Jerusalem must be peopled as well as walled: the princes dwell there, and the rest cast lots to bring one of ten to dwell in the holy city — and the people bless all who willingly offer themselves. Then the rosters of the city: the children of Judah and Benjamin, the priests 'mighty men of valor' at the work of the house, the Levites with Mattaniah over the thanksgiving in prayer, the gatekeepers at their stations — and beyond the city, the villages of Judah and Benjamin, from Kiriath-arba to the valley of Hinnom.
Tap any Hebrew word to reveal its root, value, and meanings.
And the princes of the people dwelt in Jerusalem; the rest of the people also cast lots, to bring one of ten to dwell in Jerusalem the holy city, and nine parts in the other cities.
verse value 7198
Insights
Verse structure: 17 words, 83 letters. Notable word values: "one" (אֶחָ֣ד) = 13, the value of echad ('one') and ahavah ('love'). The shortest word is "the·people" (הָ֠עָ֠ם, 3 letters) and the longest is "in·Jerusalem" (בִּירוּשָׁלִָ֑ם, 7 letters). Words sharing gematria 588: in·Jerusalem, in·Jerusalem. 7 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Nehemiah. Unique to this verse in Nehemiah (hapax): "princes·of·the·people" (שָׂרֵֽי־הָעָ֖ם), "they·cast" (הִפִּ֨ילוּ), "lots" (גוֹרָל֜וֹת). The root ישב appears 2 times in this verse. 14 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "the·people" (root עם, 47x in Nehemiah); "to·bring" (root בוא, 47x in Nehemiah); "the·hands" (root יד, 39x in Nehemiah). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'in·Jerusalem', dividing the verse into phrases of 3 and 14 words.
Rashi
one of ten of Israel, so that they should dwell in Jerusalem to guard the city. and nine parts nine parts of Israel.
Ralbag
'And the princes of the people dwelt in Jerusalem,' etc. — here the text returns to its original subject, which it had mentioned earlier: that the city was spacious and large, but the people in it were few, and there were no houses built. For this reason Nehemiah set his heart on repairing the condition of the exiles, so that their hearts would be devoted to Hashem, so that they would fulfill the Torah and repair the service of the Temple. Here the narrative had broken off, and afterward he made an effort to have the princes of the people settle in Jerusalem; and they cast lots to bring one of every ten of the rest of the people to dwell in Jerusalem, while some further volunteered on their own to dwell in Jerusalem. And the people blessed those who volunteered, because they helped restore Jerusalem to its former condition — that is, to rebuild its ruins. And it records that the volunteers were the heads of the province who settled in Jerusalem, and it further records who settled in Jerusalem from the descendants of Judah and from the descendants of Benjamin.
Metzudat David
'To bring' — from the cities of Judah. 'To dwell in Jerusalem' — to guard it from the idolaters. 'In the other cities' — they would remain in their own cities.
Metzudat Zion
'parts' — the portions, as in 'and the four parts' (Genesis 47).
Malbim
'And ... dwelt' — now he tells how he carried out the plan that had arisen in his heart, to record the genealogy of the people, in order to settle someone from every family in Jerusalem so that it would not remain desolate [as above, 7:4-5]. After they had taken upon themselves to support the priests and the house of God, the officials remained to dwell in Jerusalem, while the rest of the people cast lots, setting apart a tenth of the people as well, to dwell in Jerusalem.
And the people blessed all the men who willingly offered themselves to dwell in Jerusalem.
verse value 2716
Insights
Verse structure: 7 words, 37 letters. The shortest word is "the·people" (הָעָ֑ם, 3 letters) and the longest is "the·volunteers" (הַמִּֽתְנַדְּבִ֔ים, 8 letters). 2 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Nehemiah. Unique to this verse in Nehemiah (hapax): "to·all" (לְכֹל֙), "the·volunteers" (הַמִּֽתְנַדְּבִ֔ים). 7 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "the·people" (root עם, 47x in Nehemiah); "the·men" (root איש, 44x in Nehemiah); "in·Jerusalem" (root ירושלם, 38x in Nehemiah). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'the·people', dividing the verse into phrases of 2 and 5 words. Full calculation: וַֽיְבָרְכ֖וּ [and·they·blessed] (244) + הָעָ֑ם [the·people] (115) + לְכֹל֙ [to·all] (80) + הָֽאֲנָשִׁ֔ים [the·men] (406) + הַמִּֽתְנַדְּבִ֔ים [the·volunteers] (551) + לָשֶׁ֖בֶת [to·dwell] (732) + בִּירוּשָׁלִָֽם [in·Jerusalem] (588) = 2716.
Rashi
who volunteered whose spirit inspired them to volunteer to dwell in Jerusalem to guard the city from enemies.
Metzudat David
'Who willingly offered themselves' — who volunteered of their own accord, by their own will, not by the lot; and since living in [large] cities is difficult, for the cost of living is high in a place with a large population, this was therefore counted as an act of volunteering.
Malbim
'And the people blessed' — and besides this, many who had not fallen in the lot volunteered to dwell in Jerusalem, and the people blessed them for their willing generosity, for dwelling in large cities is difficult, as our Sages said about this.
Now these are the chiefs of the province who dwelt in Jerusalem; but in the cities of Judah dwelt every one in his possession in their cities, namely, Israelites, the priests, and the Levites, and the Nethinim, and the children of Solomon’s servants.
verse value 5640
Insights
Verse structure: 19 words, 94 letters. Notable word values: "servants·of" (עַבְדֵ֥י) = 86, equal to Elohim. The shortest word is "that" (אֲשֶׁ֥ר, 3 letters) and the longest is "and·the·Nethinim" (וְהַנְּתִינִ֔ים, 8 letters). Words sharing gematria 318: they·dwelt, they·dwelt. 2 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Nehemiah. Unique to this verse in Nehemiah (hapax): "and·in·cities·of" (וּבְעָרֵ֣י), "in·his·possession" (בַּאֲחֻזָּתוֹ֙). The root ישב appears 2 times in this verse. 17 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "and·sons·of" (root בן, 200x in Nehemiah); "that" (root אשר, 66x in Nehemiah); "and·the·Levites" (root לוי, 45x in Nehemiah). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'in·Jerusalem', dividing the verse into phrases of 6 and 13 words.
Rashi
And these are the heads of the province who dwelt in Jerusalem these are the ones regarding whom it is stated below: “And in Jerusalem there dwelt of the children of Judah, etc.”
Metzudat David
'Now these, etc.' — these are the ones stated in the verse that follows: 'and in Jerusalem dwelt,' etc. 'Every one' — each one dwelt in the place of his ancestral holding, in their own cities, which had belonged to them from of old, before Israel was exiled, and so on; meaning, they were the ones dwelling on their ancestral property.
Malbim
'Now these' — meaning those listed below. 'But in the cities of Judah' — meaning the rest of the people remained dwelling in the cities of Judah, each man in his own possession, in the cities where their fathers had dwelt before they were exiled.
And in Jerusalem dwelt certain of the children of Judah, and of the children of Benjamin. Of the children of Judah: Athaiah the son of Uzziah, the son of Zechariah, the son of Amariah, the son of Shephatiah, the son of Mahalalel, of the children of Perez;
verse value 3783
Insights
Verse structure: 15 words, 86 letters. Verse gematria: 3783 is divisible by 13, the value of echad ('one') and ahavah ('love'). The shortest word is "they·dwelt" (יָֽשְׁב֔וּ, 4 letters) and the longest is "and·in·Jerusalem" (וּבִֽירוּשָׁלִַ֙ם֙, 8 letters). Words sharing gematria 102: from·sons·of, from·sons·of. 6 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Nehemiah. Unique to this verse in Nehemiah (hapax): "Athaiah" (עֲתָיָ֨ה), "son·of·Uzziah" (בֶן־עֻזִּיָּ֜ה), "son·of·Amariah" (בֶן־אֲמַרְיָ֛ה). The root בן appears 7 times in this verse. 8 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "from·sons·of" (root בן, 200x in Nehemiah); "and·in·Jerusalem" (root ירושלם, 38x in Nehemiah); "Judah" (root יהודה, 26x in Nehemiah). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'Benjamin', dividing the verse into phrases of 6 and 9 words.
