Nehemiah 12:9
New International Version
Bakbukiah and Unni, their associates, stood opposite them in the services.

New Living Translation
Their associates, Bakbukiah and Unni, stood opposite them during the service.

English Standard Version
And Bakbukiah and Unni and their brothers stood opposite them in the service.

Berean Standard Bible
Bakbukiah and Unni, their associates, stood across from them in the services.

King James Bible
Also Bakbukiah and Unni, their brethren, were over against them in the watches.

New King James Version
Also Bakbukiah and Unni, their brethren, stood across from them in their duties.

New American Standard Bible
Also Bakbukiah and Unni, their brothers, stood opposite them in their service divisions.

NASB 1995
Also Bakbukiah and Unni, their brothers, stood opposite them in their service divisions.

NASB 1977
Also Bakbukiah and Unni, their brothers, stood opposite them in their service divisions.

Legacy Standard Bible
Also Bakbukiah and Unni, their brothers, stood opposite them in keeping their responsibilities.

Amplified Bible
Also Bakbukiah and Unni, their brothers, stood opposite them in their divisions of service.

Christian Standard Bible
Bakbukiah, Unni, and their relatives stood opposite them in the services.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Bakbukiah, Unni, and their relatives stood opposite them in the services.

American Standard Version
Also Bakbukiah and Unno, their brethren, were over against them according to their offices.

Contemporary English Version
while Bakbukiah and Unno, together with their assistants, were responsible for the choral responses.

English Revised Version
Also Bakbukiah and Unno, their brethren, were over against them in wards.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Their relatives Bakbukiah and Unno stood across from them in worship.

Good News Translation
The following formed the choir that sang the responses: Bakbukiah, Unno, and their fellow Levites.

International Standard Version
Bakbukiah and Unni and their associates stood opposite them in the service.

Majority Standard Bible
Bakbukiah and Unni, their associates, stood across from them in the services.

NET Bible
Bakbukiah and Unni, their colleagues, stood opposite them in the services.

New Heart English Bible
Also Bakbukiah and Unni, their brothers, were over against them according to their offices.

Webster's Bible Translation
Also Bakbukiah and Unni, their brethren, were over against them in the watches.

World English Bible
Also Bakbukiah and Unno, their brothers, were close to them according to their offices.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and Bakbukiah and Unni, their brothers, [are] opposite them in charges.

Young's Literal Translation
and Bakbukiah and Unni, their brethren, are over-against them in charges.

Smith's Literal Translation
And Bakbukiah and Unni their brethren, over against them in the watches.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And Becbecia, and Hanni, and their brethren every one in his office.

Catholic Public Domain Version
with Bakbukiah, as well as Hannai, and their brothers, each one in his office.

New American Bible
while Bakbukiah and Unno and their kinsmen ministered opposite them by turns.

New Revised Standard Version
And Bakbukiah and Unno their associates stood opposite them in the service.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Also Bakbukah and Unni; their brethren were opposite to them in the watches.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Baqbuqa and Annani and their brothers next to them in the watch.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Also Bakbukiah and Unni, their brethren, were over against them in wards.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
and his brethren were appointed to the daily courses.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Priests and Levites who Returned
8The Levites were Jeshua, Binnui, Kadmiel, Sherebiah, Judah, and Mattaniah, who, with his associates, led the songs of thanksgiving. 9Bakbukiah and Unni, their associates, stood across from them in the services. 10Jeshua was the father of Joiakim, Joiakim was the father of Eliashib, Eliashib was the father of Joiada,…

Cross References
1 Chronicles 25:1-8
Additionally, David and the commanders of the army set apart some of the sons of Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun to prophesy with the accompaniment of lyres, harps, and cymbals. The following is the list of the men who performed this service: / From the sons of Asaph: Zaccur, Joseph, Nethaniah, and Asarelah. These sons of Asaph were under the direction of Asaph, who prophesied under the direction of the king. / From the sons of Jeduthun: Gedaliah, Zeri, Jeshaiah, Shimei, Hashabiah, and Mattithiah—six in all—under the direction of their father Jeduthun, who prophesied with the harp, giving thanks and praise to the LORD. ...

1 Chronicles 9:33
Those who were musicians, the heads of Levite families, stayed in the temple chambers and were exempt from other duties because they were on duty day and night.

1 Chronicles 15:16-22
David also told the leaders of the Levites to appoint their relatives as singers to lift up their voices with joy, accompanied by musical instruments—harps, lyres, and cymbals. / So the Levites appointed Heman son of Joel; from his brothers, Asaph son of Berechiah; from their brothers the Merarites, Ethan son of Kushaiah; / and with them their brothers next in rank: Zechariah, Jaaziel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Unni, Eliab, Benaiah, Maaseiah, Mattithiah, Eliphelehu, Mikneiah, and the gatekeepers Obed-edom and Jeiel. ...

