Nehemiah 10:28
New International Version
“The rest of the people—priests, Levites, gatekeepers, musicians, temple servants and all who separated themselves from the neighboring peoples for the sake of the Law of God, together with their wives and all their sons and daughters who are able to understand—

New Living Translation
Then the rest of the people—the priests, Levites, gatekeepers, singers, Temple servants, and all who had separated themselves from the pagan people of the land in order to obey the Law of God, together with their wives, sons, daughters, and all who were old enough to understand—

English Standard Version
“The rest of the people, the priests, the Levites, the gatekeepers, the singers, the temple servants, and all who have separated themselves from the peoples of the lands to the Law of God, their wives, their sons, their daughters, all who have knowledge and understanding,

Berean Standard Bible
“The rest of the people—the priests, Levites, gatekeepers, singers, temple servants, and all who had separated themselves from the people of the land to obey the Law of God—along with their wives and all their sons and daughters who are able to understand,

King James Bible
And the rest of the people, the priests, the Levites, the porters, the singers, the Nethinims, and all they that had separated themselves from the people of the lands unto the law of God, their wives, their sons, and their daughters, every one having knowledge, and having understanding;

New King James Version
Now the rest of the people—the priests, the Levites, the gatekeepers, the singers, the Nethinim, and all those who had separated themselves from the peoples of the lands to the Law of God, their wives, their sons, and their daughters, everyone who had knowledge and understanding—

New American Standard Bible
Now the rest of the people, the priests, the Levites, the gatekeepers, the singers, the temple servants, and all those who had separated themselves from the peoples of the lands to the Law of God, their wives, their sons, and their daughters, all those who had knowledge and understanding,

NASB 1995
Now the rest of the people, the priests, the Levites, the gatekeepers, the singers, the temple servants and all those who had separated themselves from the peoples of the lands to the law of God, their wives, their sons and their daughters, all those who had knowledge and understanding,

NASB 1977
Now the rest of the people, the priests, the Levites, the gatekeepers, the singers, the temple servants, and all those who had separated themselves from the peoples of the lands to the law of God, their wives, their sons and their daughters, all those who had knowledge and understanding,

Legacy Standard Bible
Now the rest of the people—the priests, the Levites, the gatekeepers, the singers, the temple servants, and all those who had separated themselves from the peoples of the lands to the law of God, their wives, their sons and their daughters—all those who had knowledge and understanding,

Amplified Bible
Now the rest of the people—the priests, the Levites, the gatekeepers, the singers, the temple servants, and all those who had separated themselves from the peoples of the lands to the Law of God, their wives, their sons, their daughters, all those who had knowledge and understanding—

Christian Standard Bible
The rest of the people—the priests, Levites, gatekeepers, singers, and temple servants, along with their wives, sons, and daughters, everyone who is able to understand and who has separated themselves from the surrounding peoples to obey the law of God—

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The rest of the people—the priests, Levites, gatekeepers, singers, and temple servants, along with their wives, sons, and daughters, everyone who is able to understand and who has separated themselves from the surrounding peoples to obey the law of God—

American Standard Version
And the rest of the people, the priests, the Levites, the porters, the singers, the Nethinim, and all they that had separated themselves from the peoples of the lands unto the law of God, their wives, their sons, and their daughters, every one that had knowledge, and understanding;

English Revised Version
And the rest of the people, the priests, the Levites, the porters, the singers, the Nethinim, and all they that had separated themselves from the peoples of the lands unto the law of God, their wives, their sons, and their daughters, every one that had knowledge and understanding;

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The rest of the people took an oath. These people included the priests, Levites, gatekeepers, singers, temple servants, and all who had separated themselves from the inhabitants of the land for the sake of God's Teachings. Their wives, sons, daughters, and everyone who is capable of understanding also took an oath.

Good News Translation
We, the people of Israel, the priests, the Levites, the Temple guards, the Temple musicians, the Temple workers, and all others who in obedience to God's Law have separated themselves from the foreigners living in our land, we, together with our wives and all our children old enough to understand,

International Standard Version
The rest of the people, the priests, the descendants of Levi, the gatekeepers, the singers, the Temple Servants, and everyone who had separated themselves from the peoples of the surrounding lands for the Law of God—their wives, their sons, their daughters, and all who had knowledge and understanding—

Majority Standard Bible
?The rest of the people?the priests, Levites, gatekeepers, singers, temple servants, and all who had separated themselves from the people of the land to obey the Law of God?along with their wives and all their sons and daughters who are able to understand,

NET Bible
"Now the rest of the people--the priests, the Levites, the gatekeepers, the singers, the temple attendants, and all those who have separated themselves from the neighboring peoples because of the law of God, along with their wives, their sons, and their daughters, all of whom are able to understand--

