Book Chapter Verse ID SupportReference OrigQuote Occurrence GLQuote OccurrenceNote NEH front intro k2y2 0 # Introduction to Nehemiah
## Part 1: General Introduction

### Outline of Nehemiah

1. Nehemiah returns to Jerusalem and inspects the walls (1:1-2:20)
1. The people rebuild the walls of Jerusalem (3:1-4:23)
1. Nehemiah helps the poor and provides an unselfish example (5:1–19)
1. Enemies try to slow down the work, but the people finish the walls (6:1–19)
1. Nehemiah lists the people who returned from exile (7:6–73)
1. Ezra reads the Law of Yahweh and the people respond (8:1-10:39)
1. Nehemiah lists the people who lived in and around Jerusalem (11:1–36)
1. Nehemiah lists the priests and Levites (12:1–26)
1. The people dedicate the walls of Jerusalem (12:27–47)
1. Nehemiah corrects problems (13:1–31)

### 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.
NEH 1 intro y5jf 0 # 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 Nehemiah’s 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 Nehemiah’s 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.
NEH 1 1 bi9h translate-names נְחֶמְיָ֖ה…חֲכַלְיָ֑ה 1 Nehemiah…Hakaliah These are names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 1 1 qd3e translate-hebrewmonths בְ⁠חֹֽדֶשׁ־כסלו 1 in 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]]) NEH 1 1 hn28 figs-explicit שְׁנַ֣ת עֶשְׂרִ֔ים 1 in 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]]) NEH 1 1 g6dl בְּ⁠שׁוּשַׁ֥ן הַ⁠בִּירָֽה׃ 1 fortress 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. NEH 1 2 f2ab translate-names חֲנָ֜נִי 1 Hanani This is the name of a man. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 1 2 l6cw חֲנָ֜נִי אֶחָ֧ד מֵ⁠אַחַ֛⁠י 1 one of my brothers, Hanani Hanani was Nehemiah’s biological brother. NEH 1 2 lg14 וַ⁠יָּבֹ֨א חֲנָ֜נִי…⁠אֲנָשִׁ֖ים מִֽ⁠יהוּדָ֑ה 1 Hanani, came with some people from Judah “Hanani came from Judah with some other people” NEH 1 2 q7zi figs-explicit הַ⁠יְּהוּדִ֧ים הַ⁠פְּלֵיטָ֛ה אֲשֶֽׁר־נִשְׁאֲר֥וּ מִן־הַ⁠שֶּׁ֖בִי 1 the 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]]) NEH 1 3 igf2 וַ⁠יֹּאמְרוּ֮ לִ⁠י֒ 1 They said to me Here “They” refers to Hanani and the other people who had come from Judah. NEH 1 3 y1zg figs-explicit בַּ⁠מְּדִינָ֔ה 1 the 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]]) NEH 1 3 pk3f figs-activepassive וְ⁠חוֹמַ֤ת יְרוּשָׁלִַ֨ם֙ מְפֹרָ֔צֶת וּ⁠שְׁעָרֶ֖י⁠הָ נִצְּת֥וּ בָ⁠אֵֽשׁ 1 the 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]]) NEH 1 5 tzl8 figs-explicit וָ⁠אֹמַ֗ר 1 Then I said Nehemiah tells what he prayed. Alternate translation: “Then I said to Yahweh” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]]) NEH 1 5 pf2l יְהוָה֙ 1 Yahweh 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. NEH 1 5 zc64 figs-123person לְ⁠אֹהֲבָ֖י⁠ו וּ⁠לְ⁠שֹׁמְרֵ֥י מִצְוֺתָֽי⁠ו 1 who 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]]) NEH 1 6 g947 figs-metaphor וְֽ⁠עֵינֶ֪י⁠ךָ פְתֻוּח֟וֹת 1 open 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]]) NEH 1 6 qjf3 לִ⁠שְׁמֹ֣עַ אֶל־תְּפִלַּ֣ת עַבְדְּ⁠ךָ֡ 1 so 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. NEH 1 6 v8gx figs-merism הַ⁠יּוֹם֙ יוֹמָ֣ם וָ⁠לַ֔יְלָה 1 day 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]]) NEH 1 6 bxj6 figs-metonymy וַ⁠אֲנִ֥י וּ⁠בֵית־אָבִ֖⁠י 1 Both I and my father’s house Here the word “house” represents family. Alternate translation: “Both I and my family” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]]) NEH 1 8 brz7 0 Connecting Statement: Nehemiah continues praying to God. NEH 1 8 pv64 figs-idiom זְכָר־נָא֙ 1 Please 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]]) NEH 1 8 y5jp figs-you אֶת־הַ⁠דָּבָ֔ר אֲשֶׁ֥ר צִוִּ֛יתָ אֶת־מֹשֶׁ֥ה עַבְדְּ⁠ךָ֖ 1 the 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]]) NEH 1 8 b6qh figs-you אַתֶּ֣ם תִּמְעָ֔לוּ אֲנִ֕י אָפִ֥יץ אֶתְ⁠כֶ֖ם 1 If 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]]) NEH 1 8 evf5 figs-metaphor אָפִ֥יץ אֶתְ⁠כֶ֖ם בָּ⁠עַמִּֽים 1 I 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]]) NEH 1 9 dqn5 figs-you וְ⁠שַׁבְתֶּ֣ם אֵלַ֔⁠י וּ⁠שְׁמַרְתֶּם֙ מִצְוֺתַ֔⁠י וַ⁠עֲשִׂיתֶ֖ם 1 if 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]]) NEH 1 9 f8jz figs-idiom בִּ⁠קְצֵ֤ה הַ⁠שָּׁמַ֨יִם֙ 1 under 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]]) NEH 1 9 lgh9 figs-explicit אֶל־הַ⁠מָּק֔וֹם אֲשֶׁ֣ר בָּחַ֔רְתִּי לְ⁠שַׁכֵּ֥ן אֶת־שְׁמִ֖⁠י שָֽׁם 1 to 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]]) NEH 1 9 g88j figs-metonymy אֲשֶׁ֣ר בָּחַ֔רְתִּי לְ⁠שַׁכֵּ֥ן אֶת־שְׁמִ֖⁠י שָֽׁם 1 where 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]]) NEH 1 10 u4a8 0 General Information: Nehemiah continues his prayer. NEH 1 10 w4qw וְ⁠הֵ֥ם 1 Now This word is used here to mark a break in Nehemiah’s prayer. Here he begins to make his request based on Yahweh’s promise. NEH 1 10 mjx7 וְ⁠הֵ֥ם עֲבָדֶ֖י⁠ךָ 1 they are your servants The word “they” refers to the Israelite people. NEH 1 10 zu4s figs-metonymy בְּ⁠כֹחֲ⁠ךָ֣ הַ⁠גָּד֔וֹל וּ⁠בְ⁠יָדְ⁠ךָ֖ הַ⁠חֲזָקָֽה 1 by 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 Yahweh’s 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]]) NEH 1 11 jjm7 תְּפִלַּ֨ת עַבְדְּ⁠ךָ֜ 1 the 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](../01/06.md). NEH 1 11 j433 תְּפִלַּ֣ת עֲבָדֶ֗י⁠ךָ 1 the 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. NEH 1 11 hk3z figs-metonymy הַֽ⁠חֲפֵצִים֙ לְ⁠יִרְאָ֣ה אֶת־שְׁמֶ֔⁠ךָ 1 who 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]]) NEH 1 11 kr99 וּ⁠תְנֵ֣⁠הוּ לְ⁠רַחֲמִ֔ים לִ⁠פְנֵ֖י הָ⁠אִ֣ישׁ הַ⁠זֶּ֑ה 1 grant 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. NEH 1 11 r7af figs-metaphor לִ⁠פְנֵ֖י הָ⁠אִ֣ישׁ הַ⁠זֶּ֑ה 1 in the sight of this man Nehemiah speaks of the king’s 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]]) NEH 1 11 h9hl writing-background וַ⁠אֲנִ֛י הָיִ֥יתִי מַשְׁקֶ֖ה לַ⁠מֶּֽלֶךְ 1 I served as cupbearer to the king This is background information about Nehemiah’s role in the king’s court. Your language may have a special way to mark background information. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-background]]) NEH 2 intro mj1d 0 # 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](./01.md)).

### Special concepts in this chapter

### Nehemiah’s character
Apparently, Nehemiah’s 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.

### Yahweh’s 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]])
NEH 2 1 h3hu translate-hebrewmonths בְּ⁠חֹ֣דֶשׁ נִיסָ֗ן 1 In the month of Nisan “Nisan” is the name of the first month of the Hebrew calendar. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-hebrewmonths]]) NEH 2 1 l63f translate-ordinal שְׁנַ֥ת עֶשְׂרִ֛ים לְ⁠אַרְתַּחְשַׁ֥סְתְּא הַ⁠מֶּ֖לֶךְ 1 in the twentieth year of Artaxerxes the king “in the 20th year that Artaxerxes was king” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal]]) NEH 2 1 k1vf writing-background וְ⁠לֹא 1 Now 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]]) NEH 2 2 n5wy וַ⁠יֹּאמֶר֩ לִ֨⁠י הַ⁠מֶּ֜לֶךְ 1 But the king “So the king” NEH 2 2 ue51 figs-synecdoche מַדּ֣וּעַ׀ פָּנֶ֣י⁠ךָ רָעִ֗ים 1 Why is your face so sad Here Nehemiah is referred to by his face because the face shows one’s emotions. Alternate translation: “Why are you so sad” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche]]) NEH 2 2 g1k7 figs-synecdoche אֵ֣ין זֶ֔ה כִּי־אִ֖ם רֹ֣עַֽ לֵ֑ב 1 This 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]]) NEH 2 2 eyt8 וָ⁠אִירָ֖א הַרְבֵּ֥ה מְאֹֽד 1 Then I became very much afraid As Nehemiah prepares to answer, he is afraid because he does not know how the king will respond. NEH 2 3 qz4i figs-hyperbole הַ⁠מֶּ֖לֶךְ לְ⁠עוֹלָ֣ם יִחְיֶ֑ה 1 May 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]]) NEH 2 3 klj6 figs-rquestion מַדּ֜וּעַ לֹא־יֵרְע֣וּ פָנַ֗⁠י 1 Why 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]]) NEH 2 3 eh23 בֵּית־קִבְר֤וֹת אֲבֹתַ⁠י֙ 1 the place of my fathers’ tombs “the place where my ancestors are buried” NEH 2 3 g7f4 figs-activepassive וּ⁠שְׁעָרֶ֖י⁠הָ אֻכְּל֥וּ בָ⁠אֵֽשׁ 1 its 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]]) NEH 2 5 uv1p וָ⁠אֹמַ֣ר לַ⁠מֶּ֔לֶךְ 1 I replied to the king “Then I replied to the king” NEH 2 5 u2zy עַבְדְּ⁠ךָ֖ 1 your servant Nehemiah refers to himself this way to show his submission to the king. NEH 2 5 ae4b figs-metaphor לְ⁠פָנֶ֑י⁠ךָ 1 in your sight Here sight represents judgment or evaluation. Alternate translation: “in your judgment” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) NEH 2 5 df8l עִ֛יר קִבְר֥וֹת אֲבֹתַ֖⁠י 1 the city of my fathers’ tombs “the city where my ancestors are buried” NEH 2 5 l6nj figs-synecdoche וְ⁠אֶבְנֶֽ⁠נָּה 1 that 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]]) NEH 2 7 rgj6 figs-activepassive אִגְּרוֹת֙ יִתְּנוּ־לִ֔⁠י 1 may 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]]) NEH 2 7 qp9n עֵ֣בֶר הַ⁠נָּהָ֑ר 1 the 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. NEH 2 8 ar5v translate-names אָסָף֩ 1 Asaph This is the name of a man. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 2 8 wl1s figs-metonymy כְּ⁠יַד־אֱלֹהַ֖⁠י הַ⁠טּוֹבָ֥ה עָלָֽ⁠י 1 the good hand of God was on me God’s “good hand” represents his “favor.” Alternate translation: “God’s favor was upon me” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]]) NEH 2 10 yz8p translate-names סַנְבַלַּ֣ט הַ⁠חֹרֹנִ֗י 1 Sanballat the Horonite Sanballat is the name of a man, and the Horonites were a people group. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 2 10 eh4c translate-names וְ⁠טֽוֹבִיָּה֙ הָ⁠עֶ֣בֶד הָֽ⁠עַמֹּנִ֔י 1 Tobiah 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]]) NEH 2 10 vb3p וַ⁠יִּשְׁמַ֞ע 1 heard this “heard that I had arrived” NEH 2 12 s7mw figs-metonymy נֹתֵ֣ן אֶל־לִבִּ֔⁠י 1 had put into my heart Here Nehemiah’s “heart” refers to his thoughts and will. Alternate translation: “had inspired me” or “had led me” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]]) NEH 2 12 wd63 וּ⁠בְהֵמָה֙ אֵ֣ין עִמִּ֔⁠י 1 There was no animal with me “There were no animals with me” NEH 2 13 g1be figs-123person 0 General 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]]) NEH 2 13 au61 וָ⁠אֵצְאָ֨⁠ה בְ⁠שַֽׁעַר־הַ⁠גַּ֜יא לַ֗יְלָה 1 I went out by night by the Valley Gate “At night, I went out through the Valley Gate” NEH 2 13 pt1h הַתַּנִּ֔ין 1 Jackal a wild dog NEH 2 13 mif3 שַׁ֖עַר הָ⁠אַשְׁפֹּ֑ת 1 Dung Gate Presumably, refuse was removed from the city through this gate. NEH 2 13 a8u1 figs-activepassive אֲשֶׁר־ה⁠מפרוצים וּ⁠שְׁעָרֶ֖י⁠הָ אֻכְּל֥וּ בָ⁠אֵֽשׁ 1 which had been broken open, and the wooden gates were destroyed by fire This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “which Israel’s enemies had broken open, and the wooden gates which their enemies had destroyed with fire” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]]) NEH 2 15 l39v figs-synecdoche וָ⁠אֱהִ֨י עֹלֶ֤ה בַ⁠נַּ֨חַל֙ לַ֔יְלָה וָ⁠אֱהִ֥י שֹׂבֵ֖ר בַּ⁠חוֹמָ֑ה וָ⁠אָשׁ֗וּב וָ⁠אָב֛וֹא בְּ⁠שַׁ֥עַר הַ⁠גַּ֖יְא וָ⁠אָשֽׁוּב 1 So 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]]) NEH 2 15 b637 בְּ⁠שַׁ֥עַר הַ⁠גַּ֖יְא 1 by the Valley Gate “through the Valley Gate” NEH 2 16 xd75 figs-explicit וּ⁠לְ⁠יֶ֨תֶר֙ עֹשֵׂ֣ה הַ⁠מְּלָאכָ֔ה 1 the 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]]) NEH 2 17 we6m figs-you אַתֶּ֤ם רֹאִים֙ הָ⁠רָעָה֙ 1 You see the trouble Here “you” is plural, referring to all the people mentioned in [Nehemiah 2:16](../02/16.md). (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-you]]) NEH 2 17 f468 figs-activepassive וּ⁠שְׁעָרֶ֖י⁠הָ נִצְּת֣וּ בָ⁠אֵ֑שׁ 1 its 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]]) NEH 2 17 ll6y וְ⁠לֹא־נִהְיֶ֥ה ע֖וֹד חֶרְפָּֽה 1 so we will no longer be in disgrace “so we will no longer be ashamed” NEH 2 18 twi7 figs-metonymy אֶת־יַ֣ד אֱלֹהַ֗⁠י אֲשֶׁר־הִיא֙ טוֹבָ֣ה עָלַ֔⁠י 1 the good hand of my God was on me God’s “good hand” represents his “favor.” Alternate translation: “my God’s favor was upon me” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]]) NEH 2 18 h3cj figs-idiom נָק֣וּם וּ⁠בָנִ֔ינוּ 1 rise up and build This is an idiom. Alternate translation: “begin building” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]]) NEH 2 18 y6ui figs-idiom וַ⁠יְחַזְּק֥וּ יְדֵי⁠הֶ֖ם לַ⁠טּוֹבָֽה 1 So 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]]) NEH 2 19 et87 translate-names סַנְבַלַּ֨ט…⁠טֹבִיָּ֣ה 1 Sanballat…Tobiah These are the names of men. See how you translated this in [Nehemiah 2:10](./10.md). (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 2 19 cxe8 translate-names וְ⁠גֶ֨שֶׁם֙ 1 Geshem This is the name of a man. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 2 19 ww1k figs-rquestion מָֽה־הַ⁠דָּבָ֤ר הַ⁠זֶּה֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר אַתֶּ֣ם עֹשִׂ֔ים הַ⁠עַ֥ל הַ⁠מֶּ֖לֶךְ אַתֶּ֥ם מֹרְדִֽים 1 What 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]]) NEH 2 19 u8ri הַ⁠מֶּ֖לֶךְ 1 the king This refers to Artaxerses, the king of Persia. NEH 2 20 iv9x figs-idiom נָק֣וּם וּ⁠בָנִ֑ינוּ 1 will arise and build This is an idiom. Alternate translation: “will begin rebuilding” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]]) NEH 2 20 a4e6 וְ⁠לָ⁠כֶ֗ם אֵֽין־חֵ֧לֶק וּ⁠צְדָקָ֛ה וְ⁠זִכָּר֖וֹן בִּ⁠ירוּשָׁלִָֽם 1 But you have no share, no right, and no historic claim in Jerusalem “But you have no share, legal right, or religious claim to Jerusalem” NEH 3 intro dfw6 0 # 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.
