Nehemiah 12:13 — Word Study
WLCלְעֶזְרָ֣א מְשֻׁלָּ֔ם לַאֲמַרְיָ֖ה יְהוֹחָנָֽן׃
BSAof EzraʻEzrâʼ [a priest and scribe] MeshullamMᵉshullâm of AmariahʼĂmaryâh [a head priest's son] JehohananYᵉhôwchânân [Jehovah has graced]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| לְעֶזְרָ֣א | of Ezra | Preposition, noun proper masculine |
| מְשֻׁלָּ֔ם | Meshullam | Noun proper masculine |
| לַאֲמַרְיָ֖ה | of Amariah | Preposition, noun proper masculine |
| יְהוֹחָנָֽן׃ | Jehohanan | Noun proper masculine |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | of Ezra, Meshullam; of Amariah, Jehohanan; |
| KJV | Of Ezra, Meshullam; of Amariah, Jehohanan; |
| ASV | of Ezra, Meshullam; of Amariah, Jehohanan; |
| YLT | of Ezra, Meshullam; of Amariah, Jehohanan; |
| WEB | of Ezra, Meshullam; of Amariah, Jehohanan; |
| BBE | Of Ezra, Meshullam; of Amariah, Jehohanan; |
Where they part company is יְהוֹחָנָן — see How Translations Differ.
The sentence is a straightforward list of names, emphasizing their relationships without additional commentary.
2 commentators on this verse
Jamieson, Ellicott & more — read them ›
clause
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Nehemiah 12:13
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — The Priestly Lineage in Nehemiahgenerated
Nehemiah 12:13 is part of a genealogical list that emphasizes the importance of priestly families in the restoration of Jerusalem after the Exile. This verse connects Ezra, a significant leader and scribe, with other priests, highlighting their roles in the community's spiritual life. The mention of these names serves to reinforce the continuity of priestly service and the fulfillment of God's promises to His people.
Cross References
The Key Word — עֶזְרָא, le.'ez.Ra'generated
The name עֶזְרָא (Ezra) is derived from the Hebrew root meaning 'help.' Ezra was a key figure in the post-exilic period, recognized as both a priest and a scribe. His leadership in spiritual reforms is crucial for understanding the restoration of Israel's identity and worship.
Ezra's role as a scribe indicates his authority in interpreting the Law and guiding the people. The inclusion of his name in this list signifies his importance in the priestly lineage and the community's efforts to return to proper worship.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The verse is structured around a series of noun phrases connected by prepositional phrases, detailing the relationships between the individuals mentioned. The main focus is on the names of the priests, with each name followed by its familial connection.
The finite verb is absent, as the verse lists names in a straightforward manner, typical of genealogical records. Each name serves as a point of reference for the priestly lineage, indicating their significance in the restoration of Jerusalem.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates עֶזְרָא as εσδρα, maintaining the connection to Ezra as a significant figure. This choice reflects the translators' understanding of Ezra's role in the community.
The names are rendered in a way that preserves their meanings, showing the continuity of the priestly line from the Hebrew text to the Greek translation.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Nehemiah 12:13 lists the names of priests, specifically Ezra and his descendant Meshullam, along with Amariah and his descendant Jehohanan. This verse highlights the importance of these individuals in the priestly line and their roles in the community after the Exile.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
Ezra was a priest and scribe who led reforms in Jerusalem after the Exile, focusing on restoring the Law and proper worship.
Meshullam means 'friend' and was a common name in the Bible, referring to several individuals involved in the restoration of Jerusalem.
Amariah was a head priest's son, and his name means 'Jehovah speaks' or 'Yah has promised,' indicating his role in the priestly lineage.
Jehohanan means 'Jehovah has graced' and was the name of several Israelites, including priests, during the time of Exile and Return.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- How do the names listed in Nehemiah reflect the continuity of faith among the Israelites?
- In what ways can I honor the spiritual heritage of my community?
- What role do leaders play in guiding a community's spiritual practices?
- How can I learn from the examples of faithfulness shown by figures like Ezra and the priests mentioned?
Commentators on this verse — 2 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Nehemiah 12:13 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryOf Ezra, Meshullam; of Amariah, Jehohanan; No JFB commentary on these verses.
