Chief of the Fathers - Nehemiah 11:13

In the book of Nehemiah, Nehemiah said, “the priests: Jedaiah the son of Joiarib, Jachin, Seraiah the son of Hilkiah, the son of Meshullam, the son of Zadok, the son of Meraioth, the son of Ahitub, was the ruler of the house of God. And their brethren that did the work of the house were eight hundred twenty and two: and Adaiah the son of Jeroham, the son of Pelaliah, the son of Amzi, the son of Zechariah, the son of Pashur, the son of Malchiah, ...”, and in chapter eleven and verse thirteen of Nehemiah, Nehemiah shared about, “his brethren, chief of the fathers” where we read,

And his brethren, chief of the fathers, two hundred forty and two: 

and Amashai the son of Azareel, the son of Ahasai, the son of Meshillemoth, the son of Immer, ...

The verse reads, “And his brethren, chief of the fathers, two hundred forty and two:” Nehemiah began with the words, “and his brethren” which means “and his, Jedaiah's, fellow kinsmen, kindred and relatives”, “chief of the fathers” or “the head, upper and choice pertaining to the male progenitors and ancestors”, “two hundred forty and two” which means “two hundred and forty two brethren”. Nehemiah shared how there were “two hundred and forty-two” heads of the families who were accounted for among the relatives of “Jedaiah”.

The verse goes on to say, “and Amashai the son of Azareel, the son of Ahasai, the son of Meshillemoth, the son of Immer, ...” Nehemiah continued with the words, “and Amashai” whose name means “burdensome” “the son of Azareel” or “the male offspring and progeny belonging to Azareel whose name means God has helped”, “the son of Ahasai” which means “the male offspring and progeny belonging to Ahasai whose name means my holder or protector”, “the son of Meshillemoth” or “the male offspring and progeny belonging to Meshillemoth whose name means recompense”, “the son of Immer” which means “the male offspring and progeny belonging to Immer whose name means he has said”. Nehemiah shared how “Amashai” was also among the “priests” who remained in Jerusalem. 

When we think through the words in this verse, we learn through Nehemiah about the fellow kinsmen of the “priests”who were involved in the labor within the temple of Jehovah God. “Amashai” was added to the list of “priests” who were ministering as well. God wants everyone to be involved in His Kingdom, and when we surrender our lives to His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind and rose from the grave three days later, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and give us a position in His Kingdom to minister to Him for all eternity. 

Next time Nehemiah shares about, “mighty men of valor”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".