“The musicians also were brought together from the region around Jerusalem—from the villages of the Netophathites, from Beth Gilgal, and from the area of Geba and Azmaveth, for the musicians had built villages for themselves around Jerusalem. When the priests and Levites had purified themselves ceremonially, they purified the people, the gates and the wall.”
Nehemiah 12:28-30
Last time we saw the Levites being brought from where they lived to celebrate the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem. Today we see the musicians and priests involved.
First up is the musicians, or, more literally, the sons of the singers (shir). This word means to sing, song leaders, behold. And the phrase gathered together is our familiar asaph – to gather, collect, all together, assemble, rear guard. Which makes sense as what’s a party without music?
But they were also to lead the people in song. And in Temple, the purpose would be worship. To behold again the Most High Who had performed miracles to bring them to this moment. We need to be led there, don’t we? To see clearly again what the hard work on the wall was for, Who had helped them, and to set it apart for His purposes.
I wish I didn’t need help remembering, always set my gaze where it belongs. But I do; we do. And we need reminding even if we’ve been reminded before. What better way than through lyrics and psalms, hymns and choruses? Music to stir our senses, transcend our situations?
The next section is very straight forward: the musicians were brought from regions around Jerusalem. Regions around is kikkar – a round, a round district, a round loaf, a round weight, a talent (a measure of weight or money) cake. Which is no big deal, it just means round. Except for how the name of one of the musicians’ villages mentioned is Beth Gilgal, meaning “circle of stones, a wheel;” It’s a form of galgal – a whirl, whirlwind, heaven, rolling thing.
Something about the round, circular, wheel, and whirlwind gives me pause. Especially recently after our area was hit with a tornado. No one was harmed, but the massive, whirling wind caused serious damage.
And I just happen to love one of the areas in which the musicians built for themselves a village has its root in the word heaven.
Another definition which may intrigue you is Azmaveth which means “strong one of death,” from az (strong, mighty, fierce) and maveth (death). Makes you wonder who named this region such. Likely those who worshipped the Most High knew He was the decider of people’s destinies, and yet, Strong One of death has such a different meaning in light of the resurrection, doesn’t it?
Oh, it still matters, death. I say this during a week when our nation is once again grieving mass shootings. This is not how it was meant to be and we know it. But death doesn’t get to boss us around in fear anymore. We neither have to rush through grief because of it, nor give in to despair in light of it.
Our final section says, “When the priests and Levites had purified themselves ceremonially, they purified the people, the gates and the wall.”
Here we see our Levites from last time. They and the priests were required to be ceremonially clean, worthy to lead others into God’s presence. Remember, they hadn’t had Temple or the Law for a generation. Now that they knew what was required of them, they took it seriously.
The word for purified here is taher – becomes clean, pronounce him clean, pure, purge, purified, purifier. And not just them; this purification also included the people (am – folk), the gates, and wall. It was all meant to be set apart for Him.
We can no longer pretend that the divisions among believers have no consequences. That extreme ideology and scarcity mentality – over Creator providing for creation or provision for all humanity – don’t scar our souls. It’s not that we have to line up exactly on every single point, it’s that we won’t even listen or take heed of how we’re reaping what we collectively sow.
May we be willing to let him purge what needs purging, remembering we belong to the Kingdom of a sacrificial Savior.
“At the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem, the Levites were sought out from where they lived and were brought to Jerusalem to celebrate joyfully the dedication with songs of thanksgiving and with the music of cymbals, harps and lyres.”
Nehemiah 12:27
Last time we saw who was watching over the storerooms of offerings, thankful that we can’t out-give God and He makes us doers of His Word. Today we see the wall being dedicated to Yahweh.
Dedication comes from a word that is likely familiar: chanukah – dedication, consecration; from chanak – to train up, properly “to narrow,” to initiate.
Frankly, in this season of busyness, this concept of narrowing sounds luxurious. I want to lean into the ways He is setting our family apart, training us up to focus on what is most important.
How about you? None of us can do all the things well, and we certainly can’t do everything. But we can be set apart in this difficult but dazzling world to do what He’s made us to do.
And that’s the verb behind this time set aside specifically for praising God for the wall being built. Not that stones and timber were worthy of worship, but the sacredness of God’s presence in Jerusalem was.
You’ll be pleased to know that the word wall means…wall. Smile. But what’s interesting is it comes from cham – husband’s father/father-in-law.
It is not lost on me that the first time I saw my husband’s step-father since my dad’s funeral, I involuntarily began crying. He was dressed in dad clothes, holding his new camera, and there was something calming about his presence. I don’t understand the etymology of why the Hebrew word wall would come from father-in-law, but I’m not going to lie – I like the image.
Next we see who was at this wall dedication. It was the Levites, the Temple workers, who were sought out for it. Sought here is baqash – to seek, aim, beg, concerned, demand, eager, inquired, plead, pursuit, request, ask, beseech, procure; to search out by any method, specifically in worship or prayer.
Well, I definitely prefer pursue, inquire, eager, seek, and ask more than beg, demand, plead. But the truth is we do all that with our Father, yes?