Read Robert Jamieson on Nehemiah 12 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(12-26) List of representatives of Zerubbabel’s priests in the days of Joiakim; to which is added an account of the Levites in his day. Between these there is an interpolation (Nehemiah 12:22-23).
Read Charles John Ellicott on Nehemiah 12 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
of Ezra, Meshullam; of Amariah, Jehohanan;
of Ezra, Meshullam; of Amariah, Jehohanan;
of Ezra, Meshullam; of Amariah, Jehohanan;
of Ezra, Meshullam; of Amariah, Jehohanan;
Tyndale line
Of Ezra, Meshullam; of Amariah, Jehohanan;
of Ezra, Meshullam; of Amariah, Jehohanan;
of Ezra, Meshullam; of Amariah, Jehohanan;
Of Ezra, Meshullam; of Amariah, Jehohanan;
Vnder Ezra, Meshullam, vnder Amariah, Iehohanan,
Strictly literal
of Ezra, Meshullam; of Amariah, Jehohanan;
of Ezra, Meshullam; of Amariah, Jehohanan;
of Ezra, Meshullam; of Amariah, Jehohanan;
Of 'Ezra, Meshullam; of Amaryah, Jehochanan;
Meshullam was the leader of Ezra, Jehohanan was the leader of Amariah,
From the Latin
Of Esdras, Mosollam: and of Amaria, Johanan:
Simplified
of Ezra, Meshullam; of Amariah, Jehohanan;
Of Ezra, Meshullam; of Amariah, Jehohanan;
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint agree on the names listed in this verse, with all four names matched in the Greek translation. This consistency indicates a shared understanding of the priestly lineage during the time of Nehemiah.
לְעֶזְרָ֣א מְשֻׁלָּ֔ם לַאֲמַרְיָ֖ה יְהוֹחָנָֽן׃
4 of the 4 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Nehemiah 12:13
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
עֶזְרָא (Ezra) refers to a prominent figure in the Old Testament, specifically a priest and scribe who played a key role in the reforms of the returned exiles in Jerusalem. The name means 'help' and is associated with several individuals, including a priest with Zerubbabel. Ezra is first mentioned in Ezra 7:1 and Nehemiah 12:1.
base
H5830 עֶזְרָא
5830 `Ezra' ez-raw'
a variation of 5833; Ezra, an Israelite:--Ezra.
see HEBREW for 05833
עֶזְרָא (ez.ra) — Ezra.
A man of the tribe of Levi living at the time of Exile and Return, first mentioned at Ezr.7.1;
son of: Seraiah (H8304H);
brother of: Jehozadak (H3087)
Also named: ez.ra (עֶזְרָא "Ezra" H5831)
§ Ezra = "help"
1) the priest and scribe who led the reforms of the returned exiles in Jerusalem; co-worker with Nehemiah
2) a priest with Zerubbabel
3) another post-exilic Jew
עֶזְרָא (ez.ra) — Ezra.
A man living at the time of Exile and Return, first mentioned at Neh.12.1
§ Ezra = "help"
1) the priest and scribe who led the reforms of the returned exiles in Jerusalem; co-worker with Nehemiah
2) a priest with Zerubbabel
3) another post-exilic Jew
Prep | N-proper — Preposition · noun proper masculineHR/Npm
ez'-ra (Aramaic or Chaldee, `ezra', "help"; a hypocoristicon, or shortened form of Azariah, "Yahweh has helped." The Hebrew spells the name `ezrah, as in 1Ch 4:17, or uses the Aramaic spelling of the name, as in Ezr 7:1. The Greek form is Esdras):
(1) A priest who returned with Zerubbabel from Babylon (Ne 12:1). In Ne 10:2, Azariah, the full form of the name, is found.
(2) A descendant of Judah and father of Jethro and other sons (1Ch 4:17).
(3) The distinguished priest who is the hero of the Book of Ezra and co-worker with Nehemiah.
1. Family:
Ezra
Help. (1.) A priest among those that returned to Jerusalem under Zerubabel (Neh. 12:1).
(2.) The “scribe” who led the second body of exiles that returned from Babylon to Jerusalem B.C. 459, and author of the book of Scripture which bears his name. He was the son, or perhaps grandson, of Seraiah (2 Kings 25:18-21), and a lineal descendant of Phinehas, the son of Aaron (Ezra 7:1-5). All we know of his personal history is contained in the last four chapters of his book, and in Neh. 8 and 12:26.
In the seventh year of the reign of Artaxerxes Longimanus (see DARIUS), he obtained leave to go up to Jerusalem and to take with him a company of Israelites (Ezra 8). Artaxerxes manifested great interest in Ezra’s undertaking…
(help), called ESDRAS in the Apocrypha, the famous scribe and priest. He was a learned and pious priest residing at Babylon in the time of Artaxerxes Longimanus. The origin of his influence with the king does not appear, but in the seventh year of his reign he obtained leave to go to Jerusalem, and to take with him a company of Israelites. (B.C. 457.) The journey from Babylon to Jerusalem took just four months; and the company brought with them a large freewill offering of gold and silver, and silver vessels. It appears that Ezra’s great design was to effect a religious reformation among the Palestine Jews. His first step was to enforce separation upon all who had married foreign wives. (Ezra 10:1) ... This was effected in little more than six months after his arrival at Jerusalem. With the detailed account of this important…
A celebrated priest and leader of the Jewish nation. He was "a ready scribe in the law," a learned, able, and faithful man, and appears to have enjoyed great consideration in the Persian court. During the eighty years embraced in his narrative, most of the reign of Cyrus passed, and the whole reign of Cambyses, Smerdis, Darius Hystaspis, Xerxes, and eight years of Artaxerxes Longimanus. From this last king he received letters, money, and every desirable help, and went at the head of a large party of returning exiles to Jerusalem, B. C. 457. Here he instituted many reforms in the conduct of the people, and in the public worship, Ezr 8:1-10:44 Ne 8:1-18. After this he is generally believed to have collected and revised all the books of the Old Testament Scripture, which form the…
מְשֻׁלָּם (Mshullam) is a Hebrew name meaning 'friend.' It refers to several individuals in the Old Testament, including a grandfather of Shaphan, a son of Zerubbabel, and various Benjamites and Levites involved in rebuilding Jerusalem. The name appears in contexts related to the Divided Monarchy and post-exilic restoration, notably in 2 Kings 22:3 and Ezra 10:29.
מְשֻׁלָּם n.pr.m.
grandfather of Shaphan
son of Zerub.
in Benj.
in Gad
wall-builders
a chief
H4918 מְשֻׁלָּם
4918 Mshullam mesh-ool-lawm'
from 7999; allied; Meshullam, the name of seventeen
Israelites:--Meshullam.
see HEBREW for 07999
מְשֻׁלָּם (me.shul.lam) — Meshullam.
A man living at the time of Divided Monarchy, only mentioned at 2Ki.22.3;
father of: Azaliah (H0683)
§ Meshullam = "friend"
1) grandfather of Shaphan, the scribe
2) son of Zerubbabel
3) a Benjamite of the sons of Elpaal
4) a Benjamite, father of Sallu
5) a Benjamite who lived at Jerusalem after the captivity
6) a Benjamite
6a) perhaps the same as 3 or 4
7) a Gadite in the reign of king Jotham of Judah
8) son of Berechiah who assisted in rebuilding the wall of Jerusalem
9) son of Besodeiah who assisted Jehoiada the son of Paseah in restoring the old gate of Jerusalem
10) a chief of the people who sealed the covenant with Nehemiah
11) father of Hilkiah and high priest probably in the reign of king Amon of Judah
11a) perhaps the same as 'Shallum'
12) a priest, son of Meshillemith or Meshillemoth, son of Immer, and ancestor of Maasiai or Amashai
N-proper — Noun proper masculineHNpm
Meshullam
Befriended. (1.) One of the chief Gadites in Bashan in the time of Jotham (1 Chr. 5:13).
(2.) Grandfather of Shaphan, “the scribe,” in the reign of Josiah (2 Kings 22:3).
(3.) A priest, father of Hilkiah (1 Chr. 9:11; Neh. 11:11), in the reign of Ammon; called Shallum in 1 Chr. 6:12.
(4.) A Levite of the family of Kohath (2 Chr. 34:12), in the reign of Josiah.
(5.) 1 Chr. 8:17.
