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第一次回归的祭司与利未人

12 与撒拉铁的儿子所罗巴伯和耶书亚一起上来的祭司和利未人有以下这些人:祭司有西莱雅、耶利米、以斯拉、 亚玛利雅、玛鹿、哈突、 示迦尼、利宏、米利末、 易多、近顿、亚比雅、 米雅民、玛底雅、璧迦、 示玛雅、约雅立、耶大雅、 撒路、亚木、希勒家和耶大雅。这些人在耶书亚的日子作祭司和他们亲族的首领。

利未人有耶书亚、宾内、甲篾、示利比、犹大、玛他尼和他的兄弟们,负责颂赞的事。 他们的兄弟八布迦和乌尼按着班次,与他们相对站立。 10 耶书亚生约雅金,约雅金生以利亚实,以利亚实生耶何耶大, 11 耶何耶大生约拿单,约拿单生押杜亚。

12 在约雅金的日子,祭司作族长的,属西莱雅族的,有米拉雅;属耶利米族的,有哈拿尼雅; 13 属以斯拉族的,有米书兰;属亚玛利雅族的,有约哈难; 14 属米利古族的,有约拿单;属示巴尼族的,有约瑟; 15 属哈琳族的,有押拿;属米拉约族的,有希勒恺; 16 属易多族的,有撒迦利亚;属近顿族的,有米书兰; 17 属亚比雅族的,有细基利;属米拿民族的,有某一位;属摩亚底族的,有毘勒太; 18 属璧迦族的,有沙母亚;属示玛雅族的,有约拿单; 19 属约雅立族的,有玛特乃;属耶大雅族的,有乌西; 20 属撒来族的,有加莱;属亚木族的,有希伯; 21 属希勒家族的,有哈沙比雅;属耶大雅族的,有拿坦业。

22 在以利亚实、耶何耶大、约哈难和押杜亚的日子,利未人的族长都登记了,同样,波斯王大利乌在位时的祭司也都登记了。 23 作族长的利未人登记在编年录上,直到以利亚实的孙子约哈难的时候。 24 利未人的族长是哈沙比雅、示利比、甲篾的儿子耶书亚与他们的兄弟相对站立,照着神人大卫的命令,按着班次赞美称颂。 25 玛他尼、八布迦、俄巴底亚、米书兰、达们和亚谷都是守门的,守卫城门的库房。 26 这些人是在约撒达的孙子、耶书亚的儿子约雅金的日子,以及在省长尼希米和祭司兼经学家以斯拉的日子任职。

举行新城墙奉献典礼

27 耶路撒冷城墙举行奉献典礼的时候,众民在各地寻找利未人,带他们到耶路撒冷来,要他们称谢、歌唱、敲钹、弹琴鼓瑟,欢欢喜喜地举行奉献典礼。 28 歌唱者从耶路撒冷四围的平原,从尼陀法的村庄, 29 从伯.吉甲,从迦巴和押玛弗的田庄聚集前来;因为歌唱者在耶路撒冷四围为自己建造村庄。 30 祭司和利未人洁净了自己,然后洁净民众,以及城门和城墙。

31 我带领犹大的领袖上了城墙,组织了两大队颂赞的人,一队在城墙右边,向着粪门前进, 32 跟随他们后面的是何沙雅和犹大的一半领袖; 33 还有亚撒利雅、以斯拉、米书兰、 34 犹大、便雅悯、示玛雅、耶利米; 35 还有拿着号筒的祭司:约拿单的儿子撒迦利亚;约拿单是示玛雅的儿子,示玛雅是玛他尼的儿子,玛他尼是米该亚的儿子,米该亚是撒刻的儿子,撒刻是亚萨的儿子; 36 他的兄弟示玛雅、亚撒利、米拉莱、基拉莱、玛艾、拿坦业、犹大、哈拿尼拿着神人大卫的乐器。经学家以斯拉走在他们前面。 37 他们到了泉门,就登上大卫城的台阶,随着城墙的升势,经过大卫的宫殿,走到东边的水门。

