Shebaniah is a biblical figure mentioned in the Old Testament, primarily associated with the period of the return from the Babylonian exile and the subsequent religious reforms in Jerusalem. His name, which can be interpreted as "Yahweh has grown" or "Yahweh has increased," reflects the theophoric nature common in Hebrew names, indicating a connection to the divine.

Role and Significance

Shebaniah is noted for his role as a priest during the time of Nehemiah, a key leader in the restoration of Jerusalem's walls and religious practices. He is listed among the priests who returned with Zerubbabel and Jeshua, as recorded in Nehemiah 12:1-7. This return was a significant event, marking the re-establishment of the Jewish community in Jerusalem after the Babylonian captivity.

In Nehemiah 9:4-5, Shebaniah is mentioned as one of the Levites who stood on the stairs and called out to the people during a public confession of sins. This event was part of a larger assembly where the Israelites gathered to fast, wear sackcloth, and put dust on their heads, demonstrating repentance and a desire to renew their covenant with God. The Levites, including Shebaniah, led the people in worship and confession, highlighting his role in the spiritual leadership of the community.

Furthermore, Shebaniah is also listed among those who sealed the covenant in Nehemiah 10:1-12. This covenant was a solemn agreement made by the leaders, Levites, and priests to follow God's law, refrain from intermarrying with the surrounding peoples, and observe the Sabbath and other commandments. By sealing the covenant, Shebaniah demonstrated his commitment to the spiritual and communal renewal of the Jewish people.

Biblical References

1. Nehemiah 9:4-5 : "Then the Levites—Jeshua, Bani, Kadmiel, Shebaniah, Bunni, Sherebiah, Bani, and Kenani—stood on the stairs and cried out with a loud voice to the LORD their God. And the Levites—Jeshua, Kadmiel, Bani, Hashabneiah, Sherebiah, Hodiah, Shebaniah, and Pethahiah—said: 'Stand up and bless the LORD your God from everlasting to everlasting. Blessed be Your glorious name, and may it be exalted above all blessing and praise.'"

2. Nehemiah 10:1-12 : "Now these are the ones who sealed the covenant: Nehemiah the governor, the son of Hacaliah, along with Zedekiah, Seraiah, Azariah, Jeremiah, Pashhur, Amariah, Malchijah, Hattush, Shebaniah, Malluch, Harim, Meremoth, Obadiah, Daniel, Ginnethon, Baruch, Meshullam, Abijah, Mijamin, Maaziah, Bilgai, and Shemaiah. These were the priests."

3. Nehemiah 12:1-7 : "These were the priests and Levites who returned with Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel and Jeshua: Seraiah, Jeremiah, Ezra, Amariah, Malluch, Hattush, Shecaniah, Rehum, Meremoth, Iddo, Ginnethon, Abijah, Mijamin, Maadiah, Bilgah, Shemaiah, Joiarib, Jedaiah, Sallu, Amok, Hilkiah, and Jedaiah. These were the leaders of the priests and their associates in the days of Jeshua."

Historical and Theological Context

Shebaniah's involvement in the religious reforms under Nehemiah underscores the importance of spiritual leadership in the post-exilic community. The return from exile was not only a physical restoration but also a spiritual renewal, as the people sought to re-establish their identity as God's chosen people. The covenant renewal and public confession led by figures like Shebaniah were crucial in reorienting the community towards faithfulness to the Mosaic Law.

Theologically, Shebaniah's actions reflect the themes of repentance, covenant faithfulness, and communal responsibility. His participation in these significant events highlights the role of the priesthood in guiding the people back to a right relationship with God, emphasizing the importance of obedience and worship in the life of the covenant community.Shebaniah

the Lord that converts, or recalls from captivity

Shebaniah

(increased by Jehovah).

1. A Levite in the time of Ezra. (Nehemiah 9:4,5) He sealed the covenant with Nehemiah. (Nehemiah 10:10) (B.C. 459.)
2. A priest or priestly family who sealed the covenant with Nehemiah. (Nehemiah 10:4; 12:14) Called SHECHANIAH, SHECHANIAH in (Nehemiah 12:3)
3. Another Levite who sealed the covenant with Nehemiah. (Nehemiah 10:12)
4. One of the priests appointed by David to blow with the trumpets before the ark of God. (1 Chronicles 15:24) (B.C. 1043.)