Rashi
of the children of Judah: Athaiah, etc. He returns to explain who those ‘of the children of Judah’ were, and the entire chapter enumerates only the great and esteemed ones among them.
Metzudat David
'Of the children of Judah, etc.' — and since only a small number of the ten tribes settled there, they are not mentioned here, even though they are mentioned in Chronicles.
Malbim
'And in Jerusalem dwelt' — know that the matters mentioned here are also found in Chronicles I [ch. 9], where they appear with many variations, and there are many contradictions between the wording there and the wording here, about which the commentators have said strange things. But all these rough patches will be leveled out, in light of what I have explained elsewhere: that the Book of Ezra is a completion of the Book of Chronicles — Ezra the Scribe composed the Book of Ezra as a sequel to the Book of Chronicles, which he had written earlier, and Nehemiah completed the Book of Ezra. I have already shown that the variations found in Chronicles, as against the earlier books, have this cause: that Ezra, in writing the Book of Chronicles, returned to matters already stated in the earlier books in order to explain them or to add something to them that was not mentioned there — so that, for the most part, his words are not a duplication of the earlier books' account but an addition to what came before. By this method, thank God, I have managed to resolve most of the questions and contradictions in this book. So too Nehemiah: when he here repeats matters that Ezra had already written in Chronicles, he does not come to copy the earlier statements, but writes additions to what came before — things not mentioned there. And so you will see that he began, 'And these are the heads of the province who dwelt in Jerusalem' — these are Nehemiah's own words. From here on he copies the wording that Ezra wrote in Chronicles: 'and in the cities of Judah dwelt,' etc., 'and in Jerusalem dwelt,' etc., so that we should know he is copying from the Book of Chronicles, in its own language. There it is written, 'of the children of Judah, and of the children of Benjamin, and of the children of Ephraim and Manasseh,' and Nehemiah skipped this since it had already been written there. But here he wrote, 'of the children of Judah: Athaiah the son of Uzziah,' etc., whereas there it says, 'Uthai the son of Ammihud, the son of Omri, the son of Imri, the son of Bani, of the children of Perez, the son of Judah' — for Ezra did not write out the whole chain of lineage back to Perez; he counted only four generations between Uthai and Perez, and left out the rest. Nehemiah, however, found additional recorded individuals in the book of genealogy, and he inserted, between Athaiah and Amariah [that is, the 'Imri' written there], two more specific ancestors; and likewise, above Amariah, he inserted 'Bani,' who was also a specific individual — leaving out the rest, who were not recorded individuals.
and Maaseiah the son of Baruch, the son of Colhozeh, the son of Hazaiah, the son of Adaiah, the son of Joiarib, the son of Zechariah, the son of the Shilonite.
verse value 2087
Insights
Verse structure: 8 words, 53 letters. The shortest word is "and·Maaseiah" (וּמַעֲשֵׂיָ֣ה, 6 letters) and the longest is "son·of·Joiarib" (בֶן־יוֹיָרִ֛יב, 8 letters). 4 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Nehemiah. Unique to this verse in Nehemiah (hapax): "son·of·Baruch" (בֶן־בָּר֣וּךְ), "son·of·Hazaiah" (בֶּן־חֲזָיָ֨ה), "son·of·Adaiah" (בֶן־עֲדָיָ֧ה). The root בן appears 3 times in this verse. 6 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "son·of·Colhozeh" (root בן, 200x in Nehemiah). 7 of the verse's 8 words begin with the letter ב. Full calculation: וּמַעֲשֵׂיָ֣ה [and·Maaseiah] (431) + בֶן־בָּר֣וּךְ [son·of·Baruch] (280) + בֶּן־כׇּל־חֹ֠זֶ֠ה [son·of·Colhozeh] (122) + בֶּן־חֲזָיָ֨ה [son·of·Hazaiah] (82) + בֶן־עֲדָיָ֧ה [son·of·Adaiah] (141) + בֶן־יוֹיָרִ֛יב [son·of·Joiarib] (290) + בֶּן־זְכַרְיָ֖ה [son·of·Zechariah] (294) + בֶּן־הַשִּׁלֹנִֽי [son·of·the·Shilonite] (447) = 2087.
Metzudat David
'The son of the Shilonite' — of the descendants of Shelah the son of Judah.
Malbim
'And Maaseiah' — in Chronicles [ibid., v. 5]: 'and of the Shilonite, Asaiah the firstborn, and his sons' — this is the 'Maaseiah' of our verse here. Nehemiah found the genealogical record and added clarification to Ezra's words. And what it says, 'the Shilonite,' refers to a specific individual among the children of Perez who was the head of the family.
All the sons of Perez who dwelt in Jerusalem were four hundred sixty-eight valiant men.
verse value 3617
Insights
Verse structure: 8 words, 45 letters. The shortest word is "four" (אַרְבַּ֥ע, 4 letters) and the longest is "all·sons·of·Perez" (כׇּל־בְּנֵי־פֶ֕רֶץ, 8 letters). 2 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Nehemiah. Unique to this verse in Nehemiah (hapax): "all·sons·of·Perez" (כׇּל־בְּנֵי־פֶ֕רֶץ), "men·of·strength" (אַנְשֵׁי־חָֽיִל). 8 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "hundred" (root מאה, 49x in Nehemiah); "men·of·strength" (root איש, 44x in Nehemiah); "in·Jerusalem" (root ירושלם, 38x in Nehemiah). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'in·Jerusalem', dividing the verse into phrases of 3 and 5 words. Full calculation: כׇּל־בְּנֵי־פֶ֕רֶץ [all·sons·of·Perez] (482) + הַיֹּשְׁבִ֖ים [the·dwellers] (367) + בִּירוּשָׁלִָ֑ם [in·Jerusalem] (588) + אַרְבַּ֥ע [four] (273) + מֵא֛וֹת [hundred] (447) + שִׁשִּׁ֥ים [sixty] (650) + וּשְׁמֹנָ֖ה [and·eight] (401) + אַנְשֵׁי־חָֽיִל [men·of·strength] (409) = 3617.
Metzudat David
'All the sons of Perez' — as for the number of the sons of Shelah, he combined it in Chronicles together with the sons of Zerah, who are not mentioned here.
Malbim
'All the sons of Perez' — in Chronicles it further states, 'and of the sons of Zerah: Jeuel and their brethren, six hundred ninety.' Nehemiah did not copy this, since it had already been made clear in Chronicles; rather, there the total was reckoned together — the sons of Perez and Zerah combined came to six hundred ninety — whereas Nehemiah clarifies that the sons of Perez alone numbered four hundred sixty-eight. From this we know, based on the Book of Chronicles, that the sons of Zerah alone numbered two hundred twenty-two, so that the combined total of both together is as stated in Chronicles.
And these are the sons of Benjamin: 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.
verse value 2733
Insights
Verse structure: 11 words, 62 letters. The shortest word is "sons·of" (בְּנֵ֣י, 3 letters) and the longest is "son·of·Ithiel" (בֶּן־אִֽיתִיאֵ֖ל, 8 letters). 6 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Nehemiah. Unique to this verse in Nehemiah (hapax): "Sallu" (סַלֻּ֡א), "son·of·Joed" (בֶּן־יוֹעֵ֡ד), "son·of·Pedaiah" (בֶּן־פְּדָיָה֩). The root בן appears 5 times in this verse. 7 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "sons·of" (root בן, 200x in Nehemiah). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'Benjamin', dividing the verse into phrases of 3 and 8 words. 9 of the verse's 11 words begin with the letter ב. Full calculation: וְאֵ֖לֶּה [and·these] (42) + בְּנֵ֣י [sons·of] (62) + בִנְיָמִ֑ן [Benjamin] (152) + סַלֻּ֡א [Sallu] (91) + בֶּן־מְשֻׁלָּ֡ם [son·of·Meshullam] (462) + בֶּן־יוֹעֵ֡ד [son·of·Joed] (142) + בֶּן־פְּדָיָה֩ [son·of·Pedaiah] (151) + בֶן־ק֨וֹלָיָ֧ה [son·of·Kolaiah] (203) + בֶן־מַעֲשֵׂיָ֛ה [son·of·Maaseiah] (477) + בֶּן־אִֽיתִיאֵ֖ל [son·of·Ithiel] (504) + בֶּן־יְשַֽׁעְיָֽה [son·of·Jeshaiah] (447) = 2733.
