Nehemiah 10:1-27

The Signers of the Covenant

v. 1. Now, those that sealed were, literally, "those on the sealings," that is, the names of those appearing on the sealed documents: Nehemiah, the Tirshatha, he being the first signer, not only by virtue of his office as the representative of the Persian monarch, but also on account of his own individual zeal for the cause, the son of Hachaliah, and Zidkijah;

v. 2. Seraiah, Azariah, Jeremiah,

v. 3. Pashur, Amariah, Malchijah,

v. 4. Hattush, Shebaniah, Malluch,

v. 6. Harim, Meremoth, Obadiah,

v. 6. Daniel, Ginnethon, Baruch,

v. 7. Meshullam, Abijah, Mijamin,

v. 8. Maaziah, Bilgai, Shemaiah. These were the priests. Throughout the list there is little value in attempting to identify these men, for most of them are common names and were not confined to any one family.

v. 9. And the Levites: both Jeshua, the son of Azaniah, Binnui, of the sons of Henadad, Kadmiel,

v. 10. and their brethren: Shebaniah, Hodijah, Kelita, Pelaiah, Hauan,

v. 11. Micha, Rehob, Hashabiah,

v. 12. Zaccur, Sherebiah, Shebaniah,

v. 13. Hodijah, Rant, Beninu. Some of these at least are identical with the Levites named in Nehemiah 9:4-Deuteronomy :.

v. 14. The chief of the people, the elders who represented the entire nation: Parosh, Pahath-moab, Elam, Zatthu, Bani,

v. 15. Bunni, Azgad, Rebai,

v. 16. Adonijah, Bigvai, Adin,

v. 17. Ater, Hizkijah, Azzur,

v. 18. Hodijah, Hashum, Bezai,

v. 19. Hariph, Anathoth, Nebai,

v. 20. Magpiash, Meshullam, Hesir,

v. 21. Meshesabeel, Zadok, Jaddua,

v. 22. Pelatiah, Hanan, Anaiah,

v. 23. Hoshea, Hananiah, Hashub,

v. 24. Hallohesh, Pileha, Shobek,

v. 25. Rehum, Hashabnah, Maaseiah,

v. 26. and Ahijah, Hanan, Anan,

v. 27. Malluch, Harim, Baanah, some of whom took a very prominent part in the affairs of the people. As these eighty-three heads of families subscribed the covenant for the congregation, so the voting members of a Christian congregation assume the responsibility for the preaching of the Word and pledge their support by signing the constitution.