The Levites in the Days of Eliashib - Nehemiah 12:22

In the book of Nehemiah, Nehemiah said, “in the days of Joiakim were priests, the chief of the fathers: of Seraiah, Meraiah; of Jeremiah, Hananiah, of Ezra, Meshullam; of Amariah, Jehohanan, of Melicu, Jonathan; of Shebaniah, Joseph, of Harim, Adna; of Meraioth, Helkai, of Iddo, Zechariah; Of Ginnethon, Meshullam, of Abijah, Zichri; of Miniamin, of Moadiah, Piltai; Of Bilgah, Shammua; of Shemaiah, Jehonathan; And of Joiarib, Mattenai; of Jedaiah, Uzzi; Of Sallai, Kallai; of Amok, Eber; Of Hilkiah, Hashabiah; of Jedaiah, Nethaneel”, and in chapter twelve and verse twenty-two of Nehemiah, Nehemiah shared about, “the Levites in the days of Eliashib, Joiada” where we read,

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.

The verse reads, “The Levites in the days of Eliashib, Joiada, and Johanan, and Jaddua, were recorded chief of the fathers:” Nehemiah began with the words, “the Levites” whose name means “the descendants belonging to Levi whose name means joined to and were specially set aside by God for his service” “in the days of Eliashib” or “within the time period and season belonging to Eliashib whose name means God restores”, “Joiada” which means “Jehovah knows”, “and Johanan” or “and Jehovah has graced”, “and Jaddua” whose name means “knowing”, “were recorded chief of the fathers” or “existed as inscribed, engraved, registered and enrolled as belonging to the top, summit, and chieftain male progenitors and ancestors”. Nehemiah shared about the descendants of Levi named “Joiada, Johanan and Jaddua”served as the heads to the male ancestors during the time period of “Eliashib”.

The verse continues, “also the priests, to the reign of Darius the Persian.” Nehemiah added the words, “also the priests”or “even so and indeed the spiritual leaders and spokesmen”, “to the reign of Darius” whose name means “till the time of the rule, sovereign power and dominion belonging to Darius whose name means lord and was known as Darius II, Nothus (Ochus) was king of Persia during the time of Nehemiah (424/3 - 405/4 BC). Darius II is the most probable because he is mentioned by Nehemiah and ruled during the time of Nehemiah” “the Persian” or “the inhabitant of Persia whose name means pure or splendid”. Nehemiah included the “priests” that served to the time of “Darius” who ruled over Persia.

When we think through the words in this verse, we learn through Nehemiah the names of more of the “Levites and priests” who went back to Jerusalem. “The Levites” known as “Joiada, Johanan and Jaddua” were listed as the heads of the male ancestors, and the spiritual leaders who served unto the rule of “Darius” of “Persia” were also noted. God used all of these men in the worship and service of Him, and He invites everyone in the world to be a part of His Kingdom. Access to His Kingdom is gained when we surrender to His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was raised from the dead after three days. When we put our faith and trust in Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and give us His Holy Spirit to lead us where we are to go and in what we are to do as we live there. 

Next time Nehemiah shares about, “the sons of Levi, the chief of the fathers”, 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".