I’m grateful to be invited into such an honest relationship with One Who knows what it’s like to walk on this earth. Who hears every polite request and desperate plea with love. I want my life to look like the latter part of this definition: to seek specifically in worship and prayer. To increasingly let go of my human means for demanding this world meet my needs, and simply ask my Savior. It is not by might, nor by power.
The Levites were sought out because they weren’t already in Temple. I’m not sure if they were in surrounding villages or in their homes in Jerusalem, but either way, they were rounded up from where they lived (maqom – a standing place, direction, ground, place suitable, position, home, space).
And for those whose job description has varied from offering sacrifices to interpreting Scripture to give the sense to the people, it is one more breath of fresh air to realize why they were being gathered: to celebrate joyfully with songs of thanksgiving.
Celebrate is asah – accomplish, do, make, advance, appoint, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy.
And thanksgiving is todah – choir, confession, hymns of thanksgiving, praise, sacrifices of thanksgiving, thank offering; from yadah; properly, an extension of the hand: avowal or adoration; specifically, a choir of worshippers — confession, sacrifice of praise.
And once again we have a beautiful combination of resting and doing; of thanking the Only One worthy and bearing fruit in our lives; of lifting our hands in confession and praise while seeking justice, loving mercy, and walking humbly.
On this Easter Sunday – this Resurrection Day – there is no greater joy than praising Him for overcoming death. May we celebrate by asking and joining Him in bringing forth His Kingdom come, His will done, every place we walk.
“Mattaniah, Bakbukiah, Obadiah, Meshullam, Talmon and Akkub were gatekeepers who guarded the storerooms at the gates.
They served in the days of Joiakim son of Joshua, the son of Jozadak, and in the days of Nehemiah the governor and of Ezra the priest, the teacher of the Law.”
Nehemiah 12:25-26
Last time we saw the Levite leaders giving praise to Yah, one group responding to the other in worship. Today we continue on with our verses which point to dates – this time with who were gatekeepers, the governor, and priest.
The names listed in these verses have all been seen in the last chapter of Nehemiah, but we’ll highlight one: Talmon, a gatekeeper. His name is from chargol – a kind of locust, oppressive; and charag – to quake, to come trembling.
An interesting name for someone appointed to gate keep in God’s house. So many things come to mind when I see this definition of oppressive, like a swarm of locusts devouring all, leaving a landscape decimated. Things like civilians, human souls precious in the sight of their Creator, fallen on the streets, victims of an oppressive war with no purpose. Children everywhere needing some kind of assurance they aren’t alone, only to find the adults in their life too overwhelmed to help. Trauma and cycles of generational sin and so many deaths. My own sin and pride and quaking fear.
But the good news is it can keep us dependent. As a friend just said to me today, “I want to go see Jesus still clinging to Him. I don’t ever want to forget what He’s done for me.” Yes, Lord. When we quake at the vastness of evil, the oppressiveness of the enemy of all our souls, may we be found trembling before You.
So Talmon and his associates were charged with guarding at the gates. Guarded or keeping the watch is from the root words shamar and mishmar. Shamar means to keep, watch, preserve; attend, being careful, bodyguard, give heed, keeper, perform, preserve, protect, regard, secured, take care, take heed, waits, watch, look narrowly, observe; and we saw mishmar last time which means “confinement, jail, guard, observance.”
They were to carefully bodyguard, protect, watch narrowly this confined area. And what was the specified area?
Storerooms, asoph, meaning “a supply of provisions, a collection of offerings; from asaph – to gather, remove, assemble.”
Their job was to bodyguard the provisions for Temple. The offerings of animals, grains, flour, crops the people were giving back to the Provider of all.
“Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse,
that there may be food in my house.
Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open
the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing
that there will not be room enough to store it.”
Malachi 3:10
Don’t worry, we’ll get to hear more from Malachi as we get closer to Nehemiah chapter 13. But here he has something to say about these storerooms the men like Talmon were to carefully bodyguard. They were to be full, representative of all God had done in their lives. A giving back to the Giver, a trust in the promise to never be able to out-give Him.
And for the first time in a minute, we see the names of our two main leaders listed: Nehemiah the governor (whose name means “Yah Comforts”) and Ezra the priest and teacher of the Law (whose name means “Help.”)
Isn’t it nice to get back to the leaders we’ve known since the start? Our Comforting Governor and Helping Priest. Such great names, yes?
We have seen priest (kohen) on here recently, so let’s pay attention to Teacher of the Law. It is saphar, meaning “to recount, relate, assigned, declare, measure, number, proclaim, relate, taken account,” and is the denominative verb of sepher – a missive, document, writing, book.
I looked up what denominative verb is, and it means “from the name/derived from the noun or adjective.” So to blanket the landscape with snow, the verb of blanketing comes from the noun blanket. And here, the verb for scribe (saphar) came from the word for document (sepher). Scribing, recounting, proclaiming, taking account because of a writing.
Scribes were scholars who taught the Scriptures. We last saw Ezra in this role in Nehemiah 8 as he stood on a platform declaring the Law to a people who didn’t know they had broken it.
Any time we are put face to face with the living Word of God, we have the opportunity to become verbs of it. Doers of the Word, not merely hearers. Those so caught up in the just and loving God about Whom the Scriptures point, their entire lives become about Him and His movement and His worth.
