Nehemiah
Nehemiah front
Introduction to Nehemiah
Part 1: General Introduction
Outline of Nehemiah
- Nehemiah returns to Jerusalem and inspects the walls (1:1–2:20)
- The people rebuild the walls of Jerusalem (3:1–4:23)
- Nehemiah helps the poor and provides an unselfish example (5:1–19)
- Enemies try to slow down the work, but the people finish the walls (6:1–19)
- Nehemiah lists the people who returned from exile (7:6–73)
- Ezra reads the law of Yahweh and the people respond (8:1–10:39)
- Nehemiah lists the people who lived in and around Jerusalem (11:1–36)
- Nehemiah lists the priests and Levites (12:1–26)
- The people dedicate the walls of Jerusalem (12:27–47)
- Nehemiah corrects problems (13:1–31)
What is the Book of Nehemiah about?
A Jew named Nehemiah lived in Persia and worked for King Artaxerxes. Nehemiah received a report that the walls around Jerusalem were broken down. Nehemiah returned to Jerusalem to help rebuild the city walls. The walls around the city helped protect the city against armies and invaders.
How should the title of this book be translated?
The Book of Nehemiah is named for a Jewish leader named Nehemiah. Translators can use the traditional title “Nehemiah.” Or they may choose a more complete title, such as “The Book about Nehemiah.” (See: How to Translate Names)
Part 2: Important Religious and Cultural Concepts
Why were Israelites not allowed to marry people from other nations?
Foreigners worshiped many false gods. Yahweh did not allow his people to marry foreigners. He knew this would cause the people of Israel to worship false gods. (See: god, false god, goddess, idol, idolater, idolatrous, idolatry)
Did all of the people of Israel return to their homeland?
Many of the Jews remained in Babylon instead of returning to the Promised Land. Many of them were successful in Babylon and desired to remain there. However, this meant that they were unable to worship Yahweh in Jerusalem as their ancestors had done. (See: Promised Land)
Part 3: Important Translation Issues
How does the Book of Nehemiah use the term “Israel”?
The Book of Nehemiah uses the term “Israel” to refer to the kingdom of Judah. It was mostly made up of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin. The other ten tribes had ended their loyalty to any kings descended from David. God had allowed the Assyrians to conquer the other ten tribes and take them into exile around 275 years earlier. As a result, they mixed with other people groups and did not return to the land of Israel. (See: Israel, Israelites)
Are the events in the Book of Nehemiah told in the order that they actually happened?
Some of the events in the Book of Nehemiah are told in an order that is different than the order in which they actually happened so that they events can be grouped by theme. Translators should pay attention to notes that signal when events are probably out of chronological order.
Nehemiah 1
Nehemiah 1 General Notes
Structure and formatting
“The words of Nehemiah son of Hacaliah:”
This phrase serves as an introduction to this entire book.
Special concepts in this chapter
Repentance
This chapter is a single long record of Nehemiah’s repentance on behalf of the people of Israel. (See: repent, repentance)
Other possible translation difficulties in this chapter
I
In this book, the word “I” always refers to Nehemiah.
Israel
In this book, “Israel” probably does not refer to the northern kingdom of Israel. Neither does it likely refer to the twelve tribes of Israel. Instead, it is probably a reference to Israel in the sense of the surviving people group from the southern kingdom of Judah. At Nehemiah’s time, these would be the people from the tribes of Judah and Benjamin who survived the destruction of Jerusalem by Babylon in 586 BC and the exile of many of them to Babylon. The other tribes had already been scattered throughout the entire Near East where most of them lost their identity as Israel.
Nehemiah 1:1
Nehemiah the son of Hakaliah
Quote: נְחֶמְיָ֖ה בֶּן־חֲכַלְיָ֑ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
Nehemiah is the name of a man, and Hakaliah is the name of his father.
And it happened
Quote: וַיְהִ֤י (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-newevent
This is a common way of beginning a historical story. Use a natural way of beginning a story about something that actually happened. Alternate translation: “My story begins”
in the month of Kislev
Quote: בְחֹֽדֶשׁ־כִּסְלֵיו֙ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-hebrewmonths
Kislev is the ninth month of the Hebrew calendar.
in year 20
Quote: שְׁנַ֣ת עֶשְׂרִ֔ים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
This is referring to the number of years that Artaxerxes had been reigning as king. You can include this information if you want to make this clear. Most scholars consider this to be the year 445 BC. Alternate translation: “in the twentieth year of the reign of Artaxerxes, King of Persia”
in Susa the citadel
Quote: בְּשׁוּשַׁ֥ן הַבִּירָֽה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
A citadel is a fortified castle or palace, usually inside a city. In this case, the city in which this palace was located was also called Susa, because the city was associated with the palace. Since this was where the kings of Persia lived, it was the capital city of their empire. Alternate translation: “the capital city of Susa”
in Susa
Quote: בְּשׁוּשַׁ֥ן (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
This was the name of a royal city of the Persian kings.
the citadel
Quote: הַבִּירָֽה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown
This means a “castle” or “palace” or “stronghold,” usually inside a city, where a king would live.
Nehemiah 1:2
Hanani
Quote: חֲנָ֜נִי (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
This is the name of a man.
Hanani, one
Quote: חֲנָ֜נִי אֶחָ֧ד (1)The term brother is often used in this book, but here it most likely means that Hanani was Nehemiah’s biological brother.
he and men
Quote: ה֥וּא וַאֲנָשִׁ֖ים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-gendernotations
This was a delegation that had come from one Jewish community to visit another Jewish community in another part of the world. So it’s possible that it included women as well as men. Alternate translation: “along with some other people”
from Judah
Quote: מִֽיהוּדָ֑ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
Judah was formerly the southern kingdom of the Israelites. It was now a Persian province. Alternate translation: “the province of Judah”
the Jews who escaped, who were left behind from the captivity
Quote: הַיְּהוּדִ֧ים הַפְּלֵיטָ֛ה אֲשֶֽׁר־נִשְׁאֲר֥וּ מִן־הַשֶּׁ֖בִי (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism
These two phrases mean the same thing. Nehemiah uses them together for clarity to describe one particular group of people, and perhaps also to express his particular concern for them. You do not need to repeat both phrases in your translation if that would be confusing for your readers. Alternate translation: “the Jews who had escaped the exile”
the Jews who escaped, who were left behind from the captivity
Quote: הַיְּהוּדִ֧ים הַפְּלֵיטָ֛ה אֲשֶֽׁר־נִשְׁאֲר֥וּ מִן־הַשֶּׁ֖בִי (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
These two phrases refer to the same group of people. This could mean: (1) the few Jews who were taken as exiles to Babylon but who later were able to return and live in Jerusalem or (2) the few Jews who had escaped from those who were trying to take them into exile in Babylon and so remained in Jerusalem. It is probably best to translate this in a way that can include both groups. Alternate translation: “the Jews who had escaped the exile and who remained in Jerusalem”
the captivity
Quote: הַשֶּׁ֖בִי (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns
Captivity is an abstract noun that refers to the Jews being taken away from their homeland. Judah had been conquered by the Babylonians about 150 years before this. At that time, the Babylonians took many people away from Judah and relocated them to different parts of their empire. About 50 years later, the Persian Empire conquered Babylon and so the Babylonian empire became the Persian empire. The Jews who had been captured by Babylon now lived in Persia, although some had since returned to Judah. You can translate the idea of captivity with a phrase such as “the time when the Jews were taken away” or “the time when soldiers forced many Jews to go to Babylon”
and about Jerusalem
Quote: וְעַל־יְרוּשָׁלִָֽם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
Jerusalem had been the capital city of the kingdom of Judah. Nehemiah was asking specifically about the physical condition of the buildings and walls in the city, in addition to asking about the welfare of the Jewish community in Judah. Alternate translation: “about the condition of Jerusalem”
Nehemiah 1:3
The ones left behind, who were left behind from the captivity
Quote: הַֽנִּשְׁאָרִ֞ים אֲשֶֽׁר־נִשְׁאֲר֤וּ מִן־הַשְּׁבִי֙ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism
These two statements mean similar things. Nehemiah says the same thing twice, in slightly different ways, to show his concern for this group. You do not need to repeat both phrases in your translation if that would be confusing for your readers. Alternate translation: “the Jews who escaped the exile and remained”
in the province
Quote: בַּמְּדִינָ֔ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
Here province refers to Judah as an administrative district within the Persian Empire. Hanani is describing Judah by referring to something associated with it, its status as a province. Alternate translation: “in the province of Judah” or “in Judah”
are in great evil and in reproach
Quote: בְּרָעָ֥ה גְדֹלָ֖ה וּבְחֶרְפָּ֑ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet
Difficulty and reproach mean similar things. Hanani uses them together to emphasize what a desperate situation the people are in. You do not need to repeat both words in your translation if that would be confusing for your readers. Alternate translation: “in a perilous situation”
are in great evil and in reproach
Quote: בְּרָעָ֥ה גְדֹלָ֖ה וּבְחֶרְפָּ֑ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns
The abstract noun difficulty refers to a situation that is very hard for the people to live in. It describes a situation that is dangerous and insecure for the people in it. You can translate this idea with an adjective such as “bad.” Alternate translation: “in a very bad situation”
and in reproach
Quote: וּבְחֶרְפָּ֑ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns
Reproach is an abstract noun that describes how other people would see the situation of the Jews. The situation would lead them to say bad things about them. you could translate this idea with a verb such as “mock.” Alternate translation: “and people are mocking them.”
And the wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been burned with fire
Quote: וְחוֹמַ֤ת יְרוּשָׁלִַ֨ם֙ מְפֹרָ֔צֶת וּשְׁעָרֶ֖יהָ נִצְּת֥וּ בָאֵֽשׁ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
You can say this with an active form, and you can say who did the action. Alternate translation: “armies have broken open the wall of Jerusalem and have set its gates on fire”
And the wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been burned with fire
Quote: וְחוֹמַ֤ת יְרוּשָׁלִַ֨ם֙ מְפֹרָ֔צֶת וּשְׁעָרֶ֖יהָ נִצְּת֥וּ בָאֵֽשׁ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
The implication is that the people are now defenseless. If it would be helpful in your language, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “The people living there have no protection.”
have been burned with fire
Quote: נִצְּת֥וּ בָאֵֽשׁ (1)If saying that something is burned with fire is redundant in your language, you can just say, completely burned. Alternate translation: “burned down”
Nehemiah 1:4
And it happened that
Quote: וַיְהִ֞י (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-newevent
Nehemiah uses this phrase to introduce the next episode in his story. You do not need to represent it this way in your translation, but use a natural way to introduce a new episode in the story. Alternate translation: “So the next thing I did”
when I heard these words
Quote: כְּשָׁמְעִ֣י ׀ אֶת־הַדְּבָרִ֣ים הָאֵ֗לֶּה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
Here words refers to the things that were described by the words. Alternate translation: “after hearing about these things”
I sat down and wept
Quote: יָשַׁ֨בְתִּי֙ וָֽאֶבְכֶּ֔ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction
Sitting down likely means that Nehemiah stopped going about his usual business because he was so overcome by grief. Alternate translation: “I could do nothing else but grieve”
and I mourned for days
Quote: וָאֶתְאַבְּלָ֖ה יָמִ֑ים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
This means that Nehemiah kept on grieving. He did not get over being upset. The term “days” here suggests “many days” and it is a figurative expression for “a long time.” Alternate translation: “I could not stop mourning for a long time.”
fasting and praying
Quote: צָם֙ וּמִתְפַּלֵּ֔ל (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction
Fasting means going without food. This was something that Jews often did in connection with prayer. It allowed them to concentrate on their prayers, and it showed how important those prayers were. Alternate translation: “I went without food, and I prayed”
and praying before the face of
Quote: וּמִתְפַּלֵּ֔ל לִפְנֵ֖י (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
Here face is a metonym for the action of seeing, which is a figurative way of referring to a person’s notice or attention to something. Nehemiah is saying that he prayed in order to bring these matters to God’s notice or attention. Alternate translation: “and I prayed to”
the God of heaven
Quote: אֱלֹהֵ֥י הַשָּׁמָֽיִם (1)Alternate translation: “God, who is in heaven”
Nehemiah 1:5
And I said
Quote: וָאֹמַ֗ר (1)Here Nehemiah tells what he prayed. Alternate translation: “Then I prayed”
Ah
Quote: אָֽנָּ֤א (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-exclamations
Nehemiah uses this word to call on God with strong feeling. Alternate translation: “O”
Yahweh
Quote: יְהוָה֙ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
This is the name of God that he revealed to his people in the Old Testament.
the God of heaven
Quote: אֱלֹהֵ֣י הַשָּׁמַ֔יִם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-you
Since Nehemiah is addressing God directly, you can use “you” forms in your translation if that is natural. They should be singular but also respectful. Alternate translation: “you are the God who is in heaven”
the great and fearsome God
Quote: הָאֵ֥ל הַגָּד֖וֹל וְהַנּוֹרָ֑א (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet
Great and fearsome mean similar things. Nehemiah uses them together to emphasize how much respect God deserves. You do not need to repeat both phrases in your translation if that would be confusing for your readers. However, there is a slight difference in meaning, and you could also bring that out in your translation. “Great” refers to how powerful God is objectively. “Fearsome” reflects how people should respond to God’s greatness subjectively. They should “fear” God. This does not mean that they should be afraid of him, but that they should show him respect and reverence. Alternate translation: “the great and awesome God” or “the God who deserves total respect”
who keeps the covenant and covenant faithfulness
Quote: שֹׁמֵ֤ר הַבְּרִית֙ וָחֶ֔סֶד (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism
Covenant and covenant faithfulness mean similar things. Nehemiah says the same thing twice, in slightly different ways, to emphasize how certain it is that God will keep his promises. You do not need to repeat both phrases in your translation if that would be confusing for your readers. However, there is a slight difference in meaning, and you could bring that out in your translation even if you combine the phrases. The “covenant” is God’s promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and their descendants. “Covenant faithfulness” is a character quality of God. He is inwardly disposed to keep all of his promises, and so he always does so faithfully. Therefore, you could say something like, “Because of who you are, you always keep your promises faithfully.”
to those who love him and to those who keep his commandments
Quote: לְאֹהֲבָ֖יו וּלְשֹׁמְרֵ֥י מִצְוֺתָֽיו (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism
Nehemiah is not describing two different groups. These phrases mean similar things. The repetition is used for clarity and emphasis. Nehemiah says the same thing twice, in slightly different ways, to express that those who love God show this by keeping his commandments. You can translate this so that it is clear that these words describe one group. Alternate translation: “those who love you and keep your commandments”
to those who love him and to those who keep his commandments
Quote: לְאֹהֲבָ֖יו וּלְשֹׁמְרֵ֥י מִצְוֺתָֽיו (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person
Since Nehemiah is speaking to Yahweh, the pronouns “him” and “his” can be translated as “you” and “your.” Alternate translation: “who love you and keep your commandments”
Nehemiah 1:6
Please let your ear be attentive and your eyes opened
Quote: תְּהִ֣י נָ֣א אָזְנְךָֽ־קַשֶּׁ֣בֶת וְֽעֵינֶ֪יךָ פְתֻוּח֟וֹת (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism
These two phrases mean similar things. Nehemiah says the same thing twice, in slightly different ways, to urge God to pay attention to him. If it would be helpful in your language, you could combine these phrases. Alternate translation: “pay attention to me,” otherwise “please listen to me and look at me.”
your ear … attentive
Quote: אָזְנְךָֽ־קַשֶּׁ֣בֶת (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
This request for God’s ear to be attentive refers to the action of listening. In this context, Nehemiah is asking God to listen to his prayer, with the intention that God would do something about the bad situation in Jerusalem.
and your eyes opened
Quote: וְֽעֵינֶ֪יךָ פְתֻוּח֟וֹת (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
This request for God’s eyes to be open refers to the action of seeing. Seeing is a metaphor meaning knowledge, perception, notice, attention, or judgment. In this case, Nehemiah is asking God to pay attention both to him and to the problem in Jerusalem.
the prayer of your servant
Quote: תְּפִלַּ֣ת עַבְדְּךָ֡ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person
Nehemiah uses the word servant to refer to himself. This is how a person would address a superior in order to show humility and respect. Alternate translation: “my prayer”
am praying before your face
Quote: מִתְפַּלֵּ֨ל לְפָנֶ֤יךָ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
Here face is a metonym for the action of seeing, which is figurative way of referring to a person’s notice or attention to something. Nehemiah is repeating the fact that he is praying in order to bring these matters to God’s notice or attention. Alternate translation: “praying to you”
today
Quote: הַיּוֹם֙ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
This does not necessarily mean on this particular day, but at this time. Alternate translation: “right now”
today, day and night
Quote: הַיּוֹם֙ יוֹמָ֣ם וָלַ֔יְלָה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-merism
When Nehemiah says that he has prayed both during the day and during the night, he means that he has also prayed at all times in between, that is, constantly. However, he does not mean that he has prayed non-stop all day long and all night long, without doing any other activities such as sleeping or eating. Alternate translation: “constantly,” otherwise “during the day and at night”
the sons of Israel
Quote: בְּנֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-gendernotations
Here sons means descendants. Alternate translation: “on behalf of the people of Israel”
your servants
Quote: עֲבָדֶ֑יךָ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
In this context, the word servants refers to the special role that the people of Israel had in the world as a model community of God’s followers. Alternate translation: “your chosen people”
And … am confessing on account of the sins of the sons of Israel that we have sinned against you
Quote: וּמִתְוַדֶּ֗ה עַל־חַטֹּ֤אות בְּנֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר חָטָ֣אנוּ לָ֔ךְ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-gendernotations
Here again sons means descendants and the phrase refers to the people of Israel. Alternate translation: “I must confess the sins that we, the people of Israel, have committed against you”
Even I and the house of my father, we have sinned
Quote: וַאֲנִ֥י וּבֵית־אָבִ֖י חָטָֽאנוּ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
Among the Israelites, the expression father’s house or house of the father originally described an extended-family group who lived together. It later came to be used more generally to refer to a larger clan within a tribe. In this expression, the word house describes all the people descended from a particular person. The term views all of those descendants as if they were one household living together. However, since Nehemiah is stressing his sense of personal responsibility here and identifying closely with the people in this group, he may be using the term in its original sense to refer to his nearest relatives. Alternate translation: “Both I and my family have also sinned”
Nehemiah 1:7
With extreme corruption we have acted corruptly against you
Quote: חֲבֹ֖ל חָבַ֣לְנוּ לָ֑ךְ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism
The repetition here is used for emphasis. You do not need to repeat both phrases in your translation if that would be confusing for your readers. you could combine them into one phrase, with a word like very to convey emphasis. Alternate translation: “We have acted very corruptly toward you”
With extreme corruption we have acted corruptly against you
Quote: חֲבֹ֖ל חָבַ֣לְנוּ לָ֑ךְ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns
You can translate the idea of the abstract noun corruption with a verb such as sinned. Alternate translation: “We have sinned very much against you”
the commandments, and the statutes, and the judgments
Quote: אֶת־הַמִּצְוֺ֗ת וְאֶת־הַֽחֻקִּים֙ וְאֶת־הַמִּשְׁפָּטִ֔ים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet
These three words mean basically the same thing. Nehemiah uses the repetition to emphasize how comprehensively the Israelites have disobeyed what God commanded them through Moses. If it would be helpful in your language, you could combine them into a single phrase. Alternate translation: “the law of Moses” otherwise “the commands and rules and laws” (Note: A doublet can involve the use of more than two words.)
that you commanded Moses your servant
Quote: אֲשֶׁ֥ר צִוִּ֖יתָ אֶת־מֹשֶׁ֥ה עַבְדֶּֽךָ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
Moses was the great leader who brought the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt centuries before and gave them God’s law. If it would be helpful in your language, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “that you gave us many years ago through your servant Moses.”
Nehemiah 1:8
Please remember
Quote: זְכָר־נָא֙ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
Here remember is an idiom that means to think about someone and consider what action you can take on their behalf. Nehemiah is not suggesting that God has forgotten the promise he made to Moses. Alternate translation: “Please think about”
the word that you commanded Moses your servant
Quote: הַדָּבָ֔ר אֲשֶׁ֥ר צִוִּ֛יתָ אֶת־מֹשֶׁ֥ה עַבְדְּךָ֖ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-yousingular
The pronouns you and your refer to God and so are singular.
the word
Quote: הַדָּבָ֔ר (1)This refers to a promise that God made while giving the law to the people of Israel through Moses. Alternate translation: “the promise”
If you yourselves act unfaithfully
Quote: אַתֶּ֣ם תִּמְעָ֔לוּ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-you
The pronouns you and yourselves refer to the Israelite people, and so they are plural. Alternate translation: “If you Israelites”
If you yourselves act unfaithfully
Quote: אַתֶּ֣ם תִּמְעָ֔לוּ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Here infidelity in marriage is used as a figurative description of the people of Israel not keeping God’s commandments. Alternate translation: “If you Israelites do not keep my commandments”
I … will scatter you among the peoples
Quote: אָפִ֥יץ אֶתְכֶ֖ם בָּעַמִּֽים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
The implication is that God would do this to punish the Israelites for breaking his commandments. If it would be helpful in your language, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “as a punishment, I will take you from your land and make you live among the other nations”
Nehemiah 1:9
But if you return to me and keep my commandments and do them, although your banished ones are
Quote: וְשַׁבְתֶּ֣ם אֵלַ֔י וּשְׁמַרְתֶּם֙ מִצְוֺתַ֔י וַעֲשִׂיתֶ֖ם אֹתָ֑ם אִם־יִהְיֶ֨ה נִֽדַּחֲכֶ֜ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-you
The pronouns you and your refer to the Israelite people, so they are plural.
But if you return to me and keep my commandments and do them, although your banished ones are
Quote: וְשַׁבְתֶּ֣ם אֵלַ֔י וּשְׁמַרְתֶּם֙ מִצְוֺתַ֔י וַעֲשִׂיתֶ֖ם אֹתָ֑ם אִם־יִהְיֶ֨ה נִֽדַּחֲכֶ֜ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Return is a figurative way of saying “become loyal again.” Alternate translation: “If you become loyal to me again”
and keep my commandments and do them
Quote: וּשְׁמַרְתֶּם֙ מִצְוֺתַ֔י וַעֲשִׂיתֶ֖ם אֹתָ֑ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism
These two statements mean similar things. They are used together for emphasis. You do not need to repeat both phrases in your translation if that would be confusing for your readers. Alternate translation: “start obeying my commandments once more”
your banished ones
Quote: נִֽדַּחֲכֶ֜ם (1)This refers to the exile. Alternate translation: “all of you who were taken away”
at the extremity of heaven
Quote: בִּקְצֵ֤ה הַשָּׁמַ֨יִם֙ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole
This means “the most distant point under the sky.” In this culture the sky was understood to be a solid dome with a flat earth beneath it. The phrase is describing a point beyond which no one could go any farther because they would have reached the edge of the dome of the sky. This is an overstatement because even from the perspective of this culture, no one could really reach such a point. Alternate translation: “places very far away”
I will gather them and bring them
Quote: אֲקַבְּצֵ֔ם וַהֲבִֽיאוֹתִים֙ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person
Since God is actually addressing the Israelites here, you can say “you” in the plural. Alternate translation: “I will bring you back”
I will gather them and bring them
Quote: אֲקַבְּצֵ֔ם וַהֲבִֽיאוֹתִים֙ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism
These two statements mean similar things. They are used together to emphasize that God will definitely keep this promise. If it would be helpful in your language, you could combine the phrases. Alternate translation: “I will bring you back”
to the place where I have chosen to cause my name to dwell there
Quote: אֶל־הַמָּק֔וֹם אֲשֶׁ֣ר בָּחַ֔רְתִּי לְשַׁכֵּ֥ן אֶת־שְׁמִ֖י שָֽׁם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification
Here God’s name is spoken of as if it were capable of living in a place. The phrase indicates the place from which God chose to start making himself famous throughout the world. You can say something like that as an alternate translation.
to the place where I have chosen to cause my name to dwell there
Quote: אֶל־הַמָּק֔וֹם אֲשֶׁ֣ר בָּחַ֔רְתִּי לְשַׁכֵּ֥ן אֶת־שְׁמִ֖י שָֽׁם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
This phrase refers initially to Jerusalem because that was where God chose to put his temple. You could say that explicitly. Alternate translation: “to Jerusalem, where I have chosen for my name to remain”
to the place where I have chosen to cause my name to dwell there
Quote: אֶל־הַמָּק֔וֹם אֲשֶׁ֣ר בָּחַ֔רְתִּי לְשַׁכֵּ֥ן אֶת־שְׁמִ֖י שָֽׁם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
Nehemiah is actually using this phrase to refer to all of Judah. As the book explains later, when the Jews returned there, they each settled in their own former towns, though one in ten of them were recruited to live in Jerusalem. So Judah is being described by something associated with it, the capital city. Alternate translation: “to your homeland of Judah.”
my name
Quote: שְׁמִ֖י (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
Here, name is a figurative way of referring to the fame or reputation of a person. Their fame is described by something associated with it, how well known their name is and how people react to hearing it. Alternate translation: “reputation”
Nehemiah 1:10
And they are your servants and your people
Quote: וְהֵ֥ם עֲבָדֶ֖יךָ וְעַמֶּ֑ךָ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person
The word they refers to the Israelite people. Since Nehemiah is speaking on their behalf and including himself, you could say “we” in your translation, If it would be helpful in your language. If your language marks the distinction, “we” should not include the addressee. Alternate translation: “we are your servants, your chosen people”
And they are your servants and your people
Quote: וְהֵ֥ם עֲבָדֶ֖יךָ וְעַמֶּ֑ךָ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism
As in 1:6, servants refers to the special role that the people of Israel had as a model community of God’s followers. So these two phrases are basically saying the same thing. You do not need to repeat both phrases in your translation if that would be confusing for your readers. Alternate translation: “we are your chosen people”
whom you redeemed
Quote: אֲשֶׁ֤ר פָּדִ֨יתָ֙ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
This is a reference to the way God delivered the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. Alternate translation: “you rescued us from slavery in Egypt”
by your great power and by your strong hand
Quote: בְּכֹחֲךָ֣ הַגָּד֔וֹל וּבְיָדְךָ֖ הַחֲזָקָֽה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet
These two phrases mean basically the same thing. Nehemiah uses the repetition to emphasize the intensity of Yahweh’s power. Alternate translation: “by your very great strength”
and by your strong hand
Quote: וּבְיָדְךָ֖ הַחֲזָקָֽה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Here, hand represents a person’s power, strength, or ability.
Nehemiah 1:11
Ah
Quote: אָנָּ֣א (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-exclamations
As in 1:5, Nehemiah uses this word to call on God with strong feeling. Alternate translation: “O”
My Lord, please let your ear be attentive to the prayer of your servant
Quote: אֲדֹנָ֗י תְּהִ֣י נָ֣א אָזְנְךָֽ־קַ֠שֶּׁבֶת אֶל־תְּפִלַּ֨ת עַבְדְּךָ֜ (1)Nehemiah calls himself a servant and he calls God his Lord because this is how a person in his culture would address a superior in order to show humility and respect. See how you translated this in 1:6.
My Lord
Quote: אֲדֹנָ֗י (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
This term in Hebrew can be understood as either a noun with a pronoun suffix (“my Lord”) or as a simple title (“Lord”).
please let your ear be attentive
Quote: תְּהִ֣י נָ֣א אָזְנְךָֽ־קַ֠שֶּׁבֶת (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
As in 1:6, this phrase refers to the action of listening. Alternate translation: “please pay careful attention.”
the prayer of your servant
Quote: תְּפִלַּ֨ת עַבְדְּךָ֜ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person
Alternate translation: “to my prayer”
the prayer of your servants
Quote: תְּפִלַּ֣ת עֲבָדֶ֗יךָ (1)Here, servants refers to the rest of the Israelite people who were also praying for Yahweh to act on behalf of his people and on behalf of Jerusalem. Alternate translation: “and to the prayers of my fellow Israelites”
the ones who delight to fear your name
Quote: הַֽחֲפֵצִים֙ לְיִרְאָ֣ה אֶת־שְׁמֶ֔ךָ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
Here, name represents Yahweh himself. Alternate translation: “who are glad to honor you” or “who are eager to uphold your reputation”
the ones who delight
Quote: הַֽחֲפֵצִים֙ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
To delight in doing something means to be glad to do it and to want to do it.
to fear
Quote: לְיִרְאָ֣ה (1)As in 1:5, fear means to show respect and reverence.
And please cause your servant to succeed today, and give him mercies
Quote: וְהַצְלִֽיחָה־נָּ֤א לְעַבְדְּךָ֙ הַיּ֔וֹם וּתְנֵ֣הוּ לְרַחֲמִ֔ים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person
Once again Nehemiah calls himself a servant to show respect to a superior. He then refers to himself in the third person (“give him”) to express humility before God. Alternate translation: “make me successful today and let the king be merciful to me”
And please cause your servant to succeed today, and give him mercies
Quote: וְהַצְלִֽיחָה־נָּ֤א לְעַבְדְּךָ֙ הַיּ֔וֹם וּתְנֵ֣הוּ לְרַחֲמִ֔ים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism
These two statements mean similar things. Nehemiah says the same thing twice, in slightly different ways, to emphasize how important it is for him to have God’s help. You do not need to repeat both phrases in your translation if that would be confusing for your readers. Alternate translation: “grant that the king will have mercy on me”
today
Quote: הַיּ֔וֹם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
This does not necessarily mean on this same day. Rather, Nehemiah is praying that God will give him the opportunity to speak with the king soon about helping the Jews in Jerusalem. Alternate translation: “soon”
and give him mercies
Quote: וּתְנֵ֣הוּ לְרַחֲמִ֔ים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person
Here, him refers to Nehemiah, who refers to himself in the third person to express his humility before God.
before the face of this man
Quote: לִפְנֵ֖י הָאִ֣ישׁ הַזֶּ֑ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Here, face is a figurative way of referring to the action of seeing, and seeing is a figurative way of describing knowledge, perception, notice, attention, or judgment. In this context, Nehemiah is asking God to cause the king to make a favorable decision in response to a request he plans to make. Alternate translation: “Please grant that the king will agree to the request that I am going to make.”
this man
Quote: הָאִ֣ישׁ הַזֶּ֑ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
As we will discover in the next chapter, this man refers to Artaxerxes, the king of Persia. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “the king”
Now as for me, I was a cupbearer for the king
Quote: וַאֲנִ֛י הָיִ֥יתִי מַשְׁקֶ֖ה לַמֶּֽלֶךְ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-background
This is background information about Nehemiah’s role in the king’s court. Your language may have a special way to mark background information. As a “cupbearer,” it was Nehemiah’s duty to serve the wine at the king’s table, but he was much more than a waiter or butler. When the king gave him this assignment, this showed that he trusted Nehemiah completely to protect him from being poisoned. Nehemiah’s work also allowed him to see the king frequently and get to know him. So this was an important office. Alternate translation: “At that time, I was an important official who served the wine at the king’s table.”
Nehemiah 2
Nehemiah 2 General Notes
Structure and formatting
This chapter begins the account of the construction of the wall. Many scholars believe these chapters teach valuable lessons on leadership (Nehemiah 2–6).
Special concepts in this chapter
Nehemiah’s character
Apparently, Nehemiah’s character made an impression on the king. It was very unusual for a king to be so concerned with one of his servants. (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)
Cultural Customs
In ancient Persia, people thought it was important for their conquered peoples to retain and practice their own cultural customs. It was thought that this independence promoted peace in their vast kingdom. The rebuilding of Jerusalem may have been seen as a way to allow for the Jewish cultural practices.
Yahweh’s control
Yahweh is seen as very powerful. He is able to provide for his people even through a foreign king. (See: people of God)
Nehemiah 2:1
And it happened that
Quote: וַיְהִ֣י (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-newevent
Nehemiah uses this phrase to introduce the next event in his story. You do not need to represent it in your translation unless your language has a similar expression that it characteristically uses. Alternate translation: “Then one day”
in the month of Nisan, in year 20 of Artaxerxes the king
Quote: בְּחֹ֣דֶשׁ נִיסָ֗ן שְׁנַ֥ת עֶשְׂרִ֛ים לְאַרְתַּחְשַׁ֥סְתְּא הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
Since there were twelve months in the Hebrew calendar, and it was still the same year in the reign of Artaxerxes, this means that four months had gone by since Hanani came and spoke with Nehemiah. The implication is that Nehemiah had been praying all this time in the way described in chapter 1. If it would be helpful in your language, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “I prayed like this for four months”
in the month of Nisan
Quote: בְּחֹ֣דֶשׁ נִיסָ֗ן (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-hebrewmonths
Nisan is the name of the first month of the Hebrew calendar.
in year 20 of Artaxerxes the king
Quote: שְׁנַ֥ת עֶשְׂרִ֛ים לְאַרְתַּחְשַׁ֥סְתְּא הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal
This is referring to the number of years that Artaxerxes had been reigning as king. Alternate translation: “in year 20 of the reign of Artaxerxes as the king of Persia”
wine was before his face
Quote: יַ֣יִן לְפָנָ֑יו (1)Him means King Artaxerxes. Alternate translation: “when it was time to serve him the wine”
wine was before his face
Quote: יַ֣יִן לְפָנָ֑יו (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Here, face is a figurative way of referring to the presence of a person. This sentence means that a time had come when Nehemiah needed to serve wine to the king.
And I lifted the wine, and I gave it to the king
Quote: וָאֶשָּׂ֤א אֶת־הַיַּ֨יִן֙ וָאֶתְּנָ֣ה לַמֶּ֔לֶךְ (1)Alternate translation: “I poured a cup of wine and gave it to the king”
and I was not unpleasant before his face
Quote: וְלֹא־הָיִ֥יתִי רַ֖ע לְפָנָֽיו (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
In this context, unpleasant refers to a person looking sad or upset. Alternate translation: “I did not look sad in his presence”
and I was not
Quote: וְלֹא־הָיִ֥יתִי (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
The context suggests that I was not actually means I had never been. It seems that King Artaxerxes always wanted his officials to be cheerful in his presence. That is why Nehemaiah became afraid when the king asked him why he was sad. If it would be helpful in your language, you could say “I had never been”
before his face
Quote: לְפָנָֽיו (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Here, face is a figurative way of referring to the presence of a person. Alternate translation: “in his presence”
Nehemiah 2:2
And the king said to me
Quote: וַיֹּאמֶר֩ לִ֨י הַמֶּ֜לֶךְ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
The king must have noticed that Nehemiah looked sad because he asked about it. If it would be helpful in your language, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “But the king noticed that on this day I did look sad. So he asked me”
Why is your face unpleasant
Quote: מַדּ֣וּעַ ׀ פָּנֶ֣יךָ רָעִ֗ים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche
The king refers to Nehemiah by one part of him, his face, because the face shows one’s emotions. Alternate translation: “Why are you sad”
Why is your face unpleasant
Quote: מַדּ֣וּעַ ׀ פָּנֶ֣יךָ רָעִ֗ים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
As in 2:1, unpleasant refers to a person looking sad or upset. Alternate translation: “Why are you sad”
Now as for you, you are not sick
Quote: וְאַתָּה֙ אֵֽינְךָ֣ חוֹלֶ֔ה (1)Alternate translation: “I can tell that you are not sick.”
This is nothing except unpleasantness of heart
Quote: אֵ֣ין זֶ֔ה כִּי־אִ֖ם רֹ֣עַֽ לֵ֑ב (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification
This phrase means sadness of heart. The king speaks as if Nehemiah’s heart were a living thing capable of having emotions. Alternate translation: “You must be very sad inside”
This is nothing except unpleasantness of heart
Quote: אֵ֣ין זֶ֔ה כִּי־אִ֖ם רֹ֣עַֽ לֵ֑ב (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublenegatives
You can state this in a positive form: Alternate translation: “This can only be sadness”
And I was extremely much afraid
Quote: וָאִירָ֖א הַרְבֵּ֥ה מְאֹֽד (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
The implication is that Nehemiah was very afraid because no one was supposed to look unhappy in the king’s presence. If it would be helpful in your language, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “This made me very afraid, because no one was supposed to look unhappy in the king’s presence”
Nehemiah 2:3
May the king live to eternity
Quote: הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ לְעוֹלָ֣ם יִחְיֶ֑ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole
Nehemiah is showing honor to King Artaxerxes. Here, to eternity is an exaggeration that refers to a long life. Alternate translation: “Long live the king” or “May you have a long life”
May the king live to eternity
Quote: הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ לְעוֹלָ֣ם יִחְיֶ֑ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person
Nehemiah addresses the king in the third person as a sign of respect. You can indicate this respect by adding an expression such as “Your Majesty.”
Why should not my face be unpleasant
Quote: מַדּ֜וּעַ לֹא־יֵרְע֣וּ פָנַ֗י (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion
Nehemiah is making a statement, not asking a question. He does not expect the king to give him reasons why he should not be sad. Instead, he is using the question form for emphasis. If it would be helpful in your language, you could translate this as a statement. Alternate translation: “I am sorry, but I cannot help being sad”
Why should not my face be unpleasant
Quote: מַדּ֜וּעַ לֹא־יֵרְע֣וּ פָנַ֗י (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche
Nehemiah refers to himself by one part of him, his face, because the face shows one’s emotions. Alternate translation: “I have very good reasons to be sad”
Why should not my face be unpleasant
Quote: מַדּ֜וּעַ לֹא־יֵרְע֣וּ פָנַ֗י (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
Here, unpleasant refers to a person looking sad or upset. Alternate translation: “I have very good reasons to be sad”
the city, … is desolate
Quote: הָעִ֜יר & חֲרֵבָ֔ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
The city means Jerusalem. If it would be helpful in your language, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “the city of Jerusalem … lies in ruins”
the house of the graves of my fathers
Quote: בֵּית־קִבְר֤וֹת אֲבֹתַי֙ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Here, house is a figurative way of referring to a place. Alternate translation: “the place where my ancestors are buried”
the house of the graves of my fathers
Quote: בֵּית־קִבְר֤וֹת אֲבֹתַי֙ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
Here, fathers means ancestors. Alternate translation: “the place where my ancestors are buried”
and its gates have been consumed by fire
Quote: וּשְׁעָרֶ֖יהָ אֻכְּל֥וּ בָאֵֽשׁ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
If it would be helpful in your language, you could say this with an active form. Alternate translation: “fire has destroyed its gates” or “our enemies have burned its gates”
Nehemiah 2:4
For what is this you are seeking
Quote: עַל־מַה־זֶּ֖ה אַתָּ֣ה מְבַקֵּ֑שׁ (1)Alternate translation: “What do you want me to do for you”
And I prayed
Quote: וָֽאֶתְפַּלֵּ֔ל (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
The implication is that Nehemiah prayed to God before he answered the king. If it would be helpful in your language, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “Before I answered him, I prayed”
the God of heaven
Quote: אֱלֹהֵ֖י הַשָּׁמָֽיִם (1)Alternate translation: “the God who is in heaven”
Nehemiah 2:5
And I said to the king
Quote: וָאֹמַ֣ר לַמֶּ֔לֶךְ (1)Alternate translation: “Then I replied to the king”
If it is good to the king
Quote: אִם־עַל־הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ ט֔וֹב (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
This is an idiom that means, “If it seems good in your judgment”
If it is good to the king
Quote: אִם־עַל־הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ ט֔וֹב (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person
Nehemiah speaks to the king in third person as a form of respect. Alternate translation: “If it seems good in your judgment”
and if your servant is good before your face
Quote: וְאִם־יִיטַ֥ב עַבְדְּךָ֖ לְפָנֶ֑יךָ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche
Here, face could be referring to the king himself by naming one part of him. What he thought and felt about Nehemiah’s request would become evident in his face first, so that would be an appropriate part of him to use to represent all of him. Another possibility is that face means the presence of a person. Alternate translation: “if you are pleased with me” or “as I stand here before you”
and if your servant is good before your face
Quote: וְאִם־יִיטַ֥ב עַבְדְּךָ֖ לְפָנֶ֑יךָ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person
Nehemiah refers to himself as your servant to show his submission to the king.
that you would send me to Judah
Quote: אֲשֶׁ֧ר תִּשְׁלָחֵ֣נִי אֶל־יְהוּדָ֗ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
Nehemiah is really asking for permission to go, rather than asking the king to send him. But as a sign of respect, he speaks as if the king would be taking the initiative. Alternate translation: “please allow me to go to Judah”
the city of the graves of my fathers
Quote: עִ֛יר קִבְר֥וֹת אֲבֹתַ֖י (1)This is similar to 2:3. Alternate translation: “the city where my ancestors are buried”
and I will build it
Quote: וְאֶבְנֶֽנָּה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche
Nehemiah does not plan to do all of the building himself, but he will be the leader of the work. Alternate translation: “that I and my people may rebuild it”
Nehemiah 2:6
with the queen sitting beside him
Quote: וְהַשֵּׁגַ֣ל ׀ יוֹשֶׁ֣בֶת אֶצְל֗וֹ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
This detail indicates that this was a private meal, since the queen probably did not attend public banquets with the king. The implication is that the private meal gave Nehemiah the opportunity to speak freely. If it would be helpful in your language, you could say this explicitly. See UST. Alternate translation: “This was a private meal, with the queen sitting next to the king”
Until when will be your journey? And when will you return
Quote: עַד־מָתַ֛י יִהְיֶ֥ה מַֽהֲלָכֲךָ֖ וּמָתַ֣י תָּשׁ֑וּב (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism
These two phrases mean the same thing. The king says the same thing twice, in slightly different ways, to show that he is genuinely interested in Nehemiah’s situation. You do not need to repeat both phrases in your translation if that would be confusing for your readers. Alternate translation: “How long would you be away?”
And it was good before the face of the king, and he sent me
Quote: וַיִּיטַ֤ב לִפְנֵֽי־הַמֶּ֨לֶךְ֙ וַיִּשְׁלָחֵ֔נִי (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
The implication is that Nehemiah told the king how long he would need to be away. If it would be helpful in your language, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “I told him how long I would be gone. That was acceptable to him, and he gave me permission to go”
And it was good
Quote: וַיִּיטַ֤ב (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
As in verse 5, this is an idiom that means, “If it seems like a good idea to you.” Alternate translation: “That was acceptable”
before the face of the king
Quote: לִפְנֵֽי־הַמֶּ֨לֶךְ֙ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche
Nehemiah refers to the king by one part of him, his face, likely because the face shows one’s emotions. Alternate translation: “to him”
and he sent me
Quote: וַיִּשְׁלָחֵ֔נִי (1)As in 2:5, Nehemiah was really asking for permission to go, rather than asking the king to send him. But as a sign of respect, he speaks as if the king took the initiative. Alternate translation: “he gave me permission to go”
and I gave to him a time
Quote: וָֽאֶתְּנָ֥ה ל֖וֹ זְמָֽן (1)Alternate translation: “I told him what day I wanted to leave”
Nehemiah 2:7
And I said
Quote: וָאוֹמַר֮ (1)Alternate translation: “I also said”
If it is good to the king
Quote: אִם־עַל־הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ ט֔וֹב (1)Alternate translation: “If it seems like a good idea to you”
to the king
Quote: עַל־הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person
Nehemiah addresses the king in the third person as a sign of respect. Alternate translation: “to you”
let letters be given to me
Quote: אִגְּרוֹת֙ יִתְּנוּ־לִ֔י (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
You can say this with an active form. Alternate translation: “please give me letters”
for the governors of
Quote: עַֽל־פַּחֲו֖וֹת (1)Alternate translation: “that I can show to the governors”
Beyond-the-River
Quote: עֵ֣בֶר הַנָּהָ֑ר (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
This is the name of the Persian province that lay west of the Euphrates River. Alternate translation: “the province Beyond the River”
that they will bring me across as far as where I enter into Judah
Quote: אֲשֶׁר֙ יַעֲבִיר֔וּנִי עַ֥ד אֲשֶׁר־אָב֖וֹא אֶל־יְהוּדָֽה (1)Nehemiah’s request is not for these governors to provide him with transportation. Nehemiah explains in 2:9 that the king did that for him. These letter would instead request the governors to allow him safe passage through their provinces. Alternate translation: “Please tell them to give me safe passage through their provinces to Judah”
Nehemiah 2:8
and a letter to Asaph
Quote: וְאִגֶּ֡רֶת אֶל־אָסָף֩ (1)Nehemiah is continuing his requests to the king. If it would be helpful in your language, you could say that explicitly. Alternate translation: “Please also write a letter to Asaph for me”
Asaph
Quote: אָסָף֩ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
This is the name of a man.
the keeper of
Quote: שֹׁמֵ֨ר (1)Alternate translation: “the man who takes care of”
the forest that belongs to the king
Quote: הַפַּרְדֵּ֜ס אֲשֶׁ֣ר לַמֶּ֗לֶךְ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
The implication is that this forest was near where Nehemiah was going to need the wood. If it would be helpful in your language, you could say that explicitly. Alternate translation: “your royal forest in that area”
the forest that belongs to the king
Quote: הַפַּרְדֵּ֜ס אֲשֶׁ֣ר לַמֶּ֗לֶךְ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person
Nehemiah addresses the king in the third person as a sign of respect. Alternate translation: “your royal forest”
that he will give to me timbers
Quote: אֲשֶׁ֣ר יִתֶּן־לִ֣י עֵצִ֡ים (1)Alternate translation: “Please tell him to give me timber”
the citadel, which is for the house
Quote: הַבִּירָ֤ה אֲשֶׁר־לַבַּ֨יִת֙ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
As in 1:1, citadel refers to a fortress or stronghold. “House” here describes the temple as the “house” where God lives. Alternate translation: “the fortress that is near the temple”
and for the house into which I will enter
Quote: וְלַבַּ֖יִת אֲשֶׁר־אָב֣וֹא אֵלָ֑יו (1)Alternate translation: “and for the house that I will live in”
And the king gave to me
Quote: וַיִּתֶּן־לִ֣י הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ (1)Alternate translation: “The king agreed to all of my requests”
according to the good hand of my God upon me
Quote: כְּיַד־אֱלֹהַ֖י הַטּוֹבָ֥ה עָלָֽי (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Here, hand represents strength, power, control, or action. In this context, the expression means that God acted toward Nehemiah in a positive and favorable manner. Alternate translation: “because God’s favor was upon me”
according to the good hand of my God upon me
Quote: כְּיַד־אֱלֹהַ֖י הַטּוֹבָ֥ה עָלָֽי (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result
If it would be helpful in your language, you could give this explanation (the reason) before the result that it accounts for, using a connecting word like “so.” Alternate translation: “God’s favor was upon me, and so the king agreed to all of my requests”
Nehemiah 2:9
And I came to the governors of Beyond-the-River
Quote: וָֽאָב֗וֹא אֶֽל־פַּֽחֲווֹת֙ עֵ֣בֶר הַנָּהָ֔ר (1)Alternate translation: “When I reached the province Beyond the River, I went to see its governors”
Beyond-the-River
Quote: עֵ֣בֶר הַנָּהָ֔ר (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
This is the name of a Persian province. See how you translated it in 2:7.
and I gave to them the letters of the king
Quote: וָאֶתְּנָ֣ה לָהֶ֔ם אֵ֖ת אִגְּר֣וֹת הַמֶּ֑לֶךְ (1)Alternate translation: “I showed them the letters the king had given me.”
and I gave to them the letters of the king
Quote: וָאֶתְּנָ֣ה לָהֶ֔ם אֵ֖ת אִגְּר֣וֹת הַמֶּ֑לֶךְ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
The implication is that when the governors saw the letters from the king, they allowed Nehemiah safe passage. If it would be helpful in your language, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “and they gave me safe passage”
And the king sent with me officers of the army and horsemen
Quote: וַיִּשְׁלַ֤ח עִמִּי֙ הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ שָׂ֥רֵי חַ֖יִל וּפָרָשִֽׁים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
The implication is that the king did this when Nehemiah left for Judah, and that the purpose was to protect him on his journey. If it would be helpful in your language, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “When I left to travel to Judah, the king sent along some army officers and soldiers riding on horses to protect me”
And the king sent with me officers of the army and horsemen
Quote: וַיִּשְׁלַ֤ח עִמִּי֙ הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ שָׂ֥רֵי חַ֖יִל וּפָרָשִֽׁים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-events
You can put this information first because it happened before Nehemiah showed his letters to the governors.
Nehemiah 2:10
And Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah, the servant, the Ammonite, heard
Quote: וַיִּשְׁמַ֞ע סַנְבַלַּ֣ט הַחֹרֹנִ֗י וְטֽוֹבִיָּה֙ הָעֶ֣בֶד הָֽעַמֹּנִ֔י (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
Sanballat was the governor of Samaria, the area right next to Judah. So he was one of the people Nehemiah would have shown a letter from the king authorizing his trip. If it would be helpful in your language, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “This was how Sanballat the Horonite and his deputy Tobiah the Ammonite learned”
Sanballat the Horonite
Quote: סַנְבַלַּ֣ט הַחֹרֹנִ֗י (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
Sanballat is the name of a man, and Horonite is the name of his people group.
and Tobiah, … the Ammonite
Quote: וְטֽוֹבִיָּה֙ & הָֽעַמֹּנִ֔י (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
Tobiah is the name of a man, and Ammonite is the name of his people group. Tobiah’s name occurs over a dozen times in the book of Nehemiah. It will be helpful to your readers if you translate it consistently each time.
and Tobiah, the servant
Quote: וְטֽוֹבִיָּה֙ הָעֶ֣בֶד (1)From the role that Tobiah plays in the book, this phrase seems to indicate that he was the official who served directly under Sanballat. Alternate translation: “Tobiah, his deputy”
And it was evil to them, a great evil, that someone had come to seek good for the sons of Israel
Quote: וַיֵּ֥רַע לָהֶ֖ם רָעָ֣ה גְדֹלָ֑ה אֲשֶׁר־בָּ֥א אָדָ֔ם לְבַקֵּ֥שׁ טוֹבָ֖ה לִבְנֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
The implication is that Sanballat and Tobiah did not want to see Judah become strong again because that would be a threat to the power and influence of Samaria. If it would be helpful in your language, you could say this explicitly.
And it was evil to them, a great evil
Quote: וַיֵּ֥רַע לָהֶ֖ם רָעָ֣ה גְדֹלָ֑ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
Here evil means “bad,” so this expression is the opposite of “if it is good to you” in 2:5 and 2:7. Alternate translation: “They thought it was a bad thing, a very bad thing”
And it was evil to them, a great evil
Quote: וַיֵּ֥רַע לָהֶ֖ם רָעָ֣ה גְדֹלָ֑ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet
These two short phrases mean almost the same thing. Nehemiah uses them together for emphasis. If it would be helpful in your language, you could combine them. Alternate translation: “they became very upset” or “they did not like it at all”
that someone had come to seek good for the sons of Israel
Quote: אֲשֶׁר־בָּ֥א אָדָ֔ם לְבַקֵּ֥שׁ טוֹבָ֖ה לִבְנֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
To seek good for means “to help.” Alternate translation: “that someone had come to help the people of Israel”
for the sons of Israel
Quote: לִבְנֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-gendernotations
As in 1:6, sons means “descendants.” Alternate translation: “the people of Israel”
Nehemiah 2:11
And I came to Jerusalem
Quote: וָאָב֖וֹא אֶל־יְרוּשָׁלִָ֑ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
Here the text might be implying that Nehemiah made it safely to Jerusalem anyway, despite the opposition of Sanballat and Tobiah. Alternate translation: “But I made it safely to Jerusalem despite their opposition.”
and I was there three days
Quote: וָאֱהִי־שָׁ֖ם יָמִ֥ים שְׁלֹשָֽׁה (1)This phrase seems to look ahead to the next verse, and you could translate it that way and make it the start of the next sentence. Alternate translation: “After I had been there for three days”
Nehemiah 2:12
And I arose in the night
Quote: וָאָק֣וּם ׀ לַ֗יְלָה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
The implication is that Nehemiah went out to inspect the city walls, as described in 1:13–15(../01/13.md). The implication is also that he did this at night so that no one would know he was doing it. If it would be helpful in your language, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “I got up secretly in the night to inspect the city walls.”
myself and a few men with me
Quote: אֲנִי֮ וַאֲנָשִׁ֣ים ׀ מְעַט֮ עִמִּי֒ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-gendernotations
The word men here could conceivably include both men and women. However, for a nighttime mission through the ruins of the city walls, it’s likely that Nehemiah brought along only other men. So in this context you could use a word that indicates that. Alternate translation: “I brought only a few other men with me.”
and I did not tell anyone what my God had been giving to my heart to do for Jerusalem
Quote: וְלֹא־הִגַּ֣דְתִּי לְאָדָ֔ם מָ֗ה אֱלֹהַי֙ נֹתֵ֣ן אֶל־לִבִּ֔י לַעֲשׂ֖וֹת לִירוּשָׁלִָ֑ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole
Probably Nehemiah told at least some people, since he brought a few men with him when he went out to inspect the walls. So “not … anyone” might be an exaggeration that emphasizes the secrecy Nehemiah maintained. Alternate translation: “I did not say publicly what God had led me to do for Jerusalem.”
and I did not tell anyone what my God had been giving to my heart to do for Jerusalem
Quote: וְלֹא־הִגַּ֣דְתִּי לְאָדָ֔ם מָ֗ה אֱלֹהַי֙ נֹתֵ֣ן אֶל־לִבִּ֔י לַעֲשׂ֖וֹת לִירוּשָׁלִָ֑ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result
If it would be helpful in your language, you could give this explanation before describing Nehemiah’s nighttime mission, because it is the reason that explains the result of him maintaining so much secrecy.
what my God had been giving to my heart to do
Quote: מָ֗ה אֱלֹהַי֙ נֹתֵ֣ן אֶל־לִבִּ֔י לַעֲשׂ֖וֹת (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Here, Nehemiah’s heart represents his thoughts and will. Alternate translation: “what God had inspired me to do” or “what God had led me to do”
Now there was no animal with me
Quote: וּבְהֵמָה֙ אֵ֣ין עִמִּ֔י (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
The implication is that this was another measure to maintain secrecy. If it would be helpful in your language, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “To keep things quiet, there were no other animals with me”
Nehemiah 2:13
And I went out
Quote: וָאֵצְאָ֨ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche
Even though he brought a few men with him, Nehemiah says “I” because he was the primary person conducting this inspection. In this narrative, he represents the entire group. If it would be helpful in your language, you could say “we” in your translation to express this meaning. If your language makes this distinction, “we” would not include the addressee.
at the gate of the valley
Quote: בְשַֽׁעַר־הַגַּ֜יא (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
This is the name of one of the gates of Jerusalem. Alternate translation: “at the Valley Gate”
even to the face of the spring of the dragon
Quote: וְאֶל־פְּנֵי֙ עֵ֣ין הַתַּנִּ֔ין (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
Here, face means the front of an object. This means that the group passed in front of the well. Alternate translation: “we went past the Dragon Well”
the spring of the dragon
Quote: עֵ֣ין הַתַּנִּ֔ין (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
This is the name of a spring-fed well outside Jerusalem. Alternate translation: “the Dragon Well”
and to the gate of dung
Quote: וְאֶל־שַׁ֖עַר הָאַשְׁפֹּ֑ת (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
This is the name of another one of the gates of Jerusalem. It seems that rubbish was removed from the city through this gate. Alternate translation: “the Rubbish Gate”
And I was looking intently at the walls of Jerusalem, seeing
Quote: וָאֱהִ֨י שֹׂבֵ֜ר בְּחוֹמֹ֤ת יְרוּשָׁלִַ֨ם֙ (1)Alternate translation: “We made a careful inspection of the walls of Jerusalem”
that they were broken down, and its gates had been consumed by fire
Quote: אֲשֶׁר־הֵ֣ם פְּרוּצִ֔ים וּשְׁעָרֶ֖יהָ אֻכְּל֥וּ בָאֵֽשׁ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
You can use active forms to express the meaning of these two passive verbs. Alternate translation: “which our enemies had broken open, and the wooden gates which they had destroyed with fire”
Nehemiah 2:14
the gate of the spring
Quote: שַׁ֣עַר הָעַ֔יִן (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
This is the name of one of the gates of Jerusalem. Alternate translation: “the Fountain Gate”
the pool of the king
Quote: בְּרֵכַ֖ת הַמֶּ֑לֶךְ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
This is the name of a pool outside Jerusalem. Alternate translation: “the Royal Pool”
but there was no place for the animal under me to pass
Quote: וְאֵין־מָק֥וֹם לַבְּהֵמָ֖ה לַעֲבֹ֥ר תַּחְתָּֽי (1)Alternate translation: “The opening there was so narrow that the animal I was riding could not get through”
Nehemiah 2:15
And I was going up by the wadi at night, and I was looking intently at the wall. And I turned back, and I came in at the gate of the valley, and I returned
Quote: וָאֱהִ֨י עֹלֶ֤ה בַנַּ֨חַל֙ לַ֔יְלָה וָאֱהִ֥י שֹׂבֵ֖ר בַּחוֹמָ֑ה וָאָשׁ֗וּב וָאָב֛וֹא בְּשַׁ֥עַר הַגַּ֖יְא וָאָשֽׁוּב (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche
Nehemiah continues to speak of himself as representative of the whole group. Alternate translation: “Then we came to”
And I was going up by the wadi at night, and I was looking intently at the wall. And I turned back, and I came in at the gate of the valley, and I returned
Quote: וָאֱהִ֨י עֹלֶ֤ה בַנַּ֨חַל֙ לַ֔יְלָה וָאֱהִ֥י שֹׂבֵ֖ר בַּחוֹמָ֑ה וָאָשׁ֗וּב וָאָב֛וֹא בְּשַׁ֥עַר הַגַּ֖יְא וָאָשֽׁוּב (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result
Nehemiah is saying that because they could not continue going along the wall, they had to take a different route. You could use an introductory word like “so” to indicate this. Alternate translation: “So we followed the path of the Kidron Brook”
And I was going up
Quote: וָאֱהִ֨י עֹלֶ֤ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche
Nehemiah continues to speak of himself as representative of the whole group. Alternate translation: “So we followed”
by the wadi
Quote: בַנַּ֨חַל֙ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown
This refers to the Kidron Brook, which runs along the eastern side of Jerusalem. Alternate translation: “the Kidron Brook”
at night
Quote: לַ֔יְלָה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
The implication may be “even though it was night.” The slippery, uneven ground of the path along the brook would have been more dangerous in the dark. (Nehemiah is writing a chronicle of all the things he did to help the Jews, and he records specific things that required risk or sacrifice.) Alternate translation: “even though it was night.”
and I was looking intently at the wall
Quote: וָאֱהִ֥י שֹׂבֵ֖ר בַּחוֹמָ֑ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
The implication is that from the brook they were able to look up at the wall and see its condition. If it would be helpful in your language, you could say that explicitly. Alternate translation: “From there we were able to look up at the wall and see its condition.”
And I turned back
Quote: וָאָשׁ֗וּב (1)This likely means not that Nehemiah turned around, but that this route brought him and the other men back to where they started. So they were able to go all the way around the city and inspect the entire wall. Alternate translation: “This route brought us back to where we started.”
And I turned back
Quote: וָאָשׁ֗וּב (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche
The other men with Nehemiah also followed him. Alternate translation: “This route brought us back to where we started.”
and I came in at the gate of the valley
Quote: וָאָב֛וֹא בְּשַׁ֥עַר הַגַּ֖יְא (1)Alternate translation: “We re-entered the city through the Valley Gate”
at the gate of the valley
Quote: בְּשַׁ֥עַר הַגַּ֖יְא (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
See how you translated the name of this gate in 2:13. Alternate translation: “the Valley Gate”
and I returned
Quote: וָאָשֽׁוּב (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
Here the expression probably means “and I went back home.” The implication is that no one had seen him. If it would be helpful in your language, you could say that explicitly. Alternate translation: “and I went back home without being seen.”
Nehemiah 2:16
Now the prefects
Quote: וְהַסְּגָנִ֗ים (1)Alternate translation: “the city officials”
until this time I had not yet told
Quote: עַד־כֵּ֖ן לֹ֥א הִגַּֽדְתִּי (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
The implication is that Nehemiah had not yet told anyone that he was planning to repair the walls. If it would be helpful in your language, you could say that explicitly. Alternate translation: “had not yet told … that I was planning to repair the walls.”
And … the Jews, or the priests, or the nobles, or the prefects
Quote: וְלַיְּהוּדִ֨ים וְלַכֹּהֲנִ֜ים וְלַחֹרִ֣ים וְלַסְּגָנִ֗ים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
The implication seems to be that Nehemiah had not said anything privately about his plans to any particular group of leaders. If it would be helpful in your language, you could say that explicitly. Alternate translation: “I had not even said anything about it privately to the Jewish leaders, the priests, the leading citizens, or the city officials”
And … the Jews
Quote: וְלַיְּהוּדִ֨ים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche
While this expression means “the Jewish people” in most of the book, in the contexts here and in 5:17 it seems to mean “the Jewish leaders.” Nehemiah is describing some members of this people group, its leaders, as if they were the whole group. Alternate translation: “the Jewish leaders”
or the rest of the doers of the work
Quote: וּלְיֶ֨תֶר֙ עֹשֵׂ֣ה הַמְּלָאכָ֔ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
This seems to refer to the people who would later rebuild the walls. Alternate translation: “the others who would later do the work of rebuilding the walls”
Nehemiah 2:17
And I said to them
Quote: וָאוֹמַ֣ר אֲלֵהֶ֗ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
This might imply a contrast between what Nehemiah did previously (kept quiet) and what he did now (told everyone). You could use a word like “but” to indicate this. Alternate translation: “But now I said to them”
You see the evil that we are in
Quote: אַתֶּ֤ם רֹאִים֙ הָרָעָה֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר אֲנַ֣חְנוּ בָ֔הּ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns
As in 1:3, here the abstract noun evil does not refer to something morally bad, but to a difficult situation. You can translate this idea with an adjective such as “desperate.” Alternate translation: “You see what a desperate situation we are in”
You see the evil
Quote: אַתֶּ֤ם רֹאִים֙ הָרָעָה֙ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-you
Here you is plural, referring to all the people mentioned in 2:16.
Jerusalem is desolate and its gates have been burned by fire
Quote: יְרוּשָׁלִַ֨ם֙ חֲרֵבָ֔ה וּשְׁעָרֶ֖יהָ נִצְּת֣וּ בָאֵ֑שׁ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
If it would be helpful in your language, you could express the meaning here using active forms. Alternate translation: “Jerusalem lies in ruins, and our enemies have burned down its gates”
Jerusalem is desolate and its gates have been burned by fire
Quote: יְרוּשָׁלִַ֨ם֙ חֲרֵבָ֔ה וּשְׁעָרֶ֖יהָ נִצְּת֣וּ בָאֵ֑שׁ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
The implication is, “We need to do something about this!” If it would be helpful in your language, you could add something like that explicitly.
Come, and let us build the wall of Jerusalem
Quote: לְכ֗וּ וְנִבְנֶה֙ אֶת־חוֹמַ֣ת יְרוּשָׁלִַ֔ם (1)Come does not mean “come over to this place” but “come on, let’s do this!” Nehemiah is issuing both an invitation and a public challenge to everyone who is listening. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could translate his words in a way that reflects this. Alternate translation: “I challenge all of you to join me in rebuilding the wall of Jerusalem.”
and we will no longer be a reproach
Quote: וְלֹא־נִהְיֶ֥ה ע֖וֹד חֶרְפָּֽה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns
If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word reproach, you can express the same idea with an adjective such as “ashamed.” Alternate translation: “so we will no longer be ashamed”
Nehemiah 2:18
the hand of my God, that it was good upon me
Quote: יַ֣ד אֱלֹהַ֗י אֲשֶׁר־הִיא֙ טוֹבָ֣ה עָלַ֔י (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Here hand is a metaphor meaning strength, power, control, or action. In this context, it means that God had been acting toward Nehemiah in a positive and favorable manner. See how you translated the similar expression in 2:8. Alternate translation: “God’s favor had been upon me” or “God had been helping me”
the words of the king that he had spoken to me
Quote: דִּבְרֵ֥י הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ אֲשֶׁ֣ר אָֽמַר־לִ֑י (1)Alternate translation: “I also told them how the king had given me permission to come.”
We will rise up and build
Quote: נָק֣וּם וּבָנִ֔ינוּ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
The implication is that the people responded this way after they heard all that God had done for Nehemiah. If it would be helpful in your language, you could say that explicitly. Alternate translation: “When they heard this, they said, ‘Let’s get going and begin building!’”
We will rise up and build
Quote: נָק֣וּם וּבָנִ֔ינוּ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
In this context, rise up means to begin something. This was an enthusiastic response. Alternate translation: “Let’s get going and start building!”
And they strengthened their hands for good
Quote: וַיְחַזְּק֥וּ יְדֵיהֶ֖ם לַטּוֹבָֽה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
The phrase “strengthened their hands” means that they encouraged one another. “For good” refers to the rebuilding project, which they recognized would be a great benefit. Alternate translation: “So they prepared themselves to do this good work”
their hands
Quote: יְדֵיהֶ֖ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Hand in this context represents a person’s strength or power. Alternate translation: “they prepared themselves”
Nehemiah 2:19
Sanballat the Horonite
Quote: סַנְבַלַּ֨ט הַחֹרֹנִ֜י (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
Sanballat is the name of a man, and Horonite is the name of his people group. See how you translated this in 2:10.
and Tobiah, … the Ammonite
Quote: וְטֹבִיָּ֣ה & הָֽעַמּוֹנִ֗י (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
Tobiah is the name of a man, and Ammonite is the name of his people group.
and Tobiah, the servant
Quote: וְטֹבִיָּ֣ה ׀ הָעֶ֣בֶד (1)See how you translated this in 2:10. Alternate translation: “Tobiah, his deputy”
and Geshem the Arabian
Quote: וְגֶ֨שֶׁם֙ הָֽעַרְבִ֔י (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
Geshem is the name of a man, and Arabian is the name of his people group.
And … heard
Quote: וַיִּשְׁמַע֩ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
The implication is that these men learned that the Jews in Jerusalem had started to rebuild the city walls. If it would be helpful in your language, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “learned that we had started to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.”
and they mocked us, and they despised us
Quote: וַיַּלְעִ֣גוּ לָ֔נוּ וַיִּבְז֖וּ עָלֵ֑ינוּ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism
These two statements mean similar things. Nehemiah says the same thing twice, in slightly different ways, to emphasize how contemptuous and dismissive these enemies were being. You do not need to repeat both phrases in your translation if that would be confusing for your readers. Alternate translation: “they ridiculed us mercilessly,” otherwise “they made fun of us and ridiculed us”
What is this thing that you are doing? Are you rebelling against the king
Quote: מָֽה־הַדָּבָ֤ר הַזֶּה֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר אַתֶּ֣ם עֹשִׂ֔ים הַעַ֥ל הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ אַתֶּ֥ם מֹרְדִֽים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion
These enemies are not asking questions that they expect Nehemiah to answer. They are using the question form to mock him. If it would be helpful in your language, you could translate their words as statements. Alternate translation: “What you are doing is not going to amount to anything! But you should not be rebelling against the king!”
What is this thing that you are doing
Quote: מָֽה־הַדָּבָ֤ר הַזֶּה֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר אַתֶּ֣ם עֹשִׂ֔ים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
The implication is that this thing is really “nothing” at all. If it would be helpful in your language, you could say that explicitly. Alternate translation: “What you are doing is not going to amount to anything!”
Nehemiah 2:20
And I returned them a word, and I said to them
Quote: וָאָשִׁ֨יב אוֹתָ֜ם דָּבָ֗ר וָאוֹמַ֤ר לָהֶם֙ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
This might imply a contrast between the intimidation his enemies wanted him to feel and the courage that God gave him. You could use a word like “but” to indicate this contrast. Alternate translation: “But in response I said”
And I returned them a word, and I said to them
Quote: וָאָשִׁ֨יב אוֹתָ֜ם דָּבָ֗ר וָאוֹמַ֤ר לָהֶם֙ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism
These two statements mean similar things. Nehemiah says the same thing twice, in slightly different ways, to emphasize how firmly he responded to these enemies. You do not need to repeat both phrases in your translation if that would be confusing for your readers. Alternate translation: “But I answered them firmly”
The God of heaven, he will cause us to succeed
Quote: אֱלֹהֵ֣י הַשָּׁמַ֔יִם ה֚וּא יַצְלִ֣יחַֽ לָ֔נוּ (1)Alternate translation: “The God who is in heaven will enable us to complete this project.”
and we ourselves, his servants, will rise up and build
Quote: וַאֲנַ֥חְנוּ עֲבָדָ֖יו נָק֣וּם וּבָנִ֑ינוּ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
As in 1:6, the word servants refers to the special role that the people of Israel had in the world as a model community of God’s followers. Alternate translation: “we are his chosen people, and we are going to begin rebuilding”
we … will rise up and build
Quote: נָק֣וּם וּבָנִ֑ינוּ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
As in 2:18, rise up means to begin something. Alternate translation: “going to begin rebuilding”
But for you there is neither share nor right nor memorial in Jerusalem
Quote: וְלָכֶ֗ם אֵֽין־חֵ֧לֶק וּצְדָקָ֛ה וְזִכָּר֖וֹן בִּירוּשָׁלִָֽם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet
The terms share, right, and memorial all mean something similar. Nehemiah uses them together for emphasis. The meanings are not entirely certain. “Share” may suggest that the Samaritans are not part of the community. “Right” may mean that they have no legal basis to say what should happen in Jerusalem. “Memorial” could mean that they had have no role in the city’s history, or that there is no record of their Israelite ancestry. If it would be helpful in your language, you could combine these terms. Alternate translation: “But you have absolutely nothing to do with what happens in Jerusalem.” (Note: A doublet can involve the use of more than two terms.)
But for you there is neither share nor right nor memorial in Jerusalem
Quote: וְלָכֶ֗ם אֵֽין־חֵ֧לֶק וּצְדָקָ֛ה וְזִכָּר֖וֹן בִּירוּשָׁלִָֽם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns
Depending on their meaning, the terms “share,” “right,” and “memorial” may be abstract nouns. If so, you could translate the idea behind them with a phrase that expresses their overall meaning. Alternate translation: “But you have absolutely nothing to do with what happens in Jerusalem.”
Nehemiah 3
Nehemiah 3 General Notes
Special concepts in this chapter
Priests
The priests worked on rebuilding the city. Normally, the priests were exempt from this type of work. Because they helped, it emphasizes that this is a holy work and something done for Yahweh. (See: priest, priesthood and holy, holiness, unholy, sacred and Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)
Cooperation
Everyone worked on this project. Many names are mentioned to emphasize the cooperation between the different families. Each was given a section of the wall to rebuild.
Nehemiah 3:1
And Eliashib the high priest rose up
Quote: וַיָּ֡קָם אֶלְיָשִׁיב֩ הַכֹּהֵ֨ן הַגָּד֜וֹל (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
This chapter records the names of the people who repaired the wall of Jerusalem, and it describes what parts of the wall they worked on. If it would be helpful in your language, you could say this explicitly at the start of the chapter. (In this book Nehemiah records everything he did to help the people of Judah, and he prays that God will remember him and bless him for what he did. We see in this chapter that he also wants God to remember and bless everyone else who helped.) Alternate translation: “These are the names of the people who helped to rebuild the wall around Jerusalem. Now Eliashib the high priest rose up”
And … rose up
Quote: וַיָּ֡קָם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
As in 2:18, rise up here means to begin something. Alternate translation: “began to”
Eliashib
Quote: אֶלְיָשִׁיב֩ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
This is the name of a man. It occurs about a dozen times in the book of Nehemiah. It will be helpful to your readers if you translate it consistently each time.
the high priest
Quote: הַכֹּהֵ֨ן הַגָּד֜וֹל (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown
This means that Eliashib was the leader of the priests who conducted worship in the temple and performed many other religious and community functions. Alternate translation: “the priest who was in charge in the temple”
with his brothers the priests
Quote: וְאֶחָ֣יו הַכֹּהֲנִ֗ים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Here, brother could mean Eliashib’s biological brothers, but more likely it refers to the rest of the priests. Alternate translation: “with his fellow priests”
and they built
Quote: וַיִּבְנוּ֙ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
It is clear from the context that they were not building something brand new. Rather, they were rebuilding the walls that had been knocked down. This expression occurs several times in this chapter. It would be helpful to your readers to translate it consistently. Alternate translation: “rebuilt.”
the gate of sheep
Quote: שַׁ֣עַר הַצֹּ֔אן (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
This is the name of one of the gates of Jerusalem. Alternate translation: “the Sheep Gate”
They themselves consecrated it
Quote: הֵ֣מָּה קִדְּשׁ֔וּהוּ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction
Consecrate means to set something apart for a special purpose. The Sheep Gate was the gate closest to the temple. By dedicating it to God, the priests were symbolically dedicating the entire wall to God. The rebuilt wall would define and protect the city of Jerusalem as the place from which God had chosen to start making himself famous throughout the world, as described in 1:9.
