Then the Levites, Jeshua, and Kadmiel, Bani, Hashabniah, Sherebiah, Hodijah, Shebaniah, and Pethahiah, said, Stand up and bless the LORD your God for ever and ever: and blessed be thy glorious name, which is exalted above all blessing and praise.

NEHEMIAH 9:5KJV
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Nehemiah 9:5 (KJV)

What does Nehemiah 9:5 mean?

Nehemiah 9:5 describes a group of Levites calling the people to stand up and praise the LORD their God, declaring that God's glorious name is blessed and lifted higher than any blessing or praise people could offer. The verse highlights the act of public worship and the recognition that God's greatness surpasses all human words and honors.

In this scene, several named Levites—Jeshua, Kadmiel, Bani, Hashabniah, Sherebiah, Hodijah, Shebaniah, and Pethahiah—address the gathered Israelites during a time of communal confession and worship. The Levites urge everyone to rise and honor God, emphasizing that God's name (reputation and character) is far above anything people can express. This moment sets the tone for the long prayer that follows in the chapter, focusing the people's attention on God's unmatched majesty.

The Hebrew behind Nehemiah 9:5

  • "Bless" (בָּרַךְ, barakh): This word means to speak well of or to praise. Here, it is a call to publicly honor God, not just privately appreciate Him.
  • "LORD" (יְהוָה, YHWH): This is the personal name of God in the Hebrew Bible, emphasizing God's unique identity and covenant relationship with Israel.
  • "Glorious" (כָּבוֹד, kavod): This word means "weight" or "honor," pointing to God's majesty and significance. The Levites are saying that God's reputation is heavy with honor, beyond what anyone could add.
  • "Exalted" (רוּם, rum): This means to be lifted up or raised high. The Levites stress that God's name is set far above any human attempt to praise or bless.

Why Nehemiah 9:5 matters

  • Nehemiah 9:5 shows that worship in Israel was not just individual but led by leaders who guided the community in how to honor God together.
  • The verse clarifies that no matter how much people praise God, His greatness always exceeds their best efforts, which keeps the focus on God's unmatched worth.
  • By naming the Levites, the verse connects this act of worship to a specific moment in Israel's history, grounding the prayer that follows in real people and real events.

Where else these words appear

“Hashabniah” Hebrew H2813 · used in 2 verses

  • Nehemiah 3:10 And next unto them repaired Jedaiah the son of Harumaph, even over against his house. And next unto him repaired Hattush the son of Hashabniah.

“Pethahiah” Hebrew H6611 · used in 4 verses

  • 1 Chronicles 24:16 The nineteenth to Pethahiah, the twentieth to Jehezekel,
  • Ezra 10:23 Also of the Levites; Jozabad, and Shimei, and Kelaiah,(the same is Kelita,) Pethahiah, Judah, and Eliezer.
  • Nehemiah 11:24 And Pethahiah the son of Meshezabeel, of the children of Zerah the son of Judah, was at the king's hand in all matters concerning the people.

“Hodijah” Hebrew H1941 · used in 5 verses

  • Nehemiah 8:7 Also Jeshua, and Bani, and Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodijah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, and the Levites, caused the people to understand the law: and the people stood in their place.
  • Nehemiah 10:10 And their brethren, Shebaniah, Hodijah, Kelita, Pelaiah, Hanan,
  • Nehemiah 10:13 Hodijah, Bani, Beninu.

“Shebaniah” Hebrew H7645 · used in 7 verses

  • 1 Chronicles 15:24 And Shebaniah, and Jehoshaphat, and Nethaneel, and Amasai, and Zechariah, and Benaiah, and Eliezer, the priests, did blow with the trumpets before the ark of God: and Obededom and Jehiah were doorkeepers for the ark.
  • Nehemiah 10:4 Hattush, Shebaniah, Malluch,
  • Nehemiah 10:12 Zaccur, Sherebiah, Shebaniah,