Nehemiah 10:16
New International Version
Adonijah, Bigvai, Adin,

New Living Translation
Adonijah, Bigvai, Adin,

English Standard Version
Adonijah, Bigvai, Adin,

Berean Standard Bible
Adonijah, Bigvai, Adin,

King James Bible
Adonijah, Bigvai, Adin,

New King James Version
Adonijah, Bigvai, Adin,

New American Standard Bible
Adonijah, Bigvai, Adin,

NASB 1995
Adonijah, Bigvai, Adin,

NASB 1977
Adonijah, Bigvai, Adin,

Legacy Standard Bible
Adonijah, Bigvai, Adin,

Amplified Bible
Adonijah, Bigvai, Adin,

Christian Standard Bible
Adonijah, Bigvai, Adin,

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Adonijah, Bigvai, Adin,

American Standard Version
Adonijah, Bigvai, Adin,

Contemporary English Version
Adonijah, Bigvai, Adin,

English Revised Version
Adonijah, Bigvai, Adin;

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Adonijah, Bigvai, Adin,

International Standard Version
Adonijah, Bigvai, Adin,

NET Bible
Adonijah, Bigvai, Adin,

New Heart English Bible
Adonijah, Bigvai, Adin,

Webster's Bible Translation
Adonijah, Bigvai, Adin,
Majority Text Translations
Majority Standard Bible
Adonijah, Bigvai, Adin,

World English Bible
Adonijah, Bigvai, Adin,
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Adonijah, Bigvai, Adin,

Young's Literal Translation
Adonijah, Bigvai, Adin,

Smith's Literal Translation
Adonijah, Bigvai, Adin,
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Adonia, Begoai, Adin,

Catholic Public Domain Version
Adonijah, Bigvai, Adin,

New American Bible
Adonijah, Bigvai, Adin,

New Revised Standard Version
Adonijah, Bigvai, Adin,
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Bigvai and Adon,

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Bagway, Adun
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Adonijah, Bigvai, Adin;

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Adania, Bagoi, Hedin

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Signers of the Covenant
15Bunni, Azgad, Bebai, 16Adonijah, Bigvai, Adin, 17Ater, Hezekiah, Azzur,…

Cross References
Nehemiah 9:38
In view of all this, we make a binding agreement, putting it in writing and sealing it with the names of our leaders, Levites, and priests.”

Nehemiah 13:29
Remember them, O my God, because they have defiled the priesthood and the covenant of the priesthood and of the Levites.

Ezra 10:3
So now let us make a covenant before our God to send away all the foreign wives and their children, according to the counsel of my lord and of those who tremble at the command of our God. Let it be done according to the Law.

Ezra 10:5
So Ezra got up and made the leading priests, Levites, and all Israel take an oath to do what had been said. And they took the oath.

Deuteronomy 29:12-15
so that you may enter into the covenant of the LORD your God, which He is making with you today, and into His oath, / and so that He may establish you today as His people, and He may be your God as He promised you and as He swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. / I am making this covenant and this oath not only with you, ...

2 Kings 23:3
So the king stood by the pillar and made a covenant before the LORD to follow the LORD and to keep His commandments, decrees, and statutes with all his heart and all his soul, and to carry out the words of the covenant that were written in this book. And all the people entered into the covenant.

2 Chronicles 29:10
Now it is in my heart to make a covenant with the LORD, the God of Israel, so that His fierce anger will turn away from us.

2 Chronicles 34:31
So the king stood by the pillar and made a covenant before the LORD to follow the LORD and to keep His commandments, decrees, and statutes with all his heart and all his soul, and to carry out the words of the covenant that were written in this book.

Joshua 24:25
On that day Joshua made a covenant for the people, and there at Shechem he established for them a statute and ordinance.

Jeremiah 34:8
After King Zedekiah had made a covenant with all the people in Jerusalem to proclaim liberty, the word came to Jeremiah from the LORD

Jeremiah 50:5
They will ask the way to Zion and turn their faces toward it. They will come and join themselves to the LORD in an everlasting covenant that will never be forgotten.

Psalm 119:106
I have sworn and confirmed that I will keep Your righteous judgments.

