The Levites - Nehemiah 11:15

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 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, and their brethren, mighty men of valor, an hundred twenty and eight: and their overseer was Zabdiel, the son of one of the great men”, and in chapter eleven and verse fifteen of Nehemiah, Nehemiah shared about, “the Levites” where we read,

Also of the Levites: 

Shemaiah the son of Hashub, the son of Azrikam, the son of Hashabiah, the son of Bunni;

The verse reads, “Also of the Levites:” Nehemiah began with the word, “also” which means “even so and indeed” “of the Levites” or “pertaining to the descendants of Levi whose name means joined to and were specially set aside by God for His service”. Nehemiah began to share the names of the “Levites” who remained in Jerusalem.

The verse goes on to say, “Shemaiah the son of Hashub, the son of Azrikam, the son of Hashabiah, the son of Bunni;” Nehemiah continued with the word, “Shemaiah” whose name means “heard by Jehovah” “the son of Hashub” or “the male offspring and progeny belonging to Hashub whose name means considerate”, “the son of Azrikam” which means “the male offspring and progeny belonging to Azrikam whose name means help against the enemy”, “the son of Hashabiah” or “the male offspring and progeny belonging to Hashabiah whose name means Jehovah has considered”, “the son of Bunni” which means “the male offspring and progeny belonging to Bunni whose name means built”. Nehemiah shared how “Shemaiah” whose descendants' names mean “considerate, help against the enemy, Jehovah has considered and built” was among the “Levites” who remained in Jerusalem.

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn through Nehemiah more about the “Levites” who remained in Jerusalem. Each of these groups of people were important for the sustaining of the city of Jerusalem, and worship of God was to be the primary responsibility. “The priests, the Levites, the strong and mighty men of valor” as well as their “overseers” were part of the system of leadership and government that was put in place by Jehovah God. God wants everyone to be a part of His Kingdom, and we begin our relationship with Him by believing and trusting in His Son Jesus who was crucified on the cross for the sins of all mankind, and raised from the dead three days later. God established the way for us to be forgiven of our sins, granted everlasting life and positioned within His Kingdom which shall last for ever and ever more when we put our faith and trust in Him. 

Next time Nehemiah shares about, “the chief of the Levites”, 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".