NEH 3 1 ald8 וַ⁠יָּ֡קָם אֶלְיָשִׁיב֩ הַ⁠כֹּהֵ֨ן הַ⁠גָּד֜וֹל וְ⁠אֶחָ֣י⁠ו הַ⁠כֹּהֲנִ֗ים 1 Then Eliashib the high priest rose up with his brother priests “Then Eliashib the high priest came forward with his brothers, the priests” NEH 3 1 g9az translate-names אֶלְיָשִׁיב֩ 1 Eliashib This is the name of a man. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 3 1 r9wn translate-numbers מִגְדַּ֤ל הַ⁠מֵּאָה֙ 1 Tower of the Hundred “Tower of the 100” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers]]) NEH 3 1 e1th translate-names מִגְדַּ֥ל חֲנַנְאֵֽל 1 Tower 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]]) NEH 3 2 q84s translate-names זַכּ֖וּר בֶּן־אִמְרִֽי 1 Zaccur son of Imri This is the name of a man. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 3 2 qf25 figs-possession אַנְשֵׁ֣י יְרֵח֑וֹ 1 men of Jericho This means that the men were from Jericho. Alternate translation: “men from Jericho” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-possession]]) NEH 3 3 bbm9 translate-names הַ⁠סְּנָאָ֑ה 1 Hassenaah This is the name of a man. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 3 3 kxd6 וַֽ⁠יַּעֲמִ֨ידוּ֙ דַּלְתֹתָ֔י⁠ו 1 set its doors “installed its doors” or “put its doors in place” NEH 3 3 kc48 מַנְעוּלָ֖י⁠ו וּ⁠בְרִיחָֽי⁠ו 1 its bolts, and its bars “its locks and bars.” These locked the gates securely. NEH 3 4 c8hi translate-names מְרֵמ֤וֹת…אוּרִיָּה֙…הַקּ֔וֹץס…מְשֻׁלָּ֥ם…בֶּרֶכְיָ֖ה…מְשֵׁיזַבְאֵ֑לס…צָד֖וֹק…בַּעֲנָֽא 1 Meremoth…Uriah…Hakkoz…Meshullam…Berechiah…Meshezabel…Zadok…Baana These are names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 3 4 inh2 figs-ellipsis הֶחֱזִ֗יק מְרֵמ֤וֹת…הֶחֱזִ֔יק מְשֻׁלָּ֥ם…הֶֽחֱזִ֔יק צָד֖וֹק 1 Meremoth 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]]) NEH 3 5 nn6j figs-ellipsis הֶחֱזִ֣יקוּ הַ⁠תְּקוֹעִ֑ים 1 Tekoites repaired These phrases refer to repairing the wall. Alternate translation: “Tekoites repaired the wall” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]]) NEH 3 5 j3k4 translate-names הַ⁠תְּקוֹעִ֑י 1 the Tekoites These are people from the town of Tekoa. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 3 5 r94d figs-activepassive בַּ⁠עֲבֹדַ֖ת אֲדֹנֵי⁠הֶֽם 1 ordered 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]]) NEH 3 6 i43m translate-names יֽוֹיָדָע֙…פָּסֵ֔חַ וּ⁠מְשֻׁלָּ֖ם…בְּסֽוֹדְיָ֑ה 1 Joiada…Paseah and Meshullam…Besodeiah These are all names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 3 6 n1wi וַֽ⁠יַּעֲמִ֨ידוּ֙ דַּלְתֹתָ֔י⁠ו 1 set its doors “installed its doors” or “put its doors in place” NEH 3 6 ykz8 וּ⁠מַנְעֻלָ֖י⁠ו וּ⁠בְרִיחָֽי⁠ו 1 its bolts, and its bars “its locks and bars.” These locked the gates securely. NEH 3 7 hu9u translate-names מְלַטְיָ֣ה…וְ⁠יָדוֹן֙ 1 Melatiah…Jadon These are names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 3 7 ipe7 translate-names הַ⁠גִּבְעֹנִ֗י…הַ⁠מֵּרֹ֣נֹתִ֔י 1 Gibeonite…Meronothite Gibeonites and Meronothites are people groups. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 3 7 n6xg translate-names גִבְע֖וֹן וְ⁠הַ⁠מִּצְפָּ֑ה 1 Gibeon and Mizpah These are names of places. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 3 7 mj92 translate-names עֵ֥בֶר הַ⁠נָּהָֽר 1 the 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](../02/07.md). (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 3 8 b2yh translate-names עֻזִּיאֵ֤ל…חַרְהֲיָה֙…חֲנַנְיָ֖ה 1 Uzziel…Harhaiah…Hananiah These are names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 3 8 f4p5 צֽוֹרְפִ֔ים 1 goldsmiths A goldsmith is a person who makes gold jewelry and other gold objects. NEH 3 8 mx88 figs-ellipsis הֶחֱזִ֗יק 1 goldsmiths, repaired These phrases refer to repairing the wall. Alternate translation: “goldsmiths, repaired the wall” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]]) NEH 3 8 mm1q figs-ellipsis וְ⁠עַל־יָד֣⁠וֹ הֶחֱזִ֔יק חֲנַנְיָ֖ה בֶּן־הָ⁠רַקָּחִ֑ים 1 next 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]]) NEH 3 8 y25y הָ⁠רַקָּחִ֑ים 1 perfumes liquid substances that people put on their body in small amounts to smell pleasant NEH 3 9 m5at translate-names רְפָיָ֣ה…ח֔וּר 1 Rephaiah…Hur These are names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 3 9 avu2 שַׂ֕ר 1 ruler leader or chief administrator NEH 3 9 rd4i translate-fraction חֲצִ֖י פֶּ֥לֶ 1 half the district “Half” means one part out of two equal parts. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-fraction]]) NEH 3 10 k6g1 translate-names יְדָיָ֥ה…חֲרוּמַ֖ף…חַטּ֖וּשׁ…חֲשַׁבְנְיָֽה 1 Jedaiah…Harumaph…Hattush…Hashabneiah These are names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 3 10 v3be figs-ellipsis הֶחֱזִ֛יק 1 Harumaph 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]]) NEH 3 11 g61e translate-names מַלְכִּיָּ֣ה…חָרִ֔ם וְ⁠חַשּׁ֖וּב…פַּחַ֣ת מוֹאָ֑ב 1 Malkijah…Harim…Hasshub…Pahath-Moab These are all names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 3 11 jy16 figs-ellipsis מִדָּ֣ה שֵׁנִ֗ית הֶחֱזִיק֙ 1 repaired 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]]) NEH 3 12 e9p4 translate-names שַׁלּוּם֙…הַלּוֹחֵ֔שׁ 1 Shallum…Hallohesh These are names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 3 12 wml3 figs-ellipsis הֶחֱזִ֗יק 1 repaired, 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]]) NEH 3 12 b7iq שַׁלּוּם֙ בֶּן־הַלּוֹחֵ֔שׁ שַׂ֕ר 1 Shallum son of Hallohesh, the ruler Shallum was the ruler, not Hallohesh. NEH 3 12 l1db שַׂ֕ר 1 ruler leader or chief administrator. See how you translated this in [Nehemiah 3:9](../03/09.md). NEH 3 12 b6fx translate-fraction חֲצִ֖י פֶּ֣לֶךְ 1 half the district “Half” means one part out of two equal parts. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-fraction]]) NEH 3 13 itt7 translate-names חָנוּן֮ 1 Hanun This is the name of a man. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 3 13 w5le וְ⁠יֹשְׁבֵ֣י זָנוֹחַ֒ 1 the inhabitants of Zanoah “the people from Zanoah” NEH 3 13 ek5q translate-names זָנוֹחַ֒ 1 Zanoah This is the name of a place. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 3 13 i9v2 אֵת֩ שַׁ֨עַר 1 the 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. NEH 3 13 d3h9 וַֽ⁠יַּעֲמִ֨ידוּ֙ דַּלְתֹתָ֔י⁠ו 1 set its doors “installed its doors” or “put its doors in place” NEH 3 13 nsg3 מַנְעֻלָ֖י⁠ו וּ⁠בְרִיחָ֑י⁠ו 1 its bolts, and its bars “its locks and bars.” These locked the gates securely. NEH 3 13 l7zc figs-explicit בָנ֔וּ⁠הוּ…וְ⁠אֶ֤לֶף אַמָּה֙ בַּ⁠חוֹמָ֔ה עַ֖ד שַׁ֥עַר הָ⁠שֲׁפֽוֹת 1 They 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]]) NEH 3 13 x484 figs-explicit בָנ֔וּ⁠הוּ…וְ⁠אֶ֤לֶף אַמָּה֙ 1 They 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]]) NEH 3 13 kw6h translate-bdistance וְ⁠אֶ֤לֶף אַמָּה֙ 1 a 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]]) NEH 3 13 r9e4 שַׁ֥עַר הָ⁠שֲׁפֽוֹת 1 the 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. NEH 3 14 w494 translate-names מַלְכִּיָּ֣ה…רֵכָ֔ב 1 Malkijah…Recab These are names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 3 14 u2dk מַלְכִּיָּ֣ה בֶן־רֵכָ֔ב שַׂ֖ר 1 Malkijah son of Recab, the ruler Malkijah was the ruler, not Recab. NEH 3 14 d9dt שַׂ֖ר 1 ruler leader or chief administrator. See how you translated this in [Nehemiah 3:9](../03/09.md). NEH 3 14 d8sa translate-names בֵּית־הַכָּ֑רֶם 1 Beth Hakkerem This is the name of a place. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 3 14 xn3i וְ⁠יַעֲמִיד֙ דַּלְתֹתָ֔י⁠ו 1 He…set its doors “He installed its doors” or “He put its doors in place” NEH 3 14 if44 מַנְעֻלָ֖י⁠ו וּ⁠בְרִיחָֽי⁠ו 1 its bolts, and its bars “its locks, and its bars.” These locked the gates securely. NEH 3 15 bd9j translate-names שַׁלּ֣וּן…כָּל־חֹזֶה֮ 1 Shallun…Kol-Hozeh These are names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 3 15 l7wu שַׁלּ֣וּן בֶּן־כָּל־חֹזֶה֮ שַׂ֣ר 1 Shallun son of Kol-Hozeh, the ruler Shallun was the ruler, not Kol-Hozeh. NEH 3 15 c8rt figs-possession וְ֠⁠אֵת חוֹמַ֞ת בְּרֵכַ֤ת הַ⁠שֶּׁ֨לַח֙ 1 the 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]]) NEH 3 16 x774 translate-names נְחֶמְיָ֣ה 1 Nehemiah This is the name of a man. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 3 16 shf9 נְחֶמְיָ֣ה בֶן־עַזְבּ֔וּק שַׂ֕ר 1 Nehemiah son of Azbuk, the ruler Nehemiah was the ruler, not Azbuk. NEH 3 16 l3hf נְחֶמְיָ֣ה 1 Nehemiah This is a different man named Nehemiah from the person who authored this book. NEH 3 16 kmx6 שַׂ֕ר 1 ruler leader or chief administrator. See how you translated this in [Nehemiah 3:9](../03/09.md). NEH 3 16 sc4c translate-fraction חֲצִ֖י פֶּ֣לֶךְ 1 half the district “Half” means one part out of two equal parts. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-fraction]]) NEH 3 16 ngr2 translate-names בֵּֽית־צ֑וּר 1 Beth Zur These are names of places. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 3 16 c5bs figs-ellipsis הֶחֱזִיק֙…עַד־נֶ֨גֶד֙ 1 repaired 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]]) NEH 3 16 u2s6 הַ⁠גִּבֹּרִֽים 1 mighty men “warriors” NEH 3 17 str7 translate-names רְח֣וּם…בָּנִ֑י עַל־…חֲשַׁבְיָ֛ה 1 Rehum…Bani…Hashabiah These are names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 3 17 l6vw translate-names קְעִילָ֖ה 1 Keilah This is the name of a place. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 3 17 a88s figs-ellipsis הֶחֱזִ֥יקוּ הַ⁠לְוִיִּ֖ם 1 Levites repaired These phrases refer to repairing the wall. Alternate translation: “Levites repaired the wall” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]]) NEH 3 17 y3tu לְ⁠פִלְכּֽ⁠וֹ 1 for his district “representing his district” or “on behalf of his district” NEH 3 18 h5qz figs-ellipsis אַחֲרָי⁠ו֙ הֶחֱזִ֣יקוּ אֲחֵי⁠הֶ֔ם 1 After 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]]) NEH 3 18 b6sj אַחֲרָי⁠ו֙ 1 After him “Next to him” NEH 3 18 gc2h translate-names בַּוַּ֖י…חֵנָדָ֑ד 1 Binnui…Henadad These are names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 3 18 ca6t בַּוַּ֖י בֶּן־חֵנָדָ֑ד שַׂ֕ר 1 Binnui son of Henadad, the ruler Binnui was the ruler, not Henadad. NEH 3 18 yh3z translate-names קְעִילָֽה 1 Keilah This is the name of a place. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 3 19 yt87 figs-ellipsis וַ⁠יְחַזֵּ֨ק…מִדָּ֣ה שֵׁנִ֑ית 1 repaired 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]]) NEH 3 19 f6if translate-names עֵ֧זֶר…יֵשׁ֛וּעַ 1 Ezer…Jeshua These are names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 3 19 g2y6 translate-names הַ⁠מִּצְפָּ֖ה 1 Mizpah This is the name of a place. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 3 19 gcc6 עֵ֧זֶר בֶּן־יֵשׁ֛וּעַ שַׂ֥ר 1 Ezer son of Jeshua, the ruler Ezer was the ruler, not Jeshua. NEH 3 19 c8s5 מִ⁠נֶּ֕גֶד עֲלֹ֥ת הַ⁠נֶּ֖שֶׁק 1 that faced the ascent to the armory “in front of the steps that went up to the armory” NEH 3 19 xtj9 הַ⁠נֶּ֖שֶׁק 1 armory the place where weapons are kept NEH 3 20 a7k9 אַחֲרָ֨י⁠ו 1 After him “Next to him” NEH 3 20 r638 translate-names בָּר֥וּךְ…זבי…אֶלְיָשִׁ֔יב 1 Baruch…Zabbai…Eliashib These are the names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 3 20 i7kj figs-ellipsis הֶחֱרָ֧ה…מִדָּ֣ה שֵׁנִ֑ית 1 repaired another section This refers to repairing the wall. Alternate translation: “repaired another section of the wall” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]]) NEH 3 21 z4b7 translate-names מְרֵמ֧וֹת…אוּרִיָּ֛ה…הַקּ֖וֹץ 1 Meremoth…Uriah…Hakkoz These are the names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 3 22 m3ey figs-ellipsis הֶחֱזִ֥יקוּ 1 around Jerusalem, repaired These phrases refer to repairing the wall. Alternate translation: “around Jerusalem, repaired the wall” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]]) NEH 3 23 q2zh figs-ellipsis הֶחֱזִ֧יק בִּנְיָמִ֛ן וְ⁠חַשּׁ֖וּב…הֶחֱזִ֗יק עֲזַרְיָ֧ה 1 Benjamin 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]]) NEH 3 23 v3fr translate-names בִּנְיָמִ֛ן וְ⁠חַשּׁ֖וּב…עֲזַרְיָ֧ה 1 Benjamin…Hasshub…Azariah These are the names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 3 23 z8p6 אַחֲרָ֨י⁠ו 1 After them “Next to them” NEH 3 23 gv74 נֶ֣גֶד בֵּיתָ֑⁠ם 1 opposite their own house “in front of their own house” NEH 3 24 c3eh figs-ellipsis הֶחֱזִ֗יק בִּנּ֛וּי 1 Binnui…repaired These phrases refer to repairing the wall. Alternate translation: “Binnui…repaired the wall” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]]) NEH 3 24 ajs6 translate-names בִּנּ֛וּי…חֵנָדָ֖ד 1 Binnui…Henadad These are the names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 3 24 k7tj אַחֲרָ֣י⁠ו 1 After him “Next to him” NEH 3 25 q3r3 translate-names פָּלָ֣ל…אוּזַי֮ מִ⁠נֶּ֣גֶד…פְּדָיָ֥ה…פַּרְעֹֽשׁ 1 Palal…Uzai…Pedaiah…Parosh These are the names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 3 25 dae6 וְ⁠הַ⁠מִּגְדָּ֗ל הַ⁠יּוֹצֵא֙ 1 the tower that extends upward “the tower that rises up” NEH 3 25 pt6e מִ⁠בֵּ֤ית הַ⁠מֶּ֨לֶךְ֙ הָֽ⁠עֶלְי֔וֹן 1 upper house of the king “higher palace of the leader of Israel” NEH 3 25 isu9 לַ⁠חֲצַ֣ר הַ⁠מַּטָּרָ֑ה 1 the courtyard of the guard This is the place where the guards stayed. NEH 3 25 d1jm אַחֲרָ֖י⁠ו 1 After him “Next to him” NEH 3 26 b53g translate-names בָּ⁠עֹ֑פֶל 1 Ophel This is the name of a place. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 3 26 ah1b נֶ֜גֶד שַׁ֤עַר הַ⁠מַּ֨יִם֙ 1 opposite the Water Gate “in front of the Water Gate” NEH 3 26 mz47 וְ⁠הַ⁠מִּגְדָּ֖ל הַ⁠יּוֹצֵֽא 1 the projecting tower “the tall tower.” The phrase “the projecting tower” means a tall tower that juts out from the wall. NEH 3 27 d719 הֶחֱזִ֥יקוּ הַ⁠תְּקֹעִ֖ים מִדָּ֣ה שֵׁנִ֑ית 1 Tekoites repaired another section These phrases refer to repairing the wall. Alternate translation: “the Tekoites repaired another section of the wall” NEH 3 27 mgm7 translate-names הַ⁠תְּקֹעִ֖ים 1 the Tekoites These are people from the town of Tekoa. See how you translated this in [Nehemiah 3:5](../03/05.md). (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 3 27 j6gz הַ⁠מִּגְדָּ֤ל הַ⁠גָּדוֹל֙ הַ⁠יּוֹצֵ֔א 1 the 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. NEH 3 28 wt87 figs-ellipsis הֶחֱזִ֨יקוּ֙ הַ⁠כֹּ֣הֲנִ֔ים 1 priests repaired These words refer to repairing the wall. Alternate translation: “priests repaired the wall” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]]) NEH 3 28 d5qa מֵ⁠עַ֣ל׀ שַׁ֣עַר הַ⁠סּוּסִ֗ים 1 above the Horse Gate The word “above” is used here because the priests’ houses were likely located at a higher elevation than the Horse Gate. NEH 3 28 d5uv לְ⁠נֶ֥גֶד בֵּיתֽ⁠וֹ 1 opposite his own house “in front of his own house” NEH 3 29 q9qb figs-ellipsis הֶחֱזִ֛יק 1 repaired 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]]) NEH 3 29 rvu2 אַחֲרָ֧י⁠ו 1 After them “Next to them” NEH 3 29 n271 translate-names צָד֥וֹק…אִמֵּ֖ר…שְׁמַֽעְיָ֣ה…שְׁכַנְיָ֔ה 1 Zadok…Immer…Shemaiah…Shecaniah These are the names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 3 29 f74e שְׁמַֽעְיָ֣ה בֶן־שְׁכַנְיָ֔ה שֹׁמֵ֖ר שַׁ֥עַר הַ⁠מִּזְרָֽח 1 Shemaiah son of Shecaniah, the keeper of the east gate Shemaiah was the keeper of the east gate, not Shecaniah. NEH 3 29 e9mh שֹׁמֵ֖ר שַׁ֥עַר הַ⁠מִּזְרָֽח 1 the keeper of the east gate “the person who looked after the east gate” or “the person who opened and closed the east gate” NEH 3 30 x9q4 figs-ellipsis הֶחֱזִ֜יק 1 repaired 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]]) NEH 3 30 s2s5 אחר⁠י 1 After him “Next to him” NEH 3 30 r5y4 translate-names חֲנַנְיָ֣ה…שֶׁלֶמְיָ֗ה וְ⁠חָנ֧וּן…צָלָ֛ף…מְשֻׁלָּם֙…בֶּ֣רֶכְיָ֔ה 1 Hananiah…Shelemiah…Hanun…Zalaph…Meshullam…Berechiah These are the names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 3 30 nn44 translate-ordinal בֶּן־…הַ⁠שִּׁשִּׁ֖י 1 the sixth son “son 6” or “son number 6” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal]]) NEH 3 30 bv3t נֶ֖גֶד נִשְׁכָּתֽ⁠וֹ 1 opposite his living chambers “in front of the rooms where he stayed.” The word “his” refers to Meshullam. NEH 3 31 ifp5 אחרי 1 After him “Next to him” NEH 3 31 d33p translate-names מַלְכִּיָּה֙ 1 Malkijah This is the name of a man. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 3 31 uuc7 הַ⁠צֹּ֣רְפִ֔י 1 goldsmiths A goldsmith is a person who makes gold jewelry and other gold objects. NEH 3 31 lb9z figs-ellipsis הֶחֱזִ֗יק…עַד־בֵּ֥ית 1 repaired 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]]) NEH 3 31 ye2u וְ⁠הָ⁠רֹכְלִ֑ים 1 merchants “sellers” or “traders” NEH 3 31 r6sv עֲלִיַּ֥ת 1 upper living chambers the higher-level rooms where people stayed NEH 3 32 p1kr figs-ellipsis הֶחֱזִ֥יקוּ 1 merchants repaired These words refer to repairing the wall. Alternate translation: “merchants repaired the wall” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]]) NEH 3 32 x1tq לְ⁠שַׁ֣עַר הַ⁠צֹּ֔אן 1 Sheep Gate This is the name of an entranceway in the wall. NEH 4 intro tlj9 0 # 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]])
NEH 4 1 rnw3 וַ⁠יְהִ֞י כַּ⁠אֲשֶׁ֧ר שָׁמַ֣ע סַנְבַלַּ֗ט 1 Now when Sanballat Here Nehemiah uses the word “now” to signal a new part of the story. NEH 4 1 vfu4 translate-names סַנְבַלַּ֗ט 1 Sanballat This is a man’s name. See how you translated this in [Nehemiah 2:10](../02/10.md). (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 4 1 s6td figs-metaphor וַ⁠יִּ֣חַר ל֔⁠וֹ וַ⁠יִּכְעַ֖ס 1 it burned within him, and he was furiously angry Here “it” refers to Sanballat’s 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]]) NEH 4 2 v3qv לִ⁠פְנֵ֣י אֶחָ֗י⁠ו 1 In the presence of his brothers “In the presence of his kinsmen” or “In the presence of his clan” NEH 4 2 d5n2 figs-rquestion מָ֛ה הַ⁠יְּהוּדִ֥ים הָ⁠אֲמֵלָלִ֖ים עֹשִׂ֑ים הֲ⁠יַעַזְב֨וּ לָ⁠הֶ֤ם הֲ⁠יִזְבָּ֨חוּ֙ הַ⁠יְכַלּ֣וּ בַ⁠יּ֔וֹם הַ⁠יְחַיּ֧וּ אֶת־הָ⁠אֲבָנִ֛ים מֵ⁠עֲרֵמ֥וֹת הֶ⁠עָפָ֖ר וְ⁠הֵ֥מָּה שְׂרוּפֽוֹת 1 What 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]]) NEH 4 2 r9lb הַ⁠יְּהוּדִ֥ים הָ⁠אֲמֵלָלִ֖ים 1 feeble Jews “weak Jews” NEH 4 2 uk3w figs-metaphor בַ⁠יּ֔וֹם 1 in 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]]) NEH 4 2 ps9n figs-rquestion הַ⁠יְחַיּ֧וּ אֶת־הָ⁠אֲבָנִ֛ים מֵ⁠עֲרֵמ֥וֹת הֶ⁠עָפָ֖ר וְ⁠הֵ֥מָּה שְׂרוּפֽוֹת 1 Will 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]]) NEH 4 2 hr7v figs-metaphor הַ⁠יְחַיּ֧וּ אֶת־הָ⁠אֲבָנִ֛ים מֵ⁠עֲרֵמ֥וֹת הֶ⁠עָפָ֖ר וְ⁠הֵ֥מָּה שְׂרוּפֽוֹת 1 bring 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]]) NEH 4 2 b96n figs-activepassive מֵ⁠עֲרֵמ֥וֹת הֶ⁠עָפָ֖ר וְ⁠הֵ֥מָּה שְׂרוּפֽוֹת 1 from 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]]) NEH 4 3 alw5 translate-names וְ⁠טוֹבִיָּ֥ה 1 Tobiah This is a man’s name. See how you translated this in [Nehemiah 2:10](../02/10.md). (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 4 3 da2t figs-hyperbole אִם־יַעֲלֶ֣ה שׁוּעָ֔ל וּ⁠פָרַ֖ץ חוֹמַ֥ת אַבְנֵי⁠הֶֽם 1 If 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]]) NEH 4 4 b24b 0 Connecting Statement: Nehemiah begins to pray to God. NEH 4 4 buk3 figs-activepassive שְׁמַ֤ע אֱלֹהֵ֨י⁠נוּ֙ כִּֽי־הָיִ֣ינוּ בוּזָ֔ה 1 Hear, 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]]) NEH 4 4 pgh8 figs-activepassive וּ⁠תְנֵ֥⁠ם לְ⁠בִזָּ֖ה בְּ⁠אֶ֥רֶץ שִׁבְיָֽה 1 give 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]]) NEH 4 4 z6nz figs-synecdoche וְ⁠הָשֵׁ֥ב חֶרְפָּתָ֖⁠ם אֶל־רֹאשָׁ֑⁠ם 1 Turn back their taunts on their own heads The phrase “their taunts” refers to Sanballat’s and Tobiah’s 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]]) NEH 4 5 ae62 0 Connecting Statement: Nehemiah continues the prayer he began in verse 4. NEH 4 5 mc9p וְ⁠אַל־תְּכַס֙ עַל־עֲוֺנָ֔⁠ם וְ⁠חַטָּאתָ֖⁠ם מִ⁠לְּ⁠פָנֶ֣י⁠ךָ אַל־תִּמָּחֶ֑ה כִּ֥י הִכְעִ֖יסוּ לְ⁠נֶ֥גֶד הַ⁠בּוֹנִֽים 1 Do…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.’” NEH 4 5 zz8h figs-metaphor וְ⁠אַל־תְּכַס֙ עַל 1 Do not cover over This speaks of a forgiving a person’s 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]]) NEH 4 5 k9rw עֲוֺנָ֔⁠ם וְ⁠חַטָּאתָ֖⁠ם מִ⁠לְּ⁠פָנֶ֣י⁠ךָ אַל 1 do not erase their sin from before you This speaks of forgetting a person’s sins as if they were something written that could be erased. Alternate translation: “do not forget their sins NEH 4 5 mbi1 הִכְעִ֖יסוּ לְ⁠נֶ֥גֶד הַ⁠בּוֹנִֽים 1 they have provoked the builders to anger “they have made the builders become angry” NEH 4 6 r475 וַ⁠נִּבְנֶה֙ אֶת־הַ֣⁠חוֹמָ֔ה 1 So we built the wall “So we rebuilt the wall” NEH 4 6 mhm5 figs-activepassive וַ⁠תִּקָּשֵׁ֥ר כָּל־הַ⁠חוֹמָ֖ה עַד־חֶצְיָ֑⁠הּ 1 all 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]]) NEH 4 6 ef8p translate-fraction עַד־חֶצְיָ֑⁠הּ 1 half its height “Half” means one part out of two equal parts. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-fraction]]) NEH 4 7 gsb7 figs-metaphor וַ⁠יִּ֥חַר לָ⁠הֶ֖ם מְאֹֽד 1 a 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]]) NEH 4 8 b6im figs-metonymy בִּ⁠ירוּשָׁלִָ֑ם 1 against 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]]) NEH 4 9 vz1d וַ⁠נַּעֲמִ֨יד מִשְׁמָ֧ר עֲלֵי⁠הֶ֛ם 1 set a guard as protection “put men around the wall to guard the city” NEH 4 10 vc8h וְ⁠הֶ⁠עָפָ֖ר הַרְבֵּ֑ה 1 There is too much rubble Rubble is “burned stone” or “broken rock” or “unusable stone.” NEH 4 11 yuc9 לֹ֤א יֵדְעוּ֙ וְ⁠לֹ֣א יִרְא֔וּ עַ֛ד אֲשֶׁר־נָב֥וֹא אֶל־תּוֹכָ֖⁠ם 1 They will not know or see until we come among them “They will not see us coming until we are beside them” NEH 4 12 q1mv figs-hyperbole מִ⁠כָּל־הַ⁠מְּקֹמ֖וֹת 1 from 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]]) NEH 4 12 t8f2 figs-metonymy וַ⁠יֹּ֤אמְרוּ לָ֨⁠נוּ֙ עֶ֣שֶׂר פְּעָמִ֔ים 1 spoke 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]]) NEH 4 13 xc8b מִֽ⁠תַּחְתִּיּ֧וֹת לַ⁠מָּק֛וֹם 1 in the exposed areas “in the vulnerable areas” NEH 4 13 mj33 figs-synecdoche וָֽ⁠אַעֲמִ֤יד אֶת־הָ⁠עָם֙ לְ⁠מִשְׁפָּח֔וֹת 1 I 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]]) NEH 4 15 puc1 וַ⁠יְהִ֞י כַּֽ⁠אֲשֶׁר 1 It came about “It happened that” NEH 4 15 qxa7 figs-activepassive נ֣וֹדַֽע לָ֔⁠נוּ 1 their 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]]) NEH 4 16 gh9g נְעָרַ⁠י֮ עֹשִׂ֣ים בַּ⁠מְּלָאכָה֒ 1 my servants worked “my young men worked” NEH 4 16 f9in translate-fraction חֲצִ֣י נְעָרַ⁠י֮…⁠חֶצְיָ֗⁠ם 1 half of my servants…half of them “Half” means one part out of two equal parts. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-fraction]]) NEH 4 16 gl4t וְ⁠הַ֨⁠שָּׂרִ֔ים אַחֲרֵ֖י כָּל־בֵּ֥ית יְהוּדָֽה 1 the leaders stood behind all the people “the leaders positioned themselves behind all the people” NEH 4 17 uya2 figs-hyperbole עֹמְשִׂ֑ים בְּ⁠אַחַ֤ת יָד⁠וֹ֙ עֹשֶׂ֣ה בַ⁠מְּלָאכָ֔ה וְ⁠אַחַ֖ת מַחֲזֶ֥קֶת הַ⁠שָּֽׁלַח 1 Everyone 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]]) NEH 4 19 yn7h וָ⁠אֹמַ֞ר 1 I said Here “I” refers to Nehemiah. NEH 4 19 xi9g הַ⁠חֹרִ֤ים…הַ⁠סְּגָנִים֙ 1 the nobles…the officials These are the leaders referred to in [Nehemiah 4:16](../04/16.md). NEH 4 19 agy3 הַ⁠מְּלָאכָ֥ה הַרְבֵּ֖ה 1 The work is great Here the word “great” means “large-scale” or “huge.” NEH 4 20 tm9s figs-metonymy אֶת־ק֣וֹל הַ⁠שּׁוֹפָ֔ר 1 the trumpet sound This refers to someone blowing a trumpet. Alternate translation: “someone blowing a trumpet” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]]) NEH 4 21 ca45 translate-fraction וְ⁠חֶצְיָ֗⁠ם 1 Half of them Here “Half” means one part out of two equal parts. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-fraction]]) NEH 4 21 w4uu מֵ⁠עֲל֣וֹת הַ⁠שַּׁ֔חַר עַ֖ד צֵ֥את הַ⁠כּוֹכָבִֽים 1 from 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” NEH 4 21 jl3h figs-metonymy מֵ⁠עֲל֣וֹת הַ⁠שַּׁ֔חַר 1 the 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]]) NEH 4 22 r87p בְּ⁠ת֣וֹךְ יְרוּשָׁלִָ֑ם 1 in the middle of Jerusalem “within Jerusalem” NEH 4 23 v2e1 פֹשְׁטִ֖ים בְּגָדֵ֑י⁠נוּ 1 changed our clothes “took off our clothes” NEH 5 intro k7pb 0 # 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.
NEH 5 1 za4u figs-explicit וַ⁠תְּהִ֨י צַעֲקַ֥ת הָ⁠עָ֛ם וּ⁠נְשֵׁי⁠הֶ֖ם גְּדוֹלָ֑ה אֶל־אֲחֵי⁠הֶ֖ם הַ⁠יְּהוּדִֽים 1 Then 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]]) NEH 5 1 czx5 הָ⁠עָ֛ם וּ⁠נְשֵׁי⁠הֶ֖ם 1 the men and their wives This refers to the men who were working on building the wall. NEH 5 1 zmb8 figs-abstractnouns צַעֲקַ֥ת…גְּדוֹלָ֑ה 1 raised 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]]) NEH 5 3 dt2m שְׂדֹתֵ֛י⁠נוּ וּ⁠כְרָמֵ֥י⁠נוּ וּ⁠בָתֵּ֖י⁠נוּ אֲנַ֣חְנוּ עֹרְבִ֑ים 1 We are mortgaging our fields “We are having to pledge” or “We are having to give in pledge” NEH 5 5 z4ru figs-explicit וְ⁠עַתָּ֗ה כִּ⁠בְשַׂ֤ר אַחֵ֨י⁠נוּ֙ בְּשָׂרֵ֔⁠נוּ כִּ⁠בְנֵי⁠הֶ֖ם בָּנֵ֑י⁠נוּ 1 Yet 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 Jew’s families, and our children are just as important to us as their children are to them” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]]) NEH 5 5 rdp9 figs-activepassive וְ⁠יֵ֨שׁ מִ⁠בְּנֹתֵ֤י⁠נוּ נִכְבָּשׁוֹת֙ 1 Some 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]]) NEH 5 5 z783 figs-explicit וְ⁠אֵ֣ין לְ⁠אֵ֣ל יָדֵ֔⁠נוּ וּ⁠שְׂדֹתֵ֥י⁠נוּ וּ⁠כְרָמֵ֖י⁠נוּ לַ⁠אֲחֵרִֽים 1 But 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]]) NEH 5 5 jr7j figs-idiom וְ⁠אֵ֣ין לְ⁠אֵ֣ל יָדֵ֔⁠נוּ 1 it 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]]) NEH 5 6 ryx1 figs-abstractnouns כַּ⁠אֲשֶׁ֤ר שָׁמַ֨עְתִּי֙ אֶת־זַֽעֲקָתָ֔⁠ם 1 when 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]]) NEH 5 7 sn56 figs-explicit מַשָּׁ֥א אִישׁ־בְּ⁠אָחִ֖י⁠ו 1 You 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]]) NEH 5 7 r7yl figs-explicit וָ⁠אֶתֵּ֥ן עֲלֵי⁠הֶ֖ם קְהִלָּ֥ה גְדוֹלָֽה 1 I 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]]) NEH 5 8 pzy8 figs-explicit אַתֶּ֛ם תִּמְכְּר֥וּ אֶת־אֲחֵי⁠כֶ֖ם וְ⁠נִמְכְּרוּ־לָ֑⁠נוּ 1 but 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]]) NEH 5 8 kn82 figs-activepassive הַ⁠נִּמְכָּרִ֤ים לַ⁠גּוֹיִם֙ 1 who 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]]) NEH 5 9 lm7c ו⁠יאמר 1 Also I said The pronoun “I” refers to Nehemiah. NEH 5 9 ecd1 הַ⁠דָּבָ֖ר אֲשֶׁר־אַתֶּ֣ם עֹשִׂ֑ים 1 What you are doing “You” here refers to the Jewish nobles. NEH 5 9 kr1t figs-rquestion הֲ⁠ל֞וֹא בְּ⁠יִרְאַ֤ת אֱלֹהֵ֨י⁠נוּ֙ תֵּלֵ֔כוּ מֵ⁠חֶרְפַּ֖ת הַ⁠גּוֹיִ֥ם אוֹיְבֵֽי⁠נוּ 1 Should 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]]) NEH 5 9 v6ux figs-idiom הֲ⁠ל֞וֹא בְּ⁠יִרְאַ֤ת אֱלֹהֵ֨י⁠נוּ֙ תֵּלֵ֔כוּ 1 walk in the fear of our God This is and idiom. Here “walk” refers to a person’s 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]]) NEH 5 9 s7qt figs-abstractnouns מֵ⁠חֶרְפַּ֖ת הַ⁠גּוֹיִ֥ם אוֹיְבֵֽי⁠נוּ 1 the 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]]) NEH 5 10 xbp5 נֹשִׁ֥ים 1 lending borrowing or giving something to someone expecting repayment NEH 5 10 j3dq אֶת־הַ⁠מַּשָּׁ֥א הַ⁠זֶּֽ 1 loans 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. NEH 5 11 vkz7 וּ⁠מְאַ֨ת 1 percentage A part of the value of the loan that the borrower was charged in interest. NEH 5 11 dim5 אַתֶּ֖ם נֹשִׁ֥ים בָּ⁠הֶֽם 1 you exacted from them “you charged them” or “you made them pay” NEH 5 12 e9y2 וַ⁠יֹּאמְר֣וּ 1 Then they said Here “they” refers to the Jewish leaders. NEH 5 12 q7t5 נָשִׁ֗יב וּ⁠מֵ⁠הֶם֙ 1 We 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. NEH 5 12 i1gi וָֽ⁠אַשְׁבִּיעֵ֔⁠ם 1 made them swear Here the word “them” refers to the Jewish leaders. NEH 5 12 e2yv וָ⁠אֶקְרָא֙ 1 Then I called “I” refers to Nehemiah. NEH 5 13 neg1 translate-symaction חָצְנִ֣⁠י נָעַ֗רְתִּי 1 I 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]]) NEH 5 13 f5p4 figs-metaphor כָּ֣כָה יְנַעֵ֪ר הָֽ⁠אֱלֹהִ֟ים אֶת־כָּל־הָ⁠אִישׁ֩ אֲשֶׁ֨ר לֹֽא־יָקִ֜ים אֶת־הַ⁠דָּבָ֣ר הַ⁠זֶּ֗ה מִ⁠בֵּית⁠וֹ֙ וּ⁠מִ֣⁠יגִיע֔⁠וֹ וְ⁠כָ֛כָה יִהְיֶ֥ה נָע֖וּר וָ⁠רֵ֑ק 1 So 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 man’s 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]]) NEH 5 14 zur1 מִ⁠יּ֣וֹם׀ אֲשֶׁר־צִוָּ֣ה אֹתִ֗⁠י 1 from the time I was appointed Here “I” refers to Nehemiah. NEH 5 14 ri8l translate-ordinal מִ⁠שְּׁנַ֣ת עֶשְׂרִ֗ים וְ֠⁠עַד שְׁנַ֨ת שְׁלֹשִׁ֤ים וּ⁠שְׁתַּ֨יִם֙ 1 from the twentieth year until the thirty-second year “from the 20th year until the 32 year” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal]]) NEH 5 14 i31d לְ⁠אַרְתַּחְשַׁ֣סְתְּא הַ⁠מֶּ֔לֶךְ 1 of Artaxerxes the king “that Artaxerxes was king” NEH 5 14 ga6u translate-numbers שָׁנִ֖ים שְׁתֵּ֣ים עֶשְׂרֵ֑ה 1 twelve 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]]) NEH 5 14 nqt2 לֶ֥חֶם הַ⁠פֶּ֖חָה 1 the food provided for the governor This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “ate the food that the people provided for the governor” NEH 5 15 uu9k וְ⁠הַ⁠פַּחוֹת֩ הָ⁠רִאשֹׁנִ֨ים 1 former governors “previous governors” or “governors from the past.” Nehemiah was not the first governor of Judah. NEH 5 15 w4zk translate-numbers כֶּֽסֶף־שְׁקָלִ֣ים אַרְבָּעִ֔ים 1 forty shekels “40 shekels” or “40 silver coins” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-bmoney]]) NEH 5 15 egg7 וַ⁠אֲנִי֙ לֹא־עָשִׂ֣יתִי כֵ֔ן מִ⁠פְּנֵ֖י יִרְאַ֥ת אֱלֹהִֽים 1 But 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” NEH 5 16 gx42 הֶחֱזַ֔קְתִּי 1 I also continued “I” refers to Nehemiah. NEH 5 16 lm7t קָנִ֑ינוּ 1 we bought The word “we” refers to Nehemiah and his servants. NEH 5 16 xpb3 figs-activepassive וְ⁠כָל־נְעָרַ֔⁠י קְבוּצִ֥ים 1 all 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]]) NEH 5 16 m3s9 עַל־הַ⁠מְּלָאכָֽה 1 for the work “to work on the wall” NEH 5 17 a1g4 translate-numbers מֵאָ֧ה וַ⁠חֲמִשִּׁ֣ים אִ֗ישׁ 1 150 men “one hundred and fifty men” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers]]) NEH 5 17 q9x7 figs-explicit וְ⁠הַ⁠יְּהוּדִ֨ים וְ⁠הַ⁠סְּגָנִ֜ים מֵאָ֧ה וַ⁠חֲמִשִּׁ֣ים אִ֗ישׁ וְ⁠הַ⁠בָּאִ֥ים אֵלֵ֛י⁠נוּ מִן־הַ⁠גּוֹיִ֥ם אֲשֶׁר־סְבִיבֹתֵ֖י⁠נוּ עַל־שֻׁלְחָנִֽ⁠י 1 At 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]]) NEH 5 17 w7i4 עַל־שֻׁלְחָנִֽ⁠י 1 my table This refers to the governor’s table. It was a communal table for the community and for discussion of issues. NEH 5 17 j2af וְ⁠הַ⁠סְּגָנִ֜ים 1 officials government leaders NEH 5 18 fa32 figs-activepassive וַ⁠אֲשֶׁר֩ הָיָ֨ה נַעֲשֶׂ֜ה לְ⁠י֣וֹם אֶחָ֗ד שׁ֣וֹר אֶחָ֞ד 1 Now 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]]) NEH 5 18 gqe2 יַ֖יִן לְ⁠הַרְבֵּ֑ה 1 wine in abundance “enough wine for everyone” NEH 5 18 sp6n וְ⁠עִם־זֶ֗ה לֶ֤חֶם הַ⁠פֶּחָה֙ לֹ֣א בִקַּ֔שְׁתִּי 1 yet for all this I did not demand the food allowance of the governor “yet I never asked for the governor’s food allowance” NEH 5 19 mil3 figs-idiom לְ⁠טוֹבָ֑ה 1 for 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]]) NEH 6 intro k4df 0 # 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.
NEH 6 1 gd7c translate-names לְ⁠סַנְבַלַּ֣ט וְ֠⁠טוֹבִיָּה 1 Sanballat…Tobiah These are the names of men. See how you translated them in [Nehemiah 2:10](../02/10.md). (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 6 1 bxn2 translate-names וּ⁠לְ⁠גֶ֨שֶׁם 1 Geshem This is the name of a man. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 6 1 vi6v figs-synecdoche בָנִ֨יתִי֙ אֶת־הַ֣⁠חוֹמָ֔ה…לֹא־הֶעֱמַ֥דְתִּי 1 I 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]]) NEH 6 1 ap2q figs-ellipsis פָּ֑רֶץ 1 any 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]]) NEH 6 2 n5nu figs-idiom וַ⁠יִּשְׁלַ֨ח…אֵלַ֣⁠י 1 sent 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]]) NEH 6 2 rbv9 translate-names אוֹנ֑וֹ 1 Ono This is the name of a place. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 6 3 d84v figs-synecdoche מְלָאכָ֤ה גְדוֹלָה֙ אֲנִ֣י עֹשֶׂ֔ה 1 I 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]]) NEH 6 3 ee8i figs-rquestion לָ֣⁠מָּה תִשְׁבַּ֤ת הַ⁠מְּלָאכָה֙ כַּ⁠אֲשֶׁ֣ר אַרְפֶּ֔⁠הָ וְ⁠יָרַדְתִּ֖י אֲלֵי⁠כֶֽם 1 Why should the work stop while I leave it and come down to you? This rhetorical question is used to challenge Sanballat’s 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]]) NEH 6 3 t9gf וְ⁠יָרַדְתִּ֖י אֲלֵי⁠כֶֽם 1 down 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. NEH 6 5 r8xc translate-ordinal וַ⁠יִּשְׁלַח֩ אֵלַ֨⁠י סַנְבַלַּ֜ט כַּ⁠דָּבָ֥ר הַ⁠זֶּ֛ה פַּ֥עַם חֲמִישִׁ֖ית אֶֽת־נַעֲר֑⁠וֹ 1 Sanballat 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]]) NEH 6 5 s6ag וְ⁠אִגֶּ֥רֶת פְּתוּחָ֖ה 1 an 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. NEH 6 5 rx5j figs-metonymy בְּ⁠יָדֽ⁠וֹ 1 in 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]]) NEH 6 6 wy84 figs-activepassive בַּ⁠גּוֹיִ֤ם נִשְׁמָע֙ 1 It 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]]) NEH 6 6 z81q figs-explicit חֹשְׁבִ֣ים לִ⁠מְר֔וֹד 1 are 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]]) NEH 6 7 n1rj יִשָּׁמַ֣ע לַ⁠מֶּ֔לֶךְ 1 the king will hear “King Artaxerxes will hear” NEH 6 7 u185 וְ⁠עַתָּ֣ה לְכָ֔⁠ה 1 Therefore come “Therefore come meet with us” NEH 6 8 ei6j וָ⁠אֶשְׁלְחָ֤⁠ה אֵלָי⁠ו֙ לֵ⁠אמֹ֔ר 1 Then I sent word to him Here “I” refers to Nehemiah and “him” to Sanballat. NEH 6 8 ab7x לֹ֤א נִֽהְיָה֙ כַּ⁠דְּבָרִ֣ים הָ⁠אֵ֔לֶּה אֲשֶׁ֖ר אַתָּ֣ה אוֹמֵ֑ר 1 No such things have occurred as you say “None of the things you have written have occurred” NEH 6 8 ds1y figs-metonymy כִּ֥י מִֽ⁠לִּבְּ⁠ךָ֖ אַתָּ֥ה בוֹדָֽא⁠ם 1 for within your heart you invented them Here the “heart” refers to the “mind,” that is, to one’s 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]]) NEH 6 9 p45k כִּ֣י כֻלָּ֗⁠ם מְיָֽרְאִ֤ים אוֹתָ֨⁠נוּ֙ 1 For they all wanted to make us afraid Here “they” refers to Nehemiah’s enemies, Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem, and their followers. The word “us” refers to the Jews. NEH 6 9 b5ij figs-explicit יִרְפּ֧וּ יְדֵי⁠הֶ֛ם מִן־הַ⁠מְּלָאכָ֖ה 1 They 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]]) NEH 6 9 j1dj figs-synecdoche חַזֵּ֥ק אֶת־יָדָֽ⁠י 1 strengthen 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]]) NEH 6 10 ybj6 translate-names שְֽׁמַֽעְיָ֧ה…דְּלָיָ֛ה…מְהֵֽיטַבְאֵ֖ל 1 Shemaiah…Delaiah…Mehetabel These are men’s names. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 6 10 k8xd figs-activepassive וְ⁠ה֣וּא עָצ֑וּר 1 who 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]]) NEH 6 11 syw3 figs-rquestion הַ⁠אִ֤ישׁ כָּמ֨וֹ⁠נִי֙ יִבְרָ֔ח וּ⁠מִ֥י כָמ֛וֹ⁠נִי אֲשֶׁר־יָב֥וֹא אֶל־הַ⁠הֵיכָ֖ל וָ⁠חָ֑י 1 Would 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]]) NEH 6 12 s2sf כִּ֤י הַ⁠נְּבוּאָה֙ דִּבֶּ֣ר עָלַ֔⁠י 1 but that he had prophesied against me “but that he had prophesied in order to oppose me” NEH 6 13 b27k וְ⁠חָטָ֑אתִי 1 and 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” NEH 6 13 ji1g figs-idiom לְ⁠שֵׁ֣ם רָ֔ע 1 a 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]]) NEH 6 14 nau4 זָכְרָ֧⁠ה 1 Call to mind This is an idiom. Alternate translation: “Remember” NEH 6 14 g3ch translate-names לְ⁠נוֹעַדְיָ֤ה 1 Noadiah This is the name of a woman. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 6 15 m52s figs-activepassive וַ⁠תִּשְׁלַם֙ הַֽ⁠חוֹמָ֔ה 1 So 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]]) NEH 6 15 g17x translate-hebrewmonths בְּ⁠עֶשְׂרִ֥ים וַ⁠חֲמִשָּׁ֖ה לֶ⁠אֱל֑וּל 1 the 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]]) NEH 6 15 ara3 translate-numbers לַ⁠חֲמִשִּׁ֥ים וּ⁠שְׁנַ֖יִם יֽוֹם 1 fifty-two days “52 days” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers]]) NEH 6 16 t54c וַ⁠יִּפְּל֥וּ מְאֹ֖ד בְּ⁠עֵינֵי⁠הֶ֑ם 1 they fell greatly in their own eyes “they thought much less of themselves” or “they lost confidence in themselves” NEH 6 16 py4c figs-activepassive מֵ⁠אֵ֣ת אֱלֹהֵ֔י⁠נוּ נֶעֶשְׂתָ֖ה הַ⁠מְּלָאכָ֥ה הַ⁠זֹּֽאת 1 the 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]]) NEH 6 17 zw37 figs-metonymy אִגְּרֹ֣תֵי⁠הֶ֔ם הוֹלְכ֖וֹת 1 sent 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]]) NEH 6 17 rx81 figs-personification וַ⁠אֲשֶׁ֥ר לְ⁠טוֹבִיָּ֖ה בָּא֥וֹת 1 Tobiah’s letters came Here Tobiah’s 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]]) NEH 6 17 rcx8 translate-names טוֹבִיָּ֑ה 1 Tobiah See how you translated this man’s name in [Nehemiah 2:10](../02/10.md). (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 6 18 z2uq figs-metaphor בַּעֲלֵ֤י שְׁבוּעָה֙ ל֔⁠וֹ 1 who 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]]) NEH 6 18 rn1q translate-names חָתָ֥ן ה֖וּא לִ⁠שְׁכַנְיָ֣ה 1 he 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](../03/29.md). (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 6 18 id1x translate-names אָרַ֑ח וִֽ⁠יהוֹחָנָ֣ן 1 Arah…Jehohanan These are the names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 6 18 y3lg translate-names מְשֻׁלָּ֖ם…בֶּֽרֶכְיָֽה 1 Meshullam…Berechiah These are the names of men. See how you translated this in [Nehemiah 3:4](../03/04.md). (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 6 19 mj72 גַּ֣ם טוֹבֹתָ֗י⁠ו הָי֤וּ אֹמְרִים֙ לְ⁠פָנַ֔⁠י וּ⁠דְבָרַ֕⁠י הָי֥וּ מוֹצִיאִ֖ים ל֑⁠וֹ 1 They also spoke to me about his good deeds and reported my words back to him “The Jewish nobles told me about Tobiah’s good deeds and then told him about my responses” NEH 6 19 e3zt figs-activepassive אִגְּר֛וֹת שָׁלַ֥ח טוֹבִיָּ֖ה לְ⁠יָֽרְאֵֽ⁠נִי 1 Letters 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]]) NEH 7 intro qk4v 0 # 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](../../ezr/02/01.md). 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.
