Nehemiah 8:4

Authorized King James Version

And Ezra the scribe stood upon a pulpit of wood, which they had made for the purpose; and beside him stood Mattithiah, and Shema, and Anaiah, and Urijah, and Hilkiah, and Maaseiah, on his right hand; and on his left hand, Pedaiah, and Mishael, and Malchiah, and Hashum, and Hashbadana, Zechariah, and Meshullam.

Word-by-Word Analysis

וַיַּֽעֲמֹ֣ד

H5975

him stood

to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)

עֶזְרָ֣א

H5830

And Ezra

ezra, an israelite

הַסֹּפֵ֗ר

H5608

the scribe

properly, to score with a mark as a tally or record, i.e., (by implication) to inscribe, and also to enumerate; intensively, to recount, i.e., celebra

עַֽל

H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

מִגְדַּל

H4026

upon a pulpit

a tower (from its size or height); by analogy, a rostrum; figuratively, a (pyramidal) bed of flowers

עֵץ֮

H6086

of wood

a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks)

אֲשֶׁ֣ר

H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

עָשׂ֣וּ

H6213

which they had made

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

לַדָּבָר֒

H1697

for the purpose

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

#10

וַיַּֽעֲמֹ֣ד

H5975

him stood

to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)

#11

אֶצְל֡וֹ

H681

and beside

a side; (as a preposition) near

#12

מַתִּתְיָ֡ה

H4993

Mattithiah

mattithjah, the name of four israelites

#13

וְשֶׁ֡מַע

H8087

and Shema

shema, the name of a place in palestine and of four israelites

#14

וַֽ֠עֲנָיָה

H6043

and Anaiah

anajah, the name of two israelites

#15

וְאֽוּרִיָּ֧ה

H223

and Urijah

urijah, the name of one hittite and five israelites

#16

וְחִלְקִיָּ֛ה

H2518

and Hilkiah

chilhijah, the name of eight israelites

#17

וּמַֽעֲשֵׂיָ֖ה

H4641

and Maaseiah

maasejah, the name of sixteen israelites

#18

עַל

H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

#19

יְמִינ֑וֹ

H3225

on his right hand

the right hand or side (leg, eye) of a person or other object (as the stronger and more dexterous); locally, the south

#20

וּמִשְּׂמֹאל֗וֹ

H8040

and on his left hand

properly, dark (as enveloped), i.e., the north; hence (by orientation), the left hand

#21

פְּ֠דָיָה

H6305

Pedaiah

pedajah, the name of six israelites

#22

וּמִֽישָׁאֵ֧ל

H4332

and Mishael

mishael, the name of three israelites

#23

וּמַלְכִּיָּ֛ה

H4441

and Malchiah

malkijah, the name of ten israelites

#24

וְחָשֻׁ֥ם

H2828

and Hashum

chashum, the name of two or three israelites

#25

וְחַשְׁבַּדָּ֖נָה

H2806

and Hashbadana

chasbaddanah, an israelite

#26

זְכַרְיָ֥ה

H2148

Zechariah

zecarjah, the name of twenty-nine israelites

#27

מְשֻׁלָּֽם׃

H4918

and Meshullam

meshullam, the name of seventeen israelites

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 revelation 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

How does the salvation theme in this verse connect to the overarching narrative of Scripture, and what does this reveal about God's character and purposes?
In what ways does understanding divine revelation in its original context challenge or deepen contemporary Christian thinking about salvation?
What practical applications emerge from understanding salvation as presented in this verse, particularly in light of addressing questions of religious pluralism and the exclusivity of Christ?