2 Chronicles 5:12-13
all the Levitical singers—Asaph, Heman, Jeduthun, and their sons and relatives—stood on the east side of the altar, dressed in fine linen and playing cymbals, harps, and lyres, accompanied by 120 priests sounding trumpets. / The trumpeters and singers joined together to praise and thank the LORD with one voice. They lifted up their voices, accompanied by trumpets, cymbals, and musical instruments, in praise to the LORD: “For He is good; His loving devotion endures forever.” And the temple, the house of the LORD, was filled with a cloud

Ezra 3:10-11
When the builders had laid the foundation of the temple of the LORD, the priests in their apparel with trumpets, and the Levites (the sons of Asaph) with cymbals, took their positions to praise the LORD, as David king of Israel had prescribed. / And they sang responsively with praise and thanksgiving to the LORD: “For He is good; for His loving devotion to Israel endures forever.” Then all the people gave a great shout of praise to the LORD, because the foundation of the house of the LORD had been laid.

1 Chronicles 16:4-6
David appointed some of the Levites to minister before the ark of the LORD, to celebrate, to give thanks, and to praise the LORD, the God of Israel. / Asaph was the chief, Zechariah was second, then Jeiel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Mattithiah, Eliab, Benaiah, Obed-edom, and Jeiel. They were to play the harps and lyres, while Asaph sounded the cymbals / and the priests Benaiah and Jahaziel blew the trumpets regularly before the ark of the covenant of God.

2 Chronicles 29:25-30
Hezekiah stationed the Levites in the house of the LORD with cymbals, harps, and lyres according to the command of David, of Gad the king’s seer, and of Nathan the prophet. For the command had come from the LORD through His prophets. / The Levites stood with the instruments of David, and the priests with the trumpets. / And Hezekiah ordered that the burnt offering be sacrificed on the altar. When the burnt offering began, the song of the LORD and the trumpets began as well, accompanied by the instruments of David king of Israel. ...

1 Chronicles 23:5
4,000 are to be gatekeepers, and 4,000 are to praise the LORD with the instruments I have made for giving praise.”

1 Chronicles 6:31-32
These are the men David put in charge of the music in the house of the LORD after the ark rested there. / They ministered with song before the tabernacle, the Tent of Meeting, until Solomon built the house of the LORD in Jerusalem. And they performed their duties according to the regulations given them.

2 Chronicles 8:14
In keeping with the ordinances of his father David, Solomon appointed the divisions of the priests over their service, and the Levites for their duties to offer praise and to minister before the priests according to the daily requirement. He also appointed gatekeepers by their divisions at each gate, for this had been the command of David, the man of God.

1 Chronicles 25:9-31
The first lot, which was for Asaph, fell to Joseph, his sons, and his brothers—12 in all; the second to Gedaliah, his sons, and his brothers—12 in all; / the third to Zaccur, his sons, and his brothers—12 in all; / the fourth to Izri, his sons, and his brothers—12 in all; ...

1 Chronicles 16:41-42
With them were Heman, Jeduthun, and the rest of those chosen and designated by name to give thanks to the LORD, for “His loving devotion endures forever.” / Heman and Jeduthun had with them trumpets and cymbals for the music and instruments for the songs of God. And the sons of Jeduthun were stationed at the gate.

2 Chronicles 20:21-22
Then Jehoshaphat consulted with the people and appointed those who would sing to the LORD and praise the splendor of His holiness. As they went out before the army, they were singing: “Give thanks to the LORD, for His loving devotion endures forever.” / The moment they began their shouts and praises, the LORD set ambushes against the men of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir who had come against Judah, and they were defeated.

1 Chronicles 15:27-28
Now David was dressed in a robe of fine linen, as were all the Levites who were carrying the ark, as well as the singers and Chenaniah, the director of music for the singers. David also wore a linen ephod. / So all Israel brought up the ark of the covenant of the LORD with shouting, with the sounding of rams’ horns and trumpets, and with cymbals and the music of harps and lyres.

2 Chronicles 23:18
Moreover, Jehoiada put the oversight of the house of the LORD into the hands of the Levitical priests, whom David had appointed over the house of the LORD, to offer burnt offerings to the LORD as written in the Law of Moses, with rejoicing and song, as ordained by David.


Treasury of Scripture

Also Bakbukiah and Unni, their brothers, were over against them in the watches.

over against.