They themselves consecrated it
Quote: הֵ֣מָּה קִדְּשׁ֔וּהוּ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say explicitly that by dedicating the Sheep Gate to God, the priests were symbolically dedicating the entire wall to God. Alternate translation: “They dedicated this gate to God as a symbolic way of dedicating the entire wall.”
and erected its doors
Quote: וַֽיַּעֲמִ֖ידוּ דַּלְתֹתָ֑יו (1)Its refers to the Sheep Gate. Erected means “set up” or “set in place.” This expression occurs several times in this chapter. It would be helpful to your readers to translate it consistently. Alternate translation: “set the doors in place.”
And they consecrated it as far as the tower of the hundred and as far as the tower of Hananel
Quote: וְעַד־מִגְדַּ֤ל הַמֵּאָה֙ קִדְּשׁ֔וּהוּ עַ֖ד מִגְדַּ֥ל חֲנַנְאֵֽל (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis
In this record of people who helped rebuild the wall, Nehemiah is writing more of a list than a narrative, so he often leaves out one or more words that a sentence normally would have in order to be complete. This sentence seems to mean, “They rebuilt the wall as far as the Tower of the Hundred, and beyond that to the Tower of Hananel. Then they dedicated that part of the wall to God as well.” You could say something like that if it would be helpful to your readers.
the tower of the hundred … the tower of Hananel
Quote: מִגְדַּ֤ל הַמֵּאָה֙ & מִגְדַּ֥ל חֲנַנְאֵֽל (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
These are the names of two of the towers on the Jerusalem wall. Alternate translation: “the Tower of the Hundred … the Tower of Hananel”
the tower of the hundred
Quote: מִגְדַּ֤ל הַמֵּאָה֙ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown
It is not clear why this tower had this name. The tower could have been 100 cubits high (about 150 feet or about 45 meters), or 100 soldiers may have been stationed there. Since the reason is unknown, it might be best just to call this the “Tower of the Hundred.” However, if it would be confusing to your readers not to explain the meaning of the number, you suggest one of these possibilities. Alternate translation: “The Tower of the Hundred Soldiers” or “The Hundred-Cubit Tower.”
Nehemiah 3:2
And … built at his hand
Quote: וְעַל־יָד֥וֹ בָנ֖וּ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
Here, at his hand is a figurative way of saying “beside him” or “next to him.” This expression occurs several times in this chapter. It would be helpful to your readers to translate it consistently. Alternate translation: “next to them”
the men of Jericho
Quote: אַנְשֵׁ֣י יְרֵח֑וֹ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-gendernotations
The word men here can include women, and it does seem to include them in this context. Elsewhere in this chapter, 3:12 tells us that “Shallum and his daughters repaired part of the wall.” So we know that both men and women worked on this project. Alternate translation: “people from Jericho”
Jericho
Quote: יְרֵח֑וֹ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
Jericho is the name of one of the cities in Judah. We see from this chapter that several cities and towns sent work parties to help rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.
Zaccur the son of Imri
Quote: זַכּ֖וּר בֶּן־אִמְרִֽי (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
Zaccur is the name of a man, and Imri is the name of his father.
Nehemiah 3:3
Hassenaah
Quote: הַסְּנָאָ֑ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
Hassenaah is the name of a man.
the gate of fish
Quote: שַׁ֣עַר הַדָּגִ֔ים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
This is the name of one of the gates of Jerusalem. Alternate translation: “the Fish Gate”
and erected its doors, its bolts, and its bars
Quote: וַֽיַּעֲמִ֨ידוּ֙ דַּלְתֹתָ֔יו מַנְעוּלָ֖יו וּבְרִיחָֽיו (1)This expression occurs several times in this chapter. It would be helpful to your readers to translate it consistently. Alternate translation: “They framed it with wooden beams, they set its doors in place, and they installed bolts and bars”
its bolts, and its bars
Quote: מַנְעוּלָ֖יו וּבְרִיחָֽיו (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
Bolts and bars locked the gates securely. If it would be helpful in your language, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “bolts and bars for locking the gate”
Nehemiah 3:4
strengthened … strengthened … strengthened
Quote: הֶחֱזִ֗יק & הֶחֱזִ֔יק & הֶֽחֱזִ֔יק (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis
Strengthened means “repaired.” It refers to repairing the wall, although Nehemiah does not specify this. This expression occurs several times in this chapter. It would be helpful to your readers to translate it consistently. Alternate translation: “repaired the next section of the wall”
Meremoth, the son of Uriah, the son of Hakkoz
Quote: מְרֵמ֤וֹת בֶּן־אוּרִיָּה֙ בֶּן־הַקּ֔וֹץ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
Meremoth is the name of a man, Uriah is the name of his father, and Hakkoz is the name of his grandfather. Alternate translation: “Meremoth, the son of Uriah and grandson of Hakkoz”
Meshullam, the son of Berechiah, the son of Meshezabel
Quote: מְשֻׁלָּ֥ם בֶּן־בֶּרֶכְיָ֖ה בֶּן־מְשֵׁיזַבְאֵ֑ל (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
Meshullam is the name of a man, Berechiah is the name of his father, and Meshezabel is the name of his grandfather. Alternate translation: “Meshullam, the son of Berekiah and grandson of Meshezabel”
Zadok the son of Baana
Quote: צָד֖וֹק בֶּֽן־בַּעֲנָֽא (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
Zadok is the name of a man, and Baana is the name of his father.
Nehemiah 3:5
the Tekoites strengthened
Quote: הֶחֱזִ֣יקוּ הַתְּקוֹעִ֑ים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis
These phrases refer to repairing the wall. Alternate translation: “Tekoites repaired the wall”
the Tekoites
Quote: הַתְּקוֹעִ֑ים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
Tekoa is the name of one of the cities in Judah that sent a work party to help rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. The Tekoites are the people who came from this city. Alternate translation: “some people from Tekoa”
but their nobles
Quote: וְאַדִּֽירֵיהֶם֙ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-contrast
Here Nehemiah is indicating a contrast between what these people should have done and what they actually did. You can use a word like “but” to indicate this. Alternate translation: “But the leading citizens of Tekoa”
did not bring their necks to the service of their lords
Quote: לֹא־הֵבִ֣יאוּ צַוָּרָ֔ם בַּעֲבֹדַ֖ת אֲדֹנֵיהֶֽם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
Nehemiah does not state the reason why the nobles did not do the work, but it is implied. Alternate translation: “were too proud to do the work”
did not bring their necks to the service of their lords
Quote: לֹא־הֵבִ֣יאוּ צַוָּרָ֔ם בַּעֲבֹדַ֖ת אֲדֹנֵיהֶֽם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
Here, the neck represents the entire person, and specifically the person at work. The neck is likely associated with work because in this agrarian culture, draft animals would put their necks into yokes so that they could pull plows and drag loads. Alternate translation: “were too proud to do the work”
to the service of their lords
Quote: בַּעֲבֹדַ֖ת אֲדֹנֵיהֶֽם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown
Lords here most likely refers to the leaders of Judah, who had asked all the surrounding cities and towns to send work parties to help rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. Another possibility is that the plural form of the word “lord” actually refers to God. Alternate translation: “the work that the leaders of Judah had asked them to do” or “the service of their Lord”
to the service of
Quote: בַּעֲבֹדַ֖ת (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns
Service is an abstract noun that refers to the work of rebuilding the wall. You can translate the idea behind it with a concrete noun such as “work.”
Nehemiah 3:6
the gate of old
Quote: שַׁ֨עַר הַיְשָׁנָ֜ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
This is the name of one of the gates of Jerusalem. Alternate translation: “the Old Gate”
Joiada the son of Paseah
Quote: יֽוֹיָדָע֙ בֶּן־פָּסֵ֔חַ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
Joiada is the name of a man, and Paseah is the name of his father.
and Meshullam the son of Besodeiah
Quote: וּמְשֻׁלָּ֖ם בֶּן־בְּסֽוֹדְיָ֑ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
Meshullam is the name of a man, and Besodeiah is the name of his father.
Nehemiah 3:7
Melatiah the Gibeonite
Quote: מְלַטְיָ֣ה הַגִּבְעֹנִ֗י (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
Melatiah is the name of a man. “Gibeonite” means that he was from the city of Gibeon.
and Jadon the Meronothite
Quote: וְיָדוֹן֙ הַמֵּרֹ֣נֹתִ֔י (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
Jadon is the name of a man. “Meronothite” probably means that he was from the town of Meronoth.
men of Gibeon and the Mizpah
Quote: אַנְשֵׁ֥י גִבְע֖וֹן וְהַמִּצְפָּ֑ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
Gibeon and Mizpah were two of the cities in Judah that sent work parties to help rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. Alternate translation: “other people from Gibeon and from the city of Mizpah”
to the seat of authority of the governor of Beyond-the-River
Quote: לְכִסֵּ֕א פַּחַ֖ת עֵ֥בֶר הַנָּהָֽר (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown
This is where the governor would have stayed when visiting Jerusalem. Alternate translation: “as far as the residence of the governor of the province Beyond the River”
Nehemiah 3:8
Uzziel, the son of Harhaiah
Quote: עֻזִּיאֵ֤ל בֶּֽן־חַרְהֲיָה֙ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
Uzziel is the name of a man, and Harhaiah is the name of his father.
of the goldsmiths
Quote: צֽוֹרְפִ֔ים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown
This means that Uzziel was one of the goldsmiths who worked in Jerusalem. A goldsmith is a person who makes jewelry and other objects from gold. The term “goldsmith” occurs several more times in the chapter, and if you include both the name and the definition here, that would help your readers understand it in its later occurrences. Alternate translation: “He was one of the goldsmiths, the workers who made jewelry and other objects from gold.”
Hananiah
Quote: חֲנַנְיָ֖ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
Hananiah is the name of a man.
a son of the perfumers
Quote: בֶּן־הָרַקָּחִ֑ים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Son of here is a figurative expression that indicates that a person shares the qualities of something. In this case, the book is describing someone who shares the quality of being a maker of perfume. Alternate translation: “one of the perfumers”
And they restored Jerusalem as far as the broad wall
Quote: וַיַּֽעַזְבוּ֙ יְר֣וּשָׁלִַ֔ם עַ֖ד הַחוֹמָ֥ה הָרְחָבָֽה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
This is the name of one of the features of the Jerusalem wall. This may have been a place where the wall had been built thicker and stronger for strategic purposes. Alternate translation: “They rebuilt the wall of Jerusalem as far as the Broad Wall”
Nehemiah 3:9
And Rephaiah, the son of Hur, the administrator for half of the district of Jerusalem, strengthened at their hand
Quote: וְעַל־יָדָ֤ם הֶחֱזִיק֙ רְפָיָ֣ה בֶן־ח֔וּר שַׂ֕ר חֲצִ֖י פֶּ֥לֶךְ יְרוּשָׁלִָֽם (1)In this chapter, when Nehemiah names a person, then names their father, and then describes a role, it is the first person, not their father, who was in that role. It will be helpful to your readers if you make this clear. Alternate translation: “Next to them, Rephaiah the son of Hur repaired part of the wall. Rephaiah ruled half of the district of Jerusalem”
Rephaiah, the son of Hur
Quote: רְפָיָ֣ה בֶן־ח֔וּר (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
Rephaiah is the name of a man, and Hur is the name of his father.
half of the district of Jerusalem
Quote: חֲצִ֖י פֶּ֥לֶךְ יְרוּשָׁלִָֽם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-fraction
The city of Jerusalem and the surrounding area seem to have been divided into districts for administration. This is the name of one of those districts. Apparently it was so large and populous that it had been further divided into two parts, each with its own administrator. Alternate translation: “ruled half the district of Jerusalem”
Nehemiah 3:10
Jedaiah the son of Harumaph
Quote: יְדָיָ֥ה בֶן־חֲרוּמַ֖ף (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
Jedaiah is the name of a man, and Harumaph is the name of his father.
And … strengthened at their hand, even in front of his house
Quote: וְעַל־יָדָ֧ם הֶחֱזִ֛יק & וְנֶ֣גֶד בֵּית֑וֹ (1)Alternate translation: “repaired the next part of the wall, which was in front his house”
Hattush the son of Hashabneiah
Quote: חַטּ֖וּשׁ בֶּן־חֲשַׁבְנְיָֽה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
Hattush is the name of a man, and Hashabneiah is the name of his father.
Nehemiah 3:11
a second section
Quote: מִדָּ֣ה שֵׁנִ֗ית (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal
This expression occurs six times in the chapter. Two of those times, someone who has been named earlier is said to have repaired “a second section,” suggesting, “in addition to the one they did previously.” But the other four times, the people have not been named earlier. So in those cases it might mean “a further section of the wall,” beyond the one just described that someone else worked on. Both of these likely meanings could be accommodated by saying something like “another section of the wall”
Malkijah the son of Harim
Quote: מַלְכִּיָּ֣ה בֶן־חָרִ֔ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
Malkijah is the name of a man, and Malkijah is the name of his father.
and Hasshub the son of Pahath-Moab
Quote: וְחַשּׁ֖וּב בֶּן־פַּחַ֣ת מוֹאָ֑ב (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
Hasshub is the name of a man, and Pahath-Moab is the name of his father.
the tower of ovens
Quote: מִגְדַּ֥ל הַתַּנּוּרִֽים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
This is the name of one of the towers of the Jerusalem wall. Alternate translation: “the Tower of the Ovens”
Nehemiah 3:12
Shallum, the son of Hallohesh
Quote: שַׁלּוּם֙ בֶּן־הַלּוֹחֵ֔שׁ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
Shallum is the name of a man, and Hallohesh is the name of his father.
the administrator for half of the district of Jerusalem
Quote: שַׂ֕ר חֲצִ֖י פֶּ֣לֶךְ יְרוּשָׁלִָ֑ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
This is the name of one of the districts into which the city and the surrounding area were divided. Since the first half has already been named, you could say as an alternate translation: “Shallum ruled the other half of the district of Jerusalem”
he and his daughters
Quote: ה֖וּא וּבְנוֹתָֽיו (1)Alternate translation: “along with his daughters”
Nehemiah 3:13
the gate of the valley
Quote: שַׁ֨עַר הַגַּ֜יְא (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
This is the name of one of the gates of Jerusalem. Alternate translation: “the Valley Gate”
Hanun
Quote: חָנוּן֮ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
This is the name of a man.
and the inhabitants of Zanoah
Quote: וְיֹשְׁבֵ֣י זָנוֹחַ֒ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
Zanoah is the name of one of the cities in Judah that sent a work party to help rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. Alternate translation: “the people from Zanoah”
and a thousand cubits
Quote: וְאֶ֤לֶף אַמָּה֙ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-bdistance
Depending on what would be most helpful to your readers, you could express this either in ancient or modern measurements, “1,000 cubits” or “460 meters” or “1,500 feet.”
the gate of dung
Quote: שַׁ֥עַר הָשֲׁפֽוֹת (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
This is the name of one of the gates of Jerusalem. Alternate translation: “the Dung Gate”
Nehemiah 3:14
the gate of dung
Quote: שַׁ֣עַר הָאַשְׁפּ֗וֹת (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
This is the name of one of the gates of Jerusalem. Alternate translation: “the Dung Gate”
Malkijah, the son of Recab
Quote: מַלְכִּיָּ֣ה בֶן־רֵכָ֔ב (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
Malkijah is the name of a man, and Recab is the name of his father.
the district of Beth-Hakkerem
Quote: פֶּ֣לֶךְ בֵּית־הַכָּ֑רֶם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
This is the name of one of the districts into which the city and the surrounding area were divided.
Nehemiah 3:15
the gate of the spring
Quote: שַׁ֨עַר הָעַ֜יִן (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
This is the name of one of the gates of Jerusalem. Alternate translation: “the Fountain Gate”
Shallun, the son of Kol-Hozeh
Quote: שַׁלּ֣וּן בֶּן־כָּל־חֹזֶה֮ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
Shallun is the name of a man, and Kol-Hozeh is the name of his father.
the district of the Mizpah
Quote: פֶּ֣לֶךְ הַמִּצְפָּה֒ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
This is the name of one of the districts into which the city and the surrounding area were divided.
He himself was building it and covering it
Quote: ה֤וּא יִבְנֶ֨נּוּ֙ וִיטַֽלְלֶ֔נּוּ (1)Alternate translation: “He rebuilt the gate and put a roof over it”
the wall of the pool of the Siloam
Quote: חוֹמַ֞ת בְּרֵכַ֤ת הַשֶּׁ֨לַח֙ (1)Alternate translation: “the wall that surrounded the Pool of Siloam”
at the garden of the king even as far as the stairs descending from the city of David
Quote: לְגַן־הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ וְעַד־הַֽמַּעֲל֔וֹת הַיּוֹרְד֖וֹת מֵעִ֥יר דָּוִֽיד (1)Alternate translation: “next to the royal garden, as far as the steps that went down from the City of David.”
from the city of David
Quote: מֵעִ֥יר דָּוִֽיד (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
This was one part of Jerusalem. Alternate translation: “the City of David”
Nehemiah 3:16
Nehemiah, the son of Azbuk
Quote: נְחֶמְיָ֣ה בֶן־עַזְבּ֔וּק (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
Nehemiah is the name of a man, and Azbuk is the name of his father. (This is not the same Nehemiah who wrote this book.)
the district of Beth-Zur
Quote: פֶּ֣לֶךְ בֵּֽית־צ֑וּר (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
This is the name of one of the districts into which the city and the surrounding area were divided.
as far as in front of the graves of David, and as far as the pool that was made, and as far as the house of the mighty men
Quote: עַד־נֶ֨גֶד֙ קִבְרֵ֣י דָוִ֔יד וְעַד־הַבְּרֵכָה֙ הָעֲשׂוּיָ֔ה וְעַ֖ד בֵּ֥ית הַגִּבֹּרִֽים (1)Alternate translation: “as far as the place opposite the tombs in the City of David, to the reservoir that the people had made and the army barracks”
Nehemiah 3:17
After him, the Levites strengthened
Quote: אַחֲרָ֛יו הֶחֱזִ֥יקוּ הַלְוִיִּ֖ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
The Levites were descendants of Levi. They had the special assignment of helping the priests. Alternate translation: “Next to him, some Levites repaired parts of the wall.”
Rehum the son of Bani
Quote: רְח֣וּם בֶּן־בָּנִ֑י (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
Rehum is the name of a man, and Bani is the name of his father.
Rehum the son of Bani
Quote: רְח֣וּם בֶּן־בָּנִ֑י (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
It seems clear from the context that Rehum was a Levite. If it would be helpful in your language, you could say that explicitly. Alternate translation: “One of them was Rehum the son of Bani.”
Hashabiah
Quote: חֲשַׁבְיָ֛ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
Hashabiah is the name of a man.
at his hand, Hashabiah, … strengthened for his district
Quote: עַל־יָד֣וֹ הֶחֱזִ֗יק חֲשַׁבְיָ֛ה & לְפִלְכּֽוֹ (1)This does not mean that Hashabiah repaired this part of the wall for the benefit of his district, but rather that he did it leading a work party from his district. Alternate translation: “led a work party from his district that repaired the next section of the wall”
half of the district of Keilah
Quote: חֲצִי־פֶ֥לֶךְ קְעִילָ֖ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
This is the name of one of the districts into which the city and the surrounding area were divided.
Nehemiah 3:18
their brothers strengthened
Quote: הֶחֱזִ֣יקוּ אֲחֵיהֶ֔ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
As in 3:1, brother could mean the biological brothers of the Levites mentioned in 3:17. However, more likely it means other Levites. Alternate translation: “some other Levites repaired more of the wall”
Binnui, the son of Henadad, the administrator for half of the district of Keilah
Quote: בַּוַּ֖י בֶּן־חֵנָדָ֑ד שַׂ֕ר חֲצִ֖י פֶּ֥לֶךְ קְעִילָֽה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis
Here Nehemiah does not say “at their hand” (next to them) or “strengthened” (repaired another section of the wall). Once again he is leaving out some of what a complete sentence would be expected to contain. you could fill in this information. Alternate translation: “Next to them, Binnui the son of Henadad, who ruled the other half of the district of Keilah, repaired more of the wall.”
Binnui, the son of Henadad
Quote: בַּוַּ֖י בֶּן־חֵנָדָ֑ד (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
Binnui is the name of a man, and Henadad is the name of his father.
the administrator for half of the district of Keilah
Quote: שַׂ֕ר חֲצִ֖י פֶּ֥לֶךְ קְעִילָֽה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
This is the name of one of the districts into which the city and the surrounding area were divided.
Nehemiah 3:19
Ezer, the son of Jeshua
Quote: עֵ֧זֶר בֶּן־יֵשׁ֛וּעַ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
Ezer is the name of a man, and Jeshua is the name of his father.
the administrator for the Mizpah
Quote: שַׂ֥ר הַמִּצְפָּ֖ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
Since the district of Mizpah is mentioned in 3:15, this probably means the city of Mizpah. Alternate translation: “Ezer ruled the city of Mizpah”
And … was strengthening a second section
Quote: וַיְחַזֵּ֨ק & מִדָּ֣ה שֵׁנִ֑ית (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal
Alternate translation: “repaired another section”
opposite the ascent to the armory at the angle
Quote: מִנֶּ֕גֶד עֲלֹ֥ת הַנֶּ֖שֶׁק הַמִּקְצֹֽעַ (1)Alternate translation: “He started from the place in front of the steps that went up to the armory, and he finished at the place where the wall bends slightly.”
Nehemiah 3:20
Baruch the son of Zabbai
Quote: בָּר֥וּךְ בֶּן־זבי (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
Baruch is the name of a man, and Zabbai is the name of his father.
burned
Quote: הֶחֱרָ֧ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Here, burned is probably a figurative way of saying that Baruch worked with great enthusiasm. You could say that as an alternate translation.
and strengthened a second section
Quote: הֶחֱזִ֛יק & מִדָּ֣ה שֵׁנִ֑ית (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal
Alternate translation: “repaired another section”
from the angle as far as the opening of the house of Eliashib the high priest
Quote: מִן־הַ֨מִּקְצ֔וֹעַ עַד־פֶּ֨תַח֙ בֵּ֣ית אֶלְיָשִׁ֔יב הַכֹּהֵ֖ן הַגָּדֽוֹל (1)Alternate translation: “from the bend in the wall as far as the door of the house of Eliashib the high priest”
Nehemiah 3:21
Meremoth, the son of Uriah, the son of Hakkoz
Quote: מְרֵמ֧וֹת בֶּן־אוּרִיָּ֛ה בֶּן־הַקּ֖וֹץ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
Meremoth is the name of a man, Uriah is the name of his father, and Hakkoz is the name of his grandfather. See how you translated these names in 3:4.
strengthened a second section
Quote: הֶחֱזִ֗יק & מִדָּ֣ה שֵׁנִ֑ית (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal
Alternate translation: “repaired another section”
from the opening of the house of Eliashib even as far as the end of the house of Eliashib
Quote: מִפֶּ֨תַח֙ בֵּ֣ית אֶלְיָשִׁ֔יב וְעַד־תַּכְלִ֖ית בֵּ֥ית אֶלְיָשִֽׁיב (1)Alternate translation: “from the door of the house of Eliashib to the end of his house”
Nehemiah 3:22
the priests, the men of the valley
Quote: הַכֹּהֲנִ֖ים אַנְשֵׁ֥י הַכִּכָּֽר (1)Jerusalem is up on a mountain, so the area around it would be “the valley.” Alternate translation: “some priests from the area around Jerusalem”
Nehemiah 3:23
Benjamin and Hasshub strengthened in front of their house
Quote: הֶחֱזִ֧יק בִּנְיָמִ֛ן וְחַשּׁ֖וּב נֶ֣גֶד בֵּיתָ֑ם (1)Alternate translation: “repaired a section opposite their house”
Benjamin and Hasshub
Quote: בִּנְיָמִ֛ן וְחַשּׁ֖וּב (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
Benjamin and Hasshub are the names of men.
strengthened beside his house
Quote: הֶחֱזִ֗יק & אֵ֥צֶל בֵּיתֽוֹ (1)Alternate translation: “repaired the next section, beside his house”
Azariah, the son of Maaseiah, the son of Ananiah
Quote: עֲזַרְיָ֧ה בֶן־מַעֲשֵׂיָ֛ה בֶּן־עֲנָֽנְיָ֖ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
Azariah is the name of a man, Maaseiah is the name of his father, and Ananiah is the name of his grandfather.
Nehemiah 3:24
strengthened a second section
Quote: הֶחֱזִ֗יק & מִדָּ֣ה שֵׁנִ֑ית (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal
Alternate translation: “repaired another section”
Binnui the son of Henadad
Quote: בִּנּ֛וּי בֶּן־חֵנָדָ֖ד (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
Binnui is the name of a man, and Henadad is the name of his father. See how you translated these names in 3:18.
from the house of Azariah as far as the angle and as far as the corner
Quote: מִבֵּ֣ית עֲזַרְיָ֔ה עַד־הַמִּקְצ֖וֹעַ וְעַד־הַפִּנָּֽה (1)Alternate translation: “from the house of Azariah to the bend in the wall as far as the bulwark”
Azariah
Quote: עֲזַרְיָ֔ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
Azariah is a man, the same one mentioned in verse 23.
Nehemiah 3:25
Palal the son of Uzai
Quote: פָּלָ֣ל בֶּן־אוּזַי֮ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
Palal is the name of a man, and Uzai is the name of his father.
from opposite the angle and the tower projecting
Quote: מִנֶּ֣גֶד הַמִּקְצוֹעַ֒ וְהַמִּגְדָּ֗ל הַיּוֹצֵא֙ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis
Here again, Nehemiah leaves out some of the words that a sentence would ordinarily need in order to be complete. Alternate translation: “He began at the place opposite the bend in the wall where the watchtower is taller than”
from the upper house of the king
Quote: מִבֵּ֤ית הַמֶּ֨לֶךְ֙ הָֽעֶלְי֔וֹן (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
Here, it is likely that house means palace, referring to where the king had lived. Alternate translation: “the upper palace of the king”
which is by the court of the guard
Quote: אֲשֶׁ֖ר לַחֲצַ֣ר הַמַּטָּרָ֑ה (1)Alternate translation: “That is near the place where the guards stayed”
Pedaiah the son of Parosh
Quote: פְּדָיָ֥ה בֶן־פַּרְעֹֽשׁ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
Pedaiah is the name of a man, and Parosh is the name of his father.
Pedaiah the son of Parosh
Quote: פְּדָיָ֥ה בֶן־פַּרְעֹֽשׁ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis
Once again Nehemiah leaves out some of the words that a sentence would ordinarily need in order to be complete. Alternate translation: “Next to him, Pedaiah the son of Parosh repaired a section”
Nehemiah 3:26
And the Nethinim were dwelling in the Ophel, as far as in front of the gate of water to the east and the projecting tower
Quote: וְהַ֨נְּתִינִ֔ים הָי֥וּ יֹשְׁבִ֖ים בָּעֹ֑פֶל עַ֠ד נֶ֜גֶד שַׁ֤עַר הַמַּ֨יִם֙ לַמִּזְרָ֔ח וְהַמִּגְדָּ֖ל הַיּוֹצֵֽא (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis
Yet again Nehemiah leaves out some of the words that a sentence would ordinarily need in order to be complete. Alternate translation: “The temple servants who lived on Ophel Hill repaired the wall as far as the eastern side of the Water Gate where there is a tall tower”
And the Nethinim
Quote: וְהַ֨נְּתִינִ֔ים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
The term Nethinim describes servants who worked in the temple. Alternate translation: “the temple servants”
in the Ophel
Quote: בָּעֹ֑פֶל (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown
This is probably the name of a geographic feature, a fortified extension of the hill that the Jerusalem temple was located on. Alternate translation: “Ophel Hill”
the gate of water
Quote: שַׁ֤עַר הַמַּ֨יִם֙ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
This is the name of one of the gates of Jerusalem. Alternate translation: “the Water Gate”
and the projecting tower
Quote: וְהַמִּגְדָּ֖ל הַיּוֹצֵֽא (1)The phrase refers to a tall tower that juts out from the wall. Alternate translation: “a tall tower”
Nehemiah 3:27
strengthened a second section
Quote: הֶחֱזִ֥יקוּ & מִדָּ֣ה שֵׁנִ֑ית (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal
Alternate translation: “repaired another section of the wall”
the Tekoites
Quote: הַתְּקֹעִ֖ים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
Tekoa is the name of one of the cities in Judah that sent a work party to help rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. The Tekoites were the people who lived there. See how you translated this name in verse 3:5.
from in front of the high projecting tower even as far as the wall of the Ophel
Quote: מִנֶּ֜גֶד הַמִּגְדָּ֤ל הַגָּדוֹל֙ הַיּוֹצֵ֔א וְעַ֖ד חוֹמַ֥ת הָעֹֽפֶל (1)Alternate translation: “from opposite the very tall watchtower as far as the wall at Ophel Hill”
Nehemiah 3:28
The priests
Quote: הַכֹּ֣הֲנִ֔ים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche
This does not mean all the priests. Nehemiah is using the name of the whole group to refer to part of it. Alternate translation: “a group of priests”
from above the gate of horses
Quote: מֵעַ֣ל ׀ שַׁ֣עַר הַסּוּסִ֗ים (1)The word above is used here because the houses of the priests were likely to have been located at a higher elevation than the Horse Gate. Alternate translation: “starting at the Horse Gate”
the gate of horses
Quote: שַׁ֣עַר הַסּוּסִ֗ים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
This is the name of one of the gates of Jerusalem. Alternate translation: “the Horse Gate”
a man to the front of his house
Quote: אִ֖ישׁ לְנֶ֥גֶד בֵּיתֽוֹ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
Here a man means “each one.” Alternate translation: “Each one repaired the section in front of his own house.”
Nehemiah 3:29
Zadok the son of Immer
Quote: צָד֥וֹק בֶּן־אִמֵּ֖ר (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
Zadok is the name of a man, and Immer is the name of his father.
Shemaiah, the son of Shecaniah
Quote: שְׁמַֽעְיָ֣ה בֶן־שְׁכַנְיָ֔ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
Shemaiah is the name of a man, and Shecaniah is the name of his father.
the keeper of the gate of the east
Quote: שֹׁמֵ֖ר שַׁ֥עַר הַמִּזְרָֽח (1)Alternate translation: “the person who looked after the East Gate” or “the person who opened and closed the East Gate”
the gate of the east
Quote: שַׁ֥עַר הַמִּזְרָֽח (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
This is the name of one of the gates of Jerusalem. Alternate translation: “the East Gate”
Nehemiah 3:30
strengthened a second section
Quote: הֶחֱזִ֜יק & מִדָּ֣ה שֵׁנִ֑י (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal
Alternate translation: “repaired another section”
Hananiah the son of Shelemiah
Quote: חֲנַנְיָ֣ה בֶן־שֶׁלֶמְיָ֗ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
Hananiah is the name of a man, and Shelemiah is the name of his father.
with Hanun the sixth son of Zalaph
Quote: וְחָנ֧וּן בֶּן־צָלָ֛ף הַשִּׁשִּׁ֖י (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
Hanun is the name of a man, and Zalaph is the name of his father.
sixth
Quote: הַשִּׁשִּׁ֖י (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal
Alternate translation: “son number six”
Meshullam the son of Berechiah
Quote: מְשֻׁלָּם֙ בֶּן־בֶּ֣רֶכְיָ֔ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
Meshullam is the name of a man, and Berechiah is the name of his father.
in front of his chamber
Quote: נֶ֖גֶד נִשְׁכָּתֽוֹ (1)Alternate translation: “in front of the rooms where he stayed”
Nehemiah 3:31
Malkijah
Quote: מַלְכִּיָּה֙ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
Malkijah is the name of a man.
a son of the goldsmiths
Quote: בֶּן־הַצֹּ֣רְפִ֔י (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
As in 3:8, this is a figurative way of saying that Malkijah was one of the goldsmiths. In this figure of speech, the “son of” something shares its qualities. Since the goldsmiths have been mentioned previously (in 3:8, where their work is described), you could say as an alternate translation: “who was another one of the goldsmiths”
as far as the house of the Nethinim and the merchants
Quote: עַד־בֵּ֥ית הַנְּתִינִ֖ים וְהָרֹכְלִ֑ים (1)Alternate translation: “as far as the building used by the temple servants and the merchants”
the gate of mustering
Quote: שַׁ֣עַר הַמִּפְקָ֔ד (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
This is the name of one of the gates of Jerusalem. “Mustering” refers to soldiers assembling to go out to battle. Alternate translation: “the Mobilization Gate”
even as far as the upper chamber of the corner
Quote: וְעַ֖ד עֲלִיַּ֥ת הַפִּנָּֽה (1)Alternate translation: “He built as far as the upper apartments of this building, which were on the corner.”
Nehemiah 3:32
And … strengthened between the upper chamber of the corner to the gate of sheep
Quote: וּבֵ֨ין עֲלִיַּ֤ת הַפִּנָּה֙ לְשַׁ֣עַר הַצֹּ֔אן הֶחֱזִ֥יקוּ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
This brings the description of the repairs back around to where they started. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could indicate this explicitly by saying “the last section.” Alternate translation: “repaired the last section of the wall, from the corner apartments to the Sheep Gate”
the goldsmiths and the merchants
Quote: הַצֹּרְפִ֖ים וְהָרֹכְלִֽים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche
This does not mean all the goldsmiths and all the merchants. Nehemiah is once again using the names of whole groups to refer to parts of them. Alternate translation: “some of the other goldsmiths, along with some traders”
to the gate of sheep
Quote: לְשַׁ֣עַר הַצֹּ֔אן (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
This is the name of one of the gates of Jerusalem. Alternate translation: “the Sheep Gate”
Nehemiah 4
Nehemiah 4 General Notes
Special concepts in this chapter
Dedication
The people were so dedicated to rebuilding the walls that they worked with their weapons ready for battle right next to them. Even when they were threatened with an attack, they continued to trust in Yahweh. (See: trust, trusted, trustworthy, trustworthiness)
Important figures of speech in this chapter
Rhetorical Questions
Sanballat uses a series of rhetorical questions. These are intended to show his intense anger against the Israelites. (See: Rhetorical Question)
Nehemiah 4:1
And it happened
Quote: וַיְהִ֞י (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-newevent
Nehemiah uses this phrase to introduce the next event in his story. You do not need to represent it in your translation unless your language has a similar expression that it characteristically uses.
Sanballat
Quote: סַנְבַלַּ֗ט (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
This is a man’s name. See how you translated this in 2:10.
that, … it burned him, and he was very angry
Quote: וַיִּ֣חַר ל֔וֹ וַיִּכְעַ֖ס הַרְבֵּ֑ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism
These two phrases mean similar things. Nehemiah uses the repetition to emphasize how angry Sanballat was. If it would be helpful in your language, you could combine these phrases and say something like “he became furiously angry” or “he became very angry”
that, … it burned him, and he was … angry
Quote: וַיִּ֣חַר ל֔וֹ וַיִּכְעַ֖ס (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Here Nehemiah says that Sanballat’s anger was a fire that burned inside of him. Alternate translation: “he became furious”
Nehemiah 4:2
And he spoke before the face of
Quote: וַיֹּ֣אמֶר ׀ לִפְנֵ֣י (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Here, face represents the presence of a person. The expression means that Sanballat was speaking personally to the other people who are named. Alternate translation: “He said to”
his brothers
Quote: אֶחָ֗יו (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Here, brother likely refers to Sanballat’s fellow officials. Alternate translation: “the other provincial officials”
and the army of Samaria
Quote: וְחֵיל֙ שֹֽׁמְר֔וֹן (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche
Sanballat was not speaking to the entire army. Nehemiah is using all of something to mean part of it. He is referring to the officers of the army by the name of the entire army. Alternate translation: “the army officers”
What are the feeble Jews doing? Will they restore for themselves? Will they sacrifice? Will they finish in a day
Quote: מָ֛ה הַיְּהוּדִ֥ים הָאֲמֵלָלִ֖ים עֹשִׂ֑ים הֲיַעַזְב֨וּ לָהֶ֤ם הֲיִזְבָּ֨חוּ֙ הַיְכַלּ֣וּ בַיּ֔וֹם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion
Sanballat actually is making a series of statements, not asking a series of questions. He does not expect the officials and officers to tell him what the Jews are doing and whether they will succeed. Instead, he is using the question form to mock the Jews. If it would be helpful in your language, you could translate the ideas in his questions as a series of statements. Alternate translation: “These feeble Jews can accomplish nothing. They will never restore the city for themselves. They will not offer sacrifices. They will not finish the work any time soon.”
Will they sacrifice
Quote: הֲיִזְבָּ֨חוּ֙ (1)The meaning of this phrase is not entirely clear. It could be that Sanballat is speaking of the Jews offering sacrifices to try to entice God to make their project successful. Alternate translation: “They will not get their God to help them”
Will they finish in a day
Quote: הַיְכַלּ֣וּ בַיּ֔וֹם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
In this context, the expression “day” means “a short time.” Alternate translation: “any time soon”
Will they bring to life the stones from piles of dust, when they have been burned
Quote: הַיְחַיּ֧וּ אֶת־הָאֲבָנִ֛ים מֵעֲרֵמ֥וֹת הֶעָפָ֖ר וְהֵ֥מָּה שְׂרוּפֽוֹת (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification
Here Sanballat is speaking of stones as if they could come to life and stand up straight to form the wall. Alternate translation: “They will not be able to rebuild the city walls from useless stones that were burned and turned into rubble”
from piles of dust, when they have been burned
Quote: מֵעֲרֵמ֥וֹת הֶעָפָ֖ר וְהֵ֥מָּה שְׂרוּפֽוֹת (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
If it would be helpful in your language, you could say this with an active form, and you could say who did the action. Alternate translation: “useless stones that someone has burned and turned into rubble”
Nehemiah 4:3
And Tobiah the Ammonite
Quote: וְטוֹבִיָּ֥ה הָעַמֹּנִ֖י (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
This is a man’s name. See how you translated this in 2:10.
Yes
Quote: גַּ֚ם (1)This word indicates that Tobiah agrees with Sanballat and that he is going to say something to support him. Alternate translation: “That’s right!”
if a fox goes up on what they are building, then he would break down their wall of stones
Quote: אֲשֶׁר־הֵ֣ם בּוֹנִ֔ים אִם־יַעֲלֶ֣ה שׁוּעָ֔ל וּפָרַ֖ץ חוֹמַ֥ת אַבְנֵיהֶֽם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole
Tobiah probably does not believe that the wall would really fall down if a fox walked along the top of it. He is exaggerating to mock the work the Jews are doing. You could use a plain expression in your translation instead, such as, “It wouldn’t take much to make that wall fall over.” However, Tobiah’s expression is so colorful that you may want to retain it, but be sure that your readers understand he is exaggerating. Alternate translation: “Tobiah made fun of the Jews by saying, ‘That wall they are building is so weak that if a fox climbed up on it, the stones would fall to the ground’”
Nehemiah 4:4
Hear, our God
Quote: שְׁמַ֤ע אֱלֹהֵ֨ינוּ֙ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
Nehemiah starts talking directly to God at this point in the book. The implication is that he heard about what Sanballat and Tobiah were saying, and in response, he prayed the prayer that is recorded here in 2:4–5. If it would be helpful in your language, you could say that explicitly. Alternate translation: “When I heard about what they were saying, I prayed and said, ‘Listen, our God’”
Hear, our God
Quote: שְׁמַ֤ע אֱלֹהֵ֨ינוּ֙ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-aside
Nehemiah’s prayer here is a particular type of aside. In an aside, someone who is speaking to or about one person or group will pause and speak confidentially to somebody else about them. Often an aside is spoken to the audience of a work about someone who is being addressed within the work. But in this case, Nehemiah pauses from addressing the audience that is hearing his story; he speaks confidentially to God in prayer about two of the characters in the story. If it would be helpful in your language, you could show this is a prayer is distinct from the story by making it a direct quotation.
we are a contempt
Quote: הָיִ֣ינוּ בוּזָ֔ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns
The abstract noun contempt refers to the way Sanballat and Tobiah regarded the Jews, which led them to make fun of the Jews. You can translate the idea behind this term with a verb like “mocking.” Alternate translation: “our enemies are mocking us”
and cause their taunts to return on their heads
Quote: וְהָשֵׁ֥ב חֶרְפָּתָ֖ם אֶל־רֹאשָׁ֑ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
Return on his head is an idiom that means that what a person expected to happen to someone else happens to them instead. Alternate translation: “Make them people whom others will mock”
And give them for plunder in a land of captivity
Quote: וּתְנֵ֥ם לְבִזָּ֖ה בְּאֶ֥רֶץ שִׁבְיָֽה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns
As in 1:2, the abstract noun captivity refers to a conquering army forcing all or some of a captured population to move to a different place. You can translate the idea behind it with verbs such as “capture” and “force.” Alternate translation: “Allow their enemies to capture them and force them to go to a foreign land”
Nehemiah 4:5
And do not cover over their iniquity, and do not wipe out their sin from before your face
Quote: וְאַל־תְּכַס֙ עַל־עֲוֺנָ֔ם וְחַטָּאתָ֖ם מִלְּפָנֶ֣יךָ אַל־תִּמָּחֶ֑ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism
These two phrases mean similar things. Nehemiah uses the repetition to emphasize how guilty Sanballat and Tobiah are for opposing the work that God has sent him to do. If it would be helpful in your language, you could combine these phrases. Alternate translation: “do not ever forgive them”
And do not cover over their iniquity
Quote: וְאַל־תְּכַס֙ עַל־עֲוֺנָ֔ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Nehemiah speaks of a person’s sins as if they were an object that could be physically hidden. Alternate translation: “do not forgive their sins”
and do not wipe out their sin
Quote: וְחַטָּאתָ֖ם & אַל־תִּמָּחֶ֑ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Nehemiah speaks of a person’s sins as if they were something written that could be erased. Alternate translation: “do not forget their sins”
from before your face
Quote: מִלְּפָנֶ֣יךָ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Here, face means the action of seeing or a person’s notice or attention. A person can see what is in front of their face, so in this case the expression means, “from where you can see it”
for they have provoked anger before the front of the builders
Quote: כִּ֥י הִכְעִ֖יסוּ לְנֶ֥גֶד הַבּוֹנִֽים (1)This expression could mean one of the following three things: (1) It could mean that they have made God angry by opposing the work he has commanded Nehemiah to do. Alternate translation: “they have made you become angry.” This possibility seems the most likely, since Nehemiah is praying that what these men are trying to do to others will happen to them. (2) It could mean that they have caused others to be angry at the people who are rebuilding the wall. Alternate translation: “they have caused others to be angry at the people who are rebuilding the wall.” (3) It could mean that Sanballat and Tobiah have made the builders angry by mocking them. Alternate translation: “they have made the builders become angry”
Nehemiah 4:6
So we built the wall
Quote: וַנִּבְנֶה֙ אֶת־הַ֣חוֹמָ֔ה (1)As in chapter 3, it might be helpful to say “rebuilt.” The Jews were not building something brand new. See the note to 3:1.
and all the wall was joined together up to half of it
Quote: וַתִּקָּשֵׁ֥ר כָּל־הַחוֹמָ֖ה עַד־חֶצְיָ֑הּ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
You can say this with an active form, and you can say who did the action. Alternate translation: “we filled in the breaks as high as halfway up the wall”
and all the wall was joined together up to half of it
Quote: וַתִּקָּשֵׁ֥ר כָּל־הַחוֹמָ֖ה עַד־חֶצְיָ֑הּ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
It appears from the context that this likely took some time and perseverance after Sanballat and Tobiah began to mock and oppose the project. If it would be helpful in your language, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “after some time, we filled in the breaks”
up to half of it
Quote: עַד־חֶצְיָ֑הּ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-fraction
“Half” means one part out of two equal parts.
And the heart of the people was for working
Quote: וַיְהִ֧י לֵ֦ב לָעָ֖ם לַעֲשֽׂוֹת (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Here the heart represents the thoughts and the will of the people. Alternate translation: “Everyone was determined to accomplish this.”
Nehemiah 4:7
And it happened
Quote: וַיְהִ֣י (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-newevent
Nehemiah uses this phrase to introduce the next event in his story. You do not need to represent it in your translation unless your language has a similar expression that it characteristically uses.
Sanballat, and Tobiah
Quote: סַנְבַלַּ֡ט וְ֠טוֹבִיָּה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
This are the names of men. See how you translated them in 2:10.
and the Arabians, and the Ammonites, and the Ashdodites
Quote: וְהָעַרְבִ֨ים וְהָעַמֹּנִ֜ים וְהָאַשְׁדּוֹדִ֗ים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
These are the names of people groups.
the health of the walls of Jerusalem was going up
Quote: עָלְתָ֤ה אֲרוּכָה֙ לְחֹמ֣וֹת יְרוּשָׁלִַ֔ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification
Here Nehemiah is speaking of the wall around Jerusalem as if it were a living thing that was sick because it was broken down. Nehemiah speaks of the repairs to the wall as if the wall is becoming healthy again. Alternate translation: “we were continuing to repair the walls of Jerusalem”
was going up
Quote: עָלְתָ֤ה (1)Alternate translation: “was increasing”
and the breaks were beginning to be closed
Quote: כִּי־הֵחֵ֥לּוּ הַפְּרֻצִ֖ים לְהִסָּתֵ֑ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
You can say this with an active form, and you can say who did the action. Alternate translation: “we were continuing to … fill in the gaps”
that, … it burned them extremely
Quote: וַיִּ֥חַר לָהֶ֖ם מְאֹֽד (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Here Nehemiah says that the anger of these enemies was a fire that burned inside of them. Alternate translation: “they became very angry” or “they became enraged”
Nehemiah 4:8
to fight against Jerusalem
Quote: לְהִלָּחֵ֣ם בִּירוּשָׁלִָ֑ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
Here, Jerusalem refers to the people who live there. These enemies were not coming to fight against the walls and buildings. Nehemiah is describing the people of Jerusalem by reference to something associated with them, the city where they live. Alternate translation: “to fight against the people of Jerusalem”
and to make confusion for it
Quote: וְלַעֲשׂ֥וֹת ל֖וֹ תּוֹעָֽה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns
The abstract noun confusion refers to the way these enemies hoped that their attack would make the people of Jerusalem not know what to do. The people might disagree among themselves about whether they should keep working on the wall or whether they should discontinue the work to appease the attackers. They might also disagree about how to defend themselves. you could translate the idea behind the term “confusion” with adjectives such as “confused” and “divided.” Alternate translation: “They wanted to make the people inside the city confused and divided.”
Nehemiah 4:9
And we set up a guard on account of them
Quote: וַנַּעֲמִ֨יד מִשְׁמָ֧ר עֲלֵיהֶ֛ם (1)Alternate translation: “and we put men around the wall to guard the city”
by day and by night
Quote: יוֹמָ֥ם וָלַ֖יְלָה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-merism
This does not mean that some people went up on the walls to look around at various parts of the day, and others went up at certain times of night. Nehemiah is describing how he maintained a constant guard by speaking of two times when people were on duty, the day and the night, in order to include all the time in between. Alternate translation: “at all times,” otherwise “throughout the day and night”
against their faces
Quote: מִפְּנֵיהֶֽם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
This term could mean two different things: (1) Here, probably Their faces means the front of a group. This likely means that the lookouts would see the front ranks of the army as they approached. Alternate translation: “to spot them as they approached”. (2) Here, “their faces” could also be a figurative way of referring to the enemies and their hostile intentions toward the people doing the work. Alternate translations: “against them”
Nehemiah 4:10
And Judah said
Quote: וַיֹּ֣אמֶר יְהוּדָ֗ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
Nehemiah is describing the people of Judah by reference to something associated with them, the name of their province. Alternate translation: “Then the people of Judah started saying”
The strength of the burden-bearers is failing
Quote: כָּשַׁל֙ כֹּ֣חַ הַסַּבָּ֔ל (1)Alternate translation: “The people who are carrying the stones are getting worn out”
and … rubble
Quote: וְהֶעָפָ֖ר (1)Alternate translation: “and … burned stone” or “and … broken rock” or “and … unusable stone”
And as for us, we are not able to build the wall
Quote: וַאֲנַ֨חְנוּ֙ לֹ֣א נוּכַ֔ל לִבְנ֖וֹת בַּחוֹמָֽה (1)Alternate translation: “We are not going to be able to finish rebuilding the wall”
Nehemiah 4:11
They will not know, and they will not see until when we come into their midst
Quote: לֹ֤א יֵדְעוּ֙ וְלֹ֣א יִרְא֔וּ עַ֛ד אֲשֶׁר־נָב֥וֹא אֶל־תּוֹכָ֖ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism
These two phrases mean similar things. The enemies use the repetition to emphasize how confident they are of launching a surprise attack. If it would be helpful in your language, you could combine these phrases. Alternate translation: “They will not be expecting an attack until we are right there,” otherwise “before they see us and know we are coming, we will rush down on them”
and they will not see
Quote: וְלֹ֣א יִרְא֔וּ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
While the enemies could be referring to the Jews literally not seeing them approach, “seeing” could also be a way of describing knowledge, notice, or attention. In that case this expression would mean the same thing as “they will not know.” Alternate translation: “they will not be expecting”
Nehemiah 4:12
came
Quote: בָּ֣אוּ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
The implication is that they came to Jerusalem to speak with the Jewish leaders there. If it would be helpful in your language, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “came to Jerusalem to speak with us”
the Jews dwelling beside them
Quote: הַיְּהוּדִ֔ים הַיֹּשְׁבִ֖ים אֶצְלָ֑ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche
Them means the enemies Nehemiah has been talking about, so this expression likely refers to the Jews who lived near Nehemiah and those helping him. But it does not mean all of these Jews, just some who came to Jerusalem. Nehemiah is describing part of this group as if it were the whole group. Alternate translation: “some of the Jews who lived near our enemies”
that, … they said to us ten times
Quote: וַיֹּ֤אמְרוּ לָ֨נוּ֙ עֶ֣שֶׂר פְּעָמִ֔ים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
Here the number 10 is used to represent “many.” Alternate translation: “spoke to us many times”
From all the places where you turn, they are on us
Quote: מִכָּל־הַמְּקֹמ֖וֹת אֲשֶׁר־תָּשׁ֥וּבוּ עָלֵֽינוּ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
The meaning of this Hebrew phrase is uncertain. However, one explanation that would fit the context is that these exposed Jewish communities sent representatives to Jerusalem to tell Nehemiah that they were afraid of being attacked in their villages. The “places where you return” could mean “anywhere we live,” referring to the villages, and “they are on us” could mean that the enemies could attack these undefended towns at any time. Perhaps these representatives were asking Nehemiah to release their able-bodied men from work duty and send them home so they could help defend their families and neighbors. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say something like this explicitly. Alternate translation: “Our enemies could attack us anywhere we live, so let our men return home so they can defend us!”
From all the places
Quote: מִכָּל־הַמְּקֹמ֖וֹת (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole
This phrase likely indicates “in every direction.” The word “all” is an exaggeration for emphasis. Alternate translation: “anywhere we live”
Nehemiah 4:13
And I stationed
Quote: וָֽאַעֲמִ֞יד (1)If you follow the suggestion in the previous note for translating the last phrase in 4:12, then you could show here that Nehemiah is indicating a contrast between what the representatives wanted him to do and what he actually did. Instead of scattering his forces by sending the men from other towns home, he concentrated them visibly in Jerusalem, expecting that the main attack would come there. Alternate translation: “But” or “Instead”
And I stationed from the lowest of places behind the wall, in the bare places
Quote: וָֽאַעֲמִ֞יד מִֽתַּחְתִּיּ֧וֹת לַמָּק֛וֹם מֵאַחֲרֵ֥י לַחוֹמָ֖ה בַּצְּחִיחִ֑ים (1)Alternate translation: “I put guards behind the wall at the places where it was low or where there were gaps in it.”
and I stationed the people by families
Quote: וָֽאַעֲמִ֤יד אֶת־הָעָם֙ לְמִשְׁפָּח֔וֹת (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche
This does not mean all the people, and it does not mean every member of every family. Nehemiah is describing part of the people as if they were all of them, and part of each family as if it were the whole family. Chapter 3 describes how Nehemiah organized the work on the wall by family and community groups. He seems to have organized the defense of the city the same way. Alternate translation: “I positioned people from each family”
and their bows
Quote: וְקַשְּׁתֹתֵיהֶֽם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown
This means not just bows, but bows and arrows.
Nehemiah 4:14
And I looked
Quote: וָאֵ֣רֶא (1)This likely means that Nehemiah literally looked over all the defenses he had put in place. Alternate translation: “After I had inspected everything”
and I rose up, and I said
Quote: וָאָק֗וּם וָאֹמַ֞ר (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
Since Nehemiah immediately addresses a group of people, the implication is that he gathered them together to speak to them. If it would be helpful in your language, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “I summoned … and I told them”
and I rose up
Quote: וָאָק֗וּם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
In this context, the expression “rose up” likely is a way of saying that Nehemiah took public action, not that he had been sitting or lying down and got up.
to the nobles, and to the prefects
Quote: אֶל־הַחֹרִ֤ים וְאֶל־הַסְּגָנִים֙ (1)See how you translated these terms in 2:16. Alternate translation: “to the leading citizens and the city officials”
the rest of the people
Quote: יֶ֣תֶר הָעָ֔ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche
This does not mean all of the other people who lived in Jerusalem, but rather many of them who came to hear Nehemiah speak on this occasion. He is describing part of the people as if they were all of them. Alternate translation: “many of the other people”
Do not be afraid of their faces
Quote: אַל־תִּֽירְא֖וּ מִפְּנֵיהֶ֑ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche
Here, face describes an entire person by reference to one part, the “face,” likely because the face shows what the person is thinking and feeling. Alternate translation: “Do not be afraid of our enemies”
Remember
Quote: זְכֹ֔רוּ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
In this context, remember does not refer to a person recalling something they have forgotten. Rather, it means, “keep in mind.” Alternate translation: “keep in mind”
my great and fearsome Lord
Quote: אֲדֹנָ֞י הַגָּד֤וֹל וְהַנּוֹרָא֙ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche
Nehemiah is referring here to Yahweh, the God who promised to bless and protect the Jews as his chosen people. When he says my, he is using himself to represent the entire community. Alternate translation: “our great and awesome God”
great and fearsome
Quote: הַגָּד֤וֹל וְהַנּוֹרָא֙ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet
Nehemiah uses this same expression in 1:5. See how you translated it there. Review the note there if that would be helpful. Alternate translation: “great and glorious”
your brothers
Quote: אֲחֵיכֶם֙ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Here, brother could mean biological brothers, but it is more likely that it refers to a person’s relatives, that is, their whole family. Alternate translation: “your families”
Nehemiah 4:15
And it happened … when
Quote: וַיְהִ֞י כַּֽאֲשֶׁר (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-newevent
Nehemiah uses this phrase to introduce the next event in his story. You do not need to represent it in your translation unless your language has a similar expression that it characteristically uses.
it was known to us
Quote: נ֣וֹדַֽע לָ֔נוּ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
If it would be helpful in your language, you could say this with an active form, and you could say who did the action. Alternate translation: “we found out about their plans”
it was known to us
Quote: נ֣וֹדַֽע לָ֔נוּ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
It means the plan of these enemies to launch a surprise attack, as described in 4:11. If it would be helpful in your language, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “we found out about their plans to launch a surprise attack”
and God had frustrated their counsels
Quote: וַיָּ֥פֶר הָאֱלֹהִ֖ים אֶת־עֲצָתָ֑ם (1)Alternate translation: “and God had kept them from doing what they planned.”
that, … all of us returned to the wall, a man to his work
Quote: וַנָּ֤שָׁב כֻּלָּ֨נוּ֙ אֶל־הַ֣חוֹמָ֔ה אִ֖ישׁ אֶל־מְלַאכְתּֽוֹ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
Here, the wall means the work on the wall. Nehemiah is describing this work by referring to something associated with it, the wall that was the object of the work. Alternate translation: “we all went back to working on the wall”
that, … all of us returned to the wall, a man to his work
Quote: וַנָּ֤שָׁב כֻּלָּ֨נוּ֙ אֶל־הַ֣חוֹמָ֔ה אִ֖ישׁ אֶל־מְלַאכְתּֽוֹ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
The implication is that when the enemies realized the Jews knew about their plans, they decided not to attack. If it would be helpful in your language, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “They decided not to attack us, and we all went back to working on the wall”
a man to his work
Quote: אִ֖ישׁ אֶל־מְלַאכְתּֽוֹ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
In this context, a man means “each person.” It does not refer only to an adult male. Alternate translation: “Each person continued doing the same work as before”
Nehemiah 4:16
from that day
Quote: מִן־הַיּ֣וֹם הַה֗וּא (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
In this context, day may not refer to one specific day, but rather to a more general time. Alternate translation: “from that time on” or “after that”
my young men were doing the work
Quote: נְעָרַי֮ עֹשִׂ֣ים בַּמְּלָאכָה֒ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
This expression refers to the servants who worked for Nehemiah. While they probably were young adult males, the expression is specifically envisioning their role and status. Alternate translation: “my servants”
were doing the work
Quote: עֹשִׂ֣ים בַּמְּלָאכָה֒ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
This refers to the work on the wall. If it would be helpful in your language, you could say that explicitly. Alternate translation: “worked on the wall”
half of my young men
Quote: חֲצִ֣י נְעָרַי֮ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-fraction
Half means one part out of two equal parts.
and the bows
Quote: וְהַקְּשָׁת֖וֹת (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown
As in 4:13, this means not just bows, but bows and arrows.
And the officials were behind all the house of Judah
Quote: וְהַ֨שָּׂרִ֔ים אַחֲרֵ֖י כָּל־בֵּ֥ית יְהוּדָֽה (1)This likely means that certain officials literally stood behind the workers and the guards. That is, they were inside the wall and close to it, while the guards stood right at the wall and the workers worked on it. Alternate translation: “Officers stood behind all the workers and guards”
And the officials were behind all the house of Judah
Quote: וְהַ֨שָּׂרִ֔ים אַחֲרֵ֖י כָּל־בֵּ֥ית יְהוּדָֽה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
The implication is that the leaders were there to give orders in case there was an attack. But it is likely that Nehemiah also wanted them to offer encouragement and maintain good morale. If it would be helpful in your language, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “Officers stood behind all the workers and guards to encourage everyone and to give orders in case there was an attack”
And the officials
Quote: וְהַ֨שָּׂרִ֔ים (1)From the context here and the use of this term in 7:2, it appears that these “officials” were responsible for giving commands in military situations. Alternate translation: “and officers”
all the house of Judah
Quote: כָּל־בֵּ֥ית יְהוּדָֽה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Here, the word house describes all the people descended from a particular person. All of the descendants of Judah are being described as if they were one household living together. So this would ordinarily mean “the people of Judah”
all the house of Judah
Quote: כָּל־בֵּ֥ית יְהוּדָֽה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche
However, in this context, the expression is not referring to all the people of Judah. Nehemiah is describing part of the people as if they were all of them. He means all of the workers and guards. The expression helps clarify that Nehemiah is no longer speaking just of his own servants, whom had divided into two groups to serve as workers and guards. Alternate translation: “all the workers and guards”
Nehemiah 4:17
and those who were carrying burdens, the loaders
Quote: וְהַנֹּשְׂאִ֥ים בַּסֶּ֖בֶל עֹמְשִׂ֑ים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet
These two short phrases mean similar things. Nehemiah uses them together for clarity and emphasis. You do not need to repeat both phrases in your translation if that would be confusing for your readers. Alternate translation: “and those who carried the heavy loads”
the loaders, they were doing the work with one of his hands and one grasping weaponry
Quote: עֹמְשִׂ֑ים בְּאַחַ֤ת יָדוֹ֙ עֹשֶׂ֣ה בַמְּלָאכָ֔ה וְאַחַ֖ת מַחֲזֶ֥קֶת הַשָּֽׁלַח (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole
Here his hands means “their hands.” This is an exaggeration. The builders and porters did not always work with only one hand. Rather, this means that they always had their weapons with them so that they would be prepared to fight off an attack. Alternate translation: “they always had their weapons with them while they were working on the wall”
Nehemiah 4:18
And the builders: a man girded his sword to his loins and built
Quote: וְהַ֨בּוֹנִ֔ים אִ֥ישׁ חַרְבּ֛וֹ אֲסוּרִ֥ים עַל־מָתְנָ֖יו וּבוֹנִ֑ים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
In this context, a man means “each person.” Alternate translation: “each builder worked with his sword strapped to his side”
And the one who blew the ram’s horn was beside me
Quote: וְהַתּוֹקֵ֥עַ בַּשּׁוֹפָ֖ר אֶצְלִֽי (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
The implication is that Nehemiah stationed this person next to him so that he could sound a signal if needed. (This becomes clear in 4:20.) If it would be helpful in your language, you could say that explicitly here. Alternate translation: “And I stationed someone next to me who would blow a ram’s horn if we needed a signal”
Nehemiah 4:19
And I said
Quote: וָאֹמַ֞ר (1)See how you translated these terms in 2:16. Alternate translation: “the leading citizens … the city officials”
the nobles … the prefects
Quote: הַחֹרִ֤ים & הַסְּגָנִים֙ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche
As in 4:14, this does not mean all of the other people who lived in Jerusalem, but rather many of them who came to hear Nehemiah speak on this occasion. He is describing part of the people as if they were all of them. Alternate translation: “many of the other people”
The work is great and vast
Quote: הַמְּלָאכָ֥ה הַרְבֵּ֖ה וּרְחָבָ֑ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet
Great and vast mean similar things. Nehemiah uses them together to emphasize the scope of the rebuilding project. You do not need to repeat both phrases in your translation if that would be confusing for your readers. Alternate translation: “large-scale” or “huge”
and we are separated on the wall, a man far from his brother
Quote: וַאֲנַ֗חְנוּ נִפְרָדִים֙ עַל־הַ֣חוֹמָ֔ה רְחוֹקִ֖ים אִ֥ישׁ מֵאָחִֽיו (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
In this context, a man means “each person,” and brother means “fellow Jew.” Alternate translation: “each of us is far apart from our fellow Jews along the wall”
Nehemiah 4:20
the sound of the ram’s horn
Quote: אֶת־ק֣וֹל הַשּׁוֹפָ֔ר (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
The implication is that the workers and guards would need to gather together to fight off an attack. The implication is also that while the people were widely scattered, they would all be able to hear the ram’s horn even from a distance, and so it would be an effective signal. If it would be helpful in your language, you could say these things explicitly. Alternate translation: “So if we all need to gather in one place to fight off an attack, I will have someone blow a ram’s horn there. You will be able to hear this signal from anywhere along the wall.”
the ram’s horn
Quote: הַשּׁוֹפָ֔ר (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown
See how you translated this in 4:18. Review the explanation there if that would be helpful.
Our God will fight for us
Quote: אֱלֹהֵ֖ינוּ יִלָּ֥חֶם לָֽנוּ (1)This does not mean that God will fight instead of the Jews, but that God will take their side and help them win. Alternate translation: “God will help us defeat our enemies”
Nehemiah 4:21
So we were doing the work
Quote: וַאֲנַ֖חְנוּ עֹשִׂ֣ים בַּמְּלָאכָ֑ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
This means the work of rebuilding the wall. If it would be helpful in your language, you could say that explicitly. Alternate translation: “So we continued to work on rebuilding the wall”
And half of them were grasping spears
Quote: וְחֶצְיָ֗ם מַחֲזִיקִים֙ בָּֽרְמָחִ֔ים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche
“Them” means the men who would otherwise have been working as builders or carrying loads, but who were serving as guards instead. As verses 4:13 and 4:16 make clear, the weaponry included not just spears, but also shields and bows and arrows. So Nehemiah is using “spears” here to refer to all of the weaponry. Alternate translation: “half of the men served as guards and kept their weapons ready”
And half of them
Quote: וְחֶצְיָ֗ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-fraction
Here half means one part out of two equal parts.
from the rising of the dawn until the coming out of the stars
Quote: מֵעֲל֣וֹת הַשַּׁ֔חַר עַ֖ד צֵ֥את הַכּוֹכָבִֽים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-merism
Nehemiah is referring to the entire day by speaking of two extreme parts of it, the time when first light of morning appears and the time when it becomes dark enough to see the stars, in order to include everything in between. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this meaning with a single phrase. Alternate translation: “at all times,” otherwise “from the time when the light of dawn appeared in the morning until the time when the stars appeared at night”
from the rising of the dawn
Quote: מֵעֲל֣וֹת הַשַּׁ֔חַר (1)This phrase refers to the daily appearance of light rising in the east in the early morning hours prior to the sun rising above the horizon. Alternate translation: “the first light of day”
the coming out of the stars
Quote: צֵ֥את הַכּוֹכָבִֽים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Here Nehemiah describes the appearing of the stars as if they came out of an enclosed container. Alternate translation: “the very beginning of the night”
Nehemiah 4:22
a man
Quote: אִ֣ישׁ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
In this context, a man means “each person” and more specifically “each worker.” As in 4:16, “young man” means servant. Alternate translation: “each worker and his servant”
in the midst of Jerusalem
Quote: בְּת֣וֹךְ יְרוּשָׁלִָ֑ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
This could be referring to workers who had come from nearby cities and towns to help rebuild the wall. It could also include people who lived in the Jerusalem area but whose homes were outside the city, such as local farmers. If it would be helpful in your language, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “spend the night inside Jerusalem and not go home if they live outside the city”
and they will be for us by night a guard and by day a worker
Quote: וְהָֽיוּ־לָ֧נוּ הַלַּ֛יְלָה מִשְׁמָ֖ר וְהַיּ֥וֹם מְלָאכָֽה (1)The idea is not that these men would be on guard duty all night and then work all day on the wall. Rather, their presence in the city would mean that a large number of defenders would be ready on short notice if needed. If it would be helpful in your language, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “That way the city will have plenty of defenders even at night, and they can still work on the wall during the daytime”
Nehemiah 4:23
And neither
Quote: וְאֵ֨ין (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-time-simultaneous
In this verse Nehemiah is describing something else that was also true of the conditions in Jerusalem during the time period he is describing. You can make this clear in your translation with an appropriate connecting word or phrase. Alternate translation: “At that time, neither”
nor my brothers
Quote: וְאַחַ֣י (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
Here brother likely refers to Nehemiah’s close relatives. Elsewhere in the book he indicates that his brother Hanani lived in the city and that his relatives ate with him at the governor’s table (1:2, 5:14, 7:2). Alternate translation: “nor my relatives”
nor my young men
Quote: וּנְעָרַ֗י (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
As in 4:16, this means “my servants.”
nor the men of the guard who were behind me
Quote: וְאַנְשֵׁ֤י הַמִּשְׁמָר֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר אַחֲרַ֔י (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown
This likely refers to the personal bodyguard that the king would have assigned to Nehemiah when he appointed him to be the governor of Judah. (Nehemiah describes this appointment in 5:14.) Alternate translation: “my personal bodyguard”
or a man his weapon at the water
Quote: אִ֖ישׁ שִׁלְח֥וֹ הַמָּֽיִם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis
Here the specific meaning of the Hebrew text is unknown, but Nehemiah is almost certainly leaving out some of the words that a sentence would normally have to have in order to be complete. He says that he and his relatives, servants, and bodyguards did not take off their clothes, or anyone his weapon at the water. This could mean that “no one took his weapon off even when he was washing himself” or that “no one took his weapon off even when going to get water.” If it would be helpful in your language, you could explain what “at the water” might mean, you could choose one of these possibilities. Alternate translation: “Each of us always had our weapons with us, even when we were washing ourselves.”
stripped off our clothes, or a man his weapon
Quote: פֹשְׁטִ֖ים בְּגָדֵ֑ינוּ אִ֖ישׁ שִׁלְח֥וֹ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
In this context, a man means anyone.
Nehemiah 5
Nehemiah 5 General Notes
Special concepts in this chapter
Equality
The rich made money from the poor. The rich oppressed the poor by charging interest on loans. Because Nehemiah wanted to treat everyone fairly, he did not collect any taxes from them. This chapter also emphasizes that it was wrong to enslave a fellow Jew. (See: INVALID bible/other/oppress)
Governor
Nehemiah was a governmental leader in Jerusalem, but he was not a king. Jerusalem had a great deal of independence, but it was under the authority of the Persian king. The term “governor” reflects this idea, but a different term may be used in translation.
Nehemiah 5:1
And there was
Quote: וַתְּהִ֨י (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-time-simultaneous
Nehemiah now relates something else that was happening even while the Jews were trying to rebuild the wall and defend themselves against their enemies. You can make this clear in your translation with an appropriate connecting word or phrase. Alternate translation: “Around this same time”
a great outcry of the people and their wives
Quote: צַעֲקַ֥ת הָעָ֛ם וּנְשֵׁיהֶ֖ם גְּדוֹלָ֑ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns
Outcry is an abstract noun that refers to the complaints that the poorer Jews made to Nehemiah about how the wealthier and more powerful Jews were treating them. If it would be helpful in your language, you could translate the idea behind this word with a verb such as “complain.” Since Nehemiah says this was a “great” outcry, involving many serious grievances, you could intensify the verb with an adverb such as “bitterly.” Alternate translation: “many of the men and their wives complained bitterly”
the people and their wives
Quote: הָעָ֛ם וּנְשֵׁיהֶ֖ם (1)Here, the people seems to indicate certain men who lived in Jerusalem, since Nehemiah also mentions their wives. Alternate translation: “many of the men and their wives”
their brothers
Quote: אֲחֵיהֶ֖ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Here, brother does not seem to mean biological brothers, but to refer to other members of the same people group. Alternate translation: “their fellow Jews”
their brothers, the Jews
Quote: אֲחֵיהֶ֖ם הַיְּהוּדִֽים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet
These two short phrases mean similar things. Nehemiah uses them together to emphasize how inappropriate it was for people to treat members of their own group in the ways described. If it would be helpful in your language, you could combine these phrases. Alternate translation: “their fellow Jews”
Nehemiah 5:2
And there were those who said
Quote: וְיֵשׁ֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר אֹמְרִ֔ים (1)Verses 2, 3, 4, and 5 do not seem to be different complaints that people brought to Nehemiah separately. Rather, the whole group seems to be complaining that because they need to get food for their families, wealthier and more powerful Jews are exploiting them. They are forcing them to take mortgages and loans and even sell their children into slavery. Nehemiah is probably depicting one speaker after another in the crowd adding details to this picture. You could suggest this to the readers of your translation by introducing these comments with a translation such as, “some of them began to say”
Our sons and our daughters, we are many
Quote: בָּנֵ֥ינוּ וּבְנֹתֵ֖ינוּ אֲנַ֣חְנוּ רַבִּ֑ים (1)Alternate translation: “We have many children”
And let us take grain
Quote: וְנִקְחָ֥ה דָגָ֖ן (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche
This does not mean only grain. The people complaining to Nehemiah are using one kind of food, grain, the staple of their diet, to refer to all the foods they would need to eat. Alternate translation: “we need food”
And let us take grain
Quote: וְנִקְחָ֥ה דָגָ֖ן (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
The implication is that because the families are large, a lot of food is needed. If it would be helpful in your language, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “we need to get a lot of food”
so we can eat, and we can live
Quote: וְנֹאכְלָ֥ה וְנִחְיֶֽה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet
These two short phrases mean similar things. The people use them together to emphasize the urgency and importance of having food. If it would be helpful in your language, you could combine these phrases. Alternate translation: “to get enough food to stay alive”
Nehemiah 5:3
And there were those who said
Quote: וְיֵשׁ֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר אֹמְרִ֔ים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
(See the applicable note to 2:2) Alternate translation: “Others added”
We are mortgaging our fields and our vineyards and our houses so we can get grain during the famine
Quote: שְׂדֹתֵ֛ינוּ וּכְרָמֵ֥ינוּ וּבָתֵּ֖ינוּ אֲנַ֣חְנוּ עֹרְבִ֑ים וְנִקְחָ֥ה דָגָ֖ן בָּרָעָֽב (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown
It might be helpful to explain to your readers what a mortgage is, if you think they might not know. Alternate translation: “We have had to promise to give someone our fields, vineyards, and houses if we do not pay back the money we borrowed. We had to borrow the money to buy food during this time when food is scarce.”