38 第二队颂赞的人往左边行,我和一半的人民跟着他们,在城墙上过了炉楼,直走到宽墙, 39 过了以法莲门、古门、鱼门、哈楠业楼、哈米亚楼,直到羊门,就在护卫院的门前站住。 40 于是这两队颂赞的人就站在 神的殿里,我和一半的官长也站在那里; 41 祭司以利亚金、玛西雅、米拿尼、米该雅、以利约乃、撒迦利亚和哈楠尼亚,拿着号筒; 42 又有玛西雅、示玛雅、以利亚撒、乌西、约哈难、玛基雅、以拦和以谢;歌唱者在伊斯拉希雅领导下,高声歌唱。 43 那一天,众人献上极大的祭祀,而且非常欢乐,因为 神使他们大大欢乐;连妇女和孩童也都欢乐;耶路撒冷欢乐的声音在老远的地方都可以听见。

储备利未人与祭司所需的

44 那时,有一些人被委派管理存放举祭、初熟之物和十分之一供物的库房,把各城的田地,照着律法所规定归给祭司和利未人的部分收集到那里。犹大人为侍立供职的祭司和利未人欢乐。 45 祭司和利未人谨守他们的 神所吩咐的,谨守洁净的礼;歌唱者和守门的也照着大卫和他的儿子所罗门的命令去行, 46 因为远在大卫和亚萨的时代,已有诗班长,并且有赞美称颂 神的诗歌。 47 在所罗巴伯和尼希米的日子,以色列众人把歌唱的和守门的每日应得的分供给他们;又把分别为圣的分给利未人;而利未人也把分别为圣的分给亚伦的子孙。

Priests and Levites

12 These were the priests(A) and Levites(B) who returned with Zerubbabel(C) son of Shealtiel(D) and with Joshua:(E)

Seraiah,(F) Jeremiah, Ezra,

Amariah, Malluk, Hattush,

Shekaniah, Rehum, Meremoth,

Iddo,(G) Ginnethon,[a] Abijah,(H)

Mijamin,[b] Moadiah, Bilgah,

Shemaiah, Joiarib, Jedaiah,(I)

Sallu, Amok, Hilkiah and Jedaiah.

These were the leaders of the priests and their associates in the days of Joshua.

The Levites were Jeshua,(J) Binnui, Kadmiel, Sherebiah, Judah, and also Mattaniah,(K) who, together with his associates, was in charge of the songs of thanksgiving. Bakbukiah and Unni, their associates, stood opposite them in the services.

10 Joshua was the father of Joiakim, Joiakim the father of Eliashib,(L) Eliashib the father of Joiada, 11 Joiada the father of Jonathan, and Jonathan the father of Jaddua.

12 In the days of Joiakim, these were the heads of the priestly families:

of Seraiah’s family, Meraiah;

of Jeremiah’s, Hananiah;

13 of Ezra’s, Meshullam;

of Amariah’s, Jehohanan;

14 of Malluk’s, Jonathan;

of Shekaniah’s,[c] Joseph;

15 of Harim’s, Adna;

of Meremoth’s,[d] Helkai;

16 of Iddo’s,(M) Zechariah;

of Ginnethon’s, Meshullam;

17 of Abijah’s,(N) Zikri;

of Miniamin’s and of Moadiah’s, Piltai;

18 of Bilgah’s, Shammua;

of Shemaiah’s, Jehonathan;

19 of Joiarib’s, Mattenai;

of Jedaiah’s, Uzzi;

20 of Sallu’s, Kallai;

of Amok’s, Eber;

21 of Hilkiah’s, Hashabiah;

of Jedaiah’s, Nethanel.

