Rehum, Hashabnah, Maaseiah,

NEHEMIAH 10:25KJV
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Nehemiah 10:25 (KJV)

What does Nehemiah 10:25 mean?

Nehemiah 10:25 lists the names Rehum, Hashabnah, and Maaseiah as part of a group of people who made a binding agreement to follow God’s law. This verse is one line in a longer list of signatories who pledged themselves to the covenant described earlier in the chapter.

The book of Nehemiah records how the Jewish community, recently returned from exile, publicly committed themselves to obeying God’s commands. Nehemiah 10 contains the names of leaders and representatives who signed this agreement. The verse itself does not give details about these individuals, but their inclusion shows the communal and representative nature of the covenant renewal.

The Hebrew behind Nehemiah 10:25

  • רְחוּם (Reḥum, H7348): This name means “compassion” or “mercy.” Its presence here simply identifies one of the signers, but the meaning may have been significant to the original audience.
  • חֲשַׁבְנָה (Ḥashabnah, H2812): This name is less common and its meaning is uncertain, but it is included as a unique individual among the covenant signers.
  • מַעֲשֵׂיָה (Maʿaseyah, H4641): This name means “work of the LORD” or “Yahweh’s deed.” It was a common name in post-exilic times, and its meaning may reflect the community’s focus on God’s actions and faithfulness.

Why Nehemiah 10:25 matters

  • Nehemiah 10:25 helps show that the covenant was not just a private or individual act, but a public, communal commitment involving many leaders.
  • Including specific names like Rehum, Hashabnah, and Maaseiah emphasizes accountability and the seriousness of the agreement, as these individuals represented families or groups.
  • This verse, as part of the larger list, connects the reader to the historical reality of the returned exiles and their efforts to rebuild both their city and their spiritual life.

Where else these words appear

“Rehum” Hebrew H7348 · used in 8 verses

  • Ezra 2:2 Which came with Zerubbabel: Jeshua, Nehemiah, Seraiah, Reelaiah, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispar, Bigvai, Rehum, Baanah. The number of the men of the people of Israel:
  • Ezra 4:9 Then wrote Rehum the chancellor, and Shimshai the scribe, and the rest of their companions; the Dinaites, the Apharsathchites, the Tarpelites, the Apharsites, the Archevites, the Babylonians, the Susanchites, the Dehavites, and the Elamites,
  • Ezra 4:23 Now when the copy of king Artaxerxes' letter was read before Rehum, and Shimshai the scribe, and their companions, they went up in haste to Jerusalem unto the Jews, and made them to cease by force and power.

“Maaseiah” Hebrew H4641 · used in 23 verses

  • 1 Chronicles 15:18 And with them their brethren of the second degree, Zechariah, Ben, and Jaaziel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehiel, and Unni, Eliab, and Benaiah, and Maaseiah, and Mattithiah, and Elipheleh, and Mikneiah, and Obededom, and Jeiel, the porters.
  • Ezra 10:21 And of the sons of Harim; Maaseiah, and Elijah, and Shemaiah, and Jehiel, and Uzziah.
  • Nehemiah 11:7 And these are the sons of Benjamin; Sallu the son of Meshullam, the son of Joed, the son of Pedaiah, the son of Kolaiah, the son of Maaseiah, the son of Ithiel, the son of Jesaiah.