“The family heads of the Levites in the days of Eliashib, Joiada, Johanan and Jaddua, as well as those of the priests, were recorded in the reign of Darius the Persian. The family heads among the descendants of Levi up to the time of Johanan son of Eliashib were recorded in the book of the annals. And the leaders of the Levites were Hashabiah, Sherebiah, Jeshua son of Kadmiel, and their associates, who stood opposite them to give praise and thanksgiving, one section responding to the other, as prescribed by David the man of God.”
Nehemiah 12:22-24
Last time we finished up the names of the priestly family heads, thankful our God knows all, is the Author of depth and justice, yet vulnerably gave Himself to the world. Today we see the family heads and leaders of the Levites obeying their instructions from David in their Temple roles.
But first we deal with dates. This section begins when it was written down (kathab – decreed, describe, record, registered):
In the reign (malkuth: royalty, royal power, kingdom, rule, sovereignty, throne) of Darius the Persian.
The other date reference is to whom is in charge of the temple: “in the days of Eliashib, Joiada, Johanan and Jaddua…Hashabiah, Sherebiah, Jeshua son of Kadmiel…”
I appreciate how these ancient records referred to who was in charge both in the broader region and in the returned exiles’ specific city and Temple.
“…Mattaniah, who, together with his associates, was in charge of the songs of thanksgiving.
Bakbukiah and Unni, their associates, stood opposite them in the services.”
Sounds a lot like “And the leaders…and their associates, who stood opposite them to give praise and thanksgiving, one section responding to the other…”
The word for associates is ach (brother, alike, another, companions, countrymen, fellow, kinsmen), but the word for stood opposite is neged (in front of, in sight of, opposite to, against, aloof, away, before, broad, demoralized, distance, other side, presence resist, risked).
I really, really like this word picture – brothers and companions representing opposite sides, taking risks, yet loving one another. Lord knows we see the reverse going on regularly. Those of us united in Christ because of His blood, yet distancing ourselves from other believers with whom we see things opposite. I get it, though, I really do. So often things that can cause us to be aloof with each other are highly important. Even spine issues, those required for gospel understanding and a wholistic picture of His Word.
And, yet, we can always be kind. We can choose to clothe ourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. We can take off our old self and put on the new self that is being remade in His likeness. Even on issues which matter deeply.
Because, just like our two sections in Temple, the point is to give Yahweh praise (halal – to shine, boast self, celebrate, commend, foolish glory, give light, to be clear [orig. of sound, but usually of color]; to make a show, to boast; to rave; to celebrate; commend, give (light), praise, rage, renowned). The goal is to make a big deal of His worth, not a show of our rage. To celebrate His steadfast love and faithfulness, not to boast in ourselves and opinions.
This morning we took a short walk, and the first thing we heard was a woodpecker across the street. As we continued, we realized there was another around the corner. One would peck, silence, then the other would peck. While our family does not know if woodpeckers respond to each other in their actions, it certainly made clear the rainbow of color of our Creator for us!
And that’s beauty of it in our verses here – these opposite groups are to respond to the other in worship. Group is mishmar (place of confinement, jail, prison, guard, watch, observance), and alternating is ummah (close by, side by side with).
These Levite leaders were to watch and observe God moving, then, side by side with others doing the same thing, make the Most High shine, rave of His goodness, and give light to those who don’t know Him. What a challenge to us today. It would look the opposite of our positions being a prison for others.
And the reason these leaders and their brothers were to do such tasks? It was prescribed (mitsvah – command, obligation, tradition) by David, the man of God (ish haelohim – of God, with God, in the sight of God).
Last time we continued on with the priestly family heads, thankful His right hand is powerful, Yah is our Father, and we get to help each other remember. Today we finish up these priestly names.
Up first is Joiarib, whose name means “The LORD contends” from Yah and rib – to strive, contend, argue, complain, find fault, judge, plead your case, quarrel, reprimanded, adversary, chide, debate, ever, lay wait, plea, grapple, wrangle.
Speaking of judging and pleading a case, we’ve been talking about the difference between equality, equity, and justice in school this week and last. You may have seen this image?
Source
It’s been interesting talking with 3rd graders about these ideas. Most of us adults are still wrestling (grappling, wrangling) with such things. But even young minds can grasp these concepts. I desperately want my classroom to be a place where students are given what they need to be successful (equity) and where justice is done (things hindering their growth and learning are removed). But like most things, I cannot do it all by myself. I rely on incredible people to fill in where I lack. Maybe you do, too?
In this case, the One judging, contending, laying in wait is Yahweh Himself. And with perfect character, it is never in a fault-finding, argumentative way – simply an offer of liberation and living as we’re meant to: selflessly yet joyously.
The only One Whom we will stand before when all is said and done cries:
But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!
Amos 5:24
May we as His Body ensure we are not striving or contending against such a powerful God.
Mattenai is next, a name from mattan – liberal, a gift, reward (from nathan like last time: give, to commit, entrust, set, wholly, yield). With words like liberal and conservative part of regular civil discourse these days, it’s interesting to see someone whose name means “liberal.”
