Nehemiah 11:22

Authorized King James Version

The overseer also of the Levites at Jerusalem was Uzzi the son of Bani, the son of Hashabiah, the son of Mattaniah, the son of Micha. Of the sons of Asaph, the singers were over the business of the house of God.

Word-by-Word Analysis

וּפְקִ֤יד

H6496

The overseer

a superintendent (civil, military or religious)

הַלְוִיִּם֙

H3881

also of the Levites

a levite or descendant of levi

בִּיר֣וּשָׁלִַ֔ם

H3389

at Jerusalem

jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine

עֻזִּ֤י

H5813

was Uzzi

uzzi, the name of six israelites

מִבְּנֵ֤י

H1121

Of the 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

בָּנִי֙

H1137

of Bani

bani, the name of five israelites

מִבְּנֵ֤י

H1121

Of the 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

חֲשַׁבְיָ֔ה

H2811

of Hashabiah

chashabjah, the name of nine israelites

מִבְּנֵ֤י

H1121

Of the 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

#10

מַתַּנְיָ֖ה

H4983

of Mattaniah

mattanjah, the name of ten israelites

#11

מִבְּנֵ֤י

H1121

Of the 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

#12

מִיכָ֑א

H4316

of Micha

mica, the name of two israelites

#13

מִבְּנֵ֤י

H1121

Of the 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

#14

אָסָף֙

H623

of Asaph

asaph, the name of three israelites, and of the family of the first

#15

הַמְשֹׁ֣רְרִ֔ים

H7891

the singers

to sing

#16

לְנֶ֖גֶד

H5048

were over

a front, i.e., part opposite; specifically a counterpart, or mate; usually (adverbial, especially with preposition) over against or before

#17

מְלֶ֥אכֶת

H4399

the business

properly, deputyship, i.e., ministry; generally, employment (never servile) or work (abstractly or concretely); also property (as the result of labor)

#18

בֵּית

H1004

of the house

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

#19

הָֽאֱלֹהִֽים׃

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

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine sovereignty contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

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

In what ways does understanding divine sovereignty in its original context challenge or deepen contemporary Christian thinking about salvation?
How does this verse's literary context within Nehemiah chapter 11 illuminate its theological significance, and what does this teach us about biblical interpretation?
What systematic theological implications arise from this verse's treatment of salvation, and how does it contribute to a biblical theology of soteriology and the doctrine of salvation?