Nehemiah 10:28

Authorized King James Version

And the rest of the people, the priests, the Levites, the porters, the singers, the Nethinims, and all they that had separated themselves from the people of the lands unto the law of God, their wives, their sons, and their daughters, every one having knowledge, and having understanding;

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וּשְׁאָ֣ר
H7605
And the rest
a remainder
#2
מֵֽעַמֵּ֤י
H5971
of the people
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
#3
הַכֹּֽהֲנִ֣ים
H3548
the priests
literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)
#4
הַ֠לְוִיִּם
H3881
the Levites
a levite or descendant of levi
#5
הַשּֽׁוֹעֲרִ֨ים
H7778
the porters
a janitor
#6
הַמְשֹֽׁרְרִ֜ים
H7891
the singers
to sing
#7
הַנְּתִינִ֗ים
H5411
the Nethinims
the nethinim, or temple-servants (as given to that duty)
#8
וְֽכָל
H3605
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#9
הַנִּבְדָּ֞ל
H914
and all they that had separated
to divide (in variation senses literally or figuratively, separate, distinguish, differ, select, etc.)
#10
מֵֽעַמֵּ֤י
H5971
of the people
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
#11
הָֽאֲרָצוֹת֙
H776
of the lands
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
#12
אֶל
H413
near, with or among; often in general, to
#13
תּוֹרַ֣ת
H8451
unto the law
a precept or statute, especially the decalogue or pentateuch
#14
הָֽאֱלֹהִ֔ים
H430
of God
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
#15
נְשֵׁיהֶ֖ם
H802
their wives
a woman
#16
בְּנֵיהֶ֣ם
H1121
their sons
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
#17
וּבְנֹֽתֵיהֶ֑ם
H1323
and their daughters
a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)
#18
כֹּ֖ל
H3605
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#19
יוֹדֵ֥עַ
H3045
every one having knowledge
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
#20
מֵבִֽין׃
H995
and having understanding
to separate mentally (or distinguish), i.e., (generally) understand

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to Nehemiah. The concept of divine sovereignty reflects the development of salvation within biblical theology. The divine name or title here functions within biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness to establish theological authority and covenantal relationship. The original language emphasizes careful word choice that would have carried specific theological weight for the original audience, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on salvation particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection