Nehemiah – Chapter 12

Old Testament46 Verses

Chapter Summary

Chapter 12 of Nehemiah begins: "Now these are the priests and the Levites, that went up with Zorobabel the son of Salathiel, and Josue: Saraia, Jeremias, Esdras," The chapter centers on Jonathan, David and Ezra. Across its 46 verses, two threads run through the text: family and covenant relationships and worship and praise. The Church invites us to read this chapter within the whole sweep of salvation history, where every page points toward Christ.

1Now these are the priests and the Levites, that went up with Zorobabel the son of Salathiel, and Josue: Saraia, Jeremias, Esdras,

2Amaria, Melluch, Hattus,

3Sebenias, Rheum, Merimuth,

4Addo, Genthon, Abia,

5Miamin, Madia, Belga,

6Semeia, and Joiarib, Idaia, Sellum Amoc, Helcias,

7Idaia. These were the chief of the priests, and of their brethren in the days of Josue.

8And the Levites, Jesua, Bennui, Cedmihel, Sarebia, Juda, Mathanias, they and their brethren were over the hymns:

9And Becbecia, and Hanni, and their brethren every one in his office.

10And Josue begot Joacim, and Joacim begot Eliasib, and Eliasib begot Joiada,

11And Joiada begot Jonathan and Jonathan begot Jeddoa.

12And in the days of Joacim the priests and heads of the families were: Of Saraia, Maraia: of Jeremias, Hanania:

13Of Esdras, Mosollam: and of Amaria, Johanan:

14Of Milicho, Jonathan: of Sebenia, Joseph:

15Of Haram, Edna: of Maraioth, Helci:

16Of Adaia, Zacharia: of Genthon, Mosollam:

17Of Abia, Zechri: of Miamin and Moadia, Phelti:

18Of Belga, Sammua of Semaia, Jonathan:

19Of Joiarib, Mathanai: of Jodaia, Azzi:

20Of Sellai, Celai: of Amoc, Heber:

21Of Helcias, Hasebia: of Idaia, Nathanael.

22The Levites the chiefs of the families in the days of Eliasib, and Joiada, and Johanan, and Jeddoa, were recorded, and the priests in the reign of Darius the Persian.

23The sons of Levi, heads of the families were written in the book of Chronicles, even unto the days of Jonathan the son of Eliasib.

24Now the chief of the Levites were Hasebia, Serebia, and Josue the son of Cedmihel: and their brethren by their courses, to praise and to give thanks according to the commandment of David the man of God, and to wait equally in order.

25Mathania, and Becbecia, Obedia, and Mosollam, Telmon, Accub, were keepers of the gates and of the entrances before the gates.

26These were in the days of Joacim the son of Josue, the son of Josedec, and in the days of Nehemiah the governor, and of Esdras the priest and scribe.

27And at the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem they sought the Levites out of all their places, to bring them to Jerusalem, and to keep the dedication, and to rejoice with thanksgiving, and with singing, and with cymbals, and psalteries and harps.

28And the sons of the singing men were gathered together out of the plain country about Jerusalem, and out of the villages of Nethuphati,

29And from the house of Galgal, and from the countries of Geba and Azmaveth: for the singing men had built themselves villages round about Jerusalem.

30And the priests and the Levites were purified, and they purified the people, and the gates, and the wall.

31And I made the princes of Juda go up upon the wall, and I appointed two great choirs to give praise. And they went on the right hand upon the wall toward the dung gate.

32And after them went Osaias, and half of the princes of Juda,

33And Azarias, Esdras, and Mosollam, Judas, and Benjamin, and Semeia, and Jeremias.

34And of the sons of the priests with trumpets, Zacharias the son of Jonathan, the son of Semeia, the son of Mathania, the son of Michaia, the son of Zechur, the son of Asaph,

35And his brethren Semeia, and Azareel, Malalai, Galalai, Maai, Nathanael, and Judas, and Hanani, with the musical instruments of David the man of God: and Esdras the scribe before them at the fountain gate.

36And they went up over against them by the stairs of the city of David, at the going up of the wall of the house of David, and to the water gate eastward:

37And the second choir of them that gave thanks went on the opposite side, and I after them, and the half of the people upon the wall, and upon the tower of the furnaces, even to the broad wall,

38And above the gate of Ephraim, and above the old gate, and above the fish gate and the tower of Hananeel, and the tower of Emath, and even to the flock gate: and they stood still in the watch gate.

39And the two choirs of them that gave praise stood still at the house of God, and I and the half of the magistrates with me.

40And the priests, Eliachim, Maasia, Miamin, Michea, Elioenai, Zacharia, Hanania with trumpets,

41And Maasia, and Semeia, and Eleazar, and Azzi, and Johanan, and Melchia, and Elam, and Ezer. And the singers sung loud, and Jezraia was their overseer:

42And they sacrificed on that day great sacrifices, and they rejoiced: for God had made them joyful with great joy: their wives also and their children rejoiced, and the joy of Jerusalem was heard afar off.