New Heart English Bible
The rest of the people, the priests, the Levites, the gatekeepers, the singers, the Nethinim, and all those who had separated themselves from the peoples of the lands to the law of God, their wives, their sons, and their daughters, everyone who had knowledge, and understanding--

Webster's Bible Translation
And the rest of the people, the priests, the Levites, the porters, the singers, the Nethinims, and all they that had separated themselves from the people of the lands to the law of God, their wives, their sons, and their daughters, every one having knowledge, and having understanding;

World English Bible
The rest of the people, the priests, the Levites, the gatekeepers, the singers, the temple servants, and all those who had separated themselves from the peoples of the lands to the law of God, their wives, their sons, and their daughters—everyone who had knowledge and understanding—
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And the rest of the people, the priests, the Levites, the gatekeepers, the singers, the Nethinim, and everyone who has been separated from the peoples of the lands to the Law of God, their wives, their sons, and their daughters, every knowing intelligent one,

Young's Literal Translation
And the rest of the people, the priests, the Levites, the gatekeepers, the singers, the Nethinim, and every one who hath been separated from the peoples of the lands unto the law of God, their wives, their sons, and their daughters, every knowing intelligent one,

Smith's Literal Translation
And the rest of the people, the priests, the Levites, the gate-keepers, those singing, the Nethinims, and all being separated from the people of the lands to the law of God, their wives, their sons, and their daughters, all knowing understanding;
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And the rest of the people, priests, Levites, porters, and singing men, Nathinites, and all that had separated themselves from the people of the lands to the law of God, their wives, their sons, and their daughters.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And the rest of the people were the priests, the Levites, the gatekeepers, and the singers, the temple servants, and all who had separated themselves, from the peoples of the lands, to the law of God, with their wives, their sons, and their daughters.

New American Bible
The rest of the people, priests, Levites, gatekeepers, singers, temple servants, and all others who have separated themselves from the local inhabitants in favor of the law of God, with their wives, their sons, their daughters, all who are of the age of discretion,

New Revised Standard Version
The rest of the people, the priests, the Levites, the gatekeepers, the singers, the temple servants, and all who have separated themselves from the peoples of the lands to adhere to the law of God, their wives, their sons, their daughters, all who have knowledge and understanding,
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And the rest of the people, the priests, the Levites, the porters, the singers, the servants, and all those who had separated themselves from the people of the lands to return to the law of the LORD, both they and their wives, their sons and their daughters and every one having knowledge and understanding.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And the rest of the people, the Priests and the Levites and the Porters and the Ministers and the Servants and all who were separated from the Gentiles of the cities will come to the Law of LORD JEHOVAH, they and their wives and their children and their daughters and everyone whoever knew and understood.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And the rest of the people, the priests, the Levites, the porters, the singers, the Nethinim, and all they that had separated themselves from the peoples of the lands unto the law of God, their wives, their sons, and their daughters, every one that had knowledge and understanding;

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And the rest of the people, the priests, the Levites, the porters, the singers, the Nathinim, and every one who drew off from the nations of the land to the law of God, their wives, their sons, their daughters, every one who had knowledge and understanding,

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Vows of the Covenant
28“The rest of the people— the priests, Levites, gatekeepers, singers, temple servants, and all who had separated themselves from the people of the land to obey the Law of God— along with their wives and all their sons and daughters who are able to understand, 29hereby join with their noble brothers and commit themselves with a sworn oath to follow the Law of God given through His servant Moses and to carefully obey all the commandments, ordinances, and statutes of the LORD our Lord.…

Cross References
Ezra 10:11
Now, therefore, make a confession to the LORD, the God of your fathers, and do His will. Separate yourselves from the people of the land and from your foreign wives.”

Deuteronomy 29:10-12
All of you are standing today before the LORD your God—you leaders of tribes, elders, officials, and all the men of Israel, / your children and wives, and the foreigners in your camps who cut your wood and draw your water— / so that you may enter into the covenant of the LORD your God, which He is making with you today, and into His oath,

Exodus 24:3-8
When Moses came and told the people all the words and ordinances of the LORD, they all responded with one voice: “All the words that the LORD has spoken, we will do.” / And Moses wrote down all the words of the LORD. Early the next morning he got up and built an altar at the base of the mountain, along with twelve pillars for the twelve tribes of Israel. / Then he sent out some young men of Israel, and they offered burnt offerings and sacrificed young bulls as peace offerings to the LORD. ...

Joshua 24:24-25
So the people said to Joshua, “We will serve the LORD our God and obey His voice.” / On that day Joshua made a covenant for the people, and there at Shechem he established for them a statute and ordinance.

