Bible Strands
Nehemiah 11:17
Mattaniah son of Mica, the son of Zabdi, the son of Asaph, who led in thanksgiving and prayer; Bakbukiah, second among his associates; and Abda son of Shammua, the son of Galal, the son of Jeduthun.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Nehemiah records a census and organizational list for the returned exiles settling in Jerusalem, naming specific Levites assigned to temple duties.
The words — The Hebrew rōš (leader) designates Mattaniah’s official position over the worship team, while ben (son) structures the genealogical chain linking him to Asaph.
The thread — This roster parallels the temple musician lists in 1 Chronicles 9:15 and 16:4–6, which trace David’s earlier appointments of Levites to lead thanksgiving and praise before the ark.
Why it lands — The passage requires readers to recognize that post-exile worship continued the established Levitical order, demanding precise adherence to assigned roles rather than improvisation.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And Mattaniah the son of Micha, the son of Zabdi, the son of Asaph, was the principal to begin the thanksgiving in prayer: and Bakbukiah the second among his brethren, and Abda the son of Shammua, the son of Galal, the son of Jeduthun.
Cross-references
- 1 Chronicles 9:15 Bakbakkar, Heresh, Galal, and Mattaniah son of Mica, the son of Zichri, the son of Asaph;
- 1 Chronicles 16:4 David appointed some of the Levites to minister before the ark of the LORD, to celebrate, to give thanks, and to praise the LORD, the God of Israel.
- 1 Chronicles 16:41 With them were Heman, Jeduthun, and the rest of those chosen and designated by name to give thanks to the LORD, for “His loving devotion endures forever.”
- 1 Chronicles 25:1 Additionally, David and the commanders of the army set apart some of the sons of Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun to prophesy with the accompaniment of lyres, harps, and cymbals. The following is the list of the men who performed this service:
- Nehemiah 10:12 Zaccur, Sherebiah, Shebaniah,
- Nehemiah 12:8 The Levites were Jeshua, Binnui, Kadmiel, Sherebiah, Judah, and Mattaniah, who, with his associates, led the songs of thanksgiving.
- Nehemiah 12:25 Mattaniah, Bakbukiah, Obadiah, Meshullam, Talmon, and Akkub were gatekeepers who guarded the storerooms at the gates.
- Nehemiah 12:31 Then I brought the leaders of Judah up on the wall, and I appointed two great thanksgiving choirs. One was to proceed along the top of the wall to the right, toward the Dung Gate.
- Philippians 4:6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:17 Pray without ceasing.