NEH 7 1 g3zz figs-activepassive וַ⁠יְהִ֗י כַּ⁠אֲשֶׁ֤ר נִבְנְתָה֙ הַ⁠חוֹמָ֔ה 1 When 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]]) NEH 7 1 fk6l figs-synecdoche וָ⁠אַעֲמִ֖יד הַ⁠דְּלָת֑וֹת 1 I 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]]) NEH 7 1 wkp3 figs-activepassive וַ⁠יִּפָּֽקְד֛וּ הַ⁠שּׁוֹעֲרִ֥ים וְ⁠הַ⁠מְשֹׁרְרִ֖ים וְ⁠הַ⁠לְוִיִּֽם 1 the 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]]) NEH 7 1 lk9v הַ⁠שּׁוֹעֲרִ֥ים 1 gatekeepers 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 NEH 7 1 f8ks וְ⁠הַ⁠מְשֹׁרְרִ֖ים 1 singers vocal musicians who led in worship, in processions, and ceremonies, producing music and chants that emphasized and enhanced the occasion NEH 7 2 ykr9 translate-names חֲנָ֣נִי…חֲנַנְיָ֛ה 1 Hanani…Hananiah These are names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 7 2 zy5q וָ⁠אֲצַוֶּ֞ה אֶת־חֲנָ֣נִי אָחִ֗⁠י וְ⁠אֶת־חֲנַנְיָ֛ה שַׂ֥ר 1 I gave my brother Hanani charge “I gave the order for my brother Hanani to be the manager” NEH 7 2 iqf3 שַׂ֥ר הַ⁠בִּירָ֖ה 1 who had oversight of the fortress “who was in charge of the fortress” NEH 7 2 dx6d וְ⁠יָרֵ֥א אֶת־הָ⁠אֱלֹהִ֖ים מֵ⁠רַבִּֽים 1 feared God more than many “feared God more than many other people” NEH 7 3 y2jk ו⁠יאמר לָ⁠הֶ֗ם 1 I said to them The word “them” refers to Hanani and Hananiah. NEH 7 3 n55g לֹ֣א יִפָּֽתְח֞וּ שַׁעֲרֵ֤י יְרוּשָׁלִַ֨ם֙ עַד־חֹ֣ם הַ⁠שֶּׁ֔מֶשׁ וְ⁠עַ֨ד הֵ֥ם עֹמְדִ֛ים יָגִ֥יפוּ הַ⁠דְּלָת֖וֹת וֶ⁠אֱחֹ֑זוּ 1 Do 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. NEH 7 3 w3hi חֹ֣ם הַ⁠שֶּׁ֔מֶשׁ 1 the sun is hot “the sun is high in the sky” NEH 7 3 b2es וְ⁠עַ֨ד הֵ֥ם עֹמְדִ֛ים יָגִ֥יפוּ הַ⁠דְּלָת֖וֹת וֶ⁠אֱחֹ֑זוּ 1 While 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” NEH 7 3 mir9 מִשְׁמְרוֹת֙ 1 gatekeepers See how you translated this in [Nehemiah 7:1](../07/01.md) NEH 7 3 ed9m יָגִ֥יפוּ הַ⁠דְּלָת֖וֹת וֶ⁠אֱחֹ֑זוּ 1 shut the doors and bar them “close the gates and lock them” NEH 7 3 he4e וְ⁠הַעֲמֵ֗יד מִשְׁמְרוֹת֙ יֹשְׁבֵ֣י יְרוּשָׁלִַ֔ם 1 Appoint guards from those who live in Jerusalem “Assign guards from those people who live in Jerusalem” NEH 7 3 wf26 בְּ⁠מִשְׁמָר֔⁠וֹ 1 guard station “guard post” or “guard duty place” NEH 7 4 y6y8 figs-activepassive וְ⁠אֵ֥ין בָּתִּ֖ים בְּנוּיִֽם 1 no 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]]) NEH 7 5 wjd3 figs-metonymy וַ⁠יִּתֵּ֤ן אֱלֹהַ⁠י֙ אֶל־לִבִּ֔⁠י 1 put into my heart Here Nehemiah’s “heart” refers to his thoughts and will. See how you translated this in [Nehemiah 2:12](../02/12.md). Alternate translation: “inspired me” or “led me” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]]) NEH 7 5 pzu6 לְ⁠הִתְיַחֵ֑שׂ 1 to enroll them “to list and register them” NEH 7 5 avw2 סֵ֤פֶר הַ⁠יַּ֨חַשׂ֙ 1 the book of the genealogy This was a book that no longer exists. NEH 7 5 bz2p figs-activepassive וָ⁠אֶמְצָ֖א כָּת֥וּב בּֽ⁠וֹ 1 found 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]]) NEH 7 6 ud5m אֵ֣לֶּה׀ בְּנֵ֣י הַ⁠מְּדִינָ֗ה 1 These are the people of the province “These are the descendants of this region” NEH 7 6 vx13 הָ⁠עֹלִים֙ מִ⁠שְּׁבִ֣י 1 went up out of “returned from” or “came back from” NEH 7 6 r578 figs-idiom הָ⁠עֹלִים֙ 1 went 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]]) NEH 7 6 hb7v figs-metonymy אֲשֶׁ֣ר הֶגְלָ֔ה נְבוּכַדְנֶצַּ֖ר מֶ֣לֶךְ בָּבֶ֑ל 1 whom 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]]) NEH 7 7 mu5h translate-names זְרֻבָּבֶ֗ל יֵשׁ֡וּעַ נְחֶמְיָ֡ה עֲ֠זַרְיָה רַֽעַמְיָ֨ה נַחֲמָ֜נִי מָרְדֳּכַ֥י בִּלְשָׁ֛ן מִסְפֶּ֥רֶת בִּגְוַ֖י נְח֣וּם בַּעֲנָ֑ה 1 Zerubbabel…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]]) NEH 7 7 fz51 מִסְפַּ֕ר אַנְשֵׁ֖י 1 The 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. NEH 7 8 r3xa translate-numbers 0 Connecting 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]]) NEH 7 8 l98v translate-names פַרְעֹ֔שׁ 1 Parosh These are the names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 7 9 gy8k translate-names שְׁפַטְיָ֔ה 1 Shephatiah This is a man’s name. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 7 10 nq9e translate-names אָרַ֔ח 1 Arah This is a man’s name. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 7 11 jc4a translate-numbers 0 Connecting Statement: Nehemiah is continuing to recount the number of people who returned from exile. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers]]) NEH 7 11 v6jn translate-names פַחַ֥ת מוֹאָ֛ב…יֵשׁ֖וּעַ וְ⁠יוֹאָ֑ב 1 Pahath-Moab…Jeshua…Joab These are the names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 7 11 my8s מוֹאָ֛ב לִ⁠בְנֵ֥י יֵשׁ֖וּעַ וְ⁠יוֹאָ֑ב 1 through the descendants of Jeshua and Joab “that is, the descendants of Jeshua and Joab” NEH 7 12 d7wf translate-names עֵילָ֔ם 1 Elam This is a man’s name. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 7 13 sbz7 translate-names זַתּ֔וּא 1 Zattu This is a man’s name. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 7 14 v5zr translate-names זַכָּ֔י 1 Zakkai This is a man’s name. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 7 15 a26a translate-numbers 0 Connecting Statement: Nehemiah is continuing to recount the number of people who returned from exile. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers]]) NEH 7 15 x1bd translate-names בִנּ֔וּי 1 Binnui This is a man’s name. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 7 16 ay45 translate-names בֵבָ֔י 1 Bebai This is a man’s name. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 7 17 h84y translate-names עַזְגָּ֔ד 1 Azgad These are the names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 7 18 b95k translate-names אֲדֹ֣נִיקָ֔ם 1 Adonikam This is a man’s name. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 7 19 lhq4 translate-numbers 0 Connecting Statement: Nehemiah is continuing to recount the number of people who returned from exile. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers]]) NEH 7 19 iy74 translate-names בִגְוָ֔ 1 Bigvai This is a man’s name. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 7 20 d5wk translate-names עָדִ֔ין 1 Adin This is a man’s name. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 7 21 mxg1 translate-names אָטֵ֥ר 1 Ater This is a man’s name. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 7 21 l797 figs-ellipsis בְּנֵֽי־אָטֵ֥ר לְ⁠חִזְקִיָּ֖ה 1 The 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]]) NEH 7 22 r3ee translate-names חָשֻׁ֔ם 1 Hashum This is a man’s name. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 7 23 yyf7 translate-numbers 0 Connecting Statement: Nehemiah is continuing to recount the number of people who returned from exile. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers]]) NEH 7 23 v6eh translate-names בֵצָ֔י 1 Bezai This is a man’s name. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 7 24 j9rb translate-names חָרִ֔יף 1 Hariph This is a man’s name. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 7 25 sj6p translate-names גִבְע֖וֹן 1 Gibeon This is a man’s name. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 7 26 sde6 translate-names בֵֽית־לֶ֨חֶם֙ וּ⁠נְטֹפָ֔ה 1 Bethlehem and Netophah These are the names of places in Judah. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 7 27 xmr1 translate-numbers 0 Connecting Statement: Nehemiah is continuing to recount the number of people who returned from exile. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers]]) NEH 7 27 v2tb translate-names עֲנָת֔וֹת 1 Anathoth This is the name of a place. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 7 28 b1sd translate-names בֵית־עַזְמָ֖וֶת 1 Beth Azmaveth This is the name of a place. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 7 29 y9ek translate-names קִרְיַ֤ת יְעָרִים֙ כְּפִירָ֣ה וּ⁠בְאֵר֔וֹת 1 Kiriath Jearim, Kephirah, and Beeroth This is the name of a place. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 7 30 ncc2 translate-names הָֽ⁠רָמָה֙ וָ⁠גָ֔בַע 1 Ramah and Geba These are the names of places. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 7 31 i39d translate-numbers 0 Connecting Statement: Nehemiah is continuing to recount the number of people who returned from exile. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers]]) NEH 7 31 ty2q translate-names מִכְמָ֔ס 1 Michmas This is the name of a place. (See [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 7 32 b4qw translate-names בֵֽית־אֵל֙ וְ⁠הָ⁠עָ֔י 1 Bethel and Ai This is the name of a place. (See [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 7 33 dbu1 translate-names נְב֛וֹ 1 Nebo This is the name of a place. (See [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 7 34 d1vy translate-names עֵילָ֣ם 1 Elam This is the name of a place. (See [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 7 35 wz53 translate-numbers 0 Connecting Statement: Nehemiah is continuing to recount the number of people who returned from exile. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers]]) NEH 7 35 s9ek translate-names חָרִ֔ם 1 Harim This is the name of a place. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 7 36 avk6 translate-names יְרֵח֔וֹ 1 Jericho This is the name of a place. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 7 37 b9f2 translate-names לֹד֙ חָדִ֣יד וְ⁠אוֹנ֔וֹ 1 Lod, Hadid, and Ono This is the name of a place. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 7 38 rla1 translate-names סְנָאָ֔ה 1 Senaah This is the name of a place. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 7 39 x7hb translate-numbers 0 Connecting Statement: Nehemiah is continuing to recount the number of people who returned from exile. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers]]) NEH 7 39 xwy8 translate-names יְדַֽעְיָה֙…יֵשׁ֔וּעַ 1 Jedaiah…Jeshua These are names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 7 39 mk8g figs-metonymy לְ⁠בֵ֣ית יֵשׁ֔וּעַ 1 of 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]]) NEH 7 40 kd29 translate-names אִמֵּ֔ר 1 Immer This is a man’s name. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 7 41 xd2z translate-names פַשְׁח֔וּר 1 Pashhur This is a man’s name. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 7 42 ias1 translate-names חָרִ֔ם 1 Harim This is a man’s name. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 7 43 h37e translate-numbers 0 Connecting Statement: Nehemiah is continuing to recount the number of people who returned from exile. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers]]) NEH 7 43 v5s3 translate-names יֵשׁ֧וּעַ לְ⁠קַדְמִיאֵ֛ל…לְ⁠הוֹדְוָ֖ה 1 Jeshua…Kadmiel…Hodevah These are all names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 7 44 ht7l translate-names אָסָ֔ף 1 Asaph This is a man’s name. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 7 44 v68g הַֽ⁠מְשֹׁרְרִ֑ים 1 singers See how you translated this in [Nehemiah 7:1](../07/01.md). NEH 7 45 wy4p translate-names שַׁלּ֤וּם…אָטֵר֙…טַלְמֹ֣ן…עַקּ֔וּב…חֲטִיטָ֖א…שֹׁבָ֑י 1 Shallum…Ater…Talmon…Akkub…Hatita…Shobai This is a man’s name. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 7 45 b7ne הַ⁠שֹּֽׁעֲרִ֗ים 1 gatekeepers See how you translated this in [Nehemiah 7:1](../07/01.md). NEH 7 46 t2j5 0 General Information: These verses continue the names of people whose descendants returned from the exile. NEH 7 46 st75 translate-names צִחָ֥א…חֲשֻׂפָ֖א…טַבָּעֽוֹת 1 Ziha…Hasupha…Tabbaoth These are names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 7 47 d6np translate-names קֵירֹ֥ס…סִיעָ֖א…פָדֽוֹן 1 Keros…Sia…Padon These are names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 7 47 mn22 סִיעָ֖א 1 Sia This is the same man known by the name Siaha in Ezra 2:44. NEH 7 48 ln8l translate-names לְבָנָ֥ה…חֲגָבָ֖ה…שַׁלְמָֽי 1 Lebana,…Hagaba…Shalmai These are names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 7 49 zpn7 translate-names חָנָ֥ן…גִדֵּ֖ל…גָֽחַר 1 Hanan…Giddel…Gahar These are names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 7 50 s8hz 0 General Information: These verses continue the names of people whose descendants returned from the exile. NEH 7 50 cd4k translate-names רְאָיָ֥ה…רְצִ֖ין…נְקוֹדָֽא 1 Reaiah…Rezin…Nekoda These are names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 7 51 u8ea translate-names גַזָּ֥ם…עֻזָּ֖א…פָסֵֽחַ 1 Gazzam…Uzza…Paseah These are names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 7 52 i1dd translate-names בֵסַ֥י…מְעוּנִ֖ים…נפושסים 1 Besai…Meunim…Nephushesim These are names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 7 53 h78b 0 General Information: These verses continue the names of people whose descendants returned from the exile. NEH 7 53 u7qn translate-names בַקְבּ֥וּק…חֲקוּפָ֖א…חַרְחֽוּר 1 Bakbuk…Hakupha…Harhur These are names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 7 54 jat5 translate-names בַצְלִ֥ית…מְחִידָ֖א…חַרְשָֽׁא 1 Bazluth…Mehida…Harsha These are names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 7 55 w15p translate-names בַרְק֥וֹס…סִֽיסְרָ֖א…תָֽמַח 1 Barkos…Sisera…Temah These are names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 7 56 i1b4 translate-names נְצִ֖יחַ…חֲטִיפָֽא 1 Neziah…Hatipha These are names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 7 57 w9sx translate-numbers 0 Connecting Statement: Nehemiah is continuing to recount the number of people who returned from exile. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers]]) NEH 7 57 ma7v translate-names סוֹטַ֥י…סוֹפֶ֖רֶת…פְרִידָֽא 1 Sotai…Sophereth…Perida These are names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 7 57 xb5j סוֹפֶ֖רֶת 1 Sophereth This is the name of a man who is called Hassophereth in Ezra 2:55. NEH 7 57 ei9x פְרִידָֽא 1 Perida This is the name of a man who is also called Peruda in Ezra 2:55. NEH 7 58 y1jl translate-names יַעְלָ֥א…דַרְק֖וֹן…גִדֵּֽל 1 Jaala…Darkon…Giddel These are names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 7 59 vwg5 translate-names שְׁפַטְיָ֣ה…חַטִּ֗יל…פֹּכֶ֥רֶת הַצְּבָיִ֖ים…אָמֽוֹן 1 Shephatiah…Hattil…Pochereth Hazzebaim…Amon These are names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 7 61 a15h translate-numbers 0 Connecting Statement: Nehemiah is continuing to recount the number of people who returned from exile. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers]]) NEH 7 61 bgx3 figs-idiom הָֽ⁠עוֹלִים֙ 1 went 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]]) NEH 7 61 c7ta translate-names מִ⁠תֵּ֥ל מֶ֨לַח֙ תֵּ֣ל חַרְשָׁ֔א כְּר֥וּב אַדּ֖וֹן וְ⁠אִמֵּ֑ר 1 Tel Melah…Tel Harsha…Kerub…Addon…Immer These are names of places. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 7 62 np4h translate-names דְלָיָ֥ה…טוֹבִיָּ֖ה…נְקוֹדָ֑א 1 Delaiah…Tobiah…Nekoda These are names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 7 63 i59a translate-names חֳבַיָּ֖ה…הַקּ֑וֹץ…בַרְזִלַּ֗י 1 Habaiah…Hakkoz…Barzillai These are names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 7 64 m2qd אֵ֗לֶּה בִּקְשׁ֧וּ כְתָבָ֛⁠ם הַ⁠מִּתְיַחְשִׂ֖ים 1 These sought their records among those enrolled by their genealogy “They sought their written genealogical records” or “They searched their written genealogical records” NEH 7 64 n9vy אֵ֗לֶּה בִּקְשׁ֧וּ 1 These sought “These” refers to the descendants of Hobaiah, Hakkoz and Barzillai ([Nehemiah 7:63](../07/63.md)). NEH 7 64 bl4n figs-activepassive וְ⁠לֹ֣א נִמְצָ֑א 1 but 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]]) NEH 7 64 iyy1 figs-activepassive וַ⁠יְגֹֽאֲל֖וּ מִן־הַ⁠כְּהֻנָּֽה 1 they 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]]) NEH 7 65 qnn2 figs-activepassive עַ֛ד עֲמֹ֥ד הַ⁠כֹּהֵ֖ן לְ⁠אוּרִ֥ים וְ⁠תוּמִּֽים 1 until 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]]) NEH 7 65 cij9 translate-unknown לְ⁠אוּרִ֥ים וְ⁠תוּמִּֽים 1 Urim and Thummim These were sacred stones that the high priest carried on his breastplate and used at times to determine God’s will. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]]) NEH 7 66 t4xj translate-numbers 0 Connecting Statement: Nehemiah is continuing to recount the number of people who returned from exile. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers]]) NEH 7 66 j9fe כָּל־הַ⁠קָּהָ֖ל כְּ⁠אֶחָ֑ד 1 The whole assembly together “The whole group together” NEH 7 66 av51 אַרְבַּ֣ע רִבּ֔וֹא אַלְפַּ֖יִם שְׁלֹשׁ־מֵא֥וֹת וְ⁠שִׁשִּֽׁים 1 was 42,360 “was 42,360 people” NEH 7 67 se3x מִ֠⁠לְּ⁠בַד עַבְדֵי⁠הֶ֤ם וְ⁠אַמְהֹֽתֵי⁠הֶם֙ 1 singing men and women “male singers and female singers” NEH 7 69 d72q translate-numbers אַרְבַּ֥ע מֵא֖וֹת שְׁלֹשִׁ֣ים וַ⁠חֲמִשָּׁ֑הס…שֵׁ֣שֶׁת אֲלָפִ֔ים שְׁבַ֥ע מֵא֖וֹת וְ⁠עֶשְׂרִֽים 1 435…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]]) NEH 7 70 e1e9 רָאשֵׁ֣י הָֽ⁠אָב֔וֹת 1 the heads of ancestors’ families “the chief patriarchs” or “the leaders of the clans” NEH 7 70 le3g נָתַ֣ן לָ⁠אוֹצָ֗ר 1 gave to the treasury “put into the treasury” NEH 7 70 wf3a translate-numbers דַּרְכְּמֹנִ֥ים אֶ֨לֶף֙ 1 one thousand darics “1,000 darics” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers]]) NEH 7 70 c7ug translate-bmoney זָהָ֞ב דַּרְכְּמֹנִ֥ים 1 darics of gold A daric was a small gold coin that people in the Persian Empire used. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-bmoney]]) NEH 7 70 bu8p translate-numbers מִזְרָק֣וֹת חֲמִשִּׁ֔ים 1 50 basins “fifty basins.” These are large bowls. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers]]) NEH 7 70 bu22 translate-numbers כָּתְנוֹת֙ כֹּֽהֲנִ֔ים שְׁלֹשִׁ֖ים וַ⁠חֲמֵ֥שׁ מֵאֽוֹת 1 530 priestly garments “five hundred thirty priestly garments.” These are items of clothing worn by the priests. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers]]) NEH 7 71 kzg2 translate-numbers דַּרְכְּמוֹנִ֖ים שְׁתֵּ֣י רִבּ֑וֹת 1 twenty thousand darics “20,000 darics” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers]]) NEH 7 71 jxn7 translate-numbers וְ⁠כֶ֕סֶף מָנִ֖ים אַלְפַּ֥יִם וּ⁠מָאתָֽיִ 1 2,200 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]]) NEH 7 72 zg2v translate-numbers מָנִ֣ים אַלְפָּ֑יִם 1 two thousand minas “2,000 minas” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers]]) NEH 7 72 g529 translate-numbers וְ⁠כָתְנֹ֥ת כֹּֽהֲנִ֖ים שִׁשִּׁ֥ים וְ⁠שִׁבְעָֽה 1 sixty-seven priestly garments “67 priestly garments” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers]]) NEH 7 73 e7np וְ⁠הַ⁠שּׁוֹעֲרִים֩ 1 gatekeepers See how you translated this in [Nehemiah 7:1](../07/01.md). NEH 7 73 a2ub וְ⁠הַ⁠מְשֹׁרְרִ֨ים 1 singers See how you translated this in [Nehemiah 7:1](../07/01.md). NEH 7 73 jaj3 figs-explicit וּ⁠מִן־הָ⁠עָ֧ם 1 some 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]]) NEH 7 73 znc4 וְ⁠כָל־יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל 1 all 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. NEH 7 73 n26r translate-ordinal הַ⁠חֹ֣דֶשׁ הַ⁠שְּׁבִיעִ֔י 1 the 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]]) NEH 7 73 gdj2 בְּ⁠עָרֵי⁠הֶֽם 1 were settled in their cities “lived in their own cities” NEH 8 intro w38v 0 # 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.
NEH 8 1 q5ih figs-hyperbole וַ⁠יֵּאָסְפ֤וּ כָל־הָ⁠עָם֙ כְּ⁠אִ֣ישׁ אֶחָ֔ד 1 All 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]]) NEH 8 1 f6t8 שַֽׁעַר־הַ⁠מָּ֑יִם 1 Water Gate This was the name of a large opening or doorway in the wall. NEH 8 1 fdh4 אֶת־סֵ֨פֶר֙ תּוֹרַ֣ת מֹשֶׁ֔ה 1 the book of the law of Moses This would have been all or part of the first five books of the Old Testament. NEH 8 2 id7q translate-hebrewmonths בְּ⁠י֥וֹם אֶחָ֖ד לַ⁠חֹ֥דֶשׁ הַ⁠שְּׁבִיעִֽי 1 On 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]]) NEH 8 2 e89a וַ⁠יָּבִ֣יא…אֶֽת־הַ⁠תּוֹרָ֞ה 1 brought the law “brought The Book of the Law” NEH 8 2 j8yl וְ⁠כֹ֖ל מֵבִ֣ין לִ⁠שְׁמֹ֑עַ 1 all who could hear and understand This would include children who were old enough to understand what was being read. NEH 8 3 iv9y לִ⁠פְנֵ֨י הָ⁠רְח֜וֹב 1 He faced the open area “He turned towards the open area” NEH 8 3 pkz7 וַ⁠יִּקְרָא 1 he read from it Here “it” refers to the Book of the law of Moses. NEH 8 4 lk8k translate-names מַתִּתְיָ֡ה וְ⁠שֶׁ֡מַע וַ֠⁠עֲנָיָה וְ⁠אוּרִיָּ֧ה וְ⁠חִלְקִיָּ֛ה וּ⁠מַעֲשֵׂיָ֖ה…פְּ֠דָיָה וּ⁠מִֽישָׁאֵ֧ל וּ⁠מַלְכִּיָּ֛ה וְ⁠חָשֻׁ֥ם וְ⁠חַשְׁבַּדָּ֖נָה זְכַרְיָ֥ה מְשֻׁלָּֽם 1 Mattithiah, 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]]) NEH 8 5 t5lf figs-abstractnouns וַ⁠יִּפְתַּ֨ח עֶזְרָ֤א הַ⁠סֵּ֨פֶר֙ לְ⁠עֵינֵ֣י כָל־הָ⁠עָ֔ם 1 Ezra 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]]) NEH 8 5 wqg8 הַ⁠סֵּ֨פֶר֙ 1 the book “The Book of the Law” NEH 8 5 ln1z מֵ⁠עַ֥ל כָּל־הָ⁠עָ֖ם הָיָ֑ה 1 he was standing above the people “he was standing higher than the people” NEH 8 5 yv2u figs-explicit וּ⁠כְ⁠פִתְח֖⁠וֹ עָֽמְד֥וּ כָל־הָ⁠עָֽם 1 when he opened it all the people stood up The people stood up out of respect for God’s word. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]]) NEH 8 6 x9v8 figs-abstractnouns וַ⁠יְבָ֣רֶךְ עֶזְרָ֔א אֶת־יְהוָ֥ה 1 Ezra 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]]) NEH 8 8 s5er וַֽ⁠יִּקְרְא֥וּ בַ⁠סֵּ֛פֶר 1 They read in the book The word “They” here refers to the Levites. NEH 8 8 vsq9 figs-abstractnouns מְפֹרָ֑שׁ וְ⁠שׂ֣וֹם שֶׂ֔כֶל וַ⁠יָּבִ֖ינוּ בַּ⁠מִּקְרָֽא 1 making 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]]) NEH 8 9 wky3 figs-hyperbole כִּ֤י בוֹכִים֙ כָּל־הָ⁠עָ֔ם 1 For 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]]) NEH 8 10 smq2 figs-explicit אִכְל֨וּ מַשְׁמַנִּ֜ים וּ⁠שְׁת֣וּ מַֽמְתַקִּ֗ים 1 eat 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]]) NEH 8 10 ach1 figs-activepassive וְ⁠אַל־תֵּ֣עָצֵ֔בוּ 1 Do not be grieved This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “Do not grieve” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]]) NEH 8 10 sni7 figs-abstractnouns כִּֽי־חֶדְוַ֥ת יְהוָ֖ה הִ֥יא מָֽעֻזְּ⁠כֶֽם 1 for 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]]) NEH 8 11 sxx6 הַ֔סּוּ 1 Hush! “Be quiet!” or “Be silent!” NEH 8 11 fjz6 figs-activepassive וְ⁠אַל־תֵּעָצֵֽבוּ 1 Do not be grieved This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “Do not grieve” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]]) NEH 8 12 z1gc figs-abstractnouns וְ⁠לַ⁠עֲשׂ֖וֹת שִׂמְחָ֣ה גְדוֹלָ֑ה 1 celebrate 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]]) NEH 8 12 xsf5 figs-activepassive בַּ⁠דְּבָרִ֔ים אֲשֶׁ֥ר הוֹדִ֖יעוּ לָ⁠הֶֽם 1 the 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]]) NEH 8 13 uj5j translate-ordinal וּ⁠בַ⁠יּ֣וֹם הַ⁠שֵּׁנִ֡י 1 On the second day “On day 2” or “On the next day” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal]]) NEH 8 13 y48u figs-abstractnouns וּ⁠לְ⁠הַשְׂכִּ֖יל אֶל 1 to 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]]) NEH 8 14 ur1h יֵשְׁב֨וּ…בַּ⁠סֻּכּ֛וֹת 1 should live in shelters These were temporary shelters that people made out of branches and leaves. NEH 8 14 efg4 translate-ordinal בַּ⁠חֹ֥דֶשׁ הַ⁠שְּׁבִיעִֽי 1 the 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]]) NEH 8 15 rq6s וַ⁠אֲשֶׁ֣ר יַשְׁמִ֗יעוּ 1 They should make a proclamation “They should announce” NEH 8 15 f9c2 translate-unknown הֲדַס֙ 1 myrtle a kind of small tree with colorful flowers (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]]) NEH 8 15 es8r עֵ֣ץ עָבֹ֑ת 1 shade trees “leafy trees” NEH 8 15 jb2s figs-activepassive כַּ⁠כָּתֽוּב 1 as 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]]) NEH 8 16 dl2y וַ⁠יַּעֲשׂוּ֩ לָ⁠הֶ֨ם סֻכּ֜וֹת 1 made themselves shelters “each built their own shelters” NEH 8 16 krx4 שַׁ֣עַר הַ⁠מַּ֔יִם…שַׁ֥עַר אֶפְרָֽיִם 1 Water Gate…Gate of Ephraim These are names of large openings or doorways in the wall. NEH 8 16 b74m וּ⁠בִ⁠רְח֖וֹב שַׁ֥עַר אֶפְרָֽיִם 1 in the square at the Gate of Ephraim “in the open place by the Gate of Ephraim” NEH 8 17 n31n מִ⁠ימֵי֩ יֵשׁ֨וּעַ 1 For since the days of Joshua “From the days of Joshua” NEH 8 17 e32u translate-names בִּן־נ֥וּן 1 son of Nun “Nun” here is a man’s name. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 8 17 wyd6 figs-abstractnouns וַ⁠תְּהִ֥י שִׂמְחָ֖ה גְּדוֹלָ֥ה מְאֹֽד 1 their 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]]) NEH 8 18 g9rl figs-idiom י֣וֹם׀ בְּ⁠י֔וֹם 1 day by day This idiom means “each day.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]]) NEH 8 18 j9aj figs-explicit מִן־הַ⁠יּוֹם֙ הָֽ⁠רִאשׁ֔וֹן עַ֖ד הַ⁠יּ֣וֹם הָ⁠אַחֲר֑וֹן 1 from 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]]) NEH 8 18 c1cp וַ⁠יַּֽעֲשׂוּ־חָג֙ 1 They kept the festival “They made a feast” or “They celebrated the festival” NEH 8 18 er1u translate-ordinal וּ⁠בַ⁠יּ֧וֹם הַ⁠שְּׁמִינִ֛י 1 on the eighth day “on day 8” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal]]) NEH 8 18 sfx4 עֲצֶ֖רֶת 1 solemn assembly This was a special religious gathering. NEH 8 18 cey3 figs-explicit כַּ⁠מִּשְׁפָּֽט 1 in 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]]) NEH 9 intro sj1h 0 # 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 ancestor’s 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 God’s power. It is intended to bring the people to repentance and proper worship of Yahweh. (See: [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/repent]])
NEH 9 1 w8w8 translate-hebrewmonths וּ⁠בְ⁠יוֹם֩ עֶשְׂרִ֨ים וְ⁠אַרְבָּעָ֜ה לַ⁠חֹ֣דֶשׁ הַ⁠זֶּ֗ה 1 the 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]]) NEH 9 1 lm7m נֶאֶסְפ֤וּ בְנֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ 1 the people of Israel were assembled “the people of Israel came together” NEH 9 1 irv4 figs-explicit וּ⁠בְ⁠שַׂקִּ֔ים וַ⁠אֲדָמָ֖ה עֲלֵי⁠הֶֽם 1 they 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]]) NEH 9 2 xbs1 זֶ֣רַע יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל 1 The descendants of Israel “The Israelites” NEH 9 2 qx58 וַ⁠יִּבָּֽדְלוּ֙…מִ⁠כֹּ֖ל בְּנֵ֣י נֵכָ֑ר 1 separated themselves from all the foreigners “no longer had anything to do with those who were not Israelites” NEH 9 2 vhc6 וַ⁠יַּעַמְד֗וּ וַ⁠יִּתְוַדּוּ֙ עַל־חַטֹּ֣אתֵי⁠הֶ֔ם וַ⁠עֲוֺנ֖וֹת אֲבֹתֵי⁠הֶֽם 1 They 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” NEH 9 3 q5p1 וַ⁠יָּק֨וּמוּ֙ 1 They stood up All the Israelites stood up NEH 9 3 je9t מִתְוַדִּ֣ים 1 they were confessing “they were admitting the wrong things they had done” NEH 9 3 qe6e וּ⁠מִֽשְׁתַּחֲוִ֔ים 1 bowing down before “worshiping” or “praising” NEH 9 4 bc94 וַ⁠יָּ֜קָם עַֽל־מַֽעֲלֵ֣ה הַ⁠לְוִיִּ֗ם יֵשׁ֨וּעַ וּ⁠בָנִ֜י 1 The Levites, Jeshua, Bani…stood on the stairs Some versions translate, “Jeshua, Bani…stood on the stairs built for the Levites” NEH 9 4 zl5j translate-names יֵשׁ֨וּעַ וּ⁠בָנִ֜י קַדְמִיאֵ֧ל שְׁבַנְיָ֛ה בֻּנִּ֥י שֵׁרֵבְיָ֖ה בָּנִ֣י כְנָ֑נִי 1 Jeshua, Bani, Kadmiel, Shebaniah, Bunni, Sherebiah, Bani, and Kenani men’s names (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 9 5 j96x וַ⁠יֹּאמְר֣וּ הַ⁠לְוִיִּ֡ם…ק֗וּמוּ 1 Then the Levites…said, “Stand up…ever.” Here the Levites are speaking to the people of Israel. NEH 9 5 u4pu בָּרֲכוּ֙ אֶת־יְהוָ֣ה 1 give praise to Yahweh “bless Yahweh” NEH 9 5 yk5b translate-names יֵשׁ֣וּעַ וְ֠⁠קַדְמִיאֵל בָּנִ֨י…שֵׁרֵֽבְיָ֤ה…שְׁבַנְיָ֣ה 1 Jeshua…Kadmiel…Bani…Sherebiah…Shebaniah These are the names of men. See how you translated them in [Nehemiah 9:4](./04.md). (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 9 5 m3eu translate-names חֲשַׁבְנְיָ֜ה שֵׁרֵֽבְיָ֤ה הֽוֹדִיָּה֙…פְתַֽחְיָ֔ה 1 Hashabneiah…Hodiah…Pethahiah These are the names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 9 5 tve4 וִ⁠יבָֽרְכוּ֙ שֵׁ֣ם כְּבוֹדֶ֔⁠ךָ 1 May they bless your glorious name the Levites are speaking to Yahweh. “May the people of Judah bless your glorious name, Yahweh” NEH 9 6 k5l3 figs-metaphor שְׁמֵ֨י הַ⁠שָּׁמַ֜יִם וְ⁠כָל־צְבָאָ֗⁠ם הָ⁠אָ֜רֶץ וְ⁠כָל־אֲשֶׁ֤ר עָלֶ֨י⁠הָ֙ הַ⁠יַּמִּים֙ וְ⁠כָל־אֲשֶׁ֣ר בָּ⁠הֶ֔ם וְ⁠אַתָּ֖ה מְחַיֶּ֣ה אֶת־כֻּלָּ֑⁠ם וּ⁠צְבָ֥א הַ⁠שָּׁמַ֖יִם לְ⁠ךָ֥ מִשְׁתַּחֲוִֽים 1 the 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]]) NEH 9 7 id6f 0 Connecting Statement: The Levites continue their prayer before all the people. NEH 9 7 us45 מֵ⁠א֣וּר כַּשְׂדִּ֑ים 1 Ur of the Chaldees “Ur, where the Chaldean people group lived” NEH 9 8 ej7e figs-synecdoche וּ⁠מָצָ֣אתָ אֶת־לְבָב⁠וֹ֮ נֶאֱמָ֣ן לְ⁠פָנֶי⁠ךָ֒ 1 You 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]]) NEH 9 8 vbx8 translate-names הַ⁠כְּנַעֲנִ֨י הַ⁠חִתִּ֜י הָ⁠אֱמֹרִ֧י וְ⁠הַ⁠פְּרִזִּ֛י וְ⁠הַ⁠יְבוּסִ֥י וְ⁠הַ⁠גִּרְגָּשִׁ֖י 1 Canaanites…Hittites…Amorites…Perizzites…Jebusites…Girgashites people group names (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 9 9 p3f4 0 Connecting Statement: In these verses, the Levites continue to praise Yahweh in the presence of the people of Israel. NEH 9 9 vp1y וַ⁠תֵּ֛רֶא 1 You saw Yahweh saw NEH 9 9 j256 figs-explicit וְ⁠אֶת־זַעֲקָתָ֥⁠ם שָׁמַ֖עְתָּ 1 you 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]]) NEH 9 10 ge61 figs-explicit וַ֠⁠תִּתֵּן אֹתֹ֨ת וּ⁠מֹֽפְתִ֜ים בְּ⁠פַרְעֹ֤ה 1 signs and wonders against Pharaoh The plagues tested Pharaoh’s 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]]) NEH 9 10 i7c3 וּ⁠בְ⁠כָל־עַ֣ם אַרְצ֔⁠וֹ 1 all the people of his land “all the Egyptians” NEH 9 10 s54a הֵזִ֖ידוּ עֲלֵי⁠הֶ֑ם 1 acted with arrogance against them “were arrogant toward the Israelites” or “mistreated God’s chosen people” NEH 9 10 m6zr figs-metonymy וַ⁠תַּֽעַשׂ־לְ⁠ךָ֥ שֵׁ֖ם כְּ⁠הַ⁠יּ֥וֹם הַ⁠זֶּֽה 1 you 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]]) NEH 9 11 n7jm 0 Connecting Statement: In these verses, the Levites continue to praise Yahweh in the presence of the people of Israel. NEH 9 11 d1kp וְ⁠הַ⁠יָּם֙ בָּקַ֣עְתָּ 1 you divided the sea God divided NEH 9 11 l5ar figs-simile הִשְׁלַ֧כְתָּ בִ⁠מְצוֹלֹ֛ת כְּמוֹ־אֶ֖בֶן בְּ⁠מַ֥יִם עַזִּֽים 1 you…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]]) NEH 9 12 n4i2 0 Connecting Statement: In these verses, the Levites continue to praise Yahweh in the presence of the people of Israel. NEH 9 12 m7vx הִנְחִיתָ֖⁠ם 1 You led them Yahweh led the Israelites. NEH 9 13 z2ds figs-idiom יָרַ֔דְתָּ 1 you 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]]) NEH 9 13 zut5 figs-parallelism מִשְׁפָּטִ֤ים יְשָׁרִים֙ וְ⁠תוֹר֣וֹת אֱמֶ֔ת חֻקִּ֥ים וּ⁠מִצְוֺ֖ת טוֹבִֽים 1 righteous 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]]) NEH 9 14 w3q6 0 Connecting Statement: In these verses, the Levites continue to praise Yahweh in the presence of the people of Israel. NEH 9 14 h9f4 figs-doublet וּ⁠מִצְו֤וֹת וְ⁠חֻקִּים֙ וְ⁠תוֹרָ֔ה 1 commandments…statutes…law Each of these three words refers to the law of Moses. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet]]) NEH 9 16 g6tt 0 Connecting Statement: In these verses, the Levites continue to praise Yahweh in the presence of the people of Israel. NEH 9 16 m753 וְ⁠הֵ֥ם וַ⁠אֲבֹתֵ֖י⁠נוּ 1 they and our ancestors the Israelites at the time of Moses and the people of Israel after the time of Moses NEH 9 16 t1he figs-idiom וַ⁠יַּקְשׁוּ֙ אֶת־עָרְפָּ֔⁠ם 1 they were stiff-necked This is an idiom that means that they were stubborn. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]]) NEH 9 17 v9ib figs-idiom וַ⁠יַּקְשׁוּ֙ אֶת־עָרְפָּ֔⁠ם 1 were stiff-necked This is an idiom that means that they were stubborn. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]]) NEH 9 17 f1m1 נִפְלְאֹתֶ֨י⁠ךָ֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר עָשִׂ֣יתָ עִמָּ⁠הֶ֔ם 1 the wonders that you had done among them “the miracles that you had done among them” NEH 9 17 gd2b figs-explicit וַ⁠יִּתְּנוּ־רֹ֛אשׁ לָ⁠שׁ֥וּב לְ⁠עַבְדֻתָ֖⁠ם 1 they 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]]) NEH 9 17 p6nm figs-metaphor וְ⁠אַתָּה֩ אֱל֨וֹהַּ סְלִיח֜וֹת 1 who 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]]) NEH 9 17 c986 figs-metaphor וְ⁠רַב־ו⁠חסד 1 abounding 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]]) NEH 9 18 hw32 0 Connecting Statement: In these verses, the Levites continue to praise Yahweh in the presence of the people of Israel. NEH 9 18 ind6 עָשׂ֤וּ לָ⁠הֶם֙ עֵ֣גֶל מַסֵּכָ֔ה 1 cast a calf out of molten metal melted metal and molded it in the shape of a calf NEH 9 19 eqh4 וְ⁠אַתָּה֙…הָֽ⁠רַבִּ֔ים לֹ֥א 1 you…did not abandon them Yahweh did not abandon the Israelites. NEH 9 19 x6bf אֶת־עַמּ֣וּד הֶ֠⁠עָנָן…וְ⁠אֶת־עַמּ֨וּד הָ⁠אֵ֤שׁ 1 The pillar of cloud…the pillar of fire See how you translated this in [Nehemiah 9:12](../09/12.md). NEH 9 20 buh1 0 Connecting Statement: In these verses, the Levites continue to praise Yahweh in the presence of the people of Israel. NEH 9 20 e7m4 וְ⁠רוּחֲ⁠ךָ֨ הַ⁠טּוֹבָ֔ה…וּ⁠מַנְ⁠ךָ֙…וּ⁠מַ֛יִם 1 Your 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. NEH 9 20 ncd6 לְ⁠הַשְׂכִּילָ֑⁠ם 1 instruct teach NEH 9 20 gyd6 figs-litotes וּ⁠מַנְ⁠ךָ֙ לֹא־מָנַ֣עְתָּ מִ⁠פִּי⁠הֶ֔ם 1 your 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]]) NEH 9 20 qka1 figs-synecdoche מִ⁠פִּי⁠הֶ֔ם 1 from their mouths The mouth is a synecdoche for the whole person. Alternate translation: “from them” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche]]) NEH 9 22 f462 0 Connecting Statement: In these verses, the Levites continue to praise Yahweh in the presence of the people of Israel. NEH 9 22 xc6v וַ⁠תִּתֵּ֨ן לָ⁠הֶ֤ם מַמְלָכוֹת֙ 1 You gave them kingdoms Yahweh gave the Israelites kingdoms. NEH 9 22 kgg1 וַ⁠תִּתֵּ֨ן לָ⁠הֶ֤ם מַמְלָכוֹת֙ וַ⁠עֲמָמִ֔ים 1 gave them kingdoms and peoples “enabled them to conquer kingdoms and peoples” NEH 9 22 zt5p וַֽ⁠תַּחְלְקֵ֖⁠ם לְ⁠פֵאָ֑ה 1 assigning to them every corner of the land “enabling them to possess every part of the land” NEH 9 22 xf4v translate-names סִיח֗וֹן…ע֥וֹג 1 Sihon…Og These are the names of kings. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 9 22 bkk3 translate-names חֶשְׁבּ֔וֹן…הַ⁠בָּשָֽׁן 1 Heshbon…Bashan These are names of places. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 9 23 w96j 0 Connecting Statement: In these verses, the Levites continue to praise Yahweh in the presence of the people of Israel. NEH 9 23 t5pb וּ⁠בְנֵי⁠הֶ֣ם הִרְבִּ֔יתָ 1 You made their children Yahweh made the descendants of the Israelites at the time of Moses NEH 9 24 vz5v figs-metaphor וַֽ⁠תִּתְּנֵ֖⁠ם בְּ⁠יָדָ֑⁠ם 1 gave 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 person’s 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]]) NEH 9 25 v454 0 Connecting Statement: In these verses, the Levites continue to praise Yahweh in the presence of the people of Israel. NEH 9 25 yzu6 וַֽ⁠יִּלְכְּד֞וּ 1 They captured The Israelites at the time of Moses captured NEH 9 25 gs7a וַ⁠אֲדָמָ֣ה שְׁמֵנָה֒ 1 a productive land “a fertile land” NEH 9 25 ke4u בֹּר֨וֹת 1 cisterns holes in the ground where people store water NEH 9 25 s544 figs-metaphor וַֽ⁠יִּשְׂבְּעוּ֙ 1 grew fat This might be a metaphor for “stopped thinking about Yahweh” or “became complacent.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) NEH 9 26 t19v 0 Connecting Statement: In these verses, the Levites continue to praise Yahweh in the presence of the people of Israel. NEH 9 26 q9sz figs-metaphor וַ⁠יַּשְׁלִ֤כוּ אֶת־תּוֹרָֽתְ⁠ךָ֙ אַחֲרֵ֣י גַוָּ֔⁠ם 1 They 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]]) NEH 9 26 vbj5 וַ⁠יַּשְׁלִ֤כוּ אֶת־תּוֹרָֽתְ⁠ךָ֙ 1 They threw your law The Israelites threw Yahweh’s law. NEH 9 27 v5lz figs-metonymy וַֽ⁠תִּתְּנֵ⁠ם֙ בְּ⁠יַ֣ד צָֽרֵי⁠הֶ֔ם וַ⁠יָּצֵ֖רוּ לָ⁠הֶ֑ם 1 you 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]]) NEH 9 27 z213 figs-metonymy תִּתֵּ֤ן לָ⁠הֶם֙ מֽוֹשִׁיעִ֔ים וְ⁠יוֹשִׁיע֖וּ⁠ם מִ⁠יַּ֥ד צָרֵי⁠הֶֽם 1 you 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]]) NEH 9 28 u77m 0 Connecting Statement: In these verses, the Levites continue to praise Yahweh in the presence of the people of Israel. NEH 9 28 ds4w וּ⁠כְ⁠נ֣וֹחַ לָ⁠הֶ֔ם יָשׁ֕וּבוּ לַ⁠עֲשׂ֥וֹת רַ֖ע לְ⁠פָנֶ֑י⁠ךָ 1 they had rest, they did evil again before you Here “they” refers to the Israelites and “you” to Yahweh. NEH 9 28 puz2 figs-metonymy וַ⁠תַּֽעַזְבֵ֞⁠ם בְּ⁠יַ֤ד אֹֽיְבֵי⁠הֶם֙ 1 you 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]]) NEH 9 29 pm9h וְ⁠לֹא־שָׁמְע֤וּ לְ⁠מִצְוֺתֶ֨י⁠ךָ֙ 1 did not listen to your commands If your language has a word for “listen” that also means “obey,” use it here. NEH 9 29 una2 figs-metonymy וּ⁠בְ⁠מִשְׁפָּטֶ֣י⁠ךָ חָֽטְאוּ־בָ֔⁠ם אֲשֶׁר־יַעֲשֶׂ֥ה אָדָ֖ם וְ⁠חָיָ֣ה בָ⁠הֶ֑ם 1 your 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]]) NEH 9 29 k1ew figs-metaphor וַ⁠יִּתְּנ֤וּ כָתֵף֙ סוֹרֶ֔רֶת וְ⁠עָרְפָּ֥⁠ם הִקְשׁ֖וּ וְ⁠לֹ֥א שָׁמֵֽעוּ 1 They 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]]) NEH 9 30 sj6k 0 Connecting Statement: In these verses, the Levites continue to praise Yahweh in the presence of the people of Israel. NEH 9 30 tqa5 figs-metonymy וַֽ⁠תִּתְּנֵ֔⁠ם בְּ⁠יַ֖ד עַמֵּ֥י הָ⁠אֲרָצֹֽת 1 you 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](../09/27.md). Alternate translation: “you allowed the neighboring peoples to defeat them” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]]) NEH 9 30 ym8i וַֽ⁠תִּתְּנֵ֔⁠ם 1 you gave Yahweh gave NEH 9 31 cl3n לֹֽא־עֲשִׂיתָ֥⁠ם כָּלָ֖ה 1 you did not make a complete end of them “you did not destroy them” NEH 9 32 j1rz 0 Connecting Statement: In these verses, the Levites continue to praise Yahweh in the presence of the people of Israel. NEH 9 32 j5fk אַל־יִמְעַ֣ט לְ⁠פָנֶ֡י⁠ךָ אֵ֣ת כָּל־הַ⁠תְּלָאָ֣ה אֲֽשֶׁר־מְ֠צָאַתְ⁠נוּ לִ⁠מְלָכֵ֨י⁠נוּ לְ⁠שָׂרֵ֧י⁠נוּ וּ⁠לְ⁠כֹהֲנֵ֛י⁠נוּ וְ⁠לִ⁠נְבִיאֵ֥⁠נוּ וְ⁠לַ⁠אֲבֹתֵ֖י⁠נוּ וּ⁠לְ⁠כָל־עַמֶּ֑⁠ךָ מִ⁠ימֵי֙ מַלְכֵ֣י אַשּׁ֔וּר עַ֖ד הַ⁠יּ֥וֹם הַ⁠זֶּֽ 1 do 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” NEH 9 32 u6i9 figs-personification הַ⁠תְּלָאָ֣ה אֲֽשֶׁר־מְ֠צָאַתְ⁠נוּ 1 hardship…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]]) NEH 9 33 pl1f figs-personification הַ⁠בָּ֣א עָלֵ֑י⁠נוּ 1 everything 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]]) NEH 9 35 af8m 0 Connecting Statement: In these verses, the Levites continue to praise Yahweh in the presence of the people of Israel. NEH 9 35 nxv9 וּ⁠בְ⁠טוּבְ⁠ךָ֨ הָ⁠רָ֜ב אֲשֶׁר־נָתַ֣תָּ לָ⁠הֶ֗ם 1 while they enjoyed your great goodness to them “while they enjoyed the good things you gave them” NEH 9 35 ibf9 לֹ֣א עֲבָד֑וּ⁠ךָ 1 they did not serve you “they were not obedient to your law or teaching” NEH 9 36 q7xj 0 Connecting Statement: In these verses, the Levites continue to praise Yahweh in the presence of the people of Israel. NEH 9 36 qh7f וְ⁠אֶת־טוּבָ֔⁠הּ 1 its good gifts “all the good things in it” or “all the good things we can get from it” NEH 9 37 q3dz וּ⁠תְבוּאָתָ֣⁠הּ מַרְבָּ֗ה לַ⁠מְּלָכִ֛ים 1 The rich yield from our land goes to the kings “We pay tribute to kings for working our own land” NEH 9 37 x15l מֹשְׁלִ֤ים 1 They rule The kings rule. NEH 9 38 g7s3 0 Connecting Statement: In these verses, the Levites continue to praise Yahweh in the presence of the people of Israel. NEH 9 38 t4ag וּ⁠בְ⁠כָל־זֹ֕את 1 Because of all this because the people had disobeyed and Yahweh had punished them NEH 9 38 xee9 וְ⁠עַל֙ הֶֽ⁠חָת֔וּם 1 On the sealed document are the names The reader should understand that the men wrote their names on the document before it was sealed. NEH 10 intro m17y 0 # 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]])
