Nehemiah 12:43

Authorized King James Version

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Also that day they offered great sacrifices, and rejoiced: for God had made them rejoice with great joy: the wives also and the children rejoiced: so that the joy of Jerusalem was heard even afar off.

Original Language Analysis

וַיִּזְבְּח֣וּ they offered H2076
וַיִּזְבְּח֣וּ they offered
Strong's: H2076
Word #: 1 of 19
to slaughter an animal (usually in sacrifice)
בַיּוֹם Also that day H3117
בַיּוֹם Also that day
Strong's: H3117
Word #: 2 of 19
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
הַ֠הוּא H1931
הַ֠הוּא
Strong's: H1931
Word #: 3 of 19
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
זְבָחִ֨ים sacrifices H2077
זְבָחִ֨ים sacrifices
Strong's: H2077
Word #: 4 of 19
properly, a slaughter, i.e., the flesh of an animal; by implication, a sacrifice (the victim or the act)
גְדוֹלָ֔ה great H1419
גְדוֹלָ֔ה great
Strong's: H1419
Word #: 5 of 19
great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent
שָׂמֵ֑חוּ and rejoiced H8055
שָׂמֵ֑חוּ and rejoiced
Strong's: H8055
Word #: 6 of 19
probably to brighten up, i.e., (figuratively) be (causatively, make) blithe or gleesome
כִּ֤י H3588
כִּ֤י
Strong's: H3588
Word #: 7 of 19
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
הָֽאֱלֹהִים֙ for God H430
הָֽאֱלֹהִים֙ for God
Strong's: H430
Word #: 8 of 19
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
שָׂמֵ֑חוּ and rejoiced H8055
שָׂמֵ֑חוּ and rejoiced
Strong's: H8055
Word #: 9 of 19
probably to brighten up, i.e., (figuratively) be (causatively, make) blithe or gleesome
שִׂמְחַ֥ת joy H8057
שִׂמְחַ֥ת joy
Strong's: H8057
Word #: 10 of 19
blithesomeness or glee, (religious or festival)
גְדוֹלָ֔ה great H1419
גְדוֹלָ֔ה great
Strong's: H1419
Word #: 11 of 19
great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent
וְגַ֧ם H1571
וְגַ֧ם
Strong's: H1571
Word #: 12 of 19
properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and
הַנָּשִׁ֛ים the wives H802
הַנָּשִׁ֛ים the wives
Strong's: H802
Word #: 13 of 19
a woman
וְהַיְלָדִ֖ים also and the children H3206
וְהַיְלָדִ֖ים also and the children
Strong's: H3206
Word #: 14 of 19
something born, i.e., a lad or offspring
שָׂמֵ֑חוּ and rejoiced H8055
שָׂמֵ֑חוּ and rejoiced
Strong's: H8055
Word #: 15 of 19
probably to brighten up, i.e., (figuratively) be (causatively, make) blithe or gleesome
וַתִּשָּׁמַ֛ע was heard H8085
וַתִּשָּׁמַ֛ע was heard
Strong's: H8085
Word #: 16 of 19
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
שִׂמְחַ֥ת joy H8057
שִׂמְחַ֥ת joy
Strong's: H8057
Word #: 17 of 19
blithesomeness or glee, (religious or festival)
יְרֽוּשָׁלִַ֖ם of Jerusalem H3389
יְרֽוּשָׁלִַ֖ם of Jerusalem
Strong's: H3389
Word #: 18 of 19
jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine
מֵֽרָחֽוֹק׃ even afar off H7350
מֵֽרָחֽוֹק׃ even afar off
Strong's: H7350
Word #: 19 of 19
remote, literally or figuratively, of place or time; specifically, precious; often used adverbially (with preposition)

Cross References

Psalms 92:4For thou, LORD, hast made me glad through thy work: I will triumph in the works of thy hands.Ezra 3:13So that the people could not discern the noise of the shout of joy from the noise of the weeping of the people: for the people shouted with a loud shout, and the noise was heard afar off.Jeremiah 31:13Then shall the virgin rejoice in the dance, both young men and old together: for I will turn their mourning into joy, and will comfort them, and make them rejoice from their sorrow.Isaiah 61:3To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.Psalms 28:7The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him.Psalms 27:6And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD.Job 34:29When he giveth quietness, who then can make trouble? and when he hideth his face, who then can behold him? whether it be done against a nation, or against a man only:Jeremiah 33:11The voice of joy, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride, the voice of them that shall say, Praise the LORD of hosts: for the LORD is good; for his mercy endureth for ever: and of them that shall bring the sacrifice of praise into the house of the LORD. For I will cause to return the captivity of the land, as at the first, saith the LORD.Ephesians 5:19Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;Matthew 21:9And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest.

Analysis & Commentary

Also that day they offered great sacrifices, and rejoiced: for God had made them rejoice with great joy: the wives also and the children rejoiced: so that the joy of Jerusalem was heard even afar off.

This verse within Nehemiah 12 addresses themes of worship, dedication, celebration, generational continuity. The wall dedication features joyful worship and thanksgiving, celebrating God's faithfulness in enabling the work's completion. This passage demonstrates biblical principles applicable across both testaments—God's sovereignty combined with human responsibility, faith expressed through obedient action, and the necessity of both individual and corporate commitment to covenant faithfulness. Nehemiah models leadership that combines vision, prayer, courage, integrity, and perseverance amid sustained opposition.

Historical Context

Nehemiah's account occurs during Persian imperial dominance (539-331 BC), specifically 445-433 BC under Artaxerxes I. Nehemiah's final reforms address recurring covenant violations, demonstrating the ongoing challenge of maintaining spiritual commitment across generations. The Persian period was crucial transitional time when Jewish identity shifted from monarchical nationalism to Torah-centered covenantal community. Without political independence, the people's cohesion depended on shared scripture, temple worship, and covenant obedience. This established patterns persisting through the Second Temple period into New Testament times. Understanding this context illuminates Jesus's ministry among a people shaped by these reforms and challenges.

Questions for Reflection