Nehemiah 11:12

Authorized King James Version

And their brethren that did the work of the house were eight hundred twenty and two: and Adaiah the son of Jeroham, the son of Pelaliah, the son of Amzi, the son of Zechariah, the son of Pashur, the son of Malchiah,

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַֽאֲחֵיהֶ֗ם
And their brethren
a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])
#2
עֹשֵׂ֤י
that did
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
#3
הַמְּלָאכָה֙
the work
properly, deputyship, i.e., ministry; generally, employment (never servile) or work (abstractly or concretely); also property (as the result of labor)
#4
לַבַּ֔יִת
of the house
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
#5
שְׁמֹנֶ֥ה
were eight
a cardinal number, eight (as if a surplus above the 'perfect' seven); also (as ordinal) eighth
#6
מֵא֖וֹת
hundred
a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction
#7
עֶשְׂרִ֣ים
twenty
twenty; also (ordinal) twentieth
#8
וּשְׁנָ֑יִם
and two
two; also (as ordinal) twofold
#9
וַֽ֠עֲדָיָה
and Adaiah
adajah, the name of eight israelites
#10
בֶּן
the son
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
#11
יְרֹחָ֤ם
of Jeroham
jerocham, the name of seven or eight israelites
#12
בֶּן
the son
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
#13
פְּלַלְיָה֙
of Pelaliah
pelaljah, an israelite
#14
בֶּן
the son
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
#15
אַמְצִ֣י
of Amzi
amtsi, an israelite
#16
בֶּן
the son
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
זְכַרְיָ֔ה
of Zechariah
zecarjah, the name of twenty-nine israelites
#18
בֶּן
the son
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
#19
פַּשְׁח֖וּר
of Pashur
pashchur, the name of four israelites
#20
בֶּן
the son
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
#21
מַלְכִּיָּֽה׃
of Malchiah
malkijah, the name of ten israelites

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to Nehemiah. The concept of divine revelation reflects the development of salvation within biblical theology. The literary structure and word choice here contribute to biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness, advancing the author's theological argument. 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