But that’s one of my favorite parts of our Savior. He doesn’t just love a cheerful giver, He is one! He is liberal in His gifts, wholeheartedly showering us with more than we can ask or imagine. We get to reflect such a generous, open-handed love.
Jedaiah is next, which means “Yah has known” from Yah and yada – personal knowledge, know intimately, know for certain, well aware, clearly understand, experience, surely teach, bring forth, chosen.
As believers, we often talk of wanting to know God intimately, know for certain His will, clearly understand and experience Him and His Word. How delightful He is the One Who knows! So intimately, so certain, does He know everything: from the outcome of the international conflicts, the impacts of policy, and every word before you personally speak it.
Indeed, He is well aware, friends. May that make us the opposite of apathetic or lazy. In fact, let’s allow our next priestly head help us out here: it is Uzzi, which means “forceful” from azaz – to be strong, brazen, bold, mighty, prevail, show self strong, stout.
Brazen is the only synonym here that seems to have a negative connotation in my mind. Which makes sense, as it refers to a harsh or loud sound, relating to something made of brass.
I have seen much on social media and the news about Zelensky’s leadership right now. I don’t know enough about him or Ukraine to speak with much historical insight, but it does indeed seem he is exhibiting bold and strong leadership sans posturing machismo. That appears to be the difference between brazen and bold, acting mighty versus showing actual strength, willing to resist.
How about us? How do we live out forceful in the Spirit of the One Who embodied power restrained? Yet Who fights on behalf of those being trampled upon? Speaking of which…
Sallu is the next family listed, a name which comes from calah – to reject, make light of, toss aside, tread under foot, to hang up/weigh. Don’t you find the weighing part interesting? I picture old school grocery store scales, or larger ones at a butcher’s.
What do we think weighing has to do with treading under foot? Perhaps not much if the item weighed is already deemed valuable. But if weighed then tossed aside and rejected, that’s another story.
May we shudder to think of tossing aside any person or group of people for Whom Jesus died and Yahweh will take up for.
Kallai is Sallu’s family head, a name which comes from qalal – to be slight, swift, trifling, abate, make bright, bring into contempt, accurse, despise, be easy. This one, especially slight and swift, seem like the opposite of Uzzi’s name, forceful and stout. And what of contempt and accurse? And abate, make bright, trifling, be easy?
I’m picturing those two sets of synonyms together: the way something meant to bring destruction instead suddenly abated, made easy. Like a threatening storm making way to the brightness of sun.
Prayers that such things the world over would come to pass.
Amok is the next family name, which means “deep” from amoq – have or make depth, seek deeply, be profound.
I often think of deep understanding in teaching school. It is one thing for a student to know how to answer a specific question, another to apply the concept to a variety of situations. One is to know, the other to know deeply.
I have long loved the verse “Deep calls to deep in the roar of your waterfalls…” Sometimes the only thing to get us from a surface level of knowing to deeply understanding is suffering. Taking our suddenly undeniable need for God to Him and seeing Him come through. Though we’d be psychologically unhealthy to wish for suffering, we can press in when it undoubtedly comes, knowing the depth of love into which He can plunge us is worth it.
And it might make you smile that I read this in Psalms this morning:
O Lord, what great works you do! And how deep are your thoughts.
Psalm 92:5 NLT
He is the ultimate in profundity.
Amok’s family head is Eber, which means “region beyond” and is the same as eber – region across, beyond, beside, straight, against, from, passage, quarter, other. Also from abar – alienate, pass on, pass by, alter, bring over, through, carry over, meddle, overrun, make partition, proclaim, perish, provoke to anger, put away, rage, raiser of taxes, remove, send over, sweet smelling, translate, turn away, (way-)faring man, be wrath.
That’s a lot of synonyms. They all seem to point toward the “other” to me. How about you? Those in the region over there, beyond, across. In a way that is either negative (alienate, meddle, overrun, perish, provoke to anger, and raiser of taxes – which made me smile) or kind of a nuisance (passage, carry over, send over, turn away, put away.)
Can’t help but think of refugees in this definition, particularly with those fleeing right now. But, as others have been pointing out, it would be hard to be a nation which do not get as much press as a European country might, but have just as great a need.
No matter our personal perspective and geographical location, there is no other to God. His entire creation, made specifically to worship before His throne in every tribe and tongue’s unique way, is made with dignity in His image.
Hilkiah is the next family name, meaning “My portion is Yah.” And the family head listed is Hashabiah, a name we’ve seen in Nehemiah 3, 11, 12. It means “Yah has taken account” from Yah and chashab – intelligent, to think, account, calculate, consider, determine, devise, esteem, intend, meant, mindful, planned, plot, regard, scheme, skillful, think, cunning, fabricate, contrive in malicious sense.
To skillfully plot brings to mind advanced math, determining trajectories and calculating figures. And yet Yah already knows it all. No need for cunning, fabricating, or contriving. He simply is mindful of every last detail, esteeming those He created, and taking it all into account in perfect immediacy.
Jedaiah is our final family name, which we saw earlier in our verses. So we will end with our family head, Nethanel, which means “given of God” from el and nathan (from last time) – give, to commit, entrust, set, wholly, yield.