22 The family heads of the Levites in the days of Eliashib, Joiada, Johanan and Jaddua, as well as those of the priests, were recorded in the reign of Darius the Persian. 23 The family heads among the descendants of Levi up to the time of Johanan son of Eliashib were recorded in the book of the annals. 24 And the leaders of the Levites(O) were Hashabiah, Sherebiah, Jeshua son of Kadmiel, and their associates, who stood opposite them to give praise and thanksgiving, one section responding to the other, as prescribed by David the man of God.(P)

25 Mattaniah, Bakbukiah, Obadiah, Meshullam, Talmon and Akkub were gatekeepers who guarded the storerooms at the gates. 26 They served in the days of Joiakim son of Joshua, the son of Jozadak, and in the days of Nehemiah the governor and of Ezra the priest, the teacher of the Law.

Dedication of the Wall of Jerusalem

27 At the dedication(Q) of the wall of Jerusalem, the Levites were sought out from where they lived and were brought to Jerusalem to celebrate joyfully the dedication with songs of thanksgiving and with the music of cymbals,(R) harps and lyres.(S) 28 The musicians also were brought together from the region around Jerusalem—from the villages of the Netophathites,(T) 29 from Beth Gilgal, and from the area of Geba and Azmaveth, for the musicians had built villages for themselves around Jerusalem. 30 When the priests and Levites had purified themselves ceremonially, they purified the people,(U) the gates and the wall.

31 I had the leaders of Judah go up on top of[e] the wall. I also assigned two large choirs to give thanks. One was to proceed on top of[f] the wall to the right, toward the Dung Gate.(V) 32 Hoshaiah and half the leaders of Judah followed them, 33 along with Azariah, Ezra, Meshullam, 34 Judah, Benjamin,(W) Shemaiah, Jeremiah, 35 as well as some priests with trumpets,(X) and also Zechariah son of Jonathan, the son of Shemaiah, the son of Mattaniah, the son of Micaiah, the son of Zakkur, the son of Asaph, 36 and his associates—Shemaiah, Azarel, Milalai, Gilalai, Maai, Nethanel, Judah and Hanani—with musical instruments(Y) prescribed by David the man of God.(Z) Ezra(AA) the teacher of the Law led the procession. 37 At the Fountain Gate(AB) they continued directly up the steps of the City of David on the ascent to the wall and passed above the site of David’s palace to the Water Gate(AC) on the east.

38 The second choir proceeded in the opposite direction. I followed them on top of[g] the wall, together with half the people—past the Tower of the Ovens(AD) to the Broad Wall,(AE) 39 over the Gate of Ephraim,(AF) the Jeshanah[h] Gate,(AG) the Fish Gate,(AH) the Tower of Hananel(AI) and the Tower of the Hundred,(AJ) as far as the Sheep Gate.(AK) At the Gate of the Guard they stopped.

40 The two choirs that gave thanks then took their places in the house of God; so did I, together with half the officials, 41 as well as the priests—Eliakim, Maaseiah, Miniamin, Micaiah, Elioenai, Zechariah and Hananiah with their trumpets— 42 and also Maaseiah, Shemaiah, Eleazar, Uzzi, Jehohanan, Malkijah, Elam and Ezer. The choirs sang under the direction of Jezrahiah. 43 And on that day they offered great sacrifices, rejoicing because God had given them great joy. The women and children also rejoiced. The sound of rejoicing in Jerusalem could be heard far away.

44 At that time men were appointed to be in charge of the storerooms(AL) for the contributions, firstfruits and tithes.(AM) From the fields around the towns they were to bring into the storerooms the portions required by the Law for the priests and the Levites, for Judah was pleased with the ministering priests and Levites.(AN) 45 They performed the service of their God and the service of purification, as did also the musicians and gatekeepers, according to the commands of David(AO) and his son Solomon.(AP) 46 For long ago, in the days of David and Asaph,(AQ) there had been directors for the musicians and for the songs of praise(AR) and thanksgiving to God. 47 So in the days of Zerubbabel and of Nehemiah, all Israel contributed the daily portions for the musicians and the gatekeepers. They also set aside the portion for the other Levites, and the Levites set aside the portion for the descendants of Aaron.(AS)

