What Does Nehemiah 10:8 Mean?

Maaziah, Bilgai, Shemaiah, these were the priests.

Nehemiah 10:8 · SDV

Key words are shown with the Hebrew or Greek and what each word meant.

Selah Decoded Version The Selah Decoded Version renders what the Hebrew and Greek words meant to the people who first heard them.

This verse in the King James

King James wording

King James Version

Maaziah, Bilgai, Shemaiah: these were the priests.

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.

Bring near to you Aaron your brother, and his sons with him, from among the children of Israel, so that he may serve me as priest, Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar, Aaron's sons.

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

Moses and Aaron among his priests, and Samuel among those who call upon his nature; they call out to the LORD, and he answers them.

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

For every high priest taken from among humankind is set in place for humankind in the things toward God, that he may bring near both gifts and sacrifices for shortcomings.

Hebrews 5:1 · SDVThe 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 your servant hears and responds.

1 Samuel 3:10 · SDV

“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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