Nehemiah 12:13 (KJV)

What does Nehemiah 12:13 mean?

Nehemiah 12:13 lists two pairs of names, identifying Meshullam as the descendant or representative of Ezra, and Jehohanan as the descendant or representative of Amariah. This verse is part of a genealogical record of priestly families during Nehemiah’s time.

Nehemiah is recording the leaders of priestly families who served after the return from exile in Babylon. The verse is part of a longer list, showing the continuity of priestly lines and who was responsible for each family group. This helps establish the legitimacy and order of the priests serving in Jerusalem’s rebuilt temple.

Where else these words appear

“Jehohanan” Hebrew H3076 · used in 9 verses

1 Chronicles 26:3 Elam the fifth, Jehohanan the sixth, Elioenai the seventh.
2 Chronicles 23:1 And in the seventh year Jehoiada strengthened himself, and took the captains of hundreds, Azariah the son of Jeroham, and Ishmael the son of Jehohanan, and Azariah the son of Obed, and Maaseiah the son of Adaiah, and Elishaphat the son of Zichri, into covenant with him.
Ezra 10:28 Of the sons also of Bebai; Jehohanan, Hananiah, Zabbai, and Athlai.

“Amariah” Hebrew H568 · used in 14 verses

1 Chronicles 6:7 Meraioth begat Amariah, and Amariah begat Ahitub,
1 Chronicles 24:23 And the sons of Hebron; Jeriah the first, Amariah the second, Jahaziel the third, Jekameam the fourth.
Ezra 10:42 Shallum, Amariah, and Joseph.

“Ezra” Hebrew H5830 · used in 22 verses

Ezra 7:1 Now after these things, in the reign of Artaxerxes king of Persia, Ezra the son of Seraiah, the son of Azariah, the son of Hilkiah,
Ezra 10:6 Then Ezra rose up from before the house of God, and went into the chamber of Johanan the son of Eliashib: and when he came thither, he did eat no bread, nor drink water: for he mourned because of the transgression of them that had been carried away.
Nehemiah 8:6 And Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God. And all the people answered, Amen, Amen, with lifting up their hands: and they bowed their heads, and worshipped the LORD with their faces to the ground.

“Meshullam” Hebrew H4918 · used in 25 verses

2 Kings 22:3 And it came to pass in the eighteenth year of king Josiah, that the king sent Shaphan the son of Azaliah, the son of Meshullam, the scribe, to the house of the LORD, saying,
2 Chronicles 34:12 And the men did the work faithfully: and the overseers of them were Jahath and Obadiah, the Levites, of the sons of Merari; and Zechariah and Meshullam, of the sons of the Kohathites, to set it forward; and other of the Levites, all that could skill of instruments of musick.
Nehemiah 8:4 And Ezra the scribe stood upon a pulpit of wood, which they had made for the purpose; and beside him stood Mattithiah, and Shema, and Anaiah, and Urijah, and Hilkiah, and Maaseiah, on his right hand; and on his left hand, Pedaiah, and Mishael, and Malchiah, and Hashum, and Hashbadana, Zechariah, and Meshullam.