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 34:31-32
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. / Then he had everyone in Jerusalem and Benjamin take a stand in agreement to it. So all the people of Jerusalem carried out the covenant of God, the God of their fathers.

Deuteronomy 31:12-13
Assemble the people—men, women, children, and the foreigners within your gates—so that they may listen and learn to fear the LORD your God and to follow carefully all the words of this law. / Then their children who do not know the law will listen and learn to fear the LORD your God, as long as you live in the land that you are crossing the Jordan to possess.”

Leviticus 20:26
You are to be holy to Me because I, the LORD, am holy, and I have set you apart from the nations to be My own.

Isaiah 56:6-7
And the foreigners who join themselves to the LORD to minister to Him, to love the name of the LORD, and to be His servants—all who keep the Sabbath without profaning it and who hold fast to My covenant— / I will bring them to My holy mountain and make them joyful in My house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be accepted on My altar, for My house will be called a house of prayer for all the nations.”

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.

Romans 12:1-2
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. / Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.

2 Corinthians 6:14-18
Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership can righteousness have with wickedness? Or what fellowship does light have with darkness? / What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? / What agreement can exist between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will dwell with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be My people.” ...

Hebrews 10:22-25
let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. / Let us hold resolutely to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful. / And let us consider how to spur one another on to love and good deeds. ...

1 Peter 2:9-10
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, to proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. / Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

James 4:8
Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.


Treasury of Scripture

And the rest of the people, the priests, the Levites, the porters, the singers, the Nethinims, and all they that had separated themselves from the people of the lands to the law of God, their wives, their sons, and their daughters, every one having knowledge, and having understanding;

the rest.

Nehemiah 7:72,73
And that which the rest of the people gave was twenty thousand drams of gold, and two thousand pound of silver, and threescore and seven priests' garments…

Ezra 2:36-43,70
The priests: the children of Jedaiah, of the house of Jeshua, nine hundred seventy and three…

all they.

Nehemiah 9:2
And the seed of Israel separated themselves from all strangers, and stood and confessed their sins, and the iniquities of their fathers.

Nehemiah 13:3
Now it came to pass, when they had heard the law, that they separated from Israel all the mixed multitude.

Leviticus 20:24
But I have said unto you, Ye shall inherit their land, and I will give it unto you to possess it, a land that floweth with milk and honey: I am the LORD your God, which have separated you from other people.

unto the law.

Romans 1:1
Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,

every one.

Nehemiah 8:2
And Ezra the priest brought the law before the congregation both of men and women, and all that could hear with understanding, upon the first day of the seventh month.

Psalm 47:7
For God is the King of all the earth: sing ye praises with understanding.

Ecclesiastes 5:2
Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few.

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














The rest of the people
This phrase refers to the general population of Israel who were not specifically named in the preceding verses. It highlights the inclusivity of the covenant renewal, emphasizing that it was not just the leaders but the entire community who were involved. This collective commitment reflects the communal nature of Israel's identity and covenant relationship with God, as seen in Deuteronomy 29:10-15.

the priests, Levites, gatekeepers, singers, temple servants
These groups represent the various roles within the religious and temple service. The priests and Levites were responsible for the sacrifices and teaching the Law (Leviticus 10:11). Gatekeepers and singers played crucial roles in the temple's daily operations and worship (1 Chronicles 9:17-33). The temple servants, or Nethinim, were likely descendants of the Gibeonites who served in the temple (Joshua 9:27). Their inclusion underscores the importance of every role in maintaining the worship and spiritual life of Israel.

and all who had separated themselves from the people of the land
This separation signifies a return to holiness and distinctiveness as God's chosen people, in line with the commands in Leviticus 20:26. It reflects a conscious decision to avoid the idolatrous practices of surrounding nations, as seen in Ezra 6:21. This separation is a recurring theme in Israel's history, emphasizing purity and dedication to God.

to obey the Law of God
Obedience to the Law was central to the covenant relationship between God and Israel. This commitment to the Law is a renewal of the covenant given at Sinai (Exodus 24:3-8) and reflects the teachings of Deuteronomy 6:1-9. It underscores the importance of the Law as a guide for living in a way that pleases God and maintains the community's distinctiveness.

along with their wives and all their sons and daughters who are able to understand
This inclusion of families highlights the importance of teaching and passing down the faith to the next generation, as instructed in Deuteronomy 6:7. It emphasizes the role of the family in spiritual education and the communal aspect of faith. The phrase "able to understand" suggests a level of maturity and comprehension necessary for participating in the covenant, similar to the age of accountability concept found in Jewish tradition.

Persons / Places / Events
1. The People
This refers to the general assembly of Israelites who were not specifically priests or Levites but were part of the covenant community.