Nehemiah 5:4
And there were those who said
Quote: וְיֵשׁ֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר אֹמְרִ֔ים (1)Different people in the crowd apparently continue to add details to the complaint. Alternate translation: “Still others said”
We have borrowed silver
Quote: לָוִ֥ינוּ כֶ֖סֶף (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
Silver here means “money.” Nehemiah is describing money by reference to the commodity that is being used as a means of exchange, silver. Alternate translation: “We have had to borrow money”
for the tribute of the king on our fields and our vineyards
Quote: לְמִדַּ֣ת הַמֶּ֑לֶךְ שְׂדֹתֵ֖ינוּ וּכְרָמֵֽינוּ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown
Tribute means “taxes” here. Alternate translation: “the taxes that the king commanded us to pay on our fields and our vineyards”
Nehemiah 5:5
And now
Quote: וְעַתָּ֗ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-words-phrases
This term indicates that the sentence that follows is a further development of the thought from the previous sentence.
our flesh is as the flesh of our brothers, our sons are as their sons
Quote: כִּבְשַׂ֤ר אַחֵ֨ינוּ֙ בְּשָׂרֵ֔נוּ כִּבְנֵיהֶ֖ם בָּנֵ֑ינוּ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
Here the Jews are insisting that they are of the same Jewish descent as the other Jews and that they of the same importance as the others. If it would be helpful in your language, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “Yet our families are Jews just like the other Jews’ families, and our children are just as important to us as their children are to them”
our flesh is as the flesh of our brothers, our sons are as their sons
Quote: כִּבְשַׂ֤ר אַחֵ֨ינוּ֙ בְּשָׂרֵ֔נוּ כִּבְנֵיהֶ֖ם בָּנֵ֑ינוּ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns
These two phrases mean similar things. The people complaining to Nehemiah are using the repetition to emphasize how shameful it is for the wealthy and powerful to sell their own fellow Jews into slavery. If it would be helpful in your language, you could combine these phrases. Alternate translation: “And we are Jews, just like the people who are doing these things to us!”
our flesh is as the flesh of our brothers, our sons are as their sons
Quote: כִּבְשַׂ֤ר אַחֵ֨ינוּ֙ בְּשָׂרֵ֔נוּ כִּבְנֵיהֶ֖ם בָּנֵ֑ינוּ (1)You could move this sentence to the end of the verse, since it is the culmination of the argument.
our brothers
Quote: אַחֵ֨ינוּ֙ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Here, brother describes the Jews who are exploiting their poor and vulnerable fellow Jews. Alternate translation: “And we are Jews, just like the people who are doing these things to us!”
And behold
Quote: וְהִנֵּ֣ה (1)Behold is a term meant to focus the attention of the listener on what the speaker is about to say. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could use some emphatic term or expression in your language that would have this same effect.
we are putting our sons and our daughters into bondage as slaves. There are those even of our daughters who have been put into bondage
Quote: אֲנַ֣חְנוּ כֹ֠בְשִׁים אֶת־בָּנֵ֨ינוּ וְאֶת־בְּנֹתֵ֜ינוּ לַעֲבָדִ֗ים וְיֵ֨שׁ מִבְּנֹתֵ֤ינוּ נִכְבָּשׁוֹת֙ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
In this context, the construction are putting likely indicates that the poor are on the verge of selling their children into slavery. The next sentence shows that they have already done this in some instances. It appears that in this culture, in dire situations, girls were sold before boys, perhaps because they could become either domestic servants or concubines. A concubine was a woman who was both a slave and a secondary wife to her master. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this statement that way. Alternate translation: “We are on the verge of selling our children into slavery. In fact, we have already sold some of our daughters as servants and concubines.”
and there is nothing to God in our hand, for our fields and our vineyards belong to others
Quote: וְאֵ֣ין לְאֵ֣ל יָדֵ֔נוּ וּשְׂדֹתֵ֥ינוּ וּכְרָמֵ֖ינוּ לַאֲחֵרִֽים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result
If it would be helpful in your language, you could reverse the order of these phrases because the second phrase gives the reason why the first phrase is true. Alternate translation: “because our creditors took the fields and vineyards we pledged as security for loans, there is nothing else we can do in this situation.”
and there is nothing to God in our hand
Quote: וְאֵ֣ין לְאֵ֣ל יָדֵ֔נוּ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
There is nothing to God in our hand is an idiom that means that the speaker does not have the power to do what they are describing. Alternate translation: “there is nothing else we can do in this situation”
for our fields and our vineyards belong to others
Quote: וּשְׂדֹתֵ֥ינוּ וּכְרָמֵ֖ינוּ לַאֲחֵרִֽים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
The implication is that when the poor could not pay back their loans, their creditors took the fields and vineyards they had pledged as collateral. If it would be helpful in your language, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “because our creditors took the fields and vineyards we pledged as security for loans.”
Nehemiah 5:6
And it burned me extremely
Quote: וַיִּ֥חַר לִ֖י מְאֹ֑ד (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Here Nehemiah says that his anger was a fire that burned inside of him. Alternate translation: “I got very angry”
when I heard their outcry and these words
Quote: כַּאֲשֶׁ֤ר שָׁמַ֨עְתִּי֙ אֶת־זַֽעֲקָתָ֔ם וְאֵ֖ת הַדְּבָרִ֥ים הָאֵֽלֶּה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns
Outcry is an abstract noun that refers to complaints that the poorer Jews made to Nehemiah about how the wealthier and more powerful Jews were treating them. You can translate the idea behind this word with a verb such as “complain.” Alternate translation: “when I heard how they were complaining”
their outcry and these words
Quote: אֶת־זַֽעֲקָתָ֔ם וְאֵ֖ת הַדְּבָרִ֥ים הָאֵֽלֶּה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet
These two short phrases mean similar things. They are used together to emphasize the urgency and severity of these complaints. You do not need to repeat both phrases in your translation if that would be confusing for your readers. Alternate translation: “everything that they were complaining about”
Nehemiah 5:7
And my heart reigned over me
Quote: וַיִּמָּלֵ֨ךְ לִבִּ֜י עָלַ֗י (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification
Here Nehemiah is speaking about his heart as if it were a living thing that could act like a king and rule over him. However, he is not saying that his feelings commanded his actions. (He says in the previous verse that he became very angry, but in the next verse he describes acting in a careful and deliberate manner.) Instead, this means that his heart “took counsel” with him, the way a king would take counsel with advisors. In effect, Nehemiah is saying that he talked the matter over with himself. Alternate translation: “I thought hard about what to do”
And my heart reigned over me
Quote: וַיִּמָּלֵ֨ךְ לִבִּ֜י עָלַ֗י (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Here, the heart represents the thoughts and the will. Alternate translation: “I thought hard about what to do”
and I contended
Quote: וָאָרִ֨יבָה֙ (1)Contended is a technical term that means “to bring charges.” It means to initiate a lawsuit that would require the defendants to answer for themselves publicly, in the presence of their fellow citizens. Alternate translation: “Then I brought charges”
the nobles … the prefects
Quote: הַחֹרִ֣ים & הַסְּגָנִ֔ים (1)See how you translated these terms in 2:16. Alternate translation: “the leading citizens and the city officials”
You are lending interest
Quote: מַשָּׁ֥א & אַתֶּ֣ם נֹשִׁ֑ים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
This expression means to charge interest when loaning money to another person. Alternate translation: “You are charging interest”
interest, a man against his brother
Quote: מַשָּׁ֥א אִישׁ־בְּאָחִ֖יו (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
The Law of Moses specifically forbade charging interest on a loan to a fellow Jew. So this was not just an exploitive business practice, it was a violation of God’s Law. The rich and powerful Jews would certainly have been expected to know this. If it would be helpful in your language, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “You are charging interest on loans to your fellow Jews. You know that is forbidden in the Law of Moses.”
a man against his brother
Quote: אִישׁ־בְּאָחִ֖יו (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
In this context, “a man” means “each person.” It does not mean only an adult male.
a man against his brother
Quote: אִישׁ־בְּאָחִ֖יו (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Here, brother could conceivably include even biological brothers, but in context it likely refers to fellow Jews. Alternate translation: “to your fellow Jews”
And I put forth a great assembly against them
Quote: וָאֶתֵּ֥ן עֲלֵיהֶ֖ם קְהִלָּ֥ה גְדוֹלָֽה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown
This means that, as part of conducting the lawsuit against these wealthy and powerful Jews, Nehemiah brought together a large group of their fellow citizens to hear the charges against them. This group was the “assembly.” Alternate translation: “I put them on trial in front of their fellow citizens”
And I put forth a great assembly against them
Quote: וָאֶתֵּ֥ן עֲלֵיהֶ֖ם קְהִלָּ֥ה גְדוֹלָֽה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-events
To present the events in chronological order, if that would be helpful to your readers, you could put this before the previous sentence, which describes the first charge that Nehemiah brought at this trial.
Nehemiah 5:8
We ourselves, … have bought back
Quote: אֲנַ֣חְנוּ קָ֠נִינוּ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
We likely means Nehemiah and his relatives, as in 4:23. If it would be helpful in your language, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “My relatives and I have bought back”
We … have bought back our brothers, the Jews, the ones who were sold to the nations
Quote: קָ֠נִינוּ אֶת־אַחֵ֨ינוּ הַיְּהוּדִ֜ים הַנִּמְכָּרִ֤ים לַגּוֹיִם֙ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-events
To present the events in chronological order, if that would be helpful to your readers, you could put the information that some Jews had to sell themselves into slavery before the information that Nehemiah and his relatives bought their freedom. Alternate translation: “Whenever our Jewish relatives have had to sell themselves into slavery to people from other nations … we have been buying them back”
according to our ability
Quote: כְּדֵ֣י בָ֔נוּ (1)Alternate translation: “to the best of our ability”
our brothers, the Jews
Quote: אַחֵ֨ינוּ הַיְּהוּדִ֜ים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet
These two short phrases mean similar things. They are used together to emphasize that buying them back was an honorable and expected action. You do not need to repeat both phrases in your translation if that would be confusing for your readers. Alternate translation: “our Jewish relatives”
our brothers
Quote: אַחֵ֨ינוּ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Here, brother likely refers to fellow Jews. Alternate translation: “our fellow Jews”
the Jews, the ones who were sold
Quote: הַיְּהוּדִ֜ים הַנִּמְכָּרִ֤ים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
You can say this with an active form, and you can say who did the action. Alternate translation: “our fellow Jews have had to sell themselves”
But even you yourselves are selling your brothers, and they are being bought back by us
Quote: וְגַם־אַתֶּ֛ם תִּמְכְּר֥וּ אֶת־אֲחֵיכֶ֖ם וְנִמְכְּרוּ־לָ֑נוּ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
This means that they are selling their family members, both men and women, as slaves to their fellow Jews. The full meaning of this statement can be made clear. Alternate translation: “Now you are selling your own people to be slaves of your fellow Jews, so that they might later sell them back to us”
the ones who were sold to the nations
Quote: הַנִּמְכָּרִ֤ים לַגּוֹיִם֙ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “who people had sold as slaves to the nations”
But even … yourselves
Quote: וְגַם־אַתֶּ֛ם (1)This is an emphatic expression. Nehemiah uses it to show how serious the offense is. If it would be helpful in your language, you could indicate this emphasis in some way in your translation. Alternate translation: “you are actually”
you … are selling your brothers
Quote: תִּמְכְּר֥וּ אֶת־אֲחֵיכֶ֖ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
This means that the creditors were selling the debtors into slavery to recover the money they owed. If it would be helpful in your language, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “you are actually selling your fellow Jews into slavery to get back the money they owe you”
your brothers
Quote: אֲחֵיכֶ֖ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Here, brother likely refers to fellow Jews. Alternate translation: “your fellow Jews”
and they are being bought back by us
Quote: וְנִמְכְּרוּ־לָ֑נוּ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
You can say this with an active form, and you can say who did the action. Alternate translation: “They are some of the very people we have been buying back!”
Then they were silent, and they did not find a word
Quote: וַֽיַּחֲרִ֔ישׁוּ וְלֹ֥א מָצְא֖וּ דָּבָֽר (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
The implication is that the accused said nothing because they knew that Nehemiah’s charges were true. If it would be helpful in your language, you could say that explicitly. Alternate translation: “They knew that these charges were true, so they were silent. They could not answer a single word.”
Then they were silent, and they did not find a word
Quote: וַֽיַּחֲרִ֔ישׁוּ וְלֹ֥א מָצְא֖וּ דָּבָֽר (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism
These two phrases mean similar things. Nehemiah uses the repetition to emphasize how completely guilty the accused people were. If it would be helpful in your language, you could combine these phrases. Alternate translation: “there was absolutely nothing they could say in response.”
Nehemiah 5:9
This thing that you are doing is not good
Quote: לֹא־ט֥וֹב הַדָּבָ֖ר אֲשֶׁר־אַתֶּ֣ם עֹשִׂ֑ים (1)In this context, good does have a moral connotation. Nehemiah is saying more than that this is not a good idea. Alternate translation: “What you are doing is wrong!”
Should you not walk in the fear of our God, because of the reproach of the nations, our enemies
Quote: הֲל֞וֹא בְּיִרְאַ֤ת אֱלֹהֵ֨ינוּ֙ תֵּלֵ֔כוּ מֵחֶרְפַּ֖ת הַגּוֹיִ֥ם אוֹיְבֵֽינוּ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion
Nehemiah is making a statement, not asking a question. He does not expect the accused to give him reasons why they should not obey God. Instead, he is using the question form to emphasize how important it is for these wealthy and powerful Jews to stop doing these wrong things. Alternate translation: “You really ought to live your life in a way that honors God!”
Should you not walk in the fear of our God
Quote: הֲל֞וֹא בְּיִרְאַ֤ת אֱלֹהֵ֨ינוּ֙ תֵּלֵ֔כוּ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
In this context, fear does not mean to be afraid. It means to show respect and reverence, specifically by obeying instead of disobeying. Alternate translation: “live your life in a way that honors God”
you … walk
Quote: תֵּלֵ֔כוּ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
Here, walk is an idiom that describes a person’s conduct in life. Alternate translation: “live your life”
because of the reproach of the nations, our enemies
Quote: מֵחֶרְפַּ֖ת הַגּוֹיִ֥ם אוֹיְבֵֽינוּ (1)This may be a reference to the way the enemies of the Jews were already mocking them, or to the way they would mock them if they learned of what was happening. It could mean both things. Alternate translation: “Otherwise, our enemies will mock us even more”
because of the reproach of the nations, our enemies
Quote: מֵחֶרְפַּ֖ת הַגּוֹיִ֥ם אוֹיְבֵֽינוּ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns
Reproach is an abstract noun that refers to the way the enemies of the Jews were mocking them. If it would be helpful in your language, you could translate the same idea with a verb such as “mock.” Alternate translation: “to keep the nations who are our enemies from mocking us”
the nations, our enemies
Quote: הַגּוֹיִ֥ם אוֹיְבֵֽינוּ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet
These two short phrases mean similar things. Nehemiah uses them together to emphasize the identity and hostility of the people who are opposing the Jews. If it would be helpful in your language, you could combine them. Alternate translation: “our enemies”
Nehemiah 5:10
Also, even I, my brothers, and my young men
Quote: וְגַם־אֲנִי֙ אַחַ֣י וּנְעָרַ֔י (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
As in 4:23, this means, “I myself, my relatives, and my servants.” The term “brother” here likely includes one or more of Nehemiah’s biological brothers, but more generally it refers to his close relatives. Alternate translation: “I myself, my relatives, and my servants”
are lending against them silver and grain
Quote: נֹשִׁ֥ים בָּהֶ֖ם כֶּ֣סֶף וְדָגָ֑ן (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
The implication is that Nehemiah and his companions are lending without charging any interest. If it would be helpful in your language, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “have been lending money and grain to those in need without charging interest”
silver
Quote: כֶּ֣סֶף (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
Silver here means “money.” Nehemiah is describing money by reference to the commodity that is being used as a means of exchange, silver. Alternate translation: “money”
Please, let us forsake this interest
Quote: נַֽעַזְבָה־נָּ֖א אֶת־הַמַּשָּׁ֥א הַזֶּֽה (1)It is clear from the context that us in this sentence does not mean Nehemiah and his companions, but rather the entire Jewish community, of which they are a part. Nehemiah could say to the defendants, accusingly, “You must stop charging interest!” But he includes himself and the entire community as a way of being encouraging rather than condemning. (This would be a use of “we/us” that includes the addressees. You should make this clear in your translation if your language makes that distinction.) Alternate translation: “All of us should stop charging interest on loans.”
Nehemiah 5:11
Please, … return to them
Quote: הָשִׁיבוּ֩ נָ֨א לָהֶ֜ם (1)This is worded as a polite request, but it is really a demand. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express it with an imperative. “Give them back”
even today
Quote: כְּהַיּ֗וֹם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
This does not necessarily mean on this same day, but without waiting. Alternate translation: “Do it right away!”
and a hundred of
Quote: וּמְאַ֨ת (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-fraction
In this context, this expression means “the hundredth part,” or one per cent. In this culture, this was likely charged monthly, so it would have amounted to 12% annual interest. In an economy that was based more on commodities than on cash, this would have been an exorbitant amount. If your culture typically calculates interest at an annual rate, you could express it that way here to help your readers understand the likely meaning. Alternate translation: “the 12% annual interest”
the silver
Quote: הַכֶּ֤סֶף (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
Silver means “money” here, as in verse 10. Alternate translation: “money”
are lending against them
Quote: נֹשִׁ֥ים בָּהֶֽם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
Alternate translation: “charging them” or “making them pay”
Nehemiah 5:12
And they said
Quote: וַיֹּאמְר֣וּ (1)They means the leading citizens and the city officials. Alternate translation: “These leaders replied”
We will return
Quote: נָשִׁ֗יב (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
The implication is that they will return the fields, vineyards, olive orchards, and houses that they took from the poor, as Nehemiah demanded in 5:11. If it would be helpful in your language, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “We will give back their fields, vineyards, olive orchards, and houses”
and we will seek nothing from them
Quote: וּמֵהֶם֙ לֹ֣א נְבַקֵּ֔שׁ (1)Alternate translation: “And we will stop charging them interest”
we will do according to what you say
Quote: נַעֲשֶׂ֔ה כַּאֲשֶׁ֖ר אַתָּ֣ה אוֹמֵ֑ר (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result
If it would be helpful in your language, you could put this statement first, since it is the reason for the results that follow, the return of property and the cancelling of interest. Alternate translation: “Yes, we will do what you say”
And I called the priests, and I caused them to swear to do according to this word
Quote: וָאֶקְרָא֙ אֶת־הַכֹּ֣הֲנִ֔ים וָֽאַשְׁבִּיעֵ֔ם לַעֲשׂ֖וֹת כַּדָּבָ֥ר הַזֶּֽה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
The implication is that the priests would have these leaders swear an oath before God. If it would be helpful in your language, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “Then I called the priests, and I made the leaders swear to God in front of them that they would do what they had promised.”
Nehemiah 5:13
I shook out my bosom
Quote: חָצְנִ֣י נָעַ֗רְתִּי (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
Bosom here refers to Nehemiah’s robe. It refers specifically by association to the part that he could gather together in front of him to form a pouch. Alternate translation: “I shook out the folds of my robe”
I shook out my bosom
Quote: חָצְנִ֣י נָעַ֗רְתִּי (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction
Nehemiah gathered his robe together in front of him, the way someone would if they wanted to carry something in its folds. Then he flung the robe open and shook it, so that anything that was in it would have scattered. By doing this, he demonstrated symbolically to the Jewish leaders what would happen to them if they broke the promise they made. Alternate translation: “I shook out the folds of my robe”
Thus may God shake out from his house and from his labor every man who does not cause this word to stand. And thus may he be shaken out and emptied
Quote: כָּ֣כָה יְנַעֵ֪ר הָֽאֱלֹהִ֟ים אֶת־כָּל־הָאִישׁ֩ אֲשֶׁ֨ר לֹֽא־יָקִ֜ים אֶת־הַדָּבָ֣ר הַזֶּ֗ה מִבֵּיתוֹ֙ וּמִ֣יגִיע֔וֹ וְכָ֛כָה יִהְיֶ֥ה נָע֖וּר וָרֵ֑ק (1)Alternate translation: “In the same way, may God take away the home and all the possessions of anyone who does not keep this promise”
every man
Quote: כָּל־הָאִישׁ֩ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-gendernotations
In this context, this expression means “anyone.” It could include women as well as men. Alternate translation: “anyone”
cause this word to stand
Quote: יָקִ֜ים אֶת־הַדָּבָ֣ר הַזֶּ֗ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification
The word means the promise that the leaders have made and the oath they have taken to confirm it. Nehemiah is speaking of this promise as if it were a living thing that could stand, that is, stay in place rather than go away. Alternate translation: “keep this oath”
from his house and from his labor
Quote: מִבֵּיתוֹ֙ וּמִ֣יגִיע֔וֹ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet
These two short phrases mean similar things. They are used together to express the totality of what a person owns. If it would be helpful in your language, you could combine them. Alternate translation: “everything he owns”
and from his labor
Quote: וּמִ֣יגִיע֔וֹ (1)Labor here refers to the “fruits of labor,” that is, the possessions that a person acquires through labor. Alternate translation: “all his possessions”
And thus may he be shaken out and emptied
Quote: וְכָ֛כָה יִהְיֶ֥ה נָע֖וּר וָרֵ֑ק (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism
This sentence repeats the meaning of the previous one. Nehemiah uses the repetition for emphasis. You would not need to use the same repetition in your translation if it were already clear that Nehemiah is speaking emphatically in the first sentence. However, you could also rephrase the meaning. Alternate translation: “Yes, may that person be separated from everything he owns”
shaken out and emptied
Quote: נָע֖וּר וָרֵ֑ק (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet
These two short phrases mean similar things. They are used together to emphasize how completely Nehemiah wants God to punish anyone who breaks the oath. You do not need to repeat both phrases in your translation if that would be confusing for your readers. Alternate translation: “be separated from everything he owns”
all the assembly
Quote: כָֽל־הַקָּהָ֜ל (1)This means everyone who was there, both the leaders who were the defendants and the citizens Nehemiah had gathered to hear the charges against them. Alternate translation: “everyone who was there”
Amen
Quote: אָמֵ֗ן (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
This is an expression that means, “Truly, it is so.” It expresses agreement with what someone has just said. You could express the meaning with a phrase such as, “We agree!” Or you could use the Hebrew term and explain its meaning: “Amen! It is true.”
And they praised Yahweh
Quote: וַֽיְהַלְלוּ֙ אֶת־יְהוָ֔ה (1)Alternate translation: “they worshipped God”
and the people did according to this word
Quote: וַיַּ֥עַשׂ הָעָ֖ם כַּדָּבָ֥ר הַזֶּֽה (1)The people means “the Jews.” “This word” means the promises they made. Alternate translation: “After that, none of the Jews took houses or fields to guarantee loans, and none of them charged interest”
Nehemiah 5:14
Also
Quote: גַּ֞ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
As explained in the note to 3:1, in this book, Nehemiah is recording everything that he did to help the people of Judah. He hopes and prays that God will bless him for what he did. He has just described how he rescued the poor from foreclosures and interest. Now he is going to describe something further that he did to help them. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “Here is something else I did to help the people”
from the day that he appointed me to be their governor in the land of Judah, from year 20 … of Artaxerxes the king
Quote: מִיּ֣וֹם ׀ אֲשֶׁר־צִוָּ֣ה אֹתִ֗י לִהְי֣וֹת פֶּחָם֮ בְּאֶ֣רֶץ יְהוּדָה֒ מִשְּׁנַ֣ת עֶשְׂרִ֗ים & לְאַרְתַּחְשַׁ֣סְתְּא הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ (1)This is background information that helps explain what Nehemiah will say next. Alternate translation: “Artaxerxes, the king of Persia, had appointed me to be the governor of the province of Judah during the twentieth year of his reign”
from the day … even until year 32 of Artaxerxes the king
Quote: מִיּ֣וֹם & וְ֠עַד שְׁנַ֨ת שְׁלֹשִׁ֤ים וּשְׁתַּ֨יִם֙ לְאַרְתַּחְשַׁ֣סְתְּא הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ (1)Alternate translation: “During the twelve years from that time until the thirty-second year of his reign”
from the day
Quote: מִיּ֣וֹם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
This is an idiom that means “from the time.” Alternate translation: “from that time”
from year 20 even until year 32
Quote: מִשְּׁנַ֣ת עֶשְׂרִ֗ים וְ֠עַד שְׁנַ֨ת שְׁלֹשִׁ֤ים וּשְׁתַּ֨יִם֙ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal
Alternate translation: “from the 20th year until the 32nd year of the reign of Artaxerxes as king” or “from year 20 until year 32 in the reign of Artaxerxes as king”
twelve years
Quote: שָׁנִ֖ים שְׁתֵּ֣ים עֶשְׂרֵ֑ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers
Alternate translation: “12 years” or “during those 12 years”
I myself did not eat the bread of the governor, nor did my brothers
Quote: אֲנִ֣י וְאַחַ֔י לֶ֥חֶם הַפֶּ֖חָה לֹ֥א אָכַֽלְתִּי (1)As Nehemiah explains in the next verse, he recognized that the people were poor and could not afford to provide very much for the expenses of the governor. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say that explicitly here. Alternate translation: “Because I knew that the people were poor and could not afford to pay for it, I did not accept the governor’s food allowance, and I did not use it to feed my relatives”
I myself did not eat … did
Quote: אֲנִ֣י & לֹ֥א אָכַֽלְתִּי (1)Alternate translation: “I did not accept”
the bread of the governor
Quote: לֶ֥חֶם הַפֶּ֖חָה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche
Nehemiah is using bread to refer to the entire food allowance that he was entitled to as the governor of Judah. He is describing all the food by the name of one part of it, the bread. Alternate translation: “the food that the people provided for the governor” or “the governor’s food allowance”
nor … my brothers
Quote: וְאַחַ֔י (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
As in 4:23, brother here likely refers to Nehemiah’s actual brother Hanani and the other close relatives who were with him. Alternate translation: “and I did not use it to feed my relatives”
Nehemiah 5:15
But the former governors who were before my face
Quote: וְהַפַּחוֹת֩ הָרִאשֹׁנִ֨ים אֲשֶׁר־לְפָנַ֜י (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet
Former and before my face mean similar things. If it would be helpful in your language, you could combine them. Alternate translation: “The men who were governors before me”
were before my face
Quote: לְפָנַ֜י (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche
Here face describes an entire person by reference to one part of them, the “face.” Alternate translation: “before me”
had been heavy on the people
Quote: הִכְבִּ֣ידוּ עַל־הָעָ֗ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Here Nehemiah speaks as if these governors had been a great burden that the people were carrying, making their lives very difficult. Alternate translation: “made life very difficult for the people”
and they took from them bread and wine, after forty silver shekels
Quote: וַיִּקְח֨וּ מֵהֶ֜ם בְּלֶ֤חֶם וָיַ֨יִן֙ אַחַר֙ כֶּֽסֶף־שְׁקָלִ֣ים אַרְבָּעִ֔ים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
After indicates that the supplies of bread and wine were in addition to the money. Nehemiah is likely describing what the former governors required of the people each day. If it would be helpful in your language, you could say that explicitly. Alternate translation: “They demanded that they supply them with bread and wine and forty silver shekels every day.”
forty silver shekels
Quote: כֶּֽסֶף־שְׁקָלִ֣ים אַרְבָּעִ֔ים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-bmoney
In ancient times, a silver shekel weighed about 11 grams or about a third of an ounce. You could try to express this in terms of modern money values, but if you did, that could cause your Bible translation to become outdated and inaccurate over time, since those values can change from year to year. Instead, you could say something general like “40 silver coins,” or give the equivalent weight, or use the biblical term in the text and give the weight in a note.
forty silver shekels
Quote: כֶּֽסֶף־שְׁקָלִ֣ים אַרְבָּעִ֔ים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers
Alternate translation: “forty silver shekels” or “40 pieces of silver”
Also, their young men had acted dominantly over the people
Quote: גַּ֥ם נַעֲרֵיהֶ֖ם שָׁלְט֣וּ עַל־הָעָ֑ם (1)Alternate translation: “Even their servants oppressed the people.”
But I myself did not do thus, from the face of the fear of God
Quote: וַאֲנִי֙ לֹא־עָשִׂ֣יתִי כֵ֔ן מִפְּנֵ֖י יִרְאַ֥ת אֱלֹהִֽים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result
In this sentence, If it would be helpful in your language, you could put the reason before the result. Alternate translation: “But because of my fear of God, I did not take the food”
from the face of the fear of God
Quote: מִפְּנֵ֖י יִרְאַ֥ת אֱלֹהִֽים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Here, face represents Nehemiah’s personal perception. “Fearing” God does not mean being afraid of God, but recognizing that God deserves respect and honor. Nehemiah is speaking of this perception figuratively, as if this recognition was always directly in front of him in a place where he could see it. He means that he was always aware of it. Alternate translation: “because I knew I needed to respect God”
Nehemiah 5:16
I held fast to the work of this wall
Quote: בִּמְלֶ֜אכֶת הַחוֹמָ֤ה הַזֹּאת֙ הֶחֱזַ֔קְתִּי (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Nehemiah describes himself as holding fast to, meaning “holding onto,” the work of rebuilding the wall. This means that he was devoted to it, and he did not pursue other interests, including ones that could have made money for him. Alternate translation: “I devoted myself to the work of rebuilding of the wall”
and we did not buy a field
Quote: וְשָׂדֶ֖ה לֹ֣א קָנִ֑ינוּ (1)We likely refers to Nehemiah and his relatives, since he mentions his servants next.
and we did not buy a field
Quote: וְשָׂדֶ֖ה לֹ֣א קָנִ֑ינוּ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche
Nehemiah is using the term field to describe any kind of real property that he and his relatives might have bought. Verse 11 shows that this could have included not just fields but also things like vineyards, olive orchards, and houses. He is describing all real property by reference to one kind, a field. Alternate translation: “My relatives and I did not buy any property”
and we did not buy a field
Quote: וְשָׂדֶ֖ה לֹ֣א קָנִ֑ינוּ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
The implication is that they could have bought property cheaply because the poor were so desperate. If it would be helpful in your language, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “My relatives and I did not buy any property, even though we could have gotten it cheaply because the poor were so desperate”
And all my young men were gathered there for the work
Quote: וְכָל־נְעָרַ֔י קְבוּצִ֥ים שָׁ֖ם עַל־הַמְּלָאכָֽה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
There means at the wall, and for the work means the work of rebuilding the wall. If it would be helpful in your language, you could say this with an active form, and you could say who did the action. Alternate translation: “I gathered all of my servants there to work on the wall”
Nehemiah 5:17
Now the Jews
Quote: וְהַיְּהוּדִ֨ים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche
While this expression means “the Jewish people” in most of the book, in the context here and in 2:16 it seems to mean “Jewish leaders.” Nehemiah is describing some members of this people group, its leaders, as if they were the whole group. Alternate translation: “the Jewish leaders”
and the prefects
Quote: וְהַסְּגָנִ֜ים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown
See how you translated this term in 2:16. Alternate translation: “city officials”
were 150 men at my table
Quote: מֵאָ֧ה וַחֲמִשִּׁ֣ים אִ֗ישׁ & עַל־שֻׁלְחָנִֽי (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
Nehemiah is using the word table to refer to the act of feeding people. He is describing that act by reference to something associated with it, the table that the food was served on. Alternate translation: “every day I was responsible to feed 150 Jewish leaders and officials”
with the ones coming to us from the nations that were around us
Quote: וְהַבָּאִ֥ים אֵלֵ֛ינוּ מִן־הַגּוֹיִ֥ם אֲשֶׁר־סְבִיבֹתֵ֖ינוּ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
This likely refers to Jews who lived in other countries but who came to Jerusalem. Their own communities may have sent them as representatives, or they may have come on their own for business or personal reasons. Alternate translation: “and we also fed the Jewish visitors who came from other countries around us”
Nehemiah 5:18
And what was made for one day was one bull, six choice sheep, and birds were made for me
Quote: וַאֲשֶׁר֩ הָיָ֨ה נַעֲשֶׂ֜ה לְי֣וֹם אֶחָ֗ד שׁ֣וֹר אֶחָ֞ד צֹ֠אן שֵׁשׁ־בְּרֻר֤וֹת וְצִפֳּרִים֙ נַֽעֲשׂוּ־לִ֔י (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis
Nehemiah seems once again to be leaving out some of the words that a sentence would ordinarily need in order to be complete. He probably means something like, “What was prepared for one day is as follows: One bull, six choice sheep, and birds; that is what was prepared for me.” You could simplify the sentence for your readers by not including “were prepared for me” again at the end. Alternate translation: “Each day I told my servants to prepare one ox, six good sheep, and various kinds of poultry”
And what was made for … day was one
Quote: וַאֲשֶׁר֩ הָיָ֨ה נַעֲשֶׂ֜ה לְי֣וֹם אֶחָ֗ד (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
If it would be helpful in your language, you could say this with an active form, and you could say who did the action. Alternate translation: “Each day I told my servants to prepare” or “Each day I told my servants to serve us the meat from”
and birds
Quote: וְצִפֳּרִים֙ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown
It is likely that the birds were domesticated rather than wild, and if it would be helpful to your readers, you could use a term that indicates this. Alternate translation: “and various kinds of poultry”
and between ten days all kinds of wine in abundance
Quote: וּבֵ֨ין עֲשֶׂ֧רֶת יָמִ֛ים בְּכָל־יַ֖יִן לְהַרְבֵּ֑ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis
Nehemiah is once again leaving out some words that a sentence would ordinarily need to be complete. If it would be helpful in your language, you express the meaning more fully. Alternate translation: “Every ten days I also had my servants bring in an abundant supply of various kinds of wine”
and between ten days
Quote: וּבֵ֨ין עֲשֶׂ֧רֶת יָמִ֛ים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
This expression means “every ten days.”
wine in abundance
Quote: יַ֖יִן לְהַרְבֵּ֑ה (1)Alternate translation: “enough wine for everyone”
So with this I did not seek the bread of the governor
Quote: וְעִם־זֶ֗ה לֶ֤חֶם הַפֶּחָה֙ לֹ֣א בִקַּ֔שְׁתִּי (1)As in 5:14, “the bread of the governor” means “the governor’s food allowance.” The implication is that, at his own expense, Nehemiah paid for all of the things he has just described. If it would be helpful in your language, you could say that explicitly. Alternate translation: “I paid for all of these things at my own expense. I did not accept the governor’s food allowance”
the bondage was heavy on this people
Quote: כָֽבְדָ֥ה הָעֲבֹדָ֖ה עַל־הָעָ֥ם הַזֶּֽה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns
The abstract noun bondage refers to the way the people were struggling to survive in difficult times. If it would be helpful in your language, you could translate the idea behind it with a verb such as “struggle.” Alternate translation: “I knew that the people were struggling to survive”
the bondage was heavy on this people
Quote: כָֽבְדָ֥ה הָעֲבֹדָ֖ה עַל־הָעָ֥ם הַזֶּֽה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Here Nehemiah is speaking of bondage or struggle as if it were a great burden that the people were carrying, making their lives very difficult. Alternate translation: “I knew that the people were struggling to survive”
the bondage was heavy on this people
Quote: כָֽבְדָ֥ה הָעֲבֹדָ֖ה עַל־הָעָ֥ם הַזֶּֽה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result
You can put this before Nehemiah’s statement that he did not accept the governor’s food allowance, because it gives the reason why he refused it. Alternate translation: “I knew that the people were struggling to survive, so I did not accept the governor’s food allowance.”
Nehemiah 5:19
Remember me, my God, for good
Quote: זָכְרָה־לִּ֥י אֱלֹהַ֖י לְטוֹבָ֑ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-aside
As in 4:4, here Nehemiah speaks directly to God. You could indicate this by putting this verse in quotation marks. Review the note at 4:4 about asides like this if that would be helpful.
Remember me, … for good
Quote: זָכְרָה־לִּ֥י & לְטוֹבָ֑ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
To remember someone for good is an idiom that means to reward someone with good things for the good that they have done.
Remember me, my God, for good
Quote: זָכְרָה־לִּ֥י אֱלֹהַ֖י לְטוֹבָ֑ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
In this context, remember means to think about someone and consider what action you can take on their behalf. Nehemiah is not suggesting that God has forgotten him. Alternate translation: “think of me”
all that I have done for this people
Quote: כֹּ֥ל אֲשֶׁר־עָשִׂ֖יתִי עַל־הָעָ֥ם הַזֶּֽה (1)Nehemiah is once again leaving out some words that a sentence would ordinarily need. He is asking God to do good things for him because of all the good things he has done for the people of Judah as their governor. Alternate translation: “reward me because of all the good that I have done for the people of Judah”
Nehemiah 6
Nehemiah 6 General Notes
Structure and formatting
The building of the wall is completed in this chapter.
The ULT sets the lines in 6:6–7 farther to the right on the page than the rest of the text because they are part of a long quotation.
Special concepts in this chapter
Miracle
Completing this city wall in only 52 days was considered proof that God had helped the Jews, especially given the opposition that they had experienced from the people in surrounding areas.
Nehemiah 6:1
And it happened
Quote: וַיְהִ֣י (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-newevent
Nehemiah uses this phrase to introduce the next event in his story. You do not need to represent it in your translation unless your language has a similar expression that it characteristically uses.
it was heard
Quote: נִשְׁמַ֣ע (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche
This means that these enemies learned somehow that the wall was finished. Perhaps someone came and told them, or perhaps they received a written report. Nehemiah uses hearing, one means of discovering things, to describe these men learning this. Alternate translation: “when our enemies learned”
when it was heard … and by the rest of our enemies
Quote: כַאֲשֶׁ֣ר נִשְׁמַ֣ע & וּלְיֶ֣תֶר אֹֽיְבֵ֗ינוּ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
If it would be helpful in your language, you could say this with an active form, and you could say who did the action. Alternate translation: “when our enemies learned”
by Sanballat and Tobiah
Quote: לְסַנְבַלַּ֣ט וְ֠טוֹבִיָּה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
These are the names of men. See how you translated them in 2:10.
and by Geshem
Quote: וּלְגֶ֨שֶׁם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
This is the name of a man and his people group. See how you translated these names in 2:19.
I had built the wall
Quote: בָנִ֨יתִי֙ אֶת־הַ֣חוֹמָ֔ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche
As in 4:14, Nehemiah is using himself to represent the entire community that he is a part of. Alternate translation: “that we had finished rebuilding the wall”
although
Quote: גַּ֚ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-contrast
This term expresses a weak contrast between the sentence that comes before and the sentence that comes after. There was no break in the wall except for the spaces where the doors had not yet been hung in the gates. Alternate translation: “however”
until that time I had not set up the doors in the gates
Quote: עַד־הָעֵ֣ת הַהִ֔יא דְּלָת֖וֹת לֹא־הֶעֱמַ֥דְתִּי בַשְּׁעָרִֽים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche
Once again Nehemiah is using himself to represent the entire community that he is a part of. Alternate translation: “we had not yet put the doors in the gates”
Nehemiah 6:2
that … sent to me
Quote: וַיִּשְׁלַ֨ח & אֵלַ֣י (1)Alternate translation: “sent me a messenger to me”
Come, and let us appoint a time to meet together
Quote: לְכָ֞ה וְנִֽוָּעֲדָ֥ה יַחְדָּ֛ו (1)These enemies use the word come to encourage Nehemiah to accept their invitation. If it would be helpful in your language, you could translate the word as something other than an imperative to make the message sound inviting. Alternate translation: “We would like to arrange to meet with you”
among the villages in the valley of Ono
Quote: בַּכְּפִירִ֖ים בְּבִקְעַ֣ת אוֹנ֑וֹ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
Ono is the name of a place about twenty miles from Jerusalem. It is down from the mountains towards the Mediterranean coast, so it can be described as a “valley” or “plain.” Alternate translation: “in one of the villages in the plain of Ono”
And they were thinking to do evil to me
Quote: וְהֵ֨מָּה֙ חֹֽשְׁבִ֔ים לַעֲשׂ֥וֹת לִ֖י רָעָֽה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
In this context, evil means “harm.” Alternate translation: “they wanted to harm me”
And they were thinking to do evil to me
Quote: וְהֵ֨מָּה֙ חֹֽשְׁבִ֔ים לַעֲשׂ֥וֹת לִ֖י רָעָֽה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
The implication is that Nehemiah figured this out even though in their invitation these enemies pretended to be sincere. If it would be helpful in your language, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “But I recognized that they were saying this because they wanted to harm me.”
Nehemiah 6:3
I am doing a great work
Quote: מְלָאכָ֤ה גְדוֹלָה֙ אֲנִ֣י עֹשֶׂ֔ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche
Nehemiah is once again using himself to represent the whole community and its work of rebuilding of the wall. Alternate translation: “We are doing a great work”
and I am not able to go down
Quote: וְלֹ֥א אוּכַ֖ל לָרֶ֑דֶת (1)Nehemiah does not mean that he is physically unable to travel to Ono. He means that he cannot leave his supervision of the work for the several days it would take to travel there and back. Alternate translation: “I am not able to travel while it is going on”
to go down
Quote: לָרֶ֑דֶת (1)Nehemiah uses the word down because the plain of Ono is at a lower elevation than Jerusalem. Alternate translation: “meet with you”
Why should the work stop while I abandon it and go down to you
Quote: לָ֣מָּה תִשְׁבַּ֤ת הַמְּלָאכָה֙ כַּאֲשֶׁ֣ר אַרְפֶּ֔הָ וְיָרַדְתִּ֖י אֲלֵיכֶֽם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion
Nehemiah is making a statement, not asking a question. He does not expect Sanballat and Geshem to give him reasons why the work should stop as he travels to meet with them. Instead, Nehemiah is using the question form to emphasize how important it is for the work of rebuilding the walls to continue. If it would be helpful in your language, you could translate his question as a statement. Alternate translation: “I cannot let the work stop and come down to you”
and go down to you
Quote: וְיָרַדְתִּ֖י אֲלֵיכֶֽם (1)The word down is used here because the plain of Ono where they were requesting Nehemiah to come is at a lower elevation than Jerusalem.
Nehemiah 6:4
And they sent to me according to this word four times
Quote: וַיִּשְׁלְח֥וּ אֵלַ֛י כַּדָּבָ֥ר הַזֶּ֖ה אַרְבַּ֣ע פְּעָמִ֑ים (1)Alternate translation: “They sent me the same message four times”
and I turned them back
Quote: וָאָשִׁ֥יב אוֹתָ֖ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
Turned them back means refused them The implication is that Nehemiah did this each time. If it would be helpful in your language, you could say that explicitly. Alternate translation: “and each time I refused them”
according to this word
Quote: כַּדָּבָ֥ר הַזֶּֽה (1)Alternate translation: “for this same reason”
Nehemiah 6:5
Then Sanballat sent his young man to me a fifth time according to this word
Quote: וַיִּשְׁלַח֩ אֵלַ֨י סַנְבַלַּ֜ט כַּדָּבָ֥ר הַזֶּ֛ה פַּ֥עַם חֲמִישִׁ֖ית אֶֽת־נַעֲר֑וֹ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal
Alternate translation: “Sanballat sent his servant to me with this same message for a fifth time” or “this was time number five that Sanballat sent his servant to me with this same message”
and an opened letter was in his hand
Quote: וְאִגֶּ֥רֶת פְּתוּחָ֖ה בְּיָדֽוֹ (1)This means that this fifth message was written in a letter, but the letter was unsealed. Alternate translation: “This time the message was written, but it was not sealed”
and an opened letter was in his hand
Quote: וְאִגֶּ֥רֶת פְּתוּחָ֖ה בְּיָדֽוֹ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
As a diplomatic communication, the letter should have been sealed. Because it was not, others could read it and spread its contents among the people of the region. It appears that Sanballat deliberately left the letter unsealed to pressure Nehemiah to meet with him. If it would be helpful in your language, you could say that explicitly. Alternate translation: “Sanballat left the letter unsealed so that others would find out what it said, because he wanted to pressure me to meet with him”
Nehemiah 6:6
In it was written
Quote: כָּת֣וּב בָּ֗הּ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
If it would be helpful in your language, you could say this with an active form. Alternate translation: “The letter said”
It is heard among the nations, … that
Quote: בַּגּוֹיִ֤ם נִשְׁמָע֙ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
If it would be helpful in your language, you could say this with an active form. Alternate translation: “The rumor in the region is”
and Gashmu is saying
Quote: וְגַשְׁמ֣וּ אֹמֵ֔ר (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
The claim appears to be that Geshem has investigated these rumors and told Sanballat that they are true. If it would be helpful in your language, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “and Geshem confirms that it is true”
and Gashmu
Quote: וְגַשְׁמ֣וּ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
Gashmu here is an alternate form of the name Geshem found in 6:1. If it would be helpful in your language, you could translate the name as Geshem here as well.
you and the Jews are thinking to rebel, therefore you are building the wall
Quote: אַתָּ֤ה וְהַיְּהוּדִים֙ חֹשְׁבִ֣ים לִמְר֔וֹד עַל־כֵּ֛ן אַתָּ֥ה בוֹנֶ֖ה הַחוֹמָ֑ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
This means specifically that the Jews would rebel against Artaxerxes, the Persian king, who was currently ruling them. If it would be helpful in your language, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “you and the Jewish people are rebuilding the wall because you are planning to rebel against King Artaxerxes”
and the Jews
Quote: וְהַיְּהוּדִים֙ (1)Here this expression means the Jewish people specifically the ones living in Judah and Jerusalem. Alternate translation: “the Jewish people”
And you are becoming a king over them
Quote: וְאַתָּ֗ה הֹוֶ֤ה לָהֶם֙ לְמֶ֔לֶךְ (1)Alternate translation: “They are also saying that you intend to make yourself the king of the Jews”
Nehemiah 6:7
And also
Quote: וְגַם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-words-phrases
This phrase indicates that what follows is more of the report that Sanballat claims he is hearing from the people in the surrounding countries. If it would be helpful in your language, you could put something in your translation to indicate this. Alternate translation: “These people are also saying that”
you have set up prophets to call out concerning you in Jerusalem
Quote: נְבִיאִ֡ים הֶעֱמַ֣דְתָּ לִקְרֹא֩ עָלֶ֨יךָ בִֽירוּשָׁלִַ֜ם (1)Alternate translation: “you have appointed prophets to make this proclamation about you in Jerusalem”
saying, ‘A king is in Judah
Quote: לֵאמֹ֗ר מֶ֚לֶךְ בִּֽיהוּדָ֔ה (1)The proclamation can be presented as a direct quotation. “Saying” can be represented by the quotation marks and whatever punctuation your language uses to introduce a quotation. Alternate translation: “The Jews now have a king of their own”
And now
Quote: וְעַתָּה֙ (1)This is not a reference to time. Sanballat is using this expression to introduce a further inference. Alternate translation: “certainly”
it will be heard by the king according to these words
Quote: יִשָּׁמַ֣ע לַמֶּ֔לֶךְ כַּדְּבָרִ֣ים הָאֵ֑לֶּה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
If it would be helpful in your language, you could say this with an active form. Alternate translation: “King Artaxerxes will certainly hear these reports”
it will be heard by the king according to these words
Quote: יִשָּׁמַ֣ע לַמֶּ֔לֶךְ כַּדְּבָרִ֣ים הָאֵ֑לֶּה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
The implication is that when Artaxerxes hears these reports, he will be very angry with Nehemiah. If it would be helpful in your language, you could say that explicitly. Alternate translation: “King Artaxerxes will certainly hear these reports, and when he does, he will be very angry with you”
And now
Quote: וְעַתָּה֙ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result
This is not a reference to time. Sanballat is using this expression to introduce his conclusion. This term expresses that the sentences that came before provide the reason for the sentence that comes after. Alternate translation: “Therefore”
come, and let us consult together
Quote: לְכָ֔ה וְנִֽוָּעֲצָ֖ה יַחְדָּֽו (1)As in 6:2, “come” is a word of encouragement rather than a command. Alternate translation: “So we really should meet together and talk about this”
Nehemiah 6:8
And I sent to him
Quote: וָאֶשְׁלְחָ֤ה אֵלָיו֙ (1)Alternate translation: “I sent a message back to him”
No such thing has been done according to these words that you are saying
Quote: לֹ֤א נִֽהְיָה֙ כַּדְּבָרִ֣ים הָאֵ֔לֶּה אֲשֶׁ֖ר אַתָּ֣ה אוֹמֵ֑ר (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
If it would be helpful in your language, you could say this with an active form. Alternate translation: “I have not done any of the things you have written”
but you are inventing them out of your own heart
Quote: כִּ֥י מִֽלִּבְּךָ֖ אַתָּ֥ה בוֹדָֽאם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Here, the heart represents someone’s thoughts and feelings. Sanballat’s thoughts and feelings, in turn, represent him as a person. Alternate translation: “you have made all this up in your own imagination”
but
Quote: כִּ֥י (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-contrast
This term expresses a contrast between the clause that comes before and the clause that comes after.
Nehemiah 6:9
For all of them were frightening us
Quote: כִּ֣י כֻלָּ֗ם מְיָֽרְאִ֤ים אוֹתָ֨נוּ֙ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
This likely means, “they were all trying to frighten us.” The implication is that Nehemiah recognized that this was the motive behind the letters. If it would be helpful in your language, you could say that explicitly. Alternate translation: “I knew that they were all just trying to frighten us”
saying
Quote: לֵאמֹ֔ר (1)Alternate translation: “They were thinking”
Their hands will drop from the work
Quote: יִרְפּ֧וּ יְדֵיהֶ֛ם מִן־הַמְּלָאכָ֖ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Here, hand represents strength, power, control, or action. Alternate translation: “The workers will stop doing the work on the wall”
Their hands will drop from the work
Quote: יִרְפּ֧וּ יְדֵיהֶ֛ם מִן־הַמְּלָאכָ֖ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
The implication is that the enemies expected the Jews to become so afraid of being accused of rebelling for rebuilding the wall that they would stop doing that. If it would be helpful in your language, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “The Jews will become so afraid that they will stop working on the wall”
from the work
Quote: מִן־הַמְּלָאכָ֖ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
This means specifically the work on the wall. If it would be helpful in your language, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “working on the wall”
and it will not be done
Quote: וְלֹ֣א תֵעָשֶׂ֑ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
If it would be helpful in your language, you could say this with an active form, and you could say who will do the action. Alternate translation: “they will never finish rebuilding it”
So now, strengthen my hands
Quote: וְעַתָּ֖ה חַזֵּ֥ק אֶת־יָדָֽי (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-aside
Nehemiah speaks directly to God once again here. This instance is like the one in 4:4, where Nehemiah records what he prayed at the time of the events he is describing. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could indicate this by introducing the prayer with a phrase such as “so I prayed,” by presenting the prayer as a direct quotation, and by having Nehemiah address God directly at the beginning. Alternate translation: “So I prayed, ‘O God, give me courage’”
strengthen my hands
Quote: חַזֵּ֥ק אֶת־יָדָֽי (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Here the strength of a person’s hands stands for the courage they are feeling inside. Alternate translation: “strengthen me”
Nehemiah 6:10
Now as for me
Quote: וַאֲנִי (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-time-simultaneous
Nehemiah uses this phrase to introduce something else that happened around this same time. Alternate translation: “Around this time”
I entered the house of
Quote: בָ֗אתִי בֵּ֣ית (1)Alternate translation: “I went to visit”
Shemaiah, the son of Delaiah, the son of Mehetabel
Quote: שְֽׁמַֽעְיָ֧ה בֶן־דְּלָיָ֛ה בֶּן־מְהֵֽיטַבְאֵ֖ל (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
Shemaiah is the name of a man, Delaiah is the name of his father, and Mehetabel is the name of his grandfather. Alternate translation: “Shemaiah, the son of Delaiah and grandson of Mehetabel”
and he was confined
Quote: וְה֣וּא עָצ֑וּר (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
You can say this with an active form, and you can say who did the action. Alternate translation: “he was not leaving his house.”
and he was confined
Quote: וְה֣וּא עָצ֑וּר (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction
Nehemiah does not say why Shemaiah was not leaving his house. He could have been sick or he could have been ceremonially unclean, so you might choose not to specify any reason. However, the context suggests that Shemaiah may have been trying to symbolize that it was not safe for Jewish leaders to go around in public. A man by the name of Shemaiah is listed in 10:8 as one of the priests who signed the community agreement. This could be the same person since he has access to the temple and is therefore likely a priest. If it would be helpful in your language, you could suggest this reason explicitly. Alternate translation: “He was a priest, and he was trying to show that it was not safe for Jewish leaders to go out in public, so he was not leaving his house”
Let us appoint a time to meet in the house of God, in the midst of the temple
Quote: נִוָּעֵד֩ אֶל־בֵּ֨ית הָאֱלֹהִ֜ים אֶל־תּ֣וֹךְ הַֽהֵיכָ֗ל (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
Shemaiah seems to be proposing that he and Nehemiah move their meeting to the temple, suggesting that they are not even safe in his house. Alternate translation: “We are not safe even here. We need to go into the temple, to the sacred place inside the temple”
in the house of God, in the midst of the temple
Quote: אֶל־בֵּ֨ית הָאֱלֹהִ֜ים אֶל־תּ֣וֹךְ הַֽהֵיכָ֗ל (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism
These two phrases mean similar things. Shemaiah uses the repetition to emphasize the danger he is suggesting they are in. You do not need to repeat both phrases in your translation if that would be confusing for your readers. Alternate translation: “into the temple”
the house of God
Quote: בֵּ֨ית הָאֱלֹהִ֜ים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Shemaiah is referring to the temple as the “house of God,” as if it were God’s dwelling place. Alternate translation: “the temple”
And let us shut the doors of the temple
Quote: וְנִסְגְּרָה֙ דַּלְת֣וֹת הַהֵיכָ֔ל (1)This means to not just close the doors but lock them. Alternate translation: “and lock the doors”
for they are coming to kill you
Quote: כִּ֚י בָּאִ֣ים לְהָרְגֶ֔ךָ (1)Shemaiah does not say who these people are. It would be possible to say something based on what can reasonably be inferred. For example, “Your enemies have hired people to kill you.” However, the vagueness seems to be part of Shemaiah’s strategy to frighten Nehemiah. So it might be more effective to leave this indefinite. Alternate translation: “because people are trying to kill you”
Yes, at night they are coming to kill you
Quote: וְלַ֖יְלָה בָּאִ֥ים לְהָרְגֶֽךָ (1)Shemaiah’s confidence in the detail of “at night” seems designed to make Nehemiah even more afraid because this means that the killers will come in the dark when he is asleep, so he won’t be able to protect himself. It could be helpful to your readers for your translation to reflect this confidence. Alternate translation: “I know that one night they are going to come and kill you”
Nehemiah 6:11
And I said
Quote: וָאֹמְרָ֗ה (1)Alternate translation: “I responded”
Should a man such as I run away
Quote: הַאִ֤ישׁ כָּמ֨וֹנִי֙ יִבְרָ֔ח (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion
Nehemiah is making a statement, not asking a question. He does not expect Shemiah to tell him whether or not he should run away. Instead, Nehemiah is using the question form to emphasize that he is not going to do what Shemaiah has suggested. If it would be helpful in your language, you could translate this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “A man like me would not run away.”
And who, such as I, is it that could go in to the temple and live
Quote: וּמִ֥י כָמ֛וֹנִי אֲשֶׁר־יָב֥וֹא אֶל־הַהֵיכָ֖ל וָחָ֑י (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion
Once again Nehemiah is making a statement, not asking a question. He does not expect Shemiah to tell him whether going into the temple would save his life. Alternate translation: “A man like me would not go into the temple just to hide to stay alive.”
And who, such as I, is it that could go in to the temple and live
Quote: וּמִ֥י כָמ֛וֹנִי אֲשֶׁר־יָב֥וֹא אֶל־הַהֵיכָ֖ל וָחָ֑י (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
It is not entirely clear what Nehemiah means by this. He could be saying that he should not go into the temple because he is not a priest. However, the Bible records instances of other people who were not priests going into the temple to seek sanctuary. So Nehemiah may be saying instead that because he is the governor he is too well known to escape from assassins by hiding in the temple. You could say that explicitly. Alternate translation: “Besides, I am the governor, and everyone knows me, so I could not save my life by trying to hide in the temple”
I will not go in
Quote: לֹ֖א אָבֽוֹא (1)Alternate translation: “I refuse to do it!”
Nehemiah 6:12
And I recognized, and behold
Quote: וָאַכִּ֕ירָה וְהִנֵּ֥ה (1)The term “behold” is used to focus attention on the words that follow. Within this episode as a whole, it creates the impression of Nehemiah suddenly realizing something that had not been clear to him before. Alternate translation: “All of a sudden I realized”
God had not sent him
Quote: לֹֽא־אֱלֹהִ֖ים שְׁלָח֑וֹ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
Shemaiah seems to have been pretending that God had revealed to him prophetically that people would be coming secretly at night to kill Nehemiah. If it would be helpful in your language, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “God had not given Shemaiah a prophetic message for me”
But he spoke the prophecy against me, for Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him
Quote: כִּ֤י הַנְּבוּאָה֙ דִּבֶּ֣ר עָלַ֔י וְטוֹבִיָּ֥ה וְסַנְבַלַּ֖ט שְׂכָרֽוֹ (1)Alternate translation: “Instead, he was saying these things to hinder my work because Tobiah and Sanballat had paid him to say them”
Nehemiah 6:13
For this purpose he was hired, so that I would be afraid
Quote: לְמַ֤עַן שָׂכוּר֙ ה֔וּא לְמַֽעַן־אִירָ֥א (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result
This is the reason why Nehemiah’s enemies had hired Shemaiah; because they wanted to cause Nehemiah to be afraid. If it would be helpful in your language, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “The reason they had hired him was to scare me. They hoped that as a result”
For this purpose
Quote: לְמַ֤עַן (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-goal
This term introduces the purpose for the sentence contained in the verse.
and I would do thus and sin
Quote: וְאֶֽעֱשֶׂה־כֵּ֖ן וְחָטָ֑אתִי (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-goal
This phrase expresses the goal for the sentence contained in the verse.
and I would do thus and sin
Quote: וְאֶֽעֱשֶׂה־כֵּ֖ן וְחָטָ֑אתִי (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
It is not entirely clear why Nehemiah says it would have been a sin for him to hide in the temple since it was a time-honored tradition in Israel to allow people to seek sanctuary there. Perhaps the explanation is that Nehemiah knew God had sent him to Judah on a special mission to help and protect the Jewish community there. And so, if he had abandoned that mission to save his life, he would have been disobeying God. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say something like that explicitly. Alternate translation: “They were hoping they could make me sin by abandoning my responsibilities and hiding in the temple.”
And it might become an evil name to them, so that they could reproach me
Quote: וְהָיָ֤ה לָהֶם֙ לְשֵׁ֣ם רָ֔ע לְמַ֖עַן יְחָֽרְפֽוּנִי (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
Here, name is a figurative way of referring to the fame or reputation of a person. If he hid in the temple to save his own life, Nehemiah would get a bad reputation as a coward who was concerned only for himself. Alternate translation: “this would give me a bad reputation, and they could say bad things about me to everyone”
so that
Quote: לְמַ֖עַן (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-goal
This term expresses that the clause that comes after is the goal for the clause that comes before.
Nehemiah 6:14
My God
Quote: אֱלֹהַ֛י (1)As in 4:4 and 6:9, Nehemiah records here what he prayed at the time of the events he is describing. You can indicate this by introducing these words as a prayer and presenting the prayer as a direct quotation. Alternate translation: “So I prayed, ‘My God … ’”
remember Tobiah, and Sanballat according to these deeds of his
Quote: זָכְרָ֧ה & לְטוֹבִיָּ֥ה וּלְסַנְבַלַּ֖ט כְּמַעֲשָׂ֣יו אֵ֑לֶּה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
His refers to both Sanballat and Tobiah. In this context, “remember” means to think about someone and consider what action you should take in their regard. Nehemiah is not suggesting that God has forgotten about Tobiah and Sanballat. Alternate translation: “treat Tobiah and Sanballat the way they deserve for what they have done”
and also Noadiah the prophetess, and the rest of the prophets who are frightening me
Quote: וְגַ֨ם לְנוֹעַדְיָ֤ה הַנְּבִיאָה֙ וּלְיֶ֣תֶר הַנְּבִיאִ֔ים אֲשֶׁ֥ר הָי֖וּ מְיָֽרְאִ֥ים אוֹתִֽי (1)Alternate translation: “Do the same for the female prophet Noadiah and all the other prophets who are trying to make me afraid”
Noadiah
Quote: לְנוֹעַדְיָ֤ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
This is the name of a woman.
Nehemiah 6:15
And the wall was finished
Quote: וַתִּשְׁלַם֙ הַֽחוֹמָ֔ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
You can say this with an active form, and you can say who did the action. Alternate translation: “We finished rebuilding the wall”
on 25 of Elul
Quote: בְּעֶשְׂרִ֥ים וַחֲמִשָּׁ֖ה לֶאֱל֑וּל (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-hebrewmonths
Elul is the sixth month of the Hebrew calendar. Alternate translation: “on the twenty-fifth day of the month of Elul”
on 25 of Elul
Quote: בְּעֶשְׂרִ֥ים וַחֲמִשָּׁ֖ה לֶאֱל֑וּל (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal
Alternate translation: “on day 25 of the month of Elul”
on day 52
Quote: לַחֲמִשִּׁ֥ים וּשְׁנַ֖יִם יֽוֹם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers
Alternate translation: “after working on it for 52 days”
Nehemiah 6:16
And it happened
Quote: וַיְהִ֗י (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-newevent
Nehemiah uses this phrase to introduce the next event in his story. You do not need to represent it in your translation unless your language has a similar expression that it characteristically uses.
when all our enemies heard
Quote: כַּאֲשֶׁ֤ר שָֽׁמְעוּ֙ כָּל־א֣וֹיְבֵ֔ינוּ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche
This means that these enemies learned by some means that work had been completed. Nehemiah uses hearing, one means of discovering things, to describe the enemies learning this. Alternate translation: “when all of our enemies learned”
when all our enemies heard
Quote: כַּאֲשֶׁ֤ר שָֽׁמְעוּ֙ כָּל־א֣וֹיְבֵ֔ינוּ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
This means specifically, “When all our enemies learned that we had completed the rebuilding in such a short time.” If it would be helpful in your language, you could say that explicitly.
that, … all the nations that were around us were afraid, and they fell extremely in their eyes
Quote: וַיִּֽרְא֗וּ כָּל־הַגּוֹיִם֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר סְבִֽיבֹתֵ֔ינוּ וַיִּפְּל֥וּ מְאֹ֖ד בְּעֵינֵיהֶ֑ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism
These two phrases mean similar things. Nehemiah uses the repetition to emphasize how intimidated the people in the surrounding countries felt. You do not need to repeat both phrases in your translation if that would be confusing for your readers. Alternate translation: “they thought much less of themselves” or “they lost confidence in themselves,” otherwise “they became afraid and felt humiliated”
and they fell extremely in their eyes
Quote: וַיִּפְּל֥וּ מְאֹ֖ד בְּעֵינֵיהֶ֑ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Here, fell is a figurative way of saying “become less.”
and they fell extremely in their eyes
Quote: וַיִּפְּל֥וּ מְאֹ֖ד בְּעֵינֵיהֶ֑ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Here, eyes stand for “seeing,” and “seeing” means judgment. This means that these people were no longer so great or powerful in their own estimation. Alternate translation: “they lost confidence in themselves”
And they knew that this work was done by our God
Quote: וַיֵּ֣דְע֔וּ כִּ֚י מֵאֵ֣ת אֱלֹהֵ֔ינוּ נֶעֶשְׂתָ֖ה הַמְּלָאכָ֥ה הַזֹּֽאת (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result
You can put this right before the statement that the enemies were afraid and thought less of themselves, because it is the reason that explains that result. Alternate translation: “They realized that our God had helped us complete this work”
this work was done by our God
Quote: מֵאֵ֣ת אֱלֹהֵ֔ינוּ נֶעֶשְׂתָ֖ה הַמְּלָאכָ֥ה הַזֹּֽאת (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
You can say this with an active form. Alternate translation: “our God had helped us complete this work”
Nehemiah 6:17
Also, in those days
Quote: גַּ֣ם ׀ בַּיָּמִ֣ים הָהֵ֗ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-time-simultaneous
Nehemiah uses this phrase to introduce something else that was happening at the same time as the other events he has just described. Alternate translation: “During this time”
in those days
Quote: בַּיָּמִ֣ים הָהֵ֗ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
The term days is used here to refer a particular period of time. Alternate translation: “at this time”
the nobles of Judah
Quote: חֹרֵ֤י יְהוּדָה֙ (1)See how you translated this term in 2:16. Alternate translation: “the leading citizens of Judah”
were multiplying their letters
Quote: מַרְבִּ֞ים & אִגְּרֹ֣תֵיהֶ֔ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
The implication is these citizens were sending information to Tobiah about Nehemiah. If it would be helpful in your language, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “sent many messengers with letters to Tobiah to give him information about me”
and those belonging to Tobiah were coming to them
Quote: וַאֲשֶׁ֥ר לְטוֹבִיָּ֖ה בָּא֥וֹת אֲלֵיהֶֽם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification
Here Nehemiah speaks of Tobiah’s letters as if they could come on their own to the people he was answering. Alternate translation: “Tobiah sent letters” or “Tobiah sent many messengers with letters”
and those belonging to Tobiah were coming to them
Quote: וַאֲשֶׁ֥ר לְטוֹבִיָּ֖ה בָּא֥וֹת אֲלֵיהֶֽם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
The implication is that Tobiah was sending back instructions to his allies. If it would be helpful in your language, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “Tobiah sent many messengers with letters back to them with instructions”
Tobiah
Quote: טוֹבִיָּ֑ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
This is the name of a man. See how you translated it in 2:10.
Nehemiah 6:18
For many in Judah were masters of oath to him
Quote: כִּי־רַבִּ֣ים בִּֽיהוּדָ֗ה בַּעֲלֵ֤י שְׁבוּעָה֙ ל֔וֹ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
This means that many Judeans were “owners of oaths” to Tobiah. That is, they had sworn oaths to be loyal to him. Alternate translation: “Many people in Judah had sworn an oath to be loyal to him”
For many in Judah were masters of oath to him
Quote: כִּי־רַבִּ֣ים בִּֽיהוּדָ֗ה בַּעֲלֵ֤י שְׁבוּעָה֙ ל֔וֹ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result
You can put this information last in the verse because it is a result, and the rest of the verse gives the reason why the people swore these oaths.
because he was the son-in-law of Shecaniah the son of Arah
Quote: כִּי־חָתָ֥ן ה֖וּא לִשְׁכַנְיָ֣ה בֶן־אָרַ֑ח (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
This statement means that Tobiah was married to the daughter of Shecaniah. The implication is that Shecaniah was a powerful and influential member of the community. If it would be helpful in your language, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “Tobiah was married to the daughter of a powerful and influential member of the community, Shecaniah the son of Arah”
of Shecaniah the son of Arah
Quote: לִשְׁכַנְיָ֣ה בֶן־אָרַ֑ח (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
Shecaniah is the name of a man, and Arah is the name of his father. This is probably the same Shecaniah who is mentioned in 3:29. See how you translated his name there.
And Jehohanan his son had taken the daughter of Meshullam the son of Berechiah
Quote: וִֽיהוֹחָנָ֣ן בְּנ֔וֹ לָקַ֕ח אֶת־בַּת־מְשֻׁלָּ֖ם בֶּ֥ן בֶּֽרֶכְיָֽה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
The implication is that Meshullam was another powerful and influential member of the community. If it would be helpful in your language, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “Tobiah’s son Jehohanan was married to the daughter of another powerful and influential man, Meshullam the son of Berechiah”
And Jehohanan
Quote: וִֽיהוֹחָנָ֣ן (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
This is the name of a man.
his son
Quote: בְּנ֔וֹ (1)His means that Jehohanan was the son of Tobiah.
had taken the daughter of
Quote: לָקַ֕ח אֶת־בַּת (1)Alternate translation: “was married to the daughter of”
Meshullam the son of Berechiah
Quote: מְשֻׁלָּ֖ם בֶּ֥ן בֶּֽרֶכְיָֽה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
Meshullam is the name of a man, and Berechiah is the name of his father. He is mentioned in 3:4 and 3:30. See how you translated his name there.
Nehemiah 6:19
they were saying his good deeds before my face
Quote: טוֹבֹתָ֗יו הָי֤וּ אֹמְרִים֙ לְפָנַ֔י (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Here, face represents the presence of a person. Alternate translation: “told me personally about Tobiah’s good deeds”
they were
Quote: הָי֤וּ (1)They means the people who were loyal to Tobiah.
and they were taking out my words to him
Quote: וּדְבָרַ֕י הָי֥וּ מוֹצִיאִ֖ים ל֑וֹ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
Taking out here is an idiom that means these people were “reporting” Nehemiah’s responses to Tobiah. Alternate translation: “and then told him about my responses”
Nehemiah 7
Nehemiah 7 General Notes
Special concepts in this chapter
Genealogy
The people who returned from Persia were counted according to their families. Nehemiah ensured that those who lived in Jerusalem had a completely Jewish ancestry.
Different lists
This list is paralleled in Ezra 2. The lists do contain some differences in numbers. This is probably due to the timing of their counting. They were likely counted at different times.
