֔יק מְשֻׁלָּ֥ם…הֶֽחֱזִ֔יק צָד֖וֹק1Meremoth repaired the next section…Meshullam repaired…Zadok repaired

These phrases refer to repairing the wall. Alternate translation: “Meremoth repaired the next section of the wall…Meshullam repaired the wall…Zadok repaired the wall” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]])

99NEH35nn6jfigs-ellipsisהֶחֱזִ֣יקוּ הַ⁠תְּקוֹעִ֑ים1Tekoites repaired

These phrases refer to repairing the wall. Alternate translation: “Tekoites repaired the wall” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]])

100NEH35j3k4translate-namesהַ⁠תְּקוֹעִ֑י1the Tekoites

These are people from the town of Tekoa. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

101NEH35r94dfigs-activepassiveבַּ⁠עֲבֹדַ֖ת אֲדֹנֵי⁠הֶֽם1ordered by their supervisors

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “that their supervisors had ordered them to do” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

102NEH36i43mtranslate-namesיֽוֹיָדָע֙…פָּסֵ֔חַ וּ⁠מְשֻׁלָּ֖ם…בְּסֽוֹדְיָ֑ה1Joiada…Paseah and Meshullam…Besodeiah

These are all names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

103NEH36n1wiוַֽ⁠יַּעֲמִ֨ידוּ֙ דַּלְתֹתָ֔י⁠ו1set its doors

“installed its doors” or “put its doors in place”

104NEH36ykz8וּ⁠מַנְעֻלָ֖י⁠ו וּ⁠בְרִיחָֽי⁠ו1its bolts, and its bars

“its locks and bars.” These locked the gates securely.

105NEH37hu9utranslate-namesמְלַטְיָ֣ה…וְ⁠יָדוֹן֙1Melatiah…Jadon

These are names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

106NEH37ipe7translate-namesהַ⁠גִּבְעֹנִ֗י…הַ⁠מֵּרֹ֣נֹתִ֔י1Gibeonite…Meronothite

Gibeonites and Meronothites are people groups. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

107NEH37n6xgtranslate-namesגִבְע֖וֹן וְ⁠הַ⁠מִּצְפָּ֑ה1Gibeon and Mizpah

These are names of places. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

108NEH37mj92translate-namesעֵ֥בֶר הַ⁠נָּהָֽר1the Province Beyond the River

This is the name of the province that was west of the Euphrates River. It was across the river from the city of Susa. See how you translated this in Nehemiah 2:7. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

109NEH38b2yhtranslate-namesעֻזִּיאֵ֤ל…חַרְהֲיָה֙…חֲנַנְיָ֖ה1Uzziel…Harhaiah…Hananiah

These are names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

110NEH38f4p5צֽוֹרְפִ֔ים1goldsmiths

A goldsmith is a person who makes gold jewelry and other gold objects.

111NEH38mx88figs-ellipsisהֶחֱזִ֗יק1goldsmiths, repaired

These phrases refer to repairing the wall. Alternate translation: “goldsmiths, repaired the wall” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]])

112NEH38mm1qfigs-ellipsisוְ⁠עַל־יָד֣⁠וֹ הֶחֱזִ֔יק חֲנַנְיָ֖ה בֶּן־הָ⁠רַקָּחִ֑ים1next to him was Hananiah, a maker of perfumes

Hananiah repaired the wall as well. Alternate translation: “next to him Hananiah, a maker of perfumes, repaired the wall” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]])

113NEH38y25yהָ⁠רַקָּחִ֑ים1perfumes

liquid substances that people put on their body in small amounts to smell pleasant

114NEH39m5attranslate-namesרְפָיָ֣ה…ח֔וּר1Rephaiah…Hur

These are names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

115NEH39avu2שַׂ֕ר1ruler

leader or chief administrator

116NEH39rd4itranslate-fractionחֲצִ֖י פֶּ֥לֶ1half the district

“Half” means one part out of two equal parts. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-fraction]])

117NEH310k6g1translate-namesיְדָיָ֥ה…חֲרוּמַ֖ף…חַטּ֖וּשׁ…חֲשַׁבְנְיָֽה1Jedaiah…Harumaph…Hattush…Hashabneiah

These are names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

118NEH310v3befigs-ellipsisהֶחֱזִ֛יק1Harumaph repaired…Hashabneiah repaired

These phrases refer to repairing the wall. Alternate translation: “Harumaph repaired the wall…Hashabneiah repaired the wall” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]])

119NEH311g61etranslate-namesמַלְכִּיָּ֣ה…חָרִ֔ם וְ⁠חַשּׁ֖וּב…פַּחַ֣ת מוֹאָ֑ב1Malkijah…Harim…Hasshub…Pahath-Moab

These are all names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

120NEH311jy16figs-ellipsisמִדָּ֣ה שֵׁנִ֗ית הֶחֱזִיק֙1repaired another section

These words refer to repairing the wall. Alternate translation: “repaired another section of the wall” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]])

121NEH312e9p4translate-namesשַׁלּוּם֙…הַלּוֹחֵ֔שׁ1Shallum…Hallohesh

These are names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

122NEH312wml3figs-ellipsisהֶחֱזִ֗יק1repaired, along with his daughters

These phrase refer to repairing the wall. Alternate translation: “repaired another section of the wall…repaired the wall, along with his daughters” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]])

123NEH312b7iqשַׁלּוּם֙ בֶּן־הַלּוֹחֵ֔שׁ שַׂ֕ר1Shallum son of Hallohesh, the ruler

Shallum was the ruler, not Hallohesh.

124NEH312l1dbשַׂ֕ר1ruler

leader or chief administrator. See how you translated this in Nehemiah 3:9.

125NEH312b6fxtranslate-fractionחֲצִ֖י פֶּ֣לֶךְ1half the district

“Half” means one part out of two equal parts. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-fraction]])

126NEH313itt7translate-namesחָנוּן֮1Hanun

This is the name of a man. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

127NEH313w5leוְ⁠יֹשְׁבֵ֣י זָנוֹחַ֒1the inhabitants of Zanoah

“the people from Zanoah”

128NEH313ek5qtranslate-namesזָנוֹחַ֒1Zanoah

This is the name of a place. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

129NEH313i9v2אֵת֩ שַׁ֨עַר1the Valley Gate

“the Gate of the Valley” or “the Gate that Leads to the Valley.” Try to translate this expression as a name, not just as a description.

130NEH313d3h9וַֽ⁠יַּעֲמִ֨ידוּ֙ דַּלְתֹתָ֔י⁠ו1set its doors

“installed its doors” or “put its doors in place”

131NEH313nsg3מַנְעֻלָ֖י⁠ו וּ⁠בְרִיחָ֑י⁠ו1its bolts, and its bars

“its locks and bars.” These locked the gates securely.

132NEH313l7zcfigs-explicitבָנ֔וּ⁠הוּ…וְ⁠אֶ֤לֶף אַמָּה֙ בַּ⁠חוֹמָ֔ה עַ֖ד שַׁ֥עַר הָ⁠שֲׁפֽוֹת1They repaired a thousand cubits as far as the Dung Gate

They repaired the portion of the wall between the Valley Gate and the Dung Gate. Alternate translation: “They repaired a thousand cubits of the wall, from the Valley Gate to the Dung Gate” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

133NEH313x484figs-explicitבָנ֔וּ⁠הוּ…וְ⁠אֶ֤לֶף אַמָּה֙1They repaired a thousand cubits

It is understood that they were repairing the wall of Jerusalem. Alternate translation: “They repaired a thousand cubits of the wall” or “They repaired another thousand cubits of the wall beyond the Valley Gate” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

134NEH313kw6htranslate-bdistanceוְ⁠אֶ֤לֶף אַמָּה֙1a thousand cubits

“1,000 cubits.” This may be written in modern measurements. Alternate translation: “460 meters” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-bdistance]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers]])

135NEH313r9e4שַׁ֥עַר הָ⁠שֲׁפֽוֹת1the Dung Gate

Presumably, refuse was removed from the city through this gate. Try to translate this expression as a name, not just as a description.

136NEH314w494translate-namesמַלְכִּיָּ֣ה…רֵכָ֔ב1Malkijah…Recab

These are names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

137NEH314u2dkמַלְכִּיָּ֣ה בֶן־רֵכָ֔ב שַׂ֖ר1Malkijah son of Recab, the ruler

Malkijah was the ruler, not Recab.

138NEH314d9dtשַׂ֖ר1ruler

leader or chief administrator. See how you translated this in Nehemiah 3:9.

139NEH314d8satranslate-namesבֵּית־הַכָּ֑רֶם1Beth Hakkerem

This is the name of a place. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

140NEH314xn3iוְ⁠יַעֲמִיד֙ דַּלְתֹתָ֔י⁠ו1He…set its doors

“He installed its doors” or “He put its doors in place”

141NEH314if44מַנְעֻלָ֖י⁠ו וּ⁠בְרִיחָֽי⁠ו1its bolts, and its bars

“its locks, and its bars.” These locked the gates securely.

142NEH315bd9jtranslate-namesשַׁלּ֣וּן…כָּל־חֹזֶה֮1Shallun…Kol-Hozeh

These are names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

143NEH315l7wuשַׁלּ֣וּן בֶּן־כָּל־חֹזֶה֮ שַׂ֣ר1Shallun son of Kol-Hozeh, the ruler

Shallun was the ruler, not Kol-Hozeh.

144NEH315c8rtfigs-possessionוְ֠⁠אֵת חוֹמַ֞ת בְּרֵכַ֤ת הַ⁠שֶּׁ֨לַח֙1the wall of the Pool of Siloam

This means that the wall was beside the Pool of Siloam. Alternate translation: “the wall that surrounded the Pool of Siloam” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-possession]])

145NEH316x774translate-namesנְחֶמְיָ֣ה1Nehemiah

This is the name of a man. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

146NEH316shf9נְחֶמְיָ֣ה בֶן־עַזְבּ֔וּק שַׂ֕ר1Nehemiah son of Azbuk, the ruler

Nehemiah was the ruler, not Azbuk.

147NEH316l3hfנְחֶמְיָ֣ה1Nehemiah

This is a different man named Nehemiah from the person who authored this book.

148NEH316kmx6שַׂ֕ר1ruler

leader or chief administrator. See how you translated this in Nehemiah 3:9.

149NEH316sc4ctranslate-fractionחֲצִ֖י פֶּ֣לֶךְ1half the district

“Half” means one part out of two equal parts. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-fraction]])

150NEH316ngr2translate-namesבֵּֽית־צ֑וּר1Beth Zur

These are names of places. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

151NEH316c5bsfigs-ellipsisהֶחֱזִיק֙…עַד־נֶ֨גֶד֙1repaired to the place

These phrases refer to repairing the wall. Alternate translation: “repaired the wall up to the place” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]])

152NEH316u2s6הַ⁠גִּבֹּרִֽים1mighty men

“warriors”

153NEH317str7translate-namesרְח֣וּם…בָּנִ֑י עַל־…חֲשַׁבְיָ֛ה1Rehum…Bani…Hashabiah

These are names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

154NEH317l6vwtranslate-namesקְעִילָ֖ה1Keilah

This is the name of a place. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

155NEH317a88sfigs-ellipsisהֶחֱזִ֥יקוּ הַ⁠לְוִיִּ֖ם1Levites repaired

These phrases refer to repairing the wall. Alternate translation: “Levites repaired the wall” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]])

156NEH317y3tuלְ⁠פִלְכּֽ⁠וֹ1for his district

“representing his district” or “on behalf of his district”

157NEH318h5qzfigs-ellipsisאַחֲרָי⁠ו֙ הֶחֱזִ֣יקוּ אֲחֵי⁠הֶ֔ם1After him their countrymen repaired

These words refer to repairing the wall. Alternate translation: “Next to him their countrymen repaired the wall” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]])

158NEH318b6sjאַחֲרָי⁠ו֙1After him

“Next to him”

159NEH318gc2htranslate-namesבַּוַּ֖י…חֵנָדָ֑ד1Binnui…Henadad

These are names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

160NEH318ca6tבַּוַּ֖י בֶּן־חֵנָדָ֑ד שַׂ֕ר1Binnui son of Henadad, the ruler

Binnui was the ruler, not Henadad.

161NEH318yh3ztranslate-namesקְעִילָֽה1Keilah

This is the name of a place. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

162NEH319yt87figs-ellipsisוַ⁠יְחַזֵּ֨ק…מִדָּ֣ה שֵׁנִ֑ית1repaired another section

These words refer to repairing the wall. Alternate translation: “repaired another section of the wall” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]])

163NEH319f6iftranslate-namesעֵ֧זֶר…יֵשׁ֛וּעַ1Ezer…Jeshua

These are names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

164NEH319g2y6translate-namesהַ⁠מִּצְפָּ֖ה1Mizpah

This is the name of a place. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

165NEH319gcc6עֵ֧זֶר בֶּן־יֵשׁ֛וּעַ שַׂ֥ר1Ezer son of Jeshua, the ruler

Ezer was the ruler, not Jeshua.

166NEH319c8s5מִ⁠נֶּ֕גֶד עֲלֹ֥ת הַ⁠נֶּ֖שֶׁק1that faced the ascent to the armory

“in front of the steps that went up to the armory”

167NEH319xtj9הַ⁠נֶּ֖שֶׁק1armory

the place where weapons are kept

168NEH320a7k9אַחֲרָ֨י⁠ו1After him

“Next to him”

169NEH320r638translate-namesבָּר֥וּךְ…זבי…אֶלְיָשִׁ֔יב1Baruch…Zabbai…Eliashib

These are the names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

170NEH320i7kjfigs-ellipsisהֶחֱרָ֧ה…מִדָּ֣ה שֵׁנִ֑ית1repaired another section

This refers to repairing the wall. Alternate translation: “repaired another section of the wall” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]])

171NEH321z4b7translate-namesמְרֵמ֧וֹת…אוּרִיָּ֛ה…הַקּ֖וֹץ1Meremoth…Uriah…Hakkoz

These are the names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

172NEH322m3eyfigs-ellipsisהֶחֱזִ֥יקוּ1around Jerusalem, repaired

These phrases refer to repairing the wall. Alternate translation: “around Jerusalem, repaired the wall” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]])

173NEH323q2zhfigs-ellipsisהֶחֱזִ֧יק בִּנְיָמִ֛ן וְ⁠חַשּׁ֖וּב…הֶחֱזִ֗יק עֲזַרְיָ֧ה1Benjamin and Hasshub repaired…Azariah…repaired

These phrases refer to repairing the wall. Alternate translation: “Benjamin and Hasshub repaired the wall…Azariah…repaired the wall” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]])

174NEH323v3frtranslate-namesבִּנְיָמִ֛ן וְ⁠חַשּׁ֖וּב…עֲזַרְיָ֧ה1Benjamin…Hasshub…Azariah

These are the names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

175NEH323z8p6אַחֲרָ֨י⁠ו1After them

“Next to them”

176NEH323gv74נֶ֣גֶד בֵּיתָ֑⁠ם1opposite their own house

“in front of their own house”

177NEH324c3ehfigs-ellipsisהֶחֱזִ֗יק בִּנּ֛וּי1Binnui…repaired

These phrases refer to repairing the wall. Alternate translation: “Binnui…repaired the wall” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]])

178NEH324ajs6translate-namesבִּנּ֛וּי…חֵנָדָ֖ד1Binnui…Henadad

These are the names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

179NEH324k7tjאַחֲרָ֣י⁠ו1After him

“Next to him”

180NEH325q3r3translate-namesפָּלָ֣ל…אוּזַי֮ מִ⁠נֶּ֣גֶד…פְּדָיָ֥ה…פַּרְעֹֽשׁ1Palal…Uzai…Pedaiah…Parosh

These are the names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

181NEH325dae6וְ⁠הַ⁠מִּגְדָּ֗ל הַ⁠יּוֹצֵא֙1the tower that extends upward

“the tower that rises up”

182NEH325pt6eמִ⁠בֵּ֤ית הַ⁠מֶּ֨לֶךְ֙ הָֽ⁠עֶלְי֔וֹן1upper house of the king

“higher palace of the leader of Israel”

183NEH325isu9לַ⁠חֲצַ֣ר הַ⁠מַּטָּרָ֑ה1the courtyard of the guard

This is the place where the guards stayed.

184NEH325d1jmאַחֲרָ֖י⁠ו1After him

“Next to him”

185NEH326b53gtranslate-namesבָּ⁠עֹ֑פֶל1Ophel

This is the name of a place. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

186NEH326ah1bנֶ֜גֶד שַׁ֤עַר הַ⁠מַּ֨יִם֙1opposite the Water Gate

“in front of the Water Gate”

187NEH326mz47וְ⁠הַ⁠מִּגְדָּ֖ל הַ⁠יּוֹצֵֽא1the projecting tower

“the tall tower.” The phrase “the projecting tower” means a tall tower that juts out from the wall.

188NEH327d719הֶחֱזִ֥יקוּ הַ⁠תְּקֹעִ֖ים מִדָּ֣ה שֵׁנִ֑ית1Tekoites repaired another section

These phrases refer to repairing the wall. Alternate translation: “the Tekoites repaired another section of the wall”

189NEH327mgm7translate-namesהַ⁠תְּקֹעִ֖ים1the Tekoites

These are people from the town of Tekoa. See how you translated this in Nehemiah 3:5. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

190NEH327j6gzהַ⁠מִּגְדָּ֤ל הַ⁠גָּדוֹל֙ הַ⁠יּוֹצֵ֔א1the great projecting tower

“the tall tower.” The phrase “the projecting tower” means a tall tower that juts out from the wall. It is likely that this phrase refers to the same tower as “the tall tower” in verse 26.

191NEH328wt87figs-ellipsisהֶחֱזִ֨יקוּ֙ הַ⁠כֹּ֣הֲנִ֔ים1priests repaired

These words refer to repairing the wall. Alternate translation: “priests repaired the wall” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]])

192NEH328d5qaמֵ⁠עַ֣ל׀ שַׁ֣עַר הַ⁠סּוּסִ֗ים1above the Horse Gate

The word “above” is used here because the priests houses were likely located at a higher elevation than the Horse Gate.

193NEH328d5uvלְ⁠נֶ֥גֶד בֵּיתֽ⁠וֹ1opposite his own house

“in front of his own house”

194NEH329q9qbfigs-ellipsisהֶחֱזִ֛יק1repaired the section…east gate, repaired

These phrases refer to repairing the wall. Alternate translation: “repaired the section of the wall…east gate, repaired the wall” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]])

195NEH329rvu2אַחֲרָ֧י⁠ו1After them

“Next to them”

196NEH329n271translate-namesצָד֥וֹק…אִמֵּ֖ר…שְׁמַֽעְיָ֣ה…שְׁכַנְיָ֔ה1Zadok…Immer…Shemaiah…Shecaniah

These are the names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

197NEH329f74eשְׁמַֽעְיָ֣ה בֶן־שְׁכַנְיָ֔ה שֹׁמֵ֖ר שַׁ֥עַר הַ⁠מִּזְרָֽח1Shemaiah son of Shecaniah, the keeper of the east gate

Shemaiah was the keeper of the east gate, not Shecaniah.

198NEH329e9mhשֹׁמֵ֖ר שַׁ֥עַר הַ⁠מִּזְרָֽח1the keeper of the east gate

“the person who looked after the east gate” or “the person who opened and closed the east gate”

199NEH330x9q4figs-ellipsisהֶחֱזִ֜יק1repaired another section…repaired opposite

These phrases refer to repairing the wall. Alternate translation: “priests repaired the wall…repaired the section of the wall…east gate, repaired the wall…repaired another section of the wall…repaired the wall opposite” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]])

200NEH330s2s5אַחֲרָ֨יו1After him

“Next to him”

201NEH330r5y4translate-namesחֲנַנְיָ֣ה…שֶׁלֶמְיָ֗ה וְ⁠חָנ֧וּן…צָלָ֛ף…מְשֻׁלָּם֙…בֶּ֣רֶכְיָ֔ה1Hananiah…Shelemiah…Hanun…Zalaph…Meshullam…Berechiah

These are the names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

202NEH330nn44translate-ordinalבֶּן־…הַ⁠שִּׁשִּׁ֖י1the sixth son

“son 6” or “son number 6” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal]])

203NEH330bv3tנֶ֖גֶד נִשְׁכָּתֽ⁠וֹ1opposite his living chambers

“in front of the rooms where he stayed.” The word “his” refers to Meshullam.

204NEH331ifp5אַחֲרָ֣יו1After him

“Next to him”

205NEH331d33ptranslate-namesמַלְכִּיָּה֙1Malkijah

This is the name of a man. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

206NEH331uuc7הַ⁠צֹּ֣רְפִ֔י1goldsmiths

A goldsmith is a person who makes gold jewelry and other gold objects.

207NEH331lb9zfigs-ellipsisהֶחֱזִ֗יק…עַד־בֵּ֥ית1repaired to the house

These words refer to repairing the wall. Alternate translation: “repaired the wall to the house” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]])

208NEH331ye2uוְ⁠הָ⁠רֹכְלִ֑ים1merchants

“sellers” or “traders”

209NEH331r6svעֲלִיַּ֥ת1upper living chambers

the higher-level rooms where people stayed

210NEH332p1krfigs-ellipsisהֶחֱזִ֥יקוּ1merchants repaired

These words refer to repairing the wall. Alternate translation: “merchants repaired the wall” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]])

211NEH332x1tqלְ⁠שַׁ֣עַר הַ⁠צֹּ֔אן1Sheep Gate

This is the name of an entranceway in the wall.

212NEH4introtlj90

Nehemiah 04 General Notes

Special concepts in this chapter

Dedication

The people were so dedicated to rebuilding the walls that they worked with their weapons ready for battle right next to them. Even when they were threatened with an attack, they continued to trust in Yahweh. (See: [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/trust]])

Important figures of speech in this chapter

Rhetorical Questions

Sanballat uses a series of rhetorical questions. These are intended to show his intense anger against the Israelites. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])

213NEH41rnw3וַ⁠יְהִ֞י כַּ⁠אֲשֶׁ֧ר שָׁמַ֣ע סַנְבַלַּ֗ט1Now when Sanballat

Here Nehemiah uses the word “now” to signal a new part of the story.

214NEH41vfu4translate-namesסַנְבַלַּ֗ט1Sanballat

This is a mans name. See how you translated this in Nehemiah 2:10. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

215NEH41s6tdfigs-metaphorוַ⁠יִּ֣חַר ל֔⁠וֹ וַ⁠יִּכְעַ֖ס1it burned within him, and he was furiously angry

Here “it” refers to Sanballats realization that the Jews are rebuilding the walls. This speaks of Sanballat becoming very angry as if his anger were a burning fire. Alternate translation: “he became furiously angry” or “he became very angry” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

216NEH42v3qvלִ⁠פְנֵ֣י אֶחָ֗י⁠ו1In the presence of his brothers

“In the presence of his kinsmen” or “In the presence of his clan”

217NEH42d5n2figs-rquestionמָ֛ה הַ⁠יְּהוּדִ֥ים הָ⁠אֲמֵלָלִ֖ים עֹשִׂ֑ים הֲ⁠יַעַזְב֨וּ לָ⁠הֶ֤ם הֲ⁠יִזְבָּ֨חוּ֙ הַ⁠יְכַלּ֣וּ בַ⁠יּ֔וֹם הַ⁠יְחַיּ֧וּ אֶת־הָ⁠אֲבָנִ֛ים מֵ⁠עֲרֵמ֥וֹת הֶ⁠עָפָ֖ר וְ⁠הֵ֥מָּה שְׂרוּפֽוֹת1What are these feeble…Will they restore…Will they offer…Will they finish the work in a day?

Sanballat poses these questions to mock the Jews. These can be written as statements. Alternate translation: “These feeble Jews can accomplish nothing. They will never restore the city for themselves. They will not offer sacrifices. They will not finish the work in a day.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])

218NEH42r9lbהַ⁠יְּהוּדִ֥ים הָ⁠אֲמֵלָלִ֖ים1feeble Jews

“weak Jews”

219NEH42uk3wfigs-metaphorבַ⁠יּ֔וֹם1in a day

This speaks of not finishing something quickly by saying that it cannot be accomplished in a day. Alternate translation: “quickly” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

220NEH42ps9nfigs-rquestionהַ⁠יְחַיּ֧וּ אֶת־הָ⁠אֲבָנִ֛ים מֵ⁠עֲרֵמ֥וֹת הֶ⁠עָפָ֖ר וְ⁠הֵ֥מָּה שְׂרוּפֽוֹת1Will they bring to life the stones from the piles of rubble after they were burned?

Sanballat also poses this question to mock the Jews. This can be written as a statement. Alternate translation: “They will not bring to life again the stones from piles of rubble that were burned.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])

221NEH42hr7vfigs-metaphorהַ⁠יְחַיּ֧וּ אֶת־הָ⁠אֲבָנִ֛ים מֵ⁠עֲרֵמ֥וֹת הֶ⁠עָפָ֖ר וְ⁠הֵ֥מָּה שְׂרוּפֽוֹת1bring to life the stones from the piles of rubble after they were burned

This speaks of the people rebuilding the city as if they were bring it back to life. Alternate translation: “restore the city and rebuild its walls from the useless stones that were burned and turned into rubble” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

222NEH42b96nfigs-activepassiveמֵ⁠עֲרֵמ֥וֹת הֶ⁠עָפָ֖ר וְ⁠הֵ֥מָּה שְׂרוּפֽוֹת1from the piles of rubble after they were burned

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “from piles of rubble that someone had burned” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

223NEH43alw5translate-namesוְ⁠טוֹבִיָּ֥ה1Tobiah

This is a mans name. See how you translated this in Nehemiah 2:10. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

224NEH43da2tfigs-hyperboleאִם־יַעֲלֶ֣ה שׁוּעָ֔ל וּ⁠פָרַ֖ץ חוֹמַ֥ת אַבְנֵי⁠הֶֽם1If only a fox went up on what they are building, it would break down their stone wall

Sanaballat mocks the wall and exaggerates how weak it is by saying that a fox could knock it down. Alternate translation: “That wall they are building is so weak that even if a little fox climbed up on it, their stone wall would fall to the ground” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole]])

225NEH44b24b0Connecting Statement:

Nehemiah begins to pray to God.

226NEH44buk3figs-activepassiveשְׁמַ֤ע אֱלֹהֵ֨י⁠נוּ֙ כִּֽי־הָיִ֣ינוּ בוּזָ֔ה1Hear, our God, for we are despised

Here the word “we” refers to the Jews. This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “Hear, our God, for our enemies despise us” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

227NEH44pgh8figs-activepassiveוּ⁠תְנֵ֥⁠ם לְ⁠בִזָּ֖ה בְּ⁠אֶ֥רֶץ שִׁבְיָֽה1give them up to be plundered

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “let their enemies rob them” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

228NEH44z6nzfigs-synecdocheוְ⁠הָשֵׁ֥ב חֶרְפָּתָ֖⁠ם אֶל־רֹאשָׁ֑⁠ם1Turn back their taunts on their own heads

The phrase “their taunts” refers to Sanballats and Tobiahs insults. Here the word “heads” refers to the whole people. Alternate translation: “Turn their taunts onto themselves” or “Cause their insulting words to mock themselves” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche]])

229NEH45ae620Connecting Statement:

Nehemiah continues the prayer he began in verse 4.

230NEH45mc9pוְ⁠אַל־תְּכַס֙ עַל־עֲוֺנָ֔⁠ם וְ⁠חַטָּאתָ֖⁠ם מִ⁠לְּ⁠פָנֶ֣י⁠ךָ אַל־תִּמָּחֶ֑ה כִּ֥י הִכְעִ֖יסוּ לְ⁠נֶ֥גֶד הַ⁠בּוֹנִֽים1Do…to anger.

Nehemiah continues the prayer he began with the words “Hear, our God” in verse 4. You may show that this is a prayer by making it a direct quote. “Then I prayed, Hear, our God,…they are prisoners. Do not cover…the builders to anger.’”

231NEH45zz8hfigs-metaphorוְ⁠אַל־תְּכַס֙ עַל1Do not cover over

This speaks of a forgiving a persons sins as if they were a object that could be physically hidden. Alternate translation: “Do not forgive” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

232NEH45k9rwעֲוֺנָ֔⁠ם וְ⁠חַטָּאתָ֖⁠ם מִ⁠לְּ⁠פָנֶ֣י⁠ךָ אַל1do not erase their sin from before you

This speaks of forgetting a persons sins as if they were something written that could be erased. Alternate translation: “do not forget their sins

233NEH45mbi1הִכְעִ֖יסוּ לְ⁠נֶ֥גֶד הַ⁠בּוֹנִֽים1they have provoked the builders to anger

“they have made the builders become angry”

234NEH46r475וַ⁠נִּבְנֶה֙ אֶת־הַ֣⁠חוֹמָ֔ה1So we built the wall

“So we rebuilt the wall”

235NEH46mhm5figs-activepassiveוַ⁠תִּקָּשֵׁ֥ר כָּל־הַ⁠חוֹמָ֖ה עַד־חֶצְיָ֑⁠הּ1all the wall was joined together to half its height

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “we joined the wall together and it was half its total height” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

236NEH46ef8ptranslate-fractionעַד־חֶצְיָ֑⁠הּ1half its height

“Half” means one part out of two equal parts. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-fraction]])

237NEH47gsb7figs-metaphorוַ⁠יִּ֥חַר לָ⁠הֶ֖ם מְאֹֽד1a great anger burned within them

This speaks of the people being very angry as if their anger were something that burned inside them. Alternate translation: “they became very angry” or “they became enraged” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

238NEH48b6imfigs-metonymyבִּ⁠ירוּשָׁלִָ֑ם1against Jerusalem

Here “Jerusalem” refers to the people who live there. Alternate translation: “against the people of Jerusalem” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

239NEH49vz1dוַ⁠נַּעֲמִ֨יד מִשְׁמָ֧ר עֲלֵי⁠הֶ֛ם1set a guard as protection

“put men around the wall to guard the city”

240NEH410vc8hוְ⁠הֶ⁠עָפָ֖ר הַרְבֵּ֑ה1There is too much rubble

Rubble is “burned stone” or “broken rock” or “unusable stone.”

241NEH411yuc9לֹ֤א יֵדְעוּ֙ וְ⁠לֹ֣א יִרְא֔וּ עַ֛ד אֲשֶׁר־נָב֥וֹא אֶל־תּוֹכָ֖⁠ם1They will not know or see until we come among them

“They will not see us coming until we are beside them”

242NEH412q1mvfigs-hyperboleמִ⁠כָּל־הַ⁠מְּקֹמ֖וֹת1from all directions

This represents many directions. The word “all” is an exaggeration for represents “many.” Alternate translation: “from many directions” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole]])

243NEH412t8f2figs-metonymyוַ⁠יֹּ֤אמְרוּ לָ֨⁠נוּ֙ עֶ֣שֶׂר פְּעָמִ֔ים1spoke to us ten times

Here the number 10 is used to represent “many.” Alternate translation: “spoke to us many times” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

244NEH413xc8bמִֽ⁠תַּחְתִּיּ֧וֹת לַ⁠מָּק֛וֹם1in the exposed areas

“in the vulnerable areas”

245NEH413mj33figs-synecdocheוָֽ⁠אַעֲמִ֤יד אֶת־הָ⁠עָם֙ לְ⁠מִשְׁפָּח֔וֹת1I positioned each family

This refers to several people from each family, this likely does not include the women and children. Alternate translation: “I positioned people from each family” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche]])

246NEH415puc1וַ⁠יְהִ֞י כַּֽ⁠אֲשֶׁר1It came about

“It happened that”

247NEH415qxa7figs-activepassiveנ֣וֹדַֽע לָ֔⁠נוּ1their plans were known to us

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “we knew about their plans” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

248NEH416gh9gנְעָרַ⁠י֮ עֹשִׂ֣ים בַּ⁠מְּלָאכָה֒1my servants worked

“my young men worked”

249NEH416f9intranslate-fractionחֲצִ֣י נְעָרַ⁠י֮…⁠חֶצְיָ֗⁠ם1half of my servants…half of them

“Half” means one part out of two equal parts. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-fraction]])

250NEH416gl4tוְ⁠הַ֨⁠שָּׂרִ֔ים אַחֲרֵ֖י כָּל־בֵּ֥ית יְהוּדָֽה1the leaders stood behind all the people

“the leaders positioned themselves behind all the people”

251NEH417uya2figs-hyperboleעֹמְשִׂ֑ים בְּ⁠אַחַ֤ת יָד⁠וֹ֙ עֹשֶׂ֣ה בַ⁠מְּלָאכָ֔ה וְ⁠אַחַ֖ת מַחֲזֶ֥קֶת הַ⁠שָּֽׁלַח1Everyone worked with one hand, and with the other hand he held his weapon

This is an exaggeration. They did not always work with only one hand, but they always had their weapon with them so that they were prepared to protect themselves and those around them. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole]])

252NEH419yn7hוָ⁠אֹמַ֞ר1I said

Here “I” refers to Nehemiah.

253NEH419xi9gהַ⁠חֹרִ֤ים…הַ⁠סְּגָנִים֙1the nobles…the officials

These are the leaders referred to in Nehemiah 4:16.

254NEH419agy3הַ⁠מְּלָאכָ֥ה הַרְבֵּ֖ה1The work is great

Here the word “great” means “large-scale” or “huge.”

255NEH420tm9sfigs-metonymyאֶת־ק֣וֹל הַ⁠שּׁוֹפָ֔ר1the trumpet sound

This refers to someone blowing a trumpet. Alternate translation: “someone blowing a trumpet” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

256NEH421ca45translate-fractionוְ⁠חֶצְיָ֗⁠ם1Half of them

Here “Half” means one part out of two equal parts. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-fraction]])

257NEH421w4uuמֵ⁠עֲל֣וֹת הַ⁠שַּׁ֔חַר עַ֖ד צֵ֥את הַ⁠כּוֹכָבִֽים1from the rising of the dawn until the coming out of the stars

This refers to the whole day, while it is light outside. Alternate translation: “from the first light of day until the very beginning of the night”

258NEH421jl3hfigs-metonymyמֵ⁠עֲל֣וֹת הַ⁠שַּׁ֔חַר1the rising of the dawn

It is the point in time that the sun rises that is “dawn.” Here the sun rising is spoken of as if the “dawn” rose. Alternate translation: “the rising of the sun” or “dawn” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

259NEH422r87pבְּ⁠ת֣וֹךְ יְרוּשָׁלִָ֑ם1in the middle of Jerusalem

“within Jerusalem”

260NEH423v2e1פֹשְׁטִ֖ים בְּגָדֵ֑י⁠נוּ1changed our clothes

“took off our clothes”

261NEH5introk7pb0

Nehemiah 05 General Notes

Special concepts in this chapter

Equality

The rich made money from the poor. The rich oppressed the poor by charging interest on loans. Because Nehemiah wanted to treat everyone fairly, he did not collect any taxes from them. This chapter also emphasizes that it was wrong to enslave a fellow Jew. (See: [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/other/oppress]])

Governor

Nehemiah was a governmental leader in Jerusalem, but he was not a king. Jerusalem had a great deal of independence, but it was under the authority of the Persian king. The term “governor” reflects this idea, but a different term may be used in translation.

262NEH51za4ufigs-explicitוַ⁠תְּהִ֨י צַעֲקַ֥ת הָ⁠עָ֛ם וּ⁠נְשֵׁי⁠הֶ֖ם גְּדוֹלָ֑ה אֶל־אֲחֵי⁠הֶ֖ם הַ⁠יְּהוּדִֽים1Then the men and their wives raised a great outcry against their fellow Jews

Since they were working on the wall, the workers did not have enough time to work to buy and grow food for their families. The full meaning of this statement can be made clear. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

263NEH51czx5הָ⁠עָ֛ם וּ⁠נְשֵׁי⁠הֶ֖ם1the men and their wives

This refers to the men who were working on building the wall.

264NEH51zmb8figs-abstractnounsצַעֲקַ֥ת…גְּדוֹלָ֑ה1raised a great outcry

The word “outcry” can be expressed as a verb. Alternate translation: “cried out loudly” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]])

265NEH53dt2mשְׂדֹתֵ֛י⁠נוּ וּ⁠כְרָמֵ֥י⁠נוּ וּ⁠בָתֵּ֖י⁠נוּ אֲנַ֣חְנוּ עֹרְבִ֑ים1We are mortgaging our fields

“We are having to pledge” or “We are having to give in pledge”

266NEH55z4rufigs-explicitוְ⁠עַתָּ֗ה כִּ⁠בְשַׂ֤ר אַחֵ֨י⁠נוּ֙ בְּשָׂרֵ֔⁠נוּ כִּ⁠בְנֵי⁠הֶ֖ם בָּנֵ֑י⁠נוּ1Yet now our flesh and blood is the same as our brothers, and our children are the same as their children

Here the Jews are implying that they are of the same Jewish descent as the other Jews and that they of the same importance as the others. The meaning of this can be made clear. Alternate translation: “Yet our families are Jews just like the other Jews families, and our children are just as important to us as their children are to them” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

267NEH55rdp9figs-activepassiveוְ⁠יֵ֨שׁ מִ⁠בְּנֹתֵ֤י⁠נוּ נִכְבָּשׁוֹת֙1Some of our daughters have already been enslaved

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “We have already sold some of our daughters into slavery” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

268NEH55z783figs-explicitוְ⁠אֵ֣ין לְ⁠אֵ֣ל יָדֵ֔⁠נוּ וּ⁠שְׂדֹתֵ֥י⁠נוּ וּ⁠כְרָמֵ֖י⁠נוּ לַ⁠אֲחֵרִֽים1But it is not in our power to help it because other men now own our fields and our vineyards

Since the mens fields and vineyards are not in their possession, they are unable to produce the money they need to support their families. The full meaning of this can be made clear. Alternate translation: “But we are unable to change this situation because other men now own our fields and our vineyards which we need to support our lives” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

269NEH55jr7jfigs-idiomוְ⁠אֵ֣ין לְ⁠אֵ֣ל יָדֵ֔⁠נוּ1it is not in our power

This is an idiom which means that they do not have the resources to do something. Alternate translation: “we are unable” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])

270NEH56ryx1figs-abstractnounsכַּ⁠אֲשֶׁ֤ר שָׁמַ֨עְתִּי֙ אֶת־זַֽעֲקָתָ֔⁠ם1when I heard their outcry

The word “outcry” can be expressed as a verb. Alternate translation: “when I heard them cry out” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]])

271NEH57sn56figs-explicitמַשָּׁ֥א אִישׁ־בְּ⁠אָחִ֖י⁠ו1You are exacting interest, each from his own brother

Every Jew would have known that it is wrong under the Law to charge interest to another Jew. The full meaning of this can be made clear. Alternate translation: “Each of you is charging interest to your own brother, and that is wrong under the Law” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

272NEH57r7ylfigs-explicitוָ⁠אֶתֵּ֥ן עֲלֵי⁠הֶ֖ם קְהִלָּ֥ה גְדוֹלָֽה1I held a great assembly against them

This means that he brought together a large group of people and brought these charges against them. The meaning of statement this can be made clear. Alternate translation: “I held a great assembly and brought these charges against them” or “I held them on trial in front of the assembly” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

273NEH58pzy8figs-explicitאַתֶּ֛ם תִּמְכְּר֥וּ אֶת־אֲחֵי⁠כֶ֖ם וְ⁠נִמְכְּרוּ־לָ֑⁠נוּ1but you even sell your brothers that they may be sold back to us

This means that they are selling their family members, both men and women, as slaves to their fellow Jews. The full meaning of this statement can be made clear. Alternate translation: “Now you are selling your own people to be slaves of your fellow Jews, so that they might later sell them back to us” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

274NEH58kn82figs-activepassiveהַ⁠נִּמְכָּרִ֤ים לַ⁠גּוֹיִם֙1who had been sold to the nations

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “who people had sold as slaves to the nations” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

275NEH59lm7cוָאוֹמַ֕ר1Also I said

The pronoun “I” refers to Nehemiah.

276NEH59ecd1הַ⁠דָּבָ֖ר אֲשֶׁר־אַתֶּ֣ם עֹשִׂ֑ים1What you are doing

“You” here refers to the Jewish nobles.

277NEH59kr1tfigs-rquestionהֲ⁠ל֞וֹא בְּ⁠יִרְאַ֤ת אֱלֹהֵ֨י⁠נוּ֙ תֵּלֵ֔כוּ מֵ⁠חֶרְפַּ֖ת הַ⁠גּוֹיִ֥ם אוֹיְבֵֽי⁠נוּ1Should you not walk in the fear of our God to prevent the taunts of the nations that are our enemies?

This is a rhetorical question that Nehemiah is using to scold the nobles. It can be translated as a statement. Alternate translation: “You should walk in the fear of our God to prevent the taunts of the nations that are our enemies.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])

278NEH59v6uxfigs-idiomהֲ⁠ל֞וֹא בְּ⁠יִרְאַ֤ת אֱלֹהֵ֨י⁠נוּ֙ תֵּלֵ֔כוּ1walk in the fear of our God

This is and idiom. Here “walk” refers to a persons behavior and the way he lives. Alternate translation: “live your life in a way that honors God” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])

279NEH59s7qtfigs-abstractnounsמֵ⁠חֶרְפַּ֖ת הַ⁠גּוֹיִ֥ם אוֹיְבֵֽי⁠נוּ1the taunts of the nations that are our enemies

The word “taunt” means “slander” or “mockery” and it can be expressed as a verb. Alternate translation: “the nations who are our enemies from taunting us” or “the enemy nations from mocking us” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]])

280NEH510xbp5נֹשִׁ֥ים1lending

borrowing or giving something to someone expecting repayment

281NEH510j3dqאֶת־הַ⁠מַּשָּׁ֥א הַ⁠זֶּֽ1loans

This is any money, food, or property that one person could let another person borrow in order to repay debts. The borrower would then be indebted to the lender.

282NEH511vkz7וּ⁠מְאַ֨ת1percentage

A part of the value of the loan that the borrower was charged in interest.

283NEH511dim5אַתֶּ֖ם נֹשִׁ֥ים בָּ⁠הֶֽם1you exacted from them

“you charged them” or “you made them pay”

284NEH512e9y2וַ⁠יֹּאמְר֣וּ1Then they said

Here “they” refers to the Jewish leaders.

285NEH512q7t5נָשִׁ֗יב וּ⁠מֵ⁠הֶם֙1We will return what we took from them

The Jewish leaders are saying they will return the money which the poorer Jews paid in interest charges.

286NEH512i1giוָֽ⁠אַשְׁבִּיעֵ֔⁠ם1made them swear

Here the word “them” refers to the Jewish leaders.

287NEH512e2yvוָ⁠אֶקְרָא֙1Then I called

“I” refers to Nehemiah.

288NEH513neg1translate-symactionחָצְנִ֣⁠י נָעַ֗רְתִּי1I shook out the fold of my robe

“I shook out the pockets of my robe.” Many times in the Old Testament, oaths were physically demonstrated as a witness to what was promised. Nehemiah is demonstrating to the Jewish leaders what will happen if they break the promise they had made. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction]])

289NEH513f5p4figs-metaphorכָּ֣כָה יְנַעֵ֪ר הָֽ⁠אֱלֹהִ֟ים אֶת־כָּל־הָ⁠אִישׁ֩ אֲשֶׁ֨ר לֹֽא־יָקִ֜ים אֶת־הַ⁠דָּבָ֣ר הַ⁠זֶּ֗ה מִ⁠בֵּית⁠וֹ֙ וּ⁠מִ֣⁠יגִיע֔⁠וֹ וְ⁠כָ֛כָה יִהְיֶ֥ה נָע֖וּר וָ⁠רֵ֑ק1So may God shake out of his house…So may he be shaken out and emptied

Here Nehemiah speaks of God taking away all of a mans possessions as if God were shaking him out of his home and possessions like Nehemiah shook out his robe. Alternate translation: “So may God take away from every man who does not keep his promise all of his possessions and his home like I have taken everything out of the fold of my robe” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

290NEH514zur1מִ⁠יּ֣וֹם׀ אֲשֶׁר־צִוָּ֣ה אֹתִ֗⁠י1from the time I was appointed

Here “I” refers to Nehemiah.

291NEH514ri8ltranslate-ordinalמִ⁠שְּׁנַ֣ת עֶשְׂרִ֗ים וְ֠⁠עַד שְׁנַ֨ת שְׁלֹשִׁ֤ים וּ⁠שְׁתַּ֨יִם֙1from the twentieth year until the thirty-second year

“from the 20th year until the 32 year” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal]])

292NEH514i31dלְ⁠אַרְתַּחְשַׁ֣סְתְּא הַ⁠מֶּ֔לֶךְ1of Artaxerxes the king

“that Artaxerxes was king”

293NEH514ga6utranslate-numbersשָׁנִ֖ים שְׁתֵּ֣ים עֶשְׂרֵ֑ה1twelve years

“12 years” or “during those 12 years.” Nehemiah is restating the number of years to emphasize that he did this continually for the full time he was governor. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers]])

294NEH514nqt2לֶ֥חֶם הַ⁠פֶּ֖חָה1the food provided for the governor

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “ate the food that the people provided for the governor”

295NEH515uu9kוְ⁠הַ⁠פַּחוֹת֩ הָ⁠רִאשֹׁנִ֨ים1former governors

“previous governors” or “governors from the past.” Nehemiah was not the first governor of Judah.

296NEH515w4zktranslate-numbersכֶּֽסֶף־שְׁקָלִ֣ים אַרְבָּעִ֔ים1forty shekels

“40 shekels” or “40 silver coins” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-bmoney]])

297NEH515egg7וַ⁠אֲנִי֙ לֹא־עָשִׂ֣יתִי כֵ֔ן מִ⁠פְּנֵ֖י יִרְאַ֥ת אֱלֹהִֽים1But I did not do so because of the fear of God

“But because my fear of God I did not take the food” or “But I did not take the food because I feared God”

298NEH516gx42הֶחֱזַ֔קְתִּי1I also continued

“I” refers to Nehemiah.

299NEH516lm7tקָנִ֑ינוּ1we bought

The word “we” refers to Nehemiah and his servants.

300NEH516xpb3figs-activepassiveוְ⁠כָל־נְעָרַ֔⁠י קְבוּצִ֥ים1all my servants were gathered

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “I gathered all of my servants there” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

301NEH516m3s9עַל־הַ⁠מְּלָאכָֽה1for the work

“to work on the wall”

302NEH517a1g4translate-numbersמֵאָ֧ה וַ⁠חֲמִשִּׁ֣ים אִ֗ישׁ1150 men

“one hundred and fifty men” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers]])

303NEH517q9x7figs-explicitוְ⁠הַ⁠יְּהוּדִ֨ים וְ⁠הַ⁠סְּגָנִ֜ים מֵאָ֧ה וַ⁠חֲמִשִּׁ֣ים אִ֗ישׁ וְ⁠הַ⁠בָּאִ֥ים אֵלֵ֛י⁠נוּ מִן־הַ⁠גּוֹיִ֥ם אֲשֶׁר־סְבִיבֹתֵ֖י⁠נוּ עַל־שֻׁלְחָנִֽ⁠י1At my table were the Jews…from among the nations who were around us

Nehemiah was responsible for providing food for all of these people. This can be stated clearly. Alternate translation: “Also, every day I was responsible to feed at our table the Jews and the officials, 150 people; and we also fed the visitors who came from other countries around us (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

304NEH517w7i4עַל־שֻׁלְחָנִֽ⁠י1my table

This refers to the governors table. It was a communal table for the community and for discussion of issues.

305NEH517j2afוְ⁠הַ⁠סְּגָנִ֜ים1officials

government leaders

306NEH518fa32figs-activepassiveוַ⁠אֲשֶׁר֩ הָיָ֨ה נַעֲשֶׂ֜ה לְ⁠י֣וֹם אֶחָ֗ד שׁ֣וֹר אֶחָ֞ד1Now what was prepared each day was

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “Each day I told my servants to prepare” or “Each day I told my servants to serve us the meat from” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

307NEH518gqe2יַ֖יִן לְ⁠הַרְבֵּ֑ה1wine in abundance

“enough wine for everyone”

308NEH518sp6nוְ⁠עִם־זֶ֗ה לֶ֤חֶם הַ⁠פֶּחָה֙ לֹ֣א בִקַּ֔שְׁתִּי1yet for all this I did not demand the food allowance of the governor

“yet I never asked for the governors food allowance”

309NEH519mil3figs-idiomלְ⁠טוֹבָ֑ה1for good

This idiom is a request for God to reward him with good things because of the good that he has done for the people. Alternate translation: “and reward me” or “cause good to happen to me” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])

310NEH6introk4df0

Nehemiah 06 General Notes

Structure and formatting

The building of the wall is completed in this chapter.