2. Priests and Levites
These were the religious leaders responsible for temple worship and maintaining the spiritual life of Israel.

3. Gatekeepers and Singers
Individuals assigned specific roles in the temple, ensuring its security and facilitating worship through music.

4. Temple Servants
Also known as the Nethinim, these were individuals dedicated to assisting the Levites in temple duties.

5. Separation from the Peoples of the Land
This signifies a commitment to holiness and adherence to God's Law, distinguishing the Israelites from surrounding nations.
Teaching Points
Commitment to Holiness
The act of separating from the peoples of the land underscores a commitment to living a life set apart for God. Believers today are called to live distinctively, reflecting God's holiness in their daily lives.

Understanding and Obedience
The inclusion of those "who are able to understand" highlights the importance of teaching and understanding God's Word. It is crucial for believers to seek understanding and apply God's principles in their lives.

Community and Accountability
The collective commitment of the community to adhere to God's Law demonstrates the importance of accountability within the body of Christ. Believers should encourage and support one another in their spiritual journeys.

Role of Families in Spiritual Growth
The mention of wives, sons, and daughters indicates the role of families in spiritual education and growth. Families should prioritize teaching and living out biblical truths together.

Worship and Service
The roles of gatekeepers, singers, and temple servants remind us of the diverse ways we can serve and worship God. Every believer has a unique role in the body of Christ, contributing to the community's spiritual health.(28-39) The points of the covenant.

(28) All they that had separated themselves.--If these meant proselytes from heathenism, this verse would be a perfect description of the constituents of the people. But we have no record as yet of a recognised body of such proselytes; and the word "separated" is the same as we find, with another meaning, in Nehemiah 9:2. Moreover, the following verses show that the covenant bears specially in mind the danger to God's law arising out of commerce with the heathen.

Having understanding.--Children who could intelligently take the oath were included.

Verse 28. - The rest of the people. i.e. those who had not appended their seals, whether others had sealed for them or no. The writer makes no exception, and thereby indicates a very general, if not a universal, concurrence on the part of the nation. His enumeration of classes is the same as Ezra's (Ezra 2:70). All they that had separated themselves from the people of the lands unto the law of God. Such proselytes from the heathen as had joined themselves to the Jewish people since their return from the captivity (comp. Ezra 6:21). Every one having knowledge, and having understanding. All who were of age to understand the nature of the covenant and what was meant by sealing to it - not a specially "intelligent" or "learned" class, as Ewald supposes ('Hist. of Israel,' vol. 5. p. 144, note 4).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
“The rest
וּשְׁאָ֣ר (ū·šə·’ār)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 7605: Rest, residue, remnant

of the people—
הָעָ֡ם (hā·‘ām)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock

the priests,
הַכֹּהֲנִ֣ים (hak·kō·hă·nîm)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 3548: Priest

Levites,
הַ֠לְוִיִּם (hal·wî·yim)
Article | Noun - proper - masculine plural
Strong's 3881: Levites -- descendant of Levi

gatekeepers,
הַשּׁוֹעֲרִ֨ים (haš·šō·w·‘ă·rîm)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 7778: A gatekeeper

singers,
הַמְשֹׁרְרִ֜ים (ham·šō·rə·rîm)
Article | Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 7891: To sing

and temple servants,
הַנְּתִינִ֗ים (han·nə·ṯî·nîm)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 5411: The Nethinim, Temple-servants

and all
וְֽכָל־ (wə·ḵāl)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

who had separated themselves
הַנִּבְדָּ֞ל (han·niḇ·dāl)
Article | Verb - Nifal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 914: To be divided, separate

from the people
מֵעַמֵּ֤י (mê·‘am·mê)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock

of the land
הָאֲרָצוֹת֙ (hā·’ă·rā·ṣō·wṯ)
Article | Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 776: Earth, land

to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

obey the law
תּוֹרַ֣ת (tō·w·raṯ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 8451: Direction, instruction, law

of God—
הָאֱלֹהִ֔ים (hā·’ĕ·lō·hîm)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

along with their wives
נְשֵׁיהֶ֖ם (nə·šê·hem)
Noun - feminine plural construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 802: Woman, wife, female

and all
כֹּ֖ל (kōl)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

their sons
בְּנֵיהֶ֣ם (bə·nê·hem)
Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 1121: A son

and daughters
וּבְנֹתֵיהֶ֑ם (ū·ḇə·nō·ṯê·hem)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine plural construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 1323: A daughter

who were able to understand,
מֵבִֽין׃ (mê·ḇîn)
Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 995: To separate mentally, understand


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OT History: Nehemiah 10:28 The rest of the people the priests (Neh Ne)
Nehemiah 10:27
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