Nehemiah 7:1
And it happened
Quote: וַיְהִ֗י (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-newevent
This expression introduces a new event in the story. You do not need to represent it in your translation unless your language has a similar expression that it characteristically uses.
when the wall was built
Quote: כַּאֲשֶׁ֤ר נִבְנְתָה֙ הַחוֹמָ֔ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
You can say this with an active form, and you can say who did the action. Alternate translation: “when we had finished the wall”
and I had set up the doors
Quote: וָאַעֲמִ֖יד הַדְּלָת֑וֹת (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche
As in 4:14 and 6:1, Nehemiah is using himself to represent the entire community that he is a part of. Alternate translation: “and we had put the doors in the gates”
that, … the gatekeepers and the ones who sang and the Levites were appointed
Quote: וַיִּפָּֽקְד֛וּ הַשּׁוֹעֲרִ֥ים וְהַמְשֹׁרְרִ֖ים וְהַלְוִיִּֽם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
You can say this with an active form, and you can say who did the action. Nehemiah may have done this personally, or the people in charge of each of these groups may have done it. Because of the uncertainly, a good approach might be to say “we” to indicate the community. Alternate translation: “we assigned the gatekeepers and singers and Levites to their tasks”
the gatekeepers
Quote: הַשּׁוֹעֲרִ֥ים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown
These were people who were assigned to each gate of Jerusalem. They were responsible for controlling access to the city. They would open and close the gates at times and for reasons set by the city administrators. For example, Shemaiah the son of Shecaniah is named in 3:29 as the keeper of the East Gate.
and the ones who sang
Quote: וְהַמְשֹׁרְרִ֖ים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown
This means vocal musicians who led in worship, in processions, and ceremonies, producing music and chants that emphasized and enhanced the occasion. Alternate translation: “singers”
Nehemiah 7:2
And I gave Hanani, my brother, and Hananiah, … charge over Jerusalem
Quote: וָאֲצַוֶּ֞ה אֶת־חֲנָ֣נִי אָחִ֗י וְאֶת־חֲנַנְיָ֛ה & עַל־יְרוּשָׁלִָ֑ם (1)Alternate translation: “I appointed two men to help me govern Jerusalem, my brother Hanani and Hananiah”
Hanani, my brother
Quote: חֲנָ֣נִי אָחִ֗י (1)As in 1:2, brother here most likely indicates that Hanani was Nehemiah’s biological brother. Alternate translation: “my brother Hanani”
Hanani
Quote: חֲנָ֣נִי (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
This is the name of a man. See how you translated it in 1:2
Hananiah
Quote: חֲנַנְיָ֛ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
This is the name of a man.
the official for the citadel
Quote: שַׂ֥ר הַבִּירָ֖ה (1)Alternate translation: “who was in charge of the fortress”
For he was according to a faithful man
Quote: כִּי־הוּא֙ כְּאִ֣ישׁ אֱמֶ֔ת (1)He means Hananiah. “He was as a faithful man” is a way of saying “he was such as only a faithful man would be.” Alternate translation: “I appointed Hananiah because he was trustworthy”
and he feared God more than many
Quote: וְיָרֵ֥א אֶת־הָאֱלֹהִ֖ים מֵרַבִּֽים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
Here, fear does not mean to be afraid of God, but to show God reverence and respect. Alternate translation: “because he showed God more reverence and respect than most people do”
Nehemiah 7:3
Let not the gates of Jerusalem be opened
Quote: לֹ֣א יִפָּֽתְח֞וּ שַׁעֲרֵ֤י יְרוּשָׁלִַ֨ם֙ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
If it would be helpful in your language, you could say this with an active form. Alternate translation: “Do not order the gates of Jerusalem to be opened”
Let not the gates of Jerusalem be opened
Quote: לֹ֣א יִפָּֽתְח֞וּ שַׁעֲרֵ֤י יְרוּשָׁלִַ֨ם֙ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
Hanani and Hananiah would not have opened the gates physically themselves. Rather, they would have ordered this to be done. Alternate translation: “Do not order the gates of Jerusalem to be opened”
until the sun becomes hot
Quote: עַד־חֹ֣ם הַשֶּׁ֔מֶשׁ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
Here Nehemiah probably uses the heat of the sun to represent the light of the sun. His intent is to open the gates some time after the sun rises regardless of how hot the sun shines on any particular day. Alternate translation: “until broad daylight”
until the sun becomes hot
Quote: עַד־חֹ֣ם הַשֶּׁ֔מֶשׁ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
The implication is that the gatekeepers should not open the gates at sunrise, as would have been customary, because the enemies of the Jews could launch a surprise attack in the dim light before most of the city was up and ready for the day. If it would be helpful in your language, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “until broad daylight. That way we will be able to see anything our enemies are doing”
And while they are still standing, let them shut the doors, and they must bar them
Quote: וְעַ֨ד הֵ֥ם עֹמְדִ֛ים יָגִ֥יפוּ הַדְּלָת֖וֹת וֶאֱחֹ֑זוּ (1)They means the gatekeepers, and “standing” means keeping guard. Alternate translation: “Order the doors to be shut and locked while the gatekeepers are still on guard”
And set up watches for those who dwell in Jerusalem, a man in his watch, and a man in front of his house
Quote: וְהַעֲמֵ֗יד מִשְׁמְרוֹת֙ יֹשְׁבֵ֣י יְרוּשָׁלִַ֔ם אִ֚ישׁ בְּמִשְׁמָר֔וֹ וְאִ֖ישׁ נֶ֥גֶד בֵּיתֽוֹ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
In this context, a man means each man. It is likely that adult males were intended for this dangerous night duty. “A man in his watch” means that each man should take a turn, and “a man in front of his house” means that each man should keep watch in his own neighborhood. Alternate translation: “Have the men who live in Jerusalem take turns keeping watch in their own neighborhoods”
Nehemiah 7:4
Now the city was wide on two hands and great
Quote: וְהָעִ֞יר רַחֲבַ֤ת יָדַ֨יִם֙ וּגְדוֹלָ֔ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet
These two short phrases mean similar things. Nehemiah uses them together to emphasize how large Jerusalem was. If it would be helpful in your language, you could combine them. Alternate translation: “The city of Jerusalem covered a large area”
was wide on two hands
Quote: רַחֲבַ֤ת יָדַ֨יִם֙ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
Here, hand means “side.” The image is that if you stood in the city, there would be a lot of it on both sides of you. Alternate translation: “covered a large area”
and the people were few in the midst of it
Quote: וְהָעָ֥ם מְעַ֖ט בְּתוֹכָ֑הּ (1)Alternate translation: “but not many people lived there”
And there were no built houses
Quote: וְאֵ֥ין בָּתִּ֖ים בְּנוּיִֽם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
If it would be helpful in your language, you could say this with an active form, and you could say who did the action. Alternate translation: “the people had not yet rebuilt the houses”
Nehemiah 7:5
And my God gave to my heart
Quote: וַיִּתֵּ֤ן אֱלֹהַי֙ אֶל־לִבִּ֔י (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
The implication is that registering the people was a first step toward filling Jerusalem with people again, a process that Nehemiah will describe in chapter 11. If it would be helpful in your language, you could say that explicitly. Alternate translation: “as a first step towards filling Jerusalem with people again, God led me”
And my God gave to my heart
Quote: וַיִּתֵּ֤ן אֱלֹהַי֙ אֶל־לִבִּ֔י (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
As in 2:12, Nehemiah’s heart represents his thoughts and will. Alternate translation: “God inspired me” or “led me”
and I gathered together
Quote: וָאֶקְבְּצָ֞ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result
This word indicates that what Nehemiah did was in response to the situation just described. Alternate translation: “so I gathered together”
the nobles and the prefects
Quote: אֶת־הַחֹרִ֧ים וְאֶת־הַסְּגָנִ֛ים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown
See how you translated these terms in 2:16. Alternate translation: “the leading citizens and the city officials”
and the people
Quote: וְאֶת־הָעָ֖ם (1)In context, this likely means “the other people living in the city.”
to be enrolled by genealogy
Quote: לְהִתְיַחֵ֑שׂ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
If it would be helpful in your language, you could say this with an active form. Alternate translation: “and to register them by genealogies”
to be enrolled by genealogy
Quote: לְהִתְיַחֵ֑שׂ (1)Alternate translation: “to be enrolled according to their family histories”
And I found the book of the genealogy for the ones who came up at the first
Quote: וָֽאֶמְצָ֗א סֵ֤פֶר הַיַּ֨חַשׂ֙ הָעוֹלִ֣ים בָּרִאשׁוֹנָ֔ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown
This means a list of the first group of Jews who had returned from exile, about a hundred years earlier. Alternate translation: “I also found a book containing the records of the first group of people who had returned to Jerusalem from the exile.”
And I found written in it
Quote: וָאֶמְצָ֖א כָּת֥וּב בּֽוֹ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
You can say this with an active form, and you can say who did the action. Alternate translation: “I found that those people had written the following in it”
Nehemiah 7:6
the sons of the province
Quote: בְּנֵ֣י הַמְּדִינָ֗ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification
The document speaks here of the province of Judah as if it were the ancestor of all the Jews who lived there. Alternate translation: “the people from the province of Judah”
the province
Quote: הַמְּדִינָ֗ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
The province means the province of Judah. The document is referring to Judah by something associated with it, its status as a province.
the ones who went up
Quote: הָעֹלִים֙ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
Went up means “traveled from Babylon back to Judah,” since that involves going from a river valley up into the mountains. Alternate translation: “returned to Judah from Babylon”
from the captivity of the exiles, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon exiled
Quote: מִשְּׁבִ֣י הַגּוֹלָ֔ה אֲשֶׁ֣ר הֶגְלָ֔ה נְבוּכַדְנֶצַּ֖ר מֶ֣לֶךְ בָּבֶ֑ל (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns
Captivity and exile are abstract nouns. If it would be helpful in your language, you could translate the idea behind them with verbs. Alternate translation: “Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, captured their ancestors and took them away”
from the captivity of the exiles
Quote: מִשְּׁבִ֣י הַגּוֹלָ֔ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet
Captivity and exile mean basically the same thing. You do not need to repeat both phrases in your translation if that would be confusing for your readers. Alternate translation: “after being taken away”
a man to his city
Quote: אִ֥ישׁ לְעִירֽוֹ (1)Here, a man means “each one” or “each person” Alternate translation: “They went to live in the same towns where their families had lived before.”
Nehemiah 7:7
the ones who came with
Quote: הַבָּאִ֣ים עִם (1)This phrase introduces a list of the men who led this group back to Judah. Alternate translation: “The leaders of this group were”
Zerubbabel, Jeshua, Nehemiah, Azariah, Raamiah, Nahamani, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispereth, Bigvai, Nehum, Baanah
Quote: זְרֻבָּבֶ֗ל יֵשׁ֡וּעַ נְחֶמְיָ֡ה עֲ֠זַרְיָה רַֽעַמְיָ֨ה נַחֲמָ֜נִי מָרְדֳּכַ֥י בִּלְשָׁ֛ן מִסְפֶּ֥רֶת בִּגְוַ֖י נְח֣וּם בַּעֲנָ֑ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
These are the names of twelve men.
The number of the men of the people of Israel
Quote: מִסְפַּ֕ר אַנְשֵׁ֖י עַ֥ם יִשְׂרָאֵֽל (1)In keeping with the practices of the time, the totals in the list that follows likely include just the men and not also the women and children. While all of these people were from Judah, they were from the Israelite people group. Alternate translation: “This is how many men came back from each Israelite clan and town”
Nehemiah 7:8
The sons of Parosh were 2, 172
Quote: בְּנֵ֣י פַרְעֹ֔שׁ אַלְפַּ֕יִם מֵאָ֖ה וְשִׁבְעִ֥ים וּשְׁנָֽיִם (1)This means, “From the descendants of Parosh, 2,172 returned.” To help make this clear for your readers, you could say something like “returned” throughout verses 8–45, after the name of each group and the number that is given.
The sons of Parosh
Quote: בְּנֵ֣י פַרְעֹ֔שׁ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Sons means “descendants” Alternate translation: “from the descendants of Parosh”
Parosh
Quote: פַרְעֹ֔שׁ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
Parosh is the name of a man.
Nehemiah 7:9
The sons of Shephatiah
Quote: בְּנֵ֣י שְׁפַטְיָ֔ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Sons means “descendants” Alternate translation: “from the descendants of Shephatiah”
Shephatiah
Quote: שְׁפַטְיָ֔ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
Shephatiah is the name of a man.
Nehemiah 7:10
The sons of Arah
Quote: בְּנֵ֣י אָרַ֔ח (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Sons means “descendants.” Alternate translation: “from the descendants of Arah”
Arah
Quote: אָרַ֔ח (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
Arah is the name of a man.
Nehemiah 7:11
The sons of Pahath-Moab, of the sons of Jeshua and Joab
Quote: בְּנֵֽי־פַחַ֥ת מוֹאָ֛ב לִבְנֵ֥י יֵשׁ֖וּעַ וְיוֹאָ֑ב (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Sons means “descendants.” Alternate translation: “from the descendants of Pahath-Moab who were descendants of Jeshua and Joab”
Pahath-Moab, … Jeshua and Joab
Quote: פַחַ֥ת מוֹאָ֛ב & יֵשׁ֖וּעַ וְיוֹאָ֑ב (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
Pahath-Moab is the name of a man, and Jeshua and Joab are the names of two of his descendants.
Nehemiah 7:12
The sons of Elam
Quote: בְּנֵ֣י עֵילָ֔ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Sons means “descendants.” Alternate translation: “from the descendants of Elam”
Elam
Quote: עֵילָ֔ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
Elam is the name of a man.
Nehemiah 7:13
The sons of Zattu
Quote: בְּנֵ֣י זַתּ֔וּא (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Sons means “descendants.” Alternate translation: “from the descendants of Zattu”
Zattu
Quote: זַתּ֔וּא (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
Zattu is the name of a man.
Nehemiah 7:14
The sons of Zakkai
Quote: בְּנֵ֣י זַכָּ֔י (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Sons means “descendants.” Alternate translation: “from the descendants of Zakkai”
Zakkai
Quote: זַכָּ֔י (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
Zakkai is the name of a man.
Nehemiah 7:15
The sons of Binnui
Quote: בְּנֵ֣י בִנּ֔וּי (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Sons means “descendants.” Alternate translation: “from the descendants of Binnui”
Binnui
Quote: בִנּ֔וּי (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
Binnui is the name of a man.
Nehemiah 7:16
The sons of Bebai
Quote: בְּנֵ֣י בֵבָ֔י (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Sons means “descendants.” Alternate translation: “from the descendants of Bebai”
Bebai
Quote: בֵבָ֔י (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
Bebai is the name of a man.
Nehemiah 7:17
The sons of Azgad
Quote: בְּנֵ֣י עַזְגָּ֔ד (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Sons means “descendants.” Alternate translation: “from the descendants of Azgad”
Azgad
Quote: עַזְגָּ֔ד (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
Azgad is the name of a man.
Nehemiah 7:18
The sons of Adonikam
Quote: בְּנֵי֙ אֲדֹ֣נִיקָ֔ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Sons means “descendants.” Alternate translation: “from the descendants of Adonikam”
Adonikam
Quote: אֲדֹ֣נִיקָ֔ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
Adonikam is the name of a man.
Nehemiah 7:19
The sons of Bigvai
Quote: בְּנֵ֣י בִגְוָ֔י (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Sons means “descendants.” Alternate translation: “from the descendants of Bigvai”
Bigvai
Quote: בִגְוָ֔י (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
Bigvai is the name of a man.
Nehemiah 7:20
The sons of Adin
Quote: בְּנֵ֣י עָדִ֔ין (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Sons means “descendants.” Alternate translation: “from the descendants of Adin”
Adin
Quote: עָדִ֔ין (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
Adin is the name of a man.
Nehemiah 7:21
The sons of Ater, of Hezekiah
Quote: בְּנֵֽי־אָטֵ֥ר לְחִזְקִיָּ֖ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Sons means “descendants.” Alternate translation: “from the descendants of Ater who were descendants of Hezekiah”
Ater
Quote: אָטֵ֥ר (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
Ater is the name of a man, and Hezekiah is the name of one of his descendants.
Nehemiah 7:22
The sons of Hashum
Quote: בְּנֵ֣י חָשֻׁ֔ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Sons means descendants. Alternate translation: “from the descendants of Hashum”
Hashum
Quote: חָשֻׁ֔ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
Hashum is the name of a man.
Nehemiah 7:23
The sons of Bezai
Quote: בְּנֵ֣י בֵצָ֔י (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Sons means descendants. Alternate translation: “from the descendants of Bezai”
Bezai
Quote: בֵצָ֔י (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
Bezai is the name of a man.
Nehemiah 7:24
The sons of Hariph
Quote: בְּנֵ֣י חָרִ֔יף (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Sons means “descendants.” Alternate translation: “from the descendants of Hariph”
Hariph
Quote: חָרִ֔יף (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
Hariph is the name of a man.
Nehemiah 7:25
The sons of Gibeon
Quote: בְּנֵ֥י גִבְע֖וֹן (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Sons means “descendants.” Alternate translation: “from the descendants of Gibeon”
Gibeon
Quote: גִבְע֖וֹן (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
Gibeon is the name of a man.
Nehemiah 7:26
Bethlehem and Netophah
Quote: בֵֽית־לֶ֨חֶם֙ וּנְטֹפָ֔ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
Bethlehem and Netophah are the names of towns. Alternate translation: “from the towns of Bethlehem and Netophah”
Nehemiah 7:27
Anathoth
Quote: עֲנָת֔וֹת (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
Anathoth is the name of a town. Alternate translation: “from the town of Anathoth”
Nehemiah 7:28
Beth Azmaveth
Quote: בֵית־עַזְמָ֖וֶת (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
Beth Azmaveth is the name of a town. Alternate translation: “from the town of Beth Azmaveth”
Nehemiah 7:29
Kiriath Jearim, Kephirah, and Beeroth
Quote: קִרְיַ֤ת יְעָרִים֙ כְּפִירָ֣ה וּבְאֵר֔וֹת (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
Kiriath Jearim, Kephirah, and Beeroth are the names of towns. Alternate translation: “from the towns of Kiriath Jearim, Kephirah, and Beeroth”
Nehemiah 7:30
Ramah and Geba
Quote: הָֽרָמָה֙ וָגָ֔בַע (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
Ramah and Geba are the names of towns. Alternate translation: “from the towns of Ramah and Geba”
Nehemiah 7:31
Michmas
Quote: מִכְמָ֔ס (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
Michmas is the name of a town. Alternate translation: “from the town of Michmas”
Nehemiah 7:32
Bethel and Ai
Quote: בֵֽית־אֵל֙ וְהָעָ֔י (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
Bethel and Ai are the names of towns. Alternate translation: “from the towns of Bethel and Ai”
Nehemiah 7:33
the … Nebo
Quote: נְב֛וֹ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
Nebo is the name of a town. Alternate translation: “from another town called Nebo”
Nehemiah 7:34
the other Elam
Quote: עֵילָ֣ם אַחֵ֔ר (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
Elam is the name of a town. Alternate translation: “from another town called Elam”
the … Elam
Quote: עֵילָ֣ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification
The document speaks here of the town of Elam as if it were the ancestor of all the people who lived there. It is saying that these men were from families that had originally lived in that town. Alternate translation: “from another town called Elam”
Nehemiah 7:35
The sons of Harim
Quote: בְּנֵ֣י חָרִ֔ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification
The document speaks here of the town of Harim as if it were the ancestor of all the people who lived there. It is saying that these men were from families that had originally lived in that town. Alternate translation: “from the town of Harim”
Harim
Quote: חָרִ֔ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
Harim is the name of a town.
Nehemiah 7:36
The sons of Jericho
Quote: בְּנֵ֣י יְרֵח֔וֹ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification
The document speaks here of the city of Jericho as if it were the ancestor of all the people who lived there. It is saying that these men were from families that had originally lived in that city. Alternate translation: “from the city of Jericho”
Jericho
Quote: יְרֵח֔וֹ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
Jericho is the name of a city.
Nehemiah 7:37
The sons of Lod, Hadid, and Ono
Quote: בְּנֵי־לֹד֙ חָדִ֣יד וְאוֹנ֔וֹ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification
The document speaks here of the towns of Lod, Hadid, and Ono as if they were the ancestors of all the people who lived in them. It is saying that these men were from families that had originally lived in those towns. Alternate translation: “from towns of Lod, Hadid, and Ono”
Lod, Hadid, and Ono
Quote: לֹד֙ חָדִ֣יד וְאוֹנ֔וֹ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
Lod, Hadid, and Ono are the names of towns.
Nehemiah 7:38
The sons of Senaah
Quote: בְּנֵ֣י סְנָאָ֔ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification
The document speaks here of the town of Senaah as if it were the ancestor of all the people who lived there. It is saying that these men were from families that had originally lived in that town. Alternate translation: “from the town of Senaah”
Senaah
Quote: סְנָאָ֔ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
Senaah is the name of a town.
Nehemiah 7:39
The priests
Quote: הַֽכֹּהֲנִ֑ים (1)Alternate translation: “This is how many men returned from each family of priests”
the sons of Jedaiah, of the house of Jeshua
Quote: בְּנֵ֤י יְדַֽעְיָה֙ לְבֵ֣ית יֵשׁ֔וּעַ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Sons means “descendants.” Alternate translation: “from the descendants of Jedaiah who were descendants of Jeshua”
Jedaiah, … Jeshua
Quote: יְדַֽעְיָה֙ & יֵשׁ֔וּעַ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
Jedaiah is the name of a man, and Jeshua is the name of one of his descendants.
of the house of Jeshua
Quote: לְבֵ֣ית יֵשׁ֔וּעַ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
Here, the word house describes all the people descended from a particular person. The document is describing all of the descendants of Jeshua as if they were one household living together. Alternate translation: “who were descendants of Jeshua”
Nehemiah 7:40
the sons of Immer
Quote: בְּנֵ֣י אִמֵּ֔ר (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Sons means “descendants.” Alternate translation: “from the descendants of Immer”
Immer
Quote: אִמֵּ֔ר (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
Immer is the name of a man.
Nehemiah 7:41
the sons of Pashhur
Quote: בְּנֵ֣י פַשְׁח֔וּר (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Sons means “descendants.” Alternate translation: “from the descendants of Pashhur”
Pashhur
Quote: פַשְׁח֔וּר (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
Pashhur is the name of a man.
Nehemiah 7:42
the sons of Harim
Quote: בְּנֵ֣י חָרִ֔ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Sons means “descendants.” Alternate translation: “from the descendants of Harim”
Harim
Quote: חָרִ֔ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
Harim is the name of a man. Alternate translation: “from the descendants of Harim”
Nehemiah 7:43
The Levites
Quote: הַלְוִיִּ֑ם (1)Alternate translation: “Some of the descendants of Levi also returned.”
the sons of Jeshua, of Kadmiel, of the sons to Hodevah
Quote: בְּנֵֽי־יֵשׁ֧וּעַ לְקַדְמִיאֵ֛ל לִבְנֵ֥י לְהוֹדְוָ֖ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Sons means “descendants.” Alternate translation: “from the descendants of Jeshua and Kadmiel, who were descended from Hodevah”
Jeshua, of Kadmiel, … to Hodevah
Quote: יֵשׁ֧וּעַ לְקַדְמִיאֵ֛ל & לְהוֹדְוָ֖ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
Jeshua and Kadmiel are men’s names, and Hodevah is the name of their ancestor.
Nehemiah 7:44
The ones who sang
Quote: הַֽמְשֹׁרְרִ֑ים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown
As in 7:1, this refers to vocal musicians who led in worship, in processions, and ceremonies, producing music and chants that emphasized and enhanced the occasion. Alternate translation: “singers”
The ones who sang
Quote: הַֽמְשֹׁרְרִ֑ים (1)Alternate translation: “Some of the descendants of the singers also returned.”
the sons of Asaph
Quote: בְּנֵ֣י אָסָ֔ף (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Sons means “descendants.” Alternate translation: “from the descendants of Asaph”
Asaph
Quote: אָסָ֔ף (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
Asaph is a man’s name.
Nehemiah 7:45
The gatekeepers
Quote: הַשֹּֽׁעֲרִ֗ים (1)See how you translated this term in 7:1. Alternate translation: “Some of the descendants of the gatekeepers also returned”
the sons of Shallum, the sons of Ater, the sons of Talmon, the sons of Akkub, the sons of Hatita, the sons of Shobai
Quote: בְּנֵֽי־שַׁלּ֤וּם בְּנֵֽי־אָטֵר֙ בְּנֵֽי־טַלְמֹ֣ן בְּנֵֽי־עַקּ֔וּב בְּנֵ֥י חֲטִיטָ֖א בְּנֵ֣י שֹׁבָ֑י (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Sons means “descendants.” Alternate translation: “from the descendants of Shallum, Ater, Talmon, Akkub, Hatita, and Shobai”
Shallum, … Ater, … Talmon, … Akkub, … Hatita, … Shobai
Quote: שַׁלּ֤וּם & אָטֵר֙ & טַלְמֹ֣ן & עַקּ֔וּב & חֲטִיטָ֖א & שֹׁבָ֑י (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
These are the names of six men.
Nehemiah 7:46
The Nethinim were
Quote: הַנְּתִינִ֑ים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown
As in 3:26, the term “Nethinim” describes servants who worked in the temple. Alternate translation: “the temple servants”
The Nethinim were
Quote: הַנְּתִינִ֑ים (1)Alternate translation: “Some of the descendants of the temple servants also returned”
the sons of Ziha, the sons of Hasupha, the sons of Tabbaoth
Quote: בְּנֵי־צִחָ֥א בְנֵי־חֲשֻׂפָ֖א בְּנֵ֥י טַבָּעֽוֹת (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Sons means “descendants.” Alternate translation: “from the descendants of Shallum, Ater, Talmon, Akkub, Hatita, and Shobai”
Ziha, … Hasupha, … Tabbaoth
Quote: צִחָ֥א & חֲשֻׂפָ֖א & טַבָּעֽוֹת (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
These are the names of three men.
Nehemiah 7:47
the sons of Keros, the sons of Sia, the sons of Padon
Quote: בְּנֵי־קֵירֹ֥ס בְּנֵי־סִיעָ֖א בְּנֵ֥י פָדֽוֹן (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Sons means “descendants.” If you continue the sentence from 7:46, you can just list the names of these three men. Alternate translation: “Keros, Sia, Padon,”
Nehemiah 7:48
the sons of Lebana, the sons of Hagaba, the sons of Shalmai
Quote: בְּנֵי־לְבָנָ֥ה בְנֵי־חֲגָבָ֖ה בְּנֵ֥י שַׁלְמָֽי (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Sons means “descendants.” If you continue the sentence from 7:46, you can just list the names of these three men. Alternate translation: “Lebana, Hagaba, Shalmai,”
Nehemiah 7:49
the sons of Hanan, the sons of Giddel, the sons of Gahar
Quote: בְּנֵי־חָנָ֥ן בְּנֵי־גִדֵּ֖ל בְּנֵי־גָֽחַר (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Sons means “descendants.” If you continue the sentence from 7:46, you can just list the names of these three men. Alternate translation: “Hanan, Giddel, Gahar,”
Nehemiah 7:50
the sons of Reaiah, the sons of Rezin, the sons of Nekoda
Quote: בְּנֵי־רְאָיָ֥ה בְנֵי־רְצִ֖ין בְּנֵ֥י נְקוֹדָֽא (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Sons means “descendants.” If you continue the sentence from 7:46, you can just list the names of these three men. Alternate translation: “Reaiah, Rezin, Nekoda,”
Nehemiah 7:51
the sons of Gazzam, the sons of Uzza, the sons of Paseah
Quote: בְּנֵי־גַזָּ֥ם בְּנֵי־עֻזָּ֖א בְּנֵ֥י פָסֵֽחַ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Sons means “descendants.” If you continue the sentence from 7:46, you can just list the names of these three men. Alternate translation: “Gazzam, Uzza, Paseah,”
Nehemiah 7:52
the sons of Besai, the sons of Meunim, the sons of Nephushesim
Quote: בְּנֵי־בֵסַ֥י בְּנֵי־מְעוּנִ֖ים בְּנֵ֥י נפושסים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Sons means “descendants.” If you continue the sentence from 7:46, you can just list the names of these three men. Alternate translation: “Besai, Meunim, Nephushesim,”
Nehemiah 7:53
the sons of Bakbuk, the sons of Hakupha, the sons of Harhur
Quote: בְּנֵי־בַקְבּ֥וּק בְּנֵֽי־חֲקוּפָ֖א בְּנֵ֥י חַרְחֽוּר (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Sons means “descendants.” If you continue the sentence from 7:46, you can just list the names of these three men. Alternate translation: “Bakbuk, Hakupha, Harhur,”
Nehemiah 7:54
the sons of Bazluth, the sons of Mehida, the sons of Harsha
Quote: בְּנֵי־בַצְלִ֥ית בְּנֵֽי־מְחִידָ֖א בְּנֵ֥י חַרְשָֽׁא (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Sons means “descendants.” If you continue the sentence from 7:46, you can just list the names of these three men. Alternate translation: “Bazluth, Mehida, Harsha,”
Nehemiah 7:55
the sons of Barkos, the sons of Sisera, the sons of Temah
Quote: בְּנֵי־בַרְק֥וֹס בְּֽנֵי־סִֽיסְרָ֖א בְּנֵי־תָֽמַח (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Sons means “descendants.” If you continue the sentence from 7:46, you can just list the names of these three men. Alternate translation: “Barkos, Sisera, Temah,”
Nehemiah 7:56
the sons of Neziah, the sons of Hatipha
Quote: בְּנֵ֥י נְצִ֖יחַ בְּנֵ֥י חֲטִיפָֽא (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Sons means “descendants.” If you continue the sentence from 7:46, you can just list the names of these two men, and end the series in this verse. Alternate translation: “Neziah, and Hatipha.”
Nehemiah 7:57
The sons of the servants of Solomon were
Quote: בְּנֵ֖י עַבְדֵ֣י שְׁלֹמֹ֑ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown
By servants of Solomon, this document does not mean officials who served in Solomon’s court. Rather, this phrase refers to people whom Solomon first conscripted as laborers. They were descendants of the groups that were living in the land of Canaan before the Israelites occupied it. They and their descendants remained conscripted laborers under later kings. You could call these people “the laborers that King Solomon first conscripted.” Alternate translation: “laborers who had worked for the kingdom”
The sons of the servants of Solomon were
Quote: בְּנֵ֖י עַבְדֵ֣י שְׁלֹמֹ֑ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Sons means “descendants.” Alternate translation: “Some of the descendants of the laborers who had worked for the kingdom also returned.”
the sons of Sotai, the sons of Sophereth, the sons of Perida
Quote: בְּנֵי־סוֹטַ֥י בְּנֵי־סוֹפֶ֖רֶת בְּנֵ֥י פְרִידָֽא (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Sons means “descendants.” Alternate translation: “They were from the descendants of Sotai, Sophereth, Perida”
Sotai, … Sophereth, … Perida
Quote: סוֹטַ֥י & סוֹפֶ֖רֶת & פְרִידָֽא (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
These are the names of three men.
Nehemiah 7:58
the sons of Jaala, the sons of Darkon, the sons of Giddel
Quote: בְּנֵי־יַעְלָ֥א בְנֵי־דַרְק֖וֹן בְּנֵ֥י גִדֵּֽל (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Sons means “descendants.” If you continue the sentence from 7:57, you can just list the names of these three men. Alternate translation: “Jaala, Darkon, Giddel,”
Nehemiah 7:59
the sons of Shephatiah, the sons of Hattil, the sons of Pochereth Hazzebaim, the sons of Amon
Quote: בְּנֵ֧י שְׁפַטְיָ֣ה בְנֵֽי־חַטִּ֗יל בְּנֵ֛י פֹּכֶ֥רֶת הַצְּבָיִ֖ים בְּנֵ֥י אָמֽוֹן (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Sons means “descendants.” If you continue the sentence from 7:57, you can just list the names of these four men and end the series in this verse. Alternate translation: “Shephatiah, Hattil, Pochereth Hazzebaim, and Amon”
Nehemiah 7:60
All the Nethinim and the sons of the servants of Solomon were 392
Quote: כָּל־הַ֨נְּתִינִ֔ים וּבְנֵ֖י עַבְדֵ֣י שְׁלֹמֹ֑ה שְׁלֹ֥שׁ מֵא֖וֹת תִּשְׁעִ֥ים וּשְׁנָֽיִם (1)Alternate translation: “Altogether 392 men returned who were descendants of temple servants or of laborers who had worked for the kingdom”
Nehemiah 7:61
And these are the ones who went up
Quote: וְאֵ֗לֶּה הָֽעוֹלִים֙ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
As in 7:6, “went up” means “traveled from Babylon back to Judah,” since that involves going from a river valley up into the mountains. Alternate translation: “Some others returned to Judah from Babylon”
from Tel Melah, Tel Harsha, Kerub, Addon, and Immer
Quote: מִתֵּ֥ל מֶ֨לַח֙ תֵּ֣ל חַרְשָׁ֔א כְּר֥וּב אַדּ֖וֹן וְאִמֵּ֑ר (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
These are the names of five towns in Babylonia. Alternate translation: “who had been living in the towns of Tel Melah, Tel Harsha, Kerub, Addon, and Immer.”
but they were not able to tell
Quote: וְלֹ֣א יָכְל֗וּ לְהַגִּ֤יד (1)Alternate translation: “They had no records to prove”
the house of their fathers and their seed, whether they were from Israel
Quote: בֵּית־אֲבוֹתָם֙ וְזַרְעָ֔ם אִ֥ם מִיִּשְׂרָאֵ֖ל הֵֽם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism
These two longer phrases mean similar things. The second phrase explains the meaning of the first for clarity and emphasis. If it would be helpful in your language, you could combine these phrases. Alternate translation: “that their ancestors had been Israelites,” otherwise “what clan they were from or who their ancestors were, whether they were really Israelites”
the house of their fathers and their seed
Quote: בֵּית־אֲבוֹתָם֙ וְזַרְעָ֔ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet
These two short phrases mean similar things. They are used together to emphasize that accurate records would be required to prove a person’s lineage. You do not need to repeat both phrases in your translation if that would be confusing for your readers. Alternate translation: “what their lineage was”
the house of their fathers and their seed
Quote: בֵּית־אֲבוֹתָם֙ וְזַרְעָ֔ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Among the Israelites, the expression father’s house or house of the father originally described an extended clan. It later came to be used more generally to refer to a larger clan within a tribe. (For example, the two expressions are used interchangeably in Exodus 6:14, “These were the heads of their fathers’ houses: The sons of Reuben, the firstborn of Israel, were Hanok, Pallu, Hezron, and Karmi. These were the clan ancestors of Reuben.”) In this expression, the word house describes all the people descended from a particular person. The term views all of those descendants as if they were one household living together. Alternate translation: “what clan they were from”
and their seed
Quote: וְזַרְעָ֔ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
Here, seed means “ancestors.” In the Bible, the term often describes a person’s descendants. But here, "their seed" means “whose seed they were,” so the term is describing the ancestors of these people. Alternate translation: “or who their ancestors were”
Nehemiah 7:62
The sons of Delaiah, the sons of Tobiah, the sons of Nekoda, were 642
Quote: בְּנֵי־דְלָיָ֥ה בְנֵֽי־טוֹבִיָּ֖ה בְּנֵ֣י נְקוֹדָ֑א שֵׁ֥שׁ מֵא֖וֹת וְאַרְבָּעִ֥ים וּשְׁנָֽיִם (1)Alternate translation: “Altogether 642 men returned who were from the descendants of Delaiah, Tobiah, and Nekoda”
The sons of Delaiah, the sons of Tobiah, the sons of Nekoda
Quote: בְּנֵי־דְלָיָ֥ה בְנֵֽי־טוֹבִיָּ֖ה בְּנֵ֣י נְקוֹדָ֑א (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Sons means “descendants.” Alternate translation: “They were from the descendants of Delaiah, Tobiah, and Nekoda”
Delaiah, … Tobiah, … Nekoda
Quote: דְלָיָ֥ה & טוֹבִיָּ֖ה & נְקוֹדָ֑א (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
These are the names of three men.
Nehemiah 7:63
And from the priests
Quote: וּמִן־הַכֹּ֣הֲנִ֔ים (1)Alternate translation: “Some of the men who returned from those towns were descendants of the priests”
the sons of Habaiah; the sons of Hakkoz; the sons of Barzillai
Quote: בְּנֵ֥י חֳבַיָּ֖ה בְּנֵ֣י הַקּ֑וֹץ בְּנֵ֣י בַרְזִלַּ֗י (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Sons means “descendants.” Alternate translation: “They were from the descendants of Habaiah, Hakkoz, and Barzillai”
Habaiah; … Hakkoz; … Barzillai
Quote: חֳבַיָּ֖ה & הַקּ֑וֹץ & בַרְזִלַּ֗י (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
These are the names of three men.
Barzillai the Gileadite
Quote: בַּרְזִלַּ֤י הַגִּלְעָדִי֙ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
Barzillai is the name of a man, and Gileadite means that he was from the region of Gilead.
who took a wife from the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite
Quote: אֲשֶׁ֣ר לָ֠קַח מִבְּנ֞וֹת בַּרְזִלַּ֤י הַגִּלְעָדִי֙ אִשָּׁ֔ה (1)Alternate translation: “Barzillai married a woman who was one of the descendants of Barzillai the Gileadite”
from the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite
Quote: מִבְּנ֞וֹת בַּרְזִלַּ֤י הַגִּלְעָדִי֙ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Daughters means “descendants.” Alternate translation: “the descendants of Barzillai the Gileadite”
and he was called by their name
Quote: וַיִּקָּרֵ֖א עַל־שְׁמָֽם (1)Alternate translation: “and he took the name of her clan as his own name”
Nehemiah 7:64
These ones sought their record among the ones who were enrolled by genealogy, but it was not found
Quote: אֵ֗לֶּה בִּקְשׁ֧וּ כְתָבָ֛ם הַמִּתְיַחְשִׂ֖ים וְלֹ֣א נִמְצָ֑א (1)Alternate translation: “They were not able to find any mention of their names in the lists of people who were descendants of the priests”
And they were desecrated from the priesthood
Quote: וַיְגֹֽאֲל֖וּ מִן־הַכְּהֻנָּֽה (1)Alternate translation: “So they were not allowed to serve as priests.”
Nehemiah 7:65
the Tirshatha
Quote: הַתִּרְשָׁ֨תָא֙ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown
This was the formal Persian title of the governor. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the title and then explain it. Alternate translation: “The Tirshatha, that is, the governor”
And the Tirshatha said to them that they must not eat from the holiest holy food
Quote: וַיֹּ֤אמֶר הַתִּרְשָׁ֨תָא֙ לָהֶ֔ם אֲשֶׁ֥ר לֹא־יֹאכְל֖וּ מִקֹּ֣דֶשׁ הַקֳּדָשִׁ֑ים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown
In this case, the holy of holies does not refer to the inmost part of the Temple. Rather, it refers to the most sacred part of the food offerings, which was reserved for the priests. Alternate translation: “told them that they would not be allowed to eat the most sacred food”
until the priest stood with Urim and Thummim
Quote: עַ֛ד עֲמֹ֥ד הַכֹּהֵ֖ן לְאוּרִ֥ים וְתוּמִּֽים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Here, stand is a figurative way of saying that a person has assumed the duties of their office. The priest means specifically the high priest, since he had the objects described. Alternate translation: “Until the high priest was once again on duty”
with Urim and Thummim
Quote: לְאוּרִ֥ים וְתוּמִּֽים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown
This was a pair of objects that the high priest kept in the breastpiece of his robe. It is unknown exactly what type of objects they were, but they were used to answer yes-or-no questions and to decide between two alternatives. If the priest, without looking, pulled out the Urim, that meant one answer, while if he pulled out the Thummim, that meant the other answer. If it would be helpful in your language, you could describe these objects by their function rather than by their names. Alternate translation: “and could use the sacred objects to decide their cases.”
Nehemiah 7:66
All the assembly, as one, was 42, 360
Quote: כָּל־הַקָּהָ֖ל כְּאֶחָ֑ד אַרְבַּ֣ע רִבּ֔וֹא אַלְפַּ֖יִם שְׁלֹשׁ־מֵא֥וֹת וְשִׁשִּֽׁים (1)Alternate translation: “The total number of men who returned was 42,360”
Nehemiah 7:67
apart from their male servants and their female servants, these were 7, 337
Quote: מִ֠לְּבַד עַבְדֵיהֶ֤ם וְאַמְהֹֽתֵיהֶם֙ אֵ֔לֶּה שִׁבְעַ֣ת אֲלָפִ֔ים שְׁלֹ֥שׁ מֵא֖וֹת שְׁלֹשִׁ֣ים וְשִׁבְעָ֑ה (1)Alternate translation: “not counting their 7,337 male and female servants”
and for them, the men who sang and the women who sang were 245
Quote: וְלָהֶ֗ם מְשֹֽׁרֲרִים֙ וּמְשֹׁ֣רֲר֔וֹת מָאתַ֖יִם וְאַרְבָּעִ֥ים וַחֲמִשָּֽׁה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown
This is a different group from “the ones who sang” in 7:44. Those were Levites who sang in connection with Israel’s worship. The group here is a class of servants who were employed to provide music for public and private events. Alternate translation: “and the 245 male and female singers they employed.”
Nehemiah 7:68
The horses were 736. The mules were 245
Quote: סוּסֵיהֶ֕ם שְׁבַ֥ע מֵא֖וֹת שְׁלֹשִׁ֣ים וְשִׁשָּׁ֑ה פִּרְדֵיהֶ֕ם מָאתַ֖יִם אַרְבָּעִ֥ים וַחֲמִשָּֽׁה (1)Alternate translation: “The group also brought back with them 736 horses, 245 mules”
Nehemiah 7:69
The camels were 435. The donkeys were 6, 720
Quote: גְּמַלִּ֕ים אַרְבַּ֥ע מֵא֖וֹת שְׁלֹשִׁ֣ים וַחֲמִשָּׁ֑ה ס חֲמֹרִ֕ים שֵׁ֣שֶׁת אֲלָפִ֔ים שְׁבַ֥ע מֵא֖וֹת וְעֶשְׂרִֽים (1)Alternate translation: “435 camels, and 6,720 donkeys.”
Nehemiah 7:70
the heads of the fathers
Quote: רָאשֵׁ֣י הָֽאָב֔וֹת (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis
This seems to be an abbreviated way of saying “the heads of father’s houses.” The full expression “father’s house” or “house of the father” is used in verse 61. See how you translated it there, and review the note there if that would be helpfull. Alternate translation: “some of the clan leaders”
the heads of
Quote: רָאשֵׁ֣י (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Head here is a figurative way of saying “leader.” Alternate translation: “the leaders of”
gave to the treasury
Quote: נָתַ֣ן לָאוֹצָ֗ר (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown
Even though in the book of Nehemiah the work typically means the work of rebuilding the wall of Jerusalem, in this document it refers to the work of re-establishing the temple. That was the project that Zerubbabel and the group that returned under his leadership worked on. Alternate translation: “gave gifts towards the costs of re-establishing the temple”
The Tirshatha gave to the treasury 1,000 gold darics, 50 basins, 530 tunics of priests
Quote: הַתִּרְשָׁ֜תָא נָתַ֣ן לָאוֹצָ֗ר זָהָ֞ב דַּרְכְּמֹנִ֥ים אֶ֨לֶף֙ מִזְרָק֣וֹת חֲמִשִּׁ֔ים כָּתְנוֹת֙ כֹּֽהֲנִ֔ים שְׁלֹשִׁ֖ים וַחֲמֵ֥שׁ מֵאֽוֹת (1)Alternate translation: “The Tirshatha, that is, the governor, donated to the temple treasury 1,000 gold coins, 50 bowls to be used in the temple, and 530 garments for the priests to wear”
The Tirshatha
Quote: הַתִּרְשָׁ֜תָא (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown
As in 7:65, this was the formal Persian title of the governor. Alternate translation: “The Tirshatha, that is, the governor”
1,000 gold darics
Quote: זָהָ֞ב דַּרְכְּמֹנִ֥ים אֶ֨לֶף֙ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-bmoney
In ancient times, a gold daric weighed about 8 or 8.5 grams or about a quarter of an ounce. You could try to express this in terms of modern money values, but if you did, that could cause your Bible translation to become outdated and inaccurate over time, since those values can change from year to year. Instead, you could say something general like “1,000 gold coins,” or give the equivalent weight, or use the biblical term in the text and give the weight in a note.
50 basins
Quote: מִזְרָק֣וֹת חֲמִשִּׁ֔ים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown
These were large, flat bowls that were used in the temple to collect the blood of sacrifices. When the Law called for some of this blood to be sprinkled on the altar, in the air, or on a person or a garment, that would be done from one of these bowls. Alternate translation: “50 bowls to be used in the temple”
530 tunics of priests
Quote: כָּתְנוֹת֙ כֹּֽהֲנִ֔ים שְׁלֹשִׁ֖ים וַחֲמֵ֥שׁ מֵאֽוֹת (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown
These were the special garments that priests would wear while performing their duties in the temple. Alternate translation: “530 garments for the priests to wear”
Nehemiah 7:71
And some from the heads of the fathers gave to the treasury of the work
Quote: וּמֵֽרָאשֵׁ֣י הָֽאָב֗וֹת נָֽתְנוּ֙ לְאוֹצַ֣ר הַמְּלָאכָ֔ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis
As in 7:70, the heads of the fathers seems to be an abbreviated way of saying “the heads of father’s houses.” See how you translated that expression in 7:61, and review the note there if that would be helpful. Alternate translation: “Some of the clan leaders donated to the temple treasury”
And some from the heads of
Quote: וּמֵֽרָאשֵׁ֣י (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Head here is a figurative way of saying “leader.” Alternate translation: “leaders”
20,000 gold darics
Quote: זָהָ֕ב דַּרְכְּמוֹנִ֖ים שְׁתֵּ֣י רִבּ֑וֹת (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-bmoney
See the note about darics in verse 7:70. Alternate translation: “20,000 gold coins”
and 2, 200 silver minas
Quote: וְכֶ֕סֶף מָנִ֖ים אַלְפַּ֥יִם וּמָאתָֽיִם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-bmoney
In ancient times, a silver mina weighed about half a kilogram or about 1.25 pounds. However, as in the case of darics, it would probably be best to say something general like “2,200 silver bars,” or give the equivalent weight, or use the biblical term and give the equivalent weight in a note.
Nehemiah 7:72
And what the remnant of the people gave was 20,000 gold darics, and 2,000 silver minas, and 67 tunics of priests
Quote: וַאֲשֶׁ֣ר נָתְנוּ֮ שְׁאֵרִ֣ית הָעָם֒ זָהָ֗ב דַּרְכְּמוֹנִים֙ שְׁתֵּ֣י רִבּ֔וֹא וְכֶ֖סֶף מָנִ֣ים אַלְפָּ֑יִם וְכָתְנֹ֥ת כֹּֽהֲנִ֖ים שִׁשִּׁ֥ים וְשִׁבְעָֽה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-bmoney
See the notes in 7:70 and 7:71 about “darics,” “minas,” and “tunics.” Alternate translation: “The rest of the people donated 20,000 gold coins, 2,000 silver bars, and 67 garments for the priests to wear”
Nehemiah 7:73
And … dwelt
Quote: וַיֵּשְׁב֣וּ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-time-sequential
At the end of 7:72, Nehemiah stops quoting from the document about the first group of people who returned to Judah. The story now goes on to tell what happened next. You could introduce this verse with a word or phrase that indicates this. Alternate translation: “And so … dwelt”
the priests, and the Levites, and the gatekeepers, and the ones who sang, and some from the people, and the Nethinim, and all Israel
Quote: הַכֹּהֲנִ֣ים וְהַלְוִיִּ֡ם וְהַשּׁוֹעֲרִים֩ וְהַמְשֹׁרְרִ֨ים וּמִן־הָעָ֧ם וְהַנְּתִינִ֛ים וְכָל־יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown
Five of the groups in this list are also named in the document about the people who returned from exile: the priests (verses 39–43), the Levites (verse 43), the gatekeepers (verse 45), the singers (verse 44), and the temple servants (verses 46–56). You can use those same names for these groups here. It is not immediately clear who “some from the people” are, and why they are not included in “all Israel.” You could just say “many ordinary people.” However, there is very similar list in 10:28 that names these same five groups and also describes people who dedicated themselves to following the law of God. That would unfortunately not have included all of Israel at this point, so that may be the distinction that is in view here. Alternate translation: “the priests, the Levites, the gatekeepers, the singers, the temple servants, some people who dedicated themselves to follow the law, and the rest of the Israelites”
And … dwelt in their cities. And the seventh month came, and the sons of Israel were in their cities
Quote: וַיֵּשְׁב֣וּ & בְּעָרֵיהֶ֑ם וַיִּגַּע֙ הַחֹ֣דֶשׁ הַשְּׁבִיעִ֔י וּבְנֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל בְּעָרֵיהֶֽם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
The rebuilding of the wall was completed that year near the end of Elul, the sixth month of the Hebrew calendar. The implication is that everyone who had come to Jerusalem to work on the wall was then allowed to return home. Within about a week, by the beginning of the seventh month, they were all back home. If it would be helpful in your language, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “So … returned to their homes, because the rebuilding of the wall had been completed. By the beginning of the next month, they were all back home.”
the seventh month
Quote: הַחֹ֣דֶשׁ הַשְּׁבִיעִ֔י (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal
Alternate translation: “month seven”
Nehemiah 8
Nehemiah 8 General Notes
Special concepts in this chapter
Reading of the law
During the exile, the Hebrew language was no longer spoken. Only the priests and Levites still understood it. Ezra read the book of the law to the people in Hebrew and the Levites walked among the crowd translating it into Aramaic for the people to understand. (See: priest, priesthood and law, law of Moses, law of Yahweh, law of God)
Festival of Shelters
After they heard Ezra read the law of Moses, the people obeyed it by making temporary shelters for themselves with tree branches. They did this to remember that their ancestors slept in shelters when they came out of slavery in Egypt.
Nehemiah 8:1
all the people
Quote: כָל־הָעָם֙ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole
The word all is a generalization that indicates that everyone who was able and available came to Jerusalem for this occasion. By “the people,” Nehemiah means the groups he described in the previous verse who had come back to live in Judah and Jerusalem. Alternate translation: “The people of Judah”
And … gathered as one man
Quote: וַיֵּאָסְפ֤וּ & כְּאִ֣ישׁ אֶחָ֔ד (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
Verses 8 and 9 explain that the people had gathered for a festival, and 8:2 states that this was the first day of the seventh month, which means that the people had gathered in Jerusalem for the Festival of Trumpets. In the Law of Moses, Yahweh had commanded the people to observe this celebration on this date. If it would be helpful to your readers to know why the people came together on this day, you could say that specifically. Alternate translation: “gathered in Jerusalem in a huge crowd for a special celebration known as the Festival of Trumpets.”
as one man
Quote: כְּאִ֣ישׁ אֶחָ֔ד (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
As one man is an idiom that means “as if they were a single person,” that is, all in once place at the same time. Alternate translation: “gathered in a huge crowd”
to the open area
Quote: אֶל־הָ֣רְח֔וֹב (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown
This means a “plaza” or “square” in the city where there were no buildings and so where public events like this could be held. Alternate translation: “in the square”
is before the face of the gate of water
Quote: לִפְנֵ֣י שַֽׁעַר־הַמָּ֑יִם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
Here, face means the front of an object. Alternate translation: “in front of the Water Gate”
the gate of water
Quote: שַֽׁעַר־הַמָּ֑יִם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
This is the name of one of the gates of Jerusalem. See how you translated it in 3:26. Alternate translation: “the Water Gate”
And they said to Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses
Quote: וַיֹּֽאמְרוּ֙ לְעֶזְרָ֣א הַסֹּפֵ֔ר לְהָבִ֗יא אֶת־סֵ֨פֶר֙ תּוֹרַ֣ת מֹשֶׁ֔ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
They means the crowd, though they likely made this request to Ezra through their leaders. The implication is that they wanted him not just to bring the book forward, but to read to them from it out loud (as 8:3 indicates he did). This was because they wanted to learn what was in it. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “The crowd had asked Ezra the scribe to read to them from a scroll that contained the Law of Moses because they wanted to know what it commanded.”
And they said to Ezra
Quote: וַיֹּֽאמְרוּ֙ לְעֶזְרָ֣א (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
Since the rest of the chapter describes arrangements that the leaders must have made in advance, the crowd, once it gathered, did not start shouting spontaneously for Ezra to come forward and read. Rather, they had made this request in advance. Alternate translation: “And the crowd had asked Ezra”
to Ezra the scribe
Quote: לְעֶזְרָ֣א הַסֹּפֵ֔ר (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-participants
This introduces Ezra as a new character in the story. The expression “the scribe” identifies him as a teacher who had carefully studied the Law of Moses. Since he is a new participant, if it would be helpful to your readers, you could call him something like “a man named Ezra, who was a teacher of the Law of Moses”
to Ezra the scribe
Quote: לְעֶזְרָ֣א הַסֹּפֵ֔ר (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
The biblical book of Ezra indicates that this man returned to Jerusalem from exile in Babylon 13 years before Nehemiah did. He led many reforms in the community. But in this book, Nehemiah does not say whether Ezra had remained in the city all that time, or whether he had gone back to Babylon and had recently returned to Jerusalem again. Even if your language, in telling a story, ordinarily accounts for how a person came to be on the scene, it might be best not to try to address that question here in your translation. Even though Nehemiah seems to expect that his readers will know where Ezra had been, Nehemiah does not say specifically where he was, and so the answer is unknown.
the book of the law of Moses
Quote: אֶת־סֵ֨פֶר֙ תּוֹרַ֣ת מֹשֶׁ֔ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown
This book was most likely a scroll, and it most likely contained what is now known as the Torah or the “five books of Moses.” Alternate translation: “a scroll that contained the law of Moses”
which Yahweh had commanded Israel
Quote: אֲשֶׁר־צִוָּ֥ה יְהוָ֖ה אֶת־יִשְׂרָאֵֽל (1)Alternate translation: “These were the commandments that Yahweh had told Israel to follow”
Nehemiah 8:2
Ezra the priest
Quote: עֶזְרָ֣א הַ֠כֹּהֵן (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
This information serves to introduce Ezra further. In addition to being a teacher and learned student of the Law of Moses, he was also a priest whose duties would have included offering sacrifices in the temple and helping people make sure they were following the law in everyday matters. It might be helpful to your readers to explain that here because it shows why Ezra would have been such an effective teacher for everyone on this occasion. Alternate translation: “Ezra was also a priest who served in the temple and helped people follow the law” (See: Introduction of New and Old Participants)
And … brought the law before the face of the assembly
Quote: וַיָּבִ֣יא & אֶֽת־הַתּוֹרָ֞ה לִפְנֵ֤י הַקָּהָל֙ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
Here, face means the front of a group. Alternate translation: “He read the law out loud in front of the whole crowd.”
of both men and women and all who were understanding to hear
Quote: מֵאִ֣ישׁ וְעַד־אִשָּׁ֔ה וְכֹ֖ל מֵבִ֣ין לִשְׁמֹ֑עַ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
All who were understanding to hear is an idiom that means “everyone who could hear with understanding,” that is, “who understood what they were hearing.” This phrase likely refers to children and it would mean “children who were old enough to understand.” Alternate translation: “for the men, the women, and the children who were old enough to understand.”
on day one of the seventh month
Quote: בְּי֥וֹם אֶחָ֖ד לַחֹ֥דֶשׁ הַשְּׁבִיעִֽי (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
Since Nehemiah does not say otherwise, the implication is that this happened in the same year that the wall was rebuilt. If it would be helpful in your language, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “He did this on the first day of the seventh month of that same year.”
on day one of the seventh month
Quote: בְּי֥וֹם אֶחָ֖ד לַחֹ֥דֶשׁ הַשְּׁבִיעִֽי (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-hebrewmonths
Alternate translation: “On day 1 of month 7”
Nehemiah 8:3
And he read it aloud
Quote: וַיִּקְרָא־בוֹ֩ (1)Here, it means the book of the Law of Moses.
before the face of the open area that is before the face of the gate of water
Quote: לִפְנֵ֨י הָרְח֜וֹב אֲשֶׁ֣ר ׀ לִפְנֵ֣י שַֽׁעַר־הַמַּ֗יִם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
Here, face means the front of both places, the square and the gate. Alternate translation: “from the front of the square that is in front of the Water Gate”
the gate of water
Quote: שַֽׁעַר־הַמַּ֗יִם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
This is the name of one of the gates of Jerusalem. See how you translated it in 3:26 and 8:1. Alternate translation: “the Water Gate”
from the light until the middle of the day
Quote: מִן־הָאוֹר֙ עַד־מַחֲצִ֣ית הַיּ֔וֹם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown
The light means sunrise, that is, the time of morning when the sun itself becomes visible above the horizon. “The middle of the day” means noon. Alternate translation: “from sunrise until noon”
from the light until the middle of the day
Quote: מִן־הָאוֹר֙ עַד־מַחֲצִ֣ית הַיּ֔וֹם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-merism
Verse 8:7 explains that other teachers circulated within the crowd to answer questions that people had about what Ezra was reading. It is unlikely that they did this while he was still talking. Instead, he probably paused from time to time to allow this. So this expression is actually referring to a whole time period by describing its beginning and ending, but it does not mean that the activity took place without interruption the whole time. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this meaning with a single phrase. Alternate translation: “throughout the morning”
in front of the men and the women, and the ones who were understanding
Quote: נֶ֛גֶד הָאֲנָשִׁ֥ים וְהַנָּשִׁ֖ים וְהַמְּבִינִ֑ים (1)This is the same group that was described in 8:2. Many of the phrases here in verse 3 echo similar phrases in verse 2. The repetition emphasizes the importance and solemnity of this occasion. However, you do not need to repeat this phrase a second time in your translation if that would be confusing for your readers.
And the ears of all the people listened
Quote: וְאָזְנֵ֥י כָל־הָעָ֖ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche
Here, Nehemiah uses the ears of the people to represent the people themselves, in the act of listening. Alternate translation: “all the people listened carefully”
Nehemiah 8:4
on a platform of wood
Quote: עַֽל־מִגְדַּל־עֵץ֮ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
As 8:5 explains, this was a raised platform that allowed the large crowd to see and hear Ezra as he read. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say that explicitly here. Alternate translation: “a raised wooden platform”
that they had made for the purpose
Quote: אֲשֶׁ֣ר עָשׂ֣וּ לַדָּבָר֒ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
If it would be helpful in your language, you could say who built this platform, and what the purpose was. Alternate translation: “that the people had built so that they could see and hear Ezra as he read”
beside him … on his right hand
Quote: אֶצְל֡וֹ & עַל־יְמִינ֑וֹ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
Here, hand is a metonym that means “side.” Alternate translation: “next to him, on his right side”
Mattithiah, and Shema, and Anaiah, and Uriah, and Hilkiah, and Maaseiah
Quote: מַתִּתְיָ֡ה וְשֶׁ֡מַע וַ֠עֲנָיָה וְאוּרִיָּ֧ה וְחִלְקִיָּ֛ה וּמַעֲשֵׂיָ֖ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
These are the names of six men.
and from his left
Quote: וּמִשְּׂמֹאל֗וֹ (1)Alternate translation: “and next to him, on his left side”
Pedaiah, and Mishael, and Malkijah, and Hashum, and Hashbaddanah, Zechariah, Meshullam
Quote: פְּ֠דָיָה וּמִֽישָׁאֵ֧ל וּמַלְכִּיָּ֛ה וְחָשֻׁ֥ם וְחַשְׁבַּדָּ֖נָה זְכַרְיָ֥ה מְשֻׁלָּֽם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
These are the names of seven men.
Nehemiah 8:5
And Ezra opened the book before the eyes of all the people, for … higher than all the people
Quote: וַיִּפְתַּ֨ח עֶזְרָ֤א הַסֵּ֨פֶר֙ לְעֵינֵ֣י כָל־הָעָ֔ם כִּֽי־מֵעַ֥ל כָּל־הָעָ֖ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result
If it would be helpful in your language, you could reverse the order of these phrases, since the first phrase gives the reason for the result that is described in the second phrase. Alternate translation: “Ezra was up on the platform above the people, so they were able to see him when he opened the book.”
before the eyes of all the people
Quote: לְעֵינֵ֣י כָל־הָעָ֔ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche
Here, Nehemiah uses the eyes of the people to represent the people themselves, in the act of observing. Alternate translation: “where all the people could see”
all the people stood
Quote: עָֽמְד֥וּ כָל־הָעָֽם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction
The people stood up as a symbolic way of showing respect for Yahweh and his law. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “the people stood up to show their respect for Yahweh and his law”
all the people
Quote: כָל־הָעָֽם (1)In this verse, all is not a generalization as it is in verse 1. Rather, it means all the people who were there. Alternate translation: “the people”
Nehemiah 8:6
And Ezra blessed Yahweh the great God
Quote: וַיְבָ֣רֶךְ עֶזְרָ֔א אֶת־יְהוָ֥ה הָאֱלֹהִ֖ים הַגָּד֑וֹל (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
This means that before Ezra read from the law, he prayed out loud. If it would be helpful in your language, you could say that explicitly. Alternate translation: “Before he read from the law, Ezra prayed to Yahweh, the great God”
And all the people answered, “Amen! Amen
Quote: וַיַּֽעֲנ֨וּ כָל־הָעָ֜ם אָמֵ֤ן ׀ אָמֵן֙ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-events
Since the people lifted their hands to show that they were joining Nehemiah in prayer, they would have done this before they said “Amen” at the end of his prayer. If it would be helpful in your language, you could describe the events in that order. Alternate translation: “The people lifted their hands to show that they were praying with Ezra, and when he finished praying, they shouted, ‘Amen! Amen!’”
Amen! Amen
Quote: אָמֵ֤ן ׀ אָמֵן֙ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
As in 5:13, Amen is a Hebrew word that means, “Truly, it is so.” The word expresses agreement with what someone has just said. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express that meaning with a phrase such as, “We agree!” Or you could use the Hebrew term and explain what it means in this context: “Amen! Yahweh is truly great!”
with their hands uplifted
Quote: בְּמֹ֣עַל יְדֵיהֶ֔ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction
In ancient Israel, lifted hands were the posture of prayer. By this gesture, the people showed that they were joining Nehemiah in prayer before he read from the law.
And they knelt and prostrated themselves to Yahweh, nostrils to the ground
Quote: וַיִּקְּד֧וּ וַיִּשְׁתַּחֲוֻּ֛ לַיהוָ֖ה אַפַּ֥יִם אָֽרְצָה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche
Nostrils here represent the nose, and the nose represents all of the face. Alternate translation: “they knelt down and then lay down with their faces on the ground to worship Yahweh.”
Nehemiah 8:7
And Jeshua, and Bani, and Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah
Quote: וְיֵשׁ֡וּעַ וּבָנִ֡י וְשֵׁרֵ֥בְיָ֣ה ׀ יָמִ֡ין עַקּ֡וּב שַׁבְּתַ֣י ׀ הֽוֹדִיָּ֡ה מַעֲשֵׂיָ֡ה קְלִיטָ֣א עֲזַרְיָה֩ יוֹזָבָ֨ד חָנָ֤ן פְּלָאיָה֙ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
These are the names of thirteen men.
and the Levites
Quote: וְהַלְוִיִּ֔ם (1)This expression could mean something like, “yes, the Levites,” indicating that all of these men were Levites. That means that they were descendants of Levi and had a special assignment, helping the priests. Alternate translation: “who were Levites.”
were causing the people to understand the law. And the people were in their place
Quote: מְבִינִ֥ים אֶת־הָעָ֖ם לַתּוֹרָ֑ה וְהָעָ֖ם עַל־עָמְדָֽם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
The implication is that Ezra paused regularly throughout the morning to allow this. If it would be helpful in your language, you could say that explicitly. Alternate translation: “explained the meaning of the Law to the people as they stood in their places in the crowd. Ezra paused regularly to allow this.”
Nehemiah 8:8
And they read aloud carefully from the book, from the law of God
Quote: וַֽיִּקְרְא֥וּ בַסֵּ֛פֶר בְּתוֹרַ֥ת הָאֱלֹהִ֖ים מְפֹרָ֑שׁ (1)This probably indicates that each of the Levites who circulated among the crowd likely had his own written copy of the Law of Moses and used that to teach the people. If it would be helpful in your language, you could say that explicitly. Alternate translation: “Each of these Levites had his own the scroll of the law of God and read aloud from it”
carefully
Quote: מְפֹרָ֑שׁ (1)The exact meaning of this Hebrew term is unknown. This expression could mean that the Levites read loudly and clearly so that the groups they were talking to within the crowd could hear and understand them. It could also mean that they went over one section at a time with the people, after Ezra had read that section to everyone. It might also imply that the people could not understand the language in which the book of the Law was written, so the Levites needed to interpret it into the language that the people could understand. However, none of these possibilities are certain. Alternate translation: “clearly” or “one section at a time”
from the book, from the law of God
Quote: בַסֵּ֛פֶר בְּתוֹרַ֥ת הָאֱלֹהִ֖ים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet
These two phrases mean similar things. You do not need to repeat both of them in your translation if that would be confusing for your readers. Alternate translation: “from the Law of Moses”
and set the interpretation
Quote: וְשׂ֣וֹם שֶׂ֔כֶל (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown
The exact meaning of this phrase in Hebrew is unknown. Most likely, it means either: (1) that the Levites were interpreting from one language into another, because the people could not understand the language in which the book of the Law was written, or (2) that the Levites were explaining the meaning of the Law to the people because it was difficult to understand. Alternate translateion: “and they explained what it meant”
the interpretation
Quote: שֶׂ֔כֶל (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns
Interpretation is an abstract noun that refers to the meaning of the Law of Moses. If it would be helpful in your language, you could translate the idea behind it with a phrase that uses a verb such as “mean.” Alternate translation: “what it meant”
And they understood the reading
Quote: וַיָּבִ֖ינוּ בַּמִּקְרָֽא (1)Here they refers to the people in the crowd. Alternate translation: “That way the people in the crowd could understand what Ezra was reading”
Nehemiah 8:9
Nehemiah, who was the Tirshatha
Quote: נְחֶמְיָ֣ה ה֣וּא הַתִּרְשָׁ֡תָא (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown
As in 7:65 and 7:70, Tirshatha is the formal Persian title of the governor. If it would be helpful in your language, you could simply say “governor,” or you could state the title and then explain it. Alternate translation: “Nehemiah the governor” or “Nehemiah the Tirshatha (that is, the governor)”
Nehemiah, who was the Tirshatha
Quote: נְחֶמְיָ֣ה ה֣וּא הַתִּרְשָׁ֡תָא (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-participants
This is the first time that Nehemiah appears as a character while someone else is telling the story. Previously in the book, he has been the one telling the story, and so he has referred to himself as “I.” To give him more of an introduction here, you could say something like, “Nehemiah, who was the governor” or “Nehemiah, who was the Tirshatha (that is, the governor).”
and Ezra, the priest, the scribe
Quote: וְעֶזְרָ֣א הַכֹּהֵ֣ן ׀ הַסֹּפֵ֡ר (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-distinguish
Here the book repeats some background information to remind readers who Ezra was. Alternate translation: “Ezra, who was a priest and a scribe”
and the Levites who were causing the people to understand
Quote: וְהַלְוִיִּם֩ הַמְּבִינִ֨ים אֶת־הָעָ֜ם (1)See how you translated this phrase in 8:7. Alternate translation: “The Levites who were explaining the meaning of the Law to the people.”
Today is holy; it belongs to Yahweh
Quote: הַיּ֤וֹם קָדֹֽשׁ־הוּא֙ לַיהוָ֣ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
As a note to verse 8:1 explains, this particular holiday was the Festival of Trumpets. If it would be helpful in your language, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “This is a holy day, set apart to worship Yahweh. It is the Festival of Trumpets.”
Today is holy; it belongs to Yahweh
Quote: הַיּ֤וֹם קָדֹֽשׁ־הוּא֙ לַיהוָ֣ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet
These two phrases mean similar things. The leaders were reminding the people that this was one of the festival days that Yahweh had told them to set apart as special times of worship and celebration. If it would be helpful in your language, you could combine these phrases. Alternate translation: “This is a special day for worshiping Yahweh.”
Do not mourn and do not weep
Quote: אַל־תִּֽתְאַבְּל֖וּ וְאַל־תִּבְכּ֑וּ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result
The leaders are saying that since this is a day for celebration, it is not appropriate for the people to be weeping. If it would be helpful in your language, you could show this connection by beginning this sentence with a word such as “so.” Alternate translation: “So do not mourn or cry.”
Do not mourn and do not weep
Quote: אַל־תִּֽתְאַבְּל֖וּ וְאַל־תִּבְכּ֑וּ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet
Mourn and weep mean the same thing. The leaders use both words together to emphasize that the people should be cheerful, not sad, on a festival day. If it would be helpful in your language, you could combine these words in a single expression. Alternate translation: “So you should not be crying”
all the people were weeping after they heard the words of the law
Quote: בוֹכִים֙ כָּל־הָעָ֔ם כְּשָׁמְעָ֖ם אֶת־דִּבְרֵ֥י הַתּוֹרָֽה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result
If it would be helpful in your language, you could put this sentence first in the verse, since it gives the reason for the results that are described in the rest of the verse. Alternate translation: “The people in the crowd began to weep when they heard what was in the Law of Moses.”
all the people were weeping after they heard the words of the law
Quote: בוֹכִים֙ כָּל־הָעָ֔ם כְּשָׁמְעָ֖ם אֶת־דִּבְרֵ֥י הַתּוֹרָֽה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
The implication is that the people began to weep because they recognized that they had not been obeying what God had commanded them in the Law of Moses. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “The people in the crowd began to weep when they heard what was in the Law of Moses, because they recognized that they had not been obeying what it commanded.”
all the people
Quote: כָּל־הָעָ֔ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole
This is a generalization that indicates there was great weeping among the people. Alternate translation: “the people in the crowd”
Nehemiah 8:10
And he said to them
Quote: וַיֹּ֣אמֶר לָהֶ֡ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
The story does not specify who said this. However, it is probably either Nehemiah or Ezra, since they are named at the beginning of the previous verse. And since what follow are instructions for how to observe a religious occasion, it is most likely Ezra. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could suggest that. Alternate translation: “Ezra told them”
Go, eat the fat and drink the sweet
Quote: לְכוּ֩ אִכְל֨וּ מַשְׁמַנִּ֜ים וּשְׁת֣וּ מַֽמְתַקִּ֗ים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
This could mean, “Go home” and do this, since the people would likely have their holiday meals at home. Or it could mean, “Go ahead” and do this, even though you are feeling sad. Alternate translation: “Go home and celebrate with a good meal” or “Go ahead, celebrate with a good meal.”
eat the fat and drink the sweet
Quote: אִכְל֨וּ מַשְׁמַנִּ֜ים וּשְׁת֣וּ מַֽמְתַקִּ֗ים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
The fat and the sweet are figurative ways of referring to food and drink that is particularly tasty and shared in celebrations. The speaker is describing this food and drink by things associated with it, the fatness and the sweetness. Alternate translation: “Celebrate with a good meal.”
eat the fat and drink the sweet
Quote: אִכְל֨וּ מַשְׁמַנִּ֜ים וּשְׁת֣וּ מַֽמְתַקִּ֗ים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet
Eating and drinking are used together here to convey a single idea, celebrating. If it would be helpful in your language, you could combine them into a single phrase. Alternate translation: “Celebrate with a good meal.”
and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared
Quote: וְשִׁלְח֤וּ מָנוֹת֙ לְאֵ֣ין נָכ֣וֹן ל֔וֹ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
If it would be helpful in your language, you could say this with an active form. Alternate translation: “Share some of your meal with those who have not prepared anything for themselves”
and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared
Quote: וְשִׁלְח֤וּ מָנוֹת֙ לְאֵ֣ין נָכ֣וֹן ל֔וֹ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
This may actually refer to the poor and indicate that they would not be able to afford rich food and drink. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say that explicitly. Alternate translation: “share some of your meal with the poor, who cannot afford rich food and drink.”
for today is holy, belonging to our Lord
Quote: כִּֽי־קָד֥וֹשׁ הַיּ֖וֹם לַאֲדֹנֵ֑ינוּ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet
These two phrases mean similar things. As in 8:9, together they mean, “This is a special day for worshiping our Lord.” If it would be helpful in your language, you could combine these phrases like that.
for today is holy, belonging to our Lord
Quote: כִּֽי־קָד֥וֹשׁ הַיּ֖וֹם לַאֲדֹנֵ֑ינוּ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result
If it would be helpful in your language, you could move this phrase to the beginning of the quotation because it gives the reason for the resulting actions that are described in the rest of the quotation. You could also connect this phrase to the ones that would then follow with a word like “so,” to show the connection. Alternate translation: “Today is a holy day set apart to worship our Lord. So … ”
And do not grieve
Quote: וְאַל־תֵּ֣עָצֵ֔בוּ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this same idea with an active form, and you could say what is causing the action. Alternate translation: “You have recognized that you have not obeyed the Law of Moses, but do not let that make you sad”
for, the joy of Yahweh, it is your strength
Quote: כִּֽי־חֶדְוַ֥ת יְהוָ֖ה הִ֥יא מָֽעֻזְּכֶֽם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
The implication is that if a person is truly sorry for disobeying, Yahweh does not want that person to fear punishment or to grieve for the way they have offended. Instead, Yahweh wants them to be encouraged that they can live in a new way and to be happy about that. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “because Yahweh wants you to be happy and encouraged about living in a new way”
the joy of … your strength
Quote: חֶדְוַ֥ת & מָֽעֻזְּכֶֽם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns
If it would be helpful in your language, you could translate the ideas behind the abstract nouns joy and strength with adjectives. Alternate translation: “happy … encouraged”
Nehemiah 8:11
caused all the people to be silent
Quote: מַחְשִׁ֤ים לְכָל־הָעָם֙ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole
These are two overstatements that emphasize how encouraging the Levites were trying to be. All the people does not mean everyone in the crowd, but those who were crying. Be silent does not mean “say nothing” or “make no noise,” but “stop crying.” (Certainly the Levites hoped that these people would soon be talking and laughing with others at celebration meals.) Alternate translation: “encouraged the people who were weeping to stop crying”
Hush, for today is holy. And do not grieve
Quote: הַ֔סּוּ כִּ֥י הַיּ֖וֹם קָדֹ֑שׁ וְאַל־תֵּעָצֵֽבוּ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result
If it would be helpful in your language, you could put your translation of “for today is holy” first since it gives the reason for the resulting actions in the other two phrases. You could also show the connection by using a word such as “so.” Alternate translation: “This is a day of celebration, so stop crying now, and do not be sad”
Hush
Quote: הַ֔סּוּ (1)This is a word that signals to a person that they should be quiet. If your language has a similar expression, you can use it in your translation. If it would be helpful in your language, you could also give the meaning in this context. Alternate translation: “Shhh” or “Stop crying now”
And do not grieve
Quote: וְאַל־תֵּעָצֵֽבוּ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
If you expressed the idea behind this phrase with an active form in 8:10 and you said there what was causing the action, you would not need to repeat that information here. Alternate translation: “do not be sad”
Nehemiah 8:12
And all the people went to eat and to drink and to send away portions and to make a great rejoicing
Quote: וַיֵּלְכ֨וּ כָל־הָעָ֜ם לֶאֱכֹ֤ל וְלִשְׁתּוֹת֙ וּלְשַׁלַּ֣ח מָנ֔וֹת וְלַעֲשׂ֖וֹת שִׂמְחָ֣ה גְדוֹלָ֑ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result
If it would be helpful in your language, you could put the last phrase at the beginning of the sentence since it gives the reason for the rest of the actions. Alternate translation: “So the people celebrated by eating and drinking and sharing with the poor”
to eat and to drink
Quote: לֶאֱכֹ֤ל וְלִשְׁתּוֹת֙ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
The implication is that they enjoyed the special food and drink described in 8:10. If it would be helpful in your language, you could say that explicitly. Alternate translation: “eating rich foods and drinking sweet drinks”
to eat and to drink
Quote: לֶאֱכֹ֤ל וְלִשְׁתּוֹת֙ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet
Eating and drinking are used together here to convey a single idea, celebrating. If it would be helpful in your language, you could combine them into a single phrase. Alternate translation: “celebrating with festive meals”
and to send away portions
Quote: וּלְשַׁלַּ֣ח מָנ֔וֹת (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
The implication is that they sent these portions to the poor, who would not have been able to afford rich food and drink, as described in 8:10. If it would be helpful in your language, you could say that explicitly. Alternate translation: “sharing with the poor”
and to make a great rejoicing
Quote: וְלַעֲשׂ֖וֹת שִׂמְחָ֣ה גְדוֹלָ֑ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns
The abstract noun rejoicing can be expressed as a verb. Alternate translation: “and to rejoice greatly”
for they understood the words that had been made known to them
Quote: כִּ֤י הֵבִ֨ינוּ֙ בַּדְּבָרִ֔ים אֲשֶׁ֥ר הוֹדִ֖יעוּ לָהֶֽם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
The implication is that the leaders helped the people recognize that being able to understand Yahweh’s law should be a source of joy and encouragement to them. They should not be sad or discouraged because they had disobeyed in the past, because now they would know how to obey. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “because now that they were able to understand God’s law, they would be able to obey it in the future”
for they understood the words that had been made known to them
Quote: כִּ֤י הֵבִ֨ינוּ֙ בַּדְּבָרִ֔ים אֲשֶׁ֥ר הוֹדִ֖יעוּ לָהֶֽם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result
If it would be helpful in your language, you could put this phrase at the beginning of the verse since it gives the reason for the rest of the actions that the verse describes. You could show the connection by using a word like “so” after this phrase. Alternate translation: “the people realized that they would be able to obey God’s law in the future because now they were able to understand it. So … ”
they understood the words that had been made known to them
Quote: הֵבִ֨ינוּ֙ בַּדְּבָרִ֔ים אֲשֶׁ֥ר הוֹדִ֖יעוּ לָהֶֽם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
If it would be helpful in your language, you could say this with an active form, and you could say who did the action. Alternate translation: “they understood God’s law when Ezra and the Levites explained it to them”
Nehemiah 8:13
And on the second day
Quote: וּבַיּ֣וֹם הַשֵּׁנִ֡י (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal
Alternate translations: “On day 2” or “On the next day”
were gathered to
Quote: נֶאֶסְפוּ֩ & אֶל (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
If it would be helpful in your language, you could say this with an active form. Alternate translation: “gathered to meet with”
the heads of the fathers of all the people
Quote: רָאשֵׁ֨י הָאָב֜וֹת לְכָל־הָעָ֗ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis
As in 7:70, this seems to be an abbreviated way of saying “the heads of father’s houses.” The full expression “father’s house” or “house of the father” is used in 7:61. See how you translated it there, and review the note there if that would be helpful. Alternate translation: “some clan leaders from throughout Judah”
the heads of
Quote: רָאשֵׁ֨י (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Head here is a figurative way of saying “leader.” Alternate translation: “leaders”
Ezra the scribe
Quote: עֶזְרָ֖א הַסֹּפֵ֑ר (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-distinguish
Here the book repeats some background information to remind readers who Ezra was. Alternate translation: “Ezra, who was a scribe”
even to give attention to the words of the law
Quote: וּלְהַשְׂכִּ֖יל אֶל־דִּבְרֵ֥י הַתּוֹרָֽה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result
If it would be helpful in your language, you could put this phrase at the beginning of the verse, since it gives the reason for the rest of the actions that the verse describes. You could show the connection by using a word like “so” after this phrase. Alternate translation: “the people realized that they needed to understand God’s law much better. So … ”
even to give attention to the words of the law
Quote: וּלְהַשְׂכִּ֖יל אֶל־דִּבְרֵ֥י הַתּוֹרָֽה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
The implication is that while the people realized this, they also realized it would not be practical for large crowds to gather in Jerusalem every day so that all the people could receive Ezra’s teaching at once. Instead, they asked the family and religious leaders in Judah to meet with Ezra and learn from him so that they could then pass the teachings along. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “The people realized that they needed to understand God’s law much better, so they asked their family and religious leaders to meet with Ezra and learn more things from him that they could then pass along.”