Footnotes

  1. Nehemiah 12:4 Many Hebrew manuscripts and Vulgate (see also verse 16); most Hebrew manuscripts Ginnethoi
  2. Nehemiah 12:5 A variant of Miniamin
  3. Nehemiah 12:14 Very many Hebrew manuscripts, some Septuagint manuscripts and Syriac (see also verse 3); most Hebrew manuscripts Shebaniah’s
  4. Nehemiah 12:15 Some Septuagint manuscripts (see also verse 3); Hebrew Meraioth’s
  5. Nehemiah 12:31 Or go alongside
  6. Nehemiah 12:31 Or proceed alongside
  7. Nehemiah 12:38 Or them alongside
  8. Nehemiah 12:39 Or Old

The Priests and Levites(A)

12 Now these are the (B)priests and the Levites who came up with (C)Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua: (D)Seraiah, Jeremiah, Ezra, Amariah, [a]Malluch, Hattush, [b]Shechaniah, [c]Rehum, [d]Meremoth, Iddo, [e]Ginnethoi, (E)Abijah, [f]Mijamin, [g]Maadiah, Bilgah, Shemaiah, Joiarib, Jedaiah, [h]Sallu, Amok, Hilkiah, and Jedaiah.

These were the heads of the priests and their brethren in the days of (F)Jeshua.

Moreover the Levites were Jeshua, Binnui, Kadmiel, Sherebiah, Judah, and Mattaniah (G)who led the thanksgiving psalms, he and his brethren. Also Bakbukiah and Unni, their brethren, stood across from them in their duties.

10 Jeshua begot Joiakim, Joiakim begot Eliashib, Eliashib begot Joiada, 11 Joiada begot Jonathan, and Jonathan begot Jaddua.

12 Now in the days of Joiakim, the priests, the (H)heads of the fathers’ houses were: of Seraiah, Meraiah; of Jeremiah, Hananiah; 13 of Ezra, Meshullam; of Amariah, Jehohanan; 14 of [i]Melichu, Jonathan; of [j]Shebaniah, Joseph; 15 of [k]Harim, Adna; of [l]Meraioth, Helkai; 16 of Iddo, Zechariah; of Ginnethon, Meshullam; 17 of Abijah, Zichri; the son of [m]Minjamin; of [n]Moadiah, Piltai; 18 of Bilgah, Shammua; of Shemaiah, Jehonathan; 19 of Joiarib, Mattenai; of Jedaiah, Uzzi; 20 of [o]Sallai, Kallai; of Amok, Eber; 21 of Hilkiah, Hashabiah; and of Jedaiah, Nethanel.

22 During the reign of Darius the Persian, a record was also kept of the Levites and priests who had been (I)heads of their fathers’ houses in the days of Eliashib, Joiada, Johanan, and Jaddua. 23 The sons of Levi, the heads of the fathers’ houses until the days of Johanan the son of Eliashib, were written in the book of the (J)chronicles.

24 And the heads of the Levites were Hashabiah, Sherebiah, and Jeshua the son of Kadmiel, with their brothers across from them, to (K)praise and give thanks, (L)group[p] alternating with group, (M)according to the command of David the man of God. 25 Mattaniah, Bakbukiah, Obadiah, Meshullam, Talmon, and Akkub were gatekeepers keeping the watch at the storerooms of the gates. 26 These lived in the days of Joiakim the son of Jeshua, the son of [q]Jozadak, and in the days of Nehemiah (N)the governor, and of Ezra the priest, (O)the scribe.

Nehemiah Dedicates the Wall

27 Now at (P)the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem they sought out the Levites in all their places, to bring them to Jerusalem to celebrate the dedication with gladness, (Q)both with thanksgivings and singing, with cymbals and stringed instruments and harps. 28 And the sons of the singers gathered together from the countryside around Jerusalem, from the (R)villages of the Netophathites, 29 from the house of Gilgal, and from the fields of Geba and Azmaveth; for the singers had built themselves villages all around Jerusalem. 30 Then the priests and Levites (S)purified themselves, and purified the people, the gates, and the wall.

