Nehemiah 11:23

For there was a command from the king concerning the singers, an ordinance regulating their daily activities.

Berean Standard Bible

Study note

Setting — Nehemiah records administrative arrangements for Jerusalem's repopulation and temple restoration. The verse addresses a royal decree governing the daily routine of the Levitical singers.

The words — The text highlights מִצְוַת הַמֶּלֶךְ (mitzvat hammelekh, "the king's command") and אֲמָנָה (amanah, "a firm ordinance") directed at the singers. These terms establish a binding royal regulation for their specific duties.

The thread — This royal oversight aligns with earlier provisions for temple personnel in 1 Chronicles 9:33 and Persian administrative decrees in Ezra 6:8 and Ezra 7:20. The pattern shows consistent external authority supporting worship infrastructure.

Why it lands — The verse establishes that institutional support and clear regulations are necessary for sustained worship. It requires readers to recognize that orderly provision enables faithful service.

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

כִּֽי־ki-for מִצְוַ֥תmitz.Vat[the] commandment of הַמֶּ֖לֶךְha./Me.lekhthe/ king עֲלֵיהֶ֑ם'a.lei./Hem[was] on/ them וַאֲמָנָ֥הva./'a.ma.Nahand/ a firm ordinance עַל־'al-[was] on הַמְשֹׁרְרִ֖יםha/m.sho.re.Rimthe/ singers דְּבַר־de.var-[the] matter of י֥וֹםYoma day בְּיוֹמֽוֹ׃be./yo.M/oin/ day/ its

King James Version

For it was the king’s commandment concerning them, that a certain portion should be for the singers, due for every day.

Cross-references

1 Chronicles 9:33 Those who were musicians, the heads of Levite families, stayed in the temple chambers and were exempt from other duties because they were on duty day and night.
Ezra 6:8 I hereby decree what you must do for these elders of the Jews who are rebuilding this house of God: The cost is to be paid in full to these men from the royal treasury out of the taxes of the provinces west of the Euphrates, so that the work will not be hindered.
Ezra 7:20 And if anything else is needed for the house of your God that you may have occasion to supply, you may pay for it from the royal treasury.
Nehemiah 12:47 So in the days of Zerubbabel and Nehemiah, all Israel contributed the daily portions for the singers and gatekeepers. They also set aside daily portions for the Levites, and the Levites set aside daily portions for the descendants of Aaron.