What Does Nehemiah 10:8 Mean in the King James?

Maaziah, Bilgai, Shemaiah: these were the priests.

Nehemiah 10:8 · KJV

The analysis reads the King James wording.

King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.

THE KEY

One of the priests’ names means “the LORD has heard,” so the roll call carries a message of hearing within it.

THE MEANING

Priestly service takes shape in named people, not only in an office. Shemaiah means “the LORD has heard,” placing the language of hearing inside this list of priests.

THE ROOT

שְׁמַעְיָה

Shemaiah

GROWS FROM

שמע

sh-m-ʿ

To hear, listen, or heed

The name carries the root ⁨שמע⁩ (shāmaʿ, hear or listen) alongside the divine name element, giving it the sense “the LORD has heard.” English leaves Shemaiah as a label; its Hebrew form lets hearing sound inside this list of priests.

ALSO GROWS

shāmaʿ: To hear, listen, or heed

שָׁמַע

This is the root within Shemaiah, so hearing is part of the name’s meaning.

shemuʿāh: A report or news, something heard

שְׁמוּעָה

The same root extends from listening to what is heard and carried onward.

THE PATTERN

Priestly service takes shape through named people set into a relationship of service, calling, and answer.

And take thou unto thee Aaron thy brother, and his sons with him, from among the children of Israel, that he may minister unto me in the priest’s office, even Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar, Aaron’s sons.

Exodus 28:1 · KJVNamed people are set into the work of priestly service.

Moses and Aaron among his priests, and Samuel among them that call upon his name; they called upon the LORD, and he answered them.

Psalm 99:6 · KJVPriests and those who call upon the LORD appear within a relationship of calling and answer.

For every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins:

Hebrews 5:1 · KJVThe priestly role is carried by a person serving in relation to both God and people.

THE THREAD

And the LORD came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth.

1 Samuel 3:10 · KJV

“Heareth” comes from ⁨שָׁמַע⁩ (shāmaʿ, hear or listen), the same root carried in Shemaiah’s name. Samuel’s answer makes hearing a live exchange: a call is met with response.

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