The el here is a different title for God than Yahweh. It refers to strength, the Almighty One, rather than Covenant-Maker, Covenant-Keeper. And this Most High has wholly entrusted, yielded His very self, even to those who have never heard of Him.
The Gospel is so precious because of its vulnerability. While Jesus was no fool and didn’t entrust Himself to those untrustworthy, His death was for every single soul. We don’t get to point out an other or look down at anyone when the God-Man is bleeding from a cross because of what we all did and will do – collectively and individually. This precious gift is offered to us, set before us as an invitation and an opportunity to die as well.
Last time we looked at priestly family names, this time reveling that He sets us apart for His Name and delights in us. Today we continue on with these lineages.
We will begin in verse 17 with Abijah, as we have recently seen the names in verses 15 and 16. Abijah means “Yah is my Father” from Ab and Yah. I like when I get to see how languages play with letters and sounds. According to the internet, in Hebrew
אב = Ab and
אבא =Abba.
Since we read the word right to left, it is simply adding the “a” sound at the end again. And doesn’t Abba sound more familiar to some of us?
It makes me think of how our friends overseas would add a sound like “chick” to names of little ones. So, Amir would be Amirchick. And in my predominantly hispanic class, I hear “ito” added to names. Miguel is Miguelito. It speaks of familiarity and warmth, intimacy and tenderness. Only this time it is God the Father Who receives the diminutive title.
But we intuitively get this, yes? The difference between speaking of Father and Daddy, formal and familiar; saying, “Yes, sir,” and snuggling in a safe lap. Doesn’t make the Creator of the universe any smaller, or less worthy of respect, just more accessible to our minds and in our experience.
And to know Yah is our Father? The ultimate comfort in our often heartbreaking world.
Zikri is up next, a name which comes from zakar – “To remember.” Because we so easily forget, this is a fabulous name.
What is most difficult for you to remember? Mine goes between how He has always taken care of us in the past, and therefore won’t stop in the future – and how comfort from other things cannot compare with the supernatural comfort He willingly provides.
I read Psalm 78 this morning, as Asaph recounts God’s works from the beginning of the nation of Israel. Not remembering was the impetus for sin:
They forgot what he had done, the wonders he had shown them..
They remembered that God was their Rock, that God Most High was their Redeemer...
Again and again they put God to the test; they vexed the Holy One of Israel. They did not remember his power— the day he redeemed them from the oppressor…
Psalm 78: 11, 35, 42
Seems one of the best things we can do for one another is help each other remember.
Next we have Miniamin, a name which means “from the right hand” from min and yamin. I had this name in my brain when reading through a Psalm the other day. You might like the image:
Why do you hold back your hand, your right hand? Take it from the folds of your garment and destroy them!
Psalm 74:11
The psalmist is angry at those who do not fear God and purposely hurt others. In His frustration, he calls on God to get His hands out of His pockets and do something! God, get mad enoughto intervene.
Of course we never have to wonder if ours is a God of justice, whether or not He sees. We do, however, have permission to pour out our frustration to Him and ask for the power of His right hand to move in seemingly impossible situations.
Moadiah is next, whose name means “assembly of Yah” from yah and moad – appointed place. I looked up what appoint means: to determine, assign by authority, command. And the assignment in this situation is a place.
You think of that often? How you are in an appointed place? That of all the generations before and could possibly come, you were assigned to this one?
And the truth is, if it’s an assembly of Yah, we communally have been chosen for this generation. Assembled together for His glory. Here to live out our purpose in the time chosen for us.
Piltai is next, a name which comes from palat – “to escape.” An interesting name, as escaping has a completely different meaning than to simply leave. Escape implies an undesirable situation in which we’re not sure we can get out.
I wonder why this would be a name meaning? Perhaps this priestly head’s parents liked the sound of the letters put together. Or maybe they had personally escaped something terrifying, that God had been their intimate deliverer.
Now we have Bilgah which means “cheerfulness” from balag – to gleam, smile. What a delightful name after some of the other heavy ones!
What makes you smile these days? It is hard out there, it’s February, and people suffer daily. So we have to find cheer on purpose.
I love watching my husband coach our boys in the gym with weights, how they playfully wrestle and joke.
My silly puppy makes me smile daily, and our community overwhelms me at times with their thoughtfulness and humor.
Coffee is my true love and rediscovering the delight of roasted vegetables makes me grin.
When social media is lighthearted and funny and caring, I share with my whole family. And when I get to laugh with my teammates at school about whatever, I’m so grateful.
How about you? May we all find cheer, something that makes our smiles gleam with joy today.
Our next two names we have seen in the past year: Shammua, which comes from our word shama – “to listen with intent to obey.” And Shemaiah – “Yah hears” also from shama.
We’ve talked on here before about how when shama is applied to us as God’s people, it seems to refer to listening so that we might obey. But when it’s in reference to Yahweh, it’s to hear and respond in power.
So…where do you need to hear from His Word and obey? Personally or communally? And in what way are you in need and ought to voice your request to the One Who hears and can do something about it?
Jehonathan is our final priestly head for today, a name which means “the LORD has given” from yah and nathan – give, to commit, entrust, set, wholly, yield.