Psalm 134:1-3
A Song of degrees. Behold, bless ye the LORD, all ye servants of the LORD, which by night stand in the house of the LORD…

Jump to Previous
Associates Bakbukiah Bakbuki'ah Charges Divisions Offices Opposite Over-Against Service Services Stood Unni Wards Watches
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Associates Bakbukiah Bakbuki'ah Charges Divisions Offices Opposite Over-Against Service Services Stood Unni Wards Watches
Nehemiah 12
1. The priests and the Levites which came up with Zerubbabel.
10. The succession of high priests.
22. Certain chief Levites.
27. The solemnity of the dedication of the walls.
44. The offices of priests and Levites appointed in the temple.














Bakbukiah and Unni
These names are significant as they represent individuals who were part of the Levitical order. The name "Bakbukiah" can be understood as "the Lord has emptied" or "the Lord pours out," which may symbolize a life dedicated to being poured out in service to God. "Unni" means "afflicted" or "poor," reflecting humility and dedication. These names remind us of the importance of individual roles in the collective worship and service to God, emphasizing that each person, regardless of their status, has a unique contribution to make in the community of faith.

their associates
This phrase highlights the communal aspect of worship and service in the temple. The Levites worked together as a team, supporting one another in their duties. This collective effort is a powerful reminder of the body of Christ, where each member has a role to play, and the work of God is accomplished through unity and cooperation. The associates of Bakbukiah and Unni were likely other Levites who shared in the responsibilities of temple service, illustrating the importance of fellowship and partnership in ministry.

stood opposite them
This phrase indicates a specific arrangement or positioning during the services. In the context of temple worship, this could refer to the antiphonal singing or responsive reading, where groups would stand opposite each other, creating a dynamic and engaging form of worship. This practice not only enhanced the worship experience but also symbolized the balance and harmony that should exist within the community of believers. It serves as a metaphor for the spiritual posture we should maintain—standing firm in our faith and ready to respond to God's call.

in the services
The term "services" refers to the various duties and rituals performed in the temple. These services were not merely routine tasks but acts of worship and devotion to God. The Levites were responsible for maintaining the temple, leading worship, and ensuring that the spiritual needs of the community were met. This phrase underscores the sacredness of their work and the dedication required to serve God faithfully. It reminds us that all aspects of our lives can be acts of worship when done with a heart devoted to God.

Verse 9. - Bakbukiah and Unni. Bakbukiah's position with respect to Mattaniah has been already mentioned (Nehemiah 11:17). "Unni" appears, in this place only, as a Levite of Zerubbabel's time. Were over against them in the watches. i.e. "ministered in their courses, as the others did, and kept their stations over against them in their turns of attendance, which are called their 'watches' or wards" (Bp. Patrick). LIST OF THE HIGH PRIESTS FROM JESHUA TO JADDUA (Nehemiah 12:10, 11). That this is the line of descent in the high priestly family of the time sufficiently appears both from the names themselves, and from the position assigned to those who bore them in vers. 22, 23, 26. Whether all of them actually exercised the high priest's office is left uncertain in Scripture, but satisfactorily established by Josephus. The six names cover a space of at least 205 years - from the conquest of Babylon by Cyrus, B.C. 538, to the submission of Jerusalem to Alexander the Great, B.C. 333, which gives very long generations, but still such as are historically possible. Jeshua was certainly high priest from B.C. 538 to B.C. 516. He may have been succeeded by his son, Joiakim, about B.C. 490. Joiakim had certainly been succeeded by his son, Eliashib, before B.C. 444 (Nehemiah 3:1); and Eliashib was probably succeeded by Joiada about B.C. 420. Joiada's high priesthood may be assigned to the period between B.C. 420 and 380; Jonathan's to that between B.C. 380 and 350. Jaddua might then hold the dignity from B.C. 350 to 330, or later, and so be brought into contact with Alexander the Great. It is questioned whether in that case Nehemiah can have written the present passage, and certain that he cannot have done so unless he lived to be at least 131 years of age. As this is exceedingly improbable, it is best to suppose, either that the whole list was placed here by Malachi, or at any rate that that prophet added the clause, "and Jonathan begat Jaddua."

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Bakbukiah
וּבַקְבֻּֽקְיָ֨ה (ū·ḇaq·buq·yāh)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1229: Bakbukiah -- 'emptying of Yah', a Levite

and Unni,
וְעֻנִּ֧י (wə·‘un·nî)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 6042: Unni -- two Levites

their associates,
אֲחֵיהֶ֛ם (’ă·ḥê·hem)
Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 251: A brother, )

[stood] across from them
לְנֶגְדָּ֖ם (lə·neḡ·dām)
Preposition-l | third person masculine plural
Strong's 5048: A front, part opposite, a counterpart, mate, over against, before

in the services.
לְמִשְׁמָרֽוֹת׃ (lə·miš·mā·rō·wṯ)
Preposition-l | Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 4931: A guard, watch, charge, function


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OT History: Nehemiah 12:9 Also Bakbukiah and Unno their brothers were (Neh Ne)
Nehemiah 12:8
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