Isaiah 44:5
One will say, ‘I belong to the LORD,’ another will call himself by the name of Jacob, and still another will write on his hand, ‘The LORD’s,’ and will take the name of Israel.”

Romans 12:1
Therefore I urge you, brothers, on account of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.

2 Corinthians 8:5
And not only did they do as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us, through the will of God.


Treasury of Scripture

Adonijah, Bigvai, Adin,

Bigvai.

Nehemiah 7:19-21
The children of Bigvai, two thousand threescore and seven…

Ezra 2:14-16
The children of Bigvai, two thousand fifty and six…

Ezra 8:14
Of the sons also of Bigvai; Uthai, and Zabbud, and with them seventy males.

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Nehemiah 10
1. The names of those who sealed the covenant.
29. The points of the covenant.














Adonijah
Adonijah is a name that appears several times in the Old Testament, most notably as the son of King David who attempted to claim the throne before Solomon was anointed king (1 Kings 1:5-10). The name means "Yahweh is my Lord," reflecting a common practice of the time to incorporate the name of God into personal names, signifying devotion or a reminder of divine authority. In Nehemiah 10:16, Adonijah is listed among those who sealed the covenant, indicating a commitment to the renewed covenant with God during the post-exilic period. This reflects a broader theme of restoration and dedication to God's laws after the Babylonian exile.

Bigvai
Bigvai is another signatory of the covenant in Nehemiah 10. He is also mentioned in Ezra 2:14 and Nehemiah 7:19 as the leader of a family that returned from Babylonian exile. The return of the exiles was a fulfillment of God's promise to restore Israel, as prophesied in Jeremiah 29:10-14. Bigvai's inclusion in the list of covenant signers underscores the collective responsibility and unity among the returned exiles to uphold the Law of Moses and reestablish their identity as God's chosen people. This act of sealing the covenant was a public declaration of faith and obedience.

Adin
Adin is listed among the families that returned from exile with Zerubbabel, as recorded in Ezra 2:15 and Nehemiah 7:20. The name Adin means "delicate" or "luxurious," which may reflect the family's status or aspirations. The return from exile and participation in the covenant renewal signify a turning point for the Jewish people, emphasizing themes of repentance, restoration, and the importance of community in worship and adherence to God's commandments. The inclusion of Adin in this list highlights the diverse backgrounds of those committed to rebuilding Jerusalem and reestablishing the covenant community.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Adonijah
A name meaning "My Lord is Yahweh." In the context of Nehemiah 10, Adonijah is one of the leaders who sealed the covenant, committing to follow God's law.

2. Bigvai
Likely a family head or leader, Bigvai is another signatory of the covenant. The name may mean "in my body" or "happy."

3. Adin
Another leader who signed the covenant. The name Adin means "delicate" or "slender."

4. The Covenant
This event involves the leaders of Israel renewing their commitment to God's law after the return from Babylonian exile. It signifies a collective dedication to live according to God's commandments.

5. Jerusalem
The setting for this covenant renewal, Jerusalem is the spiritual and political center for the Israelites, representing their identity and relationship with God.
Teaching Points
Commitment to God's Law
The act of sealing the covenant demonstrates a serious commitment to live according to God's commandments. Believers today are called to renew their commitment to God's Word regularly.

Leadership and Accountability
The leaders' involvement in the covenant highlights the importance of accountability and leadership in spiritual matters. Christian leaders should model obedience and guide others in faithfulness.

Community and Unity
The collective nature of the covenant shows the power of community in spiritual renewal. Christians are encouraged to support one another in their faith journeys.

Repentance and Renewal
The covenant renewal is an act of repentance and a fresh start. Believers are reminded of the importance of repentance and the opportunity for renewal in Christ.

Historical Continuity
Understanding the historical context of covenant renewals helps believers appreciate the continuity of God's faithfulness and the call to obedience throughout biblical history.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1. What is the meaning of Nehemiah 10:16?

2. How does Nehemiah 10:16 demonstrate commitment to God's covenant in our lives?

3. What role does community play in upholding promises, as seen in Nehemiah 10:16?

4. How can we apply the dedication shown in Nehemiah 10:16 today?

5. What scriptural connections exist between Nehemiah 10:16 and other covenant renewals in the Bible?

6. How does Nehemiah 10:16 encourage accountability within our faith communities?

7. What is the significance of Nehemiah 10:16 in the context of the covenant renewal?

8. How does Nehemiah 10:16 reflect the community's commitment to God's law?

9. Why are specific names listed in Nehemiah 10:16, and what do they represent?

10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Nehemiah 10?