Nehemiah 8:14
And they found written in the law that Yahweh commanded by the hand of Moses
Quote: וַֽיִּמְצְא֖וּ כָּת֣וּב בַּתּוֹרָ֑ה אֲשֶׁ֨ר צִוָּ֤ה יְהוָה֙ בְּיַד־מֹשֶׁ֔ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
Found does not mean that these leaders were looking for something, but that they learned this as they were studying with Ezra. Alternate translation: “they learned that in the Law, Yahweh had commanded through Moses”
And they found written in the law that Yahweh commanded by the hand of Moses
Quote: וַֽיִּמְצְא֖וּ כָּת֣וּב בַּתּוֹרָ֑ה אֲשֶׁ֨ר צִוָּ֤ה יְהוָה֙ בְּיַד־מֹשֶׁ֔ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
Because it was already the seventh month, it seems likely that Ezra showed this passage to the leaders intentionally because it was something they could and should obey immediately. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “Ezra showed them something that Yahweh had commanded through Moses that they could do right away”
by the hand of Moses
Quote: בְּיַד־מֹשֶׁ֔ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Here, hand represents control and action. Alternate translation: “through Moses”
that the sons of Israel should live in huts during the feast in the seventh month
Quote: אֲשֶׁר֩ יֵשְׁב֨וּ בְנֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵ֧ל בַּסֻּכּ֛וֹת בֶּחָ֖ג בַּחֹ֥דֶשׁ הַשְּׁבִיעִֽי (1)This refers to the commandment establishing the Festival of Tabernacles. The purpose of this festival was to remind the Israelites that their ancestors had lived in temporary shelters when they traveled through the wilderness from Egypt to Canaan. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say that explicitly. Alternate translation: “The people of Israel should live in temporary shelters during the Festival of Tabernacles to remind them that their ancestors lived in shelters when they traveled through the wilderness from Egypt to Canaan”
the sons of Israel
Quote: בְנֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵ֧ל (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Sons here means descendants. In this context it includes both men and women. Alternate translation: “the people of Israel”
should live in huts
Quote: יֵשְׁב֨וּ & בַּסֻּכּ֛וֹת (1)As 8:15 explains, these huts or temporary shelters were to be made from leafy tree branches. The people were supposed to live in these shelters as their home for a week. This was a way of remembering and celebrating the way Yahweh had protected their ancestors when they had only temporary shelters to live in. Alternate translation: “stay in temporary shelters”
during the feast in the seventh month
Quote: בֶּחָ֖ג בַּחֹ֥דֶשׁ הַשְּׁבִיעִֽי (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown
This means the Festival of Tabernacles, which Yahweh commanded the people to celebrate in the seventh month of the Hebrew calendar.
in the seventh month
Quote: בַּחֹ֥דֶשׁ הַשְּׁבִיעִֽי (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal
This means the seventh month of the Hebrew calendar. Alternate translation: “month 7”
Nehemiah 8:15
and that they should cause others to hear and cause a sound to pass
Quote: וַאֲשֶׁ֣ר יַשְׁמִ֗יעוּ וְיַעֲבִ֨ירוּ ק֥וֹל (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism
These two phrases mean similar things. They describe how the family and religious leaders were supposed to send a message to everyone in Judah. You do not need to repeat both phrases in your translation if that would be confusing for your readers. Alternate translation: “they should publicly proclaim”
throughout all their cities and in Jerusalem
Quote: בְּכָל־עָרֵיהֶם֮ וּבִירוּשָׁלִַ֣ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-merism
Here the story describes the whole population of the province of Judah by referring to its smaller cities and towns and to its large capital city of Jerusalem. The expression includes everything in between these two extremes. Alternate translation: “to everyone in Judah,” otherwise “both in Jerusalem and in all the towns”
Go out to the mountain, and bring branches of olive, and branches of oil trees, and branches of myrtle, and branches of palms, and branches of leafy trees, to make huts, as it is written
Quote: צְא֣וּ הָהָ֗ר וְהָבִ֨יאוּ֙ עֲלֵי־זַ֨יִת֙ וַעֲלֵי־עֵ֣ץ שֶׁ֔מֶן וַעֲלֵ֤י הֲדַס֙ וַעֲלֵ֣י תְמָרִ֔ים וַעֲלֵ֖י עֵ֣ץ עָבֹ֑ת לַעֲשֹׂ֥ת סֻכֹּ֖ת כַּכָּתֽוּב (1)This is the content of the message that the leaders sent out to the people of Judah. Alternate translation: “The Law of Moses commands us to go out into the hill country and get branches from olive, wild olive, myrtle, palm, and other leafy trees to make shelters”
to the mountain
Quote: הָהָ֗ר (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche
The phrase can refer either to a single mountain or to a range of mountains and hills, which seems to be the meaning here. In this case one mountain would be used to represent the entire range. Alternate translation: “into the hill country”
as it is written
Quote: כַּכָּתֽוּב (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
If it would be helpful in your language, you could say this with an active form, and you could say what is doing the action. Alternate translation: “as the Law of Moses commands us to do”
Nehemiah 8:16
And the people went out and brought
Quote: וַיֵּצְא֣וּ הָעָם֮ וַיָּבִיאוּ֒ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis
Here the story is leaving out some of the words that a sentence would ordinarily need in order to be complete. The meaning is clear from the context. Alternate translation: “the people went out and got branches”
and made huts for themselves, a man on his roof
Quote: וַיַּעֲשׂוּ֩ לָהֶ֨ם סֻכּ֜וֹת אִ֤ישׁ עַל־גַּגּוֹ֙ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
In this context, a man is an idiom that means “each person” and likely “each family.” It does not mean only an adult male. Alternate translation: “and each family built shelters on their roofs”
on his roof
Quote: עַל־גַּגּוֹ֙ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
In this culture, roofs were flat and were reached by stairs that led up to them from outside the house. So a shelter could stand on the flat roof and the family could use it as a temporary home. Alternate translation: “on their flat roofs”
and in their courtyards
Quote: וּבְחַצְרֹ֣תֵיהֶ֔ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
In this culture, houses were built around an open courtyard. So a shelter could be set up there, within the walls of the house. Alternate translation: “and in the courtyards within the walls of their homes”
and in the courtyards of the house of God
Quote: וּבְחַצְר֖וֹת בֵּ֣ית הָאֱלֹהִ֑ים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
As in 6:10, here the book speaks of the temple as the “house of God,” as if it were God’s dwelling place. Alternate translation: “and in the temple courtyards”
and in the open area of the gate of water
Quote: וּבִרְחוֹב֙ שַׁ֣עַר הַמַּ֔יִם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis
Here the story is leaving out some of the words that a sentence would ordinarily need in order to be complete. The meaning is clear from the context, since this same location is described in 8:1 and 8:3. Alternate translation: “and in the square in front of the Water Gate”
the gate of water
Quote: שַׁ֣עַר הַמַּ֔יִם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
This is the name of one of the gates of Jerusalem. See how you translated it in 3:26, 8:1, and 8:3. Alternate translation: “the Water Gate”
and in the open area of the gate of Ephraim
Quote: וּבִרְח֖וֹב שַׁ֥עַר אֶפְרָֽיִם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis
Here the story is leaving out some of the words that a sentence would ordinarily need in order to be complete. The meaning is clear from the context. Alternate translation: “and in the square in front of the Ephraim Gate”
the gate of Ephraim
Quote: שַׁ֥עַר אֶפְרָֽיִם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
This is the name of another one of the gates of Jerusalem. Alternate translation: “the Ephraim Gate”
Nehemiah 8:17
all the assembly, the ones who returned from the captivity
Quote: כָֽל־הַ֠קָּהָל הַשָּׁבִ֨ים מִן־הַשְּׁבִ֥י (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism
These two phrases mean similar things. They refer to the people of Judah who had returned to their homeland from the exile. If it would be helpful in your language, you could combine these phrases. Alternate translation: “all the people of Judah who had returned home from exile”
the assembly
Quote: הַ֠קָּהָל (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
The Old Testament often uses this expression to refer to the main body of the people of Israel. The expression envisions the way God called them out of Egypt and brought them together as a nation. At this point in their history, this main body was the people who had returned to Judah from exile. Alternate translation: “all the people of Judah who had returned home from exile”
the sons of Israel had not done thus from the days of Joshua the son of Nun until that day
Quote: לֹֽא־עָשׂ֡וּ מִימֵי֩ יֵשׁ֨וּעַ בִּן־נ֥וּן כֵּן֙ בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל עַ֖ד הַיּ֣וֹם הַה֑וּא (1)Alternate translation: “the people of Israel had never before celebrated the Feast of Tabernacles by living in shelters, going all the way back to the time of Joshua the son of Nun”
from the days of Joshua the son of Nun until that day
Quote: מִימֵי֩ יֵשׁ֨וּעַ בִּן־נ֥וּן & עַ֖ד הַיּ֣וֹם הַה֑וּא (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
Since it was Joshua who led the people of Israel into the land of Canaan, his time was the earliest time when they could have celebrated the Feast of Tabernacles to commemorate the journey from Egypt to Canaan. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “from the time that Joshua the son of Nun had first led them into this land until the present day”
from the days of Joshua the son of Nun until that day
Quote: מִימֵי֩ יֵשׁ֨וּעַ בִּן־נ֥וּן & עַ֖ד הַיּ֣וֹם הַה֑וּא (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-merism
Here the story is describing an entire time period by speaking of its beginning and ending in order to include everything in between. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this meaning with a single phrase. Alternate translation: “for the entire time they had lived in this land”
from the days of Joshua the son of Nun
Quote: מִימֵי֩ יֵשׁ֨וּעַ בִּן־נ֥וּן (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
The term day is used here to refer to a period of time. Alternate translation: “from the time of Joshua the son of Nun”
Joshua the son of Nun
Quote: יֵשׁ֨וּעַ בִּן־נ֥וּן (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
Joshua is the name of a man, and Nun is the name of his father.
the sons of Israel
Quote: בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Sons here means “descendants.” In this context it includes both men and women. Alternate translation: “the people of Israel”
And there was extremely great rejoicing
Quote: וַתְּהִ֥י שִׂמְחָ֖ה גְּדוֹלָ֥ה מְאֹֽד (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns
If it would be helpful in your language, you could express the idea behind the abstract noun rejoicing with an adjective. Alternate translation: “the people were very joyful”
Nehemiah 8:18
And he read aloud from the book of the law of God
Quote: וַ֠יִּקְרָא בְּסֵ֨פֶר תּוֹרַ֤ת הָאֱלֹהִים֙ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
He means Ezra, as stated explicitly in 8:3 and 8:13. The implication is that Ezra continued to read to the family and religious leaders who had asked him to keep teaching them. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “Each day throughout the festival, Ezra continued to read to the leaders from the Law of Moses”
day by day
Quote: י֣וֹם ׀ בְּי֔וֹם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
This is an idiom that means each day or every single day.
from the first day to the last day
Quote: מִן־הַיּוֹם֙ הָֽרִאשׁ֔וֹן עַ֖ד הַיּ֣וֹם הָאַחֲר֑וֹן (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-merism
The story is describing the entire festival by speaking of two extreme parts of it, its first day and its last day. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this meaning with a single phrase. Alternate translation: “throughout the entire festival”
And they made a seven-days feast, and on the eighth day an assembly, according to the ordinance
Quote: וַיַּֽעֲשׂוּ־חָג֙ שִׁבְעַ֣ת יָמִ֔ים וּבַיּ֧וֹם הַשְּׁמִינִ֛י עֲצֶ֖רֶת כַּמִּשְׁפָּֽט (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
They means the people of Judah. The ordinance refers to the command in the Law of Moses to end the Festival of Tabernacles by gathering all of the Israelites together for a closing ceremony after seven days. Alternate translation: “The people of Judah celebrated the Festival of Tabernacles for seven days, and on the eighth day they held a closing ceremony together, as the Law of Moses commanded”
and on the eighth day
Quote: וּבַיּ֧וֹם הַשְּׁמִינִ֛י (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal
Alternate translation: “on day 8”
Nehemiah 9
Nehemiah 9 General Notes
Structure and formatting
This chapter and the next one form a single section.
Special concepts in this chapter
Prayer to God
The people prayed and thanked God for his care for them and the blessings he gave to them. They also confessed their sin of disobeying him. (See: bless, blessed, blessing and confess, confession and sin, sinful, sinner, sinning)
Learning from their ancestor’s mistakes
This chapter teaches that the Jews learned from the mistakes of their ancestors. They became determined to worship Yahweh alone, to not intermarry with other peoples, and to worship Yahweh as the law of Moses instructed them. (See: law, law of Moses, law of Yahweh, law of God)
Recalling the great power of God
It was common to recall the great things God did for Israel. This is a reminder to Israel of God’s power. It is intended to bring the people to repentance and proper worship of Yahweh. (See: repent, repentance)
Nehemiah 9:1
And on day 24 of this month
Quote: וּבְיוֹם֩ עֶשְׂרִ֨ים וְאַרְבָּעָ֜ה לַחֹ֣דֶשׁ הַזֶּ֗ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-hebrewmonths
This month means the seventh month of that year according to the Hebrew calendar, as specified in 8:2 and 8:14. The Law of Moses said to observe the Festival of Tabernacles from the fifteenth through the twenty-second days of that month. The implication is that after that joyful celebration, the people were given one full day to rest and prepare for the gathering that this chapter describes. It had a different and more solemn purpose. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “On the twenty-fourth day of the seventh month of that year, two days after the joyful Festival of Tabernacles had ended”
And on day 24 of this month
Quote: וּבְיוֹם֩ עֶשְׂרִ֨ים וְאַרְבָּעָ֜ה לַחֹ֣דֶשׁ הַזֶּ֗ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal
Alternate translation: “On day 24 of month 7”
the sons of Israel were gathered
Quote: נֶאֶסְפ֤וּ בְנֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
If it would be helpful in your language, you could say this with an active form. Alternate translation: “the people of Israel gathered together”
the sons of Israel were gathered
Quote: נֶאֶסְפ֤וּ בְנֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
The implication is that people from all the cities and towns the province of Judah gathered together again in Jerusalem. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “people from all over Judah gathered together again in Jerusalem”
the sons of Israel
Quote: בְנֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Sons here means “descendants.” In this context it includes both men and women, and it refers specifically to the Israelites who were now living in Judah. Alternate translation: “the people of Israel” or “people from all over Judah”
and in sackcloth, and dust was upon them
Quote: וּבְשַׂקִּ֔ים וַאֲדָמָ֖ה עֲלֵיהֶֽם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction
The people did these things to show symbolically how sorry they were for their sins. If it would be helpful in your language, you could say that explicitly. Alternate translation: “The people refrained from eating, wore rough clothing, and put dust on their heads to show that they were sorry for their sins”
and dust was upon them
Quote: וַאֲדָמָ֖ה עֲלֵיהֶֽם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche
Them in this sentence refers to the people, but it does not mean that they covered themselves entirely in dust. The story is using the whole person to refer to one part of the person, the head, which is where people in this culture put dust to express sorrow. Alternate translation: “the people … put dust on their heads”
Nehemiah 9:2
And the seed of Israel separated themselves from all the sons of a foreigner
Quote: וַיִּבָּֽדְלוּ֙ זֶ֣רַע יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל מִכֹּ֖ל בְּנֵ֣י נֵכָ֑ר (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
The Israelites were conducting this ceremony as a special act of repentance for how they and their ancestors had disobeyed God. They were acknowledging how they had failed to fulfill the special assignment God had given them of modeling the blessings of living according to his ways, so it would not have been appropriate for people from other nations to take part in the ceremony. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say that explicitly. Alternate translation: “The people of Israel did not allow anyone from any other nation to take part in this ceremony because it was going to be a time of repentance for how they and their ancestors had disobeyed Yahweh”
the seed of Israel
Quote: זֶ֣רַע יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
Here, seed means “descendants.” Alternate translation: “the descendants of Israel” or “the Israelites”
from all the sons of a foreigner
Quote: מִכֹּ֖ל בְּנֵ֣י נֵכָ֑ר (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Sons here means descendants. Alternate translation: “all people from other nations”
And they stood, and they confessed concerning their sins and the iniquities of their fathers
Quote: וַיַּעַמְד֗וּ וַיִּתְוַדּוּ֙ עַל־חַטֹּ֣אתֵיהֶ֔ם וַעֲוֺנ֖וֹת אֲבֹתֵיהֶֽם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Here, stood probably does not mean “standing up,” since the next verse says that they “rose up,” which probably means that they got up from kneeling. As they were showing sorrow for their sins, they would likely have knelt to worship God, as in 8:6. So stood probably means instead that they remained in place, by implication for some time, and made a thorough confession. Alternate translation: “they remained in place as they confessed all the wrong things that they and their ancestors had done”
their fathers
Quote: אֲבֹתֵיהֶֽם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Fathers here means “ancestors.” Alternate translation: “their ancestors”
Nehemiah 9:3
And they rose up in their place
Quote: וַיָּק֨וּמוּ֙ עַל־עָמְדָ֔ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction
Rose up here likely means stood up. As in 8:5, the people would have stood up to show respect as they listened to the reading from the Law of Moses. Alternate translation: “Then the people stood up where they were”
and they read aloud the book of
Quote: וַֽיִּקְרְא֗וּ בְּסֵ֨פֶר (1)The people themselves did not read from the book. They here likely means Ezra and the Levites, who read similarly to the crowd that gathered on the occasion described in 8:1–12. Alternate translation: “as their leaders read to them”
the book of the law of Yahweh their God
Quote: בְּסֵ֨פֶר תּוֹרַ֧ת יְהוָ֛ה אֱלֹהֵיהֶ֖ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown
This is another of the various ways that this story describes a book containing the Law of Moses. Alternate translation: “from the Law of Moses” or “from the law that Yahweh had given through Moses”
a fourth of the day, and a fourth of the day
Quote: רְבִעִ֣ית הַיּ֑וֹם וּרְבִעִית֙ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown
In this culture the day and the night were each divided into four equal parts of three hours each. So this means that the people listened to a reading of the Law for three hours, and then they spent the next three hours in prayer and confession. Alternate translation: “for three hours, and then for another three hours”
Nehemiah 9:4
And Jeshua rose up on the stairs of the Levites, and Bani, Kadmiel, Shebaniah, Bunni, Sherebiah, Bani, Kenani
Quote: וַיָּ֜קָם עַֽל־מַֽעֲלֵ֣ה הַלְוִיִּ֗ם יֵשׁ֨וּעַ וּבָנִ֜י קַדְמִיאֵ֧ל שְׁבַנְיָ֛ה בֻּנִּ֥י שֵׁרֵבְיָ֖ה בָּנִ֣י כְנָ֑נִי (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
The name of the stairs suggests that the men listed were Levites. That is, they were descendants of Levi who had the special assignment of helping the priests. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could suggest this in your translation. Alternate translation: “Eight Levites named Jeshua, Bani, Kadmiel, Shebaniah, Bunni, Sherebiah, Bani, and Kenani climbed up the stairs leading to the platform”
And … rose up on the stairs of the Levites
Quote: וַיָּ֜קָם עַֽל־מַֽעֲלֵ֣ה הַלְוִיִּ֗ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown
In context, the stairs of the Levites seem to be stairs that led up to the platform that was built for the occasion described in chapter 8, or to another platform or platforms similar to it that allowed religious leaders to be seen and heard during large gatherings. The stairs likely had this name because they enabled the Levites to move back and forth from up on the platform to down among the people. Here, they also serve as a raised platform of their own on which the Levites can stand and be seen and heard. Alternate translation: “climbed up onto the stairs to the platform” or “the stairs that had been built for the Levites”
And … rose up on
Quote: וַיָּ֜קָם עַֽל (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
Rose up in this context seems to mean that these men climbed up onto the stairs and stood on them. Alternate translation: “climbed up onto”
And … rose up
Quote: וַיָּ֜קָם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-time-simultaneous
It seems that in this verse the story is describing something that happened during the second three-hour period, at the same time as the people were praying and confessing. You could indicate this with an introductory phrase. Alternate translation: “While the people were doing this”
Jeshua … and Bani, Kadmiel, Shebaniah, Bunni, Sherebiah, Bani, Kenani
Quote: יֵשׁ֨וּעַ וּבָנִ֜י קַדְמִיאֵ֧ל שְׁבַנְיָ֛ה בֻּנִּ֥י שֵׁרֵבְיָ֖ה בָּנִ֣י כְנָ֑נִי (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
These are the names of eight men.
And they cried out with a loud voice to Yahweh their God
Quote: וַֽיִּזְעֲקוּ֙ בְּק֣וֹל גָּד֔וֹל אֶל־יְהוָ֖ה אֱלֹהֵיהֶֽם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
The implication is that they did this to offer public prayers of confession on behalf of the people, and perhaps also to guide the people to pray themselves on particular topics. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “They prayed to Yahweh their God on behalf of the people, speaking loudly so that everyone could hear them.”
Nehemiah 9:5
the Levites
Quote: הַלְוִיִּ֡ם (1)This phrase indicates that the eight men listed were Levites. If you said in your translation that the eight men listed in 8:4 were also Levites, here you could say, “Eight more Levites named.”
Jeshua, and Kadmiel, Bani, Hashabneiah, Sherebiah, Hodiah, Shebaniah, Pethahiah
Quote: יֵשׁ֣וּעַ וְ֠קַדְמִיאֵל בָּנִ֨י חֲשַׁבְנְיָ֜ה שֵׁרֵֽבְיָ֤ה הֽוֹדִיָּה֙ שְׁבַנְיָ֣ה פְתַֽחְיָ֔ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
These are the names of eight men.
Rise up
Quote: ק֗וּמוּ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction
Here, rise up seems to mean “get up from a kneeling posture.” This would have symbolized that a new part of the ceremony was beginning. The people were to move from sorrowful confession to a resolute and joyful rededication of their community to God.
Bless Yahweh your God from eternity to eternity
Quote: בָּרֲכוּ֙ אֶת־יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶ֔ם מִן־הָעוֹלָ֖ם עַד־הָעוֹלָ֑ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
The Levites speak these words to the people. They are not telling the people to praise God during all the time from eternity past to eternity future. Rather, they are using an idiom, “from eternity to eternity,” to mean that Yahweh is the God who has always existed and will always exist. If it would be helpful in your language, you could put it in those terms. Alternate translation: “Praise Yahweh, your God, who has always existed and will always exist”
And may they bless your glorious name
Quote: וִיבָֽרְכוּ֙ שֵׁ֣ם כְּבוֹדֶ֔ךָ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-aside
In this sentence, the Levite who is speaking turns abruptly from addressing the people to addressing God. (Your in the previous sentence meant the people, while your here refers to God.) This is somewhat like the places earlier in the book where Nehemiah stops addressing his readers and speaks directly to God in prayer. However, here the people are meant to hear and do what is being described. So If it would be helpful in your language, you could express these as words that continue to be directed to the people, as in the previous sentence. Alternate translation: “Praise his glorious name”
And may they bless your glorious name
Quote: וִיבָֽרְכוּ֙ שֵׁ֣ם כְּבוֹדֶ֔ךָ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
As in 1:9, name is a figurative way of referring to the fame or reputation of a person. This is described by something associated with it, how well known someone’s name is and how people react to hearing it. God’s reputation, in turn, is based on what he has done and what this reveals about who he is, and so his “name” would also represent that. Alternate translation: “praise you for who you are and what you have done”
which is exalted above all blessing and praise
Quote: וּמְרוֹמַ֥ם עַל־כָּל־בְּרָכָ֖ה וּתְהִלָּֽה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Here God’s name is described in a spatial metaphor as being higher than or lifted up above blessing and praise. This means that all of the things that people could do to honor and praise God could never be sufficient to acknowledge how much honor and praise he actually deserves. Alternate translation: “we can never bless you and praise you as much as you deserve”
above all blessing and praise
Quote: עַל־כָּל־בְּרָכָ֖ה וּתְהִלָּֽה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns
Blessing and praise are abstract nouns that refer to the act of openly honoring someone for their character and actions. If it would be helpful in your language, you could translate the idea behind these words with the verb forms of these words. Alternate translation: “we can never bless you and praise you as much as you deserve”
above all blessing and praise
Quote: עַל־כָּל־בְּרָכָ֖ה וּתְהִלָּֽה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet
In this context, blessing and praise mean basically the same thing. If it would be helpful in your language, you could combine these words. Alternate translation: “we can never acknowledge you sufficiently”
Nehemiah 9:6
You alone are he, Yahweh
Quote: אַתָּה־ה֣וּא יְהוָה֮ לְבַדֶּךָ֒ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
At the end of the previous verse, the Levites started speaking to God, but they still meant for the people to hear their words and do what they said. Now the Levites are addressing God directly in prayer. If it would be helpful in your language, you could indicate this with an introductory phrase. Alternate translation: “Then these Levites prayed to God and said, ‘Yahweh, you are the only true God”
You alone are he, Yahweh
Quote: אַתָּה־ה֣וּא יְהוָה֮ לְבַדֶּךָ֒ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
This means you alone are the one or you are the only one. Alternate translation: “You, Yahweh, are the only true God”
the heavens, the heavens of the heavens
Quote: הַשָּׁמַיִם֩ שְׁמֵ֨י הַשָּׁמַ֜יִם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown
In the ancient Hebrew cosmology, the first phrase likely referred to the sky, which was envisioned as a solid dome above the earth (See: the note to 1:9). The second phrase likely referred to the realm beyond the sky, which was understood to be the dwelling place of God. Alternate translation: “the sky and everything beyond it”
and all their host
Quote: וְכָל־צְבָאָ֗ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Host means army. The “host of heaven” is likely a figurative expression for the stars, which seem like a large army in the sky. However, this phrase might refer to heavenly beings which dwell in heaven with God. Alternate translation: “and all the stars”
and you cause all of them to live
Quote: וְאַתָּ֖ה מְחַיֶּ֣ה אֶת־כֻּלָּ֑ם (1)Them means everything living on the land and in the seas. Alternate translation: “You give life to all of these creatures” or “you are the one who created all of these living things”
and the host of the heavens prostrates themselves to you
Quote: וּצְבָ֥א הַשָּׁמַ֖יִם לְךָ֥ מִשְׁתַּחֲוִֽים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Earlier in the sentence, the host of heaven was a figurative way of describing the stars as if they were an army. Now here, the stars themselves represent the angels of heaven. Alternate translation: “all the angels bow down and worship you”
Nehemiah 9:7
You are he, Yahweh, the God who chose Abram
Quote: אַתָּה־הוּא֙ יְהוָ֣ה הָאֱלֹהִ֔ים אֲשֶׁ֤ר בָּחַ֨רְתָּ֙ בְּאַבְרָ֔ם (1)Alternate translation: “You, Yahweh, are the God who chose Abram”
chose Abram
Quote: בָּחַ֨רְתָּ֙ בְּאַבְרָ֔ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
Abram was the ancestor of the Israelites. God chose to make him and his descendants a community that would model for the whole world the blessings of living according to his ways. The Levites mention this first because it is the very beginning of the Israelites’ history as God’s chosen people. They will describe the rest of this history, up to their present day, in the rest of their prayer. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could explain this. Alternate translation: “chose Abram to be the ancestor of your people”
Abram
Quote: בְּאַבְרָ֔ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
This is the name of a man.
Also, you brought him out from Ur of the Chaldees
Quote: וְהוֹצֵאת֖וֹ מֵא֣וּר כַּשְׂדִּ֑ים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
Throughout their prayer, the Levites assume that the people listening will understand the significance of the details they mention for the Israelites’ history as God’s chosen people. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could give the reason why God brought Abram out of this city. Alternate translation: “He was living among the Chaldean people in the city of Ur, but you told him to leave there and go to a land that you would give to his descendants”
from Ur of the Chaldees
Quote: מֵא֣וּר כַּשְׂדִּ֑ים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
This is the name of a city and a people group. Alternate translation: “the city of Ur, where the Chaldean people lived”
Also, you made his name ‘Abraham
Quote: וְשַׂ֥מְתָּ שְּׁמ֖וֹ אַבְרָהָֽם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
Once again the Levites assume that their listeners will understand the significance of this detail. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could give the reason why God changed Abram’s name to Abraham. Alternate translation: “You changed his name to Abraham, ‘father of a multitude,’ because he would be like a father to many nations”
Nehemiah 9:8
Also, you found his heart faithful before your face
Quote: וּמָצָ֣אתָ אֶת־לְבָבוֹ֮ נֶאֱמָ֣ן לְפָנֶיךָ֒ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Here, found is an idiom for someone discovering something to be true. It does not mean that God was looking for something he had lost. Alternate translation: “You recognized that he was completely loyal to you”
Also, you found his heart faithful before your face
Quote: וּמָצָ֣אתָ אֶת־לְבָבוֹ֮ נֶאֱמָ֣ן לְפָנֶיךָ֒ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Here, Abraham’s heart represents his thoughts and will, that is, his inner being. Alternate translation: “You recognized that he was completely loyal to you”
Also, you found his heart faithful before your face
Quote: וּמָצָ֣אתָ אֶת־לְבָבוֹ֮ נֶאֱמָ֣ן לְפָנֶיךָ֒ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Here, face is a metaphor for a person’s perception, referring to God’s perception of Abraham. Alternate translation: “You recognized that he was completely loyal to you”
and cut with him the covenant
Quote: וְכָר֨וֹת עִמּ֜וֹ הַבְּרִ֗ית (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
To cut a covenant is a Hebrew idiom for making a solemn agreement with a person. The expression comes from the way animals were cut into pieces during covenant ceremonies to show what the parties wanted God to do to anyone who broke the agreement. But the meaning here is idiomatic. It is not a direct reference to such a ceremony, but only to the making of the covenant. Alternate translation: “you made an agreement with him” or “you made a promise to him”
to his seed
Quote: לְזַרְע֑וֹ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
As in verse 2, seed means “descendants.” Alternate translation: “to his descendants”
the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Jebusites, and the Girgashites
Quote: הַכְּנַעֲנִ֨י הַחִתִּ֜י הָאֱמֹרִ֧י וְהַפְּרִזִּ֛י וְהַיְבוּסִ֥י וְהַגִּרְגָּשִׁ֖י (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
These are the names of six people groups.
and you have caused your words to stand
Quote: וַתָּ֨קֶם֙ אֶת־דְּבָרֶ֔יךָ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification
As in 5:13, words means the promises that God made to Abraham, and stand means stay in place rather than go away. The Levites are speaking of God’s promises as if they were a living thing that could move around or not. Alternate translation: “you have kept all of your promises”
for you are righteous
Quote: כִּ֥י צַדִּ֖יק אָֽתָּה (1)Alternate translation: “because you always do what is right”
Nehemiah 9:9
And you saw the affliction of our fathers in Egypt, and you heard their cry at the sea of reeds
Quote: וַתֵּ֛רֶא אֶת־עֳנִ֥י אֲבֹתֵ֖ינוּ בְּמִצְרָ֑יִם וְאֶת־זַעֲקָתָ֥ם שָׁמַ֖עְתָּ עַל־יַם־סֽוּף (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-merism
Here the Levites are describing how, centuries later, God rescued their ancestors, Abraham’s descendants, from slavery in Egypt. In this verse they describe that entire experience generally by reference to its first episode and its final episode, to include everything in between. (In 9:10 and 9:11 they will add further specific details.) If it would be helpful in your language, you could describe the entire experience in a single phrase here. (However, you could also explain these episodes separately. See the next two notes.) Alternate translation: “You rescued our fathers from slavery in Egypt by defeating Pharaoh”
And you saw the affliction of our fathers in Egypt
Quote: וַתֵּ֛רֶא אֶת־עֳנִ֥י אֲבֹתֵ֖ינוּ בְּמִצְרָ֑יִם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns
Affliction is an abstract noun that refers to the way the Israelites suffered when Pharaoh, the king of Egypt, forced them to serve him as slaves. If it would be helpful in your language, you could translate the idea behind it with a verb such as “suffer.” Alternate translation: “you saw how badly our ancestors were suffering as slaves in Egypt”
And you saw the affliction of our fathers in Egypt
Quote: וַתֵּ֛רֶא אֶת־עֳנִ֥י אֲבֹתֵ֖ינוּ בְּמִצְרָ֑יִם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
The implication is that God not only saw how the Israelites were suffering, but also was moved to action out of compassion for them. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “you saw how badly our ancestors were suffering as slaves in Egypt, and so you delivered them from slavery”
our fathers
Quote: אֲבֹתֵ֖ינוּ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Fathers here means “ancestors.” Alternate translation: “our ancestors”
and you heard their cry at the sea of reeds
Quote: וְאֶת־זַעֲקָתָ֥ם שָׁמַ֖עְתָּ עַל־יַם־סֽוּף (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
The Levites continue to rehearse the details of Israelite history without explaining their significance because they assume their listeners will already understand this. This is a reference to something that happened after God had freed their ancestors from slavery and they had left Egypt. Pharaoh regretted letting them go and pursued them with his army. Helplessly trapped against the shores of the Red Sea as Pharaoh’s army approached, the Israelites cried out to God for rescue. Alternate translation: “you answered their prayer when they cried to you for help from the shores of the Red Sea”
and you heard their cry
Quote: וְאֶת־זַעֲקָתָ֥ם שָׁמַ֖עְתָּ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
Heard is an idiom that means that God both heard and answered the Israelites’ prayer in the way described in 9:11. Alternate translation: “you answered their prayer”
the sea of reeds
Quote: יַם־סֽוּף (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
This is the name of a body of water near Egypt. Alternate translation: “the Red Sea”
Nehemiah 9:10
And you gave signs and wonders to Pharaoh, and to all his servants, and to all the people of his land
Quote: וַ֠תִּתֵּן אֹתֹ֨ת וּמֹֽפְתִ֜ים בְּפַרְעֹ֤ה וּבְכָל־עֲבָדָיו֙ וּבְכָל־עַ֣ם אַרְצ֔וֹ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
If it would be helpful to your readers, you could explain why God did this. Alternate translation: “You did amazing things that were signs to Pharaoh, his officials, and the people of Egypt that you are the one true God and that they should not have enslaved your people”
And you gave signs and wonders
Quote: וַ֠תִּתֵּן אֹתֹ֨ת וּמֹֽפְתִ֜ים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet
Signs and wonders are words that mean similar things. They both describe powerful things that God did. If it would be helpful in your language, you could combine these words. Alternate translation: “you did miracles”
because you knew that they were acting presumptuously toward them
Quote: כִּ֣י יָדַ֔עְתָּ כִּ֥י הֵזִ֖ידוּ עֲלֵיהֶ֑ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result
They means Pharaoh, his officials, and the people of Egypt. Them means the Israelites. If it would be helpful in your language, you could put this sentence first in the verse since it gives the reason for the results that are described in the rest of the verse. You could show the connection by using a word like “so” after this sentence. Alternate translation: “You knew that Pharaoh, his officials, and the people of Egypt were oppressing our ancestors, and so”
And you made for yourself a name, as it is this day
Quote: וַתַּֽעַשׂ־לְךָ֥ שֵׁ֖ם כְּהַיּ֥וֹם הַזֶּֽה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
As in 9:5, name is a figurative way of referring to the fame or reputation of a person. Alternate translation: “When you did this, you won the reputation that you sill have today”
Nehemiah 9:11
And you split open the sea before their face
Quote: וְהַיָּם֙ בָּקַ֣עְתָּ לִפְנֵיהֶ֔ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
In 9:10 the Levites provided more specific details about how God delivered the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. In this verse they focus on the details of the final episode in the deliverance experience. Still, they assume that their readers will be familiar with these details and understand their significance. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could explain these details more fully. Alternate translation: “When the Israelites left Egypt, Pharaoh pursued them with his army, and they were trapped by the shores of the Red Sea. But you opened up the sea in front of them”
And … the sea
Quote: וְהַיָּם֙ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown
As in 9:9, this refers to the Red Sea, a body of water near Egypt. Alternate translation: “the Red Sea”
before their face
Quote: לִפְנֵיהֶ֔ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
Here, face refers the front of a group. Alternate translation: “in front of them”
and they passed through the midst of the sea on the dry land
Quote: וַיַּֽעַבְר֥וּ בְתוֹךְ־הַיָּ֖ם בַּיַּבָּשָׁ֑ה (1)They refers to the Israelites. Alternate translation: “so that they were able escape through the Red Sea by walking on dry ground”
And you cast their pursuers into the depths
Quote: וְֽאֶת־רֹ֨דְפֵיהֶ֜ם הִשְׁלַ֧כְתָּ בִמְצוֹלֹ֛ת (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
This is a figurative way of describing how that God made the waters of the Red Sea come back over the Egyptian army so that all of its soldiers were drowned. It was as if God had thrown them into deep water. Alternate translation: “but you made the waters come back and drown the army that was chasing them”
their pursuers
Quote: רֹ֨דְפֵיהֶ֜ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown
Alternate translation: “the soldiers of the Egyptian army, who were chasing them”
like a stone in mighty waters
Quote: כְּמוֹ־אֶ֖בֶן בְּמַ֥יִם עַזִּֽים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile
In this image, the Levites describe God throwing the Egyptians into the sea the way a person would throw a stone into water. The picture is that, just as a stone would disappear completely under the water, the Egyptian soldiers did the same. Alternate translation: “They disappeared completely, the way a stone would that was thrown into deep water”
Nehemiah 9:12
And you led them with a pillar of cloud by day, and with a pillar of fire by night to shine for them on the way in which they should go
Quote: וּבְעַמּ֣וּד עָנָ֔ן הִנְחִיתָ֖ם יוֹמָ֑ם וּבְעַמּ֥וּד אֵשׁ֙ לַ֔יְלָה לְהָאִ֣יר לָהֶ֔ם אֶת־הַדֶּ֖רֶךְ אֲשֶׁ֥ר יֵֽלְכוּ־בָֽהּ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result
If it would be helpful in your language, you could reverse the order of these phrases since the first phrase gives the reason for the result that is described in the second phrase. Alternate translation: “To show the people the way that they should go, you sent a pillar of cloud to go ahead of them during the day and a pillar of fire to light up the way at night”
And you led them with a pillar of cloud by day, and with a pillar of fire by night to shine for them on the way in which they should go
Quote: וּבְעַמּ֣וּד עָנָ֔ן הִנְחִיתָ֖ם יוֹמָ֑ם וּבְעַמּ֥וּד אֵשׁ֙ לַ֔יְלָה לְהָאִ֣יר לָהֶ֔ם אֶת־הַדֶּ֖רֶךְ אֲשֶׁ֥ר יֵֽלְכוּ־בָֽהּ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
If it would be helpful to your readers, you could explain why did this. Alternate translation: “To get from Egypt to the land you had promised them, the Israelites had to cross a trackless desert. To show them what way they should go, you went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud during the day and a pillar of fire by night. The pillar of fire lit up the way ahead”
Nehemiah 9:13
And you came down on the mountain of Sinai and spoke with them
Quote: וְעַ֤ל הַר־סִינַי֙ יָרַ֔דְתָּ וְדַבֵּ֥ר עִמָּהֶ֖ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
Came down is a way of saying that God appeared to the people. Since God spoke to them from heaven, he did not actually come down from heaven to earth. So this is a figurative expression. Alternate translation: “you appeared to the people of Israel at Mount Sinai, where you spoke to them from heaven”
the mountain of Sinai
Quote: הַר־סִינַי֙ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
This is the name of a mountain. Alternate translation: “Mount Sinai”
just judgments and laws of truth, good statutes and commandments
Quote: מִשְׁפָּטִ֤ים יְשָׁרִים֙ וְתוֹר֣וֹת אֱמֶ֔ת חֻקִּ֥ים וּמִצְוֺ֖ת טוֹבִֽים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet
Just judgments and laws of truth mean similar things. The expressions good statutes and commandments also mean something similar to each other and to the first two expressions. If it would be helpful in your language, you could combine all of these phrases into one comprehensive phrase. Alternate translation: “many trustworthy instructions about how to live in the right way,” otherwise “instructions and rules that are just and reliable, and laws and commands that are good”
judgments
Quote: מִשְׁפָּטִ֤ים (1)This term refers to Yahweh giving the Israelites instructions in the law. It may or may not include a sense of Yahweh passing sentence as a judge. Alternate translation: “instructions”
Nehemiah 9:14
And you made known to them your holy sabbath
Quote: וְאֶת־שַׁבַּ֥ת קָדְשְׁךָ֖ הוֹדַ֣עַתָ לָהֶ֑ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
If it would be helpful to your readers, you could explain what the Sabbath was. Alternate translation: “You commanded them to set apart the seventh day of the week as the Sabbath, a special day for rest and worship”
sabbath
Quote: שַׁבַּ֥ת (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
This is the name of a religious observance.
And you charged them with commandments, and statutes, and a law
Quote: וּמִצְו֤וֹת וְחֻקִּים֙ וְתוֹרָ֔ה צִוִּ֣יתָ לָהֶ֔ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet
Commandments, statutes, and law mean similar things. Together they are a comprehensive description of the Law of Moses. If it would be helpful in your language, you could combine them in a single phrase. Alternate translation: “You told them to obey everything you had commanded,” otherwise “you gave them commands and rules and laws”
by the hand of Moses
Quote: בְּיַ֖ד מֹשֶׁ֥ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Here, hand represents control and action. Alternate translation: “you gave them to Moses to give to the people”
your servant
Quote: עַבְדֶּֽךָ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
The Old Testament often describes Moses by the title “servant of Yahweh.” While Moses was also God’s servant in a more literal sense, this title is a figurative expression that indicates that God used Moses to give his law to his people, the way a master would have a servant deliver a message. Alternate translation: “your special messenger”
Nehemiah 9:15
And you gave to them bread from heaven for their hunger
Quote: וְ֠לֶחֶם מִשָּׁמַ֜יִם נָתַ֤תָּה לָהֶם֙ לִרְעָבָ֔ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result
If it would be helpful in your language, you could reverse the order of these phrases since the first phrase gives the reason for the resulting action that is described in the second phrase. Alternate translation: “because they were hungry, you provided a special food for them”
And you gave to them bread from heaven for their hunger
Quote: וְ֠לֶחֶם מִשָּׁמַ֜יִם נָתַ֤תָּה לָהֶם֙ לִרְעָבָ֔ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
If it would be helpful to your readers, you could explain why the people were hungry. Alternate translation: “because they were hungry in the desert where no crops could grow, you provided a special food for them”
And … bread from heaven
Quote: וְ֠לֶחֶם מִשָּׁמַ֜יִם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown
This is a figurative way of describing the special food that God provided for the Israelites in the desert. Because it had not grown from the ground, it was as if God had sent it from heaven. The Israelites gave this food the name “manna.” If it would be helpful to your readers, you could call it by this name after providing a plain description. Alternate translation: “and a special food, manna.”
And … bread from heaven
Quote: וְ֠לֶחֶם מִשָּׁמַ֜יִם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche
This expression used bread to refer to food in general. It describes all food by the name of one kind of food, bread. Alternate translation: “special food”
and you brought out for them water from a rock for their thirst
Quote: וּמַ֗יִם מִסֶּ֛לַע הוֹצֵ֥אתָ לָהֶ֖ם לִצְמָאָ֑ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result
If it would be helpful in your language, you could reverse the order of these phrases since the first phrase gives the reason for the resulting action that is described in the second phrase. Alternate translation: “because they were thirsty, you made water flow out of a rock for them to drink”
and you brought out for them water from a rock for their thirst
Quote: וּמַ֗יִם מִסֶּ֛לַע הוֹצֵ֥אתָ לָהֶ֖ם לִצְמָאָ֑ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
If it would be helpful to your readers, you could explain why the people were thirsty. Alternate translation: “because they were thirsty in the desert where there was no water, you made water flow out of a rock for them to drink”
And you said to them to go in to possess
Quote: וַתֹּ֣אמֶר לָהֶ֗ם לָבוֹא֙ לָרֶ֣שֶׁת (1)Alternate translation: “you commanded them to enter and occupy”
the land that you had raised your hand to give to them
Quote: הָאָ֔רֶץ אֲשֶׁר־נָשָׂ֥אתָ אֶת־יָדְךָ֖ לָתֵ֥ת לָהֶֽם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction
In this culture, a person would raise their hand when they swore an oath. Here the Levites are describing the action of swearing an oath by referring to the gesture associated with that action, raising a hand. Alternate translation: “the land that you swore to give them”
the land that you had raised your hand to give to them
Quote: הָאָ֔רֶץ אֲשֶׁר־נָשָׂ֥אתָ אֶת־יָדְךָ֖ לָתֵ֥ת לָהֶֽם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
The Levites assume that their listeners will understand that this means the land of Canaan. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “the land of Canaan, which you swore to give them”
Nehemiah 9:16
But they and our fathers, they acted presumptuously
Quote: וְהֵ֥ם וַאֲבֹתֵ֖ינוּ הֵזִ֑ידוּ (1)They could mean the Israelites at the time of Moses, and our fathers could mean the Israelites after the time of Moses. However, the next verse says that the people who showed this pride and stubbornness disobeyed God’s command to enter Canaan and instead chose a leader to take them back to Egypt. So this expression could also mean “they, yes, our fathers.” Alternate translation: “they, our own ancestors, were arrogant”
and our fathers
Quote: וַאֲבֹתֵ֖ינוּ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Fathers here means ancestors. Alternate translation: “our ancestors”
And they stiffened their neck and did not listen
Quote: וַיַּקְשׁוּ֙ אֶת־עָרְפָּ֔ם וְלֹ֥א שָׁמְע֖וּ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism
These two phrases mean similar things. The Levites are using the repetition to acknowledge how serious it was that their own ancestors disobeyed God’s command. If it would be helpful in your language, you could combine these phrases. Alternate translation: “they stubbornly refused to obey,” otherwise “they were proud and stubborn, so they refused to obey”
And they stiffened their neck
Quote: וַיַּקְשׁוּ֙ אֶת־עָרְפָּ֔ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
This is a figurative way of saying that the people stubbornly refused to obey.
and did not listen to your commandments
Quote: וְלֹ֥א שָׁמְע֖וּ אֶל־מִצְוֺתֶֽיךָ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
Listen in this context is an idiom that means not just to hear a commandment, but to obey it. Alternate translation: “They refused to obey what you commanded them to do.”
Nehemiah 9:17
And they refused to hear
Quote: וַיְמָאֲנ֣וּ לִשְׁמֹ֗עַ (1)Alternate translation: “And they would not obey”
And they refused to hear
Quote: וַיְמָאֲנ֣וּ לִשְׁמֹ֗עַ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
This is a reference to the command that is described in 9:15. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say that explicitly. Alternate translation: “they would not obey your command to enter and occupy the land of Canaan”
and they did not remember your wonderful deeds that you performed with them
Quote: וְלֹא־זָכְר֤וּ נִפְלְאֹתֶ֨יךָ֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר עָשִׂ֣יתָ עִמָּהֶ֔ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
The implication is that if they had done this, they would not have been afraid to go into Canaan and fight to take possession of it. They would have realized that the same God who defeated Pharaoh to deliver them from slavery could also defeat the nations living in Canaan. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “They did not remember the miracles that you had done to deliver them from Egypt, and so they were afraid that the nations that lived in Canaan would defeat them.”
And they stiffened their neck
Quote: וַיַּקְשׁוּ֙ אֶת־עָרְפָּ֔ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
As in 9:16, this is a metaphor meaning that the people stubbornly refused to obey.
and in their rebellion chose a head in order to return to their servitude
Quote: וַיִּתְּנוּ־רֹ֛אשׁ לָשׁ֥וּב לְעַבְדֻתָ֖ם בְּמִרְיָ֑ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
The Israelites would know that this referred to their ancestors wanting to return to Egypt. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say that explicitly. Alternate translation: “they disobeyed God and appointed a leader to take them back to Egypt, where they had been slaves”
a head
Quote: רֹ֛אשׁ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Head here is a figurative way of saying “leader.” Alternate translation: “leader”
in order to return to their servitude
Quote: לָשׁ֥וּב לְעַבְדֻתָ֖ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns
Servitude is an abstract noun that refers to the condition of slavery that the Israelites experienced in Egypt. If it would be helpful in your language, you could translate the idea behind this word with a concrete noun such as “slave.” Alternate translation: “back to Egypt where they had been slaves”
are a God of forgiveness
Quote: אֱל֨וֹהַּ סְלִיח֜וֹת (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns
Forgiveness is an abstract noun that represents a readiness not to hold a person’s offenses against them. If it would be helpful in your language, you could translate the idea behind this word with a verb such as “forgive.” Alternate translation: “a God who is always ready to forgive”
gracious and compassionate
Quote: חַנּ֧וּן וְרַח֛וּם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet
Gracious and compassionate mean similar things. The Levites use them together to emphasize how merciful God is. If it would be helpful in your language, you could combine these words into a single expression. Alternate translation: “genuinely merciful,” otherwise “who acts kindly and mercifully toward us”
long of nostrils
Quote: אֶֽרֶךְ־אַפַּ֥יִם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
This is a figurative way of saying that a person does not lose their temper easily or quickly. Alternate translation: “very patient”
and abounding in covenant faithfulness
Quote: וְרַב־חֶ֖סֶד (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns
Faithfulness is an abstract noun that describes the quality of a person who will dependably keep their word and fulfill their responsibilities. Covenant faithfulness refers specifically to God keeping all the promises he made to the people of Israel. If it would be helpful in your language, you could translate the idea behind this word with an expression such as “keep promises.” Alternate translation: “you always keep the promises you make to your people”
and abounding in covenant faithfulness
Quote: וְרַב־חֶ֖סֶד (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Here the Levites speak of this quality of Yahweh as if it were an abundant food crop that he could share with people. Alternate translation: “who loves his people very much”
and you did not forsake them
Quote: וְלֹ֥א עֲזַבְתָּֽם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
If it would be helpful to your readers, you could elaborate on what this means. Alternate translation: “so you did not abandon them there in the desert”
Nehemiah 9:18
Even when they made for themselves a calf image and said, ‘This is your God who brought you up from Egypt
Quote: אַ֗ף כִּֽי־עָשׂ֤וּ לָהֶם֙ עֵ֣גֶל מַסֵּכָ֔ה וַיֹּ֣אמְר֔וּ זֶ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ אֲשֶׁ֥ר הֶעֶלְךָ֖ מִמִּצְרָ֑יִם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
The Levites continue to recount details of Israelite history and assume that their listeners will understand the significance of these details. This was a particularly grievous act of disobedience, which is why the Levites say “even when.” If it would be helpful to your readers, you could explain the significance in your translation. Alternate translation: “Even when the Israelites made an idol in the shape of a calf and gave it credit for delivering them from slavery in Egypt, right at Mount Sinai where you were giving Moses the Ten Commandments”
and they performed great blasphemies
Quote: וַֽיַּעֲשׂ֔וּ נֶאָצ֖וֹת גְּדֹלֽוֹת (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown
Blasphemy means to worship or honor something other than God as divine. The Old Testament stresses repeatedly that this is offensive and insulting to God. Alternate translation: “When they did this, they insulted you horribly”
Nehemiah 9:19
still you, in your great mercies, did not forsake them in the wilderness
Quote: וְאַתָּה֙ בְּרַחֲמֶ֣יךָ הָֽרַבִּ֔ים לֹ֥א עֲזַבְתָּ֖ם בַּמִּדְבָּ֑ר (1)Alternate translation: “Even so, because you are always merciful, you did not abandon them in the desert”
He did not take away the pillar of cloud from over them by day to lead them on the way, nor the pillar of fire by night to shine for them and on the way in which they should go
Quote: אֶת־עַמּ֣וּד הֶ֠עָנָן לֹא־סָ֨ר מֵעֲלֵיהֶ֤ם בְּיוֹמָם֙ לְהַנְחֹתָ֣ם בְּהַדֶּ֔רֶךְ וְאֶת־עַמּ֨וּד הָאֵ֤שׁ בְּלַ֨יְלָה֙ לְהָאִ֣יר לָהֶ֔ם וְאֶת־הַדֶּ֖רֶךְ אֲשֶׁ֥ר יֵֽלְכוּ־בָֽהּ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result
See how you translated the similar sentence in 10:12. If it would be helpful in your language, you could reverse the order of these phrases since the first phrase gives the reason for the result that is described in the second phrase. Alternate translation: “To show the people the way that they should go, the pillar of cloud continued to go ahead of them during the day, and the pillar of fire continued to light up the way ahead at night”
Nehemiah 9:20
And … your good spirit
Quote: וְרוּחֲךָ֨ הַטּוֹבָ֔ה (1)This seems to be a reference to God in person. If your language uses capitalization or some other convention to indicate that a word is referring to God, you could use it here. Alternate translation: “your good Spirit”
And you did not withhold your manna from their mouth, and you gave them water for their thirst
Quote: וּמַנְךָ֙ לֹא־מָנַ֣עְתָּ מִפִּיהֶ֔ם וּמַ֛יִם נָתַ֥תָּה לָהֶ֖ם לִצְמָאָֽם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result
If it would be helpful in your language, you could reverse the order of the phrases in each clause since in both cases the first phrase gives the reason for the result that is described in the second phrase. Alternate translation: “Because they were hungry, you continued to feed them with manna, and because they were thirsty, you gave them water”
And … your manna
Quote: וּמַנְךָ֙ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown
This was the special food that Yahweh provided for the Israelites in the desert. See the note in 9:15. Alternate translation: “special food” or “that special food, manna”
you did not withhold … from their mouth
Quote: לֹא־מָנַ֣עְתָּ מִפִּיהֶ֔ם (1)Here the Levites describe being nourished by food by referring to something associated with it, the mouth that eats the food. If it would be helpful in your language, you could describe this more generally. Alternate translation: “you continued to feed them”
you did not withhold … from their mouth
Quote: לֹא־מָנַ֣עְתָּ מִפִּיהֶ֔ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-litotes
This is a figure of speech that expresses a strong positive meaning by using a negative word with a word that is the opposite of the intended meaning. Alternate translation: “you generously gave them manna”
Nehemiah 9:21
And you sustained them forty years in the wilderness; they did not lack
Quote: וְאַרְבָּעִ֥ים שָׁנָ֛ה כִּלְכַּלְתָּ֥ם בַּמִּדְבָּ֖ר לֹ֣א חָסֵ֑רוּ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result
The first phrase is implicitly giving a reason for the result that is described in the second phrase. If it would be helpful in your language, you could make that explicit. “Because you took care of them for forty years in the desert, they did not lack anything all that time.”
and their feet did not swell
Quote: וְרַגְלֵיהֶ֖ם לֹ֥א בָצֵֽקוּ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
If it would be helpful to your readers, you could explain why the feet of the Israelites would otherwise have swollen as they traveled through the desert. Alternate translation: “their feet did not swell up, even though they were walking all the time”
Nehemiah 9:22
And you gave to them kingdoms and peoples
Quote: וַתִּתֵּ֨ן לָהֶ֤ם מַמְלָכוֹת֙ וַעֲמָמִ֔ים (1)If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say explicitly how Yahweh did this. Alternate translation: “You helped our ancestors to defeat stronger armies so that they could conquer kingdoms and the people who lived in them”
And you gave to them kingdoms and peoples
Quote: וַתִּתֵּ֨ן לָהֶ֤ם מַמְלָכוֹת֙ וַעֲמָמִ֔ים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet
Kingdoms and peoples mean similar things. They are two different ways of describing the groups that the Israelites defeated. The repetition emphasizes how remarkable it was for Yahweh to enable the Israelites to defeat these stronger opponents. If it would be helpful in your language, you could combine these words into a single expression. Alternate translation: “you enabled them to defeat the nations that were living there”
and you allocated to them as far as the corners
Quote: וַֽתַּחְלְקֵ֖ם לְפֵאָ֑ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Here the land of Canaan is described as if it were a regular shape that had defined corners. Alternate translation: “you enabled them to possess every part of the land”
the land of Sihon, even the land of the king of Heshbon
Quote: אֶת־אֶ֣רֶץ סִיח֗וֹן וְאֶת־אֶ֨רֶץ֙ מֶ֣לֶךְ חֶשְׁבּ֔וֹן (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism
These two phrases mean the same thing. The repetition is used for clarity. You do not need to repeat both phrases in your translation if that would be confusing for your readers. Alternate translation: “the land over which King Sihon ruled from the city of Heshbon”
and the land of Og, the king of Bashan
Quote: וְאֶת־אֶ֖רֶץ ע֥וֹג מֶֽלֶךְ־הַבָּשָֽׁן (1)Alternate translation: “Bashan, the land where King Og ruled”
Sihon, … Og
Quote: סִיח֗וֹן & ע֥וֹג (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
These are the names of two kings.
Heshbon, … Bashan
Quote: חֶשְׁבּ֔וֹן & הַבָּשָֽׁן (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
These are names of the places where these two kings ruled.
Nehemiah 9:23
And you multiplied their sons like the stars of the heavens
Quote: וּבְנֵיהֶ֣ם הִרְבִּ֔יתָ כְּכֹכְבֵ֖י הַשָּׁמָ֑יִם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile
Their refers to the Israelites. This is a comparison, a figure of speech that says the number of children the Israelites had was like the number of stars in the sky. Alternate translation: “You enabled them to have as many children as there are stars in the sky”
And you multiplied their sons like the stars of the heavens
Quote: וּבְנֵיהֶ֣ם הִרְבִּ֔יתָ כְּכֹכְבֵ֖י הַשָּׁמָ֑יִם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole
This is an exaggeration for emphasis. Alternate translation: “You enabled them to have a very large number of children”
And … their sons
Quote: וּבְנֵיהֶ֣ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Sons here means “descendants.” In this context it includes both boys and girls. Alternate translation: “and children”
And you brought them to the land that you said to their fathers to enter in order to possess it
Quote: וַתְּבִיאֵם֙ אֶל־הָאָ֔רֶץ אֲשֶׁר־אָמַ֥רְתָּ לַאֲבֹתֵיהֶ֖ם לָב֥וֹא לָרָֽשֶׁת (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
This is the same land described in verse 15, the land of Canaan. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say that explicitly. Alternate translation: “You brought them back to the land of Canaan, the land that you had commanded the previous generation to enter and occupy”
to their fathers
Quote: לַאֲבֹתֵיהֶ֖ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-gendernotations
While fathers means “ancestors” throughout much of this prayer, in this case the word is intended more literally. It means the previous generation of Israelites, who had disobeyed when God told them the first time to occupy the land. But since both men and women were involved in the disobedience, you could use a term that would not limit the meaning to men, if it would be helpful in your language. Alternate translation: “to the previous generation”
Nehemiah 9:24
And the sons went in and possessed the land, and before their face you subdued the inhabitants of the land, the Canaanites
Quote: וַיָּבֹ֤אוּ הַבָּנִים֙ וַיִּֽירְשׁ֣וּ אֶת־הָאָ֔רֶץ וַתַּכְנַ֨ע לִפְנֵיהֶ֜ם אֶת־יֹשְׁבֵ֤י הָאָ֨רֶץ֙ הַכְּנַ֣עֲנִ֔ים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism
These two phrases mean similar things. The Israelites of the next generation possessing the land is equivalent to Yahweh defeating its inhabitants when the Israelites fought against them. If it would be helpful in your language, you could combine these phrases. Alternate translation: “You enabled the next generation of Israelites to defeat the people who were living in the land of Canaan so that they could occupy the land themselves”
the sons
Quote: הַבָּנִים֙ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-gendernotations
This means literally the children of the generation that refused to enter the land. But since both men and women were involved in occupying the land, you could use a term that would not limit the meaning to men, if it would be helpful in your language. Alternate translation: “the next generation of Israelites”
and before their face you subdued the inhabitants of the land
Quote: וַתַּכְנַ֨ע לִפְנֵיהֶ֜ם אֶת־יֹשְׁבֵ֤י הָאָ֨רֶץ֙ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
Here, face means the front of a group, in this case the Israelite army that was fighting against the Canaanites. Alternate translation: “when the Israelites opposed them in battle, you defeated the people who were living in the land”
the inhabitants of the land, the Canaanites
Quote: יֹשְׁבֵ֤י הָאָ֨רֶץ֙ הַכְּנַ֣עֲנִ֔ים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet
These two phrases mean similar things. The repetition is used for clarity. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could combine them. Alternate translation: “the Canaanites who lived there,” otherwise “the people who lived here in this land, the descendants of Canaan”
And you gave them into their hands, and their kings, and the peoples of the land, to do with them according to their will
Quote: וַֽתִּתְּנֵ֖ם בְּיָדָ֑ם וְאֶת־מַלְכֵיהֶם֙ וְאֶת־עַֽמְמֵ֣י הָאָ֔רֶץ לַעֲשׂ֥וֹת בָּהֶ֖ם כִּרְצוֹנָֽם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
The Levites continue to recount details of Israelite history and assume that their listeners will understand the significance of these details. This sentence means, “You gave the Canaanites into the hands of the Israelites, that is, you gave their kings and the Canaanite people into the hands of the Israelites.” The implication is that once the Israelites had defeated the armies that the kings were leading, they could then do anything they wanted with the people who were living in the land. In other words, Yahweh gave the kings “into their hands” by defeating them, and as a result, the people were “in their hands” to do with whatever they wanted. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “You enabled them to defeat the armies that the Canaanite kings were leading, and then they could do whatever they wanted with the people of Canaan”
And you gave them into their hands
Quote: וַֽתִּתְּנֵ֖ם בְּיָדָ֑ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Here, hand represents power and control. To give something into a person’s hand is to give that person control over that thing. Alternate translation: “enabled the Israelites to defeat them”
Nehemiah 9:25
And they captured fortified cities and fat ground
Quote: וַֽיִּלְכְּד֞וּ עָרִ֣ים בְּצֻרוֹת֮ וַאֲדָמָ֣ה שְׁמֵנָה֒ (1)They means the Israelites who were entering Canaan.
and fat ground
Quote: וַאֲדָמָ֣ה שְׁמֵנָה֒ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
This means land that can produce abundantly and make its inhabitants fat (as described later in this verse). The rich character of the soil is being described by something associated with it, the well-fed character of the people it sustains. Alternate translation: “fertile land”
And they possessed
Quote: וַיִּֽירְשׁ֡וּ (1)This means that, from people who had already built or planted them, they took possession of the things on the list that follows. Alternate translation: “they took possession of”
hewn cisterns
Quote: בֹּר֨וֹת חֲצוּבִ֜ים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
If it would be helpful in your language, you could say this with an active form, and you could say who did the action. (This verse is not saying that the Israelites did three things, captured cities, possessed houses, and dug cisterns.) Alternate translation: “cisterns that someone else had already dug”
cisterns
Quote: בֹּר֨וֹת (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown
Cisterns are underground reservoirs where people store water. In this area they were typically hewn out of the underlying rock. Alternate translation: “water storage areas”
and food trees
Quote: וְעֵ֥ץ מַאֲכָ֖ל (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown
This means trees that grow things that are good to eat. In this area, these would have included both fruit and nut trees. Alternate translation: “and fruit and nut trees”
and were satisfied
Quote: וַֽיִּשְׂבְּעוּ֙ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
It is clear from the context that this was likely true literally, but this statement could also be a figurative way of saying that just as a person who has more than enough to eat stops being concerned, so the Israelites became complacent and stopped thinking about Yahweh. Alternate translation: “and they became complacent”
Nehemiah 9:26
And they disobeyed and rebelled against you
Quote: וַיַּמְר֨וּ וַֽיִּמְרְד֜וּ בָּ֗ךְ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet
Disobeyed and rebelled mean similar things. The Levites use them together to emphasize how serious an offense it was for the Israelites to turn against Yahweh after he had blessed them so greatly. If it would be helpful in your language, you could combine these words. Alternate translation: “they turned against you”
and they cast your law behind their back
Quote: וַיַּשְׁלִ֤כוּ אֶת־תּוֹרָֽתְךָ֙ אַחֲרֵ֣י גַוָּ֔ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
The Levites are saying that the Israelites treated the law as if it were a worthless item that a person would toss away. Alternate translation: “They considered your law worthless and paid no attention to it”
testified against them
Quote: הֵעִ֥ידוּ בָ֖ם (1)Alternate translation: “warned them about all the wrong things they were doing”
And they performed great blasphemies
Quote: וַֽיַּעֲשׂ֔וּ נֶאָצ֖וֹת גְּדוֹלֹֽת (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown
As in 9:18, blasphemy means to worship as divine or give honor to something other than God. This is likely a reference to the way the Israelites started worshiping other gods. (That is why the prophets needed to try to “bring them back” to Yahweh.) Alternate translation: “they worshiped other gods”
Nehemiah 9:27
And you gave them into the hand of their adversaries
Quote: וַֽתִּתְּנֵם֙ בְּיַ֣ד צָֽרֵיהֶ֔ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Here, hand represents power and control. Alternate translation: “you allowed their enemies to defeat them”
and they harassed them
Quote: וַיָּצֵ֖רוּ לָהֶ֑ם (1)They means the enemies, and them means the Israelites. Alternate translation: “The enemies of the Israelites made them suffer”
And, according to your many mercies
Quote: וּֽכְרַחֲמֶ֣יךָ הָֽרַבִּ֗ים (1)Alternate translation: “because of your great mercy” or “because you are very merciful”
you gave to them saviors
Quote: תִּתֵּ֤ן לָהֶם֙ מֽוֹשִׁיעִ֔ים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown
This is a reference to the time in Israelite history when God sent the judges to lead the Israelite tribes in fighting back against their enemies. Alternate translation: “you sent the judges to rescue them”
and they saved them from the hand of their adversaries
Quote: וְיוֹשִׁיע֖וּם מִיַּ֥ד צָרֵיהֶֽם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Here, hand represents power and control. Alternate translation: “they rescued them from their enemies”
Nehemiah 9:28
And after rest belonged to them, they returned to doing evil before your face
Quote: וּכְנ֣וֹחַ לָהֶ֔ם יָשׁ֕וּבוּ לַעֲשׂ֥וֹת רַ֖ע לְפָנֶ֑יךָ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-contrast
This sentence draws a contrast between how the Israelites should have responded when God delivered them and how they actually responded. You could begin the sentence with a word like “but” or “however” or “nevertheless” to indicate this contrast.