The ULT sets the lines in 6:6-7 farther to the right on the page than the rest of the text because they are part of a long quotation.

Special concepts in this chapter

Miracle

Completing this city wall in only fifty-two days was considered proof that God had helped the Jews, especially given the opposition that they had experienced from the people in surrounding areas.

311NEH61gd7ctranslate-namesלְ⁠סַנְבַלַּ֣ט וְ֠⁠טוֹבִיָּה1Sanballat…Tobiah

These are the names of men. See how you translated them in Nehemiah 2:10. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

312NEH61bxn2translate-namesוּ⁠לְ⁠גֶ֨שֶׁם1Geshem

This is the name of a man. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

313NEH61vi6vfigs-synecdocheבָנִ֨יתִי֙ אֶת־הַ֣⁠חוֹמָ֔ה…לֹא־הֶעֱמַ֥דְתִּי1I had rebuilt the wall…I had not yet

Nehemiah supervised the rebuilding of the wall and did not build it by himself. Alternate translation: “we had rebuilt the wall…we had not yet” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche]])

314NEH61ap2qfigs-ellipsisפָּ֑רֶץ1any sections

This refers to sections of the wall. Alternate translation: “any sections of the wall” or “any gaps in the city wall” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]])

315NEH62n5nufigs-idiomוַ⁠יִּשְׁלַ֨ח…אֵלַ֣⁠י1sent to me

This means that they sent a messenger with a message. Alternate translation: “sent a messenger to me” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])

316NEH62rbv9translate-namesאוֹנ֑וֹ1Ono

This is the name of a place. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

317NEH63d84vfigs-synecdocheמְלָאכָ֤ה גְדוֹלָה֙ אֲנִ֣י עֹשֶׂ֔ה1I am doing a great work

Nehemiah supervised the rebuilding of the wall. He did not build it by himself. Alternate translation: “We are doing a great work” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche]])

318NEH63ee8ifigs-rquestionלָ֣⁠מָּה תִשְׁבַּ֤ת הַ⁠מְּלָאכָה֙ כַּ⁠אֲשֶׁ֣ר אַרְפֶּ֔⁠הָ וְ⁠יָרַדְתִּ֖י אֲלֵי⁠כֶֽם1Why should the work stop while I leave it and come down to you?

This rhetorical question is used to challenge Sanballats request. This can be written as a statement. Alternate translation: “I cannot let the work stop and come down to you” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])

319NEH63t9gfוְ⁠יָרַדְתִּ֖י אֲלֵי⁠כֶֽם1down to you

The word “down” is used here because the plain of Ono where they were requesting Nehemiah to come is at a lower elevation than Jerusalem.

320NEH65r8xctranslate-ordinalוַ⁠יִּשְׁלַח֩ אֵלַ֨⁠י סַנְבַלַּ֜ט כַּ⁠דָּבָ֥ר הַ⁠זֶּ֛ה פַּ֥עַם חֲמִישִׁ֖ית אֶֽת־נַעֲר֑⁠וֹ1Sanballat sent his servant to me in the same way the fifth time

Identifying this message separately means it is distinct in some way from the previous four messages and, therefore, should be noted. Alternate translation: “ Sanballat sent his servant to me in the same way yet again” or “Sanballat sent his servant to me to deliver a fifth message” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal]])

321NEH65s6agוְ⁠אִגֶּ֥רֶת פְּתוּחָ֖ה1an open letter

The letter was an unsealed diplomatic communication. This was an insult to the recipient because the courier was free to read it and spread its contents among the people of the region.

322NEH65rx5jfigs-metonymyבְּ⁠יָדֽ⁠וֹ1in his hand

This means he had the letter in his possession, but he did not necessarily carry it in his hand at all times. Alternate translation: “in his possession” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

323NEH66wy84figs-activepassiveבַּ⁠גּוֹיִ֤ם נִשְׁמָע֙1It is reported among the nations

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “The rumor in the region is” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

324NEH66z81qfigs-explicitחֹשְׁבִ֣ים לִ⁠מְר֔וֹד1are planning to rebel

This means that they are planning to rebel against Artaxerxes, the Persian king, who was currently ruling the Jews. Alternate translation: “are planning to rebel against Artaxerxes” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

325NEH67n1rjיִשָּׁמַ֣ע לַ⁠מֶּ֔לֶךְ1the king will hear

“King Artaxerxes will hear”

326NEH67u185וְ⁠עַתָּ֣ה לְכָ֔⁠ה1Therefore come

“Therefore come meet with us”

327NEH68ei6jוָ⁠אֶשְׁלְחָ֤⁠ה אֵלָי⁠ו֙ לֵ⁠אמֹ֔ר1Then I sent word to him

Here “I” refers to Nehemiah and “him” to Sanballat.

328NEH68ab7xלֹ֤א נִֽהְיָה֙ כַּ⁠דְּבָרִ֣ים הָ⁠אֵ֔לֶּה אֲשֶׁ֖ר אַתָּ֣ה אוֹמֵ֑ר1No such things have occurred as you say

“None of the things you have written have occurred”

329NEH68ds1yfigs-metonymyכִּ֥י מִֽ⁠לִּבְּ⁠ךָ֖ אַתָּ֥ה בוֹדָֽא⁠ם1for within your heart you invented them

Here the “heart” refers to the “mind,” that is, to ones desires and thoughts. Alternate translation: “for within your mind you invented them” or “for you have made this up in your own imagination” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

330NEH69p45kכִּ֣י כֻלָּ֗⁠ם מְיָֽרְאִ֤ים אוֹתָ֨⁠נוּ֙1For they all wanted to make us afraid

Here “they” refers to Nehemiahs enemies, Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem, and their followers. The word “us” refers to the Jews.

331NEH69b5ijfigs-explicitיִרְפּ֧וּ יְדֵי⁠הֶ֛ם מִן־הַ⁠מְּלָאכָ֖ה1They will drop their hands from doing the work

This is a descriptive phrase that means that they are stopping their work on the wall. Alternate translation: “The workers on the wall will stop doing the work” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

332NEH69j1djfigs-synecdocheחַזֵּ֥ק אֶת־יָדָֽ⁠י1strengthen my hands

Here Nehemiah requests for God to strengthen him by asking him to strengthen his “hands.” Alternate translation: “strengthen me” or “give me courage” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche]])

333NEH610ybj6translate-namesשְֽׁמַֽעְיָ֧ה…דְּלָיָ֛ה…מְהֵֽיטַבְאֵ֖ל1Shemaiah…Delaiah…Mehetabel

These are mens names. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

334NEH610k8xdfigs-activepassiveוְ⁠ה֣וּא עָצ֑וּר1who was confined in his home

The writer does not give the reason for him being confined, so it is best to say that he was staying at home using the most general words possible. Alternate translation: “who could not leave his house” or “whom the authorities had ordered to stay in his house” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

335NEH611syw3figs-rquestionהַ⁠אִ֤ישׁ כָּמ֨וֹ⁠נִי֙ יִבְרָ֔ח וּ⁠מִ֥י כָמ֛וֹ⁠נִי אֲשֶׁר־יָב֥וֹא אֶל־הַ⁠הֵיכָ֖ל וָ⁠חָ֑י1Would a man like me run away? Would a man like me go into the temple just so he could save his own life?

Nehemiah uses these rhetorical questions to emphasize that he will not do what Shemaiah has suggested. These questions may be written as statements. Alternate translation: “A man like me would not run away. A man like me would not go into the temple just to hide to stay alive.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])

336NEH612s2sfכִּ֤י הַ⁠נְּבוּאָה֙ דִּבֶּ֣ר עָלַ֔⁠י1but that he had prophesied against me

“but that he had prophesied in order to oppose me”

337NEH613b27kוְ⁠חָטָ֑אתִי1and sin

Using the temple as a place to hide was sinful. It may be helpful to make this explicit. Alternate translation: “and sin by misusing the temple”

338NEH613ji1gfigs-idiomלְ⁠שֵׁ֣ם רָ֔ע1a bad name

This is an idiom. Alternate translation: “so that they could give me a bad reputation” or “so that they could give a bad report about me” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])

339NEH614nau4זָכְרָ֧⁠ה1Call to mind

This is an idiom. Alternate translation: “Remember”

340NEH614g3chtranslate-namesלְ⁠נוֹעַדְיָ֤ה1Noadiah

This is the name of a woman. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

341NEH615m52sfigs-activepassiveוַ⁠תִּשְׁלַם֙ הַֽ⁠חוֹמָ֔ה1So the wall was finished

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “We finished the wall” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

342NEH615g17xtranslate-hebrewmonthsבְּ⁠עֶשְׂרִ֥ים וַ⁠חֲמִשָּׁ֖ה לֶ⁠אֱל֑וּל1the twenty-fifth day of the month of Elul

“day 25 of the month of Elul.” Elul is the sixth month of the Hebrew calendar. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-hebrewmonths]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal]])

343NEH615ara3translate-numbersלַ⁠חֲמִשִּׁ֥ים וּ⁠שְׁנַ֖יִם יֽוֹם1fifty-two days

“52 days” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers]])

344NEH616t54cוַ⁠יִּפְּל֥וּ מְאֹ֖ד בְּ⁠עֵינֵי⁠הֶ֑ם1they fell greatly in their own eyes

“they thought much less of themselves” or “they lost confidence in themselves”

345NEH616py4cfigs-activepassiveמֵ⁠אֵ֣ת אֱלֹהֵ֔י⁠נוּ נֶעֶשְׂתָ֖ה הַ⁠מְּלָאכָ֥ה הַ⁠זֹּֽאת1the work was done with the help of our God

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “it was our God who helped us complete this work” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

346NEH617zw37figs-metonymyאִגְּרֹ֣תֵי⁠הֶ֔ם הוֹלְכ֖וֹת1sent many letters

The nobles sent messengers to bring these letters to Tobiah. Alternate translation: “sent many messengers with letters” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

347NEH617rx81figs-personificationוַ⁠אֲשֶׁ֥ר לְ⁠טוֹבִיָּ֖ה בָּא֥וֹת1Tobiahs letters came

Here Tobiahs letters are personified as coming by themselves, when they were actually brought by messengers. Alternate translation: “Tobiah sent letters” or “Tobiah sent many messengers with letters” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-personification]])

348NEH617rcx8translate-namesטוֹבִיָּ֑ה1Tobiah

See how you translated this mans name in Nehemiah 2:10. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

349NEH618z2uqfigs-metaphorבַּעֲלֵ֤י שְׁבוּעָה֙ ל֔⁠וֹ1who were bound by an oath to him

This speaks of people being loyal to Tobiah because they had pledged an oath to him as if their oath were a rope that bound their bodies. Alternate translation: “who had sworn an oath to him” or “who had made an oath and were loyal to him” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

350NEH618rn1qtranslate-namesחָתָ֥ן ה֖וּא לִ⁠שְׁכַנְיָ֣ה1he was the son-in-law of Shecaniah

This means that Tobiah was married to the daughter of Shecaniah. See how you translated “Shecaniah” in Nehemiah 3:29. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

351NEH618id1xtranslate-namesאָרַ֑ח וִֽ⁠יהוֹחָנָ֣ן1Arah…Jehohanan

These are the names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

352NEH618y3lgtranslate-namesמְשֻׁלָּ֖ם…בֶּֽרֶכְיָֽה1Meshullam…Berechiah

These are the names of men. See how you translated this in Nehemiah 3:4. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

353NEH619mj72גַּ֣ם טוֹבֹתָ֗י⁠ו הָי֤וּ אֹמְרִים֙ לְ⁠פָנַ֔⁠י וּ⁠דְבָרַ֕⁠י הָי֥וּ מוֹצִיאִ֖ים ל֑⁠וֹ1They also spoke to me about his good deeds and reported my words back to him

“The Jewish nobles told me about Tobiahs good deeds and then told him about my responses”

354NEH619e3ztfigs-activepassiveאִגְּר֛וֹת שָׁלַ֥ח טוֹבִיָּ֖ה לְ⁠יָֽרְאֵֽ⁠נִי1Letters were sent to me from Tobiah

This can be stated in active form. Tobiah sent messengers to bring the letters to Nehemiah. Alternate translation: “Tobiah sent letters to me” or “Tobiah sent messengers to bring letters to me” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

355NEH7introqk4v0

Nehemiah 07 General Notes

Special concepts in this chapter

Genealogy

The people who returned from Persia were counted according to their families. Nehemiah ensured that those who lived in Jerusalem had a completely Jewish ancestry.

Different lists

This list is paralleled in Ezra 2. The lists do contain some differences in numbers. This is probably due to the timing of their counting. They were likely counted at different times.

356NEH71g3zzfigs-activepassiveוַ⁠יְהִ֗י כַּ⁠אֲשֶׁ֤ר נִבְנְתָה֙ הַ⁠חוֹמָ֔ה1When the wall was finished

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “When we had finished the wall” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

357NEH71fk6lfigs-synecdocheוָ⁠אַעֲמִ֖יד הַ⁠דְּלָת֑וֹת1I had set up the doors in place

This was done with help. Alternate translation: “I and others hung the doors” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche]])

358NEH71wkp3figs-activepassiveוַ⁠יִּפָּֽקְד֛וּ הַ⁠שּׁוֹעֲרִ֥ים וְ⁠הַ⁠מְשֹׁרְרִ֖ים וְ⁠הַ⁠לְוִיִּֽם1the gatekeepers and singers and Levites had been appointed

This can be stated in active form. Possible meanings are: 1) Nehemiah appointed them. Alternate translation: “I assigned the gatekeepers and singers and Levites to their tasks” or 2) Someone else appointed them. Alternate translation: “they assigned the gatekeepers and singers and Levites to their tasks” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

359NEH71lk9vהַ⁠שּׁוֹעֲרִ֥ים1gatekeepers

people assigned to each gate, responsible to control access to the city or temple, as well as to open and close the gates at times and for reasons set by the administrator

360NEH71f8ksוְ⁠הַ⁠מְשֹׁרְרִ֖ים1singers

vocal musicians who led in worship, in processions, and ceremonies, producing music and chants that emphasized and enhanced the occasion

361NEH72ykr9translate-namesחֲנָ֣נִי…חֲנַנְיָ֛ה1Hanani…Hananiah

These are names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

362NEH72zy5qוָ⁠אֲצַוֶּ֞ה אֶת־חֲנָ֣נִי אָחִ֗⁠י וְ⁠אֶת־חֲנַנְיָ֛ה שַׂ֥ר1I gave my brother Hanani charge

“I gave the order for my brother Hanani to be the manager”

363NEH72iqf3שַׂ֥ר הַ⁠בִּירָ֖ה1who had oversight of the fortress

“who was in charge of the fortress”

364NEH72dx6dוְ⁠יָרֵ֥א אֶת־הָ⁠אֱלֹהִ֖ים מֵ⁠רַבִּֽים1feared God more than many

“feared God more than many other people”

365NEH73y2jkוָאֹמַ֣ר לָ⁠הֶ֗ם1I said to them

The word “them” refers to Hanani and Hananiah.

366NEH73n55gלֹ֣א יִפָּֽתְח֞וּ שַׁעֲרֵ֤י יְרוּשָׁלִַ֨ם֙ עַד־חֹ֣ם הַ⁠שֶּׁ֔מֶשׁ וְ⁠עַ֨ד הֵ֥ם עֹמְדִ֛ים יָגִ֥יפוּ הַ⁠דְּלָת֖וֹת וֶ⁠אֱחֹ֑זוּ1Do not open the gates of Jerusalem until the sun is hot. While the gatekeepers are on guard, you may shut the doors and bar them

Possible meanings are 1) these actions were done by Hanani and Hananiah or 2) these actions were done by Hanani and Hananiah with the help of the gatekeepers or 3) the gatekeepers did these actions under the direction of Hanani and Hananiah.

367NEH73w3hiחֹ֣ם הַ⁠שֶּׁ֔מֶשׁ1the sun is hot

“the sun is high in the sky”

368NEH73b2esוְ⁠עַ֨ד הֵ֥ם עֹמְדִ֛ים יָגִ֥יפוּ הַ⁠דְּלָת֖וֹת וֶ⁠אֱחֹ֑זוּ1While the gatekeepers are on guard, you may shut the doors and bar them

“Shut the doors and bar them while the gatekeepers are still on guard”

369NEH73mir9מִשְׁמְרוֹת֙1gatekeepers

See how you translated this in Nehemiah 7:1

370NEH73ed9mיָגִ֥יפוּ הַ⁠דְּלָת֖וֹת וֶ⁠אֱחֹ֑זוּ1shut the doors and bar them

“close the gates and lock them”

371NEH73he4eוְ⁠הַעֲמֵ֗יד מִשְׁמְרוֹת֙ יֹשְׁבֵ֣י יְרוּשָׁלִַ֔ם1Appoint guards from those who live in Jerusalem

“Assign guards from those people who live in Jerusalem”

372NEH73wf26בְּ⁠מִשְׁמָר֔⁠וֹ1guard station

“guard post” or “guard duty place”

373NEH74y6y8figs-activepassiveוְ⁠אֵ֥ין בָּתִּ֖ים בְּנוּיִֽם1no houses had yet been rebuilt

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “the people had not yet rebuilt the houses” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

374NEH75wjd3figs-metonymyוַ⁠יִּתֵּ֤ן אֱלֹהַ⁠י֙ אֶל־לִבִּ֔⁠י1put into my heart

Here Nehemiahs “heart” refers to his thoughts and will. See how you translated this in Nehemiah 2:12. Alternate translation: “inspired me” or “led me” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

375NEH75pzu6לְ⁠הִתְיַחֵ֑שׂ1to enroll them

“to list and register them”

376NEH75avw2סֵ֤פֶר הַ⁠יַּ֨חַשׂ֙1the book of the genealogy

This was a book that no longer exists.

377NEH75bz2pfigs-activepassiveוָ⁠אֶמְצָ֖א כָּת֥וּב בּֽ⁠וֹ1found the following written in it

This can be expressed in active form. Alternate translation: “found that someone had written the following in it” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

378NEH76ud5mאֵ֣לֶּה׀ בְּנֵ֣י הַ⁠מְּדִינָ֗ה1These are the people of the province

“These are the descendants of this region”

379NEH76vx13הָ⁠עֹלִים֙ מִ⁠שְּׁבִ֣י1went up out of

“returned from” or “came back from”

380NEH76r578figs-idiomהָ⁠עֹלִים֙1went up

This is an idiom that refers to traveling toward Jerusalem, which was on higher ground than the surrounding area. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])

381NEH76hb7vfigs-metonymyאֲשֶׁ֣ר הֶגְלָ֔ה נְבוּכַדְנֶצַּ֖ר מֶ֣לֶךְ בָּבֶ֑ל1whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon took into exile

“whom Nebuchadnezzar, ruler of Babylon, took away from their home country.” The army of Babylon did this under the command of Nebuchadnezzar. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

382NEH77mu5htranslate-namesזְרֻבָּבֶ֗ל יֵשׁ֡וּעַ נְחֶמְיָ֡ה עֲ֠זַרְיָה רַֽעַמְיָ֨ה נַחֲמָ֜נִי מָרְדֳּכַ֥י בִּלְשָׁ֛ן מִסְפֶּ֥רֶת בִּגְוַ֖י נְח֣וּם בַּעֲנָ֑ה1Zerubbabel…Jeshua…Nehemiah…Azariah…Raamiah…Nahamani…Mordecai…Bilshan…Mispereth…Bigvai…Nehum…Baanah

These are the names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

383NEH77fz51מִסְפַּ֕ר אַנְשֵׁ֖י1The number of the men

A census had been taken when the Israelites first returned to Jerusalem after the exile. The numbers represent how many men belonged to each family group. This sentence introduces the information in the following verses.

384NEH78r3xatranslate-numbers0Connecting Statement:

Nehemiah is recounting the number of people who returned from exile. The people were grouped by families according to the name of their patriarchs. The number represents the number of men in each family. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers]])

385NEH78l98vtranslate-namesפַרְעֹ֔שׁ1Parosh

These are the names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

386NEH79gy8ktranslate-namesשְׁפַטְיָ֔ה1Shephatiah

This is a mans name. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

387NEH710nq9etranslate-namesאָרַ֔ח1Arah

This is a mans name. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

388NEH711jc4atranslate-numbers0Connecting Statement:

Nehemiah is continuing to recount the number of people who returned from exile. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers]])

389NEH711v6jntranslate-namesפַחַ֥ת מוֹאָ֛ב…יֵשׁ֖וּעַ וְ⁠יוֹאָ֑ב1Pahath-Moab…Jeshua…Joab

These are the names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

390NEH711my8sמוֹאָ֛ב לִ⁠בְנֵ֥י יֵשׁ֖וּעַ וְ⁠יוֹאָ֑ב1through the descendants of Jeshua and Joab

“that is, the descendants of Jeshua and Joab”

391NEH712d7wftranslate-namesעֵילָ֔ם1Elam

This is a mans name. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

392NEH713sbz7translate-namesזַתּ֔וּא1Zattu

This is a mans name. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

393NEH714v5zrtranslate-namesזַכָּ֔י1Zakkai

This is a mans name. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

394NEH715a26atranslate-numbers0Connecting Statement:

Nehemiah is continuing to recount the number of people who returned from exile. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers]])

395NEH715x1bdtranslate-namesבִנּ֔וּי1Binnui

This is a mans name. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

396NEH716ay45translate-namesבֵבָ֔י1Bebai

This is a mans name. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

397NEH717h84ytranslate-namesעַזְגָּ֔ד1Azgad

These are the names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

398NEH718b95ktranslate-namesאֲדֹ֣נִיקָ֔ם1Adonikam

This is a mans name. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

399NEH719lhq4translate-numbers0Connecting Statement:

Nehemiah is continuing to recount the number of people who returned from exile. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers]])

400NEH719iy74translate-namesבִגְוָ֔1Bigvai

This is a mans name. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

401NEH720d5wktranslate-namesעָדִ֔ין1Adin

This is a mans name. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

402NEH721mxg1translate-namesאָטֵ֥ר1Ater

This is a mans name. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

403NEH721l797figs-ellipsisבְּנֵֽי־אָטֵ֥ר לְ⁠חִזְקִיָּ֖ה1The descendants of Ater, of Hezekiah

The writer has shortened this sentence. Alternate translation: “the descendants of Ater, who is a descendant of Hezekiah” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]])

404NEH722r3eetranslate-namesחָשֻׁ֔ם1Hashum

This is a mans name. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

405NEH723yyf7translate-numbers0Connecting Statement:

Nehemiah is continuing to recount the number of people who returned from exile. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers]])

406NEH723v6ehtranslate-namesבֵצָ֔י1Bezai

This is a mans name. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

407NEH724j9rbtranslate-namesחָרִ֔יף1Hariph

This is a mans name. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

408NEH725sj6ptranslate-namesגִבְע֖וֹן1Gibeon

This is a mans name. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

409NEH726sde6translate-namesבֵֽית־לֶ֨חֶם֙ וּ⁠נְטֹפָ֔ה1Bethlehem and Netophah

These are the names of places in Judah. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

410NEH727xmr1translate-numbers0Connecting Statement:

Nehemiah is continuing to recount the number of people who returned from exile. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers]])

411NEH727v2tbtranslate-namesעֲנָת֔וֹת1Anathoth

This is the name of a place. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

412NEH728b1sdtranslate-namesבֵית־עַזְמָ֖וֶת1Beth Azmaveth

This is the name of a place. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

413NEH729y9ektranslate-namesקִרְיַ֤ת יְעָרִים֙ כְּפִירָ֣ה וּ⁠בְאֵר֔וֹת1Kiriath Jearim, Kephirah, and Beeroth

This is the name of a place. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

414NEH730ncc2translate-namesהָֽ⁠רָמָה֙ וָ⁠גָ֔בַע1Ramah and Geba

These are the names of places. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

415NEH731i39dtranslate-numbers0Connecting Statement:

Nehemiah is continuing to recount the number of people who returned from exile. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers]])

416NEH731ty2qtranslate-namesמִכְמָ֔ס1Michmas

This is the name of a place. (See [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

417NEH732b4qwtranslate-namesבֵֽית־אֵל֙ וְ⁠הָ⁠עָ֔י1Bethel and Ai

This is the name of a place. (See [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

418NEH733dbu1translate-namesנְב֛וֹ1Nebo

This is the name of a place. (See [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

419NEH734d1vytranslate-namesעֵילָ֣ם1Elam

This is the name of a place. (See [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

420NEH735wz53translate-numbers0Connecting Statement:

Nehemiah is continuing to recount the number of people who returned from exile. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers]])

421NEH735s9ektranslate-namesחָרִ֔ם1Harim

This is the name of a place. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

422NEH736avk6translate-namesיְרֵח֔וֹ1Jericho

This is the name of a place. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

423NEH737b9f2translate-namesלֹד֙ חָדִ֣יד וְ⁠אוֹנ֔וֹ1Lod, Hadid, and Ono

This is the name of a place. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

424NEH738rla1translate-namesסְנָאָ֔ה1Senaah

This is the name of a place. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

425NEH739x7hbtranslate-numbers0Connecting Statement:

Nehemiah is continuing to recount the number of people who returned from exile. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers]])

426NEH739xwy8translate-namesיְדַֽעְיָה֙…יֵשׁ֔וּעַ1Jedaiah…Jeshua

These are names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

427NEH739mk8gfigs-metonymyלְ⁠בֵ֣ית יֵשׁ֔וּעַ1of the house of Jeshua

The word “house” is a metonym for family. Alternate translation: “from the family of Jeshua” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

428NEH740kd29translate-namesאִמֵּ֔ר1Immer

This is a mans name. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

429NEH741xd2ztranslate-namesפַשְׁח֔וּר1Pashhur

This is a mans name. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

430NEH742ias1translate-namesחָרִ֔ם1Harim

This is a mans name. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

431NEH743h37etranslate-numbers0Connecting Statement:

Nehemiah is continuing to recount the number of people who returned from exile. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers]])

432NEH743v5s3translate-namesיֵשׁ֧וּעַ לְ⁠קַדְמִיאֵ֛ל…לְ⁠הוֹדְוָ֖ה1Jeshua…Kadmiel…Hodevah

These are all names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

433NEH744ht7ltranslate-namesאָסָ֔ף1Asaph

This is a mans name. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

434NEH744v68gהַֽ⁠מְשֹׁרְרִ֑ים1singers

See how you translated this in Nehemiah 7:1.

435NEH745wy4ptranslate-namesשַׁלּ֤וּם…אָטֵר֙…טַלְמֹ֣ן…עַקּ֔וּב…חֲטִיטָ֖א…שֹׁבָ֑י1Shallum…Ater…Talmon…Akkub…Hatita…Shobai

This is a mans name. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

436NEH745b7neהַ⁠שֹּֽׁעֲרִ֗ים1gatekeepers

See how you translated this in Nehemiah 7:1.

437NEH746t2j50General Information:

These verses continue the names of people whose descendants returned from the exile.

438NEH746st75translate-namesצִחָ֥א…חֲשֻׂפָ֖א…טַבָּעֽוֹת1Ziha…Hasupha…Tabbaoth

These are names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

439NEH747d6nptranslate-namesקֵירֹ֥ס…סִיעָ֖א…פָדֽוֹן1Keros…Sia…Padon

These are names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

440NEH747mn22סִיעָ֖א1Sia

This is the same man known by the name Siaha in Ezra 2:44.

441NEH748ln8ltranslate-namesלְבָנָ֥ה…חֲגָבָ֖ה…שַׁלְמָֽי1Lebana,…Hagaba…Shalmai

These are names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

442NEH749zpn7translate-namesחָנָ֥ן…גִדֵּ֖ל…גָֽחַר1Hanan…Giddel…Gahar

These are names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

443NEH750s8hz0General Information:

These verses continue the names of people whose descendants returned from the exile.

444NEH750cd4ktranslate-namesרְאָיָ֥ה…רְצִ֖ין…נְקוֹדָֽא1Reaiah…Rezin…Nekoda

These are names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

445NEH751u8eatranslate-namesגַזָּ֥ם…עֻזָּ֖א…פָסֵֽחַ1Gazzam…Uzza…Paseah

These are names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

446NEH752i1ddtranslate-namesבֵסַ֥י…מְעוּנִ֖ים…נפושסים1Besai…Meunim…Nephushesim

These are names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

447NEH753h78b0General Information:

These verses continue the names of people whose descendants returned from the exile.

448NEH753u7qntranslate-namesבַקְבּ֥וּק…חֲקוּפָ֖א…חַרְחֽוּר1Bakbuk…Hakupha…Harhur

These are names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

449NEH754jat5translate-namesבַצְלִ֥ית…מְחִידָ֖א…חַרְשָֽׁא1Bazluth…Mehida…Harsha

These are names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

450NEH755w15ptranslate-namesבַרְק֥וֹס…סִֽיסְרָ֖א…תָֽמַח1Barkos…Sisera…Temah

These are names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

451NEH756i1b4translate-namesנְצִ֖יחַ…חֲטִיפָֽא1Neziah…Hatipha

These are names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

452NEH757w9sxtranslate-numbers0Connecting Statement:

Nehemiah is continuing to recount the number of people who returned from exile. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers]])

453NEH757ma7vtranslate-namesסוֹטַ֥י…סוֹפֶ֖רֶת…פְרִידָֽא1Sotai…Sophereth…Perida

These are names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

454NEH757xb5jסוֹפֶ֖רֶת1Sophereth

This is the name of a man who is called Hassophereth in Ezra 2:55.

455NEH757ei9xפְרִידָֽא1Perida

This is the name of a man who is also called Peruda in Ezra 2:55.

456NEH758y1jltranslate-namesיַעְלָ֥א…דַרְק֖וֹן…גִדֵּֽל1Jaala…Darkon…Giddel

These are names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

457NEH759vwg5translate-namesשְׁפַטְיָ֣ה…חַטִּ֗יל…פֹּכֶ֥רֶת הַצְּבָיִ֖ים…אָמֽוֹן1Shephatiah…Hattil…Pochereth Hazzebaim…Amon

These are names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

458NEH761a15htranslate-numbers0Connecting Statement:

Nehemiah is continuing to recount the number of people who returned from exile. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers]])

459NEH761bgx3figs-idiomהָֽ⁠עוֹלִים֙1went up

This is an idiom that refers to traveling toward Jerusalem, which was on higher ground than the surrounding area. Alternate translation: “returned” or “came back” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])

460NEH761c7tatranslate-namesמִ⁠תֵּ֥ל מֶ֨לַח֙ תֵּ֣ל חַרְשָׁ֔א כְּר֥וּב אַדּ֖וֹן וְ⁠אִמֵּ֑ר1Tel Melah…Tel Harsha…Kerub…Addon…Immer

These are names of places. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

461NEH762np4htranslate-namesדְלָיָ֥ה…טוֹבִיָּ֖ה…נְקוֹדָ֑א1Delaiah…Tobiah…Nekoda

These are names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

462NEH763i59atranslate-namesחֳבַיָּ֖ה…הַקּ֑וֹץ…בַרְזִלַּ֗י1Habaiah…Hakkoz…Barzillai

These are names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

463NEH764m2qdאֵ֗לֶּה בִּקְשׁ֧וּ כְתָבָ֛⁠ם הַ⁠מִּתְיַחְשִׂ֖ים1These sought their records among those enrolled by their genealogy

“They sought their written genealogical records” or “They searched their written genealogical records”

464NEH764n9vyאֵ֗לֶּה בִּקְשׁ֧וּ1These sought

“These” refers to the descendants of Hobaiah, Hakkoz and Barzillai (Nehemiah 7:63).

465NEH764bl4nfigs-activepassiveוְ⁠לֹ֣א נִמְצָ֑א1but they could not be found

This can be expressed in active form. Alternate translation: “but they could not find their records” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

466NEH764iyy1figs-activepassiveוַ⁠יְגֹֽאֲל֖וּ מִן־הַ⁠כְּהֻנָּֽה1they were excluded from the priesthood as unclean

This can be translated in active form. The abstract noun “priesthood” can be translated as the verb “work as priests.” Alternate translation: “the governor treated them as if they were unclean and did not allow them to work as priests” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]])

467NEH765qnn2figs-activepassiveעַ֛ד עֲמֹ֥ד הַ⁠כֹּהֵ֖ן לְ⁠אוּרִ֥ים וְ⁠תוּמִּֽים1until there rose up a priest with Urim and Thummim

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “until a priest with Urim and Thummim approved” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

468NEH765cij9translate-unknownלְ⁠אוּרִ֥ים וְ⁠תוּמִּֽים1Urim and Thummim

These were sacred stones that the high priest carried on his breastplate and used at times to determine Gods will. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]])

469NEH766t4xjtranslate-numbers0Connecting Statement:

Nehemiah is continuing to recount the number of people who returned from exile. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers]])

470NEH766j9feכָּל־הַ⁠קָּהָ֖ל כְּ⁠אֶחָ֑ד1The whole assembly together

“The whole group together”

471NEH766av51אַרְבַּ֣ע רִבּ֔וֹא אַלְפַּ֖יִם שְׁלֹשׁ־מֵא֥וֹת וְ⁠שִׁשִּֽׁים1was 42,360

“was 42,360 people”

472NEH767se3xמִ֠⁠לְּ⁠בַד עַבְדֵי⁠הֶ֤ם וְ⁠אַמְהֹֽתֵי⁠הֶם֙1singing men and women

“male singers and female singers”

473NEH769d72qtranslate-numbersאַרְבַּ֥ע מֵא֖וֹת שְׁלֹשִׁ֣ים וַ⁠חֲמִשָּׁ֑הס…שֵׁ֣שֶׁת אֲלָפִ֔ים שְׁבַ֥ע מֵא֖וֹת וְ⁠עֶשְׂרִֽים1435…6,720

“four hundred and thirty-five…six thousand seven hundred and twenty.” These are numbers of animals brought back. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers]])

474NEH770e1e9רָאשֵׁ֣י הָֽ⁠אָב֔וֹת1the heads of ancestors families

“the chief patriarchs” or “the leaders of the clans”

475NEH770le3gנָתַ֣ן לָ⁠אוֹצָ֗ר1gave to the treasury

“put into the treasury”

476NEH770wf3atranslate-numbersדַּרְכְּמֹנִ֥ים אֶ֨לֶף֙1one thousand darics

“1,000 darics” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers]])

477NEH770c7ugtranslate-bmoneyזָהָ֞ב דַּרְכְּמֹנִ֥ים1darics of gold

A daric was a small gold coin that people in the Persian Empire used. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-bmoney]])

478NEH770bu8ptranslate-numbersמִזְרָק֣וֹת חֲמִשִּׁ֔ים150 basins

“fifty basins.” These are large bowls. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers]])

479NEH770bu22translate-numbersכָּתְנוֹת֙ כֹּֽהֲנִ֔ים שְׁלֹשִׁ֖ים וַ⁠חֲמֵ֥שׁ מֵאֽוֹת1530 priestly garments

“five hundred thirty priestly garments.” These are items of clothing worn by the priests. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers]])

480NEH771kzg2translate-numbersדַּרְכְּמוֹנִ֖ים שְׁתֵּ֣י רִבּ֑וֹת1twenty thousand darics

“20,000 darics” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers]])

481NEH771jxn7translate-numbersוְ⁠כֶ֕סֶף מָנִ֖ים אַלְפַּ֥יִם וּ⁠מָאתָֽיִ12,200 minas of silver

“two thousand two hundred minas of silver.” A mina is about one half of a kilogram in weight. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-bweight]])

482NEH772zg2vtranslate-numbersמָנִ֣ים אַלְפָּ֑יִם1two thousand minas

“2,000 minas” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers]])

483NEH772g529translate-numbersוְ⁠כָתְנֹ֥ת כֹּֽהֲנִ֖ים שִׁשִּׁ֥ים וְ⁠שִׁבְעָֽה1sixty-seven priestly garments

“67 priestly garments” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers]])

484NEH773e7npוְ⁠הַ⁠שּׁוֹעֲרִים֩1gatekeepers

See how you translated this in Nehemiah 7:1.

485NEH773a2ubוְ⁠הַ⁠מְשֹׁרְרִ֨ים1singers

See how you translated this in Nehemiah 7:1.

486NEH773jaj3figs-explicitוּ⁠מִן־הָ⁠עָ֧ם1some of the people

The implied information is that this refers to some of the Israelites who were not priests or other temple workers. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

487NEH773znc4וְ⁠כָל־יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל1all Israel

Possible meanings are: 1) all the groups of Israelites that are listed in this verse or 2) the rest of the Israelites who did not work in the temple.

488NEH773n26rtranslate-ordinalהַ⁠חֹ֣דֶשׁ הַ⁠שְּׁבִיעִ֔י1the seventh month

“month 7.” This is the seventh month of the Hebrew calendar. It is during the last part of September and the first part of October on Western calendars. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-hebrewmonths]])

489NEH773gdj2בְּ⁠עָרֵי⁠הֶֽם1were settled in their cities

“lived in their own cities”

490NEH8introw38v0

Nehemiah 08 General Notes

Special concepts in this chapter

Reading of the law

During the exile, the Hebrew language was no longer spoken. Only the priests and Levites still understood it. Ezra read the book of the law to the people in Hebrew and the Levites walked among the crowd translating it into Aramaic for the people to understand. (See: [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/priest]] and [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/lawofmoses]])

Festival of Shelters

After they heard Ezra read the law of Moses, the people obeyed it by making temporary shelters for themselves with tree branches. They did this to remember that their ancestors slept in shelters when they came out of slavery in Egypt.

491NEH81q5ihfigs-hyperboleוַ⁠יֵּאָסְפ֤וּ כָל־הָ⁠עָם֙ כְּ⁠אִ֣ישׁ אֶחָ֔ד1All the people gathered as one man

The word “all” is a generalization that indicates the people as a whole came together. Alternate translation: “The people gathered all together” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole]])

492NEH81f6t8שַֽׁעַר־הַ⁠מָּ֑יִם1Water Gate

This was the name of a large opening or doorway in the wall.

493NEH81fdh4אֶת־סֵ֨פֶר֙ תּוֹרַ֣ת מֹשֶׁ֔ה1the book of the law of Moses

This would have been all or part of the first five books of the Old Testament.

494NEH82id7qtranslate-hebrewmonthsבְּ⁠י֥וֹם אֶחָ֖ד לַ⁠חֹ֥דֶשׁ הַ⁠שְּׁבִיעִֽי1On the first day of the seventh month

This is the seventh month of the Hebrew calendar. The first day of the seventh month is near the middle of September on Western calendars. Alternate translation: “On day 1 of month 7” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-hebrewmonths]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal]])

495NEH82e89aוַ⁠יָּבִ֣יא…אֶֽת־הַ⁠תּוֹרָ֞ה1brought the law

“brought The Book of the Law”

496NEH82j8ylוְ⁠כֹ֖ל מֵבִ֣ין לִ⁠שְׁמֹ֑עַ1all who could hear and understand

This would include children who were old enough to understand what was being read.

497NEH83iv9yלִ⁠פְנֵ֨י הָ⁠רְח֜וֹב1He faced the open area

“He turned towards the open area”

498NEH83pkz7וַ⁠יִּקְרָא1he read from it

Here “it” refers to the Book of the law of Moses.

499NEH84lk8ktranslate-namesמַתִּתְיָ֡ה וְ⁠שֶׁ֡מַע וַ֠⁠עֲנָיָה וְ⁠אוּרִיָּ֧ה וְ⁠חִלְקִיָּ֛ה וּ⁠מַעֲשֵׂיָ֖ה…פְּ֠דָיָה וּ⁠מִֽישָׁאֵ֧ל וּ⁠מַלְכִּיָּ֛ה וְ⁠חָשֻׁ֥ם וְ⁠חַשְׁבַּדָּ֖נָה זְכַרְיָ֥ה מְשֻׁלָּֽם1Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Uriah, Hilkiah, and Maaseiah…Pedaiah, Mishael, Malkijah, Hashum, Hashbaddanah, Zechariah, and Meshullam

These are all names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

500NEH85t5lffigs-abstractnounsוַ⁠יִּפְתַּ֨ח עֶזְרָ֤א הַ⁠סֵּ֨פֶר֙ לְ⁠עֵינֵ֣י כָל־הָ⁠עָ֔ם1Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people

The abstract noun “sight” can be expressed with the verb “see.” Alternate translation: “Everyone saw Ezra open the book” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]])

501NEH85wqg8הַ⁠סֵּ֨פֶר֙1the book

“The Book of the Law”

502NEH85ln1zמֵ⁠עַ֥ל כָּל־הָ⁠עָ֖ם הָיָ֑ה1he was standing above the people

“he was standing higher than the people”

503NEH85yv2ufigs-explicitוּ⁠כְ⁠פִתְח֖⁠וֹ עָֽמְד֥וּ כָל־הָ⁠עָֽם1when he opened it all the people stood up

The people stood up out of respect for Gods word. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

504NEH86x9v8figs-abstractnounsוַ⁠יְבָ֣רֶךְ עֶזְרָ֔א אֶת־יְהוָ֥ה1Ezra gave thanks to Yahweh

The abstract noun “thanks” can be translated as a verb. Alternate translation: “Ezra thanked Yahweh” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]])

505NEH88s5erוַֽ⁠יִּקְרְא֥וּ בַ⁠סֵּ֛פֶר1They read in the book

The word “They” here refers to the Levites.

506NEH88vsq9figs-abstractnounsמְפֹרָ֑שׁ וְ⁠שׂ֣וֹם שֶׂ֔כֶל וַ⁠יָּבִ֖ינוּ בַּ⁠מִּקְרָֽא1making it clear with interpretation and giving the meaning

The abstract nouns “interpretation” and “meaning” can be translated as verbs. Alternate translation: “clearly interpreting and explaining it” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]])

507NEH89wky3figs-hyperboleכִּ֤י בוֹכִים֙ כָּל־הָ⁠עָ֔ם1For all the people wept

This is a generalization that indicates there was great weeping among the people. Alternate translation: “For the people wept greatly” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole]])

508NEH810smq2figs-explicitאִכְל֨וּ מַשְׁמַנִּ֜ים וּ⁠שְׁת֣וּ מַֽמְתַקִּ֗ים1eat the fat and have something sweet to drink

The implied information is that the people were told to feast on rich food and sweet drinks. Alternate translation: “eat rich food and drink something sweet” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

509NEH810ach1figs-activepassiveוְ⁠אַל־תֵּ֣עָצֵ֔בוּ1Do not be grieved

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “Do not grieve” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

510NEH810sni7figs-abstractnounsכִּֽי־חֶדְוַ֥ת יְהוָ֖ה הִ֥יא מָֽעֻזְּ⁠כֶֽם1for the joy of Yahweh is your strength

The abstract nouns “joy” and “strength” can be expressed as verbs or adjectives. Alternate translation: “rejoicing in Yahweh will protect you” or “being joyful in Yahweh will be your strong refuge” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]])

511NEH811sxx6הַ֔סּוּ1Hush!

“Be quiet!” or “Be silent!”

512NEH811fjz6figs-activepassiveוְ⁠אַל־תֵּעָצֵֽבוּ1Do not be grieved

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “Do not grieve” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

513NEH812z1gcfigs-abstractnounsוְ⁠לַ⁠עֲשׂ֖וֹת שִׂמְחָ֣ה גְדוֹלָ֑ה1celebrate with great joy

The abstract noun “joy” can be expressed as a verb. Alternate translation: “rejoice greatly” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]])

514NEH812xsf5figs-activepassiveבַּ⁠דְּבָרִ֔ים אֲשֶׁ֥ר הוֹדִ֖יעוּ לָ⁠הֶֽם1the words that were made known to them

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “the words that he declared to them” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

515NEH813uj5jtranslate-ordinalוּ⁠בַ⁠יּ֣וֹם הַ⁠שֵּׁנִ֡י1On the second day

“On day 2” or “On the next day” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal]])

516NEH813y48ufigs-abstractnounsוּ⁠לְ⁠הַשְׂכִּ֖יל אֶל1to gain insight from

The abstract noun “insight” can be expressed as a verb. Alternate translation: “to understand” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]])

517NEH814ur1hיֵשְׁב֨וּ…בַּ⁠סֻּכּ֛וֹת1should live in shelters

These were temporary shelters that people made out of branches and leaves.

518NEH814efg4translate-ordinalבַּ⁠חֹ֥דֶשׁ הַ⁠שְּׁבִיעִֽי1the seventh month

“month 7.” This is the seventh month of the Hebrew calendar. It is during the last part of September and the first part of October on Western calendars. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-hebrewmonths]])

519NEH815rq6sוַ⁠אֲשֶׁ֣ר יַשְׁמִ֗יעוּ1They should make a proclamation

“They should announce”

520NEH815f9c2translate-unknownהֲדַס֙1myrtle

a kind of small tree with colorful flowers (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]])

521NEH815es8rעֵ֣ץ עָבֹ֑ת1shade trees

“leafy trees”

522NEH815jb2sfigs-activepassiveכַּ⁠כָּתֽוּב1as it is written

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “as Moses wrote about it” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

523NEH816dl2yוַ⁠יַּעֲשׂוּ֩ לָ⁠הֶ֨ם סֻכּ֜וֹת1made themselves shelters

“each built their own shelters”

524NEH816krx4שַׁ֣עַר הַ⁠מַּ֔יִם…שַׁ֥עַר אֶפְרָֽיִם1Water Gate…Gate of Ephraim

These are names of large openings or doorways in the wall.

525NEH816b74mוּ⁠בִ⁠רְח֖וֹב שַׁ֥עַר אֶפְרָֽיִם1in the square at the Gate of Ephraim

“in the open place by the Gate of Ephraim”

526NEH817n31nמִ⁠ימֵי֩ יֵשׁ֨וּעַ1For since the days of Joshua

“From the days of Joshua”

527NEH817e32utranslate-namesבִּן־נ֥וּן1son of Nun

“Nun” here is a mans name. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

528NEH817wyd6figs-abstractnounsוַ⁠תְּהִ֥י שִׂמְחָ֖ה גְּדוֹלָ֥ה מְאֹֽד1their joy was very great

The abstract noun “joy” can be expressed as an adjective. Alternate translation: “the people were very joyful” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]])

529NEH818g9rlfigs-idiomי֣וֹם׀ בְּ⁠י֔וֹם1day by day

This idiom means “each day.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])

530NEH818j9ajfigs-explicitמִן־הַ⁠יּוֹם֙ הָֽ⁠רִאשׁ֔וֹן עַ֖ד הַ⁠יּ֣וֹם הָ⁠אַחֲר֑וֹן1from the first day to the last

The implied information is that it was during the entire week of the festival. Alternate translation: “from the first day to the last day of the week” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

531NEH818c1cpוַ⁠יַּֽעֲשׂוּ־חָג֙1They kept the festival

“They made a feast” or “They celebrated the festival”

532NEH818er1utranslate-ordinalוּ⁠בַ⁠יּ֧וֹם הַ⁠שְּׁמִינִ֛י1on the eighth day

“on day 8” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal]])

533NEH818sfx4עֲצֶ֖רֶת1solemn assembly

This was a special religious gathering.

534NEH818cey3figs-explicitכַּ⁠מִּשְׁפָּֽט1in obedience to the decree

The implied information is that “the decree” was the command of Yahweh about how the Festival of Shelters was to end. Alternate translation: “as God had commanded” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

535NEH9introsj1h0

Nehemiah 09 General Notes

Structure and formatting

This chapter and the next one form a single section.