11. How can we find joy in the Lord always?

12. Ezra 10:10 - How is this command to divorce reconcileable with other biblical teachings that appear to disapprove of divorce?

13. Why does Nehemiah 10:30 emphasize not intermarrying with neighboring peoples, when other passages (e.g., the Book of Ruth) show positive outcomes from such unions?

14. How can Nehemiah 10:31's strict Sabbath regulations be feasible, given the economic and agricultural demands of that era?
What Does Nehemiah 10:16 Mean
Adonijah

“Adonijah, Bigvai, Adin,” (Nehemiah 10:16)

• Nehemiah records real men who literally pressed their seals onto a fresh covenant with God. Adonijah stands among the heads of the people, showing that this renewal was not only for priests (Nehemiah 10:1–8) but embraced every level of society (compare Exodus 24:3–8; Deuteronomy 29:10–13).

• His name reminds us of another Adonijah, David’s son, who once grasped for the throne (1 Kings 1:5–10), yet the Adonijah here humbly submits to the true King, the LORD. The contrast underscores the heart of covenant faithfulness—surrender rather than self-exaltation (Psalm 25:9; James 4:6).

• By taking his place on the list, Adonijah pledges to obey all that follows in Nehemiah 10:29-39: separation from pagan practices, Sabbath integrity, and faithful stewardship. The verse therefore calls every believer to personal identification with God’s written commands, just as Joshua’s generation affirmed the law at Shechem (Joshua 24:24–27).


Bigvai

• Bigvai heads a family that returned from exile with 2,056 members (Ezra 2:14; Nehemiah 7:19) and later provided temple servants (Ezra 8:14). His inclusion here shows that restoration is never complete until worship and obedience are prioritized (Ezra 3:1–6; Romans 12:1).

• The family’s earlier journey back to Judah involved risk and sacrifice (Ezra 8:21-23). Now Bigvai seals the covenant, proving that true faith perseveres beyond a single act of courage; it persists in everyday holiness (Galatians 5:25; Hebrews 10:36).

• Together with others, Bigvai affirms the written stipulations about offerings, festivals, and firstfruits (Nehemiah 10:32-37). This highlights that generosity toward God’s house is a shared responsibility, echoing Malachi 3:10 and 2 Corinthians 9:7.


Adin

• Adin’s clan, 454 strong, appears among the first exiles to come home (Ezra 2:15; Nehemiah 7:20), and later contributes to Ezra’s second return (Ezra 8:6). Their steady presence across decades illustrates multi-generational commitment, much like the households commended in Psalm 103:17-18.

• By signing the covenant, Adin links his family story with God’s unfolding redemption plan, echoing the promise that “the LORD has done great things for us” (Psalm 126:3) and inviting future descendants to keep walking in that joy (Deuteronomy 6:6-7).

Nehemiah 10:16’s placement among civic leaders underscores that covenant loyalty is not a private matter; it shapes community life—commerce (Nehemiah 10:31), worship rhythms (Nehemiah 10:33), and economic justice (Leviticus 25:35-38; Micah 6:8).


summary

Nehemiah 10:16 records three literal signatories whose names remind us that covenant faithfulness is personal (Adonijah), persevering (Bigvai), and generational (Adin). Their seals testify that God’s people, freshly restored from exile, bound themselves to obey the written Word in every sphere of life. The verse invites today’s believer to the same wholehearted alignment with Scripture, confident that the God who kept His promises then remains utterly faithful now.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Adonijah,
אֲדֹנִיָּ֥ה (’ă·ḏō·nî·yāh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 138: Adonijah -- 'my Lord is Yahweh', the name of several Israelites

Bigvai,
בִגְוַ֖י (ḇiḡ·way)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 902: Bigvai -- perhaps 'happy', an Israelite name

Adin,
עָדִֽין׃ (‘ā·ḏîn)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 5720: Adin -- an Israelite


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OT History: Nehemiah 10:16 Adonijah Bigvai Adin (Neh Ne)
Nehemiah 10:15
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