Whom Jehovah hides, or has made grow up.

(1.) A Levite appointed to blow the trumpet before the ark of God (1 Chronicles 15:24).

(2.) Another Levite (Nehemiah 9:4, 5).

(3.) A priest (Nehemiah 10:12).

(4.) A Levite (Nehemiah 10:4).

SHEBANIAH

sheb-a-ni'-a, she-ban'-ya (shebhanyah, in 1 Chronicles 15:24, shebhanyahu):

(1) Name of a Levite or a Levitical family that participated in the religious rites that followed the reading of the Law (Nehemiah 9:4). The name is given in Nehemiah 10:10 among those that sealed the covenant.

(2) A priest or Levite who took part in the sealing of the covenant (Nehemiah 10:4; Nehemiah 12:14).

See SHECANIAH.

(3) Another Levite who sealed the covenant (Nehemiah 10:12).

(4) A priest in the time of David (1 Chronicles 15:24).

7645. Shebanyah -- the name of several Israelites
... the name of several Israelites. Transliteration: Shebanyah or Shebanyahu Phonetic
Spelling: (sheb-an-yaw') Short Definition: Shebaniah. ... Shebaniah. ...
/hebrew/7645.htm - 6kShebaniah (7 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. SHEBANIAH. ... (4) A priest in the time of David (1
Chronicles 15:24). Multi-Version Concordance Shebaniah (7 Occurrences). ...
/s/shebaniah.htm - 10k

Shebani'ah (7 Occurrences)
Shebani'ah. Shebaniah, Shebani'ah. Shebarim . Multi-Version Concordance
Shebani'ah (7 Occurrences). 1 Chronicles 15:24 And Shebaniah...
/s/shebani'ah.htm - 8k

Sherebiah (8 Occurrences)
... Nehemiah 9:4 Then stood up on the stairs of the Levites, Jeshua, and Bani, Kadmiel,
Shebaniah, Bunni, Sherebiah, Bani, and Chenani, and cried with a loud voice ...
/s/sherebiah.htm - 11k

Sherebi'ah (8 Occurrences)
... Nehemiah 9:4 Then stood up upon the platform of the Levites, Jeshua, and Bani, Kadmiel,
Shebaniah, Bunni, Sherebiah, Bani, and Chenani, and cried with a loud ...
/s/sherebi'ah.htm - 8k

Shecaniah (10 Occurrences)
... (5.) The father-in-law of Tobiah (Nehemiah 6:18). (6.) A priest who returned from
the Captivity with Zerubbabel (Nehemiah 12:3; marg., or Shebaniah). Int. ...
/s/shecaniah.htm - 12k

Kad'mi-el (8 Occurrences)
... Nehemiah 9:4 Then stood up upon the platform of the Levites, Jeshua, and Bani, Kadmiel,
Shebaniah, Bunni, Sherebiah, Bani, and Chenani, and cried with a loud ...
/k/kad'mi-el.htm - 8k

Kadmiel (8 Occurrences)
... Nehemiah 9:4 Then stood up on the stairs of the Levites, Jeshua, and Bani, Kadmiel,
Shebaniah, Bunni, Sherebiah, Bani, and Chenani, and cried with a loud voice ...
/k/kadmiel.htm - 10k

Bani (15 Occurrences)
... Nehemiah 9:4 Then stood up on the stairs of the Levites, Jeshua, and Bani, Kadmiel,
Shebaniah, Bunni, Sherebiah, Bani, and Chenani, and cried with a loud voice ...
/b/bani.htm - 13k

Shechaniah (8 Occurrences)
... of a family which returned with Zerubbabel (Nehemiah 12:3). It is the same name
which, by an interchange of "bh" and "kh", appears as Shebaniah (see SHEBANIAH...
/s/shechaniah.htm - 10k

Jeshua (30 Occurrences)
... Nehemiah 9:4 Then stood up on the stairs of the Levites, Jeshua, and Bani, Kadmiel,
Shebaniah, Bunni, Sherebiah, Bani, and Chenani, and cried with a loud voice ...
/j/jeshua.htm - 21k

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