And after rest belonged to them
Quote: וּכְנ֣וֹחַ לָהֶ֔ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns
Rest is an abstract noun that indicates that the Israelites had relief from suffering and that there was no more war in the land after they defeated their enemies. If it would be helpful in your language, you could translate the same idea with a different phrase. Alternate translation: “after they had defeated their enemies”
they returned to doing evil before your face
Quote: יָשׁ֕וּבוּ לַעֲשׂ֥וֹת רַ֖ע לְפָנֶ֑יךָ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Here, face seems to refer to a person’s opinion or judgment, by association with the way they use the eyes in their face to see things and the way their facial expression shows what they think of those things. So this would mean that the Israelites did things that Yahweh considered to be wrong. Alternate translation: “they went back to doing things that you consider wrong”
And you left them to the hand of their enemies, and they oppressed them
Quote: וַתַּֽעַזְבֵ֞ם בְּיַ֤ד אֹֽיְבֵיהֶם֙ וַיִּרְדּ֣וּ בָהֶ֔ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Here, hand represents power and control. Alternate translation: “you allowed their enemies to defeat them, and they ruled over them harshly”
And you left them
Quote: וַתַּֽעַזְבֵ֞ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result
This phrase indicates that the sentence it introduces explains the results of what the previous sentence described. Alternate translation: “and so you left them”
And they returned and cried out to you
Quote: וַיָּשׁ֨וּבוּ֙ וַיִּזְעָק֔וּךָ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet
They means the Israelites. Returned and cried out mean similar things. Both terms describe how the Israelites realized that they should have remained loyal to Yahweh and that they desperately needed his help. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use one expression for both terms. Alternate translation: “The Israelites asked you again to help them”
according to your mercies
Quote: כְּֽרַחֲמֶ֖יךָ (1)Alternate translation: “because of your mercy” or “because you are merciful”
Nehemiah 9:29
And you testified against them
Quote: וַתָּ֨עַד בָּהֶ֜ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
Yahweh did not personally tell the Israelites all the wrong things they were doing. Rather, as 9:26 explains by using the same expression, Yahweh sent prophets to do this. The Levites are describing the prophets by association with Yahweh, whose message they were bringing. Alternate translation: “you sent prophets to warn the Israelites about all the wrong things they were doing”
to bring them back to your law
Quote: לַהֲשִׁיבָ֣ם אֶל־תּוֹרָתֶ֗ךָ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
The prophets were actually trying to make the people loyal to Yahweh himself once again by calling them to obey Yahweh’s law. The Levites are describing Yahweh by reference to something associated with him, his law. If it would be helpful in your language, you could say that explicitly. Alternate translation: “to make them loyal to you once again”
and did not listen to your commandments
Quote: וְלֹא־שָׁמְע֤וּ לְמִצְוֺתֶ֨יךָ֙ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
As in 9:16, listen in this context is an idiom that means not just to hear a command, but to obey it. If your language has a word for “listen” that also means “obey,” you could use it here. Alternate translation: “did not heed your commands”
And, concerning your judgments, they sinned against them
Quote: וּבְמִשְׁפָּטֶ֣יךָ חָֽטְאוּ־בָ֔ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
The people were actually sinning against Yahweh himself. The Levites are describing Yahweh by reference to something associated with him, his “judgments,” meaning the instructions in his law. If it would be helpful in your language, you could say that explicitly. Alternate translation: “they sinned against you by disobeying your instructions”
And, concerning your judgments
Quote: וּבְמִשְׁפָּטֶ֣יךָ (1)As in 9:13, this term refers to Yahweh giving the Israelites instructions in the law. It may or may not include a sense of Yahweh passing sentence as a judge. Alternate translation: “And concerning your instructions”
which, if a person does, then he will live by them
Quote: אֲשֶׁר־יַעֲשֶׂ֥ה אָדָ֖ם וְחָיָ֣ה בָהֶ֑ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Live here does not mean physically live or die. Rather, “live” means to be spiritually alive in relationship with God and to be happy and blessed as a result. The difference between being alive in this way and being separated from God is like the difference between being alive and being dead. Alternate translation: “If a person follows your law, then he is spiritually alive and happy and blessed”
And they gave a stubborn shoulder, and stiffened their neck
Quote: וַיִּתְּנ֤וּ כָתֵף֙ סוֹרֶ֔רֶת וְעָרְפָּ֥ם הִקְשׁ֖וּ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
These are images of an ox refusing to allow its owner to put a yoke on its shoulders. Here they are a metaphor that represents the people being stubborn. Alternate translation: “They became stubborn”
and did not hear
Quote: וְלֹ֥א שָׁמֵֽעוּ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
Like listen earlier in this verse, “hear” in this context is an idiom that means not just to hear a command, but to obey it. If your language has a word for “hear” that also means “obey,” you could use it here. Alternate translation: “did not heed”
Nehemiah 9:30
And you continued with them many years
Quote: וַתִּמְשֹׁ֤ךְ עֲלֵיהֶם֙ שָׁנִ֣ים רַבּ֔וֹת (1)Alternate translation: “you put up with them for a long time”
many years
Quote: שָׁנִ֣ים רַבּ֔וֹת (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
This is a figurative expression for “a long time.” The Levites are describing time by referring to something associated with it, the years in which time is measured. Alternate translation: “for a long time”
and you testified against them with your spirit by the hand of your prophets
Quote: וַתָּ֨עַד בָּ֧ם בְּרוּחֲךָ֛ בְּיַד־נְבִיאֶ֖יךָ (1)As in 9:20, spirit here seems to be a reference to God in person. If your language uses capitalization or some other convention to indicate that a word is referring to God, you could use it here. Alternate translation: “you spoke through the prophets by your Spirit to warn the Israelites about all the wrong things they were doing”
by the hand of your prophets
Quote: בְּיַד־נְבִיאֶ֖יךָ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
This is a figurative way of saying that God had the prophets deliver his message to the Israelites the way a servant would carry a message in his hand. Alternate translation: “through the prophets”
but they did not give an ear
Quote: וְלֹ֣א הֶאֱזִ֑ינוּ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
The Levites are describing the act of listening here by reference to something associated with it, the ear that hears. Alternate translation: “but they refused to listen”
but they did not give an ear
Quote: וְלֹ֣א הֶאֱזִ֑ינוּ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
Listening in this context means not just to hear but to obey. Alternate translation: “but they refused to obey”
And you gave them into the hand of the peoples of the lands
Quote: וַֽתִּתְּנֵ֔ם בְּיַ֖ד עַמֵּ֥י הָאֲרָצֹֽת (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Here, hand represents power and control. See how you translated this expression in verse 27, where it occurs twice. Alternate translation: “you allowed the neighboring peoples to defeat them”
And you gave them
Quote: וַֽתִּתְּנֵ֔ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result
This word indicates that the sentence it introduces explains the results of what the previous sentence described. Alternate translation: “As a result, you gave them”
Nehemiah 9:31
But, in your … mercies
Quote: וּֽבְרַחֲמֶ֧יךָ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result
This sentence draws a contrast between what God could have done to the people, based on what they deserved, and what God actually did in his mercy. You could begin the sentence with a word like “but” or “however” to indicate this contrast.
But, in your many mercies
Quote: וּֽבְרַחֲמֶ֧יךָ הָרַבִּ֛ים (1)As in 9:27, alternate translation: “because you are very merciful”
you did not make a complete end of them, and you did not forsake them
Quote: לֹֽא־עֲשִׂיתָ֥ם כָּלָ֖ה וְלֹ֣א עֲזַבְתָּ֑ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism
These two phrases do not describe separate things. They mean something similar. They describe what the people deserved for refusing to obey Yahweh. The first phrase describes what the people would have experienced in their lives. They would have been completely destroyed. The second phrase describes what they would have experienced in their relationship with Yahweh. He would have given up on them. If it would be helpful in your language, you could combine these phrases. Alternate translation: “You did not abandon them to complete destruction”
and you did not forsake them
Quote: וְלֹ֣א עֲזַבְתָּ֑ם (1)Alternate translation: “you did not give up on them”
gracious and merciful
Quote: חַנּ֥וּן וְרַח֖וּם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet
Gracious and merciful mean similar things. The Levites use them together to emphasize that God did not punish the Israelites the way they deserved. You do not need to repeat both words in your translation if that would make the meaning less clear for your readers. Alternate translation: “very merciful”
Nehemiah 9:32
So now
Quote: וְעַתָּ֣ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result
This phrase indicates that the Levites believe that what they are about to ask for should be the results of what they have just described. Specifically, because he is merciful, God helped the Israelites in the past even though they did not deserve it. And so the Levites are praying for God to be merciful and help the Israelites now even though they do not deserve it. Alternate translation: “and that is why we are praying this now”
the great, mighty, and fearsome God
Quote: הָאֵ֨ל הַגָּד֜וֹל הַגִּבּ֣וֹר וְהַנּוֹרָא֮ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet
As in 1:5, great and fearsome mean similar things. “Mighty” also means something similar. The Levites use all of these words together to emphasize how much respect God deserves. You do not need to repeat all three words in your translation if that would be confusing for your readers. However, there is a slight difference in meaning, and you could also bring that out in your translation. “Great” and “mighty” refer to how powerful God is objectively. “Fearsome” reflects how people should respond to God’s greatness subjectively. They should “fear” God. This does not mean that they should be afraid of him, but that they should show him respect and reverence. Alternate translation: “the God who deserves total respect” (A doublet can involve the use of more than two words.)
who keeps the covenant and covenant faithfulness
Quote: שׁוֹמֵ֣ר הַבְּרִ֣ית וְהַחֶסֶד֒ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism
As in 1:5, covenant and covenant faithfulness mean similar things. The Levites said the same thing twice, in slightly different ways, to emphasize how certain it is that God will keep his promises. You do not need to repeat both phrases in your translation if that would be confusing for your readers. However, there is a slight difference in meaning, and you could bring that out in your translation even if you combine the phrases. The “covenant” is God’s promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and their descendants. “Covenant faithfulness” is a character quality of God. He is inwardly disposed to keep all of his promises, and he always does so faithfully. So you could say something like, “you always keep your promises faithfully because of who you are.”
do not let all the hardship be little before your face
Quote: אַל־יִמְעַ֣ט לְפָנֶ֡יךָ אֵ֣ת כָּל־הַתְּלָאָ֣ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Here the Levites speak of something being small to mean that it is insignificant and not worthy of being noticed and addressed. Alternate translation: “do not regard our sufferings as insignificant”
do not let all the hardship be little before your face
Quote: אַל־יִמְעַ֣ט לְפָנֶ֡יךָ אֵ֣ת כָּל־הַתְּלָאָ֣ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
As in 9:28, face refers to a person’s opinion or judgment, by association with the way they use the eyes in their face to see things and the way their facial expression shows what they think of those things. So the Levites would be praying that God would not regard their suffering as insignificant. Alternate translation: “do not regard our sufferings as insignificant”
the hardship … that has found us
Quote: הַתְּלָאָ֣ה אֲֽשֶׁר־מְ֠צָאַתְנוּ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification
Here the Levites speak of the suffering that the Israelites have experienced as if it were a living thing that has looked for them and found them in order to cause them harm. Alternate translation: “the sufferings we have experienced”
the hardship … that has found us
Quote: הַתְּלָאָ֣ה אֲֽשֶׁר־מְ֠צָאַתְנוּ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns
Hardship is an abstract noun that refers to the suffering that the Israelites have experienced as a result of being conquered and dominated by foreign nations. If it would be helpful in your language, you could translate the idea behind it with a verb such as “suffer.” Alternate translation: “how much we have suffered”
and our fathers
Quote: וְלַאֲבֹתֵ֖ינוּ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Fathers here means ancestors. Alternate translation: “our ancestors”
from the days of the kings of Assyria until this day
Quote: מִימֵי֙ מַלְכֵ֣י אַשּׁ֔וּר עַ֖ד הַיּ֥וֹם הַזֶּֽה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
The implication is that the Levites are talking about the suffering that the Israelites have experienced specifically because foreign nations have conquered them, beginning with the Assyrians who first conquered the northern part of Israel. If it would be helpful in your language, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “from the time Israel was first conquered by the Assyrian kings until now”
from the days of the kings of Assyria until this day
Quote: מִימֵי֙ מַלְכֵ֣י אַשּׁ֔וּר עַ֖ד הַיּ֥וֹם הַזֶּֽה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-merism
This is a figure of speech in which the Levites are describing an entire time period by reference to its beginning and end, in order to include everything in between. Alternate translation: “the entire time we have been under foreign domination”
Nehemiah 9:33
And you are righteous concerning all that has come upon us
Quote: וְאַתָּ֣ה צַדִּ֔יק עַ֖ל כָּל־הַבָּ֣א עָלֵ֑ינוּ (1)Here the word righteous refers to God’s actions as being a reflection of his righteous character. Alternate translation: “we acknowledge you have done the right thing in allowing all this to happen to us”
all that has come upon us
Quote: כָּל־הַבָּ֣א עָלֵ֑ינוּ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification
Here the Levites speak of the suffering that the Israelites have experienced as if it were a living thing that has come up to them in order to cause them harm. Alternate translation: “everything we have suffered”
For you have acted faithfully; but as for us, we have acted wickedly
Quote: כִּֽי־אֱמֶ֥ת עָשִׂ֖יתָ וַאֲנַ֥חְנוּ הִרְשָֽׁעְנוּ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result
If it would be helpful in your language, you could place this sentence before the previous one since it gives the reason for the results that are described in that other sentence. You could show the connection by using a word like “so” after this sentence. Alternate translation: “You have always done what you said you would do, and you have never abandoned us. But we have done many wrong things. And so”
Nehemiah 9:34
and our fathers
Quote: וַאֲבֹתֵ֔ינוּ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Fathers here means “ancestors.” Alternate translation: “our ancestors”
have not done your law. And they have not attended to your commandments or to your testimonies
Quote: לֹ֥א עָשׂ֖וּ תּוֹרָתֶ֑ךָ וְלֹ֤א הִקְשִׁ֨יבוּ֙ אֶל־מִצְוֺתֶ֔יךָ וּלְעֵ֣דְוֺתֶ֔יךָ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism
These two phrases mean similar things. The Levites use the repetition to confess how completely the people have disobeyed what God told them to do. If it would be helpful in your language, you could combine these phrases. Alternate translation: “have completely disobeyed everything you told them to do”
And they have not attended to
Quote: וְלֹ֤א הִקְשִׁ֨יבוּ֙ אֶל (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
Not paying attention to a command, like not listening to it, is a figurative way of saying not obeying it. Alternate translation: “have disobeyed”
your commandments or to your testimonies
Quote: מִצְוֺתֶ֔יךָ וּלְעֵ֣דְוֺתֶ֔יךָ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet
These two terms mean similar things. You do not need to repeat both of them in your translation if that would make the meaning less clear for your readers. Alternate translation: “everything you told them to do”
or to your testimonies that you testified against them
Quote: וּלְעֵ֣דְוֺתֶ֔יךָ אֲשֶׁ֥ר הַעִידֹ֖תָ בָּהֶֽם (1)As in 9:26, 9:29, and 9:30, this expression means to warn someone about what they are doing. So here it is referring to “the warnings that you gave them to warn them.” You do not need to repeat the idea of “warn” twice in your translation if that would be confusing for your readers. Alternate translation: “the many warnings you gave them”
Nehemiah 9:35
And as for them, they did not serve you in their kingdom
Quote: וְהֵ֣ם בְּמַלְכוּתָם֩ & לֹ֣א עֲבָד֑וּךָ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
Them means the people and their leaders, as listed in 9:32 and 9:34. Serve is another way of saying “obey.” The implied meaning is that the Israelites did not obey Yahweh even when they had a kingdom of their own, before other nations conquered them. Alternate translation: “They did not obey you even while they had a kingdom of their own”
and in your great goodness that you gave to them
Quote: וּבְטוּבְךָ֨ הָרָ֜ב אֲשֶׁר־נָתַ֣תָּ לָהֶ֗ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns
Goodness is an abstract noun that refers to all the good things that God gave to the Israelites. If it would be helpful in your language, you could translate the idea behind it with an adjective such as “good.” Alternate translation: “even while they enjoyed the good things you gave them”
and in the wide and fat land
Quote: וּבְאֶ֨רֶץ הָרְחָבָ֧ה וְהַשְּׁמֵנָ֛ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet
These two terms mean similar things. They both indicate that the land God gave to the Israelites was good for growing crops. There was a lot of room in it, and the soil was good. If it would be helpful in your language, you could combine these terms. Alternate translation: “the fertile land”
and in the … and fat land
Quote: וּבְאֶ֨רֶץ & וְהַשְּׁמֵנָ֛ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
As in 9:25, “fat” means land that can produce abundantly and feed its inhabitants well. The rich character of the soil is being described by something associated with it, the well-fed character of the people it sustains. Alternate translation: “fertile land”
that you gave before their face
Quote: אֲשֶׁר־נָתַ֥תָּ לִפְנֵיהֶ֖ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Here, face means the front of a person. This expression is saying that God “put this land right in front of” the Israelites, emphasizing that God enabled them to defeat their enemies to get it. It was a gift from God, not something that the Israelites got for themselves. Alternate translation: “that you freely gave to them”
And they did not turn away from their evil deeds
Quote: וְֽלֹא־שָׁ֔בוּ מִמַּֽעַלְלֵיהֶ֖ם הָרָעִֽים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Here, turning away from something is a figurative expression that means giving it up. Alternate translation: “they would not stop doing wrong things”
Nehemiah 9:36
Behold
Quote: הִנֵּ֛ה (1)Behold is a term meant to focus the attention of the listener on what the speaker is about to say. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could use some emphatic term or expression in your language that would have this same effect.
today
Quote: הַיּ֖וֹם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
This does not necessarily mean on this particular day, but rather at this time. Alternate translation: “This is how things are now”
to our fathers
Quote: לַאֲבֹתֵ֗ינוּ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Fathers here means “ancestors.” Alternate translation: “our ancestors”
its fruit and its goodness
Quote: אֶת־פִּרְיָהּ֙ וְאֶת־טוּבָ֔הּ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet
These two expressions mean similar things. They both refer to the crops that grow in the land the Israelites were promised. If it would be helpful in your language, you could combine these expressions. Alternate translation: “all the good things that grow here”
its fruit
Quote: פִּרְיָהּ֙ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche
This means all the crops of the land, not just the fruit that grew on the trees. The Levites are using one particular food to refer to all food.
its goodness
Quote: טוּבָ֔הּ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns
Goodness is an abstract noun that refers to the tasty and nourishing food that grows in the land. If it would be helpful in your language, you could translate the idea behind it with a different phrase. Alternate translation: “the good things that grow here”
Behold
Quote: הִנֵּ֛ה (1)Behold is a term meant to focus the attention of the listener on what the speaker is about to say. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could use some emphatic term or expression in your language that would have this same effect.
Nehemiah 9:37
And its great produce
Quote: וּתְבוּאָתָ֣הּ מַרְבָּ֗ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns
Produce (pró-duce) is an abstract noun that refers to the crops that grow in the land. If it would be helpful in your language, you could translate the idea behind it with a verb such as “produce” (pro-dúce). Alternate translation: “all that this land produces”
belongs to the kings whom you have given to be over us in our sins
Quote: לַמְּלָכִ֛ים אֲשֶׁר־נָתַ֥תָּה עָלֵ֖ינוּ בְּחַטֹּאותֵ֑ינוּ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
The implication is that foreign kings now rule over the Israelites because Yahweh is punishing the Israelites for disobeying him. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “the kings who now rule over us because you are punishing us for disobeying you”
belongs to the kings whom you have given to be over us … and to be ruling over our bodies and over our livestock
Quote: לַמְּלָכִ֛ים אֲשֶׁר־נָתַ֥תָּה עָלֵ֖ינוּ & וְעַ֣ל גְּ֠וִיֹּתֵינוּ מֹשְׁלִ֤ים וּבִבְהֶמְתֵּ֨נוּ֙ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism
These two phrases mean similar things. In each phrase, the Levites are describing how foreign kings now rule over the Israelites. The second phrase intensifies the first by specifying that the Israelites serve these kings as slaves, and that the Israelites do not even own the animals they work with. You do not need to repeat both phrases in your translation if that might be confusing for your readers. Alternate translation: “You have allowed foreign kings to rule over us as slaves who own nothing”
according to their will
Quote: כִּרְצוֹנָ֔ם (1)Alternate translation: “as they see fit”
Nehemiah 9:38
And in all of this
Quote: וּבְכָל־זֹ֕את (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result
This phrase indicates that the sentence it introduces explains the actions that the people are taking in response to everything that the Levites have just said. That is, they are doing this because they and their ancestors had disobeyed and Yahweh had punished them. Alternate translation: “In light of all this”
we are cutting a faithful covenant
Quote: אֲנַ֛חְנוּ כֹּרְתִ֥ים אֲמָנָ֖ה (1)The word faithful here does not mean that the covenant will act in a certain way, but that the people themselves are promising to be faithful to this covenant. Alternate translation: “we are making a covenant that we promise to keep”
we are cutting a … covenant
Quote: אֲנַ֛חְנוּ כֹּרְתִ֥ים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
As in 9:8, to “cut” a covenant is a Hebrew idiom for making a solemn agreement with a person. Review the note there if that would be helpful. Alternate translation: “we are making a covenant”
and writing even on a sealed document our leaders, our Levites, our priests
Quote: וְכֹתְבִ֑ים וְעַל֙ הֶֽחָת֔וּם שָׂרֵ֥ינוּ לְוִיֵּ֖נוּ כֹּהֲנֵֽינוּ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
The implication is that the Israelites had scribes write this covenant on a scroll, the leaders wrote their names on it representing all the people, and then the Israelites sealed the document to make it official and to preserve it. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “We are writing this covenant on a scroll. The community leaders, the Levites, and the priests will sign it. And then we will seal it”
our leaders
Quote: שָׂרֵ֥ינוּ (1)This means the community leaders. From the document itself, it appears that these included both Nehemiah as the governor (10:1) and various tribal and extended-family leaders (10:14–27).
Nehemiah 10
Nehemiah 10 General Notes
Structure and formatting
This chapter concludes the passage beginning in chapter 9.
Special concepts in this chapter
The vow
By signing this document, the people vowed or agreed to obey God, not to buy things on the Sabbath, and to pay their temple tax. (See: INVALID bible/kt/vow and Sabbath and temple, house, house of God)
Nehemiah 10:1
And on the sealed documents were
Quote: וְעַ֖ל הַחֲתוּמִ֑ים (1)Alternate translation: “These are the names that the leaders signed on the scroll before it was sealed.”
Nehemiah, the Tirshatha, the son of Hakaliah
Quote: נְחֶמְיָ֧ה הַתִּרְשָׁ֛תָא בֶּן־חֲכַלְיָ֖ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown
As in 7:65 and 7:70, this was the formal Persian title of the governor. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the title and then explain it. Alternate translation: “Nehemiah son of Hakiliah, the Tirshatha (that is, the governor)”
Nehemiah, … the son of Hakaliah, and Zedekiah
Quote: נְחֶמְיָ֧ה & בֶּן־חֲכַלְיָ֖ה וְצִדְקִיָּֽה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
As in 1:1, Nehemiah is the name of a man, and Hakaliah is the name of his father. Zedekiah is also the name of a man.
and Zedekiah
Quote: וְצִדְקִיָּֽה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
This could mean the same man who is called “Zadok the scribe” in 13:13. That man seems to have been the official secretary for Nehemiah. Other documents from this time suggest that the name of the scribe would have come second in a list like this, right after the government official in charge. Alternate translation: “Zedekiah the scribe” or “Zedekiah the secretary.”
Nehemiah 10:2
Seraiah, Azariah, Jeremiah
Quote: שְׂרָיָ֥ה עֲזַרְיָ֖ה יִרְמְיָֽה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
These are the names of three men.
Nehemiah 10:3
Pashhur, Amariah, Malkijah
Quote: פַּשְׁח֥וּר אֲמַרְיָ֖ה מַלְכִּיָּֽה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
These are the names of three men.
Nehemiah 10:4
Hattush, Shebaniah, Malluk
Quote: חַטּ֥וּשׁ שְׁבַנְיָ֖ה מַלּֽוּךְ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
These are the names of three men.
Nehemiah 10:5
Harim, Meremoth, Obadiah
Quote: חָרִ֥ם מְרֵמ֖וֹת עֹֽבַדְיָֽה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
These are the names of three men.
Nehemiah 10:6
Daniel, Ginnethon, Baruch
Quote: דָּנִיֵּ֥אל גִּנְּת֖וֹן בָּרֽוּךְ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
These are the names of three men.
Nehemiah 10:7
Meshullam, Abijah, Mijamin
Quote: מְשֻׁלָּ֥ם אֲבִיָּ֖ה מִיָּמִֽן (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
These are the names of three men.
Nehemiah 10:8
Maaziah, Bilgai, Shemaiah
Quote: מַֽעַזְיָ֥ה בִלְגַּ֖י שְׁמַֽעְיָ֑ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
These are the names of three men.
These were the priests
Quote: אֵ֖לֶּה הַכֹּהֲנִֽים (1)Alternate translation: “These are the names of the priests who signed the covenant.”
These were the priests
Quote: אֵ֖לֶּה הַכֹּהֲנִֽים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result
If it would be helpful to your readers, you could place this sentence at the beginning of verse 2 since it introduces the list of priests. That way the list of priests would be like the list of Levites in verses 9–13 and the list of leaders in verses 14–27. Both of those lists have an introductory phrase like this at the beginning. Alternate translation: “These are the names of the priests who signed the covenant”
Nehemiah 10:9
And the Levites were
Quote: וְֽהַלְוִיִּ֑ם (1)Alternate translation: “These are the names of the Levites who signed the covenant.”
And the Levites were
Quote: וְֽהַלְוִיִּ֑ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
From the contexts in which the names of these men appear elsewhere in the book of Nehemiah, it seems that they were leaders of the Levites. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say that explicitly. Alternate translation: “These are the names of the Levites who signed the covenant. First, their leaders”
even Jeshua, the son of Azaniah
Quote: וְיֵשׁ֨וּעַ֙ בֶּן־אֲזַנְיָ֔ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
Jeshua is the name of a man, and Azaniah is the name of his father.
Binnui, … Henadad
Quote: בִּנּ֕וּי & חֵנָדָ֖ד (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
Binnui and Henadad are both names of men.
Binnui, from the sons of Henadad
Quote: בִּנּ֕וּי מִבְּנֵ֥י חֵנָדָ֖ד (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Sons here means descendants Alternate translation: “Binnui, one of the descendants of Henadad”
Kadmiel
Quote: קַדְמִיאֵֽל (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
Kadmiel is the name of a man.
Nehemiah 10:10
also their brothers
Quote: וַאֲחֵיהֶ֑ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Here, brother likely refers to the rest of the Levites who signed the covenant as fellow Levites of the three leaders. Alternate translation: “Next, their fellow Levites”
Shebaniah, Hodiah, Kelita, Pelaiah, Hanan
Quote: שְׁבַנְיָ֧ה הֽוֹדִיָּ֛ה קְלִיטָ֖א פְּלָאיָ֥ה חָנָֽן (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
These are the names of five men.
Nehemiah 10:11
Mika, Rehob, Hashabiah
Quote: מִיכָ֥א רְח֖וֹב חֲשַׁבְיָֽה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
These are the names of three men.
Nehemiah 10:12
Zaccur, Sherebiah, Shebaniah
Quote: זַכּ֥וּר שֵׁרֵֽבְיָ֖ה שְׁבַנְיָֽה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
These are the names of three men.
Nehemiah 10:13
Hodiah, Bani, Beninu
Quote: הוֹדִיָּ֥ה בָנִ֖י בְּנִֽינוּ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
These are the names of three men.
Nehemiah 10:14
The heads of the people were
Quote: רָאשֵׁ֖י הָעָ֑ם (1)Alternate translation: “These are the names of the community leaders who signed the covenant”
The heads of the people were
Quote: רָאשֵׁ֖י הָעָ֑ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Here, head is a figurative way of saying “leader.” Alternate translation: “community leaders”
Parosh, Pahath-Moab, Elam, Zattu, Bani
Quote: פַּרְעֹשׁ֙ פַּחַ֣ת מוֹאָ֔ב עֵילָ֥ם זַתּ֖וּא בָּנִֽי (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
These are the names of five men.
Nehemiah 10:15
Bunni, Azgad, Bebai
Quote: בֻּנִּ֥י עַזְגָּ֖ד בֵּבָֽי (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
These are the names of three men.
Nehemiah 10:16
Adonijah, Bigvai, Adin
Quote: אֲדֹנִיָּ֥ה בִגְוַ֖י עָדִֽין (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
These are the names of three men.
Nehemiah 10:17
Ater, Hezekiah, Azzur
Quote: אָטֵ֥ר חִזְקִיָּ֖ה עַזּֽוּר (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
These are the names of three men.
Nehemiah 10:18
Hodiah, Hashum, Bezai
Quote: הוֹדִיָּ֥ה חָשֻׁ֖ם בֵּצָֽי (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
These are the names of three men.
Nehemiah 10:19
Hariph, Anathoth, Nebai
Quote: חָרִ֥יף עֲנָת֖וֹת נֵיבָֽי (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
These are the names of three men.
Nehemiah 10:20
Magpiash, Meshullam, Hezir
Quote: מַגְפִּיעָ֥שׁ מְשֻׁלָּ֖ם חֵזִֽיר (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
These are the names of three men.
Nehemiah 10:21
Meshezabel, Zadok, Jaddua
Quote: מְשֵׁיזַבְאֵ֥ל צָד֖וֹק יַדּֽוּעַ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
These are the names of three men.
Nehemiah 10:22
Pelatiah, Hanan, Anaiah
Quote: פְּלַטְיָ֥ה חָנָ֖ן עֲנָיָֽה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
These are the names of three men.
Nehemiah 10:23
Hoshea, Hananiah, Hasshub
Quote: הוֹשֵׁ֥עַ חֲנַנְיָ֖ה חַשּֽׁוּב (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
These are the names of three men.
Nehemiah 10:24
Hallohesh, Pilha, Shobek
Quote: הַלּוֹחֵ֥שׁ פִּלְחָ֖א שׁוֹבֵֽק (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
These are the names of three men.
Nehemiah 10:25
Rehum, Hashabnah, Maaseiah
Quote: רְח֥וּם חֲשַׁבְנָ֖ה מַעֲשֵׂיָֽה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
These are the names of three men.
Nehemiah 10:26
Ahiah, Hanan, Anan
Quote: וַאֲחִיָּ֥ה חָנָ֖ן עָנָֽן (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
These are the names of three men.
Nehemiah 10:27
Malluk, Harim, Baanah
Quote: מַלּ֥וּךְ חָרִ֖ם בַּעֲנָֽה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
These are the names of three men.
Nehemiah 10:28
And the rest of the people
Quote: וּשְׁאָ֣ר הָעָ֡ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
This means everyone else in the groups that are listed next, even if they did not sign the covenant personally. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “And everyone else in the following groups, whether or not they signed their name on the scroll”
the gatekeepers
Quote: הַשּׁוֹעֲרִ֨ים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown
This means the people who were responsible to open and close the gates that controlled access to the city and the temple. See how you translated this term in 7:1.
the ones who sing
Quote: הַמְשֹׁרְרִ֜ים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown
As in 7:1, this means vocal musicians who led in worship, in processions, and ceremonies, producing music and chants that emphasized and enhanced the occasion. Alternate translation: “the singers”
the Nethinim
Quote: הַנְּתִינִ֗ים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown
As in 3:26, the term Nethinim describes servants who worked in the temple. Alternate translation: “the temple servants”
and all the ones who were separating themselves from the peoples of the lands to the law of God
Quote: וְֽכָל־הַנִּבְדָּ֞ל מֵעַמֵּ֤י הָאֲרָצוֹת֙ אֶל־תּוֹרַ֣ת הָאֱלֹהִ֔ים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
This could mean one of two things. (1) It could be referring to people from other nations who had converted and become Jews. Alternate translation: “people from other nations who had become Jews and would now obey the law of God” (2) It might not be a reference to a distinct group, but rather a description of something that was true of everyone from any of the previously named groups who agreed to the covenant. As in 9:2, it would be a description of how the Israelites needed to reject the influence and practices of other people groups in order to follow the law of God faithfully. Alternate translation: “that is, everyone who resolved to reject foreign influences and obey the law of God”
the ones who were separating themselves from the peoples of the lands
Quote: הַנִּבְדָּ֞ל מֵעַמֵּ֤י הָאֲרָצוֹת֙ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Separate is a figurative way of describing the act of rejecting an influence, as if this were a physical separation. In 9:2 the separation actually was physical (only Israelites could attend that assembly), but here it would be figurative. Alternate translation: “resolved to reject foreign influences”
their sons and their daughters, all who were knowing, being able to understand
Quote: בְּנֵיהֶ֣ם וּבְנֹתֵיהֶ֑ם כֹּ֖ל יוֹדֵ֥עַ מֵבִֽין (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
Like the similar phrases in 8:2 and 8:3, this is likely an idiom that refers to children who could understand what the covenant was about. Alternate translation: “their children who were old enough to understand the covenant” or “all who were old enough to understand what promising to obey God meant”
Nehemiah 10:29
were clinging to
Quote: מַחֲזִיקִ֣ים עַל (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Here, clinging to is a figurative way of describing people who did not actually sign the scroll, as their leaders did, but who agreed with them and joined in the same purpose. Alternate translation: “agreed with” or “joined in the same purpose with”
their brothers
Quote: אֲחֵיהֶם֮ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Here, brother likely means that the leaders who signed the scroll were fellow Jews of the rest of the people. Alternate translation: “their fellow Jews”
their nobles
Quote: אַדִּירֵיהֶם֒ (1)See how you translated this term in 2:16. Alternate translation: “the leading citizens”
and were entering into a curse and into an oath
Quote: וּבָאִ֞ים בְּאָלָ֣ה וּבִשְׁבוּעָ֗ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
Here the story describes the covenant by two things associated with it. As part of the covenant, the people swore an oath to keep its terms, and they also said that anyone who broke its terms should be cursed. (That is, God should punish them.) If it would be helpful in your language, you could express the meaning behind this figure. Alternate translation: “they made a serious agreement”
and were entering into a curse and into an oath
Quote: וּבָאִ֞ים בְּאָלָ֣ה וּבִשְׁבוּעָ֗ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Entering is a figurative way of saying that the people became parties to this agreement with God. The expression speaks as if the covenant were something that the people could physically go inside of, in order to become a part of it. Alternate translation: “they became parties to the covenant”
to walk in the law of God
Quote: לָלֶ֨כֶת֙ בְּתוֹרַ֣ת הָאֱלֹהִ֔ים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
As in 5:9, walk is an idiom that describes a person’s conduct in life. Alternate translation: “to live their lives in obedience to the law of God”
which was given by the hand of Moses
Quote: אֲשֶׁ֣ר נִתְּנָ֔ה בְּיַ֖ד מֹשֶׁ֣ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
If it would be helpful in your language, you could say this with an active form. Alternate translation: “which Moses gave to the people”
by the hand of Moses
Quote: בְּיַ֖ד מֹשֶׁ֣ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Here, as in 9:14, hand represents control and action. Alternate translation: “Moses gave to the people”
Moses the servant of God
Quote: מֹשֶׁ֣ה עֶֽבֶד־הָֽאֱלֹהִ֑ים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
As in 9:14, Moses is called the servant of God. While Moses was also God’s servant in a more literal sense, this title is a figurative expression in the Old Testament that indicates that God used Moses to give his Law to his people the way a master would have a servant deliver a message. Alternate translation: “your special messenger”
and to keep and to do
Quote: וְלִשְׁמ֣וֹר וְלַעֲשׂ֗וֹת (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet
Keep and do mean similar things. The repetition emphasizes the people’s resolve to keep God’s law. If it would be helpful in your language, you could combine these terms. Alternate translation: “carefully follow”
all the commandments of Yahweh our Lord, and his judgments and his statutes
Quote: כָּל־מִצְוֺת֙ יְהוָ֣ה אֲדֹנֵ֔ינוּ וּמִשְׁפָּטָ֖יו וְחֻקָּֽיו (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet
As in 1:7, commandments, judgments, and statutes mean basically the same thing. They refer to provisions in the Law of Moses. Here again the repetition emphasizes the people’s resolve to obey everything in God’s law. If it would be helpful in your language, you could combine them into a single phrase. Alternate translation: “everything Yahweh our Lord has commanded,” otherwise “the commands, rules, and laws of Yahweh our Lord” (A doublet can involve the use of more than two words.)
Nehemiah 10:30
and that we would not give our daughters to the peoples of the land, and we would not take their daughters for our sons
Quote: וַאֲשֶׁ֛ר לֹא־נִתֵּ֥ן בְּנֹתֵ֖ינוּ לְעַמֵּ֣י הָאָ֑רֶץ וְאֶת־בְּנֹ֣תֵיהֶ֔ם לֹ֥א נִקַּ֖ח לְבָנֵֽינוּ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism
These two phrases mean similar things. They both indicate that the Jews are promising here not to let their children marry people from the other groups living in the area. If it would be helpful in your language, you could combine these phrases. Alternate translation: “We promise that we will not allow any one of our children to marry someone from another people group”
we would … give
Quote: נִתֵּ֥ן (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-exclusive
Here and through to the end of this chapter, the pronoun “we” includes Nehemiah and the Jewish people, but not the readers of this book.
to the peoples of the land
Quote: לְעַמֵּ֣י הָאָ֑רֶץ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
This refers to other people groups who live in the land and who do not worship Yahweh. The implication is that intermarriage with these groups would lead the Israelites to compromise their loyalty to Yahweh. Alternate translation: “the people of this land who do not worship Yahweh”
Nehemiah 10:31
and, on the sabbath … we would not take from the peoples of the land, the ones bringing goods and all kinds of grain to sell on the day of the sabbath
Quote: וְעַמֵּ֣י הָאָ֡רֶץ הַֽמְבִיאִים֩ אֶת־הַמַּקָּח֨וֹת וְכָל־שֶׁ֜בֶר בְּי֤וֹם הַשַּׁבָּת֙ לִמְכּ֔וֹר לֹא־נִקַּ֥ח מֵהֶ֛ם בַּשַּׁבָּ֖ת (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result
If it would be helpful in your language, you could reverse the order of these phrases since the second phrase gives the reason for the result that is described in the first phrase. Alternate translation: “If people from other groups bring goods or grain to sell on the Sabbath, we will not buy any from them.”
on the sabbath
Quote: בַּשַּׁבָּ֖ת (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
The implication is that the Israelites are promising not to buy anything because the Sabbath is a day for rest and worship, not for buying and selling. If it would be helpful in your language, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “on the Sabbath, we will not buy any from them, because Yahweh has told us not to buy or sell on the Sabbath”
or on a holy day
Quote: וּבְי֣וֹם קֹ֑דֶשׁ (1)Alternate translation: “on a festival day” or “during a festival”
and we would leave alone the seventh year
Quote: וְנִטֹּ֛שׁ אֶת־הַשָּׁנָ֥ה הַשְּׁבִיעִ֖ית (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis
Here the covenant leaves out one or more words that a sentence would ordinarily need in order to be complete. Leave alone means “leave our fields alone,” that is, do not plant or harvest any crops, and the seventh year means “in the seventh year.” Alternate translation: “we will not grow anything in our fields every seventh year”
and we would leave alone the seventh year
Quote: וְנִטֹּ֛שׁ אֶת־הַשָּׁנָ֥ה הַשְּׁבִיעִ֖ית (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
The seventh year refers to the commandment in the Law of Moses to allow fields to rest one year out of every seven. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “We will leave our fields alone and not work them during the seventh year, because the law commands us not to grow any crops then.”
the seventh year
Quote: אֶת־הַשָּׁנָ֥ה הַשְּׁבִיעִ֖ית (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal
Alternate translation: “year seven”
and we would leave alone … and interest of every hand
Quote: וְנִטֹּ֛שׁ & וּמַשָּׁ֥א כָל־יָֽד (1)This could mean one of several things. (1) As in 5:7–12, it could be a promise not to charge any interest on loans to fellow Israelites. (2) It could mean that during the seventh year, no loan payments would be collected. (3) It could mean that during the seventh year, all debts would be cancelled. Alternate translation: “we will not charge interest on loans to our fellow Israelites” or “during the seventh year, we will not collect loan payments” or “during the seventh year, we will cancel all the debts of our fellow Israelites.”
and interest of every hand
Quote: וּמַשָּׁ֥א כָל־יָֽד (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
Here, hand seems to refer to a debt by reference to something associated with it, the way debts were formalized by the borrower grasping the hand of the lender. Alternate translation: “interest on any debt”
Nehemiah 10:32
Also, we caused to stand for us commandments
Quote: וְהֶעֱמַ֤דְנוּ עָלֵ֨ינוּ֙ מִצְוֺ֔ת (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification
As in 5:13, the covenant speaks of the commitments the people are making as if they were living things that could stand, that is, stay in place rather than go away. The people are saying that they will make sure this commitment does not “go away.” Alternate translation: “we are making a firm commitment”
to give over us
Quote: לָתֵ֥ת עָלֵ֛ינוּ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
Alternate translation: “each one of us will contribute”
a third of a shekel
Quote: שְׁלִשִׁ֥ית הַשֶּׁ֖קֶל (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-bmoney
In ancient times, a silver shekel weighed about 11 grams or about a third of an ounce. You could try to express this in terms of modern money values, but if you did, that could cause your Bible translation to become outdated and inaccurate over time since those values can change from year to year. Instead, you could give the equivalent weight or use the biblical term in the text and give the weight in a note. Alternate translation: “a third of a shekel each year” or “four grams of silver each year”
a third of a shekel
Quote: שְׁלִשִׁ֥ית הַשֶּׁ֖קֶל (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-fraction
A third means one part out of three equal parts.
for the service of the house of our God
Quote: לַעֲבֹדַ֖ת בֵּ֥ית אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns
The abstract noun service describes all the things needed for worship in the temple, as listed in the next verse. If it would be helpful in your language, you could translate the idea behind this word with an equivalent phrase. Alternate translation: “everything that is needed for worship in the temple”
the house of our God
Quote: בֵּ֥ית אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
As in 6:10 and 8:16, here the covenant speaks of the temple as the house of God, as if it were God’s dwelling place. Alternate translation: “the temple”
Nehemiah 10:33
for the bread in rows
Quote: לְלֶ֣חֶם הַֽמַּעֲרֶ֡כֶת (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown
This refers to the 12 unleavened cakes made of fine flour that the law required to be set out freshly every Sabbath day in two rows of six on the table in the Holy Place. This is sometimes called the “showbread.” Alternate translation: “the bread that is set out in rows”
and the continual offering, and for the continual burnt offering
Quote: וּמִנְחַ֣ת הַתָּמִ֣יד וּלְעוֹלַ֣ת הַ֠תָּמִיד (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown
This likely refers to a grain offering and an animal offering that were burned on the temple altar each day. Alternate translation: “the daily grain and animal offerings”
the sabbaths, the new moons, for the appointed times
Quote: הַשַּׁבָּת֨וֹת הֶחֳדָשִׁ֜ים לַמּוֹעֲדִ֗ים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
This actually refers to the offerings that would be made at these times. The offerings are being described by something associated with them, the occasions on which they are offered. Alternate translation: “offerings made on the Sabbath, on the new moon festival, and during other festivals”
and for the holy things
Quote: וְלַקֳּדָשִׁים֙ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown
This likely refers to offerings that would be dedicated and offered to God on behalf of the people on other occasions. Alternate translation: “and offerings needed for any other occasion”
and for the sin offerings to cover over for Israel
Quote: וְלַ֣חַטָּא֔וֹת לְכַפֵּ֖ר עַל־יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
As Nehemiah does in 4:5, the covenant speaks here of sins as if they were an object that could be physically hidden. Alternate translation: “offerings made to ask God to forgive the sins of Israel”
and all the work of the house of our God
Quote: וְכֹ֖ל מְלֶ֥אכֶת בֵּית־אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown
This seems to refer to the ongoing work of cleaning, maintaining, and repairing all of the furnishings and equipment used in the temple worship. Alternate translation: “and anything else needed to maintain worship in the temple”
the house of our God
Quote: בֵּית־אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Here again the covenant speaks of the temple as the house of God, as if it were God’s dwelling place. Alternate translation: “the temple”
Nehemiah 10:34
And we cast lots among the priests, the Levites, and the people: concerning the offering of pieces of wood, to bring them to the house of our God, for the house of our fathers
Quote: וְהַגּוֹרָל֨וֹת הִפַּ֜לְנוּ עַל־קֻרְבַּ֣ן הָעֵצִ֗ים הַכֹּהֲנִ֣ים הַלְוִיִּם֮ וְהָעָם֒ לְ֠הָבִיא לְבֵ֨ית אֱלֹהֵ֧ינוּ לְבֵית־אֲבֹתֵ֛ינוּ (1)Alternate translation: “We agree to determine by lot what time each year the various extended families among the priests, the Levites, and the people will be responsible for bringing an offering of wood to the temple.”
And we cast lots among
Quote: וְהַגּוֹרָל֨וֹת הִפַּ֜לְנוּ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown
A lot was a physical object that was used in various ways to make a selection among different possibilities. Use the term in your language that would best describe such an object for your readers.
to the house of our God
Quote: לְבֵ֨ית אֱלֹהֵ֧ינוּ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Here again the covenant speaks of the temple as the “house of God,” as if it were God’s dwelling place. Alternate translation: “the temple”
for the house of our fathers
Quote: לְבֵית־אֲבֹתֵ֛ינוּ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis
This seems to be an abbreviated way of saying “our father’s houses.” The full expression “father’s house” or “house of the father” is used in 7:61. See how you translated it there, and review the note there if that would be helpful. Alternate translation: “taking turns by clan”
year by year
Quote: שָׁנָ֣ה בְשָׁנָ֑ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
This is an idiom that means “each year” or “every year.”
for burning
Quote: לְבַעֵ֗ר (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns
Burning is an abstract noun that describes how the wood these families agreed to bring to the temple would be used for fuel for the sacrifices offered on the altar. If it would be helpful in your language, you could translate the idea behind it with a verb such as “burn.” You could also say who would do the action. Alternate translation: “for the Levites to burn”
as written in the law
Quote: כַּכָּת֖וּב בַּתּוֹרָֽה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
If it would be helpful in your language, you could say this with an active form. Alternate translation: “as the law commands”
Nehemiah 10:35
the firstfruits of our soil
Quote: בִּכּוּרֵ֣י אַדְמָתֵ֗נוּ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
Here the covenant speaks of the soil of the land as if it were a tree that would bear fruit. Alternate translation: “the first crops that grow in our fields”
year by year
Quote: שָׁנָ֣ה בְשָׁנָ֑ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
This is an idiom that means each year or every year.
to the house of Yahweh
Quote: לְבֵ֖ית יְהוָֽה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
The covenant continues to speak of the temple as the house of God, as if it were God’s dwelling place. Here the expression is modified slightly and it says Yahweh instead of our God. Alternate translation: “to the temple”
Nehemiah 10:36
and the firstborns of our sons and our livestock, … even the firstborns of our herds and our flocks, to bring them to the house of our God
Quote: וְאֶת־בְּכֹר֤וֹת בָּנֵ֨ינוּ֙ וּבְהֶמְתֵּ֔ינוּ & וְאֶת־בְּכוֹרֵ֨י בְקָרֵ֜ינוּ וְצֹאנֵ֗ינוּ לְהָבִיא֙ לְבֵ֣ית אֱלֹהֵ֔ינוּ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
Firstborn means specifically the firstborn male offspring in every case, as the law specifies. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could explain that the law required the Israelites to bring the firstborn males from their families to the temple for a different reason than the reason for which it required them to bring the firstborn males from among their domesticated animals. Alternate translation: “We promise to bring our firstborn sons to the temple to dedicate them to God, and we promise to bring the first male offspring of all of our animals to the temple so that the priests can offer them to God as sacrifices”
as written in the law
Quote: כַּכָּת֖וּב בַּתּוֹרָ֑ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
If it would be helpful in your language, you could say this with an active form. Alternate translation: “as the law commands”
to the house of our God, … in the house of our God
Quote: לְבֵ֣ית אֱלֹהֵ֔ינוּ & בְּבֵ֥ית אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
The covenant continues to speak of the temple as the house of God, as if it were God’s dwelling place. Alternate translation: “the temple”
to the priests, the ones who minister in the house of our God
Quote: לַכֹּ֣הֲנִ֔ים הַמְשָׁרְתִ֖ים בְּבֵ֥ית אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet
These two phrases mean the same thing. The covenant uses the repetition for clarity. If it would be helpful in your language, you could combine these phrases. Alternate translation: “the priests who serve in the temple”
Nehemiah 10:37
And … the first of our dough and our offerings, and the fruit of every tree, wine, and oil
Quote: וְאֶת־רֵאשִׁ֣ית עֲרִיסֹתֵ֣ינוּ וּ֠תְרוּמֹתֵינוּ וּפְרִ֨י כָל־עֵ֜ץ תִּיר֣וֹשׁ וְיִצְהָ֗ר (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis
The words the first of at the start of this list apply to every item on the list. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could repeat that idea throughout the list. Alternate translation: “the first of the flour that we make, a first portion of the food offerings we bring to the temple, the first fruit from each of our fruit trees, and the first of the wine and oil that we produce each year”
our dough
Quote: עֲרִיסֹתֵ֣ינוּ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown
Possible meanings are that this refers to: (1) dough made from coarse flour, (2) coarse flour, or (3) ground grain.
to the chambers of the house of our God
Quote: אֶל־לִשְׁכ֣וֹת בֵּית־אֱלֹהֵ֔ינוּ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown
This phrase explains where the people are agreeing to deliver the items on the preceding list, which are special contributions for the priests. Alternate translation: “to the rooms where things are stored in the temple” or “to the storehouses in the temple”
the house of our God
Quote: בֵּית־אֱלֹהֵ֔ינוּ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
The covenant continues to speak of the temple as the “house of God,” as if it were the place where God lived, since God’s presence was in the temple. Alternate translation: “the temple”
and a tithe of our soil
Quote: וּמַעְשַׂ֥ר אַדְמָתֵ֖נוּ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
Here, the covenant speaks of the soil as a way of referring to the crops that grow in the soil. Alternate translation: “one tenth of the crops that grow in our fields”
and a tithe of
Quote: וּמַעְשַׂ֥ר (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-fraction
This means a tenth (1/10) or one part out of ten equal parts.
And they, the Levites, will be the ones receiving tithes in all the cities of our labor
Quote: וְהֵם֙ הַלְוִיִּ֔ם הַֽמְעַשְּׂרִ֔ים בְּכֹ֖ל עָרֵ֥י עֲבֹדָתֵֽנוּ (1)This phrase explains where the people are agreeing to deliver this tithe of crops, which is a special contribution for the Levites. Alternate translation: “The Levites can collect this contribution of one tenth of our crops right in the cities where we live and work”
in all the cities of our labor
Quote: בְּכֹ֖ל עָרֵ֥י עֲבֹדָתֵֽנוּ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns
The abstract noun labor refers to how the people would work the land in order to grow crops. If it would be helpful in your language, you could translate the idea behind it with a verb such as work. Alternate translation: “the cities where we live and work”
Nehemiah 10:38
And a priest who is a son of Aaron will be with the Levites when the Levites receive tithes
Quote: וְהָיָ֨ה הַכֹּהֵ֧ן בֶּֽן־אַהֲרֹ֛ן עִם־הַלְוִיִּ֖ם בַּעְשֵׂ֣ר הַלְוִיִּ֑ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
If it would be helpful to your readers, you could explain why a priest will be present. Alternate translation: “a priest will be present to supervise when the people give their tithes to the Levites”
a priest who is a son of Aaron
Quote: הַכֹּהֵ֧ן בֶּֽן־אַהֲרֹ֛ן (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-distinguish
Here the book repeats some background information to remind readers who the priests were. Alternate translation: “one of the priests, who are descendants of Aaron”
who is a son of Aaron
Quote: בֶּֽן־אַהֲרֹ֛ן (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Son here means “descendant.” Alternate translation: “a descendant of Aaron”
when the Levites receive tithes
Quote: בַּעְשֵׂ֣ר הַלְוִיִּ֑ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
If it would be helpful in your language, you could state from whom the Levites will receive these tithes. Alternate translation: “when the people give their tithes to the Levites”
when … receive tithes. … a tithe of the tithe
Quote: בַּעְשֵׂ֣ר & מַעֲשַׂ֤ר הַֽמַּעֲשֵׂר֙ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-fraction
A “tithe” means a tenth (1/10) or one part out of ten equal parts.
And the Levites will bring a tithe of the tithe to the house of our God
Quote: וְהַלְוִיִּ֞ם יַעֲל֨וּ אֶת־מַעֲשַׂ֤ר הַֽמַּעֲשֵׂר֙ לְבֵ֣ית אֱלֹהֵ֔ינוּ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
The implication is that in the way the Levites will help support the priests, in the same way the people will support the priests through the tithes described in verse 37. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “the Levites will bring one tenth of the tithes they receive to the temple, to help support the priests”
to the house of our God
Quote: לְבֵ֣ית אֱלֹהֵ֔ינוּ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
The covenant continues to speak of the temple as the house of God, as if it were God’s dwelling place. Alternate translation: “the temple”
to the chambers of the house of the treasury
Quote: אֶל־הַלְּשָׁכ֖וֹת לְבֵ֥ית הָאוֹצָֽר (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown
Like the similar phrase in 10:37, this phrase explains where the Levites are to deliver the ten percent of the tithes that they will contribute. Alternate translation: “to the rooms where things are stored in the temple” or “the rooms in the temple treasury”
Nehemiah 10:39
the chambers
Quote: הַ֠לְּשָׁכוֹת (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis
This is an abbreviated way of saying “the chambers of the house of the treasury” as in 10:38. Alternate translation: “the rooms where things are stored in the temple” or “the rooms in the temple treasury”
the sons of Israel and the sons of Levi
Quote: בְנֵי־יִשְׂרָאֵ֜ל וּבְנֵ֣י הַלֵּוִ֗י (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Sons here means “descendants.” The term is referring to the groups that were descended from the men named Israel and Levi. Alternate translation: “the Israelites and the Levites”
And there shall be the vessels for the sanctuary, and the priests, the ones who are ministering, and the gatekeepers, and the ones who sing
Quote: וְשָׁם֙ כְּלֵ֣י הַמִּקְדָּ֔שׁ וְהַכֹּהֲנִים֙ הַמְשָׁ֣רְתִ֔ים וְהַשּׁוֹעֲרִ֖ים וְהַמְשֹׁרְרִ֑ים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis
There means in those same storerooms. The phrase the vessels for at the start of this list applies to every item on the list. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could repeat that idea throughout the list. Alternate translation: “In those same rooms we will also store equipment for the temple, equipment that the priests use when they are on duty, tools that the gatekeepers use, and instruments for the musicians”
the vessels for
Quote: כְּלֵ֣י (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche
Here the covenant uses one type of equipment that the storerooms would hold, vessels or “jars” or “containers,” to refer to all the different types of equipment on the list in this verse. Alternate translation: “equipment”
And we shall not neglect the house of our God
Quote: וְלֹ֥א נַעֲזֹ֖ב אֶת־בֵּ֥ית אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-litotes
This is a figure of speech that expresses a strong positive meaning by using a negative word together with a word that is the opposite of the intended meaning. Alternate translation: “we will make sure that we provide for the temple”
the house of our God
Quote: בֵּ֥ית אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
The covenant continues to speak of the temple as the house of God, as if it were God’s dwelling place. Alternate translation: “the temple”
Nehemiah 11
Nehemiah 11 General Notes
Special concepts in this chapter
The places where the Jews lived
Some people lived in Jerusalem, but most people lived in villages and towns away from Jerusalem. They lived there in order to farm the land and raise their animals. The city with its walls was there to provide all of the people with protection if enemies attacked them.
Nehemiah 11:1
cast lots
Quote: הִפִּ֨ילוּ גוֹרָל֜וֹת (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown
As in 10:34, a lot was a physical object that was used in various ways to make a selection among different possibilities. Use the term in your language that would best describe such an object for your readers.
one out of ten
Quote: אֶחָ֣ד מִן־הָעֲשָׂרָ֗ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis
This means “one out of ten people.”
in Jerusalem the holy city
Quote: בִּֽירוּשָׁלִַ֨ם֙ עִ֣יר הַקֹּ֔דֶשׁ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-distinguish
Here the book repeats some background information to remind readers about the special status that Jerusalem had, which was why it was so important for that city to be well populated. As in 1:9, the list is acknowledging Jerusalem as the place from which God chose to start making himself famous throughout the world, and as the city where God chose to put his temple. Alternate translation: “Jerusalem, the special city that God chose”
and nine hands were in the cities
Quote: וְתֵ֥שַׁע הַיָּד֖וֹת בֶּעָרִֽים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche
Here the list is using the term hand to refer to an entire person. Alternate translation: “the other nine out of ten people remained in the cities and towns where they had been living”
Nehemiah 11:2
all the men
Quote: לְכֹל֙ הָֽאֲנָשִׁ֔ים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
In this context, a man means “everyone.” Alternate translation: “everyone who”
Nehemiah 11:3
the heads of the province
Quote: רָאשֵׁ֣י הַמְּדִינָ֔ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Head here is a figurative way of saying leader. Alternate translation: “provincial leaders”
And in the cities of Judah
Quote: וּבְעָרֵ֣י יְהוּדָ֗ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-contrast
This sentence explains a contrasting idea before the story goes on to develop the idea that the previous sentence introduces. This chapter is a list of the provincial leaders, priests, Levites, gatekeepers, temple servants, and singers who lived in Jerusalem. The previous sentence introduces the first part of that list, but before the list gives the names of the provincial leaders, it explains that most of the people who had returned to the province of Judah kept on living on their ancestral lands in other cities and towns. You could begin this sentence with a word like “but” to indicate this contrast.
And in the cities of Judah … in their cities
Quote: וּבְעָרֵ֣י יְהוּדָ֗ה & בְּעָ֣רֵיהֶ֔ם (1)These two phrases mean the same thing and you do not need to repeat both of them if that would be confusing for your readers.
a man on his property
Quote: אִ֤ישׁ בַּאֲחֻזָּתוֹ֙ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
In this context, a man means “each person,” and the expression may be understood to indicate “each family.” Alternate translation: “each family on its own property”
Israel
Quote: יִשְׂרָאֵ֤ל (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification
Here the list refers to all of the Israelites as if they were a single person, their ancestor, Israel. Alternate translation: “the Israelites”
and the Nethinim
Quote: וְהַנְּתִינִ֔ים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown
As in 3:26, the term Nethinim describes servants who worked in the temple. Alternate translation: “the temple servants”
and the sons of the servants of Solomon
Quote: וּבְנֵ֖י עַבְדֵ֥י שְׁלֹמֹֽה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Sons means “descendants.” Alternate translation: “the descendants of the laborers who had worked for the kingdom”
the servants of Solomon
Quote: עַבְדֵ֥י שְׁלֹמֹֽה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown
As in 7:57, this phrase refers to people whom Solomon first conscripted as laborers. They and their descendants remained conscripted laborers under later kings. Review the note to 7:57 if that would be helpful. Alternate translation: “laborers who had worked for the kingdom”
Nehemiah 11:4
And … in Jerusalem
Quote: וּבִֽירוּשָׁלִַ֨ם֙ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-background
This sentence provides further information about the situation the book is describing here. In addition to the people who were living in various other cities and towns in the province of Judah, there were other people already living in Jerusalem. So the city was not empty, but it did need to be more fully populated. You could use a word like “moreover” to show that this is further background information.
from the sons of Judah and from the sons of Benjamin
Quote: מִבְּנֵ֥י יְהוּדָ֖ה וּמִבְּנֵ֣י בִנְיָמִ֑ן (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Sons here means “descendants.” Alternate translation: “some people from the tribes of Judah and Benjamin”
Those from the sons of Judah were
Quote: מִבְּנֵ֣י יְ֠הוּדָה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Sons here means “descendants.” Alternate translation: “those from the tribe of Judah”
Athaiah, the son of Uzziah, the son of Zechariah, the son of Amariah, the son of Shephatiah, the son of Mahalalel
Quote: עֲתָיָ֨ה בֶן־עֻזִּיָּ֜ה בֶּן־זְכַרְיָ֧ה בֶן־אֲמַרְיָ֛ה בֶּן־שְׁפַטְיָ֥ה בֶן־מַהֲלַלְאֵ֖ל (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
These are the names of six men. In this context, son means literally that the next man named is the father of the man just named.
Athaiah
Quote: עֲתָיָ֨ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
The implication is that Athaiah was one of the leaders of the people from the tribe of Judah who lived in Jerusalem. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “Their leader, Athaiah”
from the sons of Perez
Quote: מִבְּנֵי־פָֽרֶץ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Sons here means “descendants.” Alternate translation: “one of the descendants of Perez”
Nehemiah 11:5
and Maaseiah, the son of Baruch, the son of Kol-Hozeh, the son of Hazaiah, the son of Adaiah, the son of Joiarib, the son of Zechariah
Quote: וּמַעֲשֵׂיָ֣ה בֶן־בָּר֣וּךְ בֶּן־כָּל־חֹ֠זֶה בֶּן־חֲזָיָ֨ה בֶן־עֲדָיָ֧ה בֶן־יוֹיָרִ֛יב בֶּן־זְכַרְיָ֖ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
These are the names of seven men. In this context, son means literally that the next man named is the father of the man just named.
and Maaseiah
Quote: וּמַעֲשֵׂיָ֣ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
The implication is that Maaseiah was another leader of the people from the tribe of Judah who lived in Jerusalem. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “another leader, Maaseiah”
a son of the Shiloni
Quote: בֶּן־הַשִּׁלֹנִֽי (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Most likely, the Shiloni were the clan descended from Judah’s son Shelah. Here the phrase son of indicates that Maaseiah shared in the quality of belonging to this clan. Alternate translation: “one of the descendants of Shelah”
Nehemiah 11:6
All the sons of Perez, the ones dwelling in Jerusalem, were 468 men of strength
Quote: כָּל־בְּנֵי־פֶ֕רֶץ הַיֹּשְׁבִ֖ים בִּירוּשָׁלִָ֑ם אַרְבַּ֥ע מֵא֛וֹת שִׁשִּׁ֥ים וּשְׁמֹנָ֖ה אַנְשֵׁי־חָֽיִל (1)Alternate translation: “The total number of the descendants of Perez who settled in Jerusalem who were able to fight in the army was 468”
the sons of Perez, the ones dwelling in Jerusalem
Quote: בְּנֵי־פֶ֕רֶץ הַיֹּשְׁבִ֖ים בִּירוּשָׁלִָ֑ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Sons here means descendants. Alternate translation: “the descendants of Perez who lived in Jerusalem”
were 468 men of strength
Quote: אַרְבַּ֥ע מֵא֛וֹת שִׁשִּׁ֥ים וּשְׁמֹנָ֖ה אַנְשֵׁי־חָֽיִל (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns
The abstract noun strength refers to the way these men were able to use weapons and fight to defend the city if necessary. If it would be helpful in your language, you could translate the idea behind it with a verb such as fight. Alternate translation: “468 men who were able to fight in the army”
were 468
Quote: אַרְבַּ֥ע מֵא֛וֹת שִׁשִּׁ֥ים וּשְׁמֹנָ֖ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers
Alternate translation: “four hundred and sixty-eight”
Nehemiah 11:7
the sons of Benjamin
Quote: בְּנֵ֣י בִנְיָמִ֑ן (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Sons here means descendants. Alternate translation: “the people from the tribe of Benjamin”
the sons of Benjamin
Quote: בְּנֵ֣י בִנְיָמִ֑ן (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis
This means specifically the people from the tribe of Benjamin who lived in Jerusalem. The list is speaking in abbreviated form here. Alternate translation: “the people from the tribe of Benjamin who lived in Jerusalem”
Sallu, the son of Meshullam, the son of Joed, the son of Pedaiah, the son of Kolaiah, the son of Maaseiah, the son of Ithiel, the son of Jeshaiah
Quote: סַלֻּ֡א בֶּן־מְשֻׁלָּ֡ם בֶּן־יוֹעֵ֡ד בֶּן־פְּדָיָה֩ בֶן־ק֨וֹלָיָ֧ה בֶן־מַעֲשֵׂיָ֛ה בֶּן־אִֽיתִיאֵ֖ל בֶּן־יְשַֽׁעְיָֽה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
These are the names of eight men. In this context, son means literally that the next man named is the father of the man just named.
Sallu
Quote: סַלֻּ֡א (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
The implication is that Sallu was one of the leaders of the people from the tribe of Benjamin who lived in Jerusalem. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “Their main leader was Sallu”
Nehemiah 11:8
and after him, Gabbai, Sallai
Quote: וְאַחֲרָ֖יו גַּבַּ֣י סַלָּ֑י (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
After is a figurative way of saying that these two men were also leaders, but they were subordinate to Sallu. Alternate translation: “Two other leaders who assisted him were Gabbai and Sallai”
Gabbai, Sallai
Quote: גַּבַּ֣י סַלָּ֑י (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
These are the names of two men.
928
Quote: תְּשַׁ֥ע מֵא֖וֹת עֶשְׂרִ֥ים וּשְׁמֹנָֽה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis
As in 11:6, the number given represents the total number of men from this tribe who were able to use weapons and fight to defend the city if necessary. The list is speaking in abbreviated form here. Alternate translation: “The total number of the men from the tribe of Benjamin living in Jerusalem who were able to fight in the army was 928.”
928
Quote: תְּשַׁ֥ע מֵא֖וֹת עֶשְׂרִ֥ים וּשְׁמֹנָֽה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers
Alternate translation: “nine hundred and twenty-eight men”
Nehemiah 11:9
And Joel the son of Zichri
Quote: וְיוֹאֵ֥ל בֶּן־זִכְרִ֖י (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
Joel is the name of a man, and Zichri is the name of his father.
was the overseer for them
Quote: פָּקִ֣יד עֲלֵיהֶ֑ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown
This means that when these men from the tribe of Benjamin formed a fighting unit, Joel was their commander. Alternate translation: “the commander of the troops from the tribe of Benjamin”
And Judah, the son of Hassenuah
Quote: וִיהוּדָ֧ה בֶן־הַסְּנוּאָ֛ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
Judah is the name of a man, and Hassenuah is the name of his father.
was the second over the city
Quote: עַל־הָעִ֖יר מִשְׁנֶֽה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
This phrase could mean a number of things. (1) Since this list does not name the person who was first in charge of the city, and it also does not describe other parts of the city and who was responsible for them, this phrase most likely means that Judah was second in command, after Joel, over the forces that would be formed from men living in the city. If that is the meaning, then the list is describing these troops by reference to something associated with them, the city they would come from. (2) However, it could mean that Judah was something like the deputy mayor of the whole city. (3) It could also mean that Judah was responsible for one part of the city. Alternate translation: “second in command over troops from the city”
Nehemiah 11:10
From the priests
Quote: מִן־הַֽכֹּהֲנִ֑ים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
The implication is that this next section of the list will name the men who were leaders of the priests. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say that explicitly. Alternate translation: “Here are the names of the leaders of the priests who settled in Jerusalem”
Jedaiah the son of Joiarib
Quote: יְדַֽעְיָ֥ה בֶן־יוֹיָרִ֖יב (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
Jedaiah is the name of a man, and Joiarib is the name of his father.
Jakin
Quote: יָכִֽין (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
This is the name of a man.
Nehemiah 11:11
Seraiah, the son of Hilkiah, the son of Meshullam, the son of Zadok, the son of Meraioth, the son of Ahitub
Quote: שְׂרָיָ֨ה בֶן־חִלְקִיָּ֜ה בֶּן־מְשֻׁלָּ֣ם בֶּן־צָד֗וֹק בֶּן־מְרָיוֹת֙ בֶּן־אֲחִיט֔וּב (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
These are the names of six men. In this context, son means literally that the next man named is the father of the man just named.
the leader of the house of God
Quote: נְגִ֖ד בֵּ֥ית הָאֱלֹהִֽים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-background
This is background information that helps identify Seraiah further. Alternate translation: “the priest in charge of the temple”
the house of God
Quote: בֵּ֥ית הָאֱלֹהִֽים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Here the list speaks of the temple as the house of God as if it were God’s dwelling place. Alternate translation: “the temple”
Nehemiah 11:12
and their brothers, who were doing the work for the house, were 822
Quote: וַאֲחֵיהֶ֗ם עֹשֵׂ֤י הַמְּלָאכָה֙ לַבַּ֔יִת שְׁמֹנֶ֥ה מֵא֖וֹת עֶשְׂרִ֣ים וּשְׁנָ֑יִם (1)Alternate translation: “The total number of their fellow priests who were serving in the temple was 822”
and their brothers
Quote: וַאֲחֵיהֶ֗ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Here, brother, is a figurative way of saying “fellow priest,” although it is possible that some of the biological brothers of Joiarib, Jakin, and Seraiah were included in this group. Alternate translation: “their fellow priests”
who were doing the work for the house
Quote: עֹשֵׂ֤י הַמְּלָאכָה֙ לַבַּ֔יִת (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis
Here, house is an abbreviated way of saying “house of God,” and that is a figurative way of referring to the temple. Alternate translation: “who served in the temple”
were 822
Quote: שְׁמֹנֶ֥ה מֵא֖וֹת עֶשְׂרִ֣ים וּשְׁנָ֑יִם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers
“eight hundred and twenty-two men”
and Adaiah
Quote: וַ֠עֲדָיָה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
The implication is that Adaiah was another leader of the priests who settled in Jerusalem. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say that explicitly. Alternate translation: “Another leader of the priests who settled in Jerusalem was Adaiah”
and Adaiah, the son of Jeroham, the son of Pelaliah, the son of Amzi, the son of Zechariah, the son of Pashhur, the son of Malkijah
Quote: וַ֠עֲדָיָה בֶּן־יְרֹחָ֤ם בֶּן־פְּלַלְיָה֙ בֶּן־אַמְצִ֣י בֶן־זְכַרְיָ֔ה בֶּן־פַּשְׁח֖וּר בֶּן־מַלְכִּיָּֽה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
These are the names of seven men. In this context, son means literally that the next man named is the father of the man just named.
Nehemiah 11:13
and his brothers, the heads of fathers
Quote: וְאֶחָיו֙ רָאשִׁ֣ים לְאָב֔וֹת (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
In this case, his brothers seems to be a figurative way of saying “his fellow leaders,” since the list specifies that these associates of Adaiah were leaders of clans. Alternate translation: “the family leaders who helped him”
the heads of fathers
Quote: רָאשִׁ֣ים לְאָב֔וֹת (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis
As in 7:70 and 8:13, this seems to be an abbreviated way of saying “the heads of father’s houses.” The full expression “house of the father” or “father’s house” is used in 7:61. See how you translated it there, and review the note there if that would be helpful. Alternate translation: “clan leaders”
the heads
Quote: רָאשִׁ֣ים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Here, head is a figurative way of saying leader. Alternate translation: “leaders”
were 242
Quote: מָאתַ֖יִם אַרְבָּעִ֣ים וּשְׁנָ֑יִם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
It seems unlikely that there were 242 family leaders assisting Adaiah. Rather, in context, this seems to be the number of priests that Adaiah and the family leaders who helped him were responsible for. Alternate translation: “they were responsible for 242 priests”
were 242
Quote: מָאתַ֖יִם אַרְבָּעִ֣ים וּשְׁנָ֑יִם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers
“two hundred and forty-two men”
and Amashsai
Quote: וַעֲמַשְׁסַ֧י (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
The implication is that Amashsai was another leader of the priests who settled in Jerusalem. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say that explicitly. Alternate translation: “Another leader of the priests who settled in Jerusalem was Amashsai”
and Amashsai, the son of Azarel, the son of Ahzai, the son of Meshillemoth, the son of Immer
Quote: וַעֲמַשְׁסַ֧י בֶּן־עֲזַרְאֵ֛ל בֶּן־אַחְזַ֥י בֶּן־מְשִׁלֵּמ֖וֹת בֶּן־אִמֵּֽר (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
These are the names of five men. In this context, “son” means literally that the next man named is the father of the man just named.
Nehemiah 11:14
and their brothers, mighty men of strength, were 128
Quote: וַאֲחֵיהֶם֙ גִּבּ֣וֹרֵי חַ֔יִל מֵאָ֖ה עֶשְׂרִ֣ים וּשְׁמֹנָ֑ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
The implication is that this is the total number of priests that Amashsai was responsible for. If it would be helpful in your language, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “Amashsai was responsible for 128 priests who were capable of working in the temple”
and their brothers
Quote: וַאֲחֵיהֶם֙ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Here, in context, brothers is a figurative way of saying “fellow priests” as in 11:12, althoughit is possible that some of the biological brothers of Amashsai were included in this group. Their is plural because it is describing this group in reference to all of the other priests, not just to Amashsai. Alternate translation: “their fellow priests”
mighty men of strength
Quote: גִּבּ֣וֹרֵי חַ֔יִל (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns
In this context, the abstract noun strength likely refers to the way these men were physically capable of doing the required work in the temple. If it would be helpful in your language, you could translate the idea behind it with an adjective such as “capable.” Alternate translation: “men who were capable of working in the temple”
were 128
Quote: מֵאָ֖ה עֶשְׂרִ֣ים וּשְׁמֹנָ֑ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers
Alternate translation: “one hundred and twenty-eight”
And … was overseer for them
Quote: וּפָקִ֣יד עֲלֵיהֶ֔ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
This appears to mean that while Amashsai was responsible overall for this group of priests, Zabdiel supervised their day-to-day work. Alternate translation: “Zabdiel was their supervisor”
Zabdiel the son of Haggedolim
Quote: זַבְדִּיאֵ֖ל בֶּן־הַגְּדוֹלִֽים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
Zabdiel is the name of a man, and Haggedolim is the name of his father.
