Nehemiah 9:4

Authorized King James Version

Then stood up upon the stairs, of the Levites, Jeshua, and Bani, Kadmiel, Shebaniah, Bunni, Sherebiah, Bani, and Chenani, and cried with a loud voice unto the LORD their God.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיָּ֜קָם
Then stood up
to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)
#2
עַֽל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#3
מַֽעֲלֵ֣ה
upon the stairs
an elevation, i.e., (concretely) acclivity or platform; abstractly (the relation or state) a rise or (figuratively) priority
#4
הַלְוִיִּ֗ם
of the Levites
a levite or descendant of levi
#5
יֵשׁ֨וּעַ
Jeshua
jeshua, the name of ten israelites, also of a place in palestine
#6
בָּנִ֣י
Bani
bani, the name of five israelites
#7
קַדְמִיאֵ֧ל
Kadmiel
kadmiel, the name of three israelites
#8
שְׁבַנְיָ֛ה
Shebaniah
shebanjah, the name of three or four israelites
#9
בֻּנִּ֥י
Bunni
bunni or buni, an israelite
#10
שֵׁרֵֽבְיָ֖ה
Sherebiah
sherebjah, the name of two israelites
#11
בָּנִ֣י
Bani
bani, the name of five israelites
#12
כְנָ֑נִי
and Chenani
kenani, an israelite
#13
וַֽיִּזְעֲקוּ֙
and cried
to shriek (from anguish or danger); by analogy, (as a herald) to announce or convene publicly
#14
בְּק֣וֹל
voice
a voice or sound
#15
גָּד֔וֹל
with a loud
great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent
#16
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#17
יְהוָ֖ה
unto the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#18
אֱלֹֽהֵיהֶֽם׃
their 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

This verse develops the salvation theme central to Nehemiah. The concept of divine sovereignty reflects the development of salvation within biblical theology. The divine name or title here functions within biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness to establish theological authority and covenantal relationship. The original language emphasizes the covenant name Yahweh, emphasizing God's faithfulness to His promises, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Nehemiah Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine sovereignty in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection