More About the Levites - Nehemiah 12:8

In the book of Nehemiah, Nehemiah said, “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 and Bilgah, Shemaiah, Joiarib, Jedaiah, Sallu, Amok, Hilkiah, Jedaiah. These were the chief of the priests and of their brethren in the days of Jeshua. ...”, and in chapter twelve and verse eight of Nehemiah, Nehemiah shared more about, “the Levites” where we read,

Moreover the Levites: Jeshua, Binnui, Kadmiel, Sherebiah, Judah, and Mattaniah, 

which was over the thanksgiving, he and his brethren.

The verse reads, “Moreover the Levites: Jeshua, Binnui, Kadmiel, Sherebiah, Judah, and Mattaniah, ...” Nehemiah began with the words, “moreover the Levites” whose name means “in addition the descendants belonging to Levi whose name means joined to and were specially set aside by God for His service”: “Jeshua” or “he is saved”, “Binnui” whose name means “built up”, “Kadmiel” or “God is the ancient one”, “Sherebiah” whose name means “Jehovah has scorched”, “Judah” or “praised and referred to the kingdom comprised of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin which occupied the southern part of Canaan after the nation split upon the death of Solomon”, “and Mattaniah” whose name means “gift of Jehovah”. Nehemiah shared how “Jeshua, Kadmiel, Sherebiah, Judah and Mattaniah” were among the “Levites” of whom he accounted that returned to Jerusalem and Judah after being exiled in Babylon. 

The verse continues, “... which was over the thanksgiving, he and his brethren.” Nehemiah added the words, “which was over the thanksgiving” or “who were the overseers and in charge of the songs of praises and acclaim performed by a choir of singers”, “he and his brethren” which means “he, Mattaniah, and his fellow associates and kinsmen”. Nehemiah shared how “Mattaniah” and his associates were in charge of the songs of thanksgiving and those who sung them. 

When we consider the words in this verse, we learn through Nehemiah more about the “Levites” who returned to Jerusalem and Judah with Zerubbabel after being exiled in Babylon. Among them were those who were in charge of the singing of the songs of praise or “thanksgiving” who were to give honor and glory to God. God uses people in various places of ministry, and when we yield to His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was raised from the dead three days later, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and put within us a desire to be used by Him in whatever area His Holy Spirit leads. 

Next time Nehemiah shares about, “Bakbukiah and Unni”, 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".