(6.) 1 Chr. 3:19.
(friend). Ancestor of Shaphan the scribe. (2 Kings 22:3) The son of Zerubbabel. (1 Chronicles 3:19) A Gadite in the reign of Jotham king of Judah. (1 Chronicles 5:13) A Benjamite, of the sons of Elpaal. (1 Chronicles 8:17) A Benjamite, father of Sallu. (1 Chronicles 9:7; Nehemiah 11:7) A Benjamite who lived at Jerusalem after the captivity. (1 Chronicles 9:8) The same as Shallum, who was high priest probably in the reign of Amon, and father of Hilkiah. (1 Chronicles…
peaceable; perfect; their parables
The Hebrew word אֲמַרְיָ֫הוּ (*Amaryah*) means 'Jehovah speaks' or 'Yah(u) has promised.' It refers to several individuals from the tribe of Levi, including a chief priest under Jehoshaphat and a Levite during the time of Ezra. The entries indicate that this name appears in various contexts throughout the Old Testament, highlighting its significance in priestly lineage.
אֲמַרְיָ֫הוּ, אֲמַרְיָה n.pr.m. (Yah(u) hath promised)
a Levite
also
.
chief priest under Jehosh.
Levite under Hezekiah
son of Hezekiah & great-grandfather of Zephaniah
a priest
a man of Judah
base
H568 אֲמַרְיָ֫הוּ, אֲמַרְיָה
568 'Amaryah am-ar-yaw'
or prolonged tAmaryahuw {am-ar-yaw'-hoo}; from 559 and 3050;
Jah has said (i.e. promised); Amarjah, the name of nine
Israelites:--Amariah.
see HEBREW for 0559
see HEBREW for 03050
אֲמַרְיָ֫הוּ (a.mar.yah) — Amariah.
A man of the tribe of Levi living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at 1Ch.6.7;
son of: Meraioth (H4812);
father of: Ahitub (H0285H)
§ Amariah = "Jehovah speaks" or "Yah(u) has promised"
1) Zadok's grandfather
2) a head priest's son in Solomon's time
3) a chief priest under Jehoshaphat
4) Hezekiah's son, great-grandfather of Zephaniah
5) a Levite in Ezra's time
6) a Levite under Hezekiah
7) a priest in Nehemiah's time
אֲמַרְיָ֫הוּ (a.mar.yah) — Amariah.
A man of the tribe of Levi living at the time of Divided Monarchy, first mentioned at 1Ch.6.11;
son of: Azariah (H5838K);
father of: Ahitub (H0285I)
§ Amariah = "Jehovah speaks" or "Yah(u) has promised"
1) Zadok's grandfather
2) a head priest's son in Solomon's time
3) a chief priest under Jehoshaphat
4) Hezekiah's son, great-grandfather of Zephaniah
5) a Levite in Ezra's time
Prep | N-proper — Preposition · noun proper masculineHR/Npm
am-a-ri'-a ('amaryah and 'amaryahu, "the Lord has said"; compare HPN, 180, 285).
(1) A Levite in the line of Aaron-Eleazar; a son of Meraioth and grandfather of Zadok (1Ch 6:7,52) who lived in David's time. Compare Zadok (2Sa 15:27, etc.) also Ant, VIII, i, 3 and X, viii, 6.
(2) A Levite in the line of Kohath-Hebron referred to in 1Ch 23:19 and 24:23 at the time when David divided the Levites into courses.
Amariah
Said by Jehovah. (1.) One of the descendants of Aaron by Eleazar (1 Chr. 6:7,52). He was probably the last of the high priests of Eleazar’s line prior to the transfer of that office to Eli, of the line of Ithamar.
(2.) A Levite, son of Hebron, of the lineage of Moses (1 Chr. 23:19; 24:23).
(3.) A “chief priest” who took an active part in the reformation under Jehoshaphat (2 Chr. 19:11); probably the same as mentioned in 1 Chr. 6:9.
