Bible Strands
Nehemiah 9:4
And the Levites—Jeshua, Bani, Kadmiel, Shebaniah, Bunni, Sherebiah, Bani, and Chenani—stood on the raised platform and cried out in a loud voice to the LORD their God.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The Levites Jeshua, Bani, Kadmiel, Shebaniah, Bunni, Sherebiah, Bani, and Chenani address the community immediately after a quarter-day of Torah reading and confession (Nehemiah 9:3).
The words — וַיָּקָם (va.ya.qom) translates as "and he stood," while מַעֲלֶה (ma.'a.leh) means "raised platform," describing the physical posture and location chosen for public address.
The thread — This structural pattern of Levites standing to lead corporate worship appears in Nehemiah 8:7 during the public Torah reading and in 2 Chronicles 20:19 when Levites stand to praise before military engagement.
Why it lands — The text records a deliberate physical stance preceding vocal proclamation, requiring the reader to acknowledge that corporate worship in this context demands active positioning and unified vocal commitment rather than passive attendance.
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
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.
Cross-references
- Nehemiah 8:7 The Levites—Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, and Pelaiah—instructed the people in the Law as they stood in their places.
- 2 Chronicles 20:19 And the Levites from the Kohathites and Korahites stood up to praise the LORD, the God of Israel, shouting in a very loud voice.
- Nehemiah 9:5 Then the Levites—Jeshua, Kadmiel, Bani, Hashabneiah, Sherebiah, Hodiah, Shebaniah, and Pethahiah—said, “Stand up and bless the LORD your God from everlasting to everlasting: Blessed be Your glorious name, and may it be exalted above all blessing and praise.
- Nehemiah 10:9 The Levites: Jeshua son of Azaniah, Binnui of the sons of Henadad, Kadmiel,
- Nehemiah 12:8 The Levites were Jeshua, Binnui, Kadmiel, Sherebiah, Judah, and Mattaniah, who, with his associates, led the songs of thanksgiving.
- Psalms 3:4 To the LORD I cry aloud, and He answers me from His holy mountain. Selah
- Psalms 77:1 For the choirmaster. According to Jeduthun. A Psalm of Asaph. I cried out to God; I cried aloud to God to hear me.
- Psalms 130:1 A song of ascents. Out of the depths I cry to You, O LORD!
- Lamentations 3:8 Even when I cry out and plead for help, He shuts out my prayer.
- John 11:43 After Jesus had said this, He called out in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!”