31 So I brought the leaders of Judah up on the wall, and appointed two large thanksgiving choirs. (T)One went to the right hand on the wall (U)toward the Refuse Gate. 32 After them went Hoshaiah and half of the leaders of Judah, 33 and Azariah, Ezra, Meshullam, 34 Judah, Benjamin, Shemaiah, Jeremiah, 35 and some of the priests’ sons (V)with trumpets—Zechariah the son of Jonathan, the son of Shemaiah, the son of Mattaniah, the son of Michaiah, the son of Zaccur, the son of Asaph, 36 and his brethren, Shemaiah, Azarel, Milalai, Gilalai, Maai, Nethanel, Judah, and Hanani, with (W)the musical (X)instruments of David the man of God. And Ezra the scribe went before them. 37 (Y)By the Fountain Gate, in front of them, they went up (Z)the stairs of the (AA)City of David, on the stairway of the wall, beyond the house of David, as far as (AB)the Water Gate eastward.

38 (AC)The other thanksgiving choir went the opposite way, and I was behind them with half of the people on the wall, going past the (AD)Tower of the Ovens as far as (AE)the Broad Wall, 39 (AF)and above the Gate of Ephraim, above (AG)the Old Gate, above (AH)the Fish Gate, (AI)the Tower of Hananel, the Tower of [r]the Hundred, as far as (AJ)the Sheep Gate; and they stopped by (AK)the Gate of the Prison.

40 So the two thanksgiving choirs stood in the house of God, likewise I and the half of the rulers with me; 41 and the priests, Eliakim, Maaseiah, [s]Minjamin, Michaiah, Elioenai, Zechariah, and Hananiah, with trumpets; 42 also Maaseiah, Shemaiah, Eleazar, Uzzi, Jehohanan, Malchijah, Elam, and Ezer. The singers [t]sang loudly with Jezrahiah the director.

43 Also that day they offered great sacrifices, and rejoiced, for God had made them rejoice with great joy; the women and the children also rejoiced, so that the joy of Jerusalem was heard (AL)afar off.

Temple Responsibilities

44 (AM)And at the same time some were appointed over the rooms of the storehouse for the offerings, the firstfruits, and the (AN)tithes, to gather into them from the fields of the cities the portions specified by the Law for the priests and Levites; for Judah rejoiced over the priests and Levites who [u]ministered. 45 Both the singers and the gatekeepers kept the charge of their God and the charge of the purification, (AO)according to the command of David and Solomon his son. 46 For in the days of David (AP)and Asaph of old there were chiefs of the singers, and songs of praise and thanksgiving to God. 47 In the days of Zerubbabel and in the days of Nehemiah all Israel gave the portions for the singers and the gatekeepers, a portion for (AQ)each day. (AR)They also [v]consecrated holy things for the Levites, (AS)and the Levites consecrated them for the children of Aaron.

Footnotes

  1. Nehemiah 12:2 Melichu, v. 14
  2. Nehemiah 12:3 Shebaniah, v. 14
  3. Nehemiah 12:3 Harim, v. 15
  4. Nehemiah 12:3 Meraioth, v. 15
  5. Nehemiah 12:4 Ginnethon, v. 16
  6. Nehemiah 12:5 Minjamin, v. 17
  7. Nehemiah 12:5 Moadiah, v. 17
  8. Nehemiah 12:7 Sallai, v. 20
  9. Nehemiah 12:14 Malluch, v. 2
  10. Nehemiah 12:14 Shechaniah, v. 3
  11. Nehemiah 12:15 Rehum, v. 3
  12. Nehemiah 12:15 Meremoth, v. 3
  13. Nehemiah 12:17 Mijamin, v. 5
  14. Nehemiah 12:17 Maadiah, v. 5
  15. Nehemiah 12:20 Sallu, v. 7
  16. Nehemiah 12:24 Lit. watch by watch
  17. Nehemiah 12:26 Jehozadak, 1 Chr. 6:14
  18. Nehemiah 12:39 Heb. Hammeah
  19. Nehemiah 12:41 Or Mijamin, v. 5
  20. Nehemiah 12:42 Lit. made their voice to be heard
  21. Nehemiah 12:44 Lit. stood
  22. Nehemiah 12:47 set apart

