Nehemiah 12:24

Authorized King James Version

And the chief of the Levites: Hashabiah, Sherebiah, and Jeshua the son of Kadmiel, with their brethren over against them, to praise and to give thanks, according to the commandment of David the man of God, ward over against ward.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְרָאשֵׁ֣י
H7218
And the chief
the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)
#2
הַ֠לְוִיִּם
H3881
of the Levites
a levite or descendant of levi
#3
חֲשַׁבְיָ֨ה
H2811
Hashabiah
chashabjah, the name of nine israelites
#4
שֵֽׁרֵבְיָ֜ה
H8274
Sherebiah
sherebjah, the name of two israelites
#5
וְיֵשׁ֤וּעַ
H3442
and Jeshua
jeshua, the name of ten israelites, also of a place in palestine
#6
בֶּן
H1121
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
#7
קַדְמִיאֵל֙
H6934
of Kadmiel
kadmiel, the name of three israelites
#8
וַֽאֲחֵיהֶ֣ם
H251
with their brethren
a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])
#9
לְנֶגְדָּ֔ם
H5048
a front, i.e., part opposite; specifically a counterpart, or mate; usually (adverbial, especially with preposition) over against or before
#10
לְהַלֵּ֣ל
H1984
over against them to praise
to be clear (orig. of sound, but usually of color); to shine; hence, to make a show, to boast; and thus to be (clamorously) foolish; to rave; causativ
#11
לְהוֹד֔וֹת
H3034
and to give thanks
physically, to throw (a stone, an arrow) at or away; especially to revere or worship (with extended hands); intensively, to bemoan (by wringing the ha
#12
בְּמִצְוַ֖ת
H4687
according to the commandment
a command, whether human or divine (collectively, the law)
#13
דָּוִ֣יד
H1732
of David
david, the youngest son of jesse
#14
אִישׁ
H376
the man
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
#15
הָֽאֱלֹהִ֑ים
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
#16
מִשְׁמָֽר׃
H4929
ward
a guard (the man, the post or the prison); a deposit (figuratively); also (as observed) a usage (abstractly), or an example (concretely)
#17
לְעֻמַּ֥ת
H5980
over against
conjunction, i.e., society; mostly adverb or preposition (with prepositional prefix), near, beside, along with
#18
מִשְׁמָֽר׃
H4929
ward
a guard (the man, the post or the prison); a deposit (figuratively); also (as observed) a usage (abstractly), or an example (concretely)

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

The historical context of the biblical period relevant to this book's composition provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The historical and cultural milieu of the biblical world informed the author's theological expression and the audience's understanding. The the cultural context of the biblical world would have shaped how the original audience understood divine sovereignty. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection