Nehemiah 12:18 — Word Study
WLCלְבִלְגָּ֣ה שַׁמּ֔וּעַ לִֽשְׁמַעְיָ֖ה יְהוֹנָתָֽן׃
BSAof BilgahBilgah [a priestly clan] ShammuaShammûwaʻ [a Levite] of ShemaiahShᵉmaʻyâh [heard by God] JonathanYᵉhôwnâthân [Jehovah has given, Jehonathan]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| לְבִלְגָּ֣ה | of Bilgah | Preposition, noun proper masculine |
| שַׁמּ֔וּעַ | Shammua | Noun proper masculine |
| לִֽשְׁמַעְיָ֖ה | of Shemaiah | Preposition, noun proper masculine |
| יְהוֹנָתָֽן׃ | Jonathan | Noun proper masculine |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | of Bilgah, Shammua; of Shemaiah, Jonathan; |
| KJV | Of Bilgah, Shammua; of Shemaiah, Jehonathan; |
| ASV | of Bilgah, Shammua; of Shemaiah, Jehonathan; |
| YLT | of Bilgah, Shammua; of Shemaiah, Jehonathan; |
| WEB | of Bilgah, Shammua; of Shemaiah, Jehonathan; |
| BBE | Of Bilgah, Shammua; of Shemaiah, Jehonathan; |
Translations agree on the names listed in this verse — see How Translations Differ.
The structure consists of a main clause followed by a prepositional phrase, listing the names in a straightforward manner.
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 12:18
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 Families in Nehemiahgenerated
Nehemiah 12:18 lists the names of priests and Levites to show their roles in the restoration of worship after the exile. This verse highlights the importance of lineage and service in the community's spiritual life, reflecting a commitment to God and tradition.
Cross References
The Key Word — יְהוֹנָתָן, ye.ho.na.Tangenerated
The name יְהוֹנָתָן (Jehonathan) means 'Jehovah has given.' It refers to several figures in the Old Testament, most notably Jonathan, the son of King Saul, who was known for his close friendship with David.
This name appears in various contexts, indicating its significance in Israel's history. The parsing shows it as a noun proper masculine, indicating a specific individual within the genealogical record.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
Translations agree on the names listed in this verse, maintaining the same structure and meaning across versions like the Berean Standard Bible, KJV, and ASV.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The finite verb is absent; instead, this verse consists of a series of noun phrases linked by prepositions. Each phrase identifies a person or group, showing their connection to the priestly and Levitical lineages.
The order emphasizes the names and their roles, with each individual listed in a straightforward manner that reflects the genealogical nature of the text.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates יְהוֹנָתָן as ιωναθαν, maintaining the meaning of 'Jehovah has given.' This choice shows a consistent rendering of significant names across the Hebrew and Greek texts.
The translation aligns closely with the Hebrew, indicating a shared understanding of these figures' importance in the community's history.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Nehemiah 12:18 mentions the names of priests and Levites, showing their roles in the community after the exile. The verse highlights their heritage and service to God, emphasizing the importance of these individuals in Israel's spiritual life.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
Bilgah was a priestly figure mentioned in the genealogies, associated with the priestly clan during the time of David and Zerubbabel.
Shammua means 'renowned' and refers to a Levite mentioned in the context of the returning exiles.
Shemaiah means 'heard by God' and is the name of several individuals, including a prophet and a leader in the time of Nehemiah.
Jonathan, meaning 'Jehovah has given,' is a name associated with several key figures in Israel's history, including the son of King Saul.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- What can we learn from the heritage of these priestly families about our own spiritual lineage?
- How does understanding the roles of these individuals enhance our appreciation of the community's restoration?
- In what ways can we honor the legacy of those who served before us in our own spiritual practices?
- How does the continuity of service in Israel's history inspire us in our own commitments today?
Commentators on this verse — 2 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Nehemiah 12:18 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 Bilgah, Shammua; of Shemaiah, Jonathan;
of Bilgah, Shammua; of Shemaiah, Jehonathan;
of Bilgah, Shammua; of Shemaiah, Jonathan;
of Bilgah, Shammua; of Shemaiah, Jehonathan;
Tyndale line
Of Bilgah, Shammua; of Shemaiah, Jehonathan;
of Bilgah, Shammua; of Shemaiah, Jehonathan;
of Bilgah, Shammua; of Shemaiah, Jehonathan;
Of Bilgah, Shammua; of Shemaiah, Jehonathan;
Vnder Bilgah, Shammua, vnder Shemaiah, Iehonathan,
Strictly literal
of Bilgah, Shammua; of Shemaiah, Jehonathan;
of Bilgah, Shammua; of Shemaiah, Jehonathan;
of Bilgah, Shammua; of Shemaiah, Jonathan;
Of Bilgah, Shammua'; of Shem'ayah, Jehonathan;
Shammua was the leader of Bilgah, Jehonathan was the leader of Shemaiah,
From the Latin
Of Belga, Sammua of Semaia, Jonathan:
Simplified
of Bilgah, Shammua; of Shemaiah, Jehonathan;
Of Bilgah, Shammua; of Shemaiah, Jehonathan;
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 in the names listed, with no variations noted. This consistency underscores the significance of these individuals in the priestly lineage.
לְבִלְגָּ֣ה שַׁמּ֔וּעַ לִֽשְׁמַעְיָ֖ה יְהוֹנָתָֽן׃
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 12:18
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.
בִּלְגָּה (Bilgah) refers to a name meaning 'cheerfulness.' It identifies a priest from the 15th course during David's time and another priest who returned with Zerubbabel after the Exile. The name appears in 1 Chronicles 24:14 and Nehemiah 10:8, where it is also noted as 'Bilgai'.
בִּלְגָּה n.pr.m. (cheerfulness)—
priest of 15th course (David’s time)
priest that went up with Zerubbabel
base
H1083 בִּלְגָּה
1083 Bilgah bil-gaw'
from 1082; desistance; Bilgah, the name of two
Israelites:--Bilgah.
see HEBREW for 01082
בִּלְגָּה (bil.gah) — Bilgah.
A man living at the time of Divided Monarchy, only mentioned at 1Ch.24.14
§ Bilgah = "cheerfulness"
1) a priest of the 15th course, in David's time
2) a priest accompanying Zerubbabel
בִּלְגָּה (bil.gah) — Bilgah.
A man living at the time of Exile and Return, first mentioned at Neh.10.8; also called Bilgai at Neh.10.8;
Also named: bil.gay (בִּלְגַּי "Bilgai" H1084)
§ Bilgah = "cheerfulness"
1) a priest of the 15th course, in David's time
2) a priest accompanying Zerubbabel
Prep | N-proper — Preposition · noun proper masculineHR/Npm
Bilgah
Cheerful. (1.) The head of the fifteenth sacerdotal course for the temple service (1 Chr. 24:14). (2.) A priest who returned from Babylon with Zerubbabel (Neh. 12:5, 18).
(first-born). A priest in the time of David; the head of the fifteenth course for the temple service. (1 Chronicles 24:14) (B.C. 1015.) A priest or priestly family who returned from Babylon with Zerubbabel and Jeshua. (Nehemiah 12:5,18) (B.C. 536.)
ancient countenance
שַׁמּוּעַ (Shammuwa) means 'renowned' and refers to several individuals in the Old Testament. It includes a spy from the tribe of Reuben, a son of David by Bathsheba, and various Levites and priests. The name appears in contexts ranging from the wilderness period to the time of Nehemiah, indicating its use across different generations.
שַׁמּוּעַ n.pr.m.
son of David
Reubenite
Levite
base
H8051 שַׁמּוּעַ
8051 Shammuwa` sham-moo'-ah
from 8074; renowned; Shammua, the name of four
Israelites:--Shammua, Shammuah.
see HEBREW for 08074
שַׁמּוּעַ (sham.mu.a) — Shammua.
A man living at the time of Egypt and Wilderness, only mentioned at Num.13.4;
son of: Zaccur (H2139)
§ Shammua = "renowned"
1) son of Zaccur and the spy from the tribe of Reuben
2) son of David by his wife Bathsheba
2a) also 'Shammuah' and 'Shimea'
3) aLevite, son of Galal and father of Abda who lived in Jerusalem after the return from exile in the time of Nehemiah
3a) also 'Shemaiah'
4) a priest, head of the family of Bilgah in the time of Joiakim after the return from exile
שַׁמּוּעַ (sham.mu.a) — Shammua.
A man of the tribe of Judah living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at 2Sa.5.14;
son of: David (H1732) and Bathsheba (H1339);
brother of: Shobab (H7727), Nathan (H5416) and Solomon (H8010);
N-proper — Noun proper masculineHNpm
Shammua
Heard. (1.) One of the spies sent out by Moses to search the land (Num. 13:4). He represented the tribe of Reuben.
(2.) One of David’s sons (1 Chr. 14:4; 3:5, “Shimea;” 2 Sam. 5:14).
(3.) A Levite under Nehemiah (11:17).