NEH 10 1 ijh7 0 Connecting Statement: Here begins a list of the people whose names were on the sealed document. NEH 10 1 jc8x figs-explicit וְ⁠עַ֖ל הַ⁠חֲתוּמִ֑ים נְחֶמְיָ֧ה הַ⁠תִּרְשָׁ֛תָא בֶּן־חֲכַלְיָ֖ה וְ⁠צִדְקִיָּֽה 1 On 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]]) NEH 10 1 j4ny הַ⁠חֲתוּמִ֑ים 1 sealed documents The documents were sealed after the names had been signed on the documents. NEH 10 1 mu7u figs-pronouns נְחֶמְיָ֧ה 1 Nehemiah 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]]) NEH 10 1 r4sg translate-names חֲכַלְיָ֖ה 1 Hakaliah This is a man’s name. See how you translated this in [Nehemiah 1:1](../01/01.md). (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 10 2 wj7b 0 Connecting Statement: The list of men whose names appear on the sealed documents (verse 1) continues. NEH 10 2 l6qa translate-names שְׂרָיָ֥ה…יִרְמְיָֽה 1 Seraiah…Jeremiah These are names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 10 2 huw8 translate-names עֲזַרְיָ֖ה 1 Azariah This is a man’s name. See how you translated this in [Nehemiah 3:23](../03/23.md). (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 10 3 b2lc 0 Connecting Statement: The list of men whose names appear on the sealed documents (verse 1) continues. NEH 10 3 d5cr translate-names פַּשְׁח֥וּר אֲמַרְיָ֖ה 1 Pashhur, Amariah These are names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 10 3 lw6u translate-names מַלְכִּיָּֽה 1 Malkijah This is a man’s name. See how you translated this in [Nehemiah 3:11](../03/11.md). (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 10 4 uqt4 0 Connecting Statement: The list of men whose names appear on the sealed documents [Nehemiah 10:1](../10/01.md) continues. NEH 10 4 g6hs translate-names חַטּ֥וּשׁ 1 Hattush See how you translated this man’s name in [Nehemiah 3:10](../03/10.md). (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 10 4 bdr6 translate-names שְׁבַנְיָ֖ה 1 Shebaniah See how you translated this man’s name in [Nehemiah 9:4](../09/04.md). (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 10 4 xzc8 translate-names מַלּֽוּ 1 Malluk This is a man’s name. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 10 5 qbj9 0 Connecting Statement: The list of men whose names appear on the sealed documents [Nehemiah 10:1](../10/01.md) continues. NEH 10 5 qai2 translate-names חָרִ֥ם 1 Harim This is a man’s name. See how you translated this in [Nehemiah 3:11](../03/11.md). (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 10 5 z9wl translate-names מְרֵמ֖וֹת 1 Meremoth This is a man’s name. See how you translated this in [Nehemiah 3:4](../03/04.md). (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 10 5 gdm7 translate-names עֹֽבַדְיָֽה 1 Obadiah This is a man’s name. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 10 6 del4 0 Connecting Statement: The list of men whose names appear on the sealed documents [Nehemiah 10:1](../10/01.md) continues. NEH 10 6 z2vd translate-names דָּנִיֵּ֥אל גִּנְּת֖וֹן 1 Daniel, Ginnethon These are the names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 10 6 h9n5 translate-names בָּרֽוּךְ 1 Baruch This is a man’s name. See how you translated this in [Nehemiah 3:20](../03/20.md). (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 10 7 yd6r translate-names מְשֻׁלָּ֥ם 1 Meshullam This is a man’s name. See how you translated it in [Nehemiah 9:4](../09/04.md). (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 10 7 x4lc translate-names אֲבִיָּ֖ה מִיָּמִֽן 1 Abijah, Mijamin These are the names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 10 8 mt1s translate-names מַֽעַזְיָ֥ה בִלְגַּ֖י 1 Maaziah, Bilgai These are the names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 10 8 iv3c translate-names שְׁמַֽעְיָ֑ה 1 Shemaiah This is a man’s name. See how you translated this in [Nehemiah 3:29](../03/29.md). (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 10 8 ppp7 figs-explicit אֵ֖לֶּה הַ⁠כֹּהֲנִֽים 1 These 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]]) NEH 10 9 b29e 0 Connecting Statement: The list of men whose names appear on the sealed documents [Nehemiah 10:1](../10/01.md) continues. Nehemiah begins here to list the names of the Levies who signed the sealed document. NEH 10 9 i6e3 figs-ellipsis וְֽ⁠הַ⁠לְוִיִּ֑ם 1 The 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]]) NEH 10 9 si66 translate-names וְ⁠יֵשׁ֨וּעַ֙…חֵנָדָ֖ד 1 Jeshua…Henadad These are the names of men. See how you translated them in [Nehemiah 3:18-19](../03/18.md). (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 10 9 pi28 translate-names אֲזַנְיָ֔ה 1 Azaniah This is a man’s name. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 10 9 j952 translate-names בִּנּ֕וּי 1 Binnui This is a man’s name. See how you translated it in [Nehemiah 3:24](../03/24.md). (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 10 9 km8e translate-names קַדְמִיאֵֽל 1 Kadmiel This is a man’s name. See how you translated it in [Nehemiah 7:43](../07/43.md). (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 10 10 yg6h translate-names שְׁבַנְיָ֧ה 1 Shebaniah This is a man’s name. See how you translated this in [Nehemiah 9:4](../09/04.md). (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 10 10 cfy7 translate-names הֽוֹדִיָּ֛ה קְלִיטָ֖א פְּלָאיָ֥ה 1 Hodiah…Kelita…Pelaiah These are the names of men. See how you translated this in [Nehemiah 8:7](../08/07.md). (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 10 10 z9gd translate-names חָנָֽן 1 Hanan This is a man’s name. See how you translated this in [Nehemiah 7:49](../07/49.md). (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 10 11 x5wd 0 Connecting Statement: The list of men whose names appear on the sealed documents [Nehemiah 10:1](../10/01.md) continues. NEH 10 11 fh22 translate-names רְח֖וֹב 1 Rehob This is a man’s name. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 10 11 w8h1 translate-names מִיכָ֥א 1 Mika This is a man’s name. See how you translated this in [Nehemiah 10:11](../10/11.md). (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 10 11 z3i5 translate-names חֲשַׁבְיָֽה 1 Hashabiah This is a man’s name. See how you translated this in [Nehemiah 3:17](../03/17.md). (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 10 12 vuf7 0 Connecting Statement: The list of men whose names appear on the sealed documents [Nehemiah 10:1](../10/01.md) continues. NEH 10 12 ac1s translate-names זַכּ֥וּר 1 Zaccur This is a man’s name. See how you translated this in [Nehemiah 3:2](../03/02.md). (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 10 12 ctq5 translate-names שֵׁרֵֽבְיָ֖ה 1 Sherebiah This is a man’s name. See how you translated this in [Nehemiah 8:7](../08/07.md). (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 10 12 r5ha translate-names שְׁבַנְיָֽה 1 Shebaniah This is a man’s name. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 10 13 t4nx 0 Connecting Statement: The list of men whose names appear on the sealed documents [Nehemiah 10:1](../10/01.md) continues. NEH 10 13 q7fm translate-names הוֹדִיָּ֥ה…בְּנִֽינוּ 1 Hodiah…Beninu These are the names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 10 13 f7a5 translate-names בָנִ֖י 1 Bani This is a man’s name. See how you translated this in [Nehemiah 3:17](../03/17.md). (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 10 14 uar6 figs-ellipsis רָאשֵׁ֖י הָ⁠עָ֑ם 1 The 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]]) NEH 10 14 c75b translate-names פַּרְעֹשׁ֙ 1 Parosh This is a man’s name. See how you translated this in [Nehemiah 3:25](../03/25.md). (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 10 14 d729 translate-names פַּחַ֣ת מוֹאָ֔ב 1 Pahath-Moab This is a man’s name. See how you translated this in [Nehemiah 3:11](../03/11.md). (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 10 14 ta8y translate-names עֵילָ֥ם זַתּ֖וּא 1 Elam…Zattu These are the names of men. See how you translated this in [Nehemiah 7:12](../07/12.md). (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 10 15 nkt2 0 General Information: In these verses, Nehemiah continues to list the names of the people who signed the sealed document. NEH 10 15 r379 translate-names בֻּנִּ֥י 1 Bunni This is a man’s name. See how you translated this in [Nehemiah 9:4](../09/04.md). (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 10 15 d4hq translate-names עַזְגָּ֖ד בֵּבָֽי 1 Azgad, Bebai These are the names of men. See how you translated them in [Nehemiah 7:16-17](../07/16.md). (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 10 16 dda2 0 Connecting Statement: The list of men whose names appear on the sealed documents [Nehemiah 10:1](../10/01.md) continues. NEH 10 16 m4l9 translate-names אֲדֹנִיָּ֥ה…עָדִֽין 1 Adonijah…Adin These are the names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 10 16 xk1s translate-names בִגְוַ֖י 1 Bigvai This is a man’s name. See how you translated this in [Nehemiah 7:7](../07/07.md). (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 10 17 ybp4 0 Connecting Statement: The list of men whose names appear on the sealed documents [Nehemiah 10:1](../10/01.md) continues. NEH 10 17 neh8 translate-names עַזּֽוּר 1 Azzur These are the names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 10 17 l7xw translate-names אָטֵ֥ר חִזְקִיָּ֖ה 1 Ater, Hezekiah These are the names of men. See how you translated this in [Nehemiah 7:20](../07/20.md). (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 10 18 ssa2 0 Connecting Statement: The list of men whose names appear on the sealed documents [Nehemiah 10:1](../10/01.md) continues. NEH 10 18 n169 translate-names הוֹדִיָּ֥ה 1 Hodiah This is a man’s name. See how you translated this in [Nehemiah 8:7](../08/07.md). (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 10 18 k9y7 translate-names חָשֻׁ֖ם 1 Hashum These are the names of men. See how you translated this in [Nehemiah 7:20](../07/20.md). (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 10 18 f3le translate-names בֵּצָֽי 1 Bezai This is a man’s name. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 10 19 rbs7 0 Connecting Statement: The list of men whose names appear on the sealed documents [Nehemiah 10:1](../10/01.md) continues. NEH 10 19 qpd4 translate-names נובי 1 Nebai This is a man’s name. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 10 19 it8a translate-names חָרִ֥יף 1 Hariph This is a man’s name. See how you translated this in [Nehemiah 7:23](../07/23.md). (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 10 19 l77q translate-names עֲנָת֖וֹת 1 Anathoth This is a man’s name. See how you translated this in [Nehemiah 7:27](../07/27.md). (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 10 20 xbs6 0 Connecting Statement: The list of men whose names appear on the sealed documents [Nehemiah 10:1](../10/01.md) continues. NEH 10 20 gf8r translate-names מַגְפִּיעָ֥שׁ…חֵזִֽיר 1 Magpiash…Hezir These are the names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 10 20 hbe9 translate-names מְשֻׁלָּ֖ם 1 Meshullam These are the names of men. See how you translated this in [Nehemiah 3:4](../03/04.md). (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 10 21 bjm2 0 Connecting Statement: The list of men whose names appear on the sealed documents [Nehemiah 10:1](../10/01.md) continues. NEH 10 21 gh1m translate-names יַדּֽוּעַ 1 Jaddua This is a man’s name. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 10 21 x7ep translate-names מְשֵׁיזַבְאֵ֥ל צָד֖וֹק 1 Meshezabel, Zadok These are the names of men. See how you translated this in [Nehemiah 3:4](../03/04.md). (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 10 22 rm3j 0 General Information: In these verses, Nehemiah continues to list the names of the people who signed the sealed document. NEH 10 22 n3zk translate-names פְּלַטְיָ֥ה 1 Pelatiah This is a man’s name. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 10 22 e4dt translate-names חָנָ֖ן 1 Hanan This is a man’s name. See how you translated this in [Nehemiah 7:49](../07/49.md). (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 10 22 un5i translate-names עֲנָיָֽה 1 Anaiah This is a man’s name. See how you translated this in [Nehemiah 8:4](../08/04.md) and [Nehemiah 3:8](../03/08.md). (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 10 23 kcs6 0 Connecting Statement: The list of men whose names appear on the sealed documents [Nehemiah 10:1](../10/01.md) continues. NEH 10 23 ku2m translate-names הוֹשֵׁ֥עַ חֲנַנְיָ֖ה 1 Hoshea…Hananiah These are the name of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 10 23 rr76 translate-names חַשּֽׁוּב 1 Hasshub This is a man’s name. See how you translated this in [Nehemiah 3:11](../03/11.md). (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 10 24 p99a 0 Connecting Statement: The list of men whose names appear on the sealed documents [Nehemiah 10:1](../10/01.md) continues. NEH 10 24 t9wx translate-names הַלּוֹחֵ֥שׁ 1 Hallohesh These are the names of men. See how you translated this in [Nehemiah 3:11](../03/11.md). (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 10 24 y9f7 translate-names פִּלְחָ֖א שׁוֹבֵֽק 1 Pilha…Shobek These are the name of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 10 25 t6u9 0 Connecting Statement: The list of men whose names appear on the sealed documents [Nehemiah 10:1](../10/01.md) continues. NEH 10 25 ml8w translate-names רְח֥וּם 1 Rehum This is a man’s name. See how you translated this in [Nehemiah 3:17](../03/17.md). (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 10 25 s2tc translate-names חֲשַׁבְנָ֖ה 1 Hashabnah These are the name of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 10 25 tz5a translate-names מַעֲשֵׂיָֽה 1 Maaseiah This is a man’s name. See how you translated this in [Nehemiah 3:23](../03/23.md). (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 10 26 ab18 translate-names וַ⁠אֲחִיָּ֥ה…עָנָֽן 1 Ahiah…Anan These are the name of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 10 26 k998 translate-names חָנָ֖ן 1 Hanan This is a man’s name. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 10 27 w9x4 0 Connecting Statement: The list of men whose names appear on the sealed documents [Nehemiah 10:1](../10/01.md) continues. NEH 10 27 ac3r translate-names מַלּ֥וּךְ חָרִ֖ם 1 Malluk, Harim These are the names of men. See how you translated this in [Nehemiah 10:4](../10/04.md). (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 10 27 y6gx translate-names בַּעֲנָֽה 1 Baanah This is a man’s name. See how you translated this in [Nehemiah 7:6](../07/06.md). (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 10 28 w2rt הַ⁠שּׁוֹעֲרִ֨ים 1 gatekeepers 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](../07/01.md). NEH 10 28 f1n8 figs-explicit הַ⁠מְשֹׁרְרִ֜ים 1 singers 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]]) NEH 10 28 qej9 figs-explicit כֹּ֖ל יוֹדֵ֥עַ מֵבִֽין 1 all 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]]) NEH 10 29 l6ns אֲחֵי⁠הֶם֮ אַדִּירֵי⁠הֶם֒ 1 their brothers, their nobles “their fellow brothers the nobles” or “their brothers the leaders.” These phrases refer to the same people. NEH 10 29 x6i9 figs-metaphor וּ⁠בָאִ֞ים בְּ⁠אָלָ֣ה וּ⁠בִ⁠שְׁבוּעָ֗ה 1 bound 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]]) NEH 10 29 k971 figs-idiom לָ⁠לֶ֨כֶת֙ בְּ⁠תוֹרַ֣ת הָ⁠אֱלֹהִ֔ים 1 to walk in God’s law This is an idiom. Alternate translation: “to live by God’s law” or “to obey God’s law” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]]) NEH 10 29 p6ry figs-activepassive אֲשֶׁ֣ר נִתְּנָ֔ה בְּ⁠יַ֖ד מֹשֶׁ֣ה עֶֽבֶד־הָֽ⁠אֱלֹהִ֑ים 1 which 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]]) NEH 10 29 ny6b וְ⁠לִ⁠שְׁמ֣וֹר 1 to observe “to follow” NEH 10 30 t8sp 0 General Information: In these verses, the people describe the content of the oath they were making in [Nehemiah 10:29](../10/29.md). NEH 10 30 s4sx figs-explicit לֹא־נִתֵּ֥ן בְּנֹתֵ֖י⁠נוּ לְ⁠עַמֵּ֣י הָ⁠אָ֑רֶץ וְ⁠אֶת־בְּנֹ֣תֵי⁠הֶ֔ם לֹ֥א נִקַּ֖ח לְ⁠בָנֵֽי⁠נוּ 1 would 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]]) NEH 10 30 iqq1 figs-explicit לְ⁠עַמֵּ֣י הָ⁠אָ֑רֶץ 1 the 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]]) NEH 10 30 lx8c figs-exclusive לֹא־נִתֵּ֥ן…לֹ֥א נִקַּ֖ח 1 We 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]]) NEH 10 31 m39f figs-exclusive לֹא־נִקַּ֥ח…וְ⁠נִטֹּ֛שׁ 1 We 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]]) NEH 10 31 ek18 translate-ordinal אֶת־הַ⁠שָּׁנָ֥ה הַ⁠שְּׁבִיעִ֖ית 1 seventh year “year 7” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal]]) NEH 10 31 hf7z figs-idiom וְ⁠נִטֹּ֛שׁ 1 we 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]]) NEH 10 31 ur3t וּ⁠מַשָּׁ֥א כָל־יָֽד 1 we 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” NEH 10 32 bh3h 0 General Information: In these verses, the people continue describing the content of the oath they were making in [Nehemiah 10:29](../10/29.md). NEH 10 32 h9gt וְ⁠הֶעֱמַ֤דְנוּ עָלֵ֨י⁠נוּ֙ מִצְוֺ֔ת 1 We accepted the commands “We promised to obey the command” NEH 10 32 ljm2 figs-exclusive וְ⁠הֶעֱמַ֤דְנוּ עָלֵ֨י⁠נוּ֙ 1 We 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]]) NEH 10 32 ad47 translate-bmoney שְׁלִשִׁ֥ית הַ⁠שֶּׁ֖קֶל 1 a 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]]) NEH 10 32 pw6w לַ⁠עֲבֹדַ֖ת 1 for the service of “to pay for the care of” NEH 10 33 ehf4 לְ⁠לֶ֣חֶם הַֽ⁠מַּעֲרֶ֡כֶת 1 the bread of the presence This refers to the 12 loaves of bread baked without yeast kept in the temple and used to symbolize God’s presence with His people. NEH 10 33 xu3y הֶ⁠חֳדָשִׁ֜ים 1 the new moon festivals These were celebrations held when the moon was just a small crescent in the sky. NEH 10 34 s6yz 0 General Information: In these verses, the people continue describing the content of the oath they were making in [Nehemiah 10:29](../10/29.md). NEH 10 34 l42k figs-activepassive לְ⁠בַעֵ֗ר 1 to be burned This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “for the Levites to burn” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]]) NEH 10 34 ph9q figs-activepassive כַּ⁠כָּת֖וּב 1 as it is written This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “as it states” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]]) NEH 10 35 vp1p אַדְמָתֵ֗⁠נוּ 1 from our soil “in our soil” or “on our land” NEH 10 37 j9sj 0 General Information: In these verses, the people continue describing the content of the oath they were making in [Nehemiah verse 29](./28.md). NEH 10 37 s7s2 figs-exclusive נָבִ֤יא 1 We 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]]) NEH 10 37 rk7x עֲרִיסֹתֵ֣י⁠נוּ 1 our dough Possible meanings are that this refers to 1) dough made from coarse flour, 2) coarse flour, or 3) ground grain. NEH 10 37 uc2w figs-ellipsis תִּיר֣וֹשׁ וְ⁠יִצְהָ֗ר 1 the 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]]) NEH 10 37 e92l לִשְׁכ֣וֹת בֵּית־אֱלֹהֵ֔י⁠נוּ 1 the storerooms of the house of our God “the places where things are stored in the temple” NEH 10 37 r776 figs-synecdoche וּ⁠מַעְשַׂ֥ר אַדְמָתֵ֖⁠נוּ 1 the 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]]) NEH 10 38 by9z figs-activepassive בַּ⁠עְשֵׂ֣ר 1 they 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]]) NEH 10 38 eb51 translate-fraction אֶת־מַעֲשַׂ֤ר 1 a tenth This means one part out of ten equal parts. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-fraction]]) NEH 10 38 zl4a הַ⁠לְּשָׁכ֖וֹת לְ⁠בֵ֥ית הָ⁠אוֹצָֽר 1 the storerooms of the treasury “the storerooms in the temple” NEH 10 39 qzf8 0 General Information: In these verses, the people finish describing the content of the oath they were making in [Nehemiah 10:29](../10/29.md). NEH 10 39 ss5h figs-activepassive אֶל־הַ֠⁠לְּשָׁכוֹת 1 the 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]]) NEH 10 39 u1sq וְ⁠לֹ֥א נַעֲזֹ֖ב אֶת־בֵּ֥ית אֱלֹהֵֽי⁠נוּ 1 We will not neglect the house of our God This can be stated in positive form. Alternate translation: “We will care for the temple” NEH 10 39 b23h figs-exclusive נַעֲזֹ֖ב 1 We 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]]) NEH 11 intro xja1 0 # 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.