Malbim
'And these are the sons of Benjamin: Sallu the son of Meshullam' — and in Chronicles it is written, 'Sallu the son of Meshullam, the son of Hodaviah, the son of Hassenuah.' Nehemiah found, in Sallu's genealogical record, additional distinguished individuals, and added that he was 'the son of Meshullam, the son of Joed,' etc. — all these ancestors down to Jeshaiah lie between Meshullam and Hodaviah [as given in Ezra's version], and all of this Ezra skipped. And in Chronicles it further mentions 'Ibneiah the son of Jeroham, and Elah the son of Uzzi, the son of Micri, and Meshullam the son of Shephatiah,' etc. — all of this Nehemiah skipped, since he had nothing new to add there, and anyone who reads the Book of Chronicles already knows it. He added only, beyond Chronicles, the words 'and after him: Gabbai, Sallai,' which are not mentioned in the Book of Chronicles; there it says, 'and their brethren, according to their generations, nine hundred fifty-six.' Nehemiah teaches us something new: that the family of Sallu, together with Gabbai and Sallai, numbered nine hundred twenty-eight. From this we know that the three families added in Chronicles — namely Ibneiah, Elah, and Meshullam — numbered only twenty-eight men; and together with the nine hundred twenty-eight of Sallu's family, the total comes out as it is in Chronicles.
And after him Gabbai, Sallai, nine hundred twenty-eight.
verse value 2584
Insights
Verse structure: 7 words, 29 letters. The shortest word is "Gabbai" (גַּבַּ֣י, 3 letters) and the longest is "and·after·him" (וְאַחֲרָ֖יו, 6 letters). 2 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Nehemiah. Unique to this verse in Nehemiah (hapax): "Gabbai" (גַּבַּ֣י), "Sallai" (סַלָּ֑י). 7 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "hundred" (root מאה, 49x in Nehemiah); "and·after·him" (root אחר, 29x in Nehemiah). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'Sallai', dividing the verse into phrases of 3 and 4 words. Full calculation: וְאַחֲרָ֖יו [and·after·him] (231) + גַּבַּ֣י [Gabbai] (15) + סַלָּ֑י [Sallai] (100) + תְּשַׁ֥ע [nine] (770) + מֵא֖וֹת [hundred] (447) + עֶשְׂרִ֥ים [twenty] (620) + וּשְׁמֹנָֽה [and·eight] (401) = 2584.
Metzudat David
'And after him' — in rank and importance. 'Nine hundred twenty-eight' — meaning, and together with him there were nine hundred, and so on.
And Joel the son of Zichri was their overseer; and Judah the son of Hassenuah was second over the city.
verse value 1686
Insights
Verse structure: 8 words, 44 letters. Notable word values: "and·Judah" (וִיהוּדָ֧ה) = 36, double chai. The shortest word is "commissioner" (פָּקִ֣יד, 4 letters) and the longest is "son·of·Hassenuah" (בֶן־הַסְּנוּאָ֛ה, 8 letters). 5 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Nehemiah. Unique to this verse in Nehemiah (hapax): "and·Joel" (וְיוֹאֵ֥ל), "son·of·Zichri" (בֶּן־זִכְרִ֖י), "commissioner" (פָּקִ֣יד). The root בן appears 2 times in this verse. 7 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "son·of·Zichri" (root בן, 200x in Nehemiah); "over·them" (root על, 44x in Nehemiah); "and·Judah" (root יהודה, 26x in Nehemiah). First appearance of the root פקיד ("commissioner") in Nehemiah. The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'over·them', dividing the verse into phrases of 4 and 4 words. Full calculation: וְיוֹאֵ֥ל [and·Joel] (53) + בֶּן־זִכְרִ֖י [son·of·Zichri] (289) + פָּקִ֣יד [commissioner] (194) + עֲלֵיהֶ֑ם [over·them] (155) + וִיהוּדָ֧ה [and·Judah] (36) + בֶן־הַסְּנוּאָ֛ה [son·of·Hassenuah] (179) + עַל־הָעִ֖יר [over·the·city] (385) + מִשְׁנֶֽה [second] (395) = 1686.
Rashi
the official the one appointed. the second in command after [the official].
Ralbag
'And Judah the son of Hassenuah was second over the city' — meaning, second to the governor; though it is possible he was second to the officer [in charge], and this latter view seems more likely.
Metzudat David
'Was their overseer' — he was appointed over them as head. 'Second' — second in rank to the ruler appointed over the city.
Malbim
'And Joel,' etc. — this is not mentioned in Chronicles; Nehemiah added something we had not heard from the earlier book.
Of the priests: Jedaiah the son of Joiarib, Jachin,
verse value 699
Insights
Verse structure: 4 words, 25 letters. The shortest word is "Jachin" (יָכִֽין, 4 letters) and the longest is "from·the·priests" (מִן־הַֽכֹּהֲנִ֑ים, 8 letters). 2 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Nehemiah. Unique to this verse in Nehemiah (hapax): "from·the·priests" (מִן־הַֽכֹּהֲנִ֑ים), "Jachin" (יָכִֽין). 4 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "son·of·Joiarib" (root בן, 200x in Nehemiah); "from·the·priests" (root כהן, 44x in Nehemiah). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'from·the·priests', dividing the verse into phrases of 1 and 3 words. Full calculation: מִן־הַֽכֹּהֲנִ֑ים [from·the·priests] (220) + יְדַֽעְיָ֥ה [Jedaiah] (99) + בֶן־יוֹיָרִ֖יב [son·of·Joiarib] (290) + יָכִֽין [Jachin] (90) = 699.
Metzudat David
'Of the priests' — those who dwelt in Jerusalem were Jedaiah, etc.
Malbim
'Of the priests' — in Chronicles [v. 10] it is written, 'Jedaiah and Joiarib' [as separate names]; and Nehemiah teaches us that Jedaiah was the son of Joiarib, and that he, together with his father, was counted as two.
Seraiah the son of Hilkiah, the son of Meshullam, the son of Zadok, the son of Meraioth, the son of Ahitub, the ruler of the house of God,
verse value 2790
Insights
Verse structure: 9 words, 50 letters. Verse gematria: 2790 is divisible by 18, the value of chai ('life'). The shortest word is "ruler·of" (נְגִ֖ד, 3 letters) and the longest is "son·of·Ahitub" (בֶּן־אֲחִיט֔וּב, 8 letters). 4 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Nehemiah. Unique to this verse in Nehemiah (hapax): "son·of·Hilkiah" (בֶן־חִלְקִיָּ֜ה), "son·of·Zadok" (בֶּן־צָד֗וֹק), "son·of·Meraioth" (בֶּן־מְרָיוֹת֙). The root בן appears 3 times in this verse. 7 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "son·of·Hilkiah" (root בן, 200x in Nehemiah); "God" (root אלהים, 62x in Nehemiah); "house·of" (root בית, 60x in Nehemiah). 6 of the verse's 9 words begin with the letter ב. Full calculation: שְׂרָיָ֨ה [Seraiah] (515) + בֶן־חִלְקִיָּ֜ה [son·of·Hilkiah] (205) + בֶּן־מְשֻׁלָּ֣ם [son·of·Meshullam] (462) + בֶּן־צָד֗וֹק [son·of·Zadok] (252) + בֶּן־מְרָיוֹת֙ [son·of·Meraioth] (708) + בֶּן־אֲחִיט֔וּב [son·of·Ahitub] (88) + נְגִ֖ד [ruler·of] (57) + בֵּ֥ית [house·of] (412) + הָאֱלֹהִֽים [God] (91) = 2790.