Nehemiah 11:15
And from the Levites
Quote: וּמִֽן־הַלְוִיִּ֑ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
The implication is that this next section of the list will name the men who were leaders of the Levites. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say that explicitly. Alternate translation: “Here are the names of the leaders of the Levites who settled in Jerusalem. One of them was”
Shemaiah, the son of Hasshub, the son of Azrikam, the son of Hashabiah, the son of Bunni
Quote: שְׁמַעְיָ֧ה בֶן־חַשּׁ֛וּב בֶּן־עַזְרִיקָ֥ם בֶּן־חֲשַׁבְיָ֖ה בֶּן־בּוּנִּֽי (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
These are the names of five men. In this context, son means literally that the next man named is the father of the man just named.
Nehemiah 11:16
and Shabbethai and Jozabad
Quote: וְשַׁבְּתַ֨י וְיוֹזָבָ֜ד (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
These are the names of two men.
from the heads of the Levites
Quote: מֵרָאשֵׁ֖י הַלְוִיִּֽם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Head here is a figurative way of saying leader. Alternate translation: “who were also leaders of the Levites”
were over the work outside of the house of God
Quote: עַל־הַמְּלָאכָ֤ה הַחִֽיצֹנָה֙ לְבֵ֣ית הָאֱלֹהִ֔ים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Here the list speaks of the temple as the house of God as if it were God’s dwelling place. Outside refers to all of the duties that Levites had that did not involve working inside the temple itself. (For example, collecting offerings, as described in 10:37–38.) Alternate translation: “supervised all the work that the Levites did outside the temple”
Nehemiah 11:17
and Mattaniah, the son of Mika, the son of Zabdi, the son of Asaph
Quote: וּמַתַּנְיָ֣ה בֶן־מִ֠יכָה בֶּן־זַבְדִּ֨י בֶן־אָסָ֜ף (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
These are the names of four men. In this context, son means literally that the next man named is the father of the man just named.
and Mattaniah
Quote: וּמַתַּנְיָ֣ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
The implication is that Mattaniah was another leader of the Levites who settled in Jerusalem. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “Another leader of the Levites who settled in Jerusalem was”
the head of the beginning who offered the thanksgiving prayer
Quote: רֹ֗אשׁ הַתְּחִלָּה֙ יְהוֹדֶ֣ה לַתְּפִלָּ֔ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Head here is a figurative way of saying leader. Alternate translation: “the director of the Levite choir”
the head of the beginning
Quote: רֹ֗אשׁ הַתְּחִלָּה֙ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
This expression seems to indicate that Mattaniah told the Levite musicians who sang in the temple when to begin singing; that is, he was the director of their choir. As the choir director, he would have done many other things as well. For example, he would keep the tempo, have the choir sing louder or softer, and tell the choir when to stop singing. Here the list is describing the work of directing the choir by reference to one aspect of it, starting the singing. Alternate translation: “the director”
who offered the thanksgiving prayer
Quote: יְהוֹדֶ֣ה לַתְּפִלָּ֔ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
Here the book is describing the choir by reference to one kind of thing it was associated with, the prayers of thanksgiving that it sang. Alternate translation: “of the choir”
who offered the thanksgiving prayer
Quote: יְהוֹדֶ֣ה לַתְּפִלָּ֔ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche
While the list says that Mattaniah offered this prayer really, the whole choir did so with him as its director. The list is referring to the entire choir by the name of one member, Mattaniah. Alternate translation: “of the choir”
and Bakbukiah, … and Abda
Quote: וּבַקְבֻּקְיָ֖ה & וְעַבְדָּא֙ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
The implication is that Bakbukiah and Abda were further leaders of the Levites who settled in Jerusalem. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say that explicitly. Alternate translation: “Two other leaders of the priests who settled in Jerusalem were”
and Bakbukiah
Quote: וּבַקְבֻּקְיָ֖ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
This is the name of a man.
second from his brothers
Quote: מִשְׁנֶ֣ה מֵאֶחָ֑יו (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Here, brother likely refers to the other the Levites in this division. The expression means that Bakbukiah was another leader who assisted Mattaniah with the Levite choir. It could also possibly mean that he directed a second group of singers. Alternate translation: “who assisted Mattaniah with the Levite choir”
second
Quote: מִשְׁנֶ֣ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal
Alternate translation: “the next in command”
and Abda, the son of Shammua, the son of Galal, the son of Jeduthun
Quote: וְעַבְדָּא֙ בֶּן־שַׁמּ֔וּעַ בֶּן־גָּלָ֖ל בֶּן־יְדוּתֽוּן (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
These are the names of four men. In this context, son means literally that the next man named is the father of the man just named.
Nehemiah 11:18
All the Levites in the holy city were 284
Quote: כָּל־הַלְוִיִּם֙ בְּעִ֣יר הַקֹּ֔דֶשׁ מָאתַ֖יִם שְׁמֹנִ֥ים וְאַרְבָּעָֽה (1)Alternate translation: “The total number of Levites who settled in Jerusalem was 284”
in the holy city
Quote: בְּעִ֣יר הַקֹּ֔דֶשׁ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-distinguish
As in 11:1, this phrase describes Jerusalem as the place from which God chose to start making himself famous throughout the world, and as the city where God chose to put his temple. Alternate translation: “Jerusalem, the special city that God chose”
were 284
Quote: מָאתַ֖יִם שְׁמֹנִ֥ים וְאַרְבָּעָֽה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers
Alternate translation: “two hundred and eighty-four”
Nehemiah 11:19
And the gatekeepers
Quote: וְהַשּֽׁוֹעֲרִים֙ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
The implication is that this next section of the list will name the men who were leaders of the gatekeepers. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say that explicitly. Alternate translation: “Here are the names of the leaders of the gatekeepers who settled in Jerusalem:” followed by the list of names.
And the gatekeepers
Quote: וְהַשּֽׁוֹעֲרִים֙ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown
This means the people who were responsible to open and close the gates that controlled access to the city or perhaps the temple. See how you translated this term in 7:1.
Akkub, Talmon
Quote: עַקּ֣וּב טַלְמ֔וֹן (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
These are the names of two men.
and their brothers, the ones who guarded at the gates, were 172
Quote: וַאֲחֵיהֶ֖ם הַשֹּׁמְרִ֣ים בַּשְּׁעָרִ֑ים מֵאָ֖ה שִׁבְעִ֥ים וּשְׁנָֽיִם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis
The list is speaking in abbreviated form here. Alternate translation: “These leaders and their fellow gatekeepers amounted to a total of 172 gatekeepers who settled in Jerusalem.”
and their brothers, the ones who guarded at the gates
Quote: וַאֲחֵיהֶ֖ם הַשֹּׁמְרִ֣ים בַּשְּׁעָרִ֑ים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Here, in context, brother seems to be a figurative way of saying “fellow gatekeepers,” although it is possible that some of the biological brothers of Akkub and Talmon were included in this group. Alternate translation: “their fellow gatekeepers”
were 172
Quote: מֵאָ֖ה שִׁבְעִ֥ים וּשְׁנָֽיִם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers
Alternate translation: “one hundred and seventy-two men”
Nehemiah 11:20
And the rest of Israel
Quote: וּשְׁאָ֨ר יִשְׂרָאֵ֜ל (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
Here the list refers to all of the Israelites by something associated with them, the name of their ancestor, Israel. Alternate translation: “all the other the Israelites”
were in all the cities of Judah, a man in his inheritance
Quote: בְּכָל־עָרֵ֣י יְהוּדָ֔ה אִ֖ישׁ בְּנַחֲלָתֽוֹ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
In this context, a man means “each person,” and as in 11:3, it may be understood to indicate “each family.” Alternate translation: “continued to live in all the other cities of Judah, each family on its own ancestral land”
a man in his inheritance
Quote: אִ֖ישׁ בְּנַחֲלָתֽוֹ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns
The abstract noun inheritance refers to the land that was passed down through the generations in each Israelite family. The Levites did not have territory of their own, but they had some towns and surrounding pasturelands as their property. Alternate translation: “each family on its own ancestral land”
Nehemiah 11:21
And the Nethinim
Quote: וְהַנְּתִינִ֖ים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown
The term Nethinim describes servants who worked in the temple. Alternate translation: “the temple servants”
in the Ophel
Quote: בָּעֹ֑פֶל (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown
This is probably the name of a geographic feature, a fortified extension of the hill that the Jerusalem temple was located on. See how you translated this term in 3:26–27. Alternate translation: “Ophel Hill”
and Ziha and Gishpa
Quote: וְצִיחָ֥א וְגִשְׁפָּ֖א (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
These are the names of two men.
were over the Nethinim
Quote: עַל־הַנְּתִינִֽים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
This is a figurative way of saying that Ziha and Gishpa were the leaders of this group. Alternate translation: “were the leaders of the temple servants”
Nehemiah 11:22
And the overseer of the Levites in Jerusalem was
Quote: וּפְקִ֤יד הַלְוִיִּם֙ בִּיר֣וּשָׁלִַ֔ם (1)Alternate translation: “the supervisor of the Levites who settled in Jerusalem”
Uzzi, the son of Bani, the son of Hashabiah, the son of Mattaniah, the son of Mika
Quote: עֻזִּ֤י בֶן־בָּנִי֙ בֶּן־חֲשַׁבְיָ֔ה בֶּן־מַתַּנְיָ֖ה בֶּן־מִיכָ֑א (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
These are the names of five men. In this context, son means literally that the next man named is the father of the man just named.
from the sons of Asaph
Quote: מִבְּנֵ֤י אָסָף֙ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Sons here means “descendants.” Alternate translation: “who were descendants of Asaph”
the ones who sang
Quote: הַמְשֹׁ֣רְרִ֔ים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-distinguish
Here the list supplies some background information that reminds readers what the Levites in the temple were primarily responsible for. Alternate translation: “and who performed music”
who were over the work of the house of God
Quote: לְנֶ֖גֶד מְלֶ֥אכֶת בֵּית־הָאֱלֹהִֽים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Here the list speaks of the temple as the house of God as if it were God’s dwelling place. By contrast with the Levites described in 11:16, these Levites were responsible for all the duties that had to be performed inside the temple itself. Alternate translation: “who were responsible for the work that was done inside the temple”
Nehemiah 11:23
For
Quote: כִּֽי (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-background
This word indicates that the information that follows provides further background information about this situation. You could express the same meaning with a word that indicates this in your language.
the commandment of the king was upon them
Quote: מִצְוַ֥ת הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ עֲלֵיהֶ֑ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification
Here the list speaks of the commandment as if it rested upon the Levite singers. Alternate translation: “the king had given orders concerning them”
that support for the ones who sang
Quote: וַאֲמָנָ֥ה עַל־הַמְשֹׁרְרִ֖ים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns
The abstract noun support refers to an order that the king had given for his own kingdom to pay for the costs of worship in the temple. If it would be helpful in your language, you could translate the same idea with a verb such as “subsidize.” Alternate translation: “to subsidize the expenses of the Levite singers”
was a daily matter in its day
Quote: דְּבַר־י֥וֹם בְּיוֹמֽוֹ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
This is an idiom that means “as each day required.”
Nehemiah 11:24
And Pethahiah, the son of Meshezabel
Quote: וּפְתַֽחְיָ֨ה בֶּן־מְשֵֽׁיזַבְאֵ֜ל (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
Pethahiah is the name of a man, and Meshezabel is the name of his father.
from the sons of Zerah
Quote: מִבְּנֵי־זֶ֤רַח (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Sons here means “descendants.” Alternate translation: “one of the descendants of Zerah”
Zerah, the son of Judah
Quote: זֶ֤רַח בֶּן־יְהוּדָה֙ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
Zerah is the name of a man, and Judah is the name of his father.
was at the hand of the king
Quote: לְיַ֣ד הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
Here, hand means side and describing Zerah as the king’s advisor by reference to something associated with that role, the place that he would usually occupy next to the king. Alternate translation: “was an advisor to the king”
for every matter of the people
Quote: לְכָל־דָּבָ֖ר לָעָֽם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
People here means the Jewish people. Alternate translation: “for all matters concerning the Jewish people”
Nehemiah 11:25
And for
Quote: וְאֶל (1)After describing the various groups that settled in Jerusalem and their leaders, the list said in 11:20 that all the other the Israelites continued to live in the other cities of Judah. In 11:21–24 the list gave additional details about some other things, but it is now returning to speak about those cities and towns outside of Jerusalem. If it would be helpful in your language, you could indicate this with a phrase such as “and as for”
the villages in their fields
Quote: הַחֲצֵרִ֖ים בִּשְׂדֹתָ֑ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
This refers to settlements and the adjacent agricultural land. It is as if the villages are in the fields because the fields surround the villages. Alternate translation: “the towns where there was farmland”
the villages in their fields
Quote: הַחֲצֵרִ֖ים בִּשְׂדֹתָ֑ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
The implication is that these are the places where people lived who did not settle in Jerusalem. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “the towns outside Jerusalem where there was farmland”
some from the sons of Judah
Quote: מִבְּנֵ֣י יְהוּדָ֗ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Sons here means “descendants.” Alternate translation: “some of the descendants of Judah” or “some of the people of Judah”
in Kiriath Arba … and in Dibon … and in Jekabzeel
Quote: בְּקִרְיַ֤ת הָֽאַרְבַּע֙ & וּבְדִיבֹן֙ & וּבִֽיקַּבְצְאֵ֖ל (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
These are the names of three towns.
in Kiriath Arba and its daughters; and in Dibon and its daughters; and in Jekabzeel and its villages
Quote: בְּקִרְיַ֤ת הָֽאַרְבַּע֙ וּבְנֹתֶ֔יהָ וּבְדִיבֹן֙ וּבְנֹתֶ֔יהָ וּבִֽיקַּבְצְאֵ֖ל וַחֲצֵרֶֽיהָ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
In this context, referring to the daughters of a town is a figurative way of describing the small communities that have grown up around it. (These communities were likely started by people from the town, and they depended on the town the way a child depends on a parent.) Here and in verses 27, 28, 30, and 31, use whatever term would convey this concept most clearly in your language. But be careful to distinguish between this term and the one that is used generally for the places in this part of the list. For example, if you translate “daughters” as “villages,” then use a word like “town” for the places named on the list and other places that the list describes with the same word. Alternate translation: “in Kiriath Arba and its villages, in Dibon and its villages, and in Jekabzeel and the surrounding towns.”
Nehemiah 11:26
and in Jeshua; and in Moladah; and in Beth-Palet
Quote: וּבְיֵשׁ֥וּעַ וּבְמוֹלָדָ֖ה וּבְבֵ֥ית פָּֽלֶט (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
These are the names of three towns.
Nehemiah 11:27
and in Hazar-Shual; and in Beersheba
Quote: וּבַחֲצַ֥ר שׁוּעָ֛ל וּבִבְאֵ֥ר שֶׁ֖בַע (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
These are the names of two towns.
Nehemiah 11:28
and in Ziklag; and Mekonah
Quote: וּבְצִֽקְלַ֥ג וּבִמְכֹנָ֖ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
These are the names of two towns.
Nehemiah 11:29
and in En-Rimmon; and in Zorah; and in Jarmuth
Quote: וּבְעֵ֥ין רִמּ֛וֹן וּבְצָרְעָ֖ה וּבְיַרְמֽוּת (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
These are the names of three towns.
Nehemiah 11:30
Zanoah, Adullam, and their villages; Lachish and its fields; Azekah and its daughters
Quote: זָנֹ֤חַ עֲדֻלָּם֙ וְחַצְרֵיהֶ֔ם לָכִישׁ֙ וּשְׂדֹתֶ֔יהָ עֲזֵקָ֖ה וּבְנֹתֶ֑יהָ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
These are the names of cities or towns. Alternate translation: “in Zanoah and Adullam and the nearby towns, in Lachish and the surrounding farmland, and in Azekah and its villages”
And they encamped from Beersheba as far as the valley of Hinnom
Quote: וַיַּחֲנ֥וּ מִבְּאֵֽר־שֶׁ֖בַע עַד־גֵּֽיא־הִנֹּֽם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Encamped is a figurative way of saying that the people of Judah lived throughout this area. They were no longer living in tents, but in permanent houses. Alternate translation: “And so the people of Judah were living throughout the area from Beersheba to the valley of Hinnom”
And they encamped
Quote: וַיַּחֲנ֥וּ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result
This phrase indicates that the sentence it introduces explains the results of what the previous sentences have described. If the people from the tribe of Judah lived in all these towns, then they were spread out over the whole area that the next phrase indicates. Alternate translation: “and so”
And they encamped
Quote: וַיַּחֲנ֥וּ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
They refers to the people of Judah, looking back to the start of this part of the list in 11:25.
Nehemiah 11:31
and the sons of
Quote: וּבְנֵ֥י (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-contrast
This phrase indicates that a different group will now be in focus, the people of the tribe of Benjamin. If it would be helpful in your language, you could indicate this contrast with an expression such as “for their part.”
and the sons of Benjamin
Quote: וּבְנֵ֥י בִנְיָמִ֖ן (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Sons here means “descendants.” Alternate translation: “the people of the tribe of Benjamin”
from Geba
Quote: מִגָּ֑בַע (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis
Here the list is leaving out some of the words that a sentence would ordinarily need in order to be complete. The meaning is that the people of the tribe of Benjamin lived in different towns, beginning with Geba and including the rest of the towns that the list names afterwards. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “lived in other towns, including Geba”
from Geba, at Mikmash, and Aija, and Bethel
Quote: מִגָּ֑בַע מִכְמָ֣שׂ וְעַיָּ֔ה וּבֵֽית־אֵ֖ל (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
These are the names of four towns.
and Bethel and its daughters
Quote: וּבֵֽית־אֵ֖ל וּבְנֹתֶֽיהָ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
As in 11:25 (and also in verses 27, 28, 30, and 31), daughters is a figurative way of speaking of the small communities that grow up around a town. Review the note to 11:25 if that would be helpful. Alternate translation: “Bethel and its villages”
Nehemiah 11:32
Anathoth, Nob, Ananiah
Quote: עֲנָת֥וֹת נֹ֖ב עֲנָֽנְיָֽה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
These are the names of three towns.
Nehemiah 11:33
Hazor, Ramah, Gittaim
Quote: חָצ֥וֹר ׀ רָמָ֖ה גִּתָּֽיִם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
These are the names of three towns.
Nehemiah 11:34
Hadid, Zeboim, Neballat
Quote: חָדִ֥יד צְבֹעִ֖ים נְבַלָּֽט (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
These are the names of three towns.
Nehemiah 11:35
Lod, and Ono
Quote: לֹ֥ד וְאוֹנ֖וֹ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
These are the names of two towns.
the valley of the craftsmen
Quote: גֵּ֥י הַחֲרָשִֽׁים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-distinguish
Here the list supplies some background information that reminds readers what the town of Ono was known for. It was a center for craftsmen. Alternate translation: “which was a center for craftsmen”
Nehemiah 11:36
and some from
Quote: וּמִן (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-contrast
This phrase indicates that yet another group will now be in focus. If it would be helpful in your language, you could indicate this contrast with an expression such as “finally” (since this is also the last group on the list). Alternate translation: “Finally, from”
and some from the Levites, who were divisions of Judah, in Benjamin
Quote: וּמִן־הַלְוִיִּ֔ם מַחְלְק֥וֹת יְהוּדָ֖ה לְבִנְיָמִֽין (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis
Here the list is leaving out some of the words that a sentence would ordinarily need in order to be complete. The meaning seems to be that certain sections of the Levite community that had previously lived in the territory that had belonged to the tribe of Judah went to live in the territory that had belonged to the tribe of Benjamin rather than returning to their former homeland. Alternate translation: “some of the Levites whose families had lived in the territory of Judah now went to live in the territory of Benjamin”
and some from the Levites, who were divisions of Judah, in Benjamin
Quote: וּמִן־הַלְוִיִּ֔ם מַחְלְק֥וֹת יְהוּדָ֖ה לְבִנְיָמִֽין (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
The book does not say explicitly why these Levites moved to a different area. However, one reasonable inference in light of the overall themes of the book of Nehemiah is that they did this so that there would be people throughout the entire area where the Israelites were living who could explain the law to them. If that would be helpful to your readers, you could say that explicitly. Alternate translation: “some of the Levites whose families had lived in the territory of Judah now went to live in the territory of Benjamin so that they could teach God’s law to the people living there”
Nehemiah 12
Nehemiah 12 General Notes
Special concepts in this chapter
Dedication of the wall
In the ancient Near East, it was common to dedicate an important structure to a god. When it was completed, the wall was dedicated to Yahweh. Long lists of people are present, indicating that “everyone” was present for this and praised Yahweh. (See: god, false god, goddess, idol, idolater, idolatrous, idolatry)
Nehemiah 12:1
And these are the priests and the Levites who came up with Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua
Quote: וְאֵ֨לֶּה֙ הַכֹּהֲנִ֣ים וְהַלְוִיִּ֔ם אֲשֶׁ֥ר עָל֛וּ עִם־זְרֻבָּבֶ֥ל בֶּן־שְׁאַלְתִּיאֵ֖ל וְיֵשׁ֑וּעַ (1)The implication of the list in verses 1–25 of this chapter is that the priests and Levites had dependable records of their ancestry. So when Nehemiah called them back into service for the dedication of the wall and the collection of offerings, as described in the rest of this chapter, he was employing the people with exactly the lineage that the law required. Throughout this book, Nehemiah stresses how he made sure that the people of Judah were not only organized and well-protected, but also obedient to the law. This is one more example of that latter concern. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “Here is a record that shows that the priests and Levites had dependable records of their ancestry. It begins with the priests who first returned to Judah with Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, their governor, and with Joshua the high priest.”
came up
Quote: עָל֛וּ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
As in 7:6 and 7:61, went up means “traveled from Babylon back to Judah,” since that involves going from a river valley up into the mountains. Alternate translation: “returned to Judah from Babylon”
with Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel
Quote: עִם־זְרֻבָּבֶ֥ל בֶּן־שְׁאַלְתִּיאֵ֖ל (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
This was the man who led the first group of Jews who returned to the province of Judah about a hundred years before the time of Nehemiah. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could indicate this more explicitly. Alternate translation: “under the leadership of Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, their governor”
with Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel
Quote: עִם־זְרֻבָּבֶ֥ל בֶּן־שְׁאַלְתִּיאֵ֖ל (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
Zerubbabel is the name of a man, and Shealtiel is the name of his father.
and Jeshua
Quote: וְיֵשׁ֑וּעַ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
This was the other leader of the first group of Jews who returned to the province of Judah. While Zerubbabel was the governor and civil authority, Joshua was the high priest and religious authority. Alternate translation: “and under the leadership of Joshua the high priest”
Seraiah, Jeremiah, Ezra
Quote: שְׂרָיָ֥ה יִרְמְיָ֖ה עֶזְרָֽא (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
The list now names the priests who returned to Judah in this first group. Alternate translation: “The priests were:”
Seraiah, Jeremiah, Ezra
Quote: שְׂרָיָ֥ה יִרְמְיָ֖ה עֶזְרָֽא (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
These are names of three men.
Nehemiah 12:2
Amariah, Malluk, Hattush
Quote: אֲמַרְיָ֥ה מַלּ֖וּךְ חַטּֽוּשׁ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
These are names of three men.
Nehemiah 12:3
Shecaniah, Rehum, Meremoth
Quote: שְׁכַנְיָ֥ה רְחֻ֖ם מְרֵמֹֽת (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
These are names of three men.
Nehemiah 12:4
Iddo, Ginnethon, Abijah
Quote: עִדּ֥וֹא גִנְּת֖וֹי אֲבִיָּֽה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
These are names of three men.
Nehemiah 12:5
Mijamin, Moadiah, Bilgah
Quote: מִיָּמִ֥ין מַֽעַדְיָ֖ה בִּלְגָּֽה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
These are names of three men.
Nehemiah 12:6
Shemaiah and Joiarib, Jedaiah
Quote: שְׁמַֽעְיָ֥ה וְיוֹיָרִ֖יב יְדַֽעְיָֽה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
These are names of three men.
Nehemiah 12:7
Sallu, Amok, Hilkiah, Jedaiah
Quote: סַלּ֣וּ עָמ֔וֹק חִלְקִיָּ֖ה יְדַֽעְיָ֑ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
These are names of four men.
These were the heads of the priests and their brothers in the days of Jeshua
Quote: אֵ֣לֶּה רָאשֵׁ֧י הַכֹּהֲנִ֛ים וַאֲחֵיהֶ֖ם בִּימֵ֥י יֵשֽׁוּעַ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-distinguish
This is a summary statement about the 22 men who have just been named. Alternate translation: “These men were the leaders of the priests in their own divisions while Joshua was the high priest.”
the heads of the priests and their brothers
Quote: רָאשֵׁ֧י הַכֹּהֲנִ֛ים וַאֲחֵיהֶ֖ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Here, heads is a figurative way of saying “leaders.” Alternate translation: “the leaders of the priests in their own divisions”
the heads of the priests and their brothers
Quote: רָאשֵׁ֧י הַכֹּהֲנִ֛ים וַאֲחֵיהֶ֖ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
In this context, and means “that is,” so the full expression means, “the leaders of the priests, that is, the ones who were their ‘brothers.’” Brothers itself is a figurative way of saying “fellow priests,” and in this context specifically means “the priests in their own divisions.” (King David had divided the priests into divisions so that they could rotate their responsibilities, and the Israelites reconstituted these divisions after the exile.) It is possible that some of the people in each division were the biological brothers of the leaders named, since the divisions were created based on close kinship ties, but the word “brother” is essentially figurative. Alternate translation: “their fellow priests”
in the days of Jeshua
Quote: בִּימֵ֥י יֵשֽׁוּעַ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
The term days is used here to refer a particular period of time. Alternate translation: “in the time of Joshua”
Nehemiah 12:8
And the Levites were
Quote: וְהַלְוִיִּ֗ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis
Here the list is leaving out some of the words that a sentence would ordinarily need in order to be complete. Alternate translation: “And these were the leaders of the Levites who first returned to Judah with Zerubbabel the governor and with Joshua the high priest”
Jeshua; Binnui; Kadmiel; Sherebiah; Judah; Mattaniah
Quote: יֵשׁ֧וּעַ בִּנּ֛וּי קַדְמִיאֵ֥ל שֵׁרֵבְיָ֖ה יְהוּדָ֣ה מַתַּנְיָ֑ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
These are the names of six men.
he and his brothers were over the thanksgiving songs
Quote: עַֽל־הֻיְּד֖וֹת ה֥וּא וְאֶחָֽיו (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
He refers to Mattaniah. Brothers means “fellow Levite leaders.” Alternate translation: “Mattaniah and his fellow Levite leaders were responsible for directing the choir.”
were over the thanksgiving songs
Quote: עַֽל־הֻיְּד֖וֹת (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
As in 11:17, here the book is describing the choir by reference to one kind of thing it was associated with, the songs of thanksgiving that it sang. Alternate translation: “directed the choir”
were over the thanksgiving songs
Quote: עַֽל־הֻיְּד֖וֹת (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Over is a figurative way of saying that Mattaniah and his colleagues were responsible for this group. Alternate translation: “were responsible for directing the choir”
the thanksgiving songs
Quote: הֻיְּד֖וֹת (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
One responsibility of the Levite choir was to sing prayers of thanksgiving. But it sang many other things as well. Here the list is describing everything the choir sang by reference to one kind of thing it sang, prayers of thanksgiving. Alternate translation: “the choir”
Nehemiah 12:9
and Bakbukiah and Unni
Quote: וּבַקְבֻּֽקְיָ֨ה וְעֻנִּ֧י (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
These are the names of two men.
their brothers
Quote: אֲחֵיהֶ֛ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Brothers here means their fellow Levite leaders.
were opposite them in the service watches
Quote: לְנֶגְדָּ֖ם לְמִשְׁמָרֽוֹת (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
This phrase could mean one of two things. (1) It could mean that Mattaniah and his associates directed one choir, and Bakbukiah and Unni directed a second choir that stood opposite to this first one and sang responses to what it sang. (2) It could mean that Bakbukiah and Unni took turns with Mattaniah and his associates in assuming the responsibilities of directing a single Levite choir. Alternate translation: “led a second choir that sang responses” or “took turns with them directing the Levite choir”
Nehemiah 12:10
And Jeshua fathered Joiakim; and Joiakim fathered Eliashib; and Eliashib, Joiada
Quote: וְיֵשׁ֖וּעַ הוֹלִ֣יד אֶת־יֽוֹיָקִ֑ים וְיֽוֹיָקִים֙ הוֹלִ֣יד אֶת־אֶלְיָשִׁ֔יב וְאֶלְיָשִׁ֖יב אֶת־יוֹיָדָֽע (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis
Here the book is leaving out some of the words that a sentence would ordinarily need in order to be complete. Alternate translation: “Joshua was the father of Joiakim, Joiakim was the father of Eliashib, Eliashib was the father of Joiada”
And Jeshua fathered Joiakim; and Joiakim fathered Eliashib; and Eliashib, Joiada
Quote: וְיֵשׁ֖וּעַ הוֹלִ֣יד אֶת־יֽוֹיָקִ֑ים וְיֽוֹיָקִים֙ הוֹלִ֣יד אֶת־אֶלְיָשִׁ֔יב וְאֶלְיָשִׁ֖יב אֶת־יוֹיָדָֽע (1)Since this list actually continues into the next verse, for clarity you may wish to end this verse with the punctuation that your language uses to indicate that a series is continuing, rather than with the punctuation it uses to show that a sentence is ending.
And Jeshua fathered Joiakim; and Joiakim fathered Eliashib; and Eliashib, Joiada
Quote: וְיֵשׁ֖וּעַ הוֹלִ֣יד אֶת־יֽוֹיָקִ֑ים וְיֽוֹיָקִים֙ הוֹלִ֣יד אֶת־אֶלְיָשִׁ֔יב וְאֶלְיָשִׁ֖יב אֶת־יוֹיָדָֽע (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
This is a record of the succession of the Jewish high priests for several generations beginning with Joshua, the high priest who accompanied the first group that returned to Judah from exile. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “When Joshua died, his son Joiakim succeeded him as high priest. When Joiakim died, his son Eliashib succeeded him as high priest. When Eliashib died, his son Joiada succeeded him as high priest”
Nehemiah 12:11
and Joiada fathered Jonathan; and Jonathan fathered Jaddua
Quote: וְיוֹיָדָע֙ הוֹלִ֣יד אֶת־יוֹנָתָ֔ן וְיוֹנָתָ֖ן הוֹלִ֥יד אֶת־יַדּֽוּעַ (1)Alternate translation, if continuing the sentence from the previous verse: “Joiada was the father of Jonathan, and Jonathan was the father of Jaddua.” Alternate translation, if making explicit that this is the succession of high priests: “When Joiada died, his son Jonathan succeeded him as high priest. When Jonathan died, his son Jaddua succeeded him as high priest”
and Joiada … Jonathan; … Jaddua
Quote: וְיוֹיָדָע֙ & יוֹנָתָ֔ן & יַדּֽוּעַ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
These are the names of three men.
Nehemiah 12:12
And in the days of Joiakim priests were the heads of the fathers
Quote: וּבִימֵי֙ יֽוֹיָקִ֔ים הָי֥וּ כֹהֲנִ֖ים רָאשֵׁ֣י הָאָב֑וֹת (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis
Here the book is leaving out some of the words that a sentence would ordinarily need in order to be complete. “Priests were” is an abbreviated way of saying “these are the priests who were.” Alternate translation: “These are the priests who were clan leaders while Joiakim was the high priest”
And in the days of Joiakim
Quote: וּבִימֵי֙ יֽוֹיָקִ֔ים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
The term days is used here to refer a particular period of time. Alternate translation: “while Joiakim was the high priest”
the heads of the fathers
Quote: רָאשֵׁ֣י הָאָב֑וֹת (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis
This seems to be an abbreviated way of saying “the heads of father’s houses.” The full expression “house of the father” or “father’s house” is used in 7:61. See how you translated it there, and review the note there if that would be helpful. Alternate translation: “clan leaders”
the heads of
Quote: רָאשֵׁ֣י (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Head here is a figurative way of saying “leader.” Alternate translation: “leaders”
of Seraiah, Meraiah; of Jeremiah, Hananiah
Quote: לִשְׂרָיָ֣ה מְרָיָ֔ה לְיִרְמְיָ֖ה חֲנַנְיָֽה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis
In this list the book continues to leave out some of the words that a sentence would ordinarily need in order to be complete. Alternate translation: “Meraiah was the leader of the clan whose ancestor was Saraiah. Hananiah was the leader of the clan whose ancestor was Jeremiah”
Joiakim … of Seraiah, Meraiah; of Jeremiah, Hananiah
Quote: יֽוֹיָקִ֔ים & לִשְׂרָיָ֣ה מְרָיָ֔ה לְיִרְמְיָ֖ה חֲנַנְיָֽה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
These are the names of five men.
Nehemiah 12:13
of Ezra, Meshullam; of Amariah, Jehohanan
Quote: לְעֶזְרָ֣א מְשֻׁלָּ֔ם לַאֲמַרְיָ֖ה יְהוֹחָנָֽן (1)Alternate translation: “Meshullam was the leader of the clan whose ancestor was Ezra. Jehohanan was the leader of the clan whose ancestor was Amariah”
of Ezra, Meshullam; of Amariah, Jehohanan
Quote: לְעֶזְרָ֣א מְשֻׁלָּ֔ם לַאֲמַרְיָ֖ה יְהוֹחָנָֽן (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
These are the names of four men.
Nehemiah 12:14
of Malluk, Jonathan; of Shebaniah, Joseph
Quote: למלוכי יֽוֹנָתָ֔ן לִשְׁבַנְיָ֖ה יוֹסֵֽף (1)Alternate translation: “Jonathan was the leader of the clan whose ancestor was Malluk. Joseph was the leader of the clan whose ancestor was Shebaniah”
of Malluk, Jonathan; of Shebaniah, Joseph
Quote: למלוכי יֽוֹנָתָ֔ן לִשְׁבַנְיָ֖ה יוֹסֵֽף (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
These are the names of four men.
Nehemiah 12:15
of Harim, Adna; of Meremoth, Helkai
Quote: לְחָרִ֣ם עַדְנָ֔א לִמְרָי֖וֹת חֶלְקָֽי (1)Alternate translation: “Adna was the leader of the clan whose ancestor was Harim. Helkai was the leader of the clan whose ancestor was Meremoth”
of Harim, Adna; of Meremoth, Helkai
Quote: לְחָרִ֣ם עַדְנָ֔א לִמְרָי֖וֹת חֶלְקָֽי (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
These are the names of four men.
Nehemiah 12:16
of Iddo, Zechariah; of Ginnethon, Meshullam
Quote: לְעִדּ֥וֹא זְכַרְיָ֖ה לְגִנְּת֥וֹן מְשֻׁלָּֽם (1)Alternate translation: “Zechariah was the leader of the clan whose ancestor was Iddo. Meshullam was the leader of the clan whose ancestor was Ginnethon”
of Iddo, Zechariah; of Ginnethon, Meshullam
Quote: לְעִדּ֥וֹא זְכַרְיָ֖ה לְגִנְּת֥וֹן מְשֻׁלָּֽם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
These are the names of four men.
Nehemiah 12:17
of Abijah, Zichri; of Miniamin, of Moadiah, Piltai
Quote: לַאֲבִיָּ֖ה זִכְרִ֑י לְמִ֨נְיָמִ֔ין לְמוֹעַדְיָ֖ה פִּלְטָֽי (1)It appears that the name of the leader of the Miniamin clan has accidentally been lost from the text. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “Zichri was the leader of the clan whose ancestor was Abijah. Piltai was the leader of the clan whose ancestor was Moadiah. It is no longer known who was the leader at this time of the clan whose ancestor was Miniamin”
of Abijah, Zichri; of Miniamin, of Moadiah, Piltai
Quote: לַאֲבִיָּ֖ה זִכְרִ֑י לְמִ֨נְיָמִ֔ין לְמוֹעַדְיָ֖ה פִּלְטָֽי (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
These are the names of five men.
Nehemiah 12:18
of Bilgah, Shammua; of Shemaiah, Jehonathan
Quote: לְבִלְגָּ֣ה שַׁמּ֔וּעַ לִֽשְׁמַעְיָ֖ה יְהוֹנָתָֽן (1)Alternate translation: “Shammua was the leader of the clan whose ancestor was Bilgah. Jehonathan was the leader of the clan whose ancestor was Shemaiah”
of Bilgah, Shammua; of Shemaiah, Jehonathan
Quote: לְבִלְגָּ֣ה שַׁמּ֔וּעַ לִֽשְׁמַעְיָ֖ה יְהוֹנָתָֽן (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
These are the names of four men.
Nehemiah 12:19
of Joiarib, Mattenai; of Jedaiah, Uzzi
Quote: וּלְיוֹיָרִ֣יב מַתְּנַ֔י לִֽידַֽעְיָ֖ה עֻזִּֽי (1)Alternate translation: “Mattenai was the leader of the clan whose ancestor was Joiarib. Uzzi was the leader of the clan whose ancestor was Jedaiah”
of Joiarib, Mattenai; of Jedaiah, Uzzi
Quote: וּלְיוֹיָרִ֣יב מַתְּנַ֔י לִֽידַֽעְיָ֖ה עֻזִּֽי (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
These are the names of four men.
Nehemiah 12:20
of Sallai, Kallai; of Amok, Eber
Quote: לְסַלַּ֥י קַלָּ֖י לְעָמ֥וֹק עֵֽבֶר (1)Alternate translation: “Kallai was the leader of the clan whose ancestor was Sallai. Eber was the leader of the clan whose ancestor was Amok”
of Sallai, Kallai; of Amok, Eber
Quote: לְסַלַּ֥י קַלָּ֖י לְעָמ֥וֹק עֵֽבֶר (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
These are the names of four men.
Nehemiah 12:21
of Hilkiah, Hashabiah; of Jedaiah, Nethanel
Quote: לְחִלְקִיָּ֣ה חֲשַׁבְיָ֔ה לִֽידַֽעְיָ֖ה נְתַנְאֵֽל (1)Alternate translation: “Hashabiah was the leader of the clan whose ancestor was Hilkiah. Nethanel was the leader of the clan whose ancestor was Jedaiah”
of Hilkiah, Hashabiah; of Jedaiah, Nethanel
Quote: לְחִלְקִיָּ֣ה חֲשַׁבְיָ֔ה לִֽידַֽעְיָ֖ה נְתַנְאֵֽל (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
These are the names of four men.
Nehemiah 12:22
In the days of Eliashib, the Levites Joiada, and Johanan, and Jaddua, were written as heads of fathers
Quote: הַלְוִיִּם֩ בִּימֵ֨י אֶלְיָשִׁ֜יב יוֹיָדָ֤ע וְיוֹחָנָן֙ וְיַדּ֔וּעַ כְּתוּבִ֖ים רָאשֵׁ֣י אָב֑וֹת (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis
Here the book leaves out some of the words that a sentence would ordinarily need in order to be complete. The meaning seems to be, “During the times when Eliashib, Joiada, Johanan, and Jaddua served as high priest, the Israelites kept records of which Levites were the clan leaders”
In the days of Eliashib, … Joiada, and Johanan, and Jaddua
Quote: בִּימֵ֨י אֶלְיָשִׁ֜יב יוֹיָדָ֤ע וְיוֹחָנָן֙ וְיַדּ֔וּעַ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
The term days is used here to refer a particular period of time. Alternate translation: “the times when Eliashib, Joiada, Johanan, and Jaddua served as high priest”
Eliashib, … Joiada, and Johanan, and Jaddua
Quote: אֶלְיָשִׁ֜יב יוֹיָדָ֤ע וְיוֹחָנָן֙ וְיַדּ֔וּעַ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
These are the names of four men.
were written as
Quote: כְּתוּבִ֖ים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
If it would be helpful in your language, you could say this with an active form, and you could say who did the action. Alternate translation: “the Israelites kept records”
heads of fathers
Quote: רָאשֵׁ֣י אָב֑וֹת (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis
This seems to be an abbreviated way of saying “the heads of father’s houses.” The full expression “house of the father” or “father’s house” is used in 7:61. See how you translated it there, and review the note there if that would be helpful. Alternate translation: “clan leaders”
heads of
Quote: רָאשֵׁ֣י (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Head here is a figurative way of saying “leader.” Alternate translation: “leaders”
also the priests, during the reign of Darius the Persian
Quote: וְהַכֹּ֣הֲנִ֔ים עַל־מַלְכ֖וּת דָּרְיָ֥וֶשׁ הַפָּֽרְסִֽי (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis
Here again the book leaves out some of the words that a sentence would ordinarily need in order to be complete. The meaning seems to be, “The Israelites also made records during the reign of Darius III of which priests were the heads of their clans”
Darius the Persian
Quote: דָּרְיָ֥וֶשׁ הַפָּֽרְסִֽי (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
The Persian king named Darius who reigned at the time of Jaddua, the last high priest mentioned in this verse, was Darius III Codomannus. The implication is therefore that the phrase “Darius the Persian” refers to him. (Since he reigned about a hundred years after Nehemiah lived, it is probable that scribes added this information to the book later on to bring it up to date.) If it would be helpful to your readers, you could make this likely identification explicit. Alternate translation: “Darius III” or “Darius Codomannus” or “Darius III Codomannus”
Nehemiah 12:23
The sons of Levi, the heads of fathers, were written
Quote: בְּנֵ֤י לֵוִי֙ רָאשֵׁ֣י הָֽאָב֔וֹת כְּתוּבִ֕ים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
If it would be helpful in your language, you could say this with an active form, and you could say who did the action. Alternate translation: “Scribes recorded the names of the Levites who were clan leaders”
The sons of Levi, the heads of fathers, were written
Quote: בְּנֵ֤י לֵוִי֙ רָאשֵׁ֣י הָֽאָב֔וֹת כְּתוּבִ֕ים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Sons here means “descendants,” so this phrase refers to the descendants of Levi or the Levites. Alternate translation: “the Levites who were clan leaders”
the heads of fathers
Quote: רָאשֵׁ֣י הָֽאָב֔וֹת (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis
This seems to be an abbreviated way of saying “the heads of father’s houses.” The full expression “house of the father” or “father’s house” is used in 7:61. See how you translated it there, and review the note there if that would be helpful. Alternate translation: “clan leaders”
the heads of
Quote: רָאשֵׁ֣י (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Head here is a figurative way of saying “leader.” Alternate translation: “leaders”
in the book of the events of days
Quote: עַל־סֵ֖פֶר דִּבְרֵ֣י הַיָּמִ֑ים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
This is an idiom that describes a regular record of the events. Alternate translation: “in their chronicles”
even until the days of Johanan
Quote: וְעַד־יְמֵ֖י יֽוֹחָנָ֥ן (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
The term days is used here to refer to a particular period of time. Alternate translation: “through the time when Johanan was the high priest”
Johanan
Quote: יֽוֹחָנָ֥ן (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
Johanan is the name of a man. The context indicates that he was a Jewish high priest, and so he seems to be the same man who is called “Jonathan” in verse 11. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use the same name both here and in verse 11, either “Johanan” or “Jonathan”
the son of Eliashib
Quote: בֶּן־אֶלְיָשִֽׁיב (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Eliashib is the name of a man. Verse 12:10 shows that Johanan/Jonathan was not actually his son, but his grandson. So son here means “descendant.” Alternate translation: “the grandson of Eliashib” or “the descendant of Eliashib”
Nehemiah 12:24
And the heads of the Levites were … to praise and give thanks
Quote: וְרָאשֵׁ֣י הַ֠לְוִיִּם & לְהַלֵּ֣ל לְהוֹד֔וֹת (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis
Here the book leaves out some of the words that a sentence would ordinarily need in order to be complete. This sentence seems to mean “The Levite leaders who directed the choir that sang songs of praise and thanksgiving were … ” You could say something like that as an alternate translation if it would be helpful to your readers.
And the heads of the Levites were
Quote: וְרָאשֵׁ֣י הַ֠לְוִיִּם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Head here is a figurative way of saying “leader.” Alternate translation: “the leaders of the Levites” or “the Levite leaders”
Hashabiah, Sherebiah
Quote: חֲשַׁבְיָ֨ה שֵֽׁרֵבְיָ֜ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
These are the names of two men.
and Jeshua, the son of Kadmiel
Quote: וְיֵשׁ֤וּעַ בֶּן־קַדְמִיאֵל֙ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
Jeshua is the name of a man, and Kadmiel is the name of his father.
with their brothers opposite them, service watch by service watch
Quote: וַאֲחֵיהֶ֣ם לְנֶגְדָּ֔ם & מִשְׁמָ֖ר לְעֻמַּ֥ת מִשְׁמָֽר (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
As in 12:9, this could mean one of two things. (1) It could mean that Hashabiah, Sherebiah, and Jeshua directed one choir, and other Levite leaders directed a second choir that stood opposite to this first one and sang responses to what it sang. (2) It could mean that other Levite leaders took turns with these three men in assuming the responsibilities of directing a single Levite choir. Alternate translation: “their fellow Levite leaders directed a second choir that sang responses” or “their fellow Levite leaders took turns with them directing the choir”
with their brothers
Quote: וַאֲחֵיהֶ֣ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Brothers here means their fellow Levite leaders.
to praise and give thanks
Quote: לְהַלֵּ֣ל לְהוֹד֔וֹת (1)Alternate translation: “the choir that sang songs of praise and thanksgiving”
by the commandment of David, the man of God
Quote: בְּמִצְוַ֖ת דָּוִ֣יד אִישׁ־הָאֱלֹהִ֑ים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-distinguish
Here the book offers some background information to remind readers of the character of David, who had been a great founding king of Israel. Alternate translation: “as King David, that godly man, had commanded”
Nehemiah 12:25
Mattaniah, and Bakbukiah, Obadiah, Meshullam, Talmon, Akkub
Quote: מַתַּנְיָ֧ה וּבַקְבֻּֽקְיָ֛ה עֹבַדְיָ֥ה מְשֻׁלָּ֖ם טַלְמ֣וֹן עַקּ֑וּב (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
These are the names of six men.
were guardians, gatekeepers, a guard at the storehouses of the gates
Quote: שֹׁמְרִ֤ים שֽׁוֹעֲרִים֙ מִשְׁמָ֔ר בַּאֲסֻפֵּ֖י הַשְּׁעָרִֽים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown
Since, in context, these men appear to have been Levites, the gates described are likely the gates of the temple. It seems that there were rooms above the temple gateways that were used as storehouses or treasuries, and these men were responsible for overseeing and protecting them. Alternate translation: “guarded the store rooms above the gateways to the temple”
Nehemiah 12:26
These were
Quote: אֵ֕לֶּה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis
Here the book leaves out some of the words that a sentence would ordinarily need in order to be complete. This seems to mean, “These are the names of the men who served in this capacity.” You could say something like that if it would be helpful to your readers.
in the days of Joiakim
Quote: בִּימֵ֛י יוֹיָקִ֥ים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
The term days is used here to refer a particular period of time. Alternate translation: “during the time when Joiakim … was the high priest”
Joiakim, the son of Jeshua, the son of Jozadak
Quote: יוֹיָקִ֥ים בֶּן־יֵשׁ֖וּעַ בֶּן־יוֹצָדָ֑ק (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
Joiakim is the name of a man, Joshua is the name of his father, and Jozadak is the name of his grandfather.
and in the days of Nehemiah the governor
Quote: וּבִימֵי֙ נְחֶמְיָ֣ה הַפֶּחָ֔ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
This would have been one generation later, since 3:1 says that Eliashib was the high priest during the time of Nehemiah, and 12:10 says that Eliashib was the son of Joiakim. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “and also in the next generation, during the time when Nehemiah was the governor”
and in the days of Nehemiah the governor
Quote: וּבִימֵי֙ נְחֶמְיָ֣ה הַפֶּחָ֔ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
The term days is used here to refer a particular period of time. Alternate translation: “and also during the time when Nehemiah was the governor”
and Ezra, the priest, the scribe
Quote: וְעֶזְרָ֥א הַכֹּהֵ֖ן הַסּוֹפֵֽר (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-distinguish
Here the book repeats some background information to remind readers who Ezra was. Alternate translation: “and he worked with Ezra, who was a priest and a scribe”
Nehemiah 12:27
And at the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem
Quote: וּבַחֲנֻכַּ֞ת חוֹמַ֣ת יְרוּשָׁלִַ֗ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-time-sequential
In this book, Nehemiah tells his personal story from 1:1 through 7:5. In that story, he explains how he was concerned not just to restore the city of Jerusalem physically by rebuilding its wall, but also to restore its population by bringing in people who were genuine Israelites, and to restore worship by making sure that the priests and Levites who were doing assigned tasks had dependable records of their ancestry. He includes the long series of lists from 7:6 through 12:26 to document that these priests, Levites, and Israelites had the lineage that the Law of Moses required. Now Nehemiah resumes his personal story, and he tells what he did next. He organized a worship ceremony to dedicate the city wall. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could put some introductory and transitional sentence here to show how the book is progressing. Alternate translation: “once we had brought many more Israelites to live in Jerusalem, and once we had established the priests and Levites in their tasks, we held a ceremony to dedicate the rebuilt wall of Jerusalem”
And at the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem
Quote: וּבַחֲנֻכַּ֞ת חוֹמַ֣ת יְרוּשָׁלִַ֗ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns
The abstract noun dedication refers to the way the wall would be set apart for a special purpose. If it would be helpful in your language, you could translate the idea behind this word with a verb such as “set apart.” Alternate translation: “to set apart the wall of Jerusalem for a special purpose”
And at the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem
Quote: וּבַחֲנֻכַּ֞ת חוֹמַ֣ת יְרוּשָׁלִַ֗ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction
Dedicating the wall was a symbolic way of dedicating, or rather rededicating, the entire city to the special purpose that God had chosen it for. The rebuilt wall now defined Jerusalem once again as a distinct place, the place from which God had chosen to start making himself famous throughout the world. Alternate translation: “to set apart the wall of Jerusalem for a special purpose, to show that God had set apart the city for a special purpose”
they sought out the Levites from all their places, to bring them to Jerusalem to perform the dedication
Quote: בִּקְשׁ֤וּ אֶת־הַלְוִיִּם֙ מִכָּל־מְק֣וֹמֹתָ֔ם לַהֲבִיאָ֖ם לִֽירוּשָׁלִָ֑ם לַעֲשֹׂ֨ת חֲנֻכָּ֤ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
All their places means all the other places in the province of Judah besides Jerusalem where the Levites were living. As 11:20 explained, other than the people who agreed to settle in Jerusalem, all of the other Israelites, including the Levites, lived on their family properties in other cities and towns in the province of Judah. Alternate translation: “we brought the Levites back to Jerusalem from all the places where they were living so that they could take part in the dedication ceremony”
they sought out
Quote: בִּקְשׁ֤וּ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person
They refers to the people who organized the dedication ceremony. Since Nehemiah is resuming his own story here, and since he was one of the organizers, If it would be helpful in your language, you could translate this as “we.” “We” would not include the addressees, if your language makes that distinction.
to perform the dedication with rejoicing, and with thanksgivings
Quote: לַעֲשֹׂ֨ת חֲנֻכָּ֤ה וְשִׂמְחָה֙ וּבְתוֹד֣וֹת (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet
Rejoicing and thanksgivings mean similar things. Together they describe how the Israelites would celebrate as they dedicated the completed wall. If it would be helpful in your language, you could combine these words. Alternate translation: “to lead a celebration to dedicate the wall,” otherwise “to celebrate the dedication by praising and thanking God”
and with song, cymbals, lyres, and harps
Quote: וּבְשִׁ֔יר מְצִלְתַּ֖יִם נְבָלִ֥ים וּבְכִנֹּרֽוֹת (1)And with does not mean “in addition to,” but “by means of.” This next phrase provides further information about how the Levites would conduct the ceremony. Alternate translation: “with songs accompanied by cymbals, harps, and lyres”
cymbals
Quote: מְצִלְתַּ֖יִם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown
These are two thin, round metal plates that are hit together to make a loud sound.
lyres, and harps
Quote: נְבָלִ֥ים וּבְכִנֹּרֽוֹת (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown
These are two different types of stringed instruments.
Nehemiah 12:28
And … gathered themselves
Quote: וַיֵּאָ֣סְפ֔וּ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis
Here the book leaves out some of the words that a sentence would ordinarily need in order to be complete. This seems to mean “gathered together in Jerusalem for the dedication ceremony.” You could say something like that if it would be helpful to your readers.
the sons of the ones who sang
Quote: בְּנֵ֖י הַמְשֹׁרְרִ֑ים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
As in 3:8 and 3:31, son of here is a figurative expression that indicates that a person shares the qualities of something. In this case, the book is describing people who share the quality of being singers. (Verse 12:27 indicates that these were specifically Levites.) Alternate translation: “the Levite singers”
both from the circle around Jerusalem
Quote: וּמִן־הַכִּכָּר֙ סְבִיב֣וֹת יְרוּשָׁלִַ֔ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
This is a figurative way of referring to the towns that the singers had built for themselves all around Jerusalem, as 12:29 describes. These villages seemed to form a circle around the city. Alternate translation: “from the towns they had built around Jerusalem”
and from the villages of the Netophati
Quote: וּמִן־חַצְרֵ֖י נְטֹפָתִֽי (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
The Netophati means the people who lived in the town of Netophath, and so their villages would be all the towns in that area where they lived. Alternate translation: “from the towns around Netophath” or “from the towns of the Netophathites”
and from the villages of the Netophati
Quote: וּמִן־חַצְרֵ֖י נְטֹפָתִֽי (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
Netophath was located southeast of Jerusalem. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say that explicitly. Alternate translation: “from the towns around Netophath, southeast of Jerusalem.”
Nehemiah 12:29
and from Beth-Gilgal and from the fields of Geba and Azmaveth
Quote: וּמִבֵּית֙ הַגִּלְגָּ֔ל וּמִשְּׂד֥וֹת גֶּ֖בַע וְעַזְמָ֑וֶת (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
The places listed in this verse are northeast of Jerusalem. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say that explicitly. Alternate translation: “they also came from three places northeast of Jerusalem, the town of Beth-Gilgal and the rural areas around the towns of Geba and Azmaveth”
and from Beth-Gilgal
Quote: וּמִבֵּית֙ הַגִּלְגָּ֔ל (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
This is the name of a town. Alternate translation: “from the town of Beth-Gilgal”
and from the fields of Geba and Azmaveth
Quote: וּמִשְּׂד֥וֹת גֶּ֖בַע וְעַזְמָ֑וֶת (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
Geba and Azmaveth are the names of towns. Alternate translation: “from the rural areas around the towns of Geba and Azmaveth”
for the ones who sang had built villages for themselves around Jerusalem
Quote: כִּ֣י חֲצֵרִ֗ים בָּנ֤וּ לָהֶם֙ הַמְשֹׁ֣רֲרִ֔ים סְבִיב֖וֹת יְרוּשָׁלִָֽם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result
If it would be helpful in your language, you could put this sentence at the start of 12:28, since it gives the reason for the results that are described in the rest of 12:28 and 12:29. You could show the connection by using a word like “so” after this phrase. Alternate translation: “The singers were living in towns they had built all around Jerusalem. So … ”
Nehemiah 12:30
And the priests and the Levites purified themselves. And they purified the people, and the gates, and the wall
Quote: וַיִּֽטַּהֲר֔וּ הַכֹּהֲנִ֖ים וְהַלְוִיִּ֑ם וַֽיְטַהֲרוּ֙ אֶת־הָעָ֔ם וְאֶת־הַשְּׁעָרִ֖ים וְאֶֽת־הַחוֹמָֽה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-contrast
This sentence draws a contrast between the joyful celebration that is about to begin in this part of the story and the solemn ceremony that the priests and Levites performed beforehand. You could begin the sentence with a phrase such as “but first” to indicate this contrast. Alternate translation: “But first the priests and Levites performed a ceremony to make themselves clean, and they did the same thing for the people, the gates, and the wall”
And … purified themselves
Quote: וַיִּֽטַּהֲר֔וּ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
Nehemiah expects his readers to know specifically how the priests and Levites did this, but the details are no longer certain. They may have sprinkled themselves, the people, the gates, and the walls with water or with blood, or they may have offered sacrifices. But while the details are uncertain, the purpose of the ceremony is clear. It was to show that the Israelites wanted this place and everyone in it to be acceptable to God. So while it might be best not to suggest how the priests and Levites performed this ceremony, since that is unknown, you could say explicitly what the purpose was if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “And they performed a ceremony to show that they wanted to be clean and acceptable to God”
Nehemiah 12:31
And I caused … to go up
Quote: וָאַעֲלֶה֙ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-time-sequential
In this context, the conjunction and indicates that the events the story will now describe came after the event it has just described. If it would be helpful in your language, you could show this relationship by using a word such as then.
And I caused the officials of Judah to go up on top of the wall. And I caused to stand two great thanksgiving groups, and processions
Quote: וָאַעֲלֶה֙ אֶת־שָׂרֵ֣י יְהוּדָ֔ה מֵעַ֖ל לַחוֹמָ֑ה וָאַעֲמִ֡ידָה שְׁתֵּ֣י תוֹדֹת֩ גְּדוֹלֹ֨ת וְתַהֲלֻכֹ֤ת (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
The implication here, which is confirmed in 12:32 and 12:40, is that Nehemiah had these leaders of Judah go up onto the wall so that they could accompany two large groups that would “process” or march around the city on top of the wall while giving thanks to God. They would march in opposite directions and meet up on the far side of the city. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say something like that explicitly.
two great thanksgiving groups, and processions
Quote: שְׁתֵּ֣י תוֹדֹת֩ גְּדוֹלֹ֨ת וְתַהֲלֻכֹ֤ת (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction
Having two groups walk on top of the wall in opposite directions all around Jerusalem, while sacred musicians played music was a symbolic way of dedicating the rebuilt wall to God. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could also say that explicitly.
to the right hand on top of the wall toward the gate of dung
Quote: לַיָּמִין֙ מֵעַ֣ל לַחוֹמָ֔ה לְשַׁ֖עַר הָאַשְׁפֹּֽת (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis
Here the book leaves out some of the words that a sentence would ordinarily need in order to be complete. This sentence seems to mean “The first group marched to the right on top of the wall in the direction of the Rubbish Gate.” You could say something like that if it would be helpful to your readers.
to the right hand
Quote: לַיָּמִין֙ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
Here, hand means side. Alternate translation: “turned to their right and marched”
to the right hand
Quote: לַיָּמִין֙ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
Based on the information the book provides, the perspective is of a person facing in towards the city from the top of the wall. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say that explicitly. Alternate translation: “turned to their right, as they faced the city, and marched”
toward the gate of dung
Quote: לְשַׁ֖עַר הָאַשְׁפֹּֽת (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
This is the name of one of the gates of Jerusalem. See how you translated it in 2:13 and 3:13–14. Alternate translation: “the Rubbish Gate”
Nehemiah 12:32
And after them went Hoshaiah with half of the officials of Judah
Quote: וַיֵּ֤לֶךְ אַחֲרֵיהֶם֙ הוֹשַׁ֣עְיָ֔ה וַחֲצִ֖י שָׂרֵ֥י יְהוּדָֽה (1)Alternate translation: “Hoshaiah and half of the leaders of Judah marched behind this group”
Hoshaiah
Quote: הוֹשַׁ֣עְיָ֔ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
This is the name of a man.
Nehemiah 12:33
and Azariah, Ezra, and Meshullam
Quote: וַעֲזַרְיָ֥ה עֶזְרָ֖א וּמְשֻׁלָּֽם (1)Based on what 12:33–36 says about the composition of this group, it appears that Ezra walked in front of it (12:36), Hoshaiah and half of the leaders of Judah walked behind it (12:32), and the group itself was made up of a large number of people from the tribes of Judah and Benjamin, along with the other leaders who are named, and priests playing musical instruments. In that case, the word and would be indicating this sentence, which continues through to most of verse 12:36, will provide further information about the situation the book has been describing. You could indicate that with a phrase such as “within the group itself were … ”
and Azariah, Ezra, and Meshullam
Quote: וַעֲזַרְיָ֥ה עֶזְרָ֖א וּמְשֻׁלָּֽם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
These are the names of three men.
Nehemiah 12:34
Judah, and Benjamin
Quote: יְהוּדָה֙ וּבִנְיָמִ֔ן (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
One possibility is that these were individual leaders named Judah and Benjamin. However, in the context of the book, this most likely means “people from the tribes of Judah and Benjamin.” Their counterparts in the other group would be the other “half of the people” mentioned in 12:38. And since 12:31 says that these were “great” or large processional groups, you could translate this as “large numbers of people from the tribes of Judah and Benjamin.”
and Shemaiah, and Jeremiah
Quote: וּֽשְׁמַֽעְיָ֖ה וְיִרְמְיָֽה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
These are the names of two men.
Nehemiah 12:35
And some from the sons of the priests
Quote: וּמִבְּנֵ֥י הַכֹּהֲנִ֖ים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Son of here is a figurative expression that indicates that a person shares the qualities of something. In this case, the book is describing people who share the quality of being priests. Alternate translation: “some from among the priests”
Zechariah, the son of Jonathan, the son of Shemaiah, the son of Mattaniah, the son of Micaiah, the son of Zaccur, the son of Asaph
Quote: זְכַרְיָ֨ה בֶן־יֽוֹנָתָ֜ן בֶּן־שְׁמַֽעְיָ֗ה בֶּן־מַתַּנְיָה֙ בֶּן־מִ֣יכָיָ֔ה בֶּן־זַכּ֖וּר בֶּן־אָסָֽף (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
These are the names of seven men. In this context, son means literally that the next man named is the father of the man just named.
Nehemiah 12:36
and his brothers
Quote: וְֽאֶחָ֡יו (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Here, brother is a figurative way of saying “fellow priest,” although it is possible that some of the biological brothers of Zechariah were included in this group. Alternate translation: “his fellow priests”
Shemaiah, and Azarel, Milalai, Gilalai, Maai, Nethanel and Judah, Hanani
Quote: שְֽׁמַעְיָ֡ה וַעֲזַרְאֵ֡ל מִֽלֲלַ֡י גִּֽלֲלַ֡י מָעַ֞י נְתַנְאֵ֤ל וִֽיהוּדָה֙ חֲנָ֔נִי (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
These are the names of eight men.
with the instruments of song of David, the man of God
Quote: בִּכְלֵי־שִׁ֥יר דָּוִ֖יד אִ֣ישׁ הָאֱלֹהִ֑ים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
This likely means the cymbals, harps, and lyres mentioned in 12:27. Those were the instruments that King David had originally instructed the Levite musicians to play. The people honored that religious tradition on this occasion. Alternate translation: “with cymbals, harps, and lyres, the instruments that King David, that godly man, had originally instructed the Levite musicians to play”
David, the man of God
Quote: דָּוִ֖יד אִ֣ישׁ הָאֱלֹהִ֑ים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-distinguish
Here the book offers some background information to remind readers of the character of David, who had been a great founding king of Israel. Alternate translation: “King David, that godly man”
And Ezra the scribe was before their face
Quote: וְעֶזְרָ֥א הַסּוֹפֵ֖ר לִפְנֵיהֶֽם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
Here, face means the front of a group of people. Alternate translation: “Ezra the scribe walked in front of this group”
And Ezra the scribe
Quote: וְעֶזְרָ֥א הַסּוֹפֵ֖ר (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-distinguish
Here the book repeats some background information to remind readers who Ezra was. Alternate translation: “Ezra, who was a scribe”
Nehemiah 12:37
And by the gate of the spring and opposite them, they went up on the stairs of the city of David, at the ascent of the wall
Quote: וְעַל֩ שַׁ֨עַר הָעַ֜יִן וְנֶגְדָּ֗ם עָלוּ֙ עַֽל־מַעֲלוֹת֙ עִ֣יר דָּוִ֔יד בַּֽמַּעֲלֶ֖ה לַחוֹמָ֑ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
The implication, which the original audience of the book would apparently have understood, is that when this first procession reached the place described, rather than continue walking on the wall, which was about to follow a winding course around a hill, they took these stairs straight up the hill, and they rejoined the wall at the place where it went up to the top of the hill. Alternate translation: “When they reached the Fountain Gate, they left the wall and went up the stairs that were in front of them that led to the City of David. They came back onto the wall at the place where it reached the top of the hill they had just climbed”
the gate of the spring
Quote: שַׁ֨עַר הָעַ֜יִן (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
This is the name of one of the gates of Jerusalem. See how you translated it in 2:14 and 3:15. Alternate translation: “the Fountain Gate”
the city of David
Quote: עִ֣יר דָּוִ֔יד (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
This was one part of Jerusalem. See how you translated it in 3:15. Alternate translation: “the City of David”
on top of the house of David
Quote: מֵעַל֙ לְבֵ֣ית דָּוִ֔יד (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
This means that as the group walked on the top of the wall once again, at this point they were higher than this palace where David had lived. (In 3:25 this same building is called “the upper house of the king,” meaning the royal palace that was located in a more elevated part of the city.) Alternate translation: “They walked along the wall, above the palace where David had lived”
of the house of David
Quote: לְבֵ֣ית דָּוִ֔יד (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
This building is called a house because David had lived in it. Alternate translation: “the palace where David had lived”
and as far as the gate of water, east
Quote: וְעַ֛ד שַׁ֥עַר הַמַּ֖יִם מִזְרָֽח (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis
Here the book leaves out some of the words that a sentence would ordinarily need in order to be complete. This sentence is indicating that once this group reached the Water Gate, it stopped. This left them just to the east of the temple. As 12:39 explains, the other group stopped just to the west of the temple, and the two groups joined together in the temple area. Alternate translation: “until they reached the Water Gate, and there they stopped, on the east side of the temple”
Nehemiah 12:38
And the … thanksgiving group
Quote: וְהַתּוֹדָ֧ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-time-simultaneous
The conjunction And introduces the description in 12:38 and 12:39 of what the second group was doing while the first group was following the route described in 12:31–37. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a word such as “meanwhile” to indicate this.
And the second thanksgiving group, the one proceeding to the opposite direction
Quote: וְהַתּוֹדָ֧ה הַשֵּׁנִ֛ית הַהוֹלֶ֥כֶת לְמ֖וֹאל (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis
Here the book leaves out some of the words that a sentence would ordinarily need in order to be complete. Alternate translation: “Meanwhile, the second group turned to its left and walked on top of the wall in the opposite direction, with musicians playing songs of thanksgiving as they went.”
and I after it
Quote: וַאֲנִ֣י אַחֲרֶ֑יהָ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
I refers to Nehemiah here, as in 12:31. If you think it would be helpful to your readers, you could state his name explicitly. Alternate translation: “I, Nehemiah, walked behind this second group”
with half of the people on top of the wall
Quote: וַחֲצִ֨י הָעָ֜ם מֵעַ֣ל לְהַחוֹמָ֗ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis
Here the book leaves out some of the words that a sentence would ordinarily need in order to be complete. This seems to be a reference to the counterparts of the people mentioned in 12:34. Alternate translation: “with the other half of the people from the tribes and Judah and Benjamin who were walking with their leaders on top of the wall to dedicate it to God”
on top of the tower of ovens
Quote: מֵעַל֙ לְמִגְדַּ֣ל הַתַּנּוּרִ֔ים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
This is the name of one of the towers of the Jerusalem wall. See how you translated it in 3:11. Alternate translation: “They went along the wall above the Tower of the Ovens”
even as far as the broad wall
Quote: וְעַ֖ד הַחוֹמָ֥ה הָרְחָבָֽה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
This is the name of one of the features of the Jerusalem wall. See how you translated it in 3:8. Alternate translation: “and continued to the Broad Wall”
Nehemiah 12:39
and on top of the gate of Ephraim, and above the gate of old, and above the gate of fish
Quote: וּמֵעַ֣ל לְשַֽׁעַר־אֶ֠פְרַיִם וְעַל־שַׁ֨עַר הַיְשָׁנָ֜ה וְעַל־שַׁ֣עַר הַדָּגִ֗ים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
These are the names of three of the gates of Jerusalem. See how you translated them in 8:16, 3:6, and 3:3. Alternate translation: “they went over the Ephraim Gate, the Old Gate, and the Fish Gate”
and the tower of Hananel and the tower of the hundred
Quote: וּמִגְדַּ֤ל חֲנַנְאֵל֙ וּמִגְדַּ֣ל הַמֵּאָ֔ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
These are the names of two of the towers on the Jerusalem wall. See how you translated them in 3:1. Alternate translation: “They walked past the Tower of Hananel and the Tower of the Hundred”
even as far as the gate of sheep
Quote: וְעַ֖ד שַׁ֣עַר הַצֹּ֑אן (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
This is the name of one of the gates of the Jerusalem wall. See how you translated it in 3:1 and 3:32. Alternate translation: “and continued to the Sheep Gate”
and they stood in the gate of the guard
Quote: וְעָ֣מְד֔וּ בְּשַׁ֖עַר הַמַּטָּרָֽה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
This is apparently the name of one of the gates of the Jerusalem temple. Verse 3:25 describes repairs that were made to the wall near the “court of the guard,” which was in the temple precincts, so presumably this was the gate that led into that court. “Stood” means “stood still,” that is, “stopped moving.” The people were already standing up to walk. Alternate translation: “This second group stopped when it reached the Gate of the Guard”
Nehemiah 12:40
And the two thanksgiving groups stood at the house of God
Quote: וַֽתַּעֲמֹ֛דְנָה שְׁתֵּ֥י הַתּוֹדֹ֖ת בְּבֵ֣ית הָאֱלֹהִ֑ים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
The implication is that both groups followed routes that led them around the city from their common starting point to places on either side of the temple. They then joined together for a concluding ceremony in or near the temple. Alternate translation: “both groups that had walked around the city to dedicate the wall came down from it and stood in an open area in front of the temple”
And … stood
Quote: וַֽתַּעֲמֹ֛דְנָה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-time-sequential
This word indicates that the event the story will now describe came after the events it has just described. If it would be helpful in your language, you could show this relationship by using a word such as “then.”
also I, and half of the prefects with me
Quote: וַאֲנִ֕י וַחֲצִ֥י הַסְּגָנִ֖ים עִמִּֽי (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-background
Nehemiah now provides further details for the second group, which he had accompanied, similar to the details he provided for the first group in verses 32–36. Alternate translation: “My group included the other half of the leaders of Judah”
Nehemiah 12:41
Eliakim, Maaseiah, Miniamin, Micaiah, Elioenai, Zechariah, Hananiah
Quote: אֶלְיָקִ֡ים מַעֲשֵׂיָ֡ה מִ֠נְיָמִין מִיכָיָ֧ה אֶלְיוֹעֵינַ֛י זְכַרְיָ֥ה חֲנַנְיָ֖ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
These are the names of seven men.
Nehemiah 12:42
and Maaseiah, and Shemaiah, and Eleazar, and Uzzi, and Jehohanan, and Malkijah, and Elam, and Ezer
Quote: וּמַעֲשֵׂיָ֨ה וּֽשְׁמַֽעְיָ֜ה וְאֶלְעָזָ֧ר וְעֻזִּ֛י וִֽיהוֹחָנָ֥ן וּמַלְכִּיָּ֖ה וְעֵילָ֣ם וָעָ֑זֶר (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
These are the names of eight men.
And the ones who sang made themselves heard, with Jezrahiah the overseer
Quote: וַיַּשְׁמִ֨יעוּ֙ הַמְשֹׁ֣רְרִ֔ים וְיִֽזְרַחְיָ֖ה הַפָּקִֽיד (1)Alternate translation: “The singers sang loudly, with Jezrahiah directing their choir”
with Jezrahiah
Quote: וְיִֽזְרַחְיָ֖ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
This is the name of a man.