12 Now these are the priests and the Levites that went up with Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua: Seraiah, Jeremiah, Ezra,

Amariah, Malluch, Hattush,

Shechaniah, Rehum, Meremoth,

Iddo, Ginnetho, Abijah,

Miamin, Maadiah, Bilgah,

Shemaiah, and Joiarib, Jedaiah,

Sallu, Amok, Hilkiah, Jedaiah. These were the chief of the priests and of their brethren in the days of Jeshua.

Moreover the Levites: Jeshua, Binnui, Kadmiel, Sherebiah, Judah, and Mattaniah, which was over the thanksgiving, he and his brethren.

Also Bakbukiah and Unni, their brethren, were over against them in the watches.

10 And Jeshua begat Joiakim, Joiakim also begat Eliashib, and Eliashib begat Joiada,

11 And Joiada begat Jonathan, and Jonathan begat Jaddua.

12 And in the days of Joiakim were priests, the chief of the fathers: of Seraiah, Meraiah; of Jeremiah, Hananiah;

13 Of Ezra, Meshullam; of Amariah, Jehohanan;

14 Of Melicu, Jonathan; of Shebaniah, Joseph;

15 Of Harim, Adna; of Meraioth, Helkai;

16 Of Iddo, Zechariah; of Ginnethon, Meshullam;

17 Of Abijah, Zichri; of Miniamin, of Moadiah, Piltai:

18 Of Bilgah, Shammua; of Shemaiah, Jehonathan;

19 And of Joiarib, Mattenai; of Jedaiah, Uzzi;

20 Of Sallai, Kallai; of Amok, Eber;

21 Of Hilkiah, Hashabiah; of Jedaiah, Nethaneel.

22 The Levites in the days of Eliashib, Joiada, and Johanan, and Jaddua, were recorded chief of the fathers: also the priests, to the reign of Darius the Persian.

23 The sons of Levi, the chief of the fathers, were written in the book of the chronicles, even until the days of Johanan the son of Eliashib.

24 And the chief of the Levites: Hashabiah, Sherebiah, and Jeshua the son of Kadmiel, with their brethren over against them, to praise and to give thanks, according to the commandment of David the man of God, ward over against ward.

25 Mattaniah, and Bakbukiah, Obadiah, Meshullam, Talmon, Akkub, were porters keeping the ward at the thresholds of the gates.

26 These were in the days of Joiakim the son of Jeshua, the son of Jozadak, and in the days of Nehemiah the governor, and of Ezra the priest, the scribe.

27 And at the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem they sought the Levites out of all their places, to bring them to Jerusalem, to keep the dedication with gladness, both with thanksgivings, and with singing, with cymbals, psalteries, and with harps.

28 And the sons of the singers gathered themselves together, both out of the plain country round about Jerusalem, and from the villages of Netophathi;

29 Also from the house of Gilgal, and out of the fields of Geba and Azmaveth: for the singers had builded them villages round about Jerusalem.

30 And the priests and the Levites purified themselves, and purified the people, and the gates, and the wall.

31 Then I brought up the princes of Judah upon the wall, and appointed two great companies of them that gave thanks, whereof one went on the right hand upon the wall toward the dung gate:

32 And after them went Hoshaiah, and half of the princes of Judah,

33 And Azariah, Ezra, and Meshullam,

34 Judah, and Benjamin, and Shemaiah, and Jeremiah,

35 And certain of the priests' sons with trumpets; namely, Zechariah the son of Jonathan, the son of Shemaiah, the son of Mattaniah, the son of Michaiah, the son of Zaccur, the son of Asaph:

36 And his brethren, Shemaiah, and Azarael, Milalai, Gilalai, Maai, Nethaneel, and Judah, Hanani, with the musical instruments of David the man of God, and Ezra the scribe before them.