NEH 11 1 e2yg הָ֠⁠עָם הִפִּ֨ילוּ גוֹרָל֜וֹת 1 the people cast lots “the people threw marked stones” NEH 11 1 beq5 לְ⁠הָבִ֣יא׀ אֶחָ֣ד מִן־הָ⁠עֲשָׂרָ֗ה 1 to bring one of ten “to bring one family out of every ten families” NEH 11 3 l7mb בַּ⁠אֲחֻזָּת⁠וֹ֙ בְּ⁠עָ֣רֵי⁠הֶ֔ם יִשְׂרָאֵ֤ל 1 on his own land, including some Israelites “on his own land: Israelites” NEH 11 4 n2a7 מִ⁠בְּנֵ֥י יְהוּדָ֖ה וּ⁠מִ⁠בְּנֵ֣י בִנְיָמִ֑ן 1 some 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” NEH 11 4 nm8y מִ⁠בְּנֵ֣י יְ֠הוּדָה 1 The people from Judah included: “From the descendants of Judah:” NEH 11 4 wl7r translate-names יְהוּדָ֖ה…בִנְיָמִ֑ן…עֲתָיָ֨ה…עֻזִּיָּ֜ה…זְכַרְיָ֧ה…אֲמַרְיָ֛ה…שְׁפַטְיָ֥ה…מַהֲלַלְאֵ֖ל…פָֽרֶץ 1 Judah…Benjamin…Athaiah…Uzziah…Zechariah…Amariah…Shephatiah…Mahalalel…Perez These are the names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 11 4 vx6k מִ⁠בְּנֵי־פָֽרֶץ 1 a descendant of Perez “from the descendants of Perez” NEH 11 5 l727 0 Connecting Statement: In these verses, Nehemiah continues to list the provincial officers who lived in Jerusalem. NEH 11 5 ml8b translate-names וּ⁠מַעֲשֵׂיָ֣ה…בָּר֣וּךְ…כָּל־חֹ֠זֶה…חֲזָיָ֨ה…עֲדָיָ֧ה…יוֹיָרִ֛יב…זְכַרְיָ֖ה 1 Maaseiah…Baruch…Kol-Hozeh…Hazaiah…Adaiah…Joiarib…Zechariah These are the names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 11 5 dxb8 הַ⁠שִּׁלֹנִֽי 1 Shilonite This refers to a person who comes from the town of Shiloh. NEH 11 6 y8t2 translate-names פֶ֕רֶץ 1 Perez This is a man’s name. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 11 6 hcr6 translate-numbers כָּל־…בִּ⁠ירוּשָׁלִָ֑ם אַרְבַּ֥ע מֵא֛וֹת שִׁשִּׁ֥ים וּ⁠שְׁמֹנָ֖ה 1 All…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]]) NEH 11 6 ej3g אַנְשֵׁי־חָֽיִל 1 They were outstanding men “They were courageous men” or “They were valiant men” NEH 11 7 m8mp 0 Connecting Statement: In these verses, Nehemiah continues to list the provincial officers who lived in Jerusalem. NEH 11 7 md67 וְ⁠אֵ֖לֶּה בְּנֵ֣י 1 These are the descendants “These are some of the descendants.” Your language may need to specify that this is not a list of every descendant. NEH 11 7 w8c5 translate-names בִנְיָמִ֑ן סַלֻּ֡א…מְשֻׁלָּ֡ם…יוֹעֵ֡ד…פְּדָיָה֩…ק֨וֹלָיָ֧ה…מַעֲשֵׂיָ֛ה…אִֽיתִיאֵ֖ל…יְשַֽׁעְיָֽה 1 Benjamin…Sallu…Meshullam…Joed…Pedaiah…Kolaiah…Maaseiah…Ithiel…Jeshaiah These are the names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 11 8 bzh9 translate-names גַּבַּ֣י סַלָּ֑י 1 Gabbai…Sallai These are the names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 11 8 z37g translate-numbers תְּשַׁ֥ע מֵא֖וֹת עֶשְׂרִ֥ים וּ⁠שְׁמֹנָֽה 1 928 men “nine hundred and twenty-eight men.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers]]) NEH 11 9 z3xl translate-names וְ⁠יוֹאֵ֥ל…זִכְרִ֖י…⁠יהוּדָ֧ה…הַ⁠סְּנוּאָ֛ה 1 Joel…Zichri…Judah…Hassenuah These are the names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 11 10 ft7m translate-names יְדַֽעְיָ֥ה…יוֹיָרִ֖יב יָכִֽין 1 Jedaiah…Joiarib…Jakin These are the names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 11 11 d8ph translate-names שְׂרָיָ֨ה…חִלְקִיָּ֜ה…מְשֻׁלָּ֣ם…צָד֗וֹק 1 Seraiah…Hilkiah…Meshullam…Zadok These are the names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 11 12 j7vp translate-names וַ֠⁠עֲדָיָה…יְרֹחָ֤ם…פְּלַלְיָה֙…אַמְצִ֣י…זְכַרְיָ֔ה…פַּשְׁח֖וּר…מַלְכִּיָּֽה 1 Adaiah…Jeroham…Pelaliah…Amzi…Zechariah…Pashhur…Malkijah These are names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 11 12 nl7h וַ⁠אֲחֵי⁠הֶ֗ם 1 their associates “their brothers” or “their kinsmen” NEH 11 12 z6pc עֹשֵׂ֤י הַ⁠מְּלָאכָה֙ לַ⁠בַּ֔יִת 1 who 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. NEH 11 12 kq8y translate-numbers שְׁמֹנֶ֥ה מֵא֖וֹת עֶשְׂרִ֣ים וּ⁠שְׁנָ֑יִם 1 822 men “eight hundred and twenty-two men” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers]]) NEH 11 13 wd9q וְ⁠אֶחָי⁠ו֙ 1 His brothers the brothers of Adaiah, the son of Jeroham ([Nehemiah 11:12](../11/12.md)). NEH 11 13 u4gn figs-metaphor וְ⁠אֶחָי⁠ו֙ 1 brothers 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]]) NEH 11 13 gd6g translate-numbers מָאתַ֖יִם אַרְבָּעִ֣ים וּ⁠שְׁנָ֑יִם 1 242 men “two hundred and forty-two men” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers]]) NEH 11 13 l51b translate-names וַ⁠עֲמַשְׁסַ֧י…עֲזַרְאֵ֛ל…אַחְזַ֥י…מְשִׁלֵּמ֖וֹת…אִמֵּֽר 1 Amashsai…Azarel…Ahzai…Meshillemoth…Immer These are the names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 11 14 jrq7 translate-names זַבְדִּיאֵ֖ל…הַ⁠גְּדוֹלִֽים 1 Zabdiel…Haggedolim These are the names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 11 14 p9qw translate-numbers גִּבּ֣וֹרֵי חַ֔יִל מֵאָ֖ה עֶשְׂרִ֣ים וּ⁠שְׁמֹנָ֑ה 1 128 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]]) NEH 11 15 f71n translate-names שְׁמַעְיָ֧ה…חַשּׁ֛וּב…עַזְרִיקָ֥ם…חֲשַׁבְיָ֖ה…בּוּנִּֽי 1 Shemaiah…Hasshub…Azrikam…Hashabiah…Bunni These are the names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 11 16 q6zj translate-names וְ⁠שַׁבְּתַ֨י וְ⁠יוֹזָבָ֜ד 1 Shabbethai…Jozabad These are the names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 11 16 if3q עַל־…מֵ⁠רָאשֵׁ֖י הַ⁠לְוִיִּֽם 1 who were from the leaders of the Levites and were in charge “from the leaders of the Levites, were in charge” NEH 11 17 ix77 translate-names וּ⁠מַתַּנְיָ֣ה…מִ֠יכָה…זַבְדִּ֨י…אָסָ֜ף…וּ⁠בַקְבֻּקְיָ֖ה…וְ⁠עַבְדָּא֙…שַׁמּ֔וּ…גָּלָ֖ל…ידיתו 1 Mattaniah…Mika…Zabdi…Asaph…Bakbukiah…Abda…Shammua…Galal…Jeduthun These are the names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 11 17 sm9t רֹ֗אשׁ הַ⁠תְּחִלָּה֙ יְהוֹדֶ֣ה לַ⁠תְּפִלָּ֔ה 1 who began the thanksgiving in prayer That is, who directed the singers. NEH 11 17 djg7 וּ⁠בַקְבֻּקְיָ֖ה מִשְׁנֶ֣ה מֵ⁠אֶחָ֑י⁠ו 1 Bakbukiah, the second among his brothers Possible meanings are 1) Bakbukiah was Mattaniah’s kinsman and second in authority to Mattaniah or 2) “Bakbukiah, who led a second group of singers.” NEH 11 17 dy1v מֵ⁠אֶחָ֑י⁠ו 1 brothers Another possible meaning is “associates” or “fellow workers.” NEH 11 18 di19 בְּ⁠עִ֣יר הַ⁠קֹּ֔דֶשׁ 1 the holy city This expression refers to the city of Jerusalem. NEH 11 18 hk8i translate-numbers מָאתַ֖יִם שְׁמֹנִ֥ים וְ⁠אַרְבָּעָֽה 1 numbered 284 “numbered two hundred and eighty-four.” There were 284 Levites in Jerusalem. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers]]) NEH 11 19 i92r וְ⁠הַ⁠שּֽׁוֹעֲרִים֙ 1 gatekeepers 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](../07/01.md). NEH 11 19 j7b3 translate-names עַקּ֣וּב טַלְמ֔וֹן 1 Akkub…Talmon These are the names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 11 19 kaz4 translate-numbers מֵאָ֖ה שִׁבְעִ֥ים וּ⁠שְׁנָֽיִם 1 172 men “one hundred and seventy-two men” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers]]) NEH 11 21 eu4g translate-names וְ⁠צִיחָ֥א וְ⁠גִשְׁפָּ֖א 1 Ziha…Gishpa These are the names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 11 21 vct4 translate-names בָּ⁠עֹ֑פֶל 1 Ophel This is the name of a place. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 11 22 l3ba וּ⁠פְקִ֤יד 1 The chief officer over “The overseer of” NEH 11 22 rr5e translate-names עֻזִּ֤י…בָּנִי֙…חֲשַׁבְיָ֔ה…מַתַּנְיָ֖ה…מִיכָ֑א…אָסָף֙ 1 Uzzi…Bani…Hashabiah…Mattaniah…Mika…Asaph These are the names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 11 23 km8l כִּֽי־מִצְוַ֥ת הַ⁠מֶּ֖לֶךְ עֲלֵי⁠הֶ֑ם 1 They were under orders from the king “The king had told them what to do” NEH 11 23 a9fz figs-activepassive וַ⁠אֲמָנָ֥ה עַל־הַ⁠מְשֹׁרְרִ֖ים 1 firm 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]]) NEH 11 24 aee9 translate-names וּ⁠פְתַֽחְיָ֨ה…מְשֵֽׁיזַבְאֵ֜ל…זֶ֤רַח…יְהוּדָה֙ 1 Pethahiah…Meshezabel…Zerah…Judah These are the names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 11 24 dqa4 לְ⁠יַ֣ד הַ⁠מֶּ֔לֶךְ לְ⁠כָל־דָּבָ֖ר לָ⁠עָֽם 1 at the king’s side in all matters concerning the people “at the Persian king’s side as an adviser in all matters concerning the Jewish people” NEH 11 25 rg1f translate-names בְּ⁠קִרְיַ֤ת הָֽאַרְבַּע֙…וּ⁠בְ⁠דִיבֹן֙…וּ⁠בִֽ⁠יקַּבְצְאֵ֖ל 1 Kiriath Arba…Dibon…Jekabzeel These are the names of places. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 11 26 d9f4 translate-names וּ⁠בְ⁠יֵשׁ֥וּעַ וּ⁠בְ⁠מוֹלָדָ֖ה וּ⁠בְ⁠בֵ֥ית פָּֽלֶט 1 Jeshua…Moladah…Beth Pelet These are the names of places. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 11 27 nu5z translate-names וּ⁠בַ⁠חֲצַ֥ר שׁוּעָ֛ל וּ⁠בִ⁠בְאֵ֥ר שֶׁ֖בַע 1 Hazar Shual…Beersheba These are the names of places. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 11 28 dl5v translate-names וּ⁠בְ⁠צִֽקְלַ֥ג וּ⁠בִ⁠מְכֹנָ֖ה 1 Ziklag…Mekonah These are the names of places. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 11 29 t41a translate-names וּ⁠בְ⁠עֵ֥ין רִמּ֛וֹן וּ⁠בְ⁠צָרְעָ֖ה וּ⁠בְ⁠יַרְמֽוּ 1 Enrimmon…Zorah…Jarmuth These are the names of places. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 11 30 vn2z translate-names זָנֹ֤חַ עֲדֻלָּם֙…לָכִישׁ֙…עֲזֵקָ֖ה…מִ⁠בְּאֵֽר־שֶׁ֖בַע…גֵּֽיא־הִנֹּֽם 1 Zanoah…Adullam…Lachish…Azekah…Beersheba…Valley of Hinnom These are the names of places. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 11 30 mzq1 וַ⁠יַּחֲנ֥וּ 1 they lived Here “they” refers to the people of Judah. NEH 11 31 n61t וּ⁠בְנֵ֥י בִנְיָמִ֖ן מִ⁠גָּ֑בַע מִכְמָ֣שׂ וְ⁠עַיָּ֔ה 1 The people of Benjamin also lived from Geba onward, at Mikmash and Aija “The people of Benjamin lived in Geba, Mikmash and Aija” NEH 11 31 uha3 translate-names מִ⁠גָּ֑בַע מִכְמָ֣שׂ וְ⁠עַיָּ֔ה וּ⁠בֵֽית 1 Geba…Mikmash…Aija…Bethel These are the names of places. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 11 31 lm1q וְ⁠עַיָּ֔ה 1 Aija This is possibly another name for the town of Ai. NEH 11 32 ucv8 translate-names עֲנָת֥וֹת נֹ֖ב עֲנָֽנְיָֽה 1 Anathoth, Nob, Ananiah These are the names of places. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 11 33 jwf7 translate-names חָצ֥וֹר׀ רָמָ֖ה גִּתָּֽיִם 1 Hazor, Ramah, Gittaim These are the names of places. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 11 34 e1ls translate-names חָדִ֥יד צְבֹעִ֖ים נְבַלָּֽט 1 Hadid, Zeboim, Neballat These are the names of places. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 11 35 qu5n translate-names גֵּ֥י הַחֲרָשִֽׁים 1 the valley of craftsmen Possible meanings are 1) this is a description of Ono or 2) it is “Craftsmen’s 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]]) NEH 11 36 y212 figs-activepassive וּ⁠מִן־הַ⁠לְוִיִּ֔ם מַחְלְק֥וֹת יְהוּדָ֖ה לְ⁠בִנְיָמִֽין 1 Some 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]]) NEH 12 intro xmt3 0 # 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]])
NEH 12 1 ixs5 אֲשֶׁ֥ר עָל֛וּ 1 who came up “who arrived from Babylonia” NEH 12 1 b4x7 עִם־זְרֻבָּבֶ֥ל 1 with Zerubbabel “under the leadership of Zerubbabel” NEH 12 1 b8ry translate-names זְרֻבָּבֶ֥ל…שְׁאַלְתִּיאֵ֖ל וְ⁠יֵשׁ֑וּעַ שְׂרָיָ֥ה יִרְמְיָ֖ה עֶזְרָֽא 1 Zerubbabel…Shealtiel…Jeshua…Seraiah…Jeremiah…Ezra These are names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 12 1 myj6 figs-explicit וְ⁠יֵשׁ֑וּעַ 1 Jeshua 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]]) NEH 12 2 p4ml translate-names אֲמַרְיָ֥ה מַלּ֖וּךְ חַטּֽוּשׁ 1 Amariah…Malluk…Hattush These are names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 12 3 gwk1 translate-names שְׁכַנְיָ֥ה רְחֻ֖ם מְרֵמֹֽת 1 Shecaniah…Rehum…Meremoth These are names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 12 4 cd2t 0 Connecting Statement: The list that began in [Nehemiah 12:1](../12/01.md) continues. NEH 12 4 qt5n translate-names עִדּ֥וֹא גִנְּת֖וֹי אֲבִיָּֽה 1 Iddo…Ginnethon…Abijah These are all names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 12 5 x3ri translate-names מִיָּמִ֥ין מַֽעַדְיָ֖ה בִּלְגָּֽה 1 Mijamin…Moadiah…Bilgah These are all names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 12 6 udm2 translate-names שְׁמַֽעְיָ֥ה וְ⁠יוֹיָרִ֖יב יְדַֽעְיָֽה 1 Shemaiah…Joiarib…Jedaiah These are all names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 12 7 g43p translate-names סַלּ֣וּ עָמ֔וֹק חִלְקִיָּ֖ה יְדַֽעְיָ֑ה…יֵשֽׁוּעַ 1 Sallu…Amok…Hilkiah…Jedaiah…Jeshua These are all names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 12 8 xy1h translate-names יֵשׁ֧וּעַ בִּנּ֛וּי קַדְמִיאֵ֥ל שֵׁרֵבְיָ֖ה יְהוּדָ֣ה מַתַּנְיָ֑ה 1 Jeshua, Binnui, Kadmiel, Sherebiah, Judah,…Mattaniah These are names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 12 9 nnn1 translate-names וּ⁠בַקְבֻּֽקְיָ֨ה ו⁠ענו 1 Bakbukiah…Unni These are names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 12 9 nhn4 לְ⁠נֶגְדָּ֖⁠ם לְ⁠מִשְׁמָרֽוֹת 1 stood 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.” NEH 12 10 ri33 translate-names וְ⁠יֵשׁ֖וּעַ…יֽוֹיָקִ֑ים…אֶלְיָשִׁ֔יב…יוֹיָדָֽע 1 Jeshua…Joiakim…Eliashib…Joiada These are names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 12 10 xd69 figs-explicit וְ⁠יֵשׁ֖וּעַ הוֹלִ֣יד אֶת־יֽוֹיָקִ֑ים 1 Jeshua was the father of Joiakim This is the same Jeshua named in [Nehemiah 12:1](../12/01.md). 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]]) NEH 12 11 a7yv translate-names וְ⁠יוֹיָדָע֙…יוֹנָתָ֔ן…יַדּֽוּעַ 1 Joiada…Jonathan…Jaddua These are names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 12 12 j9qv translate-names יֽוֹיָקִ֔ים…מְרָיָ֔ה…חֲנַנְיָֽה 1 Joiakim…Meraiah…Hananiah These are names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 12 12 vv32 translate-names לִ⁠שְׂרָיָ֣ה…לְ⁠יִרְמְיָ֖ה 1 Seraiah…Jeremiah These are names of families named after men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 12 13 uwn8 translate-names מְשֻׁלָּ֔ם…יְהוֹחָנָֽן 1 Meshullam…Jehohanan These are names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 12 13 hm77 translate-names לְ⁠עֶזְרָ֣א…לַ⁠אֲמַרְיָ֖ה 1 Ezra…Amariah These are names of families named after men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 12 14 vig4 translate-names יֽוֹנָתָ֔ן…יוֹסֵֽף 1 Jonathan…Joseph These are names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 12 14 tum7 translate-names ל⁠מלוכי…לִ⁠שְׁבַנְיָ֖ה 1 Malluk…Shebaniah These are names of families named after men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 12 15 l4u9 0 Connecting Statement: The list that began in [Nehemiah 12:12](../12/12.md) continues. NEH 12 15 z68b translate-names עַדְנָ֔א…חֶלְקָֽי 1 Adna…Helkai These are all names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 12 15 a64p translate-names לְ⁠חָרִ֣ם…לִ⁠מְרָי֖וֹת 1 Harim…Meremoth These are all names of families that are named after men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 12 16 hb4y translate-names זְכַרְיָ֖ה…מְשֻׁלָּֽם 1 Zechariah…Meshullam These are all names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 12 16 u64u translate-names ל⁠עדיא…לְ⁠גִנְּת֥וֹן 1 Iddo…Ginnethon These are all names of families that are named after men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 12 16 uae6 לְ⁠גִנְּת֥וֹן מְשֻׁלָּֽם 1 Meshullam was the leader of Ginnethon Ginnethon may be another form of the name Ginnethoi. NEH 12 17 pa3k translate-names זִכְרִ֑י…פִּלְטָֽי 1 Zichri…Piltai These are all names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 12 17 em6c translate-names לַ⁠אֲבִיָּ֖ה…לְ⁠מִ֨נְיָמִ֔ין לְ⁠מוֹעַדְיָ֖ה 1 Abijah…Miniamin…Moadiah These are all names of families that are named after men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 12 17 e7rx לְ⁠מִ֨נְיָמִ֔ין 1 …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” NEH 12 17 h3jl לְ⁠מוֹעַדְיָ֖ה 1 Moadiah Maadiah may be another form of the name