King James Version

What Does Nehemiah 9:5 Mean?

Nehemiah 9:5 in the King James Version says “Then the Levites, Jeshua, and Kadmiel, Bani, Hashabniah, Sherebiah, Hodijah, Shebaniah, and Pethahiah, said, Stand up an...” — study this verse from Nehemiah chapter 9 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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 9:5 · KJV

Context

3

And they stood up in their place, and read in the book of the law of the LORD their God one fourth part of the day; and another fourth part they confessed, and worshipped the LORD their God.

4

Then stood up upon the stairs, of the Levites, Jeshua, and Bani, Kadmiel, Shebaniah, Bunni, Sherebiah, Bani, and Chenani, and cried with a loud voice unto the LORD their God. stairs: or, scaffold

5

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.

6

Thou, even thou, art LORD alone; thou hast made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth, and all things that are therein, the seas, and all that is therein, and thou preservest them all; and the host of heaven worshippeth thee.

7

Thou art the LORD the God, who didst choose Abram, and broughtest him forth out of Ur of the Chaldees, and gavest him the name of Abraham;

Read Nehemiah 9 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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.

This verse within Nehemiah 9 addresses themes of confession, God's faithfulness, corporate prayer, covenant history. Extended corporate prayer recounts God's faithfulness through Israel's history while honestly confessing persistent covenant violations. This passage demonstrates biblical principles applicable across both testaments—God's sovereignty combined with human responsibility, faith expressed through obedient action, and the necessity of both individual and corporate commitment to covenant faithfulness. Nehemiah models leadership that combines vision, prayer, courage, integrity, and perseverance amid sustained opposition.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Nehemiah's account occurs during Persian imperial dominance (539-331 BC), specifically 445-433 BC under Artaxerxes I. The spiritual reforms under Ezra and Nehemiah shaped Judaism for centuries, establishing Scripture's centrality and patterns of worship continuing into the intertestamental period and beyond. The Persian period was crucial transitional time when Jewish identity shifted from monarchical nationalism to Torah-centered covenantal community. Without political independence, the people's cohesion depended on shared scripture, temple worship, and covenant obedience. This established patterns persisting through the Second Temple period into New Testament times. Understanding this context illuminates Jesus's ministry among a people shaped by these reforms and challenges.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does regular engagement with Scripture transform understanding of God and His will for your life?
  2. What specific commitments do you need to make (or renew) regarding Bible reading, worship, and obedience?
  3. How can the principles demonstrated in this passage inform your response to current challenges in your life or church?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 27 words
וַיֹּֽאמְר֣וּ1 of 27

“said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

הַלְוִיִּ֡ם2 of 27

“Then the Levites”

H3881

a levite or descendant of levi

יֵשׁ֣וּעַ3 of 27

“Jeshua”

H3442

jeshua, the name of ten israelites, also of a place in palestine

וְ֠קַדְמִיאֵל4 of 27

“and Kadmiel”

H6934

kadmiel, the name of three israelites

בָּנִ֨י5 of 27

“Bani”

H1137

bani, the name of five israelites

חֲשַׁבְנְיָ֜ה6 of 27

“Hashabniah”

H2813

chashabnejah, the name of two israelites

שֵׁרֵֽבְיָ֤ה7 of 27

“Sherebiah”

H8274

sherebjah, the name of two israelites

הֽוֹדִיָּה֙8 of 27

“Hodijah”

H1941

hodijah, the name of three israelites

שְׁבַנְיָ֣ה9 of 27

“Shebaniah”

H7645

shebanjah, the name of three or four israelites

פְתַֽחְיָ֔ה10 of 27

“and Pethahiah”

H6611

pethachjah, the name of four israelites

ק֗וּמוּ11 of 27

“Stand up”

H6965

to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)

וִיבָֽרְכוּ֙12 of 27

“and bless”

H1288

to kneel; by implication to bless god (as an act of adoration), and (vice-versa) man (as a benefit); also (by euphemism) to curse (god or the king, as

אֶת13 of 27
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

יְהוָ֣ה14 of 27

“the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶ֔ם15 of 27

“your God”

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

מִן16 of 27
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

הָֽעוֹלָ֑ם17 of 27

“and ever”

H5769

properly, concealed, i.e., the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future), i.e., (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial

עַד18 of 27
H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

הָֽעוֹלָ֑ם19 of 27

“and ever”

H5769

properly, concealed, i.e., the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future), i.e., (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial

וִיבָֽרְכוּ֙20 of 27

“and bless”

H1288

to kneel; by implication to bless god (as an act of adoration), and (vice-versa) man (as a benefit); also (by euphemism) to curse (god or the king, as

שֵׁ֣ם21 of 27

“name”

H8034

an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character

כְּבוֹדֶ֔ךָ22 of 27

“be thy glorious”

H3519

properly, weight, but only figuratively in a good sense, splendor or copiousness

וּמְרוֹמַ֥ם23 of 27

“which is exalted”

H7311

to be high actively, to rise or raise (in various applications, literally or figuratively)

עַל24 of 27
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

כָּל25 of 27
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

בְּרָכָ֖ה26 of 27

“above all blessing”

H1293

benediction; by implication prosperity

וּתְהִלָּֽה׃27 of 27

“and praise”

H8416

laudation; specifically (concretely) a hymn

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Nehemiah. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Nehemiah 9:5 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Nehemiah 9:5 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Psalms 103:1-22 Corinthians 4:61 Peter 1:3Matthew 11:251 Chronicles 29:13Jeremiah 33:10-11

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