Special concepts in this chapter

Prayer to God

The people prayed and thanked God for his care for them and the blessings he gave to them. They also confessed their sin of disobeying him. (See: [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/bless]] and [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/confess]] and [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/sin]])

Learning from their ancestors mistakes

This chapter teaches that the Jews learned from the mistakes of their ancestors. They became determined to worship Yahweh alone, to not intermarry with other peoples, and to worship Yahweh as the law of Moses instructed them. (See: [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/lawofmoses]])

Recalling the great power of God

It was common to recall the great things God did for Israel. This is a reminder to Israel of Gods power. It is intended to bring the people to repentance and proper worship of Yahweh. (See: [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/repent]])

536NEH91w8w8translate-hebrewmonthsוּ⁠בְ⁠יוֹם֩ עֶשְׂרִ֨ים וְ⁠אַרְבָּעָ֜ה לַ⁠חֹ֣דֶשׁ הַ⁠זֶּ֗ה1the twenty-fourth day of the same month

“the twenty-fourth day of the seventh month” This is near the middle of October on Western calendars. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-hebrewmonths]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal]])

537NEH91lm7mנֶאֶסְפ֤וּ בְנֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵל֙1the people of Israel were assembled

“the people of Israel came together”

538NEH91irv4figs-explicitוּ⁠בְ⁠שַׂקִּ֔ים וַ⁠אֲדָמָ֖ה עֲלֵי⁠הֶֽם1they were wearing sackcloth, and they put dust on their heads

This was in order to show how sorry they were for the wrong things they and their ancestors had done. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

539NEH92xbs1זֶ֣רַע יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל1The descendants of Israel

“The Israelites”

540NEH92qx58וַ⁠יִּבָּֽדְלוּ֙…מִ⁠כֹּ֖ל בְּנֵ֣י נֵכָ֑ר1separated themselves from all the foreigners

“no longer had anything to do with those who were not Israelites”

541NEH92vhc6וַ⁠יַּעַמְד֗וּ וַ⁠יִּתְוַדּוּ֙ עַל־חַטֹּ֣אתֵי⁠הֶ֔ם וַ⁠עֲוֺנ֖וֹת אֲבֹתֵי⁠הֶֽם1They stood and confessed their own sins and the evil actions of their ancestors

“They admitted the wrong things that they had done and also the wrong things their forefathers had done”

542NEH93q5p1וַ⁠יָּק֨וּמוּ֙1They stood up

All the Israelites stood up

543NEH93je9tמִתְוַדִּ֣ים1they were confessing

“they were admitting the wrong things they had done”

544NEH93qe6eוּ⁠מִֽשְׁתַּחֲוִ֔ים1bowing down before

“worshiping” or “praising”

545NEH94bc94וַ⁠יָּ֜קָם עַֽל־מַֽעֲלֵ֣ה הַ⁠לְוִיִּ֗ם יֵשׁ֨וּעַ וּ⁠בָנִ֜י1The Levites, Jeshua, Bani…stood on the stairs

Some versions translate, “Jeshua, Bani…stood on the stairs built for the Levites”

546NEH94zl5jtranslate-namesיֵשׁ֨וּעַ וּ⁠בָנִ֜י קַדְמִיאֵ֧ל שְׁבַנְיָ֛ה בֻּנִּ֥י שֵׁרֵבְיָ֖ה בָּנִ֣י כְנָ֑נִי1Jeshua, Bani, Kadmiel, Shebaniah, Bunni, Sherebiah, Bani, and Kenani

mens names (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

547NEH95j96xוַ⁠יֹּאמְר֣וּ הַ⁠לְוִיִּ֡ם…ק֗וּמוּ1Then the Levites…said, “Stand up…ever.”

Here the Levites are speaking to the people of Israel.

548NEH95u4puבָּרֲכוּ֙ אֶת־יְהוָ֣ה1give praise to Yahweh

“bless Yahweh”

549NEH95yk5btranslate-namesיֵשׁ֣וּעַ וְ֠⁠קַדְמִיאֵל בָּנִ֨י…שֵׁרֵֽבְיָ֤ה…שְׁבַנְיָ֣ה1Jeshua…Kadmiel…Bani…Sherebiah…Shebaniah

These are the names of men. See how you translated them in Nehemiah 9:4. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

550NEH95m3eutranslate-namesחֲשַׁבְנְיָ֜ה שֵׁרֵֽבְיָ֤ה הֽוֹדִיָּה֙…פְתַֽחְיָ֔ה1Hashabneiah…Hodiah…Pethahiah

These are the names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

551NEH95tve4וִ⁠יבָֽרְכוּ֙ שֵׁ֣ם כְּבוֹדֶ֔⁠ךָ1May they bless your glorious name

the Levites are speaking to Yahweh. “May the people of Judah bless your glorious name, Yahweh”

552NEH96k5l3figs-metaphorשְׁמֵ֨י הַ⁠שָּׁמַ֜יִם וְ⁠כָל־צְבָאָ֗⁠ם הָ⁠אָ֜רֶץ וְ⁠כָל־אֲשֶׁ֤ר עָלֶ֨י⁠הָ֙ הַ⁠יַּמִּים֙ וְ⁠כָל־אֲשֶׁ֣ר בָּ⁠הֶ֔ם וְ⁠אַתָּ֖ה מְחַיֶּ֣ה אֶת־כֻּלָּ֑⁠ם וּ⁠צְבָ֥א הַ⁠שָּׁמַ֖יִם לְ⁠ךָ֥ מִשְׁתַּחֲוִֽים1the highest heavens, with all their host…the host of heaven worship you

A host is an army. The “host of heaven” speaks in a metaphor of the many stars as if they were an army. The stars in turn are a metaphor for the many angels. The stars worshiping Yahweh is a metaphor for the angels worshiping Yahweh. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

553NEH97id6f0Connecting Statement:

The Levites continue their prayer before all the people.

554NEH97us45מֵ⁠א֣וּר כַּשְׂדִּ֑ים1Ur of the Chaldees

“Ur, where the Chaldean people group lived”

555NEH98ej7efigs-synecdocheוּ⁠מָצָ֣אתָ אֶת־לְבָב⁠וֹ֮ נֶאֱמָ֣ן לְ⁠פָנֶי⁠ךָ֒1You found his heart was faithful before you

The heart, the inner being of the person, represents the person. Alternate translation: “You saw that he was completely faithful to you” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche]])

556NEH98vbx8translate-namesהַ⁠כְּנַעֲנִ֨י הַ⁠חִתִּ֜י הָ⁠אֱמֹרִ֧י וְ⁠הַ⁠פְּרִזִּ֛י וְ⁠הַ⁠יְבוּסִ֥י וְ⁠הַ⁠גִּרְגָּשִׁ֖י1Canaanites…Hittites…Amorites…Perizzites…Jebusites…Girgashites

people group names (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

557NEH99p3f40Connecting Statement:

In these verses, the Levites continue to praise Yahweh in the presence of the people of Israel.

558NEH99vp1yוַ⁠תֵּ֛רֶא1You saw

Yahweh saw

559NEH99j256figs-explicitוְ⁠אֶת־זַעֲקָתָ֥⁠ם שָׁמַ֖עְתָּ1you heard their cry

The implied information is that God was moved to action because of the Israelites cries for help. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

560NEH910ge61figs-explicitוַ֠⁠תִּתֵּן אֹתֹ֨ת וּ⁠מֹֽפְתִ֜ים בְּ⁠פַרְעֹ֤ה1signs and wonders against Pharaoh

The plagues tested Pharaohs heart, and they became a witness against his hardness of heart. Alternate translation: “signs and wonders that testified against Pharaoh” or “signs and wonders that condemned Pharaoh” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

561NEH910i7c3וּ⁠בְ⁠כָל־עַ֣ם אַרְצ֔⁠וֹ1all the people of his land

“all the Egyptians”

562NEH910s54aהֵזִ֖ידוּ עֲלֵי⁠הֶ֑ם1acted with arrogance against them

“were arrogant toward the Israelites” or “mistreated Gods chosen people”

563NEH910m6zrfigs-metonymyוַ⁠תַּֽעַשׂ־לְ⁠ךָ֥ שֵׁ֖ם כְּ⁠הַ⁠יּ֥וֹם הַ⁠זֶּֽה1you made a name for yourself which stands to this day

Here “name” represents a reputation. Alternate translation: “you made yourself famous and even now people still remember” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

564NEH911n7jm0Connecting Statement:

In these verses, the Levites continue to praise Yahweh in the presence of the people of Israel.

565NEH911d1kpוְ⁠הַ⁠יָּם֙ בָּקַ֣עְתָּ1you divided the sea

God divided

566NEH911l5arfigs-simileהִשְׁלַ֧כְתָּ בִ⁠מְצוֹלֹ֛ת כְּמוֹ־אֶ֖בֶן בְּ⁠מַ֥יִם עַזִּֽים1you…threw those who pursued them into the depths, as a stone into deep waters

In this simile, the writer describes God throwing the Egyptians into the sea as easily as a person would throw a stone into water, and the stone would disappear under the water completely. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-simile]])

567NEH912n4i20Connecting Statement:

In these verses, the Levites continue to praise Yahweh in the presence of the people of Israel.

568NEH912m7vxהִנְחִיתָ֖⁠ם1You led them

Yahweh led the Israelites.

569NEH913z2dsfigs-idiomיָרַ֔דְתָּ1you came down

When God talks with his people, he is often described as “coming down” or “coming down from heaven.” This is a descriptive way of saying that God appeared to that person. Alternate translation: “you appeared” or “you came down from heaven” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

570NEH913zut5figs-parallelismמִשְׁפָּטִ֤ים יְשָׁרִים֙ וְ⁠תוֹר֣וֹת אֱמֶ֔ת חֻקִּ֥ים וּ⁠מִצְוֺ֖ת טוֹבִֽים1righteous decrees and true laws, good statutes and commandments

Both of these double phrases describe the same thing, the law of Moses. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism]])

571NEH914w3q60Connecting Statement:

In these verses, the Levites continue to praise Yahweh in the presence of the people of Israel.

572NEH914h9f4figs-doubletוּ⁠מִצְו֤וֹת וְ⁠חֻקִּים֙ וְ⁠תוֹרָ֔ה1commandments…statutes…law

Each of these three words refers to the law of Moses. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet]])

573NEH916g6tt0Connecting Statement:

In these verses, the Levites continue to praise Yahweh in the presence of the people of Israel.

574NEH916m753וְ⁠הֵ֥ם וַ⁠אֲבֹתֵ֖י⁠נוּ1they and our ancestors

the Israelites at the time of Moses and the people of Israel after the time of Moses

575NEH916t1hefigs-idiomוַ⁠יַּקְשׁוּ֙ אֶת־עָרְפָּ֔⁠ם1they were stiff-necked

This is an idiom that means that they were stubborn. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])

576NEH917v9ibfigs-idiomוַ⁠יַּקְשׁוּ֙ אֶת־עָרְפָּ֔⁠ם1were stiff-necked

This is an idiom that means that they were stubborn. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])

577NEH917f1m1נִפְלְאֹתֶ֨י⁠ךָ֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר עָשִׂ֣יתָ עִמָּ⁠הֶ֔ם1the wonders that you had done among them

“the miracles that you had done among them”

578NEH917gd2bfigs-explicitוַ⁠יִּתְּנוּ־רֹ֛אשׁ לָ⁠שׁ֥וּב לְ⁠עַבְדֻתָ֖⁠ם1they appointed a leader to return to their slavery

The Israelites would know that this referred to their ancestors wanting to return to Egypt. Alternate translation: “they appointed a leader to take them back to Egypt where they had been slaves” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

579NEH917p6nmfigs-metaphorוְ⁠אַתָּה֩ אֱל֨וֹהַּ סְלִיח֜וֹת1who is full of forgiveness

The desire to forgive is spoken of as if it were a liquid that could fill a container. Alternate translation: “who is ready to forgive” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

580NEH917c986figs-metaphorוְ⁠רַב־חֶ֖סֶד1abounding in steadfast love

Love is spoken of as if it were a food crop that Yahweh could share with people. Alternate translation: “loves his people very much” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

581NEH918hw320Connecting Statement:

In these verses, the Levites continue to praise Yahweh in the presence of the people of Israel.

582NEH918ind6עָשׂ֤וּ לָ⁠הֶם֙ עֵ֣גֶל מַסֵּכָ֔ה1cast a calf out of molten metal

melted metal and molded it in the shape of a calf

583NEH919eqh4וְ⁠אַתָּה֙…הָֽ⁠רַבִּ֔ים לֹ֥א1you…did not abandon them

Yahweh did not abandon the Israelites.

584NEH919x6bfאֶת־עַמּ֣וּד הֶ֠⁠עָנָן…וְ⁠אֶת־עַמּ֨וּד הָ⁠אֵ֤שׁ1The pillar of cloud…the pillar of fire

See how you translated this in Nehemiah 9:12.

585NEH920buh10Connecting Statement:

In these verses, the Levites continue to praise Yahweh in the presence of the people of Israel.

586NEH920e7m4וְ⁠רוּחֲ⁠ךָ֨ הַ⁠טּוֹבָ֔ה…וּ⁠מַנְ⁠ךָ֙…וּ⁠מַ֛יִם1Your good Spirit…your manna…water

The writer changes the usual word order to emphasize the good things Yahweh gave his people. Your language may have another way of emphasizing these items.

587NEH920ncd6לְ⁠הַשְׂכִּילָ֑⁠ם1instruct

teach

588NEH920gyd6figs-litotesוּ⁠מַנְ⁠ךָ֙ לֹא־מָנַ֣עְתָּ מִ⁠פִּי⁠הֶ֔ם1your manna you did not withhold from their mouths

This litotes can be expressed positively. Alternate translation: “you generously gave them manna” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-litotes]])

589NEH920qka1figs-synecdocheמִ⁠פִּי⁠הֶ֔ם1from their mouths

The mouth is a synecdoche for the whole person. Alternate translation: “from them” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche]])

590NEH922f4620Connecting Statement:

In these verses, the Levites continue to praise Yahweh in the presence of the people of Israel.

591NEH922xc6vוַ⁠תִּתֵּ֨ן לָ⁠הֶ֤ם מַמְלָכוֹת֙1You gave them kingdoms

Yahweh gave the Israelites kingdoms.

592NEH922kgg1וַ⁠תִּתֵּ֨ן לָ⁠הֶ֤ם מַמְלָכוֹת֙ וַ⁠עֲמָמִ֔ים1gave them kingdoms and peoples

“enabled them to conquer kingdoms and peoples”

593NEH922zt5pוַֽ⁠תַּחְלְקֵ֖⁠ם לְ⁠פֵאָ֑ה1assigning to them every corner of the land

“enabling them to possess every part of the land”

594NEH922xf4vtranslate-namesסִיח֗וֹן…ע֥וֹג1Sihon…Og

These are the names of kings. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

595NEH922bkk3translate-namesחֶשְׁבּ֔וֹן…הַ⁠בָּשָֽׁן1Heshbon…Bashan

These are names of places. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

596NEH923w96j0Connecting Statement:

In these verses, the Levites continue to praise Yahweh in the presence of the people of Israel.

597NEH923t5pbוּ⁠בְנֵי⁠הֶ֣ם הִרְבִּ֔יתָ1You made their children

Yahweh made the descendants of the Israelites at the time of Moses

598NEH924vz5vfigs-metaphorוַֽ⁠תִּתְּנֵ֖⁠ם בְּ⁠יָדָ֑⁠ם1gave them into their hands

The Canaanites are spoken of as if they were small objects that a person could place in the hand of another person. To give something into a persons hand is to give that person complete control over that thing. Alternate translation: “enabled the Israelites to have complete control over them” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

599NEH925v4540Connecting Statement:

In these verses, the Levites continue to praise Yahweh in the presence of the people of Israel.

600NEH925yzu6וַֽ⁠יִּלְכְּד֞וּ1They captured

The Israelites at the time of Moses captured

601NEH925gs7aוַ⁠אֲדָמָ֣ה שְׁמֵנָה֒1a productive land

“a fertile land”

602NEH925ke4uבֹּר֨וֹת1cisterns

holes in the ground where people store water

603NEH925s544figs-metaphorוַֽ⁠יִּשְׂבְּעוּ֙1grew fat

This might be a metaphor for “stopped thinking about Yahweh” or “became complacent.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

604NEH926t19v0Connecting Statement:

In these verses, the Levites continue to praise Yahweh in the presence of the people of Israel.

605NEH926q9szfigs-metaphorוַ⁠יַּשְׁלִ֤כוּ אֶת־תּוֹרָֽתְ⁠ךָ֙ אַחֲרֵ֣י גַוָּ֔⁠ם1They threw your law behind their backs

The law is spoken of as if it were a worthless item that a person could throw away. Alternate translation: “They considered your law worthless and paid no attention to it” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

606NEH926vbj5וַ⁠יַּשְׁלִ֤כוּ אֶת־תּוֹרָֽתְ⁠ךָ֙1They threw your law

The Israelites threw Yahwehs law.

607NEH927v5lzfigs-metonymyוַֽ⁠תִּתְּנֵ⁠ם֙ בְּ⁠יַ֣ד צָֽרֵי⁠הֶ֔ם וַ⁠יָּצֵ֖רוּ לָ⁠הֶ֑ם1you gave them into the hand of their enemies, who made them suffer

Here “hand” represents power or control. Alternate translation: “you allowed their enemies to defeat them and cause them to suffer” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

608NEH927z213figs-metonymyתִּתֵּ֤ן לָ⁠הֶם֙ מֽוֹשִׁיעִ֔ים וְ⁠יוֹשִׁיע֖וּ⁠ם מִ⁠יַּ֥ד צָרֵי⁠הֶֽם1you sent them rescuers who rescued them out of the hand of their enemies

Here “hand” represents power or control. Alternate translation: “you sent people to stop their enemies from harming them” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

609NEH928u77m0Connecting Statement:

In these verses, the Levites continue to praise Yahweh in the presence of the people of Israel.

610NEH928ds4wוּ⁠כְ⁠נ֣וֹחַ לָ⁠הֶ֔ם יָשׁ֕וּבוּ לַ⁠עֲשׂ֥וֹת רַ֖ע לְ⁠פָנֶ֑י⁠ךָ1they had rest, they did evil again before you

Here “they” refers to the Israelites and “you” to Yahweh.

611NEH928puz2figs-metonymyוַ⁠תַּֽעַזְבֵ֞⁠ם בְּ⁠יַ֤ד אֹֽיְבֵי⁠הֶם֙1you abandoned them to the hand of their enemies

Here “hand” represents power or control. Alternate translation: “you abandoned them and allow their enemies to defeat them” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

612NEH929pm9hוְ⁠לֹא־שָׁמְע֤וּ לְ⁠מִצְוֺתֶ֨י⁠ךָ֙1did not listen to your commands

If your language has a word for “listen” that also means “obey,” use it here.

613NEH929una2figs-metonymyוּ⁠בְ⁠מִשְׁפָּטֶ֣י⁠ךָ חָֽטְאוּ־בָ֔⁠ם אֲשֶׁר־יַעֲשֶׂ֥ה אָדָ֖ם וְ⁠חָיָ֣ה בָ⁠הֶ֑ם1your decrees which give life to anyone who obeys them

Yahweh himself is spoken of as if he were the decrees themselves. Alternate translation: “you even though you give life to everyone who obeys your decrees” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

614NEH929k1ewfigs-metaphorוַ⁠יִּתְּנ֤וּ כָתֵף֙ סוֹרֶ֔רֶת וְ⁠עָרְפָּ֥⁠ם הִקְשׁ֖וּ וְ⁠לֹ֥א שָׁמֵֽעוּ1They gave the stubborn shoulder-blade and stiffened their neck

These are images of an ox refusing to allow its owner to put a yoke on its shoulders. Here they are a metaphor that represents the people being stubborn. Alternate translation: “They became stubborn” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

615NEH930sj6k0Connecting Statement:

In these verses, the Levites continue to praise Yahweh in the presence of the people of Israel.

616NEH930tqa5figs-metonymyוַֽ⁠תִּתְּנֵ֔⁠ם בְּ⁠יַ֖ד עַמֵּ֥י הָ⁠אֲרָצֹֽת1you gave them into the hand of the neighboring peoples

Here “hand” represents power or control. See how you translated these words in Nehemiah 9:27. Alternate translation: “you allowed the neighboring peoples to defeat them” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

617NEH930ym8iוַֽ⁠תִּתְּנֵ֔⁠ם1you gave

Yahweh gave

618NEH931cl3nלֹֽא־עֲשִׂיתָ֥⁠ם כָּלָ֖ה1you did not make a complete end of them

“you did not destroy them”

619NEH932j1rz0Connecting Statement:

In these verses, the Levites continue to praise Yahweh in the presence of the people of Israel.

620NEH932j5fkאַל־יִמְעַ֣ט לְ⁠פָנֶ֡י⁠ךָ אֵ֣ת כָּל־הַ⁠תְּלָאָ֣ה אֲֽשֶׁר־מְ֠צָאַתְ⁠נוּ לִ⁠מְלָכֵ֨י⁠נוּ לְ⁠שָׂרֵ֧י⁠נוּ וּ⁠לְ⁠כֹהֲנֵ֛י⁠נוּ וְ⁠לִ⁠נְבִיאֵ֥⁠נוּ וְ⁠לַ⁠אֲבֹתֵ֖י⁠נוּ וּ⁠לְ⁠כָל־עַמֶּ֑⁠ךָ מִ⁠ימֵי֙ מַלְכֵ֣י אַשּׁ֔וּר עַ֖ד הַ⁠יּ֥וֹם הַ⁠זֶּֽ1do not let all this hardship seem little to you that has come on us…until today

It is possible to divide this into two sentences. “Do not let all this hardship seem little to you. The hardship has come upon us…until today”

621NEH932u6i9figs-personificationהַ⁠תְּלָאָ֣ה אֲֽשֶׁר־מְ֠צָאַתְ⁠נוּ1hardship…has come on us

The phrase “come on us” speaks of bad things that happen as if they are people who cause harm. Alternate translation: “harm…we have suffered” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-personification]])

622NEH933pl1ffigs-personificationהַ⁠בָּ֣א עָלֵ֑י⁠נוּ1everything that has come on us

The phrase “come on us” speaks of bad things that happen as if they are people who cause harm. Alternate translation: “everything we have suffered” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-personification]])

623NEH935af8m0Connecting Statement:

In these verses, the Levites continue to praise Yahweh in the presence of the people of Israel.

624NEH935nxv9וּ⁠בְ⁠טוּבְ⁠ךָ֨ הָ⁠רָ֜ב אֲשֶׁר־נָתַ֣תָּ לָ⁠הֶ֗ם1while they enjoyed your great goodness to them

“while they enjoyed the good things you gave them”

625NEH935ibf9לֹ֣א עֲבָד֑וּ⁠ךָ1they did not serve you

“they were not obedient to your law or teaching”

626NEH936q7xj0Connecting Statement:

In these verses, the Levites continue to praise Yahweh in the presence of the people of Israel.

627NEH936qh7fוְ⁠אֶת־טוּבָ֔⁠הּ1its good gifts

“all the good things in it” or “all the good things we can get from it”

628NEH937q3dzוּ⁠תְבוּאָתָ֣⁠הּ מַרְבָּ֗ה לַ⁠מְּלָכִ֛ים1The rich yield from our land goes to the kings

“We pay tribute to kings for working our own land”

629NEH937x15lמֹשְׁלִ֤ים1They rule

The kings rule.

630NEH938g7s30Connecting Statement:

In these verses, the Levites continue to praise Yahweh in the presence of the people of Israel.

631NEH938t4agוּ⁠בְ⁠כָל־זֹ֕את1Because of all this

because the people had disobeyed and Yahweh had punished them

632NEH938xee9וְ⁠עַל֙ הֶֽ⁠חָת֔וּם1On the sealed document are the names

The reader should understand that the men wrote their names on the document before it was sealed.

633NEH10introm17y0

Nehemiah 10 General Notes

Structure and formatting

This chapter concludes the passage beginning in chapter 9.

Special concepts in this chapter

The vow

By signing this document, the people vowed or agreed to obey God, not to buy things on the Sabbath and to pay their temple tax. (See: [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/vow]] and [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/sabbath]] and [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/temple]])

634NEH101ijh70Connecting Statement:

Here begins a list of the people whose names were on the sealed document.

635NEH101jc8xfigs-explicitוְ⁠עַ֖ל הַ⁠חֲתוּמִ֑ים נְחֶמְיָ֧ה הַ⁠תִּרְשָׁ֛תָא בֶּן־חֲכַלְיָ֖ה וְ⁠צִדְקִיָּֽה1On the sealed documents were Nehemiah…Zedekiah

The names of these people were written on the documents. This can be stated clearly. Alternate translation: “On the sealed documents were the names of Nehemiah…Zedekiah” or “On the sealed documents were the names of the following people: Nehemiah…Zedekiah” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

636NEH101j4nyהַ⁠חֲתוּמִ֑ים1sealed documents

The documents were sealed after the names had been signed on the documents.

