Nehemiah 12:40

Verse

The two thanksgiving choirs then stood in the house of God, as did I, along with the half of the officials accompanying me,

American Standard Version (1901)

So stood the two companies of them that gave thanks in the house of God, and I, and the half of the rulers with me;

Bible in Basic English

So the two bands of those who gave praise took up their positions in the house of God, and I and half of the chiefs with me:

Douay-Rheims 1899

And the priests, Eliachim, Maasia, Miamin, Michea, Elioenai, Zacharia, Hanania with trumpets,

Free Bible Version

Both thanksgiving choirs then took their places in God's Temple. I followed with the group of leaders that was with me,

Geneva Bible 1599

So stood the two companies (of them that gaue thankes) in the house of God, and I and the halfe of the rulers with me.

King James (Authorized) Version

So stood the two companies of them that gave thanks in the house of God, and I, and the half of the rulers with me:

Translation for Translators

Both the groups reached the temple while they were thanking God. They stood in their places there. The leaders who were with me also stood with me in our places.

Unlocked Literal Bible

So both choirs of those who gave thanks took their place in the house of God, and I also took my place with half of the officials with me.

Noah Webster Bible

So stood the two companies of them that gave thanks in the house of God, and I, and the half of the rulers with me:

World English Bible

So the two companies of those who gave thanks in God’s house stood, and I and the half of the rulers with me;

Young's Literal Translation

And the two thanksgiving companies stand in the house of God, and I and half of the prefects with me,

Context

The Dedication of the Wall

³⁹over the Gate of Ephraim, the Jeshanah Gate, the Fish Gate, the Tower of Hananel, and the Tower of the Hundred, as far as the Sheep Gate. And they stopped at the Gate of the Guard.⁴⁰The two thanksgiving choirs then stood in the house of God, as did I, along with the half of the officials accompanying me,⁴¹as well as the priests with their trumpets—Eliakim, Maaseiah, Miniamin, Micaiah, Elioenai, Zechariah, and Hananiah—

Summary

Nehemiah 12:40 describes a significant event where two large thanksgiving choirs were formed to give thanks to God as they walked along the wall of Jerusalem. The choirs proceeded in opposite directions, with one going to the right on the wall towards the Dung Gate, and the other to the left. This joyful procession symbolized the unity, gratitude, and celebration of the people for the restoration of Jerusalem's walls and gates. It serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of worship, thanksgiving, and communal praise in acknowledging God's faithfulness and provision in times of restoration and rebuilding.

Commentary

John Gill

John Gill Bible Commentary

Also that day they offered great sacrifices, and rejoiced,.... Or many sacrifices, as Ben Melech interprets it; and these perhaps of the larger sort of cattle, oxen; and which, at least many of them, being peace offerings, the people feasted on them, so that it was a festival day: for God had made them rejoice with great joy; on account of the wall being set up all around, and so were in greater safety from their enemies: the wives also and the children rejoiced; while the priests blew the trumpets, and the singers sung and played on their instruments, the women and children gave loud shouts for joy: so that the joy of Jerusalem was heard even afar off; as at the laying of the foundation of the temple, Ezr 3:13.

Nehemiah 12:40

The Dedication of the Wall

Scripture
Sermons
Commentary

Berean Standard Bible

The two thanksgiving choirs then stood in the house of God, as did I, along with the half of the officials accompanying me,

American Standard Version (1901)

So stood the two companies of them that gave thanks in the house of God, and I, and the half of the rulers with me;

Bible in Basic English

So the two bands of those who gave praise took up their positions in the house of God, and I and half of the chiefs with me:

Douay-Rheims 1899

And the priests, Eliachim, Maasia, Miamin, Michea, Elioenai, Zacharia, Hanania with trumpets,

Free Bible Version

Both thanksgiving choirs then took their places in God's Temple. I followed with the group of leaders that was with me,

Geneva Bible 1599

So stood the two companies (of them that gaue thankes) in the house of God, and I and the halfe of the rulers with me.

King James (Authorized) Version

So stood the two companies of them that gave thanks in the house of God, and I, and the half of the rulers with me:

Translation for Translators

Both the groups reached the temple while they were thanking God. They stood in their places there. The leaders who were with me also stood with me in our places.

Unlocked Literal Bible

So both choirs of those who gave thanks took their place in the house of God, and I also took my place with half of the officials with me.

Noah Webster Bible

So stood the two companies of them that gave thanks in the house of God, and I, and the half of the rulers with me:

World English Bible

So the two companies of those who gave thanks in God’s house stood, and I and the half of the rulers with me;

Young's Literal Translation

And the two thanksgiving companies stand in the house of God, and I and half of the prefects with me,