And the rest of the people, the priests, the Levites, the porters, the singers, the Nethinims, and all they that had separated themselves from the people of the lands unto the law of God, their wives, their sons, and their daughters, every one having knowledge, and having understanding;

NEHEMIAH 10:28KJV
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Nehemiah 10:28 (KJV)

What does Nehemiah 10:28 mean?

Nehemiah 10:28 describes how all the remaining people in Jerusalem—including priests, Levites, gatekeepers, singers, temple servants, and everyone who had separated themselves from the surrounding peoples to follow God’s law—joined together, along with their families, to commit themselves to God’s covenant. The verse emphasizes that this commitment included everyone who had the knowledge and understanding to make such a decision.

The setting is after the return from exile, as Nehemiah leads the people in renewing their commitment to God’s law. This verse lists the groups involved, showing that the covenant was not just for religious leaders but for all who understood what they were agreeing to, including women and children. The focus is on a united, informed community choosing to live by God’s instructions.

The Hebrew behind Nehemiah 10:28

  • "Separated" (בָּדַל, badal): This word means to set apart or distinguish. Here, it highlights that the people made a conscious choice to distance themselves from the customs of the surrounding nations in order to follow God’s law.
  • "Law" (תּוֹרָה, torah): This refers to God’s instruction or teaching, not just legal rules. The people were committing to live by the teachings given through Moses.
  • "Knowledge" (יָדַע, yada): This word means to know or understand. The verse stresses that only those capable of understanding the covenant were included, showing the importance of personal awareness in making this commitment.
  • "Understanding" (בִּין, bin): This word means insight or discernment. The verse points out that the decision to join the covenant was made by those who could truly grasp its meaning.

Why Nehemiah 10:28 matters

  • Nehemiah 10:28 clarifies that the covenant was not just a formality for leaders but a thoughtful, informed choice by the whole community, including families and anyone mature enough to understand.
  • The verse shows a clear break from the surrounding cultures, emphasizing the people’s distinct identity and dedication to God’s ways.
  • This verse connects to the larger context of Nehemiah, where the community is rebuilding not just the city walls but also their spiritual lives, centering themselves around God’s law.

Where else these words appear

“Nethinims” Hebrew H5411 · used in 15 verses

  • 1 Chronicles 9:2 Now the first inhabitants that dwelt in their possessions in their cities were, the Israelites, the priests, Levites, and the Nethinims.
  • Ezra 7:7 And there went up some of the children of Israel, and of the priests, and the Levites, and the singers, and the porters, and the Nethinims, unto Jerusalem, in the seventh year of Artaxerxes the king.
  • Nehemiah 7:46 The Nethinims: the children of Ziha, the children of Hashupha, the children of Tabbaoth,

“rest” Hebrew H7605 · used in 25 verses

  • 1 Chronicles 11:8 And he built the city round about, even from Millo round about: and Joab repaired the rest of the city.
  • Nehemiah 11:20 And the residue of Israel, of the priests, and the Levites, were in all the cities of Judah, every one in his inheritance.
  • Isaiah 11:16 And there shall be an highway for the remnant of his people, which shall be left, from Assyria; like as it was to Israel in the day that he came up out of the land of Egypt.

“porters” Hebrew H7778 · used in 37 verses

  • 2 Samuel 18:26 And the watchman saw another man running: and the watchman called unto the porter, and said, Behold another man running alone. And the king said, He also bringeth tidings.
  • 1 Chronicles 16:38 And Obededom with their brethren, threescore and eight; Obededom also the son of Jeduthun and Hosah to be porters:
  • Ezra 2:70 So the priests, and the Levites, and some of the people, and the singers, and the porters, and the Nethinims, dwelt in their cities, and all Israel in their cities.

“separated” Hebrew H914 · used in 40 verses

  • Genesis 1:4 And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness.
  • Numbers 8:14 Thus shalt thou separate the Levites from among the children of Israel: and the Levites shall be mine.
  • Ezra 6:21 And the children of Israel, which were come again out of captivity, and all such as had separated themselves unto them from the filthiness of the heathen of the land, to seek the LORD God of Israel, did eat,