(renowned). Reubenite spy, son of Zaccur. (Numbers 13:4) (B.C. 1490.) Son of David, by his wife Bathsheba. (1 Chronicles 14:4) (B.C. 1045.) A Levite, the father of Abda. (Nehemiah 11:17) The same as SHEMAIAH, 6. The representative of the priestly family of Bilgah or Bilgai, in the days of Joiakim. (Nehemiah 12:18) (B.C. about 500.)
שְׁמַעְיָ֫ה (Shma`yah) means 'Jah has heard' and refers to a name associated with numerous individuals in the Old Testament, particularly prophets and Levites. The entries highlight its use for a prophet during King Rehoboam's reign and various descendants, including those in the time of Jeremiah and Nehemiah. Notably, it is mentioned in contexts involving both true and false prophets.
שְׁמַעְיָ֫ה(וּ) n.pr.m.
prophet, Rehob.’s time
Jer.’s time
a prophet’s father
descendant of Zerub.
in Simeon
in Reuben
Levites
companions of Ezra
of Neh.
priests
a prince
base
H8098 שְׁמַעְיָ֫ה(וּ), שְׁמַעְיָה, שְׁמַעְיָהוּ
8098 Shma`yah shem-aw-yaw'
or Shmamyahuw {shem-aw-yaw'-hoo}; from 8085 and 3050; Jah has
heard; Shemajah, the name of twenty-five
Israelites:--Shemaiah.
see HEBREW for 08085
see HEBREW for 03050
שְׁמַעְיָ֫הוּ (she.ma.yah) — Shemaiah.
A prophet living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at 1Ki.12.22
§ Shemaiah = "heard by Jehovah"
1) a prophet of the Lord in the reign of king Rehoboam of Judah
2) the Nehelamite, a false prophet in the time of the prophet Jeremiah
3) father of Delaiah, one of the princes of Judah in the time of the prophet Jeremiah
4) an inhabitant of Kirjathjearim and father of Urijah, a prophet of the Lord in the time of the prophet Jeremiah
5) a Judaite, son of Shechaniah, father of Hattush, and descendant of Zerubbabel
6) a Simeonite, father of Shimri
7) a Reubenite, son of Joel and father of Gog
8) a Merarite Levite, son of Hasshub in the time of Nehemiah
9) a Levite, son of Galal and father of Obadiah
10) a Levite and head of the family of the sons of Elizaphan who were commissioned to bring the ark to Jerusalem in the time of David
Prep | N-proper — Preposition · noun proper masculineHR/Npm
she-ma'-ya, she-mi'-a (shema`yah (in 2Ch 11:2; 17:8; 31:15; 35:9; Jer 26:20; 29:24; 36:12, shema`yahu), "Jahveh hears"): The name is most frequently borne by priests, Levites and prophets.
(1) Codex Vaticanus Sammaias; Codex Alexandrinus Samaias (2Ch 12:5,7). A prophet who, together with Ahijah, protested against Rehoboam's contemplated war against the ten revolted tribes (1Ki 12:22-24 = 2Ch 11:2-4). He declared that the rebellion had divine sanction. The second Greek account knows nothing of Ahijah in this connection and introduces Shemaiah at the gathering at Shechem where both Jeroboam and Rehoboam were present; it…
Shemaiah
Whom Jehovah heard. (1.) A prophet in the reign of Rehoboam (1 Kings 12:22-24).
(2.) Neh. 3:29.
(3.) A Simeonite (1 Chr. 4:37).
(4.) A priest (Neh. 12:42).
(5.) A Levite (1 Chr. 9:16).
(6.) 1 Chr. 9:14; Neh. 11:15.
(7.) A Levite in the time of David, who with 200 of his brethren took part in the bringing up of the ark from Obed-edom to Hebron (1 Chr. 15:8).
(8.) A Levite (1 Chr. 24:6).
(heard by Jehovah). A prophet in the reign of Rehoboam. (1 Kings 12:22; 2 Chronicles 11:2) (B.C. 972.) He wrote a chronicle containing the events of Rehoboam’s reign. (2 Chronicles 12:5,15) The son of Shechaniah, among the descendants of Zerubbabel. (1 Chronicles 3:23; Nehemiah 3:28) A prince of the tribe of Simeon. (1 Chronicles 4:27) Son of Joel, Reubenite. (1 Chronicles 5:4) (B.C. after 1706.) Son of Hasshub, a Merarite Levite. (1 Chronicles 9:14;
1. A prophet of Israel, by whom God forbade Rehoboam to endeavor to coerce the ten tribes back to their allegiance, and called the king and his court to repent at the invasion of Shishak. He is said to have written the history of Rehoboam’s reign, 1Ki 12:22-24 2Ch 12:5-8,15.