Rashi
the official [as translated,] the official. the official over the Temple of God appointed over the Temple of God.
Ralbag
'The ruler of the house of God' — meaning, the one appointed over the house of God.
Metzudat David
'The ruler' — the one appointed over the house of God.
Malbim
'Seraiah the son of Hilkiah' — and in Chronicles [v. 11], 'Azariah the son of Hilkiah, the son of Meshullam.' Now, Hilkiah was the father of Seraiah the High Priest, who was put to death by Nebuchadnezzar — the father of Jehozadak, who was the father of Joshua, the High Priest in Nehemiah's days. Azariah, however, was a grandson of Hilkiah through a different son, not through Seraiah the High Priest. His real name was Seraiah, but in Babylon he was called Azariah, and so Ezra wrote it in Chronicles; Nehemiah, however, corrects this and teaches us that his real name was Seraiah. And what it says, 'ruler of the house of God,' does not mean the High Priest, for Joshua the son of Jehozadak was the High Priest, as is well known.
and their brethren who did the work of the house, eight hundred twenty-two; 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 Malchijah,
verse value 4758
Insights
Verse structure: 15 words, 82 letters. Verse gematria: 4758 is divisible by 26, the value of the divine name Hashem. The shortest word is "doer·of" (עֹשֵׂ֤ה, 3 letters) and the longest is "son·of·Pelaliah" (בֶּן־פְּלַלְיָה֙, 7 letters). 6 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Nehemiah. Unique to this verse in Nehemiah (hapax): "and·Adaiah" (וַ֠עֲדָיָ֠ה), "son·of·Jeroham" (בֶּן־יְרֹחָ֤ם), "son·of·Pelaliah" (בֶּן־פְּלַלְיָה֙). The root בן appears 4 times in this verse. 12 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "son·of·Pelaliah" (root בן, 200x in Nehemiah); "to·the·house" (root בית, 60x in Nehemiah); "doer·of" (root עשה, 55x in Nehemiah). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'and·two', dividing the verse into phrases of 8 and 7 words.
Rashi
And their brethren who performed the work of the Temple and their colleagues, who were performing the service of the Temple and its sacrifices.
Metzudat David
'And their brethren' — the colleagues of Jedaiah, etc., who did the work of the service of the altar, numbered eight hundred, etc. 'And Adaiah, etc.' — he too was among those who dwelt in Jerusalem.
Malbim
'And their brethren' — in Chronicles it further reckons 'Adaiah the son of Jeroham,' etc., 'and Maasai the son of Adiel,' etc., 'and their brethren, heads of their fathers' houses, a thousand seven hundred sixty.' Nehemiah comes to add to Ezra's account and to specify, in detail, how many each group numbered. He tells us that Jedaiah, Joiarib, Jachin, and their brethren, who did the work of the house — that is, the service of the Temple and its offerings — numbered eight hundred twenty-two. Second, that Adaiah the son of Jeroham and his brethren numbered two hundred forty-two [and he added, to the genealogy of Adaiah the son of Jeroham, three ancestors that Ezra had omitted]. And that there was also Amashsai the son of Azarel, the son of Ahzai [he is not mentioned in Ezra's account; Nehemiah supplies and clarifies this], numbering one hundred twenty-eight — a total of one thousand one hundred ninety-two. From this we know, in turn, that Maasai the son of Adiel and his brethren, the heads, numbered five hundred sixty-eight; and thus the combined total comes out, as it is in Chronicles, to one thousand seven hundred sixty.
and his brethren, chiefs of fathers’ houses, two hundred forty-two; and Amashsai the son of Azarel, the son of Ahzai, the son of Meshillemoth, the son of Immer,
verse value 4326
Insights
Verse structure: 11 words, 63 letters. The shortest word is "and·his·brothers" (וְאֶחָיו֙, 5 letters) and the longest is "son·of·Meshillemoth" (בֶּן־מְשִׁלֵּמ֖וֹת, 8 letters). 6 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Nehemiah. Unique to this verse in Nehemiah (hapax): "heads·of" (רָאשִׁ֣ים), "of·fathers" (לְאָב֔וֹת), "and·Amashsai" (וַעֲמַשְׁסַ֧י). The root בן appears 4 times in this verse. 8 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "son·of·Azarel" (root בן, 200x in Nehemiah); "two·hundred" (root מאה, 49x in Nehemiah); "and·his·brothers" (root אח, 27x in Nehemiah). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'and·two', dividing the verse into phrases of 6 and 5 words. Full calculation: וְאֶחָיו֙ [and·his·brothers] (31) + רָאשִׁ֣ים [heads·of] (551) + לְאָב֔וֹת [of·fathers] (439) + מָאתַ֖יִם [two·hundred] (491) + אַרְבָּעִ֣ים [forty] (323) + וּשְׁנָ֑יִם [and·two] (406) + וַעֲמַשְׁסַ֧י [and·Amashsai] (486) + בֶּן־עֲזַרְאֵ֛ל [son·of·Azarel] (360) + בֶּן־אַחְזַ֥י [son·of·Ahzai] (78) + בֶּן־מְשִׁלֵּמ֖וֹת [son·of·Meshillemoth] (868) + בֶּן־אִמֵּֽר [son·of·Immer] (293) = 4326.
Rashi
rulers over the fathers’ houses the heads of the fathers’ houses of the priestly families.
Metzudat David
'And his brethren' — the colleagues of Adaiah, who were chiefs of their fathers' family, numbered two hundred, etc., and they too dwelt in Jerusalem. 'And Amashsai, etc.' — he too dwelt in Jerusalem.
And of the Levites: Shemaiah the son of Hasshub, the son of Azrikam, the son of Hashabiah, the son of Bunni;
verse value 1956
Insights
Verse structure: 6 words, 40 letters. The shortest word is "Shemaiah" (שְׁמַעְיָ֧ה, 5 letters) and the longest is "and·from·the·Levites" (וּמִֽן־הַלְוִיִּ֑ם, 8 letters). 3 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Nehemiah. Unique to this verse in Nehemiah (hapax): "son·of·Hasshub" (בֶן־חַשּׁ֛וּב), "son·of·Azrikam" (בֶּן־עַזְרִיקָ֥ם), "son·of·Bunni" (בֶּן־בּוּנִּֽי). The root בן appears 3 times in this verse. 4 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "son·of·Azrikam" (root בן, 200x in Nehemiah); "and·from·the·Levites" (root לוי, 45x in Nehemiah). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'and·from·the·Levites', dividing the verse into phrases of 1 and 5 words. Full calculation: וּמִֽן־הַלְוִיִּ֑ם [and·from·the·Levites] (187) + שְׁמַעְיָ֧ה [Shemaiah] (425) + בֶן־חַשּׁ֛וּב [son·of·Hasshub] (368) + בֶּן־עַזְרִיקָ֥ם [son·of·Azrikam] (479) + בֶּן־חֲשַׁבְיָ֖ה [son·of·Hashabiah] (377) + בֶּן־בּוּנִּֽי [son·of·Bunni] (120) = 1956.
Metzudat David
'And of the Levites' — those who dwelt in Jerusalem were Shemaiah, etc.