What has He set before you, before us? Entrusted to us that we will give an account one day to Him about? Reminding myself as well, if He’s given it to us, set it before us in our generation to accomplish, we have everything we need to follow through. He is not unjust, unkind, or uncaring. As we yield, we will find we have all we need.
Last time we looked into name meanings of family heads of priests, grateful that our spiritual name is “Jehovah Favored.” Today we continue on with the priestly family heads.
Harim is first, a name that means consecrated from charam – make accursed, consecrate, utterly destroy, devote, forfeit, have a flat nose, utterly slay…[T]o seclude; specifically (by a ban) to devote to religious uses (especially destruction). Yikes, what a rough name. Interesting that I’m reading All the Light We Cannot See while looking at a definition such as this. The novel follows a young French girl and German boy at the height of the Nazi regime during World War II.
Speaking of “to ban and devote to destruction.” Any time a certain group is sought to be utterly destroyed, we can be certain evil is present. The good news is, the word is also defined as “consecrated.” To be set apart for God’s purposes. We can know whatever evil is present, He can use it for good. The truth is we all have difficulties in this stunningly harsh and breathtakingly beautiful world. Because we are consecrated for Him, our difficulties – even suffering – can have purpose, dignity, and witness.
The head listed for Harim’s family is Adna, a name like eden – a luxury, dainty, delight, pleasure. Eden’s root is adan – to luxuriate, revel in. This one is intense after “devoted to destruction.” Kind of like life, yes? A friend’s baby niece passed away today, and a group of us also reveled in a delicious brunch and time together. An acquaintance lost a young family member to murder, and the sun is also out melting sparkling snow drifts. A sort of emotional whiplash, and yet the nature of our haunting and heavenly world.
Meremoth is the family name next listed. It comes from mirmah – deceit, treachery, deception, dishonest, false, craft, feigned, guile, fraud; plural from rum – to be high, exalted, rise, become proud, lofty. Another difficult name. Seems the challenge comes from delighting in this world as a gift rather than dishonest grasping. To keep our eyes set on the only One capable of being highly exalted without imploding.
Meremoth’s family head is Helkai, a name that comes from chalaq – to divide, share, deal, distribute, flatter, give, have, to be smooth (figuratively); by implication (as smooth stones were used for lots); to apportion or separate – take away a portion, receive, separate self.
This one feels slippery. Is it to distribute or have? To take away a portion or receive it? What does flattery and smoothness have to do with it?
Perhaps my issue is when I read “divide, deal, distribute” I picture some card dealer in Las Vegas arbitrarily passing out hands that don’t affect him. The difference between that and our Abba is so vast, it is hard to connect them.
When the King of Creation gives and takes away, it never is separated from His perfect love, His supreme holiness, or His fathomless justice based in knowing absolutely all.
Iddo is the next family listed, a name that means timely from adah – adorn, pass on, advance, deck self, pass by, take away; to remove. Timely is an interesting word, isn’t it? Particularly when I think of our collective past two or so years, it seems so many illnesses and deaths and losses have been untimely.
But we cannot consider our timeline when faced with great glory or tragedy. We will miss what He’s doing on a grand scale, things we couldn’t handle if shown.
Then the Lord spoke to Job out of the storm:
“Brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer me.
“Would you discredit my justice? Would you condemn me to justify yourself? Do you have an arm like God’s, and can your voice thunder like his? Then adorn yourself with glory and splendor, and clothe yourself in honor and majesty.
Job 40:6-10
Speaking of adorn.
We saw the last family head, Meshullam, recently, so we will end with the lineage name, Ginnethon. It is from ganan meaning “gardener, cover, surround, defend, protect, hedge about.”
As a gardener fences in her treasured plants, our God will surround, defend, and protect His children. His little flock, those in whom He delights. Eden is coming and He will cover us in the heartache until then.
“In the days of Joiakim, these were the heads of the priestly families:
of Seraiah’s family, Meraiah;
of Jeremiah’s, Hananiah;
of Ezra’s, Meshullam;
of Amariah’s, Jehohanan.”
Nehemiah 12:12-13
Last time we saw the lineage of one Levite, Joshua, grateful to see our “re” prefix again, this time how God restores with intimate knowing. Today we begin to explore some family heads of the priests.
Seraiah is the descendant up first, a name we saw just eleven verses ago, which means “Yah persists.” It’s from Yah and sarah – to exist, exert oneself, persevere, wrestle, prevail. It’s telling that in a definition of wrestling is the simple explanation “to exist.” As in, to exist at all implies a struggle in our world long lain with sin and pining.
And yet, it’s Yah Who persists, His existence what sustains us. I typed the previous sentence a few weeks ago. Then my father passed away last week. I really love how He will allow us to walk through the very things we know to be true about Him. His existence sustains us. It sustains those heartbroken over a new Covid variant, because it means even more isolation as they take more precautions than others. It sustains a widow quarantined alone, a house full of memories. And it sustains all of us who’ve lost so much in recent years.
Because of Him we persevere.