2. A Levite, who made a registry of the twenty-four priestly classes, 1Ch 15:8,11 24:6.
3. A false prophet among the exiled Jews in Babylon, who opposed the prophet Jeremiah, and incurred divine judgments on himself and his family. For his name, Nehelamite, a dreamer, Jer 29:24-32.
The Hebrew word יְהוֹנָתָן (*Yhownathan*) means 'Jehovah has given' and refers to several individuals in the Old Testament, primarily Jonathan, the son of King Saul and a close friend of David. The entries detail various figures named Jonathan, including a high priest's son, warriors, and Levites, with notable mentions in Judges and 1 Samuel.
יְהוֹנָתָן, יוֹנָתָן n.pr.m. (י׳ hath given)
son of Saul
son of Abiathar
nephew of David
of David, i.e. his uncle?
one of David’s heroes
one of David’s treasurers
a scribe
Levites
a priest
priest to the tribe of Dan, son of Gershom
a Judaite captain, after fall of Jerus.
a Judaite
father of Ebed
son of Asahel
a priest
son of Joiada
base
H3083 יְהוֹנָתָן, יוֹנָתָן
3083 Yhownathan yeh-ho-naw-thawn'
from 3068 and 5414; Jehovah-given; Jehonathan, the name of
four Israelites:--Jonathan. Compare 3129.
see HEBREW for 03068
see HEBREW for 05414
see HEBREW for 03129
יְהוֹנָתָן (ye.ho.na.tan) — Jonathan.
A man living before Israel's Monarchy, only mentioned at Jdg.18.30;
son of: Gershom (H1647)(?)
§ Jonathan or Jehonathan = "Jehovah has given"
1) a son of king Saul and a friend of David
2) a son of the high priest Abiathar and the last descendant of Eli of whom we hear
3) a nephew of David who like David slew a giant of Gath
4) an uncle of David
5) one of David's mighty warriors
6) one of David's treasurers
7) a scribe in the time of Jeremiah
8) a Levite and father of Zechariah, a priest who blew the trumpet at the dedication of the wall
9) a son or descendant of Gershom, the son of Moses, and a priest to the tribe of Dan
10) a son of Kareah and a brother of Johanan; a Judaite captain after the fall of Jerusalem
11) another Judaite father of Peleth
12) father of Ebed in the time of Ezra
13) son of Asahel in the time of Ezra
N-proper — Noun proper masculineHNpm
Jonathan
Whom Jehovah gave, the name of fifteen or more persons that are mentioned in Scripture. The chief of these are, (1.) A Levite descended from Gershom (Judg. 18:30). His history is recorded in 17:7-13 and 18:30. The Rabbins changed this name into Manasseh “to screen the memory of the great lawgiver from the stain of having so unworthy an apostate among his near descendants.” He became priest of the idol image at Dan, and this office continued in his family till the Captivity.
(2.) The eldest son of king Saul, and the bosom friend of David. He is first mentioned when he was about thirty years of age, some time after his father’s accession to the throne (1 Sam. 13:2). Like his father, he was a man of great strength and activity (
that is, "the gift of Jehovah, " the eldest son of King Saul. (B.C. about 1095-1056.) He was a man of great strength and activity. (2 Samuel 1:23) He was also famous as a warrior, (1 Chronicles 12:2) as is shown by the courage he showing in attacking the garrison of the Philistines, in company with is armor-bearer only, slaying twenty men and putting an army to flight. (1 Samuel 14:6-16) During the pursuit, Jonathan, who had not heard of the rash curse, ch. (1 Samuel 14:24) which Saul invoked on any one who ate before the evening, tasted the honey which lay on the ground. Saul would have sacrificed him; but the people interposed in behalf of the hero of that great day, and…
1. A Levite, son of Gershom, and grandson of Moses, who after the death of Joshua impiously served as a priest, first to Micah, and then to the Danites in Laish or Dan, where his posterity succeeded him until the captivity, Jud 17:1-18:31.
2. The eldest son of Saul, and one of the loveliest characters in Old Testament history. The narrative of his brilliant exploit in Michmash, 1Sa 13:1-14:52, illustrates his pious faith, his bravery, (see also 1Sa 13:3) and the favor borne him by the people, who would not suffer him to be put to death in consequence of Saul’s foolish vow. This valiant and generous prince loved David as his own soul, 1Sa 18:1-4 19:2 20:1-42; and though…
given of God