Malbim
And of the Levites — In Chronicles he lists Shemaiah the son of Hasshub; and Bakbakar, Cheresh, and Galal; and Mattaniah the son of Mica the son of Zichri the son of Asaph; and Obadiah the son of Shemaiah the son of Galal the son of Jeduthun; and Berechiah the son of Asa the son of Elkanah, who dwelt in the villages of the Netophathites — but it explained neither what their duties were nor their number. Nehemiah came and explained that Shemaiah the son of Hasshub was appointed over the outside work of the House, such as the repairs to the Temple building and the wood for the [altar] arrangement that were brought in from outside, as Rashi explains; and that with him were also Shabbethai and Jozabad, whom Ezra did not mention in Chronicles. He also added detail to the lineage of Shemaiah, down to the son of Bunni, for Shemaiah was of the sons of Merari, as stated in Chronicles, which mentions there the head of that line, Hashabiah [I Chronicles 6:30]; while Nehemiah gives the head of the line as Bunni, mentioned there [verse 31], who is four generations above Hashabiah and was better known.
and Shabbethai and Jozabad, of the chiefs of the Levites, who had the oversight of the outward business of the house of God;
verse value 2297
Insights
Verse structure: 8 words, 45 letters. The shortest word is "to·house·of" (לְבֵ֣ית, 4 letters) and the longest is "over·the·work" (עַל־הַמְּלָאכָ֤ה, 8 letters). Words sharing gematria 91: God, the·Levites. 4 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Nehemiah. Unique to this verse in Nehemiah (hapax): "and·Shabbethai" (וְשַׁבְּתַ֨י), "and·Jozabad" (וְיוֹזָבָ֜ד), "the·outer" (הַחִֽיצֹנָה֙). 8 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "God" (root אלהים, 62x in Nehemiah); "to·house·of" (root בית, 60x in Nehemiah); "the·Levites" (root לוי, 45x in Nehemiah). Full calculation: וְשַׁבְּתַ֨י [and·Shabbethai] (718) + וְיוֹזָבָ֜ד [and·Jozabad] (35) + עַל־הַמְּלָאכָ֤ה [over·the·work] (201) + הַחִֽיצֹנָה֙ [the·outer] (168) + לְבֵ֣ית [to·house·of] (442) + הָאֱלֹהִ֔ים [God] (91) + מֵרָאשֵׁ֖י [from·heads·of] (551) + הַלְוִיִּֽם [the·Levites] (91) = 2297.
Rashi
over the outside work of the Temple, such as the buildings of the repair of the Temple (sic) and the wood of the arrangement, which they would bring from outside.
Ibn Ezra
"Shabbethai and Jozabad... had the oversight of the outward business" — that is, work outside the city, for the needs of the house of God.
Ralbag
'Who had the oversight of the outward business of the house of God' — meaning, that he was appointed over the maintenance work of the building, whatever work was needed in the court of the priests and in the courtyards, and in general, everything needed with regard to whatever is external to the house of God.
Metzudat David
'Who had the oversight of the [outward] business, etc.' — they were appointed over the work done outside the Temple that served the needs of the Temple, such as bringing wood and stones for the upkeep of the [Temple] house, and the like. 'Of the chiefs of the Levites' — and they were indeed the chiefs of the Levites.
and Mattaniah the son of Mica, the son of Zabdi, the son of Asaph, who was the chief to begin the thanksgiving in prayer, and Bakbukiah, the second among his brethren; and Abda the son of Shammua, the son of Galal, the son of Jeduthun.
verse value 4785
Insights
Verse structure: 16 words, 87 letters. The shortest word is "head·of" (רֹ֗אשׁ, 3 letters) and the longest is "son·of·Jeduthun" (בֶּן־יְדוּתֽוּן, 8 letters). 8 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Nehemiah. Unique to this verse in Nehemiah (hapax): "and·Mattaniah" (וּמַתַּנְיָ֣ה), "son·of·Zabdi" (בֶּן־זַבְדִּ֨י), "the·beginning" (הַתְּחִלָּה֙). The root בן appears 4 times in this verse. 12 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "son·of·Asaph" (root בן, 200x in Nehemiah); "from·his·brothers" (root אח, 27x in Nehemiah). First appearance of the root מתניה ("and·Mattaniah") in Nehemiah. First appearance of the root בקבקיה ("and·Bakbukiah") in Nehemiah. The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'from·his·brothers', dividing the verse into phrases of 11 and 5 words.
Rashi
the head to begin the thanksgiving in prayer He was the head and the appointed official, and the greatest one who was first to start and to thank in prayer and in singing the songs of the Levites. יְהוֹדֶה is like יוֹדֶה, and the “hey” enters the word unnecessarily, like יוֹסֵף and יְהוֹסֵף.
Ibn Ezra
"who was the chief to begin the thanksgiving in prayer" — the meaning is: Asaph is the head, and at the start of the service it is he [Mattaniah] who gives thanks at the time of the first prayer; and after him come his brothers, the sons of Judah, correctly. Likewise the word here is a verb form of the same pattern as 'Hashem will save.' "and Bakbukiah, the second among his brethren" — meaning: to be second-in-command to Asaph.
Ralbag
'Who was the chief to begin the thanksgiving in prayer' — meaning, that he was the head of those among the Levites who would be first to give thanks in prayer to Hashem, exalted be He — namely, the singers; and Bakbukiah was second to him in giving thanks in prayer.
Metzudat David
'Who was the chief to begin the thanksgiving in prayer' — he was the one who would take the lead in opening the thanksgivings and praises when the time for prayer arrived. 'The second among his brethren' — he was second to him [Mattaniah] among the rest of his brethren. 'And Abda, etc.' — he too dwelt in Jerusalem.
Metzudat Zion
'the thanksgiving' — from the language of thanksgiving and praise.
Malbim
Also, whereas Ezra mentions Bakbakar, Cheresh, Galal, and Mattaniah — implying that Bakbukiah was greater than Mattaniah — Nehemiah comes and informs us that Mattaniah actually ranked first. This is the meaning of 'and Mattaniah, who was the chief to begin': that he was first and foremost, ahead of Bakbukiah, Cheresh, and Galal; and that his role was 'the thanksgiving in prayer,' meaning to give thanks and to pray; and that Bakbukiah was second among his brothers, ranking after him, as against the rest of his brothers counted in Chronicles, namely Cheresh and Galal, who ranked after Bakbukiah. One could also explain that 'Yehudah LeTefillah' is a name — that his name was called Yehudah LeTefillah — or that these are two names, one Yehudah and one LeTefillah, similar to in Chronicles [I 25]: 'Giddalti, and Romamti-ezer, Joshbekashah' — all of which are names of individuals. Accordingly, this same person would be the one called 'Al HaYedot' [below, 12:8]. That is: Mattaniah was the chief to begin — [also called] Yehudah LeTefillah — and Bakbukiah was second among his brothers, meaning second to Mattaniah in rank. Now [Nehemiah] proceeds to inform us of their number, which is not mentioned in Chronicles, and states that together with Abda the son of Shammua — who is [the same as] Obadiah the son of Shemaiah the son of Galal the son of Jeduthun mentioned in Chronicles — the number of Levites was two hundred eighty-four. He says 'all the Levites in the holy city' to exclude from the count Berechiah the son of Asa, who dwelt in the villages of the Netophathites, whom Chronicles mentions there as not having settled in Jerusalem, and so he is not included in the reckoning.
Moreover the porters, Akkub, Talmon, and their brethren, who kept watch at the gates, were a hundred seventy-two.
verse value 3111
Insights
Verse structure: 9 words, 48 letters. The shortest word is "hundred" (מֵאָ֖ה, 3 letters) and the longest is "and·the·porters" (וְהַשּֽׁוֹעֲרִים֙, 8 letters). 1 word in this verse appears nowhere else in Nehemiah. Unique to this verse in Nehemiah (hapax): "the·watchmen" (הַשֹּׁמְרִ֣ים). 9 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "hundred" (root מאה, 49x in Nehemiah); "in·the·gates" (root שער, 41x in Nehemiah); "and·their·brothers" (root אח, 27x in Nehemiah). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'in·the·gates', dividing the verse into phrases of 6 and 3 words. Full calculation: וְהַשּֽׁוֹעֲרִים֙ [and·the·porters] (637) + עַקּ֣וּב [Akkub] (178) + טַלְמ֔וֹן [Talmon] (135) + וַאֲחֵיהֶ֖ם [and·their·brothers] (70) + הַשֹּׁמְרִ֣ים [the·watchmen] (595) + בַּשְּׁעָרִ֑ים [in·the·gates] (622) + מֵאָ֖ה [hundred] (46) + שִׁבְעִ֥ים [seventy] (422) + וּשְׁנָֽיִם [and·two] (406) = 3111.
Rashi
And the gatekeepers those appointed over the gates of the Temple.