The head of Seraiah’s family is Meraiah, whose name comes from marah – contentious or rebellion, disobedient, bitter, provocation; To be compared with Yimrah/yamar – to exchange places; boast in self. Pride, rebellion, and bitterness do seem to go together. So do humility, surrender, and gratitude. We get to choose, friends.
Hananiah is the next family head listed. His name means “Yah has been gracious” from Yah and chanan – beseech, show favor, stoop in kindness, bestow, move to favor by petition. I saw someone on social media say, “Favor isn’t fair, but it sure is wonderful.” I’ve thought about that many times since. Sometimes when I feel ridiculously blessed by God, my own mind can object: I don’t deserve this; others have had it way worse; but I’ve made so many mistakes.
But the truth? That’s not what favor is about. That’s earning, and none of us can do that with an Almighty God. No matter how we perform, it will always be Him stooping in kindness. And the thing that seems to most touch His heart: petition. Simple asking and receiving. Where we get no credit other than needing Him.
The next family is Ezra, our Helping priest. The name means “help” from Azar – to further, ally, grant, restrain, support. This word always makes me think of its connection to ezer, how Eve is described in the Garden. And how all creation is described as good, except for that she isn’t in it yet.
We are all called to be a help, though, aren’t we? We get to both restrain and support those in our lives, encouraging them to step out in faith and reign in selfishness. We can choose to further others’ plans and needs, rather than simply living to further our own. And we get the privilege of granting a blessing over those in our spheres of influence: speaking words in secret to God for them and in person over them.
May we be Azars.
The family head listed for Ezra is Meshullam, another name we saw in Nehemiah 11. It’s from shalam – to make amends, be complete, make an end, finish. I’ve been thinking about forgiveness and what that looks like when the person from whom we desire an apology does not offer one. It seems like the shalam in that situation will look like a work between us and God Himself. Only He can make us complete without the other person willing to make amends. We can make an end to bitterness when we repeatedly hand over to Him what broke us.
But, even further, our God can take up causes of injustice and abuse, and make an end to them. Not only can He, but He ultimately will. We don’t have to wonder if we’ll be in His presence one day, frustrated that He hasn’t come through for the sake of Shalom. His holy character could not allow such a violation of righteousness. And we represent that character in the here and now.
Amaraiah is the family listed next. The name means “Yah has promised” from Yah and amar – to say. Now don’t you just love that if it’s Yah Who says it, it’s a promise? Notice it is not translated, “Yah has said.” Oh no, He has promised.
“God is not man, one given to lies, and not a son of man changing his mind. Does he speak and not do what he says? Does he promise and not come through?”
Number 23:19 (MSG)
The answer to such rhetorical questions is no. His word is all powerful. When combined with flawless character, you have a promise.
The head of Amaraiah’s family is Jehohanan which means “The LORD has been gracious” from Yah and chanan, the same word used in Hananiah’s name – to beseech, show favor, stoop in kindness, bestow, move to favor by petition. The alternative name translation listed? “Jehovah-favored.”
Doesn’t that make you smile?
“What’s your name?”
“Jehovah-favored. Nice to meet you.”
But it is how we could walk around introducing ourselves. Mostly because it has nothing to do with our loveliness and everything to do with His love. It is not a brag, only an admission of spiritual reality. And when we believe that through the positive and negative human circumstances?
“Joshua was the father of Joiakim, Joiakim the father of Eliashib, Eliashib the father of Joiada, Joiada the father of Jonathan, and Jonathan the father of Jaddua.”
Last time we met the Levites in charge of thanksgiving songs, remembering He is always doing a new thing. Today we see the lineage of one these Levites, Joshua.
First up is Joshua’s son, Joiakim, which means “The LORD raises up” from Yah and qum – to arise, stand up, accomplish, brighter, build, confirm, endure, establish, fulfill, grown, prepared, raised, restore, rouse, strengthen, surely take stand, abide.
We’ve seen this word qum multiple times. But this time, during Advent, rouse and strengthen strike me most from the definition. Those of a more liturgical background continue to tutor me on an insistence in waiting in the darkness. This does not comfort me and I like comfort. Darkness in winter can be hard, and to not deny it or insist on shininess will require rousing strength for many of us.
That things are not as they should be, that it was a weary world that rejoiced when He came and will still be one when He returns, is not hard to see. We can find evidence all over, including our own hearts.
Fortunately, even in this definition, it is the LORD Who raises and rouses. Our job is to keep our eyes open. An extended family member is struggling and in a nursing home, and the last thing I expected was a fellow resident to hold my hand and comfort me the other day. I’d like to think her strengthening me helped her endure as well. Especially as her Bible was on the table beside us and she reminded us both a good Day is coming.
Joiakim’s son, Eliashib, is next, a name we’ve seen in both Ezra 10 and Nehemiah 3. It means “God restores” from el and shub – to turn back, return, bring back, draw, draw back, give an answer, pass away, pay back in full, refresh, refund, repent, restore, make restitution, revoke, turn away, turn back, withdraw.
And here is our prefix “re” once more: to do again. It is easy to identify with words like refresh – to freshen again. But what are we “re-ing” in restitution?