37 And at the fountain gate, which was over against them, they went up by the stairs of the city of David, at the going up of the wall, above the house of David, even unto the water gate eastward.

38 And the other company of them that gave thanks went over against them, and I after them, and the half of the people upon the wall, from beyond the tower of the furnaces even unto the broad wall;

39 And from above the gate of Ephraim, and above the old gate, and above the fish gate, and the tower of Hananeel, and the tower of Meah, even unto the sheep gate: and they stood still in the prison gate.

40 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:

41 And the priests; Eliakim, Maaseiah, Miniamin, Michaiah, Elioenai, Zechariah, and Hananiah, with trumpets;

42 And Maaseiah, and Shemaiah, and Eleazar, and Uzzi, and Jehohanan, and Malchijah, and Elam, and Ezer. And the singers sang loud, with Jezrahiah their overseer.

43 Also that day they offered great sacrifices, and rejoiced: for God had made them rejoice with great joy: the wives also and the children rejoiced: so that the joy of Jerusalem was heard even afar off.

44 And at that time were some appointed over the chambers for the treasures, for the offerings, for the firstfruits, and for the tithes, to gather into them out of the fields of the cities the portions of the law for the priests and Levites: for Judah rejoiced for the priests and for the Levites that waited.

45 And both the singers and the porters kept the ward of their God, and the ward of the purification, according to the commandment of David, and of Solomon his son.

46 For in the days of David and Asaph of old there were chief of the singers, and songs of praise and thanksgiving unto God.

47 And all Israel in the days of Zerubbabel, and in the days of Nehemiah, gave the portions of the singers and the porters, every day his portion: and they sanctified holy things unto the Levites; and the Levites sanctified them unto the children of Aaron.

Priests and Levites

12 These are (A)the priests and the Levites who came up with (B)Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and (C)Jeshua: (D)Seraiah, Jeremiah, Ezra, Amariah, Malluch, Hattush, Shecaniah, Rehum, Meremoth, Iddo, Ginnethoi, Abijah, Mijamin, Maadiah, Bilgah, Shemaiah, Joiarib, Jedaiah, Sallu, Amok, Hilkiah, Jedaiah. These were the chiefs of the priests and of their brothers in the days of Jeshua.

And the Levites: Jeshua, Binnui, Kadmiel, Sherebiah, Judah, and Mattaniah, who with his brothers was (E)in charge of the songs of thanksgiving. And Bakbukiah and Unni and their brothers stood opposite them (F)in the service. 10 And Jeshua was the father of Joiakim, Joiakim the father of Eliashib, Eliashib the father of Joiada, 11 Joiada the father of Jonathan, and Jonathan the father of Jaddua.

12 (G)And in the days of Joiakim were priests, heads of fathers' houses: of Seraiah, Meraiah; of Jeremiah, Hananiah; 13 of Ezra, Meshullam; of Amariah, Jehohanan; 14 of Malluchi, Jonathan; of Shebaniah, Joseph; 15 of Harim, Adna; of Meraioth, Helkai; 16 of Iddo, Zechariah; of Ginnethon, Meshullam; 17 of Abijah, Zichri; of Miniamin, of Moadiah, Piltai; 18 of Bilgah, Shammua; of Shemaiah, Jehonathan; 19 of Joiarib, Mattenai; of Jedaiah, Uzzi; 20 of Sallai, Kallai; of Amok, Eber; 21 of Hilkiah, Hashabiah; of Jedaiah, Nethanel.

