Nehemiah 12:20
Nehemiah 12:20 in Multiple Translations
of Sallai, Kallai; of Amok, Eber;
Of Sallai, Kallai; of Amok, Eber;
of Sallai, Kallai; of Amok, Eber;
Of Sallai, Kallai; of Amok, Eber;
of Sallai, Kallai; of Amok, Eber;
Vnder Sallai, Kallai, vnder Amok, Eber,
of Sallai, Kallai; of Amok, Eber;
of Sallai, Kallai; of Amok, Eber;
Of Sallai, Kallai; of Amok, Eber;
Of Sellai, Celai: of Amoc, Heber:
Kallai, from the clan of Sallu/Sallai; Eber, from the clan of Amok;
Berean Amplified Bible — Nehemiah 12:20
BAB
Word Study
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Nehemiah 12:20 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
לְ/סַלַּ֥י
קַלָּ֖י
לְ/עָמ֥וֹק
עֵֽבֶר
לְ/סַלַּ֥י
Çallûw
H5543
`valor`
Prep | N-proper
קַלָּ֖י
Qallay
H7040
Kallai
N-proper
לְ/עָמ֥וֹק
ʻÂmôwq
H5987
Amok
Prep | N-proper
עֵֽבֶר
ʻÊbêr
H5677
Eber
N-proper
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Nehemiah 12:20
לְ/סַלַּ֥י
Çallûw
H5543
"`valor`"
Prep | N-proper
Sallu was a man who lived during the time of the Israelites' return from exile, mentioned in Nehemiah 11:7 as the son of Meshullam. His name means 'weighed' and he was a Benjamite, part of the tribe of Benjamin.
Definition: A man living at the time of Exile and Return, only mentioned at Neh.11.8; also translated "valor"; § Sallu or Salu or Sallai = "weighed" a Benjamite
Usage: Occurs in 6 OT verses. KJV: Sallai, Sallu, Salu. See also: Numbers 25:14; Nehemiah 11:8; Nehemiah 12:20.
קַלָּ֖י
Qallay
H7040
"Kallai"
N-proper
Kallai was a priest who lived during the time of Nehemiah, around the time of the Exile and Return. His name means swift and he is mentioned in Nehemiah 12:20.
Definition: A man living at the time of Exile and Return, only mentioned at Neh.12.20 § Kallai = "swift" a priest of the family of Sallai in the time of Nehemiah
Usage: Occurs in 1 OT verses. KJV: Kallai. See also: Nehemiah 12:20.
לְ/עָמ֥וֹק
ʻÂmôwq
H5987
"Amok"
Prep | N-proper
Amok was a priest who returned to Jerusalem with Zerubbabel after the exile. He is mentioned in the book of Nehemiah as part of the group that helped restore the city and its worship.
Definition: A man living at the time of Exile and Return, first mentioned at Neh.12.7 § Amok = "to be deep" a priest who returned with Zerubbabel
Usage: Occurs in 2 OT verses. KJV: Amok. See also: Nehemiah 12:7; Nehemiah 12:20.
עֵֽבֶר
ʻÊbêr
H5677
"Eber"
N-proper
Eber refers to several men in the Bible, including a great-grandson of Shem and the father of Peleg, as mentioned in Genesis and Nehemiah. He was a key figure in the genealogy of the Israelites. His name means the region beyond.
Definition: A man living at the time of Exile and Return, only mentioned at Neh.12.20 § Eber or Heber = "the region beyond" 1) son of Salah, great grandson of Shem, father of Peleg and Joktan 2) a Gadite chief 3) a Benjamite, son of Elpaal and descendant of Sharahaim 4) a Benjamite, son of Shashak 5) a priest in the days of Joiakim the son of Jeshua
Usage: Occurs in 15 OT verses. KJV: Eber, Heber. See also: Genesis 10:21; Numbers 24:24; Nehemiah 12:20.
Study Notes — Nehemiah 12:20
Show Verse Quote Highlights
Context — The Priests and Levites Who Returned
18of Bilgah, Shammua; of Shemaiah, Jonathan;
19of Joiarib, Mattenai; of Jedaiah, Uzzi;
20of Sallai, Kallai; of Amok, Eber;
21of Hilkiah, Hashabiah; and of Jedaiah, Nethanel. 22In the days of Eliashib, Joiada, Johanan, and Jaddua, during the reign of Darius the Persian, the heads of the families of the Levites and priests were recorded.Nehemiah 12:20 Summary
This verse is a list of names of priests and Levites who served in Jerusalem after the exile, as part of the larger community of Jews who returned to rebuild the city and the temple, as described in Ezra 1:1-4 and Nehemiah 1:1-3. It reminds us that every person has a role to play in the community of God's people, and that our individual contributions are important, just as the different parts of the body work together to form a whole, as seen in 1 Corinthians 12:12-31. By understanding our own place within the larger community, we can work together to build each other up and to serve God, just as the Israelites worked together to rebuild the temple and the city of Jerusalem, as described in Ezra 5:1-6:22 and Nehemiah 4:1-6:19.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of the list of names in Nehemiah 12:20?
The list of names in Nehemiah 12:20 is a record of the priests and Levites who served during the reign of Darius the Persian, as mentioned in Nehemiah 12:22, and it highlights the importance of genealogy and family lineage in the biblical tradition, as seen in 1 Chronicles 6:1-15.
Who are Sallai and Amok, and why are they mentioned in this verse?
Sallai and Amok are likely leaders of priestly families, and their mention in Nehemiah 12:20 serves to identify the specific families and individuals responsible for certain duties and responsibilities, much like the assignments given to the Levites in Numbers 3:6-10.
What can we learn from the fact that the heads of the families of the Levites and priests were recorded during the reign of Darius the Persian?
The recording of the heads of the families of the Levites and priests during the reign of Darius the Persian, as mentioned in Nehemiah 12:22, demonstrates the importance of maintaining accurate records and genealogies, as seen in Ezra 2:59-63, and it highlights the continuity of Jewish leadership and tradition despite the challenges of exile and foreign rule.
How does this verse relate to the broader context of Nehemiah 12?
Nehemiah 12:20 is part of a larger section that describes the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem, as seen in Nehemiah 12:27-43, and the list of names in this verse serves to identify the specific individuals and families who participated in this important event, much like the lists of names in Ezra 8:1-14.
Reflection Questions
- What does this verse teach us about the importance of family and community in our spiritual lives, and how can we apply this to our own relationships and responsibilities?
- How does the recording of the heads of the families of the Levites and priests in this verse relate to our own need for accountability and record-keeping in our personal and communal lives?
- What can we learn from the fact that the Bible often includes lists of names and genealogies, and how can we apply this to our own understanding of our place within the larger story of God's people?
- How does this verse encourage us to think about our own roles and responsibilities within our families and communities, and what steps can we take to fulfill these obligations in a way that honors God?
Gill's Exposition on Nehemiah 12:20
[See comments on Ne 12:12].
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Nehemiah 12:20
Of Ezra, Meshullam; of Amariah, Jehohanan; No JFB commentary on these verses.
Ellicott's Commentary on Nehemiah 12:20
(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).