43They appointed also in that day men over the storehouses of the treasure, for the libations, and for the firstfruits, and for the tithes, that the rulers of the city might bring them in by them in honour of thanksgiving, for the priests and Levites: for Juda was joyful in the priests and Levites that assisted.

44And they kept the watch of their God, and the observance of expiation, and the singing men, and the porters, according to the commandment of David, and of Solomon his son.

45For in the days of David and Asaph from the beginning there were chief singers appointed, to praise with canticles, and give thanks to God.

46And all Israel, in the days of Zorobabel, and in the days of Nehemiah gave portions to the singing men, and to the porters, day by day, and they sanctified the Levites, and the Levites sanctified the sons of Aaron.

Important Verses in Nehemiah 12

Now these are the priests and the Levites, that went up with Zorobabel the son of Salathiel, and Josue: Saraia, Jeremias, Esdras,

Nehemiah 12:1

And his brethren Semeia, and Azareel, Malalai, Galalai, Maai, Nathanael, and Judas, and Hanani, with the musical instruments of David the man of God: and Esdras the scribe before them at the fountain gate.

Nehemiah 12:35

And the two choirs of them that gave praise stood still at the house of God, and I and the half of the magistrates with me.

Nehemiah 12:39

And they sacrificed on that day great sacrifices, and they rejoiced: for God had made them joyful with great joy: their wives also and their children rejoiced, and the joy of Jerusalem was heard afar off.

Nehemiah 12:42

Historical Context

As a Old Testament book, Nehemiah was written with the restored Jerusalem community, organized for worship and covenant living in view. Chapter 12 of 13 moves toward the climax of the book as earlier promises and conflicts converge. It is a legal and cultic instruction given to Israel regarding worship, holiness, and daily life with 46 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. The chapter focuses on Jonathan, David, Ezra and Joshua, whose actions and words drive the passage forward. It opens with the line: "Now these are the priests and the Levites, that went up with Zorobabel the son of Salathiel, and Josue: Saraia,…" The chapter ends with: "And all Israel, in the days of Zorobabel, and in the days of Nehemiah gave portions to the singing men, and to the…" In terms of historical background, Nehemiah, cupbearer to the Persian king Artaxerxes, obtained leave to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem in 445 BC—completing them in fifty-two days despite armed opposition. Scholarly and ecclesial tradition places the composition of Nehemiah around About 430-400 BC.

Who Wrote It

Based on the personal memoirs of Nehemiah; compiled with the Ezra traditions

When It Was Written

About 430-400 BC

Catholic Commentary

The text sets forth laws and observances that distinguished Israel as a people consecrated to the Lord. A pivotal line is verse 1: "Now these are the priests and the Levites, that went up with Zorobabel the son of Salathiel, and Josue: Saraia, Jeremias, Esdras," The passage repeatedly touches on family and covenant relationships.

Catholic exegesis reads Nehemiah 12 within the unity of Scripture and Tradition. Nehemiah's leadership models faithful service (CIC 2578). St. Bernard of Clairvaux and other Fathers of the Church saw in texts like this a preparation for or reflection of Christ, the center of revelation (CIC 74).

Applied to the life of faith, the passage supports the Church's conviction that God's work requires human cooperation. Whether read privately or heard in the liturgy, Nehemiah 12 calls for a response of faith, repentance, and charity.

Main Teachings

  • The family is the first school of faith, where love, obedience, and forgiveness are learned.
  • Worship is the heart of the covenant: giving God the praise and adoration that are His due.
  • Sin has real consequences, but God's judgment always aims at conversion and restoration.

People in This Chapter

Jonathan6 mentionsDavid6 mentionsEzra5 mentionsJoshua5 mentionsJeremiah3 mentionsNathanael2 mentions

Reflection for Today

Sacred Scripture presents Nehemiah Chapter 12 as a unique stage in salvation history, not merely as background to other books.

St. John Damascene and other Fathers of the Church meditated on texts like this one, seeing in them instruction for the spiritual life. Nehemiah's leadership models faithful service (CIC 2578). The passage calls believers to grasp that God's work requires human cooperation.

Consider praying with this chapter again at day's end, offering God gratitude for one insight received. The Church encourages daily contact with Scripture (CIC 26) so that Christ's mind may be formed in us.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Nehemiah Chapter 12 about?

Nehemiah 12 contains 46 verses. It opens with "Now these are the priests and the Levites, that went up with Zorobabel the son of Salathiel, and Josue: Saraia,…" and closes with "And all Israel, in the days of Zorobabel, and in the days of Nehemiah gave portions to the singing men, and to the…". The book as a whole is memoir and historical narrative.

What is a key verse in Nehemiah 12?

One of the most significant verses is verse 1: "Now these are the priests and the Levites, that went up with Zorobabel the son of Salathiel, and Josue: Saraia, Jeremias, Esdras," It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who appears in Nehemiah Chapter 12?

This chapter mentions Jonathan, David, Ezra, Joshua, Jeremiah, among others.

Who wrote Nehemiah and when?

Based on the personal memoirs of Nehemiah; compiled with the Ezra traditions. About 430-400 BC.

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