Moadiah. NEH 12 18 zd3p translate-names שַׁמּ֔וּעַ…יְהוֹנָתָֽן 1 Shammua…Jehonathan These are all names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 12 18 t8yy translate-names לְ⁠בִלְגָּ֣ה…לִֽ⁠שְׁמַעְיָ֖ה 1 Bilgah…Shemaiah These are all names of families that are named after men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 12 19 u373 translate-names מַתְּנַ֔י…עֻזִּֽי 1 Mattenai…Uzzi These are all names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 12 19 s8n3 translate-names וּ⁠לְ⁠יוֹיָרִ֣יב…לִֽ⁠ידַֽעְיָ֖ה 1 Joiarib…Jedaiah These are all names of families that are named after men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 12 20 y23c translate-names קַלָּ֖י…עֵֽבֶר 1 Kallai…Eber These are all names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 12 20 p8dg translate-names לְ⁠סַלַּ֥י…לְ⁠עָמ֥וֹק 1 Sallu…Amok These are all names of families that are named after men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 12 21 v16d translate-names חֲשַׁבְיָ֔ה…נְתַנְאֵֽל 1 Hashabiah…Nethanel These are all names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 12 21 vwp6 translate-names לְ⁠חִלְקִיָּ֣ה…לִֽ⁠ידַֽעְיָ֖ה 1 Hilkiah…Jedaiah These are all names of families that are named after men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 12 22 snj3 translate-names אֶלְיָשִׁ֜יב יוֹיָדָ֤ע וְ⁠יוֹחָנָן֙ וְ⁠יַדּ֔וּעַ 1 Eliashib…Joiada, Johanan…Jaddua names of men (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 12 22 cr6d עַל־מַלְכ֖וּת דָּרְיָ֥וֶשׁ 1 during the reign of Darius Another possible meaning is “until the reign of Darius” NEH 12 23 q9hz כְּתוּבִ֕ים עַל־סֵ֖פֶר דִּבְרֵ֣י 1 recorded 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. NEH 12 23 d2rp וְ⁠עַד־יְמֵ֖י יֽוֹחָנָ֥ן בֶּן־אֶלְיָשִֽׁיב 1 up to the days of Johanan son of Eliashib The records in the temple recorded only up until Johanan. NEH 12 24 kx4z translate-names חֲשַׁבְיָ֨ה שֵֽׁרֵבְיָ֜ה וְ⁠יֵשׁ֤וּעַ…קַדְמִיאֵל֙ 1 Hashabiah, Sherebiah…Jeshua…Kadmiel These are names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 12 24 d373 לְ⁠נֶגְדָּ֔⁠ם לְ⁠הַלֵּ֣ל לְ⁠הוֹד֔וֹת בְּ⁠מִצְוַ֖ת דָּוִ֣יד אִישׁ־הָ⁠אֱלֹהִ֑ים מִשְׁמָ֖ר לְ⁠עֻמַּ֥ת מִשְׁמָֽר 1 who 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. NEH 12 24 dl8r בְּ⁠מִצְוַ֖ת דָּוִ֣יד 1 obedience to the command of David King David had commanded the Levites how they were to organize and lead worship. NEH 12 25 p55l translate-names מַתַּנְיָ֧ה וּ⁠בַקְבֻּֽקְיָ֛ה עֹבַדְיָ֥ה מְשֻׁלָּ֖ם טַלְמ֣וֹן עַקּ֑וּב 1 Mattaniah, Bakbukiah, Obadiah, Meshullam, Talmon, and Akkub These are names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 12 26 wk2z translate-names יוֹיָקִ֥ים…יֵשׁ֖וּעַ…יוֹצָדָ֑ק…נְחֶמְיָ֣ה…וְ⁠עֶזְרָ֥א 1 Joiakim…Jeshua…Jozadak…Nehemiah…Ezra These are names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 12 26 k9bk בִּ⁠ימֵ֛י יוֹיָקִ֥ים…יוֹצָדָ֑ק וּ⁠בִ⁠ימֵי֙ נְחֶמְיָ֣ה הַ⁠פֶּחָ֔ה וְ⁠עֶזְרָ֥א הַ⁠כֹּהֵ֖ן הַ⁠סּוֹפֵֽר 1 in 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” NEH 12 27 e63y וּ⁠בַ⁠חֲנֻכַּ֞ת חוֹמַ֣ת יְרוּשָׁלִַ֗ם 1 At 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 Jerusalem’s wall could take place.” NEH 12 27 s6xv translate-unknown מְצִלְתַּ֖יִם 1 cymbals two thin, round metal plates that are hit together to make a loud sound (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]]) NEH 12 29 lnm1 translate-names וּ⁠מִ⁠בֵּית֙ הַגִּלְגָּ֔ל…גֶּ֖בַע וְ⁠עַזְמָ֑וֶת 1 Beth Gilgal…Geba and Azmaveth These are the names of places. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 12 31 zsj6 אֶת־שָׂרֵ֣י יְהוּדָ֔ה 1 the leaders of Judah the leaders of the people who lived in the region of Judah NEH 12 32 ni9q translate-names הוֹשַׁ֣עְיָ֔ה 1 Hoshaiah These are the names of males. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 12 33 x16d translate-names וַ⁠עֲזַרְיָ֥ה עֶזְרָ֖א וּ⁠מְשֻׁלָּֽם 1 Azariah, Ezra, Meshullam These are the names of males. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 12 34 t5un translate-names יְהוּדָה֙ וּ⁠בִנְיָמִ֔ן וּֽ⁠שְׁמַֽעְיָ֖ה וְ⁠יִרְמְיָֽה 1 Judah, Benjamin, Shemaiah, Jeremiah These are the names of males. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 12 35 h1hm translate-names זְכַרְיָ֨ה…יֽוֹנָתָ֜ן…שְׁמַֽעְיָ֗ה…מַתַּנְיָה֙…מִ֣יכָיָ֔ה…זַכּ֖וּר…אָסָֽף 1 Zechariah…Jonathan…Shemaiah…Mattaniah…Micaiah…Zaccur…Asaph These are the names of males. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 12 35 cp3q וּ⁠מִ⁠בְּנֵ֥י הַ⁠כֹּהֲנִ֖ים בַּ⁠חֲצֹצְר֑וֹת זְכַרְיָ֨ה 1 some of the priests’ sons with trumpets, and Zechariah Some versions read, “from among the priests with trumpets, Zechariah” NEH 12 35 q33v זְכַרְיָ֨ה בֶן־יֽוֹנָתָ֜ן בֶּן־שְׁמַֽעְיָ֗ה בֶּן־מַתַּנְיָה֙ בֶּן־מִ֣יכָיָ֔ה בֶּן־זַכּ֖וּר בֶּן־אָסָֽף 1 Zechariah 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” NEH 12 36 kmk3 translate-names שְֽׁמַעְיָ֡ה וַ⁠עֲזַרְאֵ֡ל מִֽלֲלַ֡י גִּֽלֲלַ֡י מָעַ֞י נְתַנְאֵ֤ל וִֽ⁠יהוּדָה֙ חֲנָ֔נִי…דָּוִ֖יד…וְ⁠עֶזְרָ֥א 1 Zechariah…Shemaiah, Azarel, Milalai, Gilalai, Maai, Nethanel, Judah, Hanani…David…Ezra These are the names of males. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 12 36 n2tl וְ⁠עֶזְרָ֥א הַ⁠סּוֹפֵ֖ר לִ⁠פְנֵי⁠הֶֽ 1 Ezra the scribe was in front of them “Ezra the scribe was leading them” NEH 12 37 c38r שַׁ֨עַר הָ⁠עַ֜יִן…שַׁ֥עַר הַ⁠מַּ֖יִם 1 Fountain Gate…Water Gate These are the names of openings in the wall. NEH 12 38 fbi3 וְ⁠הַ⁠תּוֹדָ֧ה 1 choir group of singers NEH 12 38 t11k וַ⁠אֲנִ֣י אַחֲרֶ֑י⁠הָ 1 I followed them Nehemiah followed them. NEH 12 38 j2zn translate-names לְ⁠מִגְדַּ֣ל הַ⁠תַּנּוּרִ֔ים 1 Tower of Ovens This is the name of a tall structure where people kept watch for danger. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 12 38 a5ww הַ⁠חוֹמָ֥ה הָ⁠רְחָבָֽה 1 Broad Wall This is a name for part of the wall. NEH 12 39 v1ni translate-names וּ⁠מִגְדַּ֤ל חֲנַנְאֵל֙ וּ⁠מִגְדַּ֣ל הַ⁠מֵּאָ֔ה 1 Tower 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]]) NEH 12 39 v264 לְ⁠שַֽׁעַר־אֶ֠פְרַיִם…שַׁ֨עַר הַיְשָׁנָ֜ה…שַׁ֣עַר הַ⁠דָּגִ֗ים…שַׁ֣עַר הַ⁠צֹּ֑אן…בְּ⁠שַׁ֖עַר הַ⁠מַּטָּרָֽה 1 Gate of Ephraim…Old Gate…Fish Gate…Sheep Gate…Gate of the Guard These are the names of openings in the wall. NEH 12 40 ai1v וַ⁠אֲנִ֕י 1 I also took my place Nehemiah is speaking here. Alternate translation: “I, Nehemiah, also took my place” NEH 12 41 s4t8 translate-names אֶלְיָקִ֡ים מַעֲשֵׂיָ֡ה מִ֠נְיָמִין מִיכָיָ֧ה אֶלְיוֹעֵינַ֛י זְכַרְיָ֥ה חֲנַנְיָ֖ה 1 Eliakim…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]]) NEH 12 41 bnz5 בַּ⁠חֲצֹצְרֽוֹת 1 with 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. NEH 12 42 gqe1 translate-names וּ⁠מַעֲשֵׂיָ֨ה וּֽ⁠שְׁמַֽעְיָ֜ה וְ⁠אֶלְעָזָ֧ר וְ⁠עֻזִּ֛י וִֽ⁠יהוֹחָנָ֥ן וּ⁠מַלְכִּיָּ֖ה וְ⁠עֵילָ֣ם וָ⁠עָ֑זֶר 1 Maaseiah…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]]) NEH 12 42 tdc8 וְ⁠יִֽזְרַחְיָ֖ה 1 Jezrahiah This is the name of a male who was the leader of the singers. NEH 12 42 y2qj וַ⁠יַּשְׁמִ֨יעוּ֙ 1 made themselves heard “sang loudly” NEH 12 43 jgp9 שִׂמְּחָ⁠ם֙ שִׂמְחָ֣ה 1 rejoice with great joy “rejoice greatly” NEH 12 43 p5fe figs-metonymy וַ⁠תִּשָּׁמַ֛ע שִׂמְחַ֥ת יְרוּשָׁלִַ֖ם מֵ⁠רָחֽוֹק 1 So 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]]) NEH 12 44 fsb6 figs-activepassive וַ⁠יִּפָּקְד֣וּ בַ⁠יּוֹם֩ הַ⁠ה֨וּא אֲנָשִׁ֜ים עַל 1 men 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]]) NEH 12 44 bnw2 לָ⁠א֨וֹצָר֥וֹת 1 the contributions things the people gave to the priests NEH 12 44 g347 כִּ֚י שִׂמְחַ֣ת יְהוּדָ֔ה עַל־הַ⁠כֹּהֲנִ֥ים וְ⁠עַל־הַ⁠לְוִיִּ֖ם 1 For 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. NEH 12 44 g9pg figs-explicit הָ⁠עֹמְדִֽים 1 who 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]]) NEH 12 45 lm4j וְ⁠הַ⁠שֹּׁעֲרִ֑ים 1 gatekeepers 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](../07/01.md). NEH 12 46 py1c ראש הַ⁠מְשֹׁ֣רְרִ֔ים 1 there were directors of singers This sentence tells why the people did what they did in [Nehemiah 12:45](../12/45.md) and gives us more information about the time when David told people how to worship at the temple. NEH 12 47 flz7 בִּ⁠ימֵ֨י זְרֻבָּבֶ֜ל 1 In the days of Zerubbabel Zerubbabel was a descendant of King David and one of the governors in the region of Judah. NEH 12 47 mu9s נֹֽתְנִ֛ים מְנָי֛וֹת 1 They set aside the portion “All Israel set aside the portion” NEH 12 47 e72p לִ⁠בְנֵ֥י אַהֲרֹֽן 1 the descendants of Aaron the priests in Israel, who descended from Aaron, the brother of Moses NEH 13 intro tm5a 0 # 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]])
NEH 13 1 k9za בְּ⁠אָזְנֵ֣י הָ⁠עָ֑ם 1 in the hearing of the people “so that the people could hear it” NEH 13 1 j6si יָב֨וֹא…בִּ⁠קְהַ֥ל הָ⁠אֱלֹהִ֖ים עַד־עוֹלָֽם 1 should come into the assembly of God, forever “should ever come into the assembly of God” NEH 13 2 tf8z כִּ֣י 1 This was because “They could not come into the assembly because” NEH 13 4 bq8k figs-activepassive אֶלְיָשִׁיב֙ הַ⁠כֹּהֵ֔ן נָת֖וּן 1 Eliashib 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]]) NEH 13 4 adq9 קָר֖וֹב לְ⁠טוֹבִיָּֽה 1 He was related to Tobiah “Eliashib and Tobiah worked closely together” NEH 13 4 c9hf אֶלְיָשִׁיב֙…לְ⁠טוֹבִיָּֽה 1 Eliashib…Tobiah These are the names of men. NEH 13 5 xi14 וַ⁠יַּ֨עַשׂ ל֜⁠וֹ לִשְׁכָּ֣ה גְדוֹלָ֗ה 1 Eliashib prepared for Tobiah a large storeroom “Eliashib prepared a large storeroom for Tobiah to use” NEH 13 5 v2in וְ⁠הַ⁠שֹּׁעֲרִ֑ים 1 gatekeepers 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](../07/01.md). NEH 13 6 hxp8 וּ⁠בְ⁠כָל־זֶ֕ה לֹ֥א הָיִ֖יתִי בִּֽ⁠ירוּשָׁלִָ֑ם 1 But in all this time I was not in Jerusalem “During the time all this was happening, I was away from Jerusalem” NEH 13 6 dpk4 לֹ֥א הָיִ֖יתִי 1 I was not Here “I” refers to Nehemiah. NEH 13 7 up8j נִשְׁכָּ֔ה בְּ⁠חַצְרֵ֖י בֵּ֥ית הָ⁠אֱלֹהִֽים 1 a 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](../13/05.md)). NEH 13 10 k9k6 figs-explicit מְנָי֥וֹת הַ⁠לְוִיִּ֖ם לֹ֣א נִתָּ֑נָה 1 the 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]]) NEH 13 10 f2ng וַ⁠יִּבְרְח֧וּ אִישׁ־לְ⁠שָׂדֵ֛⁠הוּ הַ⁠לְוִיִּ֥ם וְ⁠הַ⁠מְשֹׁרְרִ֖ים עֹשֵׂ֥י הַ⁠מְּלָאכָֽה 1 they 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” NEH 13 11 mx4v figs-rquestion מַדּ֖וּעַ נֶעֱזַ֣ב בֵּית־הָ⁠אֱלֹהִ֑ים 1 Why 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]]) NEH 13 12 a9ux figs-metonymy וְ⁠כָל־יְהוּדָ֗ה 1 all 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]]) NEH 13 13 mu7f translate-names שֶׁלֶמְיָ֨ה…וְ⁠צָד֣וֹק…וּ⁠פְדָיָה֙…חָנָ֥ן…זַכּ֖וּר…מַתַּנְיָ֑ה 1 Shelemiah…Zadok…Pedaiah…Hanan…Zaccur…Mattaniah These are the names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 13 13 e8x3 figs-activepassive נֶאֱמָנִים֙ נֶחְשָׁ֔בוּ 1 they 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]]) NEH 13 14 v861 זָכְרָ⁠ה־לִּ֥⁠י אֱלֹהַ֖⁠י עַל־זֹ֑את 1 Call me to mind, my God, concerning this “My God, remember me concerning this” NEH 13 15 cp44 figs-metonymy דֹּֽרְכִֽים־גִּתּ֣וֹת 1 treading 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]]) NEH 13 15 z3xh דֹּֽרְכִֽים 1 treading walking on something to crush or press it NEH 13 16 yvh1 translate-names וְ⁠הַ⁠צֹּרִים֙ 1 Tyre This is the name of a city. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 13 17 w5nr figs-rquestion מָֽה־הַ⁠דָּבָ֨ר הָ⁠רָ֤ע הַ⁠זֶּה֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר אַתֶּ֣ם עֹשִׂ֔ים וּֽ⁠מְחַלְּלִ֖ים אֶת־י֥וֹם הַ⁠שַּׁבָּֽת 1 What 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]]) NEH 13 18 ge49 figs-rquestion הֲ⁠ל֨וֹא כֹ֤ה עָשׂוּ֙ אֲבֹ֣תֵי⁠כֶ֔ם וַ⁠יָּבֵ֨א אֱלֹהֵ֜י⁠נוּ עָלֵ֗י⁠נוּ אֵ֚ת כָּל־הָ⁠רָעָ֣ה הַ⁠זֹּ֔את וְ⁠עַ֖ל הָ⁠עִ֣יר הַ⁠זֹּ֑את 1 Did 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]]) NEH 13 19 p31h וַ⁠יְהִ֡י כַּ⁠אֲשֶׁ֣ר צָֽלֲלוּ֩ שַׁעֲרֵ֨י יְרוּשָׁלִַ֜ם לִ⁠פְנֵ֣י הַ⁠שַּׁבָּ֗ת 1 As soon as it became dark…before the Sabbath “When the sun went down…and it was time for the Sabbath to begin” NEH 13 19 vk4t figs-activepassive וַ⁠יִּסָּגְר֣וּ הַ⁠דְּלָת֔וֹת וָ⁠אֹ֣מְרָ֔⁠ה אֲשֶׁר֙ לֹ֣א יִפְתָּח֔וּ⁠ם עַ֖ד אַחַ֣ר הַ⁠שַּׁבָּ֑ת 1 that 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]]) NEH 13 19 wy3q figs-activepassive לֹא־יָב֥וֹא מַשָּׂ֖א 1 no 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]]) NEH 13 20 s2hv וּ⁠מֹכְרֵ֧י כָל־מִמְכָּ֛ר 1 sellers of all kinds of wares “people who had brought many different things they wanted to sell” NEH 13 21 hi84 figs-rquestion מַדּ֜וּעַ אַתֶּ֤ם לֵנִים֙ נֶ֣גֶד הַ⁠חוֹמָ֔ה 1 Why 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]]) NEH 13 21 hfv7 figs-metonymy יָ֖ד אֶשְׁלַ֣ח בָּ⁠כֶ֑ם 1 I 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]]) NEH 13 22 mis6 גַּם־זֹאת֙ זָכְרָ⁠ה־לִּ֣⁠י אֱלֹהַ֔⁠י 1 Call 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](../13/14.md). NEH 13 23 zxc2 0 Connecting Statement: These verses introduce the action that follows. NEH 13 23 jp2w figs-explicit אֶת־הַ⁠יְּהוּדִים֙ הֹשִׁ֗יבוּ נָשִׁים֙ אשדודיות עמוניות מוֹאֲבִיּֽוֹת 1 Jews 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]]) NEH 13 23 l9c2 translate-names אשדודיות 1 Ashdod This is the name of a city. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 13 23 b4nt translate-names עמוניות מוֹאֲבִיּֽוֹת 1 Ammon…Moab These are the names of nations. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 13 24 w247 וּ⁠בְנֵי⁠הֶ֗ם חֲצִי֙ 1 Half of their children “As a result, half of their children” NEH 13 25 dzu5 וָ⁠אָרִ֤יב עִמָּ⁠ם֙ 1 I confronted them “I spoke directly to them about what they had done” NEH 13 25 hg44 וָ⁠אַכֶּ֥ה מֵ⁠הֶ֛ם 1 I hit some of them Nehemiah hit some of them with his hands. NEH 13 25 gzx6 וָ⁠אַשְׁבִּיעֵ֣⁠ם בֵּֽ⁠אלֹהִ֗ים 1 I made them swear by God “I made them say a promise before God” NEH 13 26 l9xm figs-rquestion הֲ⁠ל֣וֹא עַל־אֵ֣לֶּה חָטָֽא־שְׁלֹמֹ֣ה מֶ֣לֶךְ 1 Did 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]]) NEH 13 27 vp56 figs-rquestion וְ⁠לָ⁠כֶ֣ם הֲ⁠נִשְׁמַ֗ע לַ⁠עֲשֹׂת֙ אֵ֣ת כָּל־הָ⁠רָעָ֤ה הַ⁠גְּדוֹלָה֙ הַ⁠זֹּ֔את לִ⁠מְעֹ֖ל בֵּֽ⁠אלֹהֵ֑י⁠נוּ לְ⁠הֹשִׁ֖יב נָשִׁ֥ים נָכְרִיּֽוֹת 1 Should 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]]) NEH 13 28 dft4 translate-names יוֹיָדָ֤ע…אֶלְיָשִׁיב֙…לְ⁠סַנְבַלַּ֣ט 1 Joiada…Eliashib…Sanballat These are the names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 13 28 f8ak translate-names הַ⁠חֹרֹנִ֑י 1 the Horonite This refers to a person from the city of Beth Horon. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 13 28 rhs8 וָ⁠אַבְרִיחֵ֖⁠הוּ מֵ⁠עָלָֽ⁠י 1 I caused him to flee from my presence “I chased him away” or “I made him leave Jerusalem” NEH 13 29 pa21 זָכְרָ֥⁠ה לָ⁠הֶ֖ם 1 Call them to mind “Think about them” or “Remember what they have done.” See how you translated a similar phrase in [Nehemiah 13:14](../13/14.md). NEH 13 29 mn8k figs-metaphor עַ֚ל גָּאֳלֵ֣י הַ⁠כְּהֻנָּ֔ה וּ⁠בְרִ֥ית הַ⁠כְּהֻנָּ֖ה וְ⁠הַ⁠לְוִיִּֽם 1 they 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]]) NEH 13 30 gd16 וְ⁠טִֽהַרְתִּ֖י⁠ם 1 Thus I cleansed them “In this way I purified them” NEH 13 30 s3y9 וָ⁠אַעֲמִ֧ידָ⁠ה מִשְׁמָר֛וֹת לַ⁠כֹּהֲנִ֥ים וְ⁠לַ⁠לְוִיִּ֖ם 1 established the duties of the priests and the Levites “told the priests and Levites what they were to do” NEH 13 31 vl4a וּ⁠לְ⁠קֻרְבַּ֧ן הָ⁠עֵצִ֛ים 1 I provided for the wood offering “I arranged for a supply of wood for the wood offerings” NEH 13 31 sh91 וְ⁠לַ⁠בִּכּוּרִ֑ים 1 for the firstfruits “for the offering of firstfruits at harvest time” NEH 13 31 ae94 זָכְרָ⁠ה־לִּ֥⁠י אֱלֹהַ֖⁠י לְ⁠טוֹבָֽה 1 Call 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](../13/14.md).