(4.) 1 Chr. 6:11; Ezra 7:3. (5.) One of the high priests in the time of Hezekiah (
(the Lord says , i.e. promises). Father of Ahitub according to (1 Chronicles 6:7,52) and son of Meraioth, in the line of the high priests. The high priest in the reign of Jehoshaphat. (2 Chronicles 19:11) He was the son of Azariah. The head of a Levitical house of the Kohathites. (1 Chronicles 23:13; 24:23) The head of one of the twenty-four courses of priest. (2 Chronicles 31:15; Nehemiah 10:3; 12:2,13) One of the sons of Bani in the time of Ezra. (Ezra 10:42) A priest who returned with Zerubbabel. (Nehemiah…
1. Son of Meraioth, a descendant of Aaron in the line of Eleazar. He was the father of Ahitub, (See AHITUB 2.) and grandfather of Zadok, in whose person the high priesthood was restored to that line, 1Ch 6:7
2. High priest at a later period, a son of Azariah, and father of another Ahitub, 1Ch 6:11. In like manner, in the same list there are three persons named Azariah.
יְהוֹחָנָן (Yhowchanan) means 'Jehovah has graced' and refers to several individuals in the Old Testament, including priests, a high priest, and warriors. The name combines elements meaning 'Jehovah' and 'to be gracious.' It appears in various contexts, notably during the Divided Monarchy and post-exilic periods, with multiple figures sharing this name.
יְהוֹחָנָן, יוֹחָנָן n.pr.m.
a priest
high priest
Levite
son of Tobiah
porter in David’s time
a Judaite captain
an Ephraimite
an Israelite, Ezra’s time
a Jewish captain, after fall of Jerus.
eldest son of king Josiah
a post-exilic prince of the line of David
father of Azariah, priest in Sol.’s time
two of David’s mighty men
a returning exile
base
H3076 יְהוֹחָנָן, יוֹחָנָן
3076 Yhowchanan yeh-ho-khaw-nawn'
from 3068 and 2603; Jehovah-favored; Jehochanan, the name of
eight Israelites:--Jehohanan, Johanan. Compare 3110.
see HEBREW for 03068
see HEBREW for 02603
see HEBREW for 03110
יְהוֹחָנָן (ye.ho.cha.nan) — Johanan.
A man living at the time of Divided Monarchy, only mentioned at 1Ch.12.4
§ Jehohanan = "Jehovah has graced"
1) a priest during the high priesthood of Joiakim who returned with Zerubbabel
2) a high priest in the time of Ezra
3) a Levite priest who took part in the dedication of the wall in the time of Nehemiah
4) son of Tobiah
5) a Korhite Levite and one of the doorkeepers to the tabernacle in the time of David
6) a captain of Judah under king Jehoshaphat
7) an Ephraimite
8) an Israelite with a foreign wife in the time of Ezra
9) a Jewish captain after the fall of Jerusalem
10) the eldest son of king Josiah
11) a post-exilic prince of the line of David
12) father of Azariah, priest in Solomon's time
13) a Benjamite, one of David's mighty warriors
14) a Gadite, one of David's mighty warriors
15) a returning exile
N-proper — Noun proper masculineHNpm
je-ho-ha'-nan (yehochanan, "Yahweh is (or has been) gracious"):
(1) A Korahite doorkeeper in David's reign, "son" of Meshelemiah (1Ch 26:3). Septuagint, Luc, has "Jehonathan."
(2) One of the five captains over King Jehoshaphat's army (2Ch 17:15), probably father of Ishmael, "son of Jehohanan" (2Ch 23:1).
Jehohanan
Jehovah-granted, Jeroboam II. (1.) A Korhite, the head of one of the divisions of the temple porters (1 Chr. 26:3).
(2.) One of Jehoshaphat’s “captains” (2 Chr. 17:15).
(3.) The father of Azariah (2 Chr. 28:12).
(whom Jehovah gave), a name of which John is the contraction. A Korhite Levite, one of the doorkeepers to the tabernacle. (1 Chronicles 26:3) comp. 1Chr 25:1 (B.C. 1014.) One of the principal men of Judah under King Jehoshaphat. (2 Chronicles 17:15) comp. 2Chr 17:13 and 2Chr 17:19 (B.C. 910.) Father of Ishmael, one of the "captains of hundreds" whom Jehoiada the priest took into his confidence about the restoration of the line of Judah. (2 Chronicles 23:1) (B.C. 910.) One of the Bene-Bebai who was forced to put away his foreign wife. (
grace, or mercy, or gift, of the Lord