The Overseer of the Levites - Nehemiah 11:22

In the book of Nehemiah, Nehemiah said, “And the residue of Israel, of the priests, and the Levites, were in all the cities of Judah, every one in his inheritance. But the Nethinims dwelt in Ophel: and Ziha and Gispa were over the Nethinims”, and in chapter eleven and verse twenty-two of Nehemiah, Nehemiah shared about, “the overseer of the Levites” where we read,

The overseer also of the Levites at Jerusalem was Uzzi the son of Bani,

the son of Hashabiah, the son of Mattaniah, the son of Micha.

Of the sons of Asaph, the singers were over the business of the house of God.

The verse reads, “The overseer also of the Levites at Jerusalem was Uzzi the son of Bani, ...” Nehemiah began with the words, “the overseer” which means “the commissioner, deputy and officer” “also of the Levites” or “even so and indeed pertaining to the descendants of Levi whose name means joined to and were set aside by God for His service” “at Jerusalem” which means “within the city of Jerusalem whose name means teaching of peace and was the chief city of Palestine and capital of the united kingdom and the nation of Judah after the split” “was Uzzi” or “existed as Uzzi whose name means strong” “the son of Bani” which means “the male offspring and progeny belonging to Bani whose name means built”. Nehemiah included “Uzzi” who was “Bani's” son among the commissioners who were in charge of the “Levites” within the city of “Jerusalem”.

The verse continues, “... the son of Hashabiah, the son of Mattaniah, the son of Micha.” Nehemiah added the words, “the son of Hashabiah” which means “the male offspring and progeny belonging to Hashabiah whose name means Jehovah has considered”, “the son of Mattaniah” or “the male offspring and progeny belonging to Mattaniah whose name means gift of Jehovah”, “the son of Micha” which means “the male offspring and progeny belonging to Micha whose name means who is like God”. Nehemiah shared how “Uzzi” descended from the men whose names mean, “Jehovah has considered, gift of Jehovah and who is like God”. 

Finally the verse says, “Of the sons of Asaph, the singers were over the business of the house of God.” Nehemiah concluded this verse with the words, “of the sons of Asaph” or “belonging to the male offspring and progeny belonging to Asaph whose name means gatherer”, “the singers” which means “the people who were musicians and make music with their voices” “were over the business” or “existed as above and in charge of the occupation and workmanship” “of the house of God” which means “pertaining to the habitation, abode and dwelling place belonging to the Supreme Deity”. Nehemiah ended this verse by sharing how the offspring of “Asaph” was over the musicians who were responsible for the service of the dwelling place belonging to the Supreme Deity Jehovah God. 

When we think through the words in this verse, we learn through Nehemiah about more of the officials who were over the“Levites” within the city of Jerusalem. “Uzzi”, whose ancestors were of notable men, oversaw the activities within the city, and the descendants of “Asaph” were over the “singers or musicians” within the temple. God calls every person to turn from their sinful ways and to receive His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of the world and was raised from the dead three days later, and when we surrender to Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and put His Holy Spirit within us to lead, guide and gift us according to His Divine purposes and plans for our lives in His Kingdom. 

Next time Nehemiah shares about, “the king's commandment concerning them”, 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".