Malbim
Moreover the porters — Since Chronicles [verse 17] states 'the porters: Shallum, and Akkub, and Talmon, and Ahiman,' without giving their number, Nehemiah clarifies that the porters Akkub and Talmon, together with their brethren [namely Shallum and Ahiman], numbered a hundred seventy-two. This number was necessarily so: if divided into seven parts for the seven days of the week, there would be twenty-four Levites each day for the twenty-four watches that stood guard in the Temple, plus the four heads — Shallum, Akkub, Talmon, and Ahiman — counted in Chronicles.
But the Nethinim dwelt in Ophel; and Ziha and Gishpa were over the Nethinim.
verse value 2285
Insights
Verse structure: 6 words, 36 letters. The shortest word is "in·Ophel" (בָּעֹ֑פֶל, 4 letters) and the longest is "over·the·Nethinim" (עַל־הַנְּתִינִֽים, 9 letters). 3 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Nehemiah. Unique to this verse in Nehemiah (hapax): "and·Ziha" (וְצִיחָ֥א), "and·Gishpa" (וְגִשְׁפָּ֖א), "over·the·Nethinim" (עַל־הַנְּתִינִֽים). The root נתין appears 2 times in this verse. 5 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "dwelling" (root ישב, 22x in Nehemiah). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'in·Ophel', dividing the verse into phrases of 3 and 3 words. Full calculation: וְהַנְּתִינִ֖ים [and·the·Nethinim] (571) + יֹשְׁבִ֣ים [dwelling] (362) + בָּעֹ֑פֶל [in·Ophel] (182) + וְצִיחָ֥א [and·Ziha] (115) + וְגִשְׁפָּ֖א [and·Gishpa] (390) + עַל־הַנְּתִינִֽים [over·the·Nethinim] (665) = 2285.
Rashi
in the Ophel a place that was in Jerusalem. over the Nethinites appointed over the Nethinites.
Ibn Ezra
"and Ziha and Gishpa were over the Nethinim" — meaning: officers, [i.e., in charge of them].
Ralbag
'But the Nethinim dwelt in Ophel' — meaning, on the height of the city, which was near the Temple, so that they would be close by to perform whatever work would be needed there.
Metzudat David
'Dwelt' — they dwelt in Ophel, which is the name of a tower in Jerusalem. 'Over the Nethinim' — [Ziha and Gishpa were] appointed as overseers over the Nethinim.
The overseer also of the Levites at Jerusalem was Uzzi the son of Bani, the son of Hashabiah, the son of Mattaniah, the son of Mica, of the sons of Asaph, the singers, over the business of the house of God.
verse value 4256
Insights
Verse structure: 14 words, 77 letters. The shortest word is "Uzzi" (עֻזִּ֤י, 3 letters) and the longest is "the·house·of·God" (בֵּית־הָאֱלֹהִֽים, 9 letters). Words sharing gematria 87: Uzzi, before. The root בן appears 4 times in this verse. 11 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "son·of·Bani" (root בן, 200x in Nehemiah); "the·house·of·God" (root בית, 60x in Nehemiah); "the·Levites" (root לוי, 45x in Nehemiah). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'son·of·Mica', dividing the verse into phrases of 8 and 6 words. Full calculation: וּפְקִ֤יד [and·overseer·of] (200) + הַלְוִיִּם֙ [the·Levites] (91) + בִּיר֣וּשָׁלִַ֔ם [in·Jerusalem] (588) + עֻזִּ֤י [Uzzi] (87) + בֶן־בָּנִי֙ [son·of·Bani] (114) + בֶּן־חֲשַׁבְיָ֔ה [son·of·Hashabiah] (377) + בֶּן־מַתַּנְיָ֖ה [son·of·Mattaniah] (557) + בֶּן־מִיכָ֑א [son·of·Mica] (123) + מִבְּנֵ֤י [from·sons·of] (102) + אָסָף֙ [Asaph] (141) + הַמְשֹׁ֣רְרִ֔ים [the·singers] (795) + לְנֶ֖גֶד [before] (87) + מְלֶ֥אכֶת [work·of] (491) + בֵּית־הָאֱלֹהִֽים [the·house·of·God] (503) = 4256.
Rashi
And the official over the Levites appointed over the Levites in Jerusalem. over the work of the Temple of God He was appointed over the work of the Temple, such as the buildings of the repair of the Temple and the rest of the matters for which money is spent for the work of the Temple, like the matter that is stated above (verse 16): “...and Shabbethai and Jazabad over the outside work, etc.”
Ralbag
'The overseer also of the Levites at Jerusalem,' etc. — meaning, that he was appointed over the work of the house of God, [to supply] everything needed there for those doing the work, and he was the one who disbursed all the expenses; for King Artaxerxes had commanded that they be appointed over this, since all of it was carried out from the king's own funds.
Metzudat David
'The overseer also, etc.' — the overseer of the Levites who dwelt in Jerusalem was Uzzi, etc. 'Over the business [of the house of God]' — they were the ones appointed over the work of the [Temple] house, to strengthen its repairs and add to its construction.
Malbim
The overseer also of the Levites — This too is not mentioned in Chronicles, just as the overseer of Judah and Benjamin is not mentioned there [verse 9], nor the overseer of the priests [chapter 12]. 'Of the sons of Asaph, the singers, over [le-neged]' — meaning that he was of the sons of Asaph, who had held, since the days of David, peace be upon him, the privilege of being chiefs [negidim] over the work of the House of God. [Neged is related to nagid, and is the abstract noun denoting that chieftainship.]
For there was a commandment from the king concerning them, and a sure ordinance concerning the singers, as every day required.
verse value 2139
Insights
Verse structure: 7 words, 40 letters. The shortest word is "the·king" (הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ, 4 letters) and the longest is "over·the·singers" (עַל־הַמְשֹׁרְרִ֖ים, 9 letters). 3 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Nehemiah. Unique to this verse in Nehemiah (hapax): "for·commandment·of" (כִּֽי־מִצְוַ֥ת), "and·ordinance" (וַאֲמָנָ֥ה), "over·the·singers" (עַל־הַמְשֹׁרְרִ֖ים). 7 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "in·its·day" (root יום, 61x in Nehemiah); "upon·them" (root על, 44x in Nehemiah); "the·king" (root מלך, 43x in Nehemiah). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'upon·them', dividing the verse into phrases of 3 and 4 words. Full calculation: כִּֽי־מִצְוַ֥ת [for·commandment·of] (566) + הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ [the·king] (95) + עֲלֵיהֶ֑ם [upon·them] (155) + וַאֲמָנָ֥ה [and·ordinance] (102) + עַל־הַמְשֹׁרְרִ֖ים [over·the·singers] (895) + דְּבַר־י֥וֹם [word·of·day] (262) + בְּיוֹמֽוֹ [in·its·day] (64) = 2139.
Rashi
For the command of the king was upon them and [his] trust The king trusted them. upon the singers to spend money from King Darius’s treasury. for the daily requirements in order to perform the requirements of the Temple.
Ibn Ezra
"a sure ordinance concerning the singers" [amanah] — the word means a binding confirmation, as in 'we make a firm covenant'; it was by the authority of the king, at his command.
Ralbag
'And a sure ordinance concerning the singers, as every day required' — for the king had assigned this trust to the singers, day by day: they would declare how much the expense had been on that day, and they would be believed.
Metzudat David
'For there was a commandment from the king concerning them' — the king commanded concerning them that they should be the ones appointed over the work; 'and a sure ordinance' — the force and validity of this appointment was placed upon the singers, to maintain the repair of the [Temple] house every single day, as required.
Metzudat Zion
'and a sure ordinance' — refers to a binding commitment.
Malbim
For there was a commandment from the king concerning them — For King David had commanded that they be permanent chiefs and officers, since all this had been established from the days of David, as stated there in Chronicles. And a sure ordinance [omanah] concerning the singers — he too was the master craftsman of the musical art, and he would teach and direct the singers, day by day, which song to sing and which melody to play each day, for he was skilled in the craft of song. (Omanah is related to 'the handiwork of a craftsman [uman]' — one who is expert in his craft.) One can also explain the phrase 'for there was a commandment from the king concerning them' [differently]: that because they had held this privilege from the days of David, the king of Persia, too, upheld their privilege and commanded that they be in charge of the work of the House of God.