22 In the days of Eliashib, Joiada, Johanan, and Jaddua, the Levites were recorded as heads of fathers' houses; so too were the priests in the reign of Darius the Persian. 23 As for the sons of Levi, their heads of fathers' houses (H)were written in the Book of the Chronicles until the days of Johanan the son of Eliashib. 24 And the chiefs of the Levites: Hashabiah, Sherebiah, and (I)Jeshua the son of Kadmiel, with their brothers who stood opposite them, (J)to praise and to give thanks, (K)according to the commandment of David (L)the man of God, (M)watch by watch. 25 Mattaniah, Bakbukiah, Obadiah, Meshullam, Talmon, and Akkub were gatekeepers standing guard at (N)the storehouses of the gates. 26 These were in the days of Joiakim the son of Jeshua son of Jozadak, and in the days of (O)Nehemiah the governor and of (P)Ezra, the priest and scribe.

Dedication of the Wall

27 And at (Q)the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem they sought the Levites in all their places, to bring them to Jerusalem to celebrate the dedication with gladness, with thanksgivings and with singing, (R)with cymbals, harps, and lyres. 28 And the sons of the singers gathered together from the district surrounding Jerusalem and from the villages of the Netophathites; 29 also from Beth-gilgal and from the region of Geba and Azmaveth, for the singers had built for themselves villages around Jerusalem. 30 And the priests and the Levites (S)purified themselves, and they purified the people and the gates and the wall.

31 Then I brought the leaders of Judah up onto the wall and appointed two great choirs that gave thanks. (T)One went to the south on the wall to (U)the Dung Gate. 32 And after them went Hoshaiah and half of the leaders of Judah, 33 and Azariah, Ezra, Meshullam, 34 Judah, Benjamin, Shemaiah, and Jeremiah, 35 and certain of the priests' sons (V)with trumpets: Zechariah the son of Jonathan, son of Shemaiah, son of Mattaniah, son of Micaiah, son of Zaccur, son of Asaph; 36 and his relatives, Shemaiah, Azarel, Milalai, Gilalai, Maai, Nethanel, Judah, and Hanani, (W)with the musical instruments of David (X)the man of God. And Ezra the scribe went before them. 37 At (Y)the Fountain Gate they went up straight before them by (Z)the stairs of the city of David, at the ascent of the wall, above the house of David, to (AA)the Water Gate on the east.

38 (AB)The other choir of those who gave thanks went to the north, and I followed them with half of the people, on the wall, above (AC)the Tower of the Ovens, to (AD)the Broad Wall, 39 and above (AE)the Gate of Ephraim, and by (AF)the Gate of Yeshanah,[a] and by (AG)the Fish Gate and (AH)the Tower of Hananel and (AI)the Tower of the Hundred, to (AJ)the Sheep Gate; and they came to a halt at (AK)the Gate of the Guard. 40 So both choirs of those who gave thanks stood in the house of God, and I and half of the officials with me; 41 and the priests Eliakim, Maaseiah, Miniamin, Micaiah, Elioenai, Zechariah, and Hananiah, (AL)with trumpets; 42 and Maaseiah, Shemaiah, Eleazar, Uzzi, Jehohanan, Malchijah, Elam, and Ezer. And the singers sang with Jezrahiah as their leader. 43 And they offered great sacrifices that day and rejoiced, for God had made them rejoice with great joy; the women and children also rejoiced. And the joy of Jerusalem was heard far away.

Service at the Temple

44 (AM)On that day men were appointed over the storerooms, the contributions, the firstfruits, and the tithes, to gather into them the portions required by the Law for the priests and for the Levites according to the fields of the towns, for Judah rejoiced over the priests and the Levites who ministered. 45 And they performed the service of their God and the service of purification, as did the singers and the gatekeepers, (AN)according to the command of David and his son Solomon. 46 For long ago in the days of David and (AO)Asaph there were directors of the singers, and there were songs[b] of praise and thanksgiving to God. 47 And all Israel in the days of Zerubbabel and in the days of Nehemiah gave the (AP)daily portions for the singers and the gatekeepers; (AQ)and they set apart that which was for the Levites; (AR)and the Levites set apart that which was for the sons of Aaron.

Footnotes

  1. Nehemiah 12:39 Or of the old city
  2. Nehemiah 12:46 Or leaders