Nehemiah 11:10

⁹Joel son of Zichri was the officer over them, and Judah son of Hassenuah was over the Second District of the city. ¹⁰From the priests: Jedaiah son of Joiarib; Jachin;¹¹Seraiah son of Hilkiah, the son of Meshullam, the son of Zadok, the son of Meraioth, the son of Ahitub, the chief official of the house of God;

Summary

This verse lists the priests who dwelt in Jerusalem during the time of Nehemiah's leadership. It highlights the importance of the priesthood in the religious and social structure of the community, showcasing the significance of their presence in the holy city. By recording their names and roles, the verse acknowledges the dedication and service of these priests in upholding the spiritual life of Jerusalem. This detailed account serves as a reminder of the commitment required to maintain the worship and rituals essential to the faith of the Israelites. Overall, Nehemiah 11:10 underscores the vital role of the priesthood in preserving the religious identity and practices of God's people.

Commentary

Keil-Delitzsch
John Gill

Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch Old Testament Commentary

Of the priests: Jedaiah, Joiarib, and Jachin, three heads of houses, therefore of orders of priests (for בּן before Joiarib probably crept into the text by a clerical error; see rem. on Ch1 9:10); Seraiah, a descendant of Ahitub, as ruler of the house of God, and their brethren, i.e., the eight hundred and twenty-two ministering priests belonging to these three orders. Also Adaiah, of the house or order of Malchiah, and his brethren, two hundred and forty-two fathers of families; and lastly, Amashai, of the order of Immer, with one hundred and twenty-eight brethren, i.e., priests. And their chief was Zabdiel ben Haggedolim (lxx υἱὸς τῶν μεγάλων). עליהם refers to all the before-named priests. לעבות ראשׁים heads of fathers, i.e., of families, Neh 11:13, is striking, for the brethren of Adaiah (אחיו), in number two hundred and forty-two, could not be heads of houses, but only fathers of families. The words seem to have come into the text only by comparing it with Ch1 9:13. If they were genuine, we should be obliged to understand לעבות ראשׁים of fathers of families, contrary to general usage.