And Pethahiah the son of Meshezabel, of the children of Zerah the son of Judah, was at the king’s hand in all matters concerning the people.
verse value 1915
Insights
Verse structure: 8 words, 45 letters. The shortest word is "to·hand·of" (לְיַ֣ד, 3 letters) and the longest is "son·of·Meshezabel" (בֶן־מְשֵֽׁיזַבְאֵ֜ל, 9 letters). 5 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Nehemiah. Unique to this verse in Nehemiah (hapax): "and·Pethahiah" (וּפְתַֽחְיָ֨ה), "from·sons·of·Zerah" (מִבְּנֵי־זֶ֤רַח), "son·of·Judah" (בֶּן־יְהוּדָה֙). The root בן appears 2 times in this verse. 7 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "son·of·Meshezabel" (root בן, 200x in Nehemiah); "to·the·people" (root עם, 47x in Nehemiah); "the·king" (root מלך, 43x in Nehemiah). Full calculation: וּפְתַֽחְיָ֨ה [and·Pethahiah] (509) + בֶן־מְשֵֽׁיזַבְאֵ֜ל [son·of·Meshezabel] (442) + מִבְּנֵי־זֶ֤רַח [from·sons·of·Zerah] (317) + בֶּן־יְהוּדָה֙ [son·of·Judah] (82) + לְיַ֣ד [to·hand·of] (44) + הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ [the·king] (95) + לְכׇל־דָּבָ֖ר [to·every·matter] (286) + לָעָֽם [to·the·people] (140) = 1915.
Rashi
at the king’s hand He was privy to King Darius’s counsel. for every matter for every matter that concerned the people, to speak to the king on their behalf.
Ralbag
'was at the king's hand in all matters concerning the people' — meaning, he was the one who received from them the king's portion, and whatever else was due to the king from them.
Metzudat David
'At the king's hand' — he was stationed at the king's court, to inquire of him about anything the people needed.
Malbim
And Pethahiah — He was appointed by the king over every matter needed by the people, matters outside the House of God.
And for the villages, with their fields, some of the children of Judah dwelt in Kiriath-arba and its towns, and in Dibon and its towns, and in Jekabzeel and its villages;
verse value 4156
Insights
Verse structure: 12 words, 69 letters. The shortest word is "from·sons·of" (מִבְּנֵ֣י, 4 letters) and the longest is "and·to·the·villages" (וְאֶל־הַחֲצֵרִ֖ים, 9 letters). Words sharing gematria 473: and·its·towns, and·its·towns. 7 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Nehemiah. Unique to this verse in Nehemiah (hapax): "and·to·the·villages" (וְאֶל־הַחֲצֵרִ֖ים), "in·their·fields" (בִּשְׂדֹתָ֑ם), "in·Kiriath" (בְּקִרְיַ֤ת). The root חצר appears 2 times in this verse. 10 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "from·sons·of" (root בן, 200x in Nehemiah); "Judah" (root יהודה, 26x in Nehemiah); "the·Arba" (root ארבע, 23x in Nehemiah). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'in·their·fields', dividing the verse into phrases of 2 and 10 words. Full calculation: וְאֶל־הַחֲצֵרִ֖ים [and·to·the·villages] (390) + בִּשְׂדֹתָ֑ם [in·their·fields] (746) + מִבְּנֵ֣י [from·sons·of] (102) + יְהוּדָ֗ה [Judah] (30) + יָֽשְׁב֞וּ [dwelt] (318) + בְּקִרְיַ֤ת [in·Kiriath] (712) + הָֽאַרְבַּע֙ [the·Arba] (278) + וּבְנֹתֶ֔יהָ [and·its·towns] (473) + וּבְדִיבֹן֙ [and·in·Dibon] (74) + וּבְנֹתֶ֔יהָ [and·its·towns] (473) + וּבִֽיקַּבְצְאֵ֖ל [and·in·Jekabzeel] (241) + וַחֲצֵרֶֽיהָ [and·its·villages] (319) = 4156.
Ralbag
'And for the villages, with their fields' — meaning, the towns that are not surrounded by a wall, as it says, 'but the houses of the villages which have no wall round about them' (Leviticus 25:31).
Metzudat David
'And for the villages' — these are the ones who dwelt in the towns of the open villages, that is, unwalled towns, out among their fields — a place of abundant farmland. 'Its towns' — the villages adjoining it. 'And its villages' — small settlements adjoining it.
Malbim
And for the villages — After having described those who dwelt in Jerusalem, [the text] returns to what was stated, that in the cities of Judah each man dwelt on his own holding: that of the children of Judah, [some] dwelt in the cities of Judah, and the children of Benjamin dwelt in the cities of Benjamin.
Verse structure: 4 words, 20 letters. The shortest word is "Pelet" (פָּֽלֶט, 3 letters) and the longest is "and·in·Jeshua" (וּבְיֵשׁ֥וּעַ, 6 letters). 4 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Nehemiah. Unique to this verse in Nehemiah (hapax): "and·in·Jeshua" (וּבְיֵשׁ֥וּעַ), "and·in·Moladah" (וּבְמֹלָדָ֖ה), "and·in·Beth" (וּבְבֵ֥ית). 4 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "and·in·Beth" (root בית, 60x in Nehemiah). Full calculation: וּבְיֵשׁ֥וּעַ [and·in·Jeshua] (394) + וּבְמֹלָדָ֖ה [and·in·Moladah] (87) + וּבְבֵ֥ית [and·in·Beth] (420) + פָּֽלֶט [Pelet] (119) = 1020.
and in Hazar-shual, and in Beer-sheba and its towns;
verse value 1768
Insights
Verse structure: 5 words, 23 letters. Verse gematria: 1768 is divisible by 26, the value of the divine name Hashem. The shortest word is "Sheba" (שֶׁ֖בַע, 3 letters) and the longest is "and·its·towns" (וּבְנֹתֶֽיהָ, 6 letters). 2 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Nehemiah. Unique to this verse in Nehemiah (hapax): "and·in·Hazar" (וּבַחֲצַ֥ר), "and·in·Beer" (וּבִבְאֵ֥ר). 5 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "Sheba" (root שבע, 21x in Nehemiah). Full calculation: וּבַחֲצַ֥ר [and·in·Hazar] (306) + שׁוּעָ֛ל [Shual] (406) + וּבִבְאֵ֥ר [and·in·Beer] (211) + שֶׁ֖בַע [Sheba] (372) + וּבְנֹתֶֽיהָ [and·its·towns] (473) = 1768.
Verse structure: 3 words, 19 letters. The shortest word is "and·in·Ziklag" (וּבְצִֽקְלַ֥ג, 6 letters) and the longest is "and·in·its·towns" (וּבִבְנֹתֶֽיהָ, 7 letters). 3 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Nehemiah. Unique to this verse in Nehemiah (hapax): "and·in·Ziklag" (וּבְצִֽקְלַ֥ג), "and·in·Meconah" (וּבִמְכֹנָ֖ה), "and·in·its·towns" (וּבִבְנֹתֶֽיהָ). 3 unique roots are used. Full calculation: וּבְצִֽקְלַ֥ג [and·in·Ziklag] (231) + וּבִמְכֹנָ֖ה [and·in·Meconah] (123) + וּבִבְנֹתֶֽיהָ [and·in·its·towns] (475) = 829.
Verse structure: 4 words, 22 letters. The shortest word is "Rimmon" (רִמּ֛וֹן, 4 letters) and the longest is "and·in·Jarmuth" (וּבְיַרְמֽוּת, 7 letters). 4 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Nehemiah. Unique to this verse in Nehemiah (hapax): "and·in·En" (וּבְעֵ֥ין), "Rimmon" (רִמּ֛וֹן), "and·in·Zorah" (וּבְצׇרְעָ֖ה). 4 unique roots are used. Full calculation: וּבְעֵ֥ין [and·in·En] (138) + רִמּ֛וֹן [Rimmon] (296) + וּבְצׇרְעָ֖ה [and·in·Zorah] (373) + וּבְיַרְמֽוּת [and·in·Jarmuth] (664) = 1471.
Zanoah, Adullam, and their villages, Lachish and its fields, Azekah and its towns. So they encamped from Beer-sheba to the valley of Hinnom.
verse value 3186
Insights
Verse structure: 11 words, 54 letters. Verse gematria: 3186 is divisible by 18, the value of chai ('life'). The shortest word is "Zanoah" (זָנֹ֤חַ, 3 letters) and the longest is "and·their·villages" (וְחַצְרֵיהֶ֔ם, 7 letters). 10 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Nehemiah. Unique to this verse in Nehemiah (hapax): "Zanoah" (זָנֹ֤חַ), "Adullam" (עֲדֻלָּם֙), "and·their·villages" (וְחַצְרֵיהֶ֔ם). 11 unique roots are used. The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'and·its·towns', dividing the verse into phrases of 7 and 4 words. Full calculation: זָנֹ֤חַ [Zanoah] (65) + עֲדֻלָּם֙ [Adullam] (144) + וְחַצְרֵיהֶ֔ם [and·their·villages] (359) + לָכִישׁ֙ [Lachish] (360) + וּשְׂדֹתֶ֔יהָ [and·its·fields] (725) + עֲזֵקָ֖ה [Azekah] (182) + וּבְנֹתֶ֑יהָ [and·its·towns] (473) + וַיַּחֲנ֥וּ [and·they·encamped] (80) + מִבְּאֵֽר־שֶׁ֖בַע [from·Beer-sheba] (615) + עַד־גֵּ֥יא [until·valley·of] (88) + הִנֹּֽם [Hinnom] (95) = 3186.
Metzudat David
'And its fields' — the farmhouses out in the fields.
And the children of Benjamin from Geba onward, at Michmas and Aijah, and at Beth-el and its towns;
verse value 1748
Insights
Verse structure: 7 words, 33 letters. The shortest word is "and·sons·of" (וּבְנֵ֥י, 4 letters) and the longest is "and·Beth-el" (וּבֵֽית־אֵ֖ל, 6 letters). 4 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Nehemiah. Unique to this verse in Nehemiah (hapax): "from·Geba" (מִגָּ֑בַע), "Michmas" (מִכְמָ֣שׂ), "and·Aijah" (וְעַיָּ֔ה). 7 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "and·sons·of" (root בן, 200x in Nehemiah); "and·Beth-el" (root בית, 60x in Nehemiah). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'from·Geba', dividing the verse into phrases of 3 and 4 words. Full calculation: וּבְנֵ֥י [and·sons·of] (68) + בִנְיָמִ֖ן [Benjamin] (152) + מִגָּ֑בַע [from·Geba] (115) + מִכְמָ֣שׂ [Michmas] (400) + וְעַיָּ֔ה [and·Aijah] (91) + וּבֵֽית־אֵ֖ל [and·Beth-el] (449) + וּבְנֹתֶֽיהָ [and·its·towns] (473) = 1748.
Metzudat David
'From Geba' — the starting point of their settlements was Geba, and they dwelt there, and in Michmas, and so on.
Verse structure: 3 words, 12 letters. The shortest word is "Nob" (נֹ֖ב, 2 letters) and the longest is "Anathoth" (עֲנָת֥וֹת, 5 letters). 2 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Nehemiah. Unique to this verse in Nehemiah (hapax): "Nob" (נֹ֖ב), "Ananiah" (עֲנָֽנְיָֽה). 3 unique roots are used. Full calculation: עֲנָת֥וֹת [Anathoth] (926) + נֹ֖ב [Nob] (52) + עֲנָֽנְיָֽה [Ananiah] (185) = 1163.
Verse structure: 3 words, 11 letters. The shortest word is "Ramah" (רָמָ֖ה, 3 letters) and the longest is "Hazor" (חָצ֥וֹר, 4 letters). 3 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Nehemiah. Unique to this verse in Nehemiah (hapax): "Hazor" (חָצ֥וֹר), "Ramah" (רָמָ֖ה), "Gittaim" (גִּתָּֽיִם). 3 unique roots are used. Full calculation: חָצ֥וֹר [Hazor] (304) + רָמָ֖ה [Ramah] (245) + גִּתָּֽיִם [Gittaim] (453) = 1002.
Verse structure: 3 words, 13 letters. Notable word values: "Hadid" (חָדִ֥יד) = 26, the value of the divine name Hashem. The shortest word is "Hadid" (חָדִ֥יד, 4 letters) and the longest is "Zeboim" (צְבֹעִ֖ים, 5 letters). 2 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Nehemiah. Unique to this verse in Nehemiah (hapax): "Zeboim" (צְבֹעִ֖ים), "Neballat" (נְבַלָּֽט). 3 unique roots are used. Full calculation: חָדִ֥יד [Hadid] (26) + צְבֹעִ֖ים [Zeboim] (212) + נְבַלָּֽט [Neballat] (91) = 329.
Verse structure: 4 words, 15 letters. Notable word values: "valley" (גֵּ֥י) = 13, the value of echad ('one') and ahavah ('love'). The shortest word is "Lod" (לֹ֥ד, 2 letters) and the longest is "the·craftsmen" (הַחֲרָשִֽׁים, 6 letters). 4 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Nehemiah. Unique to this verse in Nehemiah (hapax): "Lod" (לֹ֥ד), "and·Ono" (וְאוֹנ֖וֹ), "valley" (גֵּ֥י). 4 unique roots are used. Full calculation: לֹ֥ד [Lod] (34) + וְאוֹנ֖וֹ [and·Ono] (69) + גֵּ֥י [valley] (13) + הַחֲרָשִֽׁים [the·craftsmen] (563) = 679.
And of the Levites, certain courses in Judah were joined to Benjamin.
verse value 993
Insights
Verse structure: 4 words, 26 letters. The shortest word is "Judah" (יְהוּדָ֖ה, 5 letters) and the longest is "and·from·the·Levites" (וּמִ֨ן־הַלְוִיִּ֔ם, 8 letters). 2 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Nehemiah. Unique to this verse in Nehemiah (hapax): "divisions·of" (מַחְלְק֥וֹת), "to·Benjamin" (לְבִנְיָמִֽין). 4 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "and·from·the·Levites" (root לוי, 45x in Nehemiah); "Judah" (root יהודה, 26x in Nehemiah). Full calculation: וּמִ֨ן־הַלְוִיִּ֔ם [and·from·the·Levites] (187) + מַחְלְק֥וֹת [divisions·of] (584) + יְהוּדָ֖ה [Judah] (30) + לְבִנְיָמִֽין [to·Benjamin] (192) = 993.
Rashi
there were divisions to Judah and to Benjamin They were divided into their divisions here and there in the land of Judah and Benjamin.
Ibn Ezra
"And of the Levites, certain courses in Judah" — meaning: they dwelt in the divisions of Judah extending to Benjamin.
Ralbag
'And of the Levites, certain courses in Judah were joined to Benjamin' — meaning, that divisions of them had already come to the land of Judah and to the land of Benjamin.
Metzudat David
'Certain courses' — they were divided into groups to settle here and there, from the territory of Judah to the territory of Benjamin, for they lived in both places.
Malbim
And of the Levites, certain courses — meaning, they were divided [belonging] to Judah [and] to Benjamin (the prefixed lamed carries over to both), such that some of them dwelt among the children of Judah and some among the children of Benjamin. For the Levites took their cities from the rest of the tribes, since it was from the portion of Judah and Benjamin that [cities] were set aside for the priests (Joshua 21:4); and since they were unable to settle in the cities of their own holding, which were far from Jerusalem, they settled among the children of Judah and Benjamin, as stated below (12:29), that the Levites built themselves villages around Jerusalem.
Rashi
Ralbag
Metzudat David
Metzudat Zion
Malbim