637NEH101mu7ufigs-pronounsנְחֶמְיָ֧ה1Nehemiah

Some people believe that Nehemiah wrote this book and is speaking of himself as if he were someone else because this is an official list. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-pronouns]])

638NEH101r4sgtranslate-namesחֲכַלְיָ֖ה1Hakaliah

This is a mans name. See how you translated this in Nehemiah 1:1. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

639NEH102wj7b0Connecting Statement:

The list of men whose names appear on the sealed documents (verse 1) continues.

640NEH102l6qatranslate-namesשְׂרָיָ֥ה…יִרְמְיָֽה1Seraiah…Jeremiah

These are names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

641NEH102huw8translate-namesעֲזַרְיָ֖ה1Azariah

This is a mans name. See how you translated this in Nehemiah 3:23. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

642NEH103b2lc0Connecting Statement:

The list of men whose names appear on the sealed documents (verse 1) continues.

643NEH103d5crtranslate-namesפַּשְׁח֥וּר אֲמַרְיָ֖ה1Pashhur, Amariah

These are names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

644NEH103lw6utranslate-namesמַלְכִּיָּֽה1Malkijah

This is a mans name. See how you translated this in Nehemiah 3:11. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

645NEH104uqt40Connecting Statement:

The list of men whose names appear on the sealed documents Nehemiah 10:1 continues.

646NEH104g6hstranslate-namesחַטּ֥וּשׁ1Hattush

See how you translated this mans name in Nehemiah 3:10. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

647NEH104bdr6translate-namesשְׁבַנְיָ֖ה1Shebaniah

See how you translated this mans name in Nehemiah 9:4. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

648NEH104xzc8translate-namesמַלּֽוּ1Malluk

This is a mans name. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

649NEH105qbj90Connecting Statement:

The list of men whose names appear on the sealed documents Nehemiah 10:1 continues.

650NEH105qai2translate-namesחָרִ֥ם1Harim

This is a mans name. See how you translated this in Nehemiah 3:11. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

651NEH105z9wltranslate-namesמְרֵמ֖וֹת1Meremoth

This is a mans name. See how you translated this in Nehemiah 3:4. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

652NEH105gdm7translate-namesעֹֽבַדְיָֽה1Obadiah

This is a mans name. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

653NEH106del40Connecting Statement:

The list of men whose names appear on the sealed documents Nehemiah 10:1 continues.

654NEH106z2vdtranslate-namesדָּנִיֵּ֥אל גִּנְּת֖וֹן1Daniel, Ginnethon

These are the names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

655NEH106h9n5translate-namesבָּרֽוּךְ1Baruch

This is a mans name. See how you translated this in Nehemiah 3:20. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

656NEH107yd6rtranslate-namesמְשֻׁלָּ֥ם1Meshullam

This is a mans name. See how you translated it in Nehemiah 9:4. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

657NEH107x4lctranslate-namesאֲבִיָּ֖ה מִיָּמִֽן1Abijah, Mijamin

These are the names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

658NEH108mt1stranslate-namesמַֽעַזְיָ֥ה בִלְגַּ֖י1Maaziah, Bilgai

These are the names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

659NEH108iv3ctranslate-namesשְׁמַֽעְיָ֑ה1Shemaiah

This is a mans name. See how you translated this in Nehemiah 3:29. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

660NEH108ppp7figs-explicitאֵ֖לֶּה הַ⁠כֹּהֲנִֽים1These were the priests

This refers to the previous list of men who signed the document. Alternate translation: “These were the names of the priests who signed the document” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

661NEH109b29e0Connecting Statement:

The list of men whose names appear on the sealed documents Nehemiah 10:1 continues. Nehemiah begins here to list the names of the Levies who signed the sealed document.

662NEH109i6e3figs-ellipsisוְֽ⁠הַ⁠לְוִיִּ֑ם1The Levites were

This refers to those who put their names on the sealed documents. Alternate translation: “The Levites who put their names on the sealed documents were” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]])

663NEH109si66translate-namesוְ⁠יֵשׁ֨וּעַ֙…חֵנָדָ֖ד1Jeshua…Henadad

These are the names of men. See how you translated them in Nehemiah 3:18-19. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

664NEH109pi28translate-namesאֲזַנְיָ֔ה1Azaniah

This is a mans name. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

665NEH109j952translate-namesבִּנּ֕וּי1Binnui

This is a mans name. See how you translated it in Nehemiah 3:24. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

666NEH109km8etranslate-namesקַדְמִיאֵֽל1Kadmiel

This is a mans name. See how you translated it in Nehemiah 7:43. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

667NEH1010yg6htranslate-namesשְׁבַנְיָ֧ה1Shebaniah

This is a mans name. See how you translated this in Nehemiah 9:4. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

668NEH1010cfy7translate-namesהֽוֹדִיָּ֛ה קְלִיטָ֖א פְּלָאיָ֥ה1Hodiah…Kelita…Pelaiah

These are the names of men. See how you translated this in Nehemiah 8:7. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

669NEH1010z9gdtranslate-namesחָנָֽן1Hanan

This is a mans name. See how you translated this in Nehemiah 7:49. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

670NEH1011x5wd0Connecting Statement:

The list of men whose names appear on the sealed documents Nehemiah 10:1 continues.

671NEH1011fh22translate-namesרְח֖וֹב1Rehob

This is a mans name. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

672NEH1011w8h1translate-namesמִיכָ֥א1Mika

This is a mans name. See how you translated this in Nehemiah 10:11. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

673NEH1011z3i5translate-namesחֲשַׁבְיָֽה1Hashabiah

This is a mans name. See how you translated this in Nehemiah 3:17. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

674NEH1012vuf70Connecting Statement:

The list of men whose names appear on the sealed documents Nehemiah 10:1 continues.

675NEH1012ac1stranslate-namesזַכּ֥וּר1Zaccur

This is a mans name. See how you translated this in Nehemiah 3:2. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

676NEH1012ctq5translate-namesשֵׁרֵֽבְיָ֖ה1Sherebiah

This is a mans name. See how you translated this in Nehemiah 8:7. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

677NEH1012r5hatranslate-namesשְׁבַנְיָֽה1Shebaniah

This is a mans name. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

678NEH1013t4nx0Connecting Statement:

The list of men whose names appear on the sealed documents Nehemiah 10:1 continues.

679NEH1013q7fmtranslate-namesהוֹדִיָּ֥ה…בְּנִֽינוּ1Hodiah…Beninu

These are the names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

680NEH1013f7a5translate-namesבָנִ֖י1Bani

This is a mans name. See how you translated this in Nehemiah 3:17. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

681NEH1014uar6figs-ellipsisרָאשֵׁ֖י הָ⁠עָ֑ם1The leaders of the people were

This refers to those who put their names on the sealed documents. Alternate translation: “The leaders of the people who put their names on the sealed documents were” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]])

682NEH1014c75btranslate-namesפַּרְעֹשׁ֙1Parosh

This is a mans name. See how you translated this in Nehemiah 3:25. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

683NEH1014d729translate-namesפַּחַ֣ת מוֹאָ֔ב1Pahath-Moab

This is a mans name. See how you translated this in Nehemiah 3:11. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

684NEH1014ta8ytranslate-namesעֵילָ֥ם זַתּ֖וּא1Elam…Zattu

These are the names of men. See how you translated this in Nehemiah 7:12. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

685NEH1015nkt20General Information:

In these verses, Nehemiah continues to list the names of the people who signed the sealed document.

686NEH1015r379translate-namesבֻּנִּ֥י1Bunni

This is a mans name. See how you translated this in Nehemiah 9:4. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

687NEH1015d4hqtranslate-namesעַזְגָּ֖ד בֵּבָֽי1Azgad, Bebai

These are the names of men. See how you translated them in Nehemiah 7:16-17. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

688NEH1016dda20Connecting Statement:

The list of men whose names appear on the sealed documents Nehemiah 10:1 continues.

689NEH1016m4l9translate-namesאֲדֹנִיָּ֥ה…עָדִֽין1Adonijah…Adin

These are the names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

690NEH1016xk1stranslate-namesבִגְוַ֖י1Bigvai

This is a mans name. See how you translated this in Nehemiah 7:7. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

691NEH1017ybp40Connecting Statement:

The list of men whose names appear on the sealed documents Nehemiah 10:1 continues.

692NEH1017neh8translate-namesעַזּֽוּר1Azzur

These are the names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

693NEH1017l7xwtranslate-namesאָטֵ֥ר חִזְקִיָּ֖ה1Ater, Hezekiah

These are the names of men. See how you translated this in Nehemiah 7:20. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

694NEH1018ssa20Connecting Statement:

The list of men whose names appear on the sealed documents Nehemiah 10:1 continues.

695NEH1018n169translate-namesהוֹדִיָּ֥ה1Hodiah

This is a mans name. See how you translated this in Nehemiah 8:7. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

696NEH1018k9y7translate-namesחָשֻׁ֖ם1Hashum

These are the names of men. See how you translated this in Nehemiah 7:20. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

697NEH1018f3letranslate-namesבֵּצָֽי1Bezai

This is a mans name. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

698NEH1019rbs70Connecting Statement:

The list of men whose names appear on the sealed documents Nehemiah 10:1 continues.

699NEH1019qpd4translate-namesנֵיבָֽי1Nebai

This is a mans name. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

700NEH1019it8atranslate-namesחָרִ֥יף1Hariph

This is a mans name. See how you translated this in Nehemiah 7:23. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

701NEH1019l77qtranslate-namesעֲנָת֖וֹת1Anathoth

This is a mans name. See how you translated this in Nehemiah 7:27. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

702NEH1020xbs60Connecting Statement:

The list of men whose names appear on the sealed documents Nehemiah 10:1 continues.

703NEH1020gf8rtranslate-namesמַגְפִּיעָ֥שׁ…חֵזִֽיר1Magpiash…Hezir

These are the names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

704NEH1020hbe9translate-namesמְשֻׁלָּ֖ם1Meshullam

These are the names of men. See how you translated this in Nehemiah 3:4. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

705NEH1021bjm20Connecting Statement:

The list of men whose names appear on the sealed documents Nehemiah 10:1 continues.

706NEH1021gh1mtranslate-namesיַדּֽוּעַ1Jaddua

This is a mans name. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

707NEH1021x7eptranslate-namesמְשֵׁיזַבְאֵ֥ל צָד֖וֹק1Meshezabel, Zadok

These are the names of men. See how you translated this in Nehemiah 3:4. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

708NEH1022rm3j0General Information:

In these verses, Nehemiah continues to list the names of the people who signed the sealed document.

709NEH1022n3zktranslate-namesפְּלַטְיָ֥ה1Pelatiah

This is a mans name. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

710NEH1022e4dttranslate-namesחָנָ֖ן1Hanan

This is a mans name. See how you translated this in Nehemiah 7:49. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

711NEH1022un5itranslate-namesעֲנָיָֽה1Anaiah

This is a mans name. See how you translated this in Nehemiah 8:4 and Nehemiah 3:8. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

712NEH1023kcs60Connecting Statement:

The list of men whose names appear on the sealed documents Nehemiah 10:1 continues.

713NEH1023ku2mtranslate-namesהוֹשֵׁ֥עַ חֲנַנְיָ֖ה1Hoshea…Hananiah

These are the name of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

714NEH1023rr76translate-namesחַשּֽׁוּב1Hasshub

This is a mans name. See how you translated this in Nehemiah 3:11. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

715NEH1024p99a0Connecting Statement:

The list of men whose names appear on the sealed documents Nehemiah 10:1 continues.

716NEH1024t9wxtranslate-namesהַלּוֹחֵ֥שׁ1Hallohesh

These are the names of men. See how you translated this in Nehemiah 3:11. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

717NEH1024y9f7translate-namesפִּלְחָ֖א שׁוֹבֵֽק1Pilha…Shobek

These are the name of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

718NEH1025t6u90Connecting Statement:

The list of men whose names appear on the sealed documents Nehemiah 10:1 continues.

719NEH1025ml8wtranslate-namesרְח֥וּם1Rehum

This is a mans name. See how you translated this in Nehemiah 3:17. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

720NEH1025s2tctranslate-namesחֲשַׁבְנָ֖ה1Hashabnah

These are the name of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

721NEH1025tz5atranslate-namesמַעֲשֵׂיָֽה1Maaseiah

This is a mans name. See how you translated this in Nehemiah 3:23. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

722NEH1026ab18translate-namesוַ⁠אֲחִיָּ֥ה…עָנָֽן1Ahiah…Anan

These are the name of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

723NEH1026k998translate-namesחָנָ֖ן1Hanan

This is a mans name. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

724NEH1027w9x40Connecting Statement:

The list of men whose names appear on the sealed documents Nehemiah 10:1 continues.

725NEH1027ac3rtranslate-namesמַלּ֥וּךְ חָרִ֖ם1Malluk, Harim

These are the names of men. See how you translated this in Nehemiah 10:4. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

726NEH1027y6gxtranslate-namesבַּעֲנָֽה1Baanah

This is a mans name. See how you translated this in Nehemiah 7:6. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

727NEH1028w2rtהַ⁠שּׁוֹעֲרִ֨ים1gatekeepers

This refers to the people assigned to each gate, responsible to control access to the city or temple, as well as to open and close the gates at times and for reasons set by the administrator. See how you translated this in Nehemiah 7:1.

728NEH1028f1n8figs-explicitהַ⁠מְשֹׁרְרִ֜ים1singers

You may need to make explicit that these are those who sang in the temple. Alternate translation: “temple singers” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

729NEH1028qej9figs-explicitכֹּ֖ל יוֹדֵ֥עַ מֵבִֽין1all who have knowledge and understanding

This phrase can be made explicit. Alternate translation: “all who were old enough to understand what promising to obey God meant” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

730NEH1029l6nsאֲחֵי⁠הֶם֮ אַדִּירֵי⁠הֶם֒1their brothers, their nobles

“their fellow brothers the nobles” or “their brothers the leaders.” These phrases refer to the same people.

731NEH1029x6i9figs-metaphorוּ⁠בָאִ֞ים בְּ⁠אָלָ֣ה וּ⁠בִ⁠שְׁבוּעָ֗ה1bound themselves with both a curse and an oath

This speaks of the people taking an oath and a curse as if the oath and the curse were a rope that physically bound them. Alternate translation: “swore themselves to an oath and a curse” or “they took an oath and called for a curse to come on themselves if they failed to keep it” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

732NEH1029k971figs-idiomלָ⁠לֶ֨כֶת֙ בְּ⁠תוֹרַ֣ת הָ⁠אֱלֹהִ֔ים1to walk in Gods law

This is an idiom. Alternate translation: “to live by Gods law” or “to obey Gods law” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])

733NEH1029p6ryfigs-activepassiveאֲשֶׁ֣ר נִתְּנָ֔ה בְּ⁠יַ֖ד מֹשֶׁ֣ה עֶֽבֶד־הָֽ⁠אֱלֹהִ֑ים1which was given by Moses the servant of God

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “which Moses the servant of God had given to Israel” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

734NEH1029ny6bוְ⁠לִ⁠שְׁמ֣וֹר1to observe

“to follow”

735NEH1030t8sp0General Information:

In these verses, the people describe the content of the oath they were making in Nehemiah 10:29.

736NEH1030s4sxfigs-explicitלֹא־נִתֵּ֥ן בְּנֹתֵ֖י⁠נוּ לְ⁠עַמֵּ֣י הָ⁠אָ֑רֶץ וְ⁠אֶת־בְּנֹ֣תֵי⁠הֶ֔ם לֹ֥א נִקַּ֖ח לְ⁠בָנֵֽי⁠נוּ1would not give our daughters to the people of the land or take their daughters for our sons

This means that they would not allow their sons and daughters to marry them. Alternate translation: “would not give our daughters to marry the people of the land, and we would not take their daughters to marry our sons” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

737NEH1030iqq1figs-explicitלְ⁠עַמֵּ֣י הָ⁠אָ֑רֶץ1the people of the land

This refers to the people who live in their land who do not worship Yahweh. Alternate translation: “the people of this land who do not worship Yahweh” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

738NEH1030lx8cfigs-exclusiveלֹא־נִתֵּ֥ן…לֹ֥א נִקַּ֖ח1We promised…we would not give… or take

The pronoun “we” here includes Nehemiah and the Jewish people, but not the reader of this book. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-exclusive]])

739NEH1031m39ffigs-exclusiveלֹא־נִקַּ֥ח…וְ⁠נִטֹּ֛שׁ1We also promised…we would not buy…we will let…we will cancel

The pronoun “we” here includes Nehemiah and the Jewish people, but not the reader of this book. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-exclusive]])

740NEH1031ek18translate-ordinalאֶת־הַ⁠שָּׁנָ֥ה הַ⁠שְּׁבִיעִ֖ית1seventh year

“year 7” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal]])

741NEH1031hf7zfigs-idiomוְ⁠נִטֹּ֛שׁ1we will let our fields rest

This is an idiom. Alternate translation: “we will not plow our fields” or “we will not grow anything in our fields” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])

742NEH1031ur3tוּ⁠מַשָּׁ֥א כָל־יָֽד1we will cancel all debts

This means that they will not require that people pay them what they owe. Alternate translation: “we will cancel all debts that people owe us” or “we will tell people that they no longer have to pay us back”

743NEH1032bh3h0General Information:

In these verses, the people continue describing the content of the oath they were making in Nehemiah 10:29.

744NEH1032h9gtוְ⁠הֶעֱמַ֤דְנוּ עָלֵ֨י⁠נוּ֙ מִצְוֺ֔ת1We accepted the commands

“We promised to obey the command”

745NEH1032ljm2figs-exclusiveוְ⁠הֶעֱמַ֤דְנוּ עָלֵ֨י⁠נוּ֙1We accepted

The pronoun “we” here includes all the Israelites including Nehemiah except for the priest and Levites, and does not include the reader of this book (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-exclusive]])

746NEH1032ad47translate-bmoneyשְׁלִשִׁ֥ית הַ⁠שֶּׁ֖קֶל1a third of a shekel

“1/3 of a shekel.” “A third” means one part out of three equal parts. This can be written in modern measurements. Alternate translation: “5 grams of sliver” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-bmoney]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-fraction]])

747NEH1032pw6wלַ⁠עֲבֹדַ֖ת1for the service of

“to pay for the care of”

748NEH1033ehf4לְ⁠לֶ֣חֶם הַֽ⁠מַּעֲרֶ֡כֶת1the bread of the presence

This refers to the 12 loaves of bread baked without yeast kept in the temple and used to symbolize Gods presence with His people.

749NEH1033xu3yהֶ⁠חֳדָשִׁ֜ים1the new moon festivals

These were celebrations held when the moon was just a small crescent in the sky.

750NEH1034s6yz0General Information:

In these verses, the people continue describing the content of the oath they were making in Nehemiah 10:29.

751NEH1034l42kfigs-activepassiveלְ⁠בַעֵ֗ר1to be burned

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “for the Levites to burn” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

752NEH1034ph9qfigs-activepassiveכַּ⁠כָּת֖וּב1as it is written

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “as it states” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

753NEH1035vp1pאַדְמָתֵ֗⁠נוּ1from our soil

“in our soil” or “on our land”

754NEH1037j9sj0General Information:

In these verses, the people continue describing the content of the oath they were making in Nehemiah verse 29.

755NEH1037s7s2figs-exclusiveנָבִ֤יא1We will bring…We will bring

The pronoun “we” here includes Nehemiah and the Israelites except for the priests and the Levites, and also does not include the reader of this book (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-exclusive]])

756NEH1037rk7xעֲרִיסֹתֵ֣י⁠נוּ1our dough

Possible meanings are that this refers to 1) dough made from coarse flour, 2) coarse flour, or 3) ground grain.

757NEH1037uc2wfigs-ellipsisתִּיר֣וֹשׁ וְ⁠יִצְהָ֗ר1the new wine and the oil

The words “first of” are understood from the begininng of the sentnces. They can be repeated. Alternate translation: “the first of the new wine and of the oil” or “the best of the new wine and of the oil” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]])

758NEH1037e92lלִשְׁכ֣וֹת בֵּית־אֱלֹהֵ֔י⁠נוּ1the storerooms of the house of our God

“the places where things are stored in the temple”

759NEH1037r776figs-synecdocheוּ⁠מַעְשַׂ֥ר אַדְמָתֵ֖⁠נוּ1the tithes from our soil

Here “our soil” refers to everything that is grown in the ground. Alternate translation: “the tithes of what we grow in the ground” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche]])

760NEH1038by9zfigs-activepassiveבַּ⁠עְשֵׂ֣ר1they receive the tithes

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “the people give them the tithes” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

761NEH1038eb51translate-fractionאֶת־מַעֲשַׂ֤ר1a tenth

This means one part out of ten equal parts. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-fraction]])

762NEH1038zl4aהַ⁠לְּשָׁכ֖וֹת לְ⁠בֵ֥ית הָ⁠אוֹצָֽר1the storerooms of the treasury

“the storerooms in the temple”

763NEH1039qzf80General Information:

In these verses, the people finish describing the content of the oath they were making in Nehemiah 10:29.

764NEH1039ss5hfigs-activepassiveאֶל־הַ֠⁠לְּשָׁכוֹת1the storerooms where the articles of the sanctuary are kept

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “the rooms where the priests keep the things that are used in the temple” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

765NEH1039u1sqוְ⁠לֹ֥א נַעֲזֹ֖ב אֶת־בֵּ֥ית אֱלֹהֵֽי⁠נוּ1We will not neglect the house of our God

This can be stated in positive form. Alternate translation: “We will care for the temple”

766NEH1039b23hfigs-exclusiveנַעֲזֹ֖ב1We will

The pronoun “we” here includes Nehemiah and all the people of Israel but does not include the reader of this book. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-exclusive]])

767NEH11introxja10

Nehemiah 11 General Notes

Special concepts in this chapter

The places where the Jews lived

Some people lived in Jerusalem, but most people lived in villages and towns away from Jerusalem. They lived there in order to farm the land raise their animals. The city with its walls was there to provide all of the people with protection if enemies attacked them.

768NEH111e2ygהָ֠⁠עָם הִפִּ֨ילוּ גוֹרָל֜וֹת1the people cast lots

“the people threw marked stones”

769NEH111beq5לְ⁠הָבִ֣יא׀ אֶחָ֣ד מִן־הָ⁠עֲשָׂרָ֗ה1to bring one of ten

“to bring one family out of every ten families”

770NEH113l7mbבַּ⁠אֲחֻזָּת⁠וֹ֙ בְּ⁠עָ֣רֵי⁠הֶ֔ם יִשְׂרָאֵ֤ל1on his own land, including some Israelites

“on his own land: Israelites”

771NEH114n2a7מִ⁠בְּנֵ֥י יְהוּדָ֖ה וּ⁠מִ⁠בְּנֵ֣י בִנְיָמִ֑ן1some of the descendants of Judah and some of the descendants of Benjamin

“some of the people of Judah and some of the people of Benjamin”

772NEH114nm8yמִ⁠בְּנֵ֣י יְ֠הוּדָה1The people from Judah included:

“From the descendants of Judah:”

773NEH114wl7rtranslate-namesיְהוּדָ֖ה…בִנְיָמִ֑ן…עֲתָיָ֨ה…עֻזִּיָּ֜ה…זְכַרְיָ֧ה…אֲמַרְיָ֛ה…שְׁפַטְיָ֥ה…מַהֲלַלְאֵ֖ל…פָֽרֶץ1Judah…Benjamin…Athaiah…Uzziah…Zechariah…Amariah…Shephatiah…Mahalalel…Perez

These are the names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

774NEH114vx6kמִ⁠בְּנֵי־פָֽרֶץ1a descendant of Perez

“from the descendants of Perez”

775NEH115l7270Connecting Statement:

In these verses, Nehemiah continues to list the provincial officers who lived in Jerusalem.

776NEH115ml8btranslate-namesוּ⁠מַעֲשֵׂיָ֣ה…בָּר֣וּךְ…כָּל־חֹ֠זֶה…חֲזָיָ֨ה…עֲדָיָ֧ה…יוֹיָרִ֛יב…זְכַרְיָ֖ה1Maaseiah…Baruch…Kol-Hozeh…Hazaiah…Adaiah…Joiarib…Zechariah

These are the names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

777NEH115dxb8הַ⁠שִּׁלֹנִֽי1Shilonite

This refers to a person who comes from the town of Shiloh.