Nehemiah 12:43
on that day
Quote: בַיּוֹם־הַ֠הוּא (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-time-simultaneous
This is a flexible expression that can mean either on that same day or around that time. But since this verse continues to describe the celebrations for the dedication of the wall, here it likely means on that same day.
for God had made them glad with great rejoicing
Quote: כִּ֤י הָאֱלֹהִים֙ שִׂמְּחָם֙ שִׂמְחָ֣ה גְדוֹלָ֔ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns
The abstract noun rejoicing describes how happy the people were as they held this celebration to dedicate the wall. If it would be helpful in your language, you could translate the idea behind this word with an adjective such as happy. Alternate translation: “God had made them all very happy”
so the rejoicing of Jerusalem was heard from far away
Quote: וַתִּשָּׁמַ֛ע שִׂמְחַ֥ת יְרוּשָׁלִַ֖ם מֵרָחֽוֹק (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns
In this case the abstract noun rejoicing refers to the loud sound that the singers and the people made as they held the ceremony to dedicate the rebuilt wall. If it would be helpful in your language, you could translate the idea behind this abstract noun with a concrete noun such as “sound.” Alternate translation: “the sound that the people made as they celebrated in Jerusalem was so loud that even other people who were far away could hear it”
so the rejoicing of Jerusalem was heard from far away
Quote: וַתִּשָּׁמַ֛ע שִׂמְחַ֥ת יְרוּשָׁלִַ֖ם מֵרָחֽוֹק (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
If it would be helpful in your language, you could say this with an active form, and you could say who did the action. Alternate translation: “the sound that the people made as they celebrated in Jerusalem was so loud that even other people who were far away could hear it”
the rejoicing of Jerusalem
Quote: שִׂמְחַ֥ת יְרוּשָׁלִַ֖ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification
Here the story speaks of Jerusalem as if it were a living thing that could celebrate. Alternate translation: “the sound that the people made as they celebrated in Jerusalem”
Nehemiah 12:44
on that day
Quote: בַיּוֹם֩ הַה֨וּא (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-time-simultaneous
As noted for 12:43, this is a flexible expression that can mean either on that same day or around that time. So here it could mean either that men were appointed to be in charge of the store rooms on the same day as the dedication celebration, or else at around the same time, perhaps shortly afterwards, once all of the activity of the celebration was over. Alternate translation: “on the same day that they held the ceremony to dedicate the rebuilt wall” or “around this same time”
And … men were appointed over the chambers for the storehouses
Quote: וַיִּפָּקְד֣וּ & אֲנָשִׁ֜ים עַל־הַנְּשָׁכ֗וֹת לָא֨וֹצָר֥וֹת (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
This is referring implicitly to the six Levites whose names are listed in 12:25. The chambers are the storerooms above the gateways to the temple. (Review the note to 12:25 if that would be helpful.) If it would be helpful in your language, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “we appointed six Levites to be in charge of the store rooms above the gateways to the temple”
And … men were appointed
Quote: וַיִּפָּקְד֣וּ & אֲנָשִׁ֜ים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
If it would be helpful in your language, you could say this with an active form, and you could say who did the action. In the context of this episode, saying “we” would indicate Nehemiah and his fellow leaders. (“We” would not include the addressee, if your language makes that distinction.) Alternate translation: “we appointed six Levites”
for the offerings, for the firstfruits, and for the tithes, to gather into them from the fields of the cities
Quote: לַתְּרוּמוֹת֮ לָרֵאשִׁ֣ית וְלַמַּֽעַשְׂרוֹת֒ לִכְנ֨וֹס בָּהֶ֜ם לִשְׂדֵ֤י הֶעָרִים֙ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
In their covenant, these were the things the people promised to provide in order to support the priests and the Levites. (See 10:36–39.) If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “so that they could collect the offerings, firstfruits, and tithes that the Israelites would bring in from the fields around their cities, as they had promised to do in their covenant”
the portions of the law for the priests and for the Levites
Quote: מְנָא֣וֹת הַתּוֹרָ֔ה לַכֹּהֲנִ֖ים וְלַלְוִיִּ֑ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns
The abstract noun portion refers to the part of each crop that the law commanded the Israelites to give to the temple to support the priests and Levites. If it would be helpful in your language, you could translate the idea behind this word with a different phrase. Alternate translation: “these were the things that the law commanded the Israelites to give from their harvests to support the priests and Levites”
For Judah rejoiced over the priests and over the Levites, the ones who were standing
Quote: כִּ֚י שִׂמְחַ֣ת יְהוּדָ֔ה עַל־הַכֹּהֲנִ֥ים וְעַל־הַלְוִיִּ֖ם הָעֹמְדִֽים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result
If it would be helpful in your language, you could place this sentence first in the verse since it gives the reason for the results that are described in the rest of the verse. You could also show the connection by using a word like “so” after this phrase. Alternate translation: “The people of Judah were very happy that the priests and the Levites were once again serving in the roles that the law had assigned to them. So … ”
rejoiced over the priests and over the Levites
Quote: שִׂמְחַ֣ת & עַל־הַכֹּהֲנִ֥ים וְעַל־הַלְוִיִּ֖ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
In this context, over is a spatial metaphor that indicates for or because of. Alternate translation: “were very happy that”
the ones who were standing
Quote: הָעֹמְדִֽים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Standing means that the priests and the Levites were serving in the roles that the law had assigned to them. This meaning can be made explicit. Alternate translation: “serving in the roles that the law had assigned to them”
Nehemiah 12:45
And they kept
Quote: וַֽיִּשְׁמְר֞וּ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result
In this context, the conjunction And indicates that the sentence it introduces explains the results of what the previous verse described. Specifically, the temple personnel were able to perform their duties regularly because the people had organized regular support for them. Alternate translation: “and so”
And they kept the service watch of their God and the service watch of purification
Quote: וַֽיִּשְׁמְר֞וּ מִשְׁמֶ֤רֶת אֱלֹֽהֵיהֶם֙ וּמִשְׁמֶ֣רֶת הַֽטָּהֳרָ֔ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns
They means the priests and Levites. The abstract noun service, in the phrase service watch of their God, refers to the duties that God had commanded the priests and Levites to perform in the law. In the phrase “service of purification,” this abstract noun refers to one of those duties in particular, the duty of performing a ceremony for themselves and for others that expressed a desire to be ceremonially clean, that is, acceptable to God. The story describes in 12:30 how they performed such a ceremony on this occasion. Alternate translation: “So the priests and Levites were able to perform the duties that God had commanded, including performing ceremonies of purification”
also the ones who sang and the gatekeepers
Quote: וְהַמְשֹׁרְרִ֖ים וְהַשֹּׁעֲרִ֑ים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis
Here the book leaves out some of the words that a sentence would ordinarily need in order to be complete. This phrase seems to means The singers and the gatekeepers were also able to perform their assigned duties. You could say that explicitly if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation:
according to the commandment of David and Solomon his son
Quote: כְּמִצְוַ֥ת דָּוִ֖יד שְׁלֹמֹ֥ה בְנֽוֹ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-background
This phrase provides background information that explains that it was King David and King Solomon, his son, who established the duties of the temple singers and gatekeepers. Alternate translation: “as King David and King Solomon, his son, had commanded them to do”
Nehemiah 12:46
For
Quote: כִּֽי (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-background
This word indicates that this sentence will provide further information about the situation that the book is describing here. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could use a word or expression in your own language that indicates the same thing.
in the days of David and Asaph, from ancient time there was
Quote: בִימֵ֥י דָוִ֛יד וְאָסָ֖ף מִקֶּ֑דֶם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
The expression from before is an idiom that means ever since a long time ago Alternate translation: “ever since the time of David and Asaph long ago”
in the days of David and Asaph
Quote: בִימֵ֥י דָוִ֛יד וְאָסָ֖ף (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
The term days is used here to refer a particular period of time. Alternate translation: “in the time of David and Asaph”
David and Asaph
Quote: דָוִ֛יד וְאָסָ֖ף (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
These are the names of two men.
and Asaph
Quote: וְאָסָ֖ף (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
The book assumes that the original audience would know that Asaph was the man whom David first appointed to be the director of the Levite singers. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “ever since David first appointed Asaph to lead the singers”
a head of the ones who sang
Quote: ראש הַמְשֹׁ֣רְרִ֔ים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Head here is a figurative way of saying leader. Alternate translation: “the Levite choir has had an appointed director”
and songs of praise and thanksgiving to God
Quote: וְשִׁיר־תְּהִלָּ֥ה וְהֹד֖וֹת לֵֽאלֹהִֽים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis
Here the book leaves out some of the words that a sentence would ordinarily need in order to be complete. Alternate translation: “and they have sung songs of praise and thanksgiving to God”
Nehemiah 12:47
And … all
Quote: וְכָל (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-background
This word indicates that this sentence will provide further information about the situation that the book is describing here. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could use a word or expression in your own language that indicates the same thing.
in the days of Zerubbabel and in the days of Nehemiah
Quote: בִּימֵ֨י זְרֻבָּבֶ֜ל וּבִימֵ֣י נְחֶמְיָ֗ה (1)Alternate translation: “just as they had done in the time of Zerubbabel, so now in the time of Nehemiah”
in the days of Zerubbabel and in the days of Nehemiah
Quote: בִּימֵ֨י זְרֻבָּבֶ֜ל וּבִימֵ֣י נְחֶמְיָ֗ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
The term days is used here to refer a particular period of time. Alternate translation: “the time of Zerubbabel … the time of Nehemiah”
in the days of Zerubbabel
Quote: בִּימֵ֨י זְרֻבָּבֶ֜ל (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
As 12:1 explains, this was the man who led the first group of Jews who returned to the province of Judah, about a hundred years before the time of Nehemiah. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could indicate this more explicitly. Alternate translation: “in the time of Zerubbabel, who led the first group back to the province of Judah from exile”
Zerubbabel … Nehemiah
Quote: זְרֻבָּבֶ֜ל & נְחֶמְיָ֗ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
These are the names of two men.
And in the days of Zerubbabel and in the days of Nehemiah, all Israel was giving the portions of the ones who sang
Quote: וְכָל־יִשְׂרָאֵל֩ בִּימֵ֨י זְרֻבָּבֶ֜ל וּבִימֵ֣י נְחֶמְיָ֗ה נֹֽתְנִ֛ים מְנָי֛וֹת הַמְשֹׁרְרִ֥ים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns
As in 12:44, the abstract noun portion refers to the part of each crop that the Israelites contributed to support the temple personnel. If it would be helpful in your language, you could translate the idea behind this word with a different phrase. Alternate translation: “all the Israelites contributed from their harvests to support the singers and the gatekeepers”
as a daily matter in its day
Quote: דְּבַר־י֣וֹם בְּיוֹמ֑וֹ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
As in 11:23, this is an idiom that means as each day required
And they were consecrating for the Levites, and the Levites were consecrating for the sons of Aaron
Quote: וּמַקְדִּשִׁים֙ לַלְוִיִּ֔ם וְהַלְוִיִּ֔ם מַקְדִּשִׁ֖ים לִבְנֵ֥י אַהֲרֹֽן (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
They means the Israelites, as in the previous sentence. Consecrating means setting apart. This is likely a reference to the tithe or 1/10 of crops that the Israelites promised in their covenant to give to support the Levites, and to the tithe of this tithe that the Levites then contributed to support the priests, as described in 10:37–38. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “The Israelites also gave a tenth of their crops to support the Levites, just as they had promised, and the Levites gave a tenth of this tenth to support the priests”
Nehemiah 13
Nehemiah 13 General Notes
Special concepts in this chapter
Nehemiah returns to Jerusalem
Nehemiah was eager to make sure that the Jews kept their promise to obey the law. When he returned from Persia, he found many things wrong: one of the store rooms in the temple had been converted into a guest room for Tobiah, the Levites had not received their portions for working in the temple, people were working on the Sabbath, and many had married heathen wives. (See: promise, promised, law, law of Moses, law of Yahweh, law of God and temple, house, house of God and Sabbath)
Nehemiah 13:1
On that day
Quote: בַּיּ֣וֹם הַה֗וּא (1)As noted for 12:43 and 12:44, this is a flexible expression that can mean either “on that same day” or “around that time.” Either meaning might fit the context here, so you could choose to say either one in your translation.
it was read in the book of Moses
Quote: נִקְרָ֛א בְּסֵ֥פֶר מֹשֶׁ֖ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
If it would be helpful in your language, you could say this with an active form, and you could say who did the action. Alternate translation: “we read from the scroll that contained the Law of Moses”
in the ears of the people
Quote: בְּאָזְנֵ֣י הָעָ֑ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
Here, ears stand for hearing. Alternate translation: “out loud so that all the people could hear”
and it was found written in it
Quote: וְנִמְצָא֙ כָּת֣וּב בּ֔וֹ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
Found is an idiom that means “could be found there” or “was there.” The expression means that this was something that was in the law. And since Nehemiah and the other leaders were reading this out loud to the people, their purpose was to show them that this was in the law. Alternate translation: “and we showed them that it said”
and it was found written in it
Quote: וְנִמְצָא֙ כָּת֣וּב בּ֔וֹ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
If it would be helpful in your language, you could say this with an active form, and you could say who did the action. Alternate translation: “we showed them that it said”
Ammonite or Moabite
Quote: עַמֹּנִ֧י וּמֹאָבִ֛י (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
These are the names of the members of two people groups.
shall enter into the assembly of God
Quote: יָב֨וֹא & בִּקְהַ֥ל הָאֱלֹהִ֖ים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
The expression assembly of God can refer either to the entire Israelite community, as in 7:66 and 8:17, or to the community gathered for a legal proceeding, as in 5:7 and 5:13, or gathered for a religious ceremony, as in 8:2 and 8:18. The last meaning is probably in view here. This statement likely means that Ammonites and Moabites were not allowed to join the Israelites in their worship of Yahweh in the temple or on public occasions. For example, 9:2 describes how the Israelites did not allow any foreigners to take part in their ceremony of national repentance. (Later in this chapter, in 13:23–27, Nehemiah will describe how he took the further measure of expelling foreigners from the Israelite community itself.) Alternate translation: “could join with the Israelites when they worshiped Yahweh”
until eternity
Quote: עַד־עוֹלָֽם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
This expression means that this was a permanent regulation in the Law of Moses. It was not a regulation that applied just to a specific period and that might change afterwards. Alternate translation: “This was a permanent rule.”
Nehemiah 13:2
For
Quote: כִּ֣י (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result
This word indicates that the sentence it introduces explains the reasons for what the previous sentence described. Alternate translation: “they could not come into the assembly because”
they did not meet the sons of Israel with bread and with water
Quote: לֹ֧א קִדְּמ֛וּ אֶת־בְּנֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל בַּלֶּ֣חֶם וּבַמָּ֑יִם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
The assumption is that readers will know what historical incident this statement is referring to. It is a reference to the time when the Israelites were traveling from Egypt to Canaan through the desert. They were basically refugees. It could have been expected, as a basic act of compassion, that the Ammonites and Moabites would help provide for their needs as they passed through their territories but they refused to do this. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “they did not help meet the needs of the Israelites when they were refugees traveling through their territories”
the sons of Israel
Quote: בְּנֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Sons here means “descendants.” The descendants of Israel were the Israelites. Alternate translation: “the Israelites”
they did … meet … with bread and with water
Quote: קִדְּמ֛וּ & בַּלֶּ֣חֶם וּבַמָּ֑יִם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
Bread stands for food, and water stands for drink, and together both terms probably represent assistance in general. Alternate translation: “provide food and drink” or “provide the help they needed”
And he hired Balaam against them to curse them, but our God overturned the curse to a blessing
Quote: וַיִּשְׂכֹּ֨ר עָלָ֤יו אֶת־בִּלְעָם֙ לְקַֽלְל֔וֹ וַיַּהֲפֹ֧ךְ אֱלֹהֵ֛ינוּ הַקְּלָלָ֖ה לִבְרָכָֽה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
The assumption once again is that readers will know what historical incident this is referring to. This is a reference to the way the king of Moab hired a prophet named Balaam to curse the Israelites, but instead God made Balaam speak words of blessing about them. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “The Moabites also hired a prophet named Balaam to curse the Israelites, but God made him speak words of blessing instead”
Balaam
Quote: בִּלְעָם֙ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
This is a man’s name.
Nehemiah 13:3
And it happened
Quote: וַיְהִ֖י (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-time-sequential
This phrase indicates that the events the story will now describe came after the things it has just described. You can use an expression in your own language that will indicate this clearly.
as soon as they heard the law
Quote: כְּשָׁמְעָ֣ם אֶת־הַתּוֹרָ֑ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
As in 9:29, hear in this context is an idiom that means not just to hear something audibly, but to understand a command and recognize the need to obey it. Alternate translation: “when they realized that this was what the law commanded”
that, … they separated all the mixed company from Israel
Quote: וַיַּבְדִּ֥ילוּ כָל־עֵ֖רֶב מִיִּשְׂרָאֵֽל (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
Mixed company is an expression that describes people who were not Israelites. It indicates that if they were present, then the group would be mixed, part Israelite and part non-Israelite. Alternate translation: “They no longer allowed foreigners to worship with the Israelites”
Nehemiah 13:4
Now, before the face of this
Quote: וְלִפְנֵ֣י מִזֶּ֔ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-background
This phrase indicates that the events the story will now relate came before the events it has just described. If it would be helpful in your language, you could show this relationship by using a phrase such as “but before all this happened.”
Now, before the face of this
Quote: וְלִפְנֵ֣י מִזֶּ֔ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
In this book, the expression face often refers to the front of a person, place, or object. Here the expression has the further figurative significance of “in front of” or “before” a certain time. Alternate translation: “before this time”
Eliashib
Quote: אֶלְיָשִׁיב֙ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
This is a man’s name. See how you translated it in 3:1.
Eliashib the priest
Quote: אֶלְיָשִׁיב֙ הַכֹּהֵ֔ן (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-distinguish
Here the book repeats some background information to remind readers who Eliashib was. As we learn in 3:1, 3:20, and 12:10, he was actually the Jewish high priest during the time of Nehemiah. Alternate translation: “the high priest”
Eliashib the priest, … was being put
Quote: אֶלְיָשִׁיב֙ הַכֹּהֵ֔ן נָת֖וּן (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
If it would be helpful in your language, you could translate this in active form. Alternate translation: “they appointed Eliashib the priest” or “the leaders appointed Eliashib the priest”
was being put in the chamber of the house of our God
Quote: נָת֖וּן בְּלִשְׁכַּ֣ת בֵּית־אֱלֹהֵ֑ינוּ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
This is most likely a figurative way of saying that as high priest, Eliashib had responsibility for and control over all the rooms in the temple. Alternate translation: “since he had control over”
nearly-related to Tobiah
Quote: קָר֖וֹב לְטוֹבִיָּֽה (1)Since Tobiah was an Ammonite, Eliashib could not have been his close blood relative. So this expression must refer to a connection by marriage. We learn in 6:18 that both Tobiah and his son had married Jewish women, and one or both of these women may have been relatives of Eliashib. Alternate translation: “who was related to Tobiah by marriage”
in the chamber of the house of our God
Quote: בְּלִשְׁכַּ֣ת בֵּית־אֱלֹהֵ֑ינוּ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche
Here one chamber or room is used to mean “every chamber” or room in the temple. Alternate translation: “every room in the temple”
the house of our God
Quote: בֵּית־אֱלֹהֵ֑ינוּ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
As often in this book, Nehemiah speaks of the temple here as the house of God, as if it were God’s dwelling place. Alternate translation: “the temple”
Nehemiah 13:5
And he made
Quote: וַיַּ֨עַשׂ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result
In this context, the conjunction and indicates that the sentence it introduces explains the reason for what the previous sentence described, or what made it possible. Alternate translation: “and so” unless you used the word “since” to introduce the last phrase in 13:4, in which case the connection would already be clear and you would not need to use any connecting phrase here.
for him
Quote: ל֜וֹ (1)Verse 13:7 indicates that him refers to Tobiah. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say that explicitly here. Alternate translation: “he allowed Tobiah to move into a large room in the temple”
and there previously they were putting offerings
Quote: וְשָׁ֣ם הָי֪וּ לְפָנִ֟ים נֹ֠תְנִים אֶת־הַמִּנְחָ֨ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
They means the Israelites, and offerings, if it is a general term (See: next note), means the contributions that they gave to support the priests and Levites, as described in 12:44. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say that explicitly. Alternate translation: “This was the room that the Israelites had previously been using to store the offerings they brought to the temple to support the priests and Levites”
offerings
Quote: הַמִּנְחָ֨ה (1)The word offerings could be referring generally to all of the contributions that the Israelites brought, which would then be listed in the rest of this verse, or it could be the first specific item on the list, the daily grain offering, as described in 10:33. Alternate translation: “the offerings they brought” or “the daily grain offering”
the frankincense
Quote: הַלְּבוֹנָ֜ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown
This term refers to a mixture of fragrant spices that was burned to produce smoke that had a pleasant smell. The law specified a special blend of spices that it said could only be used in the temple by the priests. Alternate translation: “the sacred incense”
and the vessels
Quote: וְהַכֵּלִ֗ים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche
As in 10:39, here Nehemiah uses one type of equipment that the storerooms would hold, vessels or “jars” or “containers,” to refer to all the different types of equipment that the priests and Levites would have used in the temple. Alternate translation: “the temple equipment”
and the tithes of the grain, the wine, and the oil
Quote: וּמַעְשַׂ֤ר הַדָּגָן֙ הַתִּיר֣וֹשׁ וְהַיִּצְהָ֔ר (1)This means the portion, one tenth, of their crops and produce that the Israelites had promised to contribute to support the temple personnel, as described in 10:37–38. Alternate translation: “the tenth of their crops and produce”
and the tithes of
Quote: וּמַעְשַׂ֤ר (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-fraction
A tithe means a tenth (1/10) or one part out of ten equal parts.
the commandment for the Levites, and the ones who sang, and the gatekeepers
Quote: מִצְוַת֙ הַלְוִיִּ֔ם וְהַמְשֹׁרְרִ֖ים וְהַשֹּׁעֲרִ֑ים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis
Here Nehemiah leaves out some of the words that a sentence would ordinarily need in order to be complete. This phrase means “which the law had commanded them to contribute to support the Levites, the singers, and the temple gatekeepers.” You could say that explicitly if it would be helpful to your readers.
and the offerings of the priests
Quote: וּתְרוּמַ֖ת הַכֹּהֲנִֽים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-possession
Here, offerings of the priests refers to offerings that people brought for the priests, not offerings made by the priests. This may have included the tithe, or one tenth of what they received, that the Levites contributed to the priests, as described in 10:38. Alternate translation: “and the contributions to support the priests”
Nehemiah 13:6
And during all this
Quote: וּבְכָל־זֶ֕ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-time-simultaneous
This expression indicates that the sentence it introduces describes something that was happening at the same time as the events the book has just described. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a phrase such as “while all of this was happening” to indicate this.
For
Quote: כִּ֡י (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result
This word indicates that the clause it introduces explains the reason for what the previous clause described. That is, Nehemiah is about to give the reason why he was not in Jerusalem while Eliashib was allowing Tobiah to move into the temple. Alternate translation: “because”
I had gone to the king in year 32 of Artaxerxes, the king of Babylon
Quote: בִּשְׁנַת֩ שְׁלֹשִׁ֨ים וּשְׁתַּ֜יִם לְאַרְתַּחְשַׁ֤סְתְּא מֶֽלֶךְ־בָּבֶל֙ בָּ֣אתִי אֶל־הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-background
Here Nehemiah is providing background information to explain why he was not in Jerusalem. As he indicates in 5:14, he was governor of Judah for twelve years, from the twentieth to the thirty-second year of the reign of King Artaxerxes. As this verse indicates, he then returned to the royal court. Alternate translation: “I had returned to serve King Artaxerxes in his court in the thirty-second year of his reign”
in year 32 of Artaxerxes
Quote: בִּשְׁנַת֩ שְׁלֹשִׁ֨ים וּשְׁתַּ֜יִם לְאַרְתַּחְשַׁ֤סְתְּא (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal
This expression refers to the number of years that Artaxerxes had been reigning as king. Alternate translation: “in year 32 of the reign of Artaxerxes as king”
the king of Babylon
Quote: מֶֽלֶךְ־בָּבֶל֙ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-background
Artaxerxes was the king of the Persian Empire, but since the Persians had conquered the Babylonians, he also had the right to use the title “king of Babylon.” The fact that Nehemiah describes him by this title may actually indicate that the royal court was located in the city of Babylon at this time and that he returned to that city to resume his duties in the court. Alternate translation: “the king of Persia, whose court was then in Babylon”
And at an end of days
Quote: וּלְקֵ֥ץ יָמִ֖ים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
The term days is used here to refer a particular period of time. Alternate translation: “after some time”
I requested leave from the king
Quote: נִשְׁאַ֥לְתִּי מִן־הַמֶּֽלֶךְ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
The implication, as shown explicitly in the next verse, is that Nehemiah requested time off from his responsibilities in the court so that he could travel back to Judah and see how the people there were doing, and that the king gave him permission to do this. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “I asked the king if I could take some time off and travel back to Judah to help the people there, and he gave me permission to do that”
Nehemiah 13:7
And I came to Jerusalem
Quote: וָאָב֖וֹא לִֽירוּשָׁלִָ֑ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-time-sequential
In this context, the conjunction And at the beginning of this phrase indicates that this event took place after the event the story has just described. If it would be helpful in your language, you could show this relationship by using a phrase such as “and so.”
And I understood
Quote: וָאָבִ֣ינָה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-time-sequential
In this context, the conjunction And at the beginning of this phrase indicates that this event took place after the event in the previous sentence. If it would be helpful in your language, you could show this relationship by using a phrase such as “when I got there, I discovered”
And I understood about the evil
Quote: וָאָבִ֣ינָה בָרָעָ֗ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
In this context, this phrase means “came to understand the evil” or “discovered the evil” or “realized the evil.” If it would be helpful in your language, you could use any of those phrases or a similar one as an alternate translation.
about the evil that Eliashib had done for Tobiah by making for him a chamber in the courts of the house of God
Quote: בָרָעָ֗ה אֲשֶׁ֨ר עָשָׂ֤ה אֶלְיָשִׁיב֙ לְט֣וֹבִיָּ֔ה לַעֲשׂ֥וֹת לוֹ֙ נִשְׁכָּ֔ה בְּחַצְרֵ֖י בֵּ֥ית הָאֱלֹהִֽים (1)While in the book of Nehemiah the word evil often means things like “sad” or “harmful,” in this context, the word does describe something that is morally bad and destructive. Eliashib had not done this wrong thing to Tobiah, but on his behalf. Alternate translation: “about the wrong thing that Eliashib had done by allowing Tobiah to move into a storeroom within the temple courts”
the house of God
Quote: בֵּ֥ית הָאֱלֹהִֽים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Nehemiah speaks of the temple as the house of God as if it were God’s dwelling place. Alternate translation: “the temple”
Nehemiah 13:8
And it was extremely evil to me
Quote: וַיֵּ֥רַֽע לִ֖י מְאֹ֑ד (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
This expression describes Nehemiah’s perspective on the action. It does not mean that Eliashib did a wrong thing to Nehemiah directly. Alternate translation: “I recognized how very wrong this was”
and I cast out all the things of the house of Tobiah from the storeroom to the outside
Quote: וָֽאַשְׁלִ֜יכָה אֶֽת־כָּל־כְּלֵ֧י בֵית־טוֹבִיָּ֛ה הַח֖וּץ מִן־הַלִּשְׁכָּֽה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Here, the term house represents all the possessions of Tobiah. It does not mean a literal house that Tobiah owned, because the context shows that he was staying in a room within the temple. Rather, house is a metaphor for “property,” that is, the things a person owns and would keep in a house. Alternate translation: “I threw everything that Tobiah was keeping in that storeroom right out of the temple”
Nehemiah 13:9
And I spoke
Quote: וָאֹ֣מְרָ֔ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-time-sequential
In this context, the conjunction And indicates that this event took place after the event the story has just described. If it would be helpful in your language, you could show this relationship by using a word such as “then.”
And I spoke, and they purified the chambers
Quote: וָאֹ֣מְרָ֔ה וַֽיְטַהֲר֖וּ הַלְּשָׁכ֑וֹת (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
The implication is that Nehemiah spoke to the priests since they would have been the ones to conduct a ceremony like the one the story describes in 12:30 to show that the people wanted the rooms in the temple to be ceremonially clean in the hopes that they would once more be acceptable to God. Alternate translation: “I told the priests to conduct a ceremony to purify the rooms in the temple”
the vessels of the house of God, with the offering and the incense
Quote: כְּלֵי֙ בֵּ֣ית הָאֱלֹהִ֔ים אֶת־הַמִּנְחָ֖ה וְהַלְּבוֹנָֽה (1)See how you translated these expressions in 13:5. Alternate translation: “the equipment for the temple, the offerings that the people brought, and the sacred incense”
the house of God
Quote: בֵּ֣ית הָאֱלֹהִ֔ים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Nehemiah speaks of the temple as the house of God as if it were God’s dwelling place. Alternate translation: “the temple”
Nehemiah 13:10
And I knew
Quote: וָאֵ֣דְעָ֔ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-time-sequential
In this context, the conjunction And indicates that this event took place after the event the story has just described. If it would be helpful in your language, you could show this relationship by using a word such as then. As with “understood” in 13:7, knew here means came to know or discovered or realized. Alternate translation: “Then I discovered that”
the portions of the Levites had not been given
Quote: מְנָי֥וֹת הַלְוִיִּ֖ם לֹ֣א נִתָּ֑נָה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
If it would be helpful in your language, you could say this with an active form. Alternate translation: “no one had been giving the Levites the support that the law commanded the Israelites to provide for them”
the portions of the Levites had not been given
Quote: מְנָי֥וֹת הַלְוִיִּ֖ם לֹ֣א נִתָּ֑נָה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
The implication is that no one was giving the Levites their support because there was no longer any place to store the grain, oil, and other supplies in the temple, from where they could be distributed to them. This was because Tobiah had taken over the large storeroom. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “no one had been giving the Levites the support that the law commanded the Israelites to provide for them because there was no place to store the contributions now that Tobiah had taken over the storeroom”
the portions of the Levites
Quote: מְנָי֥וֹת הַלְוִיִּ֖ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns
As in 12:44 and 12:47, the abstract noun portion refers to the part of each crop that the law commanded the Israelites to give towards the work of the temple to support the Levites. If it would be helpful in your language, you could translate the idea behind this word with a different phrase. Alternate translation: “the support that the law commanded the Israelites to provide for the Levites”
and … had fled, a man to his field
Quote: וַיִּבְרְח֧וּ אִישׁ־לְשָׂדֵ֛הוּ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
The implication is that the Levites had had to return to farming their own land because they no longer received from the people the support they needed to be able to serve in the temple. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say that explicitly. Alternate translation: “all of the Levites had left the temple and returned to farming their own land because they had all stopped receiving the support that enabled them to serve in the temple”
and … had fled
Quote: וַיִּבְרְח֧וּ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result
In this context, the conjunction And indicates that the sentence it introduces explains the results of what the previous sentence described. Alternate translation: “as a result”
a man to his field
Quote: אִישׁ־לְשָׂדֵ֛הוּ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
In this context, a man means each one of them or every one of them Alternate translation: “all of the Levites had returned to farming their own land” or “each of the Levites had returned to farming his own land”
the Levites and the ones who sang, who did the work
Quote: הַלְוִיִּ֥ם וְהַמְשֹׁרְרִ֖ים עֹשֵׂ֥י הַמְּלָאכָֽה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-distinguish
Here the book repeats some background information to remind readers who the Levites and the singers were. Alternate translation: “the Levites and the singers, who were responsible for the worship in the temple”
who did the work
Quote: עֹשֵׂ֥י הַמְּלָאכָֽה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis
The work is an abbreviated way of saying “the work of the house of our God” as in 10:33 or “the work of the house of God” as in 11:12, that is, the work of the temple, meaning specifically everything required to maintain the worship there. Alternate translation: “who were responsible for the worship in the temple”
Nehemiah 13:11
And I contended
Quote: וָאָרִ֨יבָה֙ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-time-sequential
In this context, the conjunction And indicates that this event took place after the event the story has just described. If it would be helpful in your language, you could show this relationship by using a phrase such as “and after that”
And I contended with the prefects
Quote: וָאָרִ֨יבָה֙ אֶת־הַסְּגָנִ֔ים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
As in 5:7, contended is a technical term that describes a public accusation that requires the defendants to answer for themselves in the presence of their fellow citizens. Alternate translation: “Then I called the city officials to account publicly for what they had allowed”
the prefects
Quote: הַסְּגָנִ֔ים (1)See how you translated this term in 2:16. Alternate translation: “the city officials”
and I said
Quote: וָאֹ֣מְרָ֔ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
The implication in context is that what Nehemiah said was an accusation. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a phrase that indicates this. Alternate translation: “I demanded to know”
Why is the house of God forsaken
Quote: מַדּ֖וּעַ נֶעֱזַ֣ב בֵּית־הָאֱלֹהִ֑ים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion
Nehemiah uses the question form to challenge or even ridicule the officials who have failed in the basic responsibility of making sure that worship continues in the temple. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “Because of you, the temple has been abandoned”
And I gathered them and caused them to stand at their stations
Quote: וָֽאֶ֨קְבְּצֵ֔ם וָֽאַעֲמִדֵ֖ם עַל־עָמְדָֽם (1)Here, them refers not to the city officials but to the Levites and singers who had gone back to their farms. Alternate translation: “I brought the Levites and the singers back to the temple and I had them start doing their work again”
And I gathered them
Quote: וָֽאֶ֨קְבְּצֵ֔ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-time-sequential
In this context, the conjunction And indicates that this event took place after the event the story has just described. If it would be helpful in your language, you could show this relationship by using a word such as “then”
Nehemiah 13:12
And all
Quote: וְכָל (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-time-sequential
In this context, the conjunction And indicates that this event took place after the event the story has just described. If it would be helpful in your language, you could show this relationship by using a word such as “then”
And all Judah
Quote: וְכָל־יְהוּדָ֗ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole
All is a figurative exaggeration that means that people from throughout the province of Judah did this generally. Alternate translation: “the people of Judah”
And all Judah
Quote: וְכָל־יְהוּדָ֗ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification
Here Nehemiah refers to all of the Israelites living in the province of Judah as if they were a single person, Judah, the ancestor of the tribe by that name that lived in the territory that was now this province. Alternate translation: “the people of Judah”
to the treasuries
Quote: לָאוֹצָרֽוֹת (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown
This means the storerooms in the temple.
Nehemiah 13:13
And I appointed treasurers
Quote: וָאוֹצְרָ֣ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-time-sequential
In this context, the conjunction And indicates that this event took place after the event the story has just described. If it would be helpful in your language, you could show this relationship by using a word such as “then.”
And I appointed treasurers over the treasuries
Quote: וָאוֹצְרָ֣ה עַל־א֠וֹצָרוֹת (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown
Treasurers means officials who would be responsible for the storerooms in the temple. Alternate translation: “I appointed these men to be responsible for the temple storerooms”
Shelemiah the priest, and Zadok the scribe, and Pedaiah from the Levites
Quote: שֶׁלֶמְיָ֨ה הַכֹּהֵ֜ן וְצָד֣וֹק הַסּוֹפֵ֗ר וּפְדָיָה֙ מִן־הַלְוִיִּ֔ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
Shelmiah, Zadok, and Pedaiah are the names of men. As in 8:1, where the word refers to Ezra, scribe means a teacher who has carefully studied the Law of Moses. From the Levites means that Pedaiah was one of the Levites. Alternate translation: “Shelemiah the priest, Zadok the scribe, and Pedaiah the Levite”
and at their hand was
Quote: וְעַל־יָדָ֔ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
At their hand is a figurative way of saying assisting them Alternate translation: “I appointed to be their assistant”
Hanan, the son of Zaccur, the son of Mattaniah
Quote: חָנָ֥ן בֶּן־זַכּ֖וּר בֶּן־מַתַּנְיָ֑ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
Hanan is the name of a man, Zaccur is the name of his father, and Mattaniah is the name of his grandfather.
For
Quote: כִּ֤י (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result
In this context, the conjunction For indicates that the sentence it introduces explains the reason for what the previous sentence described. Alternate translation: “I appointed them because”
they were considered faithful
Quote: נֶאֱמָנִים֙ נֶחְשָׁ֔בוּ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
If it would be helpful in your language, you could say this with an active form, and you could say who did the action. Alternate translation: “Everyone recognized that they were honest men”
and it was for them to apportion to their brothers
Quote: וַעֲלֵיהֶ֖ם לַחֲלֹ֥ק לַאֲחֵיהֶֽם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
In this context, brother seems to be a figurative way of saying fellow priests and Levites, although it is possible that some of the biological brothers of the men listed were included in this group. Apportion means give the portions, meaning the support as described in 13:10. Alternate translation: “their responsibility was to make sure that their fellow priests and Levites received the support that the law commanded the Israelites to provide”
Nehemiah 13:14
Remember me, my God, concerning this
Quote: זָכְרָה־לִּ֥י אֱלֹהַ֖י עַל־זֹ֑את (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
In this context, remember means to think about someone and consider what action you can take on their behalf. Nehemiah is not suggesting that God has forgotten about him. Alternate translation: “please bless me, my God, for doing this”
Remember me, my God, concerning this
Quote: זָכְרָה־לִּ֥י אֱלֹהַ֖י עַל־זֹ֑את (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-aside
As in 4:4, here Nehemiah stops addressing the audience of his story and speaks directly to God. You could indicate this by putting this verse in quotation marks. Review the note at 4:4 about asides like this if that would be helpful.
and do not wipe out
Quote: וְאַל־תֶּ֣מַח (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Nehemiah speaks of his good deeds as if they were something written that could be erased. Alternate translation: “do not overlook”
my faithful kindness
Quote: חֲסָדַ֗י (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns
The abstract noun faithful kindness here is the same as the term “covenant faithfulness” that Nehemiah applies to God in 1:5, 9:17, 9:32, and 13:22. It refers to a person consistently and dependably fulfilling the obligations they have accepted. If it would be helpful in your language, you could translate the idea behind this word with a phrase that would bring out this meaning. Alternate translation: “the way that I have consistently provided for”
for the house of my God
Quote: בְּבֵ֥ית אֱלֹהַ֖י (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Nehemiah speaks of the temple as the house of God as if it were God’s dwelling place. Alternate translation: “your temple”
and for its service watches
Quote: וּבְמִשְׁמָרָֽיו (1)As in 12:9 and 12:24, the phrase service watch refers to the Levite singers. It means either an individual choir or a time on duty for the singers. Alternate translation: “and for the Levite singers”
Nehemiah 13:15
In those days
Quote: בַּיָּמִ֣ים הָהֵ֡מָּה (1)This phrase indicates that this event took place at the same time as the event the story has just related. If it would be helpful in your language, you could show this relationship by using a phrase such as “around that same time.”
I saw in Judah ones treading winepresses
Quote: רָאִ֣יתִי בִֽיהוּדָ֣ה ׀ דֹּֽרְכִֽים־גִּתּ֣וֹת (1)Alternate translation: “I saw that some of the people of Judah were treading winepresses”
ones treading winepresses
Quote: דֹּֽרְכִֽים־גִּתּ֣וֹת (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
The word winepresses represents the grapes that were in the winepresses. The people were treading on the grapes to press the juice out of them so that they could make wine. Alternate translation: “treading on grapes in winepresses”
on the sabbath
Quote: בַּשַּׁבָּ֡ת (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
The implication is that the people of Judah should not have been doing such work on the Sabbath because God had commanded them to set apart that day, the seventh day of the week, as a special day for rest and worship. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say that explicitly. Alternate translation: “on the Sabbath, when they should not have been doing any work”
on the sabbath
Quote: בַּשַּׁבָּ֡ת (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
This is the name of a religious observance. It occurs repeatedly in this part of the story, through 13:22. It will be helpful to your readers if you translate it consistently.
and ones bringing in grain-heaps, and ones loading onto donkeys, yes, even wine, grapes, and figs, and all kinds of loads, and ones bringing to Jerusalem on the day of the sabbath
Quote: וּמְבִיאִ֣ים הָעֲרֵמ֣וֹת וְֽעֹמְסִ֪ים עַל־הַחֲמֹרִ֟ים וְאַף־יַ֜יִן עֲנָבִ֤ים וּתְאֵנִים֙ וְכָל־מַשָּׂ֔א וּמְבִיאִ֥ים יְרוּשָׁלִַ֖ם בְּי֣וֹם הַשַּׁבָּ֑ת (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
These ones are not three different groups, but various people of Judah who were collectively doing all these things. The implication is that they were bringing these goods to Jerusalem to sell them even on the Sabbath. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say this explicitly. “Others had loaded their wares, such as sheaves of grain, wine, grapes, figs, and other goods, onto donkeys, and they were bringing these goods into Jerusalem to sell on the Sabbath day”
And I protested on the day of their selling provisions
Quote: וָאָעִ֕יד בְּי֖וֹם מִכְרָ֥ם צָֽיִד (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
The word day could be intended literally here and it could mean that Nehemiah protested that the Sabbath itself was not a day for selling goods since that was work. Another possibility is that the word day does not refer to a specific day, but rather to a more general time when Nehemiah said this. Alternate translation: “I protested that they should not be doing the work of selling on the Sabbath” or “at the time when they were selling these provisions, I protested against that”
Nehemiah 13:16
And the Tyrians who dwelt in it
Quote: וְהַצֹּרִים֙ יָ֣שְׁבוּ בָ֔הּ (1)Tyrians were people from the city of Tyre. It here refers to the city of Jerusalem. Alternate translation: “Also, some people from the city of Tyre who were living in Jerusalem”
And the Tyrians
Quote: וְהַצֹּרִים֙ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
Tyrians were people who came from the city of Tyre.
to the sons of Judah
Quote: לִבְנֵ֥י יְהוּדָ֖ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Son of is a figurative expression that indicates that a person shares the qualities of something. In this case, Nehemiah is describing people who share the quality of being residents of the province of Judah. (In context, this does not seem to be limited to actual descendants of Judah, that is, Israelites from that tribe, since the Tyrians seem to have been eager to sell to anyone living in the area.) Alternate translation: “the people of Judah”
even in Jerusalem
Quote: וּבִירוּשָׁלִָֽם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
The implication is that Jerusalem was the last place where anyone should have broken the Sabbath by doing work and engaging in commerce because it was the place from which God had chosen to start making himself famous throughout the world and the city where God had chosen to put his temple. (The concept is the same here as in 11:1 and 11:18, where Nehemiah calls Jerusalem “the holy city.”) If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “even in Jerusalem, the special city that God chose”
Nehemiah 13:17
And I contended
Quote: וָאָרִ֕יבָה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result
In this context, the conjunction And indicates that the sentence it introduces explains something that happened as a result of what the previous sentence described. Alternate translation: “So”
And I contended with the nobles of Judah
Quote: וָאָרִ֕יבָה אֵ֖ת חֹרֵ֣י יְהוּדָ֑ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
As in 5:7 and 13:11, contended is a technical term that describes a public accusation that requires the defendants to answer for themselves in the presence of their fellow citizens. Alternate translation: “Then I called the leading citizens of Judah to account publicly for what they had allowed”
the nobles of Judah
Quote: חֹרֵ֣י יְהוּדָ֑ה (1)See how you translated this term in 2:16. Alternate translation: “the leading citizens of Judah”
And I said to them
Quote: וָאֹמְרָ֣ה לָהֶ֗ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
The implication in context is that what Nehemiah said was an accusation. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a phrase that indicates this. Alternate translation: “I demanded to know”
What is this evil thing that you are doing, and profaning the day of the sabbath
Quote: מָֽה־הַדָּבָ֨ר הָרָ֤ע הַזֶּה֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר אַתֶּ֣ם עֹשִׂ֔ים וּֽמְחַלְּלִ֖ים אֶת־י֥וֹם הַשַּׁבָּֽת (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion
Nehemiah is using the question form for emphasis in order to scold the leaders of Judah. If it would be helpful in your language, you could translate what he says as an exclamation. Alternate translation: “You are doing an evil thing by treating the Sabbath day like any other day”
and profaning the day of the sabbath
Quote: וּֽמְחַלְּלִ֖ים אֶת־י֥וֹם הַשַּׁבָּֽת (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown
To profane something means to treat something that should be holy, set apart for a special purpose, as if it were something ordinary or common, just like anything else. Alternate translation: “treating the Sabbath day like any other day”
Nehemiah 13:18
Did not your fathers do thus, and our God brought all this evil on us and on this city
Quote: הֲל֨וֹא כֹ֤ה עָשׂוּ֙ אֲבֹ֣תֵיכֶ֔ם וַיָּבֵ֨א אֱלֹהֵ֜ינוּ עָלֵ֗ינוּ אֵ֚ת כָּל־הָרָעָ֣ה הַזֹּ֔את וְעַ֖ל הָעִ֣יר הַזֹּ֑את (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion
Nehemiah once again uses a question form for emphasis as he continues to scold the leaders of Judah. If it would be helpful in your language, you could translate what he says as a statement or as an exclamation. Alternate translation: “You know that your ancestors did the same thing, and that is why our God brought all this trouble on us and on this city”
your fathers
Quote: אֲבֹ֣תֵיכֶ֔ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Fathers here means “ancestors.” Alternate translation: “your ancestors”
and our God brought all this evil on us and on this city
Quote: וַיָּבֵ֨א אֱלֹהֵ֜ינוּ עָלֵ֗ינוּ אֵ֚ת כָּל־הָרָעָ֣ה הַזֹּ֔את וְעַ֖ל הָעִ֣יר הַזֹּ֑את (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
As Nehemiah speaks to the leading citizens, he assumes that they will know that he is referring to the way God allowed the Babylonians to conquer Jerusalem, destroy much of the city including the temple, break down the city wall, and take most of the people into exile. As he reports this conversation in the book, he assumes that its audience will know this as well. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “our God allowed the Babylonians to take our people into exile and destroy this city”
all this evil
Quote: כָּל־הָרָעָ֣ה הַזֹּ֔את (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
Evil here does not refer to something morally wrong, but to trouble or harm. Alternate translation: “all this trouble”
And you
Quote: וְאַתֶּ֞ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-contrast
In this context, the conjunction And indicates a contrast between how the leading citizens should be acting and how they actually are acting. You could make this contrast explicit by using an expression such as, “You should know better”
And you are increasing wrath upon Israel
Quote: וְאַתֶּ֞ם מוֹסִיפִ֤ים חָרוֹן֙ עַל־יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
Nehemiah assumes that the leading citizens will know that he is speaking of God’s wrath, that is, God’s anger at the people’s sin, and the punishment that God may use to penalize and correct the people for what they are doing. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “you are making God even more angry with the people of Israel, and God may punish us even more”
Israel
Quote: יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification
Here Nehemiah refers to all of the Israelites as if they were a single person, their ancestor, Israel. Alternate translation: “the Israelites” or “the people of Israel”
by profaning the sabbath
Quote: לְחַלֵּ֖ל אֶת־הַשַּׁבָּֽת (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown
As in 13:17, to profane something means to treat something that should be considered holy, that is, set apart for a special purpose, as if it were ordinary or common. Alternate translation: “by treating the Sabbath day like any other day”
Nehemiah 13:19
And it happened … when the gates of Jerusalem grew dark before the face of the sabbath
Quote: וַיְהִ֡י כַּאֲשֶׁ֣ר צָֽלֲלוּ֩ שַׁעֲרֵ֨י יְרוּשָׁלִַ֜ם לִפְנֵ֣י הַשַּׁבָּ֗ת (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-newevent
Nehemiah uses this phrase to introduce the next event in his story. You do not need to represent it in your translation unless your language has a similar expression that it characteristically uses.
when the gates of Jerusalem grew dark before the face of the sabbath
Quote: כַּאֲשֶׁ֣ר צָֽלֲלוּ֩ שַׁעֲרֵ֨י יְרוּשָׁלִַ֜ם לִפְנֵ֣י הַשַּׁבָּ֗ת (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Nehemiah speaks of the gates as if they were changing in hue, but this is a figurative way of saying that the sun was setting and evening was beginning. Alternate translation: “when evening came”
before the face of the sabbath
Quote: לִפְנֵ֣י הַשַּׁבָּ֗ת (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
As in 13:4, the expression face, which often refers to the front of something, has the further figurative significance of “in front of” or “before” a certain time. Alternate translation: “as the Sabbath was beginning”
that, … I spoke, and the doors were shut
Quote: וָאֹֽמְרָה֙ וַיִּסָּגְר֣וּ הַדְּלָת֔וֹת (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result
Here the conjunction and indicates that the action described in the second phrase was the result of the action described in the first phrase. Alternate translation: “I gave orders for the doors to be closed and barred”
and I said that they should not open them until after the sabbath
Quote: וָאֹ֣מְרָ֔ה אֲשֶׁר֙ לֹ֣א יִפְתָּח֔וּם עַ֖ד אַחַ֣ר הַשַּׁבָּ֑ת (1)They likely refers to the gatekeepers. Alternate translation: “I ordered the gatekeepers not to open them again until after the Sabbath”
And I caused some from my young men to stand at the gates
Quote: וּמִנְּעָרַ֗י הֶֽעֱמַ֨דְתִּי֙ עַל־הַשְּׁעָרִ֔ים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
As in 4:16 and many other places in the book, “young men” refers to the servants who worked for Nehemiah. While they probably were young adult males, the expression is specifically envisioning their role and status. Alternate translation: “I had some of my servants stand at the gates”
a load could not enter on the day of the sabbath
Quote: לֹא־יָב֥וֹא מַשָּׂ֖א בְּי֥וֹם הַשַּׁבָּֽת (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification
Here Nehemiah speaks of a load of goods as if it were a living thing that could go through the gates and into Jerusalem on its own. Alternate translation: “so that no one would bring in a load on the Sabbath day”
a load could not enter on the day of the sabbath
Quote: לֹא־יָב֥וֹא מַשָּׂ֖א בְּי֥וֹם הַשַּׁבָּֽת (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
The ultimate purpose was to keep merchants from offering goods for sale on the Sabbath and to keep the people from buying them. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “so that on the Sabbath day no one would bring a load of goods into the city for sale”
Nehemiah 13:20
the ones who traded and the ones who sold all kinds of goods to sell
Quote: הָרֹכְלִ֜ים וּמֹכְרֵ֧י כָל־מִמְכָּ֛ר (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet
These two phrases mean similar things. You do not need to repeat both of them in your translation if that might be confusing for your readers. Alternate translation: “merchants who had goods for sale,” or “some traders and some merchants”
And … lodged outside of Jerusalem
Quote: וַיָּלִ֨ינוּ & מִח֥וּץ לִירוּשָׁלִָ֖ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
Lodged means “spent the night.” The implication is that they wanted to start selling their goods first thing the next morning. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “spent the night outside Jerusalem so they could start selling their goods first thing the next morning”
a time or two
Quote: פַּ֥עַם וּשְׁתָּֽיִם (1)Alternate translation: “once or twice”
Nehemiah 13:21
And I testified against them
Quote: וָאָעִ֣ידָה בָהֶ֗ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
As in 9:26, this phrase means, “I warned them that what they were doing was wrong.”
And I testified
Quote: וָאָעִ֣ידָה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-time-simultaneous
In this context, the conjunction And indicates that this event took place at the same time as the event the story has just related. If it would be helpful in your language, you could show this relationship by using a phrase such as “each time they did this”
Why are you lodging in front of the wall
Quote: מַדּ֜וּעַ אַתֶּ֤ם לֵנִים֙ נֶ֣גֶד הַחוֹמָ֔ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion
As in 13:17, Nehemiah is using a question form for emphasis as he scolds these merchants. If it would be helpful in your language, you could translate what he says as a statement or an exclamation. Alternate translation: “I do not allow you to spend the night just outside the city wall”
Why are you lodging in front of the wall
Quote: מַדּ֜וּעַ אַתֶּ֤ם לֵנִים֙ נֶ֣גֶד הַחוֹמָ֔ה (1)The implication, as in 13:20, is that the traders want to begin selling first thing the next morning. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “I do not allow you to spend the night just outside the city wall so you could start selling your goods as soon as the Sabbath day begins”
If you repeat
Quote: אִם־תִּשְׁנ֕וּ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
This is an idiom that means “if you do this again.”
I will stretch out a hand on you
Quote: יָ֖ד אֶשְׁלַ֣ח בָּכֶ֑ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
This is an idiom that means “I will use force against you.” Alternate translation: “I will forcibly drive you away from the city”
I will stretch out a hand
Quote: יָ֖ד אֶשְׁלַ֣ח (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Here, hand represents power and action. Alternate translation: “forcibly drive away”
From that time, they did not come on the sabbath
Quote: מִן־הָעֵ֣ת הַהִ֔יא לֹא־בָ֖אוּ בַּשַּׁבָּֽת (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-time-sequential
The expression in the first phrase indicates that the event it introduces took place after the event the story has just described. If it would be helpful in your language, you could show this relationship by using a phrase such as “after that.” Alternate translation: “After that, the merchants no longer came to the city on the Sabbath”
Nehemiah 13:22
And I said to the Levites that they should purify themselves
Quote: וָאֹמְרָ֣ה לַלְוִיִּ֗ם אֲשֶׁ֨ר יִֽהְי֤וּ מִֽטַּהֲרִים֙ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
As in 12:30 and 13:9, purify means to perform a ceremony to make a person or a place ceremonially clean, to express the hope that it will be acceptable to God and useful for his purposes. Alternate translation: “I told the Levites to hold a ceremony to make themselves clean and acceptable to God”
and come keep the gates to consecrate the day of the sabbath
Quote: וּבָאִים֙ שֹׁמְרִ֣ים הַשְּׁעָרִ֔ים לְקַדֵּ֖שׁ אֶת־י֣וֹם הַשַּׁבָּ֑ת (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
As in 3:1 and 12:47, consecrate means to set something apart for a special purpose. Nehemiah was telling the Levites that they should guard the gates in order to prevent people from bringing goods for sale into the city on the Sabbath day. That way, they would ensure that the Sabbath continued to be a day that was set apart for the special purpose of rest and worship, and it would not be treated like an ordinary day. Alternate translation: “and I told them that they should then guard the gates of the city so that no one would bring in goods to sell on the Sabbath as if it were an ordinary day”
Remember me concerning this also, my God
Quote: גַּם־זֹאת֙ זָכְרָה־לִּ֣י אֱלֹהַ֔י (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
In this context, remember means to think about someone and consider what action you can take on their behalf. Nehemiah is not suggesting that God has forgotten about him. Alternate translation: “Please bless me, O God, for doing this as well”
Remember me concerning this also, my God
Quote: גַּם־זֹאת֙ זָכְרָה־לִּ֣י אֱלֹהַ֔י (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-aside
As in 4:4, Nehemiah stops addressing the audience of his story and speaks directly to God. You could indicate this by putting this verse in quotation marks. Review the note at 4:4 about asides like this if that would be helpful.
and have pity on me according to the greatness of your covenant faithfulness
Quote: וְח֥וּסָה עָלַ֖י כְּרֹ֥ב חַסְדֶּֽךָ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns
The abstract noun greatness expresses the vast extent to which God possesses the quality of covenant faithfulness. As in 1:5, God having this quality means that he is inwardly disposed to keep all of his promises, and so he always does that faithfully. If it would be helpful in your language, you could translate the idea behind this abstract noun with an adjective such as “great.” Alternate translation: “and have mercy on me, because your faithfulness to those who belong to you is so great”
Nehemiah 13:23
In those days
Quote: בַּיָּמִ֣ים הָהֵ֗ם (1)This phrase indicates that this event took place at the same time as the event the story has just related. If it would be helpful in your language, you could show this relationship in this case by using a phrase such as “around that same time”
In those days
Quote: בַּיָּמִ֣ים הָהֵ֗ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
The term days is used here to refer a particular period of time. Alternate translation: “around that same time”
who had given a dwelling to
Quote: הֹשִׁ֗יבוּ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
This is an expression that refers to marriage. Alternate translation: “who had married”
Ashdodite, Ammonite, and Moabite
Quote: אשדודיות עמוניות מוֹאֲבִיּֽוֹת (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
These are the names of three people groups.
Nehemiah 13:24
And their sons
Quote: וּבְנֵיהֶ֗ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-background
In this context, the conjunction And indicates that this sentence will provide further information about the situation the book is describing here. You could use a phrase such as and as for to show that this is further background information.
And their sons, half were speaking Ashdodite, and none of them were knowing to speak Hebrew
Quote: וּבְנֵיהֶ֗ם חֲצִי֙ מְדַבֵּ֣ר אַשְׁדּוֹדִ֔ית וְאֵינָ֥ם מַכִּירִ֖ים לְדַבֵּ֣ר יְהוּדִ֑ית (1)This could mean one of two things. It seems most likely that the expression means that: (1) these children spoke a mixed language, using Ashdodite expressions half the time and Hebrew expressions the other half of the time, so that none of them knew how to speak Hebrew fluently. The expression could also mean that (2) half of the children who were born to Hebrew fathers and foreign mothers spoke a foreign language. However, if half spoke Ashdodite, and none spoke Hebrew, this leaves open the question of what language the other half of the children spoke. Alternate translation: (1) “their children spoke a mixed dialect, using Philistine expressions half the time, so that none of them could speak Hebrew fluently” or (2) “half of their children spoke the language of the Philistines, and none of their children knew how to speak Hebrew”
half
Quote: חֲצִי֙ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-fraction
Half means one part out of two equal parts.
and none of them were knowing to speak Hebrew, but according to the tongue of people group by people group
Quote: וְאֵינָ֥ם מַכִּירִ֖ים לְדַבֵּ֣ר יְהוּדִ֑ית וְכִלְשׁ֖וֹן עַ֥ם וָעָֽם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis
Here Nehemiah leaves out some of the words that a sentence would ordinarily need in order to be complete. This sentence seems to mean “none of them could speak Hebrew fluently, but instead they mixed it with the language of whatever people group their mothers belonged to.” You could say that explicitly if it would be helpful to your readers.
but according to the tongue of
Quote: וְכִלְשׁ֖וֹן (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
Here, tongue means the language spoken by a person or a group of people. Alternate translation: “language”
people group by people group
Quote: עַ֥ם וָעָֽם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
This is an idiom that means “of each people group”
Nehemiah 13:25
And I contended with them
Quote: וָאָרִ֤יב עִמָּם֙ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
As in 5:7, 13:11, and 13:17, contended is a technical term that describes a public accusation that requires the defendants to answer for themselves in the presence of their fellow citizens. Alternate translation: “then I called these men to account publicly for what they had done”
and cursed them
Quote: וָאֲקַֽלְלֵ֔ם (1)As in 10:29, curse means to express the wish that God would punish someone. Alternate translation: “I said I wished that God would punish them”
and struck some of their men, and pulled out their hair
Quote: וָאַכֶּ֥ה מֵהֶ֛ם אֲנָשִׁ֖ים וָֽאֶמְרְטֵ֑ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction
By performing these actions, Nehemiah demonstrated to these men symbolically how serious a wrong they had committed. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “I struck some of them and pulled out their hair to show how wrong they were to have married foreign women”
And I caused them to swear an oath by God: “If you give your daughters to their sons, or if you lift from their daughters for your sons, or for yourselves
Quote: וָאַשְׁבִּיעֵ֣ם בֵּֽאלֹהִ֗ים אִם־תִּתְּנ֤וּ בְנֹֽתֵיכֶם֙ לִבְנֵיהֶ֔ם וְאִם־תִּשְׂאוּ֙ מִבְּנֹ֣תֵיהֶ֔ם לִבְנֵיכֶ֖ם וְלָכֶֽם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person
Here Nehemiah is reporting the words of the oath in the second person, because this is his account of how he spoke to the men who had married foreign women. When these men said the actual oath, they would have used the first person. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use the first person in your translation as well. Alternate translation: “I made them take this oath: ‘If we allow our daughters to marry their sons, or if we or our sons marry their daughters, may God punish us severely’”
And I caused them to swear an oath by God: “If you give your daughters to their sons, or if you lift from their daughters for your sons, or for yourselves
Quote: וָאַשְׁבִּיעֵ֣ם בֵּֽאלֹהִ֗ים אִם־תִּתְּנ֤וּ בְנֹֽתֵיכֶם֙ לִבְנֵיהֶ֔ם וְאִם־תִּשְׂאוּ֙ מִבְּנֹ֣תֵיהֶ֔ם לִבְנֵיכֶ֖ם וְלָכֶֽם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-oathformula
Nehemiah has the men take an oath using a common Hebrew formula that leaves out some of the words that a sentence would ordinarily need in order to be complete. Whenever a person takes an oath using this formula, the implication is, “May God punish me severely if I do this thing.” Alternate translation: “If we allow our daughters to marry their sons, or if we or our sons marry their daughters, may God punish us severely!”
you give your daughters to their sons
Quote: תִּתְּנ֤וּ בְנֹֽתֵיכֶם֙ לִבְנֵיהֶ֔ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
This is an idiom that means allow your daughters to marry their sons or give your daughters in marriage to their sons
you lift from their daughters
Quote: תִּשְׂאוּ֙ מִבְּנֹ֣תֵיהֶ֔ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
This is an idiom that means “if you take any of their daughters as wives”
Nehemiah 13:26
Did not Solomon, the king of Israel, sin concerning these things
Quote: הֲל֣וֹא עַל־אֵ֣לֶּה חָטָֽא־שְׁלֹמֹ֣ה מֶ֣לֶךְ יִשְׂרָאֵ֡ל (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
Here Nehemiah supports his argument by appealing to facts that he assumes these men will know. Alternate translation: “you know that Solomon king of Israel sinned because he married foreign women”
Did not Solomon, the king of Israel, sin concerning these things
Quote: הֲל֣וֹא עַל־אֵ֣לֶּה חָטָֽא־שְׁלֹמֹ֣ה מֶ֣לֶךְ יִשְׂרָאֵ֡ל (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion
Nehemiah is using a question form for emphasis as he scolds these men. If it would be helpful in your language, you could translate what he says as a statement. Alternate translation: “you know that Solomon king of Israel sinned because he married foreign women”
Yet among … nations
Quote: וּבַגּוֹיִ֣ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-contrast
In this context, the conjunction Yet introduces a contrast between what Solomon would have been expected to do and what he actually did. You could begin the sentence with a phrase like “even though” to indicate this contrast.
Yet among many nations there was no king like him
Quote: וּבַגּוֹיִ֣ם הָרַבִּים֩ לֹֽא־הָיָ֨ה מֶ֜לֶךְ כָּמֹ֗הוּ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
The expression many nations in this phrase indicates, “You could look among as many nations as you wanted, but you would still find no king like him.” In other words, “There was no other king like him anywhere in the world.” If it would be helpful in your language, you could say that as an alternate translation.
and he was beloved by his God
Quote: וְאָה֤וּב לֵֽאלֹהָיו֙ הָיָ֔ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
If it would be helpful in your language, you could say this with an active form. Alternate translation: “God loved him very much”
and God gave him as king over all Israel
Quote: וַיִּתְּנֵ֣הוּ אֱלֹהִ֔ים מֶ֖לֶךְ עַל־כָּל־יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
This is an idiom that means, “God made him king over all of Israel”
The foreign women caused even him to sin
Quote: גַּם־אוֹת֣וֹ הֶחֱטִ֔יאוּ הַנָּשִׁ֖ים הַנָּכְרִיּֽוֹת (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
The implication is that these were foreign women whom Solomon married. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say that explicitly. Alternate translation: “The foreign women he married caused even him to sin”
Nehemiah 13:27
Should we then listen to you, to do all this great evil, to act unfaithfully toward our God and give a dwelling to foreign women
Quote: וְלָכֶ֣ם הֲנִשְׁמַ֗ע לַעֲשֹׂת֙ אֵ֣ת כָּל־הָרָעָ֤ה הַגְּדוֹלָה֙ הַזֹּ֔את לִמְעֹ֖ל בֵּֽאלֹהֵ֑ינוּ לְהֹשִׁ֖יב נָשִׁ֥ים נָכְרִיּֽוֹת (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion
Nehemiah uses a question form for emphasis once again as he continues to scold these men. If it would be helpful in your language, you could translate what he says as a statement or as an exclamation. Alternate translation: “We will not accept your excuses and allow you to keep doing this thing that is so wrong”
Should we then listen to you
Quote: וְלָכֶ֣ם הֲנִשְׁמַ֗ע (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
As in 9:16 and 9:29, listen in this context is an idiom that means not just to hear a statement about a course of action, but to agree to follow it. If your language has a word for “listen” that also means “agree,” you could use it here. Alternate translation: “we will not heed your words”
all this great evil
Quote: כָּל־הָרָעָ֤ה הַגְּדוֹלָה֙ הַזֹּ֔את (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
Here, the word all does not indicate the entirety of something. Instead, it expresses emphasis. Alternate translation: “this thing that is so wrong”
to act unfaithfully toward our God and give a dwelling to foreign women
Quote: לִמְעֹ֖ל בֵּֽאלֹהֵ֑ינוּ לְהֹשִׁ֖יב נָשִׁ֥ים נָכְרִיּֽוֹת (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
Here acting unfaithfully means violating the Law of Moses. Nehemiah assumes that these men will know that the law forbade the Israelites to marry outside their people group. (In fact, the law does so using language very much like the oath that Nehemiah made these men swear, for example, “Do not give your daughters to their sons or take their daughters for your sons,” Deuteronomy 7:3.) If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “By marrying foreign women, you are breaking the law that God gave us”
and give a dwelling to
Quote: לְהֹשִׁ֖יב (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
As in 13:23, this is an expression that refers to marriage. Alternate translation: “marrying”
Nehemiah 13:28
And one from the sons of
Quote: וּמִבְּנֵ֨י (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-background
In this context, the conjunction And indicates that this sentence will provide background information that is necessary for understanding the next event the book will describe. You could express the same meaning with a word that indicates this in your language.
And one from the sons of
Quote: וּמִבְּנֵ֨י (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
This means one of the sons of.
Joiada, the son of Eliashib
Quote: יוֹיָדָ֤ע בֶּן־אֶלְיָשִׁיב֙ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
Joiada is the name of a man, and Eliashib is the name of his father.
Eliashib the high priest
Quote: אֶלְיָשִׁיב֙ הַכֹּהֵ֣ן הַגָּד֔וֹל (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-distinguish
Here Nehemiah repeats some background information to remind readers who Eliashib was. Alternate translation: “Eliashib, who was the high priest”
was son-in-law
Quote: חָתָ֖ן (1)Alternate translation: “had married the daughter of”
to Sanballat the Horonite
Quote: לְסַנְבַלַּ֣ט הַחֹרֹנִ֑י (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
Sanballat is the name of a man, and Horonite is the name of his people group. See how you translated these words in 2:10.
And I caused him to flee
Quote: וָאַבְרִיחֵ֖הוּ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result
In this context, the conjunction And indicates that the sentence it introduces explains the results of what the previous sentence described. Alternate translation: “as a result” or “because he had done this”
And I caused him to flee from beside me
Quote: וָאַבְרִיחֵ֖הוּ מֵעָלָֽי (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche
Him means this son of Joiada. Nehemiah means not just that he made this man leave his personal presence, but that he forced him to at least leave Jerusalem, and perhaps to stay out of the entire province of Judah. Nehemiah is using the space around himself to represent all Jerusalem and Judah. Alternate translation: “I forced him to leave Jerusalem” or “I forced him to leave the province of Judah”
And I caused him to flee from beside me
Quote: וָאַבְרִיחֵ֖הוּ מֵעָלָֽי (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
The implication is that this son of Joiada was serving as a priest himself (as his lineage entitled him to do), and so he was a high-profile case of flaunting the command in the law against marrying foreign women. Nehemiah needed to make an example of him. A further consideration may have been that Sanballat was an enemy to Nehemiah and the Jews, and this man was one of the people who was sending letters to Sanballat with information about Nehemiah, as 6:17 indicates. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could express one of these possibilites explicitly. Alternate translation: “I forced him to leave Jerusalem because as a priest, he was setting a bad public example by being married to a foreign woman” or “I forced him to leave Jerusalem because he was helping our enemy Sanballat”
Nehemiah 13:29
Remember them, my God, on account of the defiling of the priesthood and the covenant of the priesthood and the Levites
Quote: זָכְרָ֥ה לָהֶ֖ם אֱלֹהָ֑י עַ֚ל גָּאֳלֵ֣י הַכְּהֻנָּ֔ה וּבְרִ֥ית הַכְּהֻנָּ֖ה וְהַלְוִיִּֽם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-aside
As in 13:22, Nehemiah stops addressing the audience of his story and speaks directly to God. You could indicate this by putting this verse in quotation marks. Review the note at 4:4 about asides like this if that would be helpful.
Remember them
Quote: זָכְרָ֥ה לָהֶ֖ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
Them likely means this son of Joiada, who had married a foreign woman, and Joiada himself, who had arranged with Sanballat for his son to marry Sanballat’s daughter. As often in this book, remember means to think about someone and consider what action you should take in their regard. Nehemiah is not suggesting that God has forgotten about Joiada and his son. Alternate translation: “treat Joiada and his son the way they deserve for what they have done”
on account of the defiling of the priesthood and the covenant of the priesthood and the Levites
Quote: עַ֚ל גָּאֳלֵ֣י הַכְּהֻנָּ֔ה וּבְרִ֥ית הַכְּהֻנָּ֖ה וְהַלְוִיִּֽם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Nehemiah speaks here of Joiada and his son causing the priesthood to be dishonored and breaking the covenant as if these actions had made the priesthood and God’s covenant with the Israelites ceremonially unclean. Alternate translation: “they have dishonored the priesthood and broken the covenant you made with the priests and Levites”
and the covenant of the priesthood and the Levites
Quote: וּבְרִ֥ית הַכְּהֻנָּ֖ה וְהַלְוִיִּֽם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
This means the covenant that established the descendants of Aaron as priests and the Levites as their helpers, in other words, the covenant that God made with Israel through Moses. Alternate translation: “the covenant you made with the Israelites”
Nehemiah 13:30
And I purified them
Quote: וְטִֽהַרְתִּ֖ים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-time-sequential
In this context, the conjunction And indicates that this event it introduces took place after the event the story has just described. If it would be helpful in your language, you could show this relationship by using a word such as then
And I purified them from everything foreign
Quote: וְטִֽהַרְתִּ֖ים מִכָּל־נֵכָ֑ר (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Them means the priests and Levites whom Nehemiah has just mentioned. He probably says purified in a figurative sense. He did not hold a ceremony of purification, since the priests and Levites themselves would have done that. Rather, he means that he made sure that none of the other priests or Levites were married to foreign women, and that in this way he ensured that the priesthood was no longer unclean, as described in 13:29. Alternate translation: “I made sure that none of the priests or Levites were married to foreign women.”
And I caused the service watches to stand: for the priests and for the Levites
Quote: וָאַעֲמִ֧ידָה מִשְׁמָר֛וֹת לַכֹּהֲנִ֥ים וְלַלְוִיִּ֖ם (1)Generally in this book, the phrase service watch refers to the Levite singers. It means either an individual choir or a time on duty for the singers. But since Nehemiah also speaks of the priests here, in this context the phrase seems to mean more generally the time on duty for both the priests and the Levites. Alternate translation: “I made sure that the priests and Levites all came on duty in the temple when they were supposed to”
And I caused … to stand
Quote: וָאַעֲמִ֧ידָה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification
Nehemiah is speaking of these temple arrangements figuratively, as in 5:13, as if they were a living thing that could stand, that is, stay in place or be established rather than go away. Alternate translation: “I made sure that”
a man in his work
Quote: אִ֥ישׁ בִּמְלַאכְתּֽוֹ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
In this context, a man means each one of them Alternate translation: “and that each one fulfilled his assigned responsibilities”
Nehemiah 13:31
and for the offering of pieces of wood at the appointed times; and for the firstfruits
Quote: וּלְקֻרְבַּ֧ן הָעֵצִ֛ים בְּעִתִּ֥ים מְזֻמָּנ֖וֹת וְלַבִּכּוּרִ֑ים (1)This verse continues the sentence that begins in the previous verse, so here Nehemiah is describing two further things that he caused to stand or made sure happened. He is referring to the promises that the people made in their covenant to bring these contributions to the temple to support the priests and Levites. See how you translated these terms in 10:34 and 10:35. Alternate translation: “I also made sure that the people brought their offerings of wood and of the first crops that grow in their fields at the times when they had promised to bring them”
Remember me, my God, for good
Quote: זָכְרָה־לִּ֥י אֱלֹהַ֖י לְטוֹבָֽה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-aside
As in 4:4, here Nehemiah stops addressing the readers of his story and speaks directly to God. You could indicate this by putting this verse in quotation marks. Review the note at 4:4 about asides like this if that would be helpful.
Remember me, my God, for good
Quote: זָכְרָה־לִּ֥י אֱלֹהַ֖י לְטוֹבָֽה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
To remember someone for good is an idiom that means to reward someone with good things for the good that they have done.