778NEH116y8t2translate-namesפֶ֕רֶץ1Perez

This is a mans name. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

779NEH116hcr6translate-numbersכָּל־…בִּ⁠ירוּשָׁלִָ֑ם אַרְבַּ֥ע מֵא֛וֹת שִׁשִּׁ֥ים וּ⁠שְׁמֹנָ֖ה1All…were 468

“All…were four hundred and sixty-eight.” Perez had 468 descendants who lived in Jerusalem. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers]])

780NEH116ej3gאַנְשֵׁי־חָֽיִל1They were outstanding men

“They were courageous men” or “They were valiant men”

781NEH117m8mp0Connecting Statement:

In these verses, Nehemiah continues to list the provincial officers who lived in Jerusalem.

782NEH117md67וְ⁠אֵ֖לֶּה בְּנֵ֣י1These are the descendants

“These are some of the descendants.” Your language may need to specify that this is not a list of every descendant.

783NEH117w8c5translate-namesבִנְיָמִ֑ן סַלֻּ֡א…מְשֻׁלָּ֡ם…יוֹעֵ֡ד…פְּדָיָה֩…ק֨וֹלָיָ֧ה…מַעֲשֵׂיָ֛ה…אִֽיתִיאֵ֖ל…יְשַֽׁעְיָֽה1Benjamin…Sallu…Meshullam…Joed…Pedaiah…Kolaiah…Maaseiah…Ithiel…Jeshaiah

These are the names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

784NEH118bzh9translate-namesגַּבַּ֣י סַלָּ֑י1Gabbai…Sallai

These are the names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

785NEH118z37gtranslate-numbersתְּשַׁ֥ע מֵא֖וֹת עֶשְׂרִ֥ים וּ⁠שְׁמֹנָֽה1928 men

“nine hundred and twenty-eight men.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers]])

786NEH119z3xltranslate-namesוְ⁠יוֹאֵ֥ל…זִכְרִ֖י…⁠יהוּדָ֧ה…הַ⁠סְּנוּאָ֛ה1Joel…Zichri…Judah…Hassenuah

These are the names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

787NEH1110ft7mtranslate-namesיְדַֽעְיָ֥ה…יוֹיָרִ֖יב יָכִֽין1Jedaiah…Joiarib…Jakin

These are the names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

788NEH1111d8phtranslate-namesשְׂרָיָ֨ה…חִלְקִיָּ֜ה…מְשֻׁלָּ֣ם…צָד֗וֹק1Seraiah…Hilkiah…Meshullam…Zadok

These are the names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

789NEH1112j7vptranslate-namesוַ֠⁠עֲדָיָה…יְרֹחָ֤ם…פְּלַלְיָה֙…אַמְצִ֣י…זְכַרְיָ֔ה…פַּשְׁח֖וּר…מַלְכִּיָּֽה1Adaiah…Jeroham…Pelaliah…Amzi…Zechariah…Pashhur…Malkijah

These are names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

790NEH1112nl7hוַ⁠אֲחֵי⁠הֶ֗ם1their associates

“their brothers” or “their kinsmen”

791NEH1112z6pcעֹשֵׂ֤י הַ⁠מְּלָאכָה֙ לַ⁠בַּ֔יִת1who did the work for the house

“who worked in the temple.” The “house” referred to here is the “house of God” mentioned in the previous verse.

792NEH1112kq8ytranslate-numbersשְׁמֹנֶ֥ה מֵא֖וֹת עֶשְׂרִ֣ים וּ⁠שְׁנָ֑יִם1822 men

“eight hundred and twenty-two men” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers]])

793NEH1113wd9qוְ⁠אֶחָי⁠ו֙1His brothers

the brothers of Adaiah, the son of Jeroham (Nehemiah 11:12).

794NEH1113u4gnfigs-metaphorוְ⁠אֶחָי⁠ו֙1brothers

This word is a metaphor for 1) fellow Israelites or 2) people who did the same work. Alternate translation: “associates” or “fellow workers” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

795NEH1113gd6gtranslate-numbersמָאתַ֖יִם אַרְבָּעִ֣ים וּ⁠שְׁנָ֑יִם1242 men

“two hundred and forty-two men” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers]])

796NEH1113l51btranslate-namesוַ⁠עֲמַשְׁסַ֧י…עֲזַרְאֵ֛ל…אַחְזַ֥י…מְשִׁלֵּמ֖וֹת…אִמֵּֽר1Amashsai…Azarel…Ahzai…Meshillemoth…Immer

These are the names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

797NEH1114jrq7translate-namesזַבְדִּיאֵ֖ל…הַ⁠גְּדוֹלִֽים1Zabdiel…Haggedolim

These are the names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

798NEH1114p9qwtranslate-numbersגִּבּ֣וֹרֵי חַ֔יִל מֵאָ֖ה עֶשְׂרִ֣ים וּ⁠שְׁמֹנָ֑ה1128 courageous fighting men

“one hundred and twenty-eight courageous fighting men.” These were “valiant warriors” or “courageous warriors.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers]])

799NEH1115f71ntranslate-namesשְׁמַעְיָ֧ה…חַשּׁ֛וּב…עַזְרִיקָ֥ם…חֲשַׁבְיָ֖ה…בּוּנִּֽי1Shemaiah…Hasshub…Azrikam…Hashabiah…Bunni

These are the names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

800NEH1116q6zjtranslate-namesוְ⁠שַׁבְּתַ֨י וְ⁠יוֹזָבָ֜ד1Shabbethai…Jozabad

These are the names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

801NEH1116if3qעַל־…מֵ⁠רָאשֵׁ֖י הַ⁠לְוִיִּֽם1who were from the leaders of the Levites and were in charge

“from the leaders of the Levites, were in charge”

802NEH1117ix77translate-namesוּ⁠מַתַּנְיָ֣ה…מִ֠יכָה…זַבְדִּ֨י…אָסָ֜ף…וּ⁠בַקְבֻּקְיָ֖ה…וְ⁠עַבְדָּא֙…שַׁמּ֔וּ…גָּלָ֖ל…יְדוּתֽוּן1Mattaniah…Mika…Zabdi…Asaph…Bakbukiah…Abda…Shammua…Galal…Jeduthun

These are the names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

803NEH1117sm9tרֹ֗אשׁ הַ⁠תְּחִלָּה֙ יְהוֹדֶ֣ה לַ⁠תְּפִלָּ֔ה1who began the thanksgiving in prayer

That is, who directed the singers.

804NEH1117djg7וּ⁠בַקְבֻּקְיָ֖ה מִשְׁנֶ֣ה מֵ⁠אֶחָ֑י⁠ו1Bakbukiah, the second among his brothers

Possible meanings are 1) Bakbukiah was Mattaniahs kinsman and second in authority to Mattaniah or 2) “Bakbukiah, who led a second group of singers.”

805NEH1117dy1vמֵ⁠אֶחָ֑י⁠ו1brothers

Another possible meaning is “associates” or “fellow workers.”

806NEH1118di19בְּ⁠עִ֣יר הַ⁠קֹּ֔דֶשׁ1the holy city

This expression refers to the city of Jerusalem.

807NEH1118hk8itranslate-numbersמָאתַ֖יִם שְׁמֹנִ֥ים וְ⁠אַרְבָּעָֽה1numbered 284

“numbered two hundred and eighty-four.” There were 284 Levites in Jerusalem. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers]])

808NEH1119i92rוְ⁠הַ⁠שּֽׁוֹעֲרִים֙1gatekeepers

people assigned to each gate, responsible to control access to the city or temple, as well as to open and close the gates at times and for reasons set by the administrator. See how you translated this in Nehemiah 7:1.

809NEH1119j7b3translate-namesעַקּ֣וּב טַלְמ֔וֹן1Akkub…Talmon

These are the names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

810NEH1119kaz4translate-numbersמֵאָ֖ה שִׁבְעִ֥ים וּ⁠שְׁנָֽיִם1172 men

“one hundred and seventy-two men” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers]])

811NEH1121eu4gtranslate-namesוְ⁠צִיחָ֥א וְ⁠גִשְׁפָּ֖א1Ziha…Gishpa

These are the names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

812NEH1121vct4translate-namesבָּ⁠עֹ֑פֶל1Ophel

This is the name of a place. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

813NEH1122l3baוּ⁠פְקִ֤יד1The chief officer over

“The overseer of”

814NEH1122rr5etranslate-namesעֻזִּ֤י…בָּנִי֙…חֲשַׁבְיָ֔ה…מַתַּנְיָ֖ה…מִיכָ֑א…אָסָף֙1Uzzi…Bani…Hashabiah…Mattaniah…Mika…Asaph

These are the names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

815NEH1123km8lכִּֽי־מִצְוַ֥ת הַ⁠מֶּ֖לֶךְ עֲלֵי⁠הֶ֑ם1They were under orders from the king

“The king had told them what to do”

816NEH1123a9fzfigs-activepassiveוַ⁠אֲמָנָ֥ה עַל־הַ⁠מְשֹׁרְרִ֖ים1firm orders were given for the singers

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “the king had told them specifically what to do about the singers” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

817NEH1124aee9translate-namesוּ⁠פְתַֽחְיָ֨ה…מְשֵֽׁיזַבְאֵ֜ל…זֶ֤רַח…יְהוּדָה֙1Pethahiah…Meshezabel…Zerah…Judah

These are the names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

818NEH1124dqa4לְ⁠יַ֣ד הַ⁠מֶּ֔לֶךְ לְ⁠כָל־דָּבָ֖ר לָ⁠עָֽם1at the kings side in all matters concerning the people

“at the Persian kings side as an adviser in all matters concerning the Jewish people”

819NEH1125rg1ftranslate-namesבְּ⁠קִרְיַ֤ת הָֽאַרְבַּע֙…וּ⁠בְ⁠דִיבֹן֙…וּ⁠בִֽ⁠יקַּבְצְאֵ֖ל1Kiriath Arba…Dibon…Jekabzeel

These are the names of places. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

820NEH1126d9f4translate-namesוּ⁠בְ⁠יֵשׁ֥וּעַ וּ⁠בְ⁠מוֹלָדָ֖ה וּ⁠בְ⁠בֵ֥ית פָּֽלֶט1Jeshua…Moladah…Beth Pelet

These are the names of places. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

821NEH1127nu5ztranslate-namesוּ⁠בַ⁠חֲצַ֥ר שׁוּעָ֛ל וּ⁠בִ⁠בְאֵ֥ר שֶׁ֖בַע1Hazar Shual…Beersheba

These are the names of places. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

822NEH1128dl5vtranslate-namesוּ⁠בְ⁠צִֽקְלַ֥ג וּ⁠בִ⁠מְכֹנָ֖ה1Ziklag…Mekonah

These are the names of places. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

823NEH1129t41atranslate-namesוּ⁠בְ⁠עֵ֥ין רִמּ֛וֹן וּ⁠בְ⁠צָרְעָ֖ה וּ⁠בְ⁠יַרְמֽוּ1Enrimmon…Zorah…Jarmuth

These are the names of places. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

824NEH1130vn2ztranslate-namesזָנֹ֤חַ עֲדֻלָּם֙…לָכִישׁ֙…עֲזֵקָ֖ה…מִ⁠בְּאֵֽר־שֶׁ֖בַע…גֵּֽיא־הִנֹּֽם1Zanoah…Adullam…Lachish…Azekah…Beersheba…Valley of Hinnom

These are the names of places. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

825NEH1130mzq1וַ⁠יַּחֲנ֥וּ1they lived

Here “they” refers to the people of Judah.

826NEH1131n61tוּ⁠בְנֵ֥י בִנְיָמִ֖ן מִ⁠גָּ֑בַע מִכְמָ֣שׂ וְ⁠עַיָּ֔ה1The people of Benjamin also lived from Geba onward, at Mikmash and Aija

“The people of Benjamin lived in Geba, Mikmash and Aija”

827NEH1131uha3translate-namesמִ⁠גָּ֑בַע מִכְמָ֣שׂ וְ⁠עַיָּ֔ה וּ⁠בֵֽית1Geba…Mikmash…Aija…Bethel

These are the names of places. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

828NEH1131lm1qוְ⁠עַיָּ֔ה1Aija

This is possibly another name for the town of Ai.

829NEH1132ucv8translate-namesעֲנָת֥וֹת נֹ֖ב עֲנָֽנְיָֽה1Anathoth, Nob, Ananiah

These are the names of places. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

830NEH1133jwf7translate-namesחָצ֥וֹר׀ רָמָ֖ה גִּתָּֽיִם1Hazor, Ramah, Gittaim

These are the names of places. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

831NEH1134e1lstranslate-namesחָדִ֥יד צְבֹעִ֖ים נְבַלָּֽט1Hadid, Zeboim, Neballat

These are the names of places. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

832NEH1135qu5ntranslate-namesגֵּ֥י הַחֲרָשִֽׁים1the valley of craftsmen

Possible meanings are 1) this is a description of Ono or 2) it is “Craftsmens Valley” or “the Valley of Craftsmen,” another name for Ono, or 3) it is a different place from Ono, “and the Valley of Craftsmen.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

833NEH1136y212figs-activepassiveוּ⁠מִן־הַ⁠לְוִיִּ֔ם מַחְלְק֥וֹת יְהוּדָ֖ה לְ⁠בִנְיָמִֽין1Some of the Levites who lived in Judah were assigned to the people of Benjamin

It is not clear who assigned these Levites to live with the people of Benjamin. Alternate translation: “They assigned some of the Levites who lived in Judah to serve the people of Benjamin” or “The officials assigned some of the Levites who lived in Judah to serve the people of Benjamin” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]])

834NEH12introxmt30

Nehemiah 12 General Notes

Special concepts in this chapter

Dedication of the wall

In the ancient Near East, it was common to dedicate an important structure to a god. When it was completed, the wall was dedicated to Yahweh. Long lists of people are present, indicating that “everyone” was present for this and praised Yahweh. (See: [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/falsegod]])

835NEH121ixs5אֲשֶׁ֥ר עָל֛וּ1who came up

“who arrived from Babylonia”

836NEH121b4x7עִם־זְרֻבָּבֶ֥ל1with Zerubbabel

“under the leadership of Zerubbabel”

837NEH121b8rytranslate-namesזְרֻבָּבֶ֥ל…שְׁאַלְתִּיאֵ֖ל וְ⁠יֵשׁ֑וּעַ שְׂרָיָ֥ה יִרְמְיָ֖ה עֶזְרָֽא1Zerubbabel…Shealtiel…Jeshua…Seraiah…Jeremiah…Ezra

These are names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

838NEH121myj6figs-explicitוְ⁠יֵשׁ֑וּעַ1Jeshua

The original readers would have understood that Jeshua was the high priest. Alternate translation: “Jeshua the high priest” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

839NEH122p4mltranslate-namesאֲמַרְיָ֥ה מַלּ֖וּךְ חַטּֽוּשׁ1Amariah…Malluk…Hattush

These are names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

840NEH123gwk1translate-namesשְׁכַנְיָ֥ה רְחֻ֖ם מְרֵמֹֽת1Shecaniah…Rehum…Meremoth

These are names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

841NEH124cd2t0Connecting Statement:

The list that began in Nehemiah 12:1 continues.

842NEH124qt5ntranslate-namesעִדּ֥וֹא גִנְּת֖וֹי אֲבִיָּֽה1Iddo…Ginnethon…Abijah

These are all names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

843NEH125x3ritranslate-namesמִיָּמִ֥ין מַֽעַדְיָ֖ה בִּלְגָּֽה1Mijamin…Moadiah…Bilgah

These are all names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

844NEH126udm2translate-namesשְׁמַֽעְיָ֥ה וְ⁠יוֹיָרִ֖יב יְדַֽעְיָֽה1Shemaiah…Joiarib…Jedaiah

These are all names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

845NEH127g43ptranslate-namesסַלּ֣וּ עָמ֔וֹק חִלְקִיָּ֖ה יְדַֽעְיָ֑ה…יֵשֽׁוּעַ1Sallu…Amok…Hilkiah…Jedaiah…Jeshua

These are all names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

846NEH128xy1htranslate-namesיֵשׁ֧וּעַ בִּנּ֛וּי קַדְמִיאֵ֥ל שֵׁרֵבְיָ֖ה יְהוּדָ֣ה מַתַּנְיָ֑ה1Jeshua, Binnui, Kadmiel, Sherebiah, Judah,…Mattaniah

These are names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

847NEH129nnn1translate-namesוּ⁠בַקְבֻּֽקְיָ֨ה וְעֻנִּ֧י1Bakbukiah…Unni

These are names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

848NEH129nhn4לְ⁠נֶגְדָּ֖⁠ם לְ⁠מִשְׁמָרֽוֹת1stood opposite them during the service

Possible meanings are 1) this was during a worship service and these were two groups of singers or other worshipers, or 2) these groups guarded the temple at different times, or “took turns guarding the temple.”

849NEH1210ri33translate-namesוְ⁠יֵשׁ֖וּעַ…יֽוֹיָקִ֑ים…אֶלְיָשִׁ֔יב…יוֹיָדָֽע1Jeshua…Joiakim…Eliashib…Joiada

These are names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

850NEH1210xd69figs-explicitוְ⁠יֵשׁ֖וּעַ הוֹלִ֣יד אֶת־יֽוֹיָקִ֑ים1Jeshua was the father of Joiakim

This is the same Jeshua named in Nehemiah 12:1. The original readers would have understood that Jeshua was the high priest. Alternate translation: “Jeshua the high priest was the father of Joiakim” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

851NEH1211a7yvtranslate-namesוְ⁠יוֹיָדָע֙…יוֹנָתָ֔ן…יַדּֽוּעַ1Joiada…Jonathan…Jaddua

These are names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

852NEH1212j9qvtranslate-namesיֽוֹיָקִ֔ים…מְרָיָ֔ה…חֲנַנְיָֽה1Joiakim…Meraiah…Hananiah

These are names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

853NEH1212vv32translate-namesלִ⁠שְׂרָיָ֣ה…לְ⁠יִרְמְיָ֖ה1Seraiah…Jeremiah

These are names of families named after men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

854NEH1213uwn8translate-namesמְשֻׁלָּ֔ם…יְהוֹחָנָֽן1Meshullam…Jehohanan

These are names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

855NEH1213hm77translate-namesלְ⁠עֶזְרָ֣א…לַ⁠אֲמַרְיָ֖ה1Ezra…Amariah

These are names of families named after men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

856NEH1214vig4translate-namesיֽוֹנָתָ֔ן…יוֹסֵֽף1Jonathan…Joseph

These are names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

857NEH1214tum7translate-namesל⁠מלוכי…לִ⁠שְׁבַנְיָ֖ה1Malluk…Shebaniah

These are names of families named after men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

858NEH1215l4u90Connecting Statement:

The list that began in Nehemiah 12:12 continues.

859NEH1215z68btranslate-namesעַדְנָ֔א…חֶלְקָֽי1Adna…Helkai

These are all names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

860NEH1215a64ptranslate-namesלְ⁠חָרִ֣ם…לִ⁠מְרָי֖וֹת1Harim…Meremoth

These are all names of families that are named after men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

861NEH1216hb4ytranslate-namesזְכַרְיָ֖ה…מְשֻׁלָּֽם1Zechariah…Meshullam

These are all names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

862NEH1216u64utranslate-namesל⁠עדיא…לְ⁠גִנְּת֥וֹן1Iddo…Ginnethon

These are all names of families that are named after men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

863NEH1216uae6לְ⁠גִנְּת֥וֹן מְשֻׁלָּֽם1Meshullam was the leader of Ginnethon

Ginnethon may be another form of the name Ginnethoi.

864NEH1217pa3ktranslate-namesזִכְרִ֑י…פִּלְטָֽי1Zichri…Piltai

These are all names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

865NEH1217em6ctranslate-namesלַ⁠אֲבִיָּ֖ה…לְ⁠מִ֨נְיָמִ֔ין לְ⁠מוֹעַדְיָ֖ה1Abijah…Miniamin…Moadiah

These are all names of families that are named after men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

866NEH1217e7rxלְ⁠מִ֨נְיָמִ֔ין1…of Miniamin

The people who made the copies of Hebrew text mistakenly left out the name of the leader of the family of Miniamin. Translators may supply a footnote explaining this. The ULT uses “…” to show that the name of the leader is missing. Alternate translation: “Someone was the leader of Miniamin”

867NEH1217h3jlלְ⁠מוֹעַדְיָ֖ה1Moadiah

Maadiah may be another form of the name Moadiah.

868NEH1218zd3ptranslate-namesשַׁמּ֔וּעַ…יְהוֹנָתָֽן1Shammua…Jehonathan

These are all names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

869NEH1218t8yytranslate-namesלְ⁠בִלְגָּ֣ה…לִֽ⁠שְׁמַעְיָ֖ה1Bilgah…Shemaiah

These are all names of families that are named after men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

870NEH1219u373translate-namesמַתְּנַ֔י…עֻזִּֽי1Mattenai…Uzzi

These are all names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

871NEH1219s8n3translate-namesוּ⁠לְ⁠יוֹיָרִ֣יב…לִֽ⁠ידַֽעְיָ֖ה1Joiarib…Jedaiah

These are all names of families that are named after men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

872NEH1220y23ctranslate-namesקַלָּ֖י…עֵֽבֶר1Kallai…Eber

These are all names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

873NEH1220p8dgtranslate-namesלְ⁠סַלַּ֥י…לְ⁠עָמ֥וֹק1Sallu…Amok

These are all names of families that are named after men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

874NEH1221v16dtranslate-namesחֲשַׁבְיָ֔ה…נְתַנְאֵֽל1Hashabiah…Nethanel

These are all names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

875NEH1221vwp6translate-namesלְ⁠חִלְקִיָּ֣ה…לִֽ⁠ידַֽעְיָ֖ה1Hilkiah…Jedaiah

These are all names of families that are named after men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

876NEH1222snj3translate-namesאֶלְיָשִׁ֜יב יוֹיָדָ֤ע וְ⁠יוֹחָנָן֙ וְ⁠יַדּ֔וּעַ1Eliashib…Joiada, Johanan…Jaddua

names of men (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

877NEH1222cr6dעַל־מַלְכ֖וּת דָּרְיָ֥וֶשׁ1during the reign of Darius

Another possible meaning is “until the reign of Darius”

878NEH1223q9hzכְּתוּבִ֕ים עַל־סֵ֖פֶר דִּבְרֵ֣י1recorded in the book of the annals

This may refer to the Book of Chronicles. The scribes wrote the words in the verses above in a book that recorded the events of each day.

879NEH1223d2rpוְ⁠עַד־יְמֵ֖י יֽוֹחָנָ֥ן בֶּן־אֶלְיָשִֽׁיב1up to the days of Johanan son of Eliashib

The records in the temple recorded only up until Johanan.

880NEH1224kx4ztranslate-namesחֲשַׁבְיָ֨ה שֵֽׁרֵבְיָ֜ה וְ⁠יֵשׁ֤וּעַ…קַדְמִיאֵל֙1Hashabiah, Sherebiah…Jeshua…Kadmiel

These are names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

881NEH1224d373לְ⁠נֶגְדָּ֔⁠ם לְ⁠הַלֵּ֣ל לְ⁠הוֹד֔וֹת בְּ⁠מִצְוַ֖ת דָּוִ֣יד אִישׁ־הָ⁠אֱלֹהִ֑ים מִשְׁמָ֖ר לְ⁠עֻמַּ֥ת מִשְׁמָֽר1who stood opposite them to give praise and to give thanks, responding section by section

This refers to how they sang some of their songs in worship. A leader or one group would sing a phrase, then one or two groups that “stood opposite them” would sing a phrase in response.

882NEH1224dl8rבְּ⁠מִצְוַ֖ת דָּוִ֣יד1obedience to the command of David

King David had commanded the Levites how they were to organize and lead worship.

883NEH1225p55ltranslate-namesמַתַּנְיָ֧ה וּ⁠בַקְבֻּֽקְיָ֛ה עֹבַדְיָ֥ה מְשֻׁלָּ֖ם טַלְמ֣וֹן עַקּ֑וּב1Mattaniah, Bakbukiah, Obadiah, Meshullam, Talmon, and Akkub

These are names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

884NEH1226wk2ztranslate-namesיוֹיָקִ֥ים…יֵשׁ֖וּעַ…יוֹצָדָ֑ק…נְחֶמְיָ֣ה…וְ⁠עֶזְרָ֥א1Joiakim…Jeshua…Jozadak…Nehemiah…Ezra

These are names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

885NEH1226k9bkבִּ⁠ימֵ֛י יוֹיָקִ֥ים…יוֹצָדָ֑ק וּ⁠בִ⁠ימֵי֙ נְחֶמְיָ֣ה הַ⁠פֶּחָ֔ה וְ⁠עֶזְרָ֥א הַ⁠כֹּהֵ֖ן הַ⁠סּוֹפֵֽר1in the days of Joiakim…Jozadak, and in the days of Nehemiah the governor and of Ezra…scribe

The date was fixed by listing those who were leading the Jews at the time. “when Joiakim…Jozadak was high priest, and when Nehemiah was governor and Ezra…was the scribe”

886NEH1227e63yוּ⁠בַ⁠חֲנֻכַּ֞ת חוֹמַ֣ת יְרוּשָׁלִַ֗ם1At the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem

Possible meanings are 1) “At the time when they dedicated the wall of Jerusalem” or 2) “So that the dedication of Jerusalems wall could take place.”

887NEH1227s6xvtranslate-unknownמְצִלְתַּ֖יִם1cymbals

two thin, round metal plates that are hit together to make a loud sound (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]])

888NEH1229lnm1translate-namesוּ⁠מִ⁠בֵּית֙ הַגִּלְגָּ֔ל…גֶּ֖בַע וְ⁠עַזְמָ֑וֶת1Beth Gilgal…Geba and Azmaveth

These are the names of places. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

889NEH1231zsj6אֶת־שָׂרֵ֣י יְהוּדָ֔ה1the leaders of Judah

the leaders of the people who lived in the region of Judah

890NEH1232ni9qtranslate-namesהוֹשַׁ֣עְיָ֔ה1Hoshaiah

These are the names of males. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

891NEH1233x16dtranslate-namesוַ⁠עֲזַרְיָ֥ה עֶזְרָ֖א וּ⁠מְשֻׁלָּֽם1Azariah, Ezra, Meshullam

These are the names of males. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

892NEH1234t5untranslate-namesיְהוּדָה֙ וּ⁠בִנְיָמִ֔ן וּֽ⁠שְׁמַֽעְיָ֖ה וְ⁠יִרְמְיָֽה1Judah, Benjamin, Shemaiah, Jeremiah

These are the names of males. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

893NEH1235h1hmtranslate-namesזְכַרְיָ֨ה…יֽוֹנָתָ֜ן…שְׁמַֽעְיָ֗ה…מַתַּנְיָה֙…מִ֣יכָיָ֔ה…זַכּ֖וּר…אָסָֽף1Zechariah…Jonathan…Shemaiah…Mattaniah…Micaiah…Zaccur…Asaph

These are the names of males. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

894NEH1235cp3qוּ⁠מִ⁠בְּנֵ֥י הַ⁠כֹּהֲנִ֖ים בַּ⁠חֲצֹצְר֑וֹת זְכַרְיָ֨ה1some of the priests sons with trumpets, and Zechariah

Some versions read, “from among the priests with trumpets, Zechariah”

895NEH1235q33vזְכַרְיָ֨ה בֶן־יֽוֹנָתָ֜ן בֶּן־שְׁמַֽעְיָ֗ה בֶּן־מַתַּנְיָה֙ בֶּן־מִ֣יכָיָ֔ה בֶּן־זַכּ֖וּר בֶּן־אָסָֽף1Zechariah son of Jonathan son of Shemaiah son of Mattaniah son of Micaiah son of Zaccur son of Asaph

All of the names after “Zechariah” are the ancestors of Zechariah. This list connects Zechariah with the famous singer Asaph. “Zechariah who was the son of Jonathan, who was the son of Shemaiah, who was the son of Mattaniah, who was the son of Micaiah, who was the son of Zaccur son of Asaph”

896NEH1236kmk3translate-namesשְֽׁמַעְיָ֡ה וַ⁠עֲזַרְאֵ֡ל מִֽלֲלַ֡י גִּֽלֲלַ֡י מָעַ֞י נְתַנְאֵ֤ל וִֽ⁠יהוּדָה֙ חֲנָ֔נִי…דָּוִ֖יד…וְ⁠עֶזְרָ֥א1Zechariah…Shemaiah, Azarel, Milalai, Gilalai, Maai, Nethanel, Judah, Hanani…David…Ezra

These are the names of males. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

897NEH1236n2tlוְ⁠עֶזְרָ֥א הַ⁠סּוֹפֵ֖ר לִ⁠פְנֵי⁠הֶֽ1Ezra the scribe was in front of them

“Ezra the scribe was leading them”

898NEH1237c38rשַׁ֨עַר הָ⁠עַ֜יִן…שַׁ֥עַר הַ⁠מַּ֖יִם1Fountain Gate…Water Gate

These are the names of openings in the wall.

899NEH1238fbi3וְ⁠הַ⁠תּוֹדָ֧ה1choir

group of singers

900NEH1238t11kוַ⁠אֲנִ֣י אַחֲרֶ֑י⁠הָ1I followed them

Nehemiah followed them.

901NEH1238j2zntranslate-namesלְ⁠מִגְדַּ֣ל הַ⁠תַּנּוּרִ֔ים1Tower of Ovens

This is the name of a tall structure where people kept watch for danger. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

902NEH1238a5wwהַ⁠חוֹמָ֥ה הָ⁠רְחָבָֽה1Broad Wall

This is a name for part of the wall.

903NEH1239v1nitranslate-namesוּ⁠מִגְדַּ֤ל חֲנַנְאֵל֙ וּ⁠מִגְדַּ֣ל הַ⁠מֵּאָ֔ה1Tower of Hananel…Tower of the Hundred

These are the names of tall structures where people kept watch for danger. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

904NEH1239v264לְ⁠שַֽׁעַר־אֶ֠פְרַיִם…שַׁ֨עַר הַיְשָׁנָ֜ה…שַׁ֣עַר הַ⁠דָּגִ֗ים…שַׁ֣עַר הַ⁠צֹּ֑אן…בְּ⁠שַׁ֖עַר הַ⁠מַּטָּרָֽה1Gate of Ephraim…Old Gate…Fish Gate…Sheep Gate…Gate of the Guard

These are the names of openings in the wall.

905NEH1240ai1vוַ⁠אֲנִ֕י1I also took my place

Nehemiah is speaking here. Alternate translation: “I, Nehemiah, also took my place”

906NEH1241s4t8translate-namesאֶלְיָקִ֡ים מַעֲשֵׂיָ֡ה מִ֠נְיָמִין מִיכָיָ֧ה אֶלְיוֹעֵינַ֛י זְכַרְיָ֥ה חֲנַנְיָ֖ה1Eliakim…Maaseiah…Miniamin…Micaiah…Elioenai…Zechariah…Hananiah

These are the names of males who were the priests at that time. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

907NEH1241bnz5בַּ⁠חֲצֹצְרֽוֹת1with the trumpets

Possible meanings are 1) only the first seven priests listed from Eliakim to Hananiah carried trumpets or 2) all 15 priests listed from Eliakim to Ezer carried trumpets.

908NEH1242gqe1translate-namesוּ⁠מַעֲשֵׂיָ֨ה וּֽ⁠שְׁמַֽעְיָ֜ה וְ⁠אֶלְעָזָ֧ר וְ⁠עֻזִּ֛י וִֽ⁠יהוֹחָנָ֥ן וּ⁠מַלְכִּיָּ֖ה וְ⁠עֵילָ֣ם וָ⁠עָ֑זֶר1Maaseiah…Shemaiah…Eleazar…Uzzi…Jehohanan…Malkijah…Elam…Ezer

These are the names of males who were the priests at that time. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

909NEH1242tdc8וְ⁠יִֽזְרַחְיָ֖ה1Jezrahiah

This is the name of a male who was the leader of the singers.

910NEH1242y2qjוַ⁠יַּשְׁמִ֨יעוּ֙1made themselves heard

“sang loudly”

911NEH1243jgp9שִׂמְּחָ⁠ם֙ שִׂמְחָ֣ה1rejoice with great joy

“rejoice greatly”

912NEH1243p5fefigs-metonymyוַ⁠תִּשָּׁמַ֛ע שִׂמְחַ֥ת יְרוּשָׁלִַ֖ם מֵ⁠רָחֽוֹק1So the joy of Jerusalem could be heard far away

“The joy of Jerusalem” here is a metonym for “the sound that the people of Jerusalem made.” This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “people far away from Jerusalem could hear the sound that the people of Jerusalem made as they celebrated” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

913NEH1244fsb6figs-activepassiveוַ⁠יִּפָּקְד֣וּ בַ⁠יּוֹם֩ הַ⁠ה֨וּא אֲנָשִׁ֜ים עַל1men were appointed to be in charge

This can be stated in active form. It is not clear who appointed the men. Alternate translation: “they appointed men to be in charge” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

914NEH1244bnw2לָ⁠א֨וֹצָר֥וֹת1the contributions

things the people gave to the priests

915NEH1244g347כִּ֚י שִׂמְחַ֣ת יְהוּדָ֔ה עַל־הַ⁠כֹּהֲנִ֥ים וְ⁠עַל־הַ⁠לְוִיִּ֖ם1For Judah rejoiced over the priests and the Levites

It seems that the people appointed the men because the people of Judah were grateful for the priests and Levites who were serving.

916NEH1244g9pgfigs-explicitהָ⁠עֹמְדִֽים1who were standing before them

The Levites and priests were not just standing, they were serving in their roles. The meaning can be made explicit. Alternate translation: “who were standing before them serving God” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

917NEH1245lm4jוְ⁠הַ⁠שֹּׁעֲרִ֑ים1gatekeepers

These were people assigned to each gate, responsible to control access to the city or temple, as well as to open and close the gates at times and for reasons set by the administrator. See how you translated this in Nehemiah 7:1.

918NEH1246py1cראש הַ⁠מְשֹׁ֣רְרִ֔ים1there were directors of singers

This sentence tells why the people did what they did in Nehemiah 12:45 and gives us more information about the time when David told people how to worship at the temple.

919NEH1247flz7בִּ⁠ימֵ֨י זְרֻבָּבֶ֜ל1In the days of Zerubbabel

Zerubbabel was a descendant of King David and one of the governors in the region of Judah.

920NEH1247mu9sנֹֽתְנִ֛ים מְנָי֛וֹת1They set aside the portion

“All Israel set aside the portion”

921NEH1247e72pלִ⁠בְנֵ֥י אַהֲרֹֽן1the descendants of Aaron

the priests in Israel, who descended from Aaron, the brother of Moses

922NEH13introtm5a0

Nehemiah 13 General Notes

Special concepts in this chapter

Nehemiah returns to Jerusalem

Nehemiah was eager to make sure that the Jews kept their promise to obey the law. When he returned from Persia, he found many things wrong: one of the store rooms in the temple had been converted into a guest room for Tobiah, the Levites had not received their portions for working in the temple, people were working on the Sabbath, and many had married heathen wives. (See: [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/promise]], [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/lawofmoses]] and [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/temple]] and [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/sabbath]])

923NEH131k9zaבְּ⁠אָזְנֵ֣י הָ⁠עָ֑ם1in the hearing of the people

“so that the people could hear it”

924NEH131j6siיָב֨וֹא…בִּ⁠קְהַ֥ל הָ⁠אֱלֹהִ֖ים עַד־עוֹלָֽם1should come into the assembly of God, forever

“should ever come into the assembly of God”

925NEH132tf8zכִּ֣י1This was because

“They could not come into the assembly because”

926NEH134bq8kfigs-activepassiveאֶלְיָשִׁיב֙ הַ⁠כֹּהֵ֔ן נָת֖וּן1Eliashib the priest was appointed

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “they appointed Eliashib the priest” or “the leaders appointed Eliashib the priest” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

927NEH134adq9קָר֖וֹב לְ⁠טוֹבִיָּֽה1He was related to Tobiah

“Eliashib and Tobiah worked closely together”

928NEH134c9hfאֶלְיָשִׁיב֙…לְ⁠טוֹבִיָּֽה1Eliashib…Tobiah

These are the names of men.

929NEH135xi14וַ⁠יַּ֨עַשׂ ל֜⁠וֹ לִשְׁכָּ֣ה גְדוֹלָ֗ה1Eliashib prepared for Tobiah a large storeroom

“Eliashib prepared a large storeroom for Tobiah to use”

930NEH135v2inוְ⁠הַ⁠שֹּׁעֲרִ֑ים1gatekeepers

people assigned to each gate, responsible to control access to the city or temple, as well as to open and close the gates at times and for reasons set by the administrator. See how you translated this in Nehemiah 7:1.

931NEH136hxp8וּ⁠בְ⁠כָל־זֶ֕ה לֹ֥א הָיִ֖יתִי בִּֽ⁠ירוּשָׁלִָ֑ם1But in all this time I was not in Jerusalem

“During the time all this was happening, I was away from Jerusalem”

932NEH136dpk4לֹ֥א הָיִ֖יתִי1I was not

Here “I” refers to Nehemiah.

933NEH137up8jנִשְׁכָּ֔ה בְּ⁠חַצְרֵ֖י בֵּ֥ית הָ⁠אֱלֹהִֽים1a storeroom in the courts of the house of God

This was a room which had previously been purified to store offering supplies (Nehemiah 13:5).

934NEH1310k9k6figs-explicitמְנָי֥וֹת הַ⁠לְוִיִּ֖ם לֹ֣א נִתָּ֑נָה1the Levites portions had not been given to them

The full meaning of this statement can be made clear. This can also be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “the people had not been bringing into the storerooms their tithes and offerings of food for the temple priests” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

935NEH1310f2ngוַ⁠יִּבְרְח֧וּ אִישׁ־לְ⁠שָׂדֵ֛⁠הוּ הַ⁠לְוִיִּ֥ם וְ⁠הַ⁠מְשֹׁרְרִ֖ים עֹשֵׂ֥י הַ⁠מְּלָאכָֽה1they had run away, each to his own field, the Levites and the singers who did the work

“the Levites and the singers who did the work had left the temple, each one going to his own field”

936NEH1311mx4vfigs-rquestionמַדּ֖וּעַ נֶעֱזַ֣ב בֵּית־הָ⁠אֱלֹהִ֑ים1Why is the house of God neglected?

Nehemiah uses a rhetorical question to challenge or even ridicule the officials who had not done their work. This question can be translated as a statement. Alternate translation: “You have neglected the house of God!” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])

937NEH1312a9uxfigs-metonymyוְ⁠כָל־יְהוּדָ֗ה1all Judah

The name of the land is a metonym for the people of the land. This is probably a generalization. Alternate translation: “all the people who lived in Judah” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole]])

938NEH1313mu7ftranslate-namesשֶׁלֶמְיָ֨ה…וְ⁠צָד֣וֹק…וּ⁠פְדָיָה֙…חָנָ֥ן…זַכּ֖וּר…מַתַּנְיָ֑ה1Shelemiah…Zadok…Pedaiah…Hanan…Zaccur…Mattaniah

These are the names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

939NEH1313e8x3figs-activepassiveנֶאֱמָנִים֙ נֶחְשָׁ֔בוּ1they were counted as trustworthy

This can be translated in active form. The abstract noun “trustworthy” can be translated as a verb. Alternate translation: “I knew that I could trust them” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]])

940NEH1314v861זָכְרָ⁠ה־לִּ֥⁠י אֱלֹהַ֖⁠י עַל־זֹ֑את1Call me to mind, my God, concerning this

“My God, remember me concerning this”

941NEH1315cp44figs-metonymyדֹּֽרְכִֽים־גִּתּ֣וֹת1treading winepresses

The word “winepresses” is a metonym for the grapes that were in the winepresses. The people were walking on grapes to get the juice out of them to make wine. Alternate translation: “walking on grapes in winepresses” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

942NEH1315z3xhדֹּֽרְכִֽים1treading

walking on something to crush or press it

943NEH1316yvh1translate-namesוְ⁠הַ⁠צֹּרִים֙1Tyre

This is the name of a city. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

944NEH1317w5nrfigs-rquestionמָֽה־הַ⁠דָּבָ֨ר הָ⁠רָ֤ע הַ⁠זֶּה֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר אַתֶּ֣ם עֹשִׂ֔ים וּֽ⁠מְחַלְּלִ֖ים אֶת־י֥וֹם הַ⁠שַּׁבָּֽת1What is this evil thing you are doing, profaning the Sabbath day?

Nehemiah is using a rhetorical question to scold the leaders of Judah. This can be translated as a statement. Alternate translation: “You are doing an evil thing by profaning the Sabbath day.” or “God will punish you for doing this evil thing, for profaning the Sabbath day.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])

945NEH1318ge49figs-rquestionהֲ⁠ל֨וֹא כֹ֤ה עָשׂוּ֙ אֲבֹ֣תֵי⁠כֶ֔ם וַ⁠יָּבֵ֨א אֱלֹהֵ֜י⁠נוּ עָלֵ֗י⁠נוּ אֵ֚ת כָּל־הָ⁠רָעָ֣ה הַ⁠זֹּ֔את וְ⁠עַ֖ל הָ⁠עִ֣יר הַ⁠זֹּ֑את1Did not your fathers do this? Did not our God bring all this evil on us and on this city?

Nehemiah is using these rhetorical questions to scold the leaders of Judah. These questions can be combined and translated as a statement. Alternate translation: “You know that your fathers did this, and that is why God brought all this evil on us and on this city.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])

946NEH1319p31hוַ⁠יְהִ֡י כַּ⁠אֲשֶׁ֣ר צָֽלֲלוּ֩ שַׁעֲרֵ֨י יְרוּשָׁלִַ֜ם לִ⁠פְנֵ֣י הַ⁠שַּׁבָּ֗ת1As soon as it became dark…before the Sabbath

“When the sun went down…and it was time for the Sabbath to begin”

947NEH1319vk4tfigs-activepassiveוַ⁠יִּסָּגְר֣וּ הַ⁠דְּלָת֔וֹת וָ⁠אֹ֣מְרָ֔⁠ה אֲשֶׁר֙ לֹ֣א יִפְתָּח֔וּ⁠ם עַ֖ד אַחַ֣ר הַ⁠שַּׁבָּ֑ת1that the doors be shut and that they should not be opened until

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “that the guards shut the doors and not open them until” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

948NEH1319wy3qfigs-activepassiveלֹא־יָב֥וֹא מַשָּׂ֖א1no load could be brought in

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “no one could bring in things they wanted to sell” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

949NEH1320s2hvוּ⁠מֹכְרֵ֧י כָל־מִמְכָּ֛ר1sellers of all kinds of wares

“people who had brought many different things they wanted to sell”

950NEH1321hi84figs-rquestionמַדּ֜וּעַ אַתֶּ֤ם לֵנִים֙ נֶ֣גֶד הַ⁠חוֹמָ֔ה1Why do you camp outside the wall?

Nehemiah uses a rhetorical question to rebuke merchants and to emphasize his command. This question can be translated as a statement. The full meaning of this statement can also be made explicit. Alternate translation: “You are camping outside the wall against what I commanded.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

951NEH1321hfv7figs-metonymyיָ֖ד אֶשְׁלַ֣ח בָּ⁠כֶ֑ם1I will lay hands on you!

The word “hands” is a metonym for forceful action. Alternate translation: “I will send you away by force!” or “I will remove you by force!” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

952NEH1322mis6גַּם־זֹאת֙ זָכְרָ⁠ה־לִּ֣⁠י אֱלֹהַ֔⁠י1Call me to mind for this also, my God

“My God, remember me concerning this also.” See how you translated a similar phrase in Nehemiah 13:14.

953NEH1323zxc20Connecting Statement:

These verses introduce the action that follows.

954NEH1323jp2wfigs-explicitאֶת־הַ⁠יְּהוּדִים֙ הֹשִׁ֗יבוּ נָשִׁים֙ אשדודיות עמוניות1Jews that had married women of Ashdod, Ammon, and Moab

“Jews that had married foreign women.” God had forbidden intermarriage. The full meaning of this statement can be made clear. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

955NEH1323l9c2translate-namesאשדודיות1Ashdod

This is the name of a city. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

956NEH1323b4nttranslate-namesעמוניות מוֹאֲבִיּֽוֹת1Ammon…Moab

These are the names of nations. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

957NEH1324w247וּ⁠בְנֵי⁠הֶ֗ם חֲצִי֙1Half of their children

“As a result, half of their children”

958NEH1325dzu5וָ⁠אָרִ֤יב עִמָּ⁠ם֙1I confronted them

“I spoke directly to them about what they had done”

959NEH1325hg44וָ⁠אַכֶּ֥ה מֵ⁠הֶ֛ם1I hit some of them

Nehemiah hit some of them with his hands.

960NEH1325gzx6וָ⁠אַשְׁבִּיעֵ֣⁠ם בֵּֽ⁠אלֹהִ֗ים1I made them swear by God

“I made them say a promise before God”

961NEH1326l9xmfigs-rquestionהֲ⁠ל֣וֹא עַל־אֵ֣לֶּה חָטָֽא־שְׁלֹמֹ֣ה מֶ֣לֶךְ1Did not Solomon king of Israel sin on account of these women?

Nehemiah uses a rhetorical question to scold the men. This can be translated as a statement. Alternate translation: “You know that Solomon king of Israel sinned on account of these women.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])

962NEH1327vp56figs-rquestionוְ⁠לָ⁠כֶ֣ם הֲ⁠נִשְׁמַ֗ע לַ⁠עֲשֹׂת֙ אֵ֣ת כָּל־הָ⁠רָעָ֤ה הַ⁠גְּדוֹלָה֙ הַ⁠זֹּ֔את לִ⁠מְעֹ֖ל בֵּֽ⁠אלֹהֵ֑י⁠נוּ לְ⁠הֹשִׁ֖יב נָשִׁ֥ים נָכְרִיּֽוֹת1Should we then listen to you and do all this great evil, and act treacherously against our God by marrying foreign women?

Nehemiah uses a rhetorical question to scold the men. This can be translated as a statement. Alternate translation: “We will not listen to you or do this great evil or act treacherously against our God by marrying foreign women.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])

963NEH1328dft4translate-namesיוֹיָדָ֤ע…אֶלְיָשִׁיב֙…לְ⁠סַנְבַלַּ֣ט1Joiada…Eliashib…Sanballat

These are the names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

964NEH1328f8aktranslate-namesהַ⁠חֹרֹנִ֑י1the Horonite

This refers to a person from the city of Beth Horon. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

965NEH1328rhs8וָ⁠אַבְרִיחֵ֖⁠הוּ מֵ⁠עָלָֽ⁠י1I caused him to flee from my presence

“I chased him away” or “I made him leave Jerusalem”

966NEH1329pa21זָכְרָ֥⁠ה לָ⁠הֶ֖ם1Call them to mind

“Think about them” or “Remember what they have done.” See how you translated a similar phrase in Nehemiah 13:14.

967NEH1329mn8kfigs-metaphorעַ֚ל גָּאֳלֵ֣י הַ⁠כְּהֻנָּ֔ה וּ⁠בְרִ֥ית הַ⁠כְּהֻנָּ֖ה וְ⁠הַ⁠לְוִיִּֽם1they have defiled the priesthood, and the covenant of the priesthood and the Levites

Causing the priesthood to be dishonored and breaking the covenant is spoken of as if they made the priesthood and covenant physically unclean. Alternate translation: “they have dishonored the priesthood and broken the covenant you made with the priests and Levites” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

968NEH1330gd16וְ⁠טִֽהַרְתִּ֖י⁠ם1Thus I cleansed them

“In this way I purified them”

969NEH1330s3y9וָ⁠אַעֲמִ֧ידָ⁠ה מִשְׁמָר֛וֹת לַ⁠כֹּהֲנִ֥ים וְ⁠לַ⁠לְוִיִּ֖ם1established the duties of the priests and the Levites

“told the priests and Levites what they were to do”

970NEH1331vl4aוּ⁠לְ⁠קֻרְבַּ֧ן הָ⁠עֵצִ֛ים1I provided for the wood offering

“I arranged for a supply of wood for the wood offerings”

971NEH1331sh91וְ⁠לַ⁠בִּכּוּרִ֑ים1for the firstfruits

“for the offering of firstfruits at harvest time”

972NEH1331ae94זָכְרָ⁠ה־לִּ֥⁠י אֱלֹהַ֖⁠י לְ⁠טוֹבָֽה1Call me to mind, my God, for good

“Think about all I have done, my God, and bless me because of the good things I have done.” See how you translated a similar phrase in Nehemiah 13:14.