I googled the etymology of this word, and it is from the Latin restitutio, to establish. So, to establish something again is to make restitution. Something must happen to make the relationship right, the law equitable and just, the dignity restored. Exactly what Yah specializes in. And things like turning back and repenting, revoking unjust statutes, paying back in full what is owed, and giving an answer for harm caused are all ways we join Him in this work.
Joiada is Eliashib’s son, also a name from Nehemiah 3. It means “the LORD knows” from Yah and yada – to know, become known, personal knowledge, know intimately, know for certain, well aware, clearly understand, experience, surely teach, bring forth, chosen.
This definition always makes me think of a verse particularly tender to me about knowing and being known:
But now that you know God — or rather are known by God —
how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable forces?
Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again?
Galatians 4:9
Of all the things we might re, or turn back to, forces which hold us captive individually and collectively are the worst. I say this not as someone crushing this principle, but in daily battle with it. People pleasing, gluttony, peace-keeping rather than peace-making, and pride are things to be turning away from. Not to prove my strength, but because I know God and am known by Him. Intimate, personal knowledge of such things failing me and experience surely teaching me of His trustworthiness are reasons to withdraw.
How about you? Any weak and miserable principles you know that you know could enslave you all over again? Collectively as families and communities, churches and His Body globally? May our personal knowledge of being chosen by Him Who knows all be worth anything we have to surrender.
Jonathan is next, a name which means “the LORD has given” from Yah and nathan – give, to commit, entrust, set, wholly, yield.
Our family does a Jesse tree of sorts during Advent every year, talking about significant stories and people from the Bible each day. This year the story of Abraham taking Isaac up the mountain to sacrifice him was particularly tender. Talk about wholly yielding what is dear to you, completely entrusting God to fulfill His promise.
Even after walking with Him for years, I often struggle with fully yielding all the things to Him. But instead of beating myself up for where I need to grow, I can remind myself He is the One Who has ultimately given. He yielded His Son to enemy occupied territory. He fully entrusted Himself to humanity as one of us. The God-Man wholly set His life before us as Someone with fingernails tinier than a Q-tip end. Completely vulnerable yet perfectly holy.
Jaddua is our final descendant, seen in Nehemiah 10, too. This name also means knowing, and is another derivative of yada (certain, personal, and intimate knowledge or experience). This third Sunday of Advent, I want to celebrate that because He came, He knows.
“The Levites were Jeshua, Binnui, Kadmiel, Sherebiah, Judah, and also Mattaniah, who, together with his associates, was in charge of the songs of thanksgiving. Bakbukiah and Unni, their associates, stood opposite them in the services.”
Nehemiah 12:8-9
Last time we saw the last of the leaders of the priests, grateful Yah is our portion. Today we dive into the names of the Levites.
Jeshua is up first, a name we’ve seen often, meaning “The LORD is salvation.” Sometimes, when I’m up to my eyeballs in to-do lists, personal needs, others’ needs, and the world, I like to think about how He is salvation. Don’t you? Like, doesn’t it just help you exhale?
Binnui is next, another name we saw in Nehemiah a couple of chapters ago. It is from the word banah – to build, built up, rebuilt, restored. Thank goodness for that prefix “re.” To do again. If it’s been torn down, we can rebuild. If it’s been broken, it can be restored. If we never give up and trust what He’s doing, we can be built up in Him, no matter the outcome of external circumstances.
Kadmiel is next, whose name means “God is the ancient one.” It comes from qedem – aforetime, before, east end, everlasting; “the front, of place (relatively the East) or time (antiquity)…”
Qedem comes from qadam – to come or be in front, meet, anticipate, confront, receive, rise; flee before, disappoint, prevent; “to project (one self)…to anticipate, hasten, meet (usually for help).”
However you look at it, this name points to Another that precedes us. One outside of space and time, transcending linear timelines and the rising of the sun from the East to which our schedules obey.
With what shall I comebefore the Lord and bow down before the exalted God? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old? Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousand rivers of olive oil? Shall I offer my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God
Micah 6:6-8
In that first verse of “with what shall I come before the Lord,” before is a version of this word qedem. How do we stand before the Ancient One? We know in our hearts we don’t deserve to, haven’t lived up to what it takes to be in the presence of pure and holy Light.
The good news is, He Himself did what verse 7 asks rhetorically: Offered His firstborn for transgressions for all. The God-Man we celebrate this season coming to us as a Baby, grew up and ultimately walked out seeking justice, loving mercy, and walking humbly in submission to His Father.
Source
Sherebiah is next and means “Yah has sent burning heat” from Yah and sharab – burning heat, parched ground, scorched land; “… to glare; quivering glow (of the air)…mirage.” A friend recently used the phrase “baptism by fire,” reminding me of this definition. Sometimes it’s what He calls us to, isn’t it? And we can’t look away from the part of this name which directly points to Yahweh being the One to send it.
I’m likely diving into theological waters beyond my depth, but as I’m reading Job these days, I’m reminded how we know the back story, but our main character doesn’t. We know God gave the enemy permission to test Job’s character, but the fact that he had to ask first says so much about Yahweh’s sovereignty.
And when this Yahweh finally answers Job’s complaint? He does not apologize for His character, His power, or His sovereignty. And in the end, Job can say with certainty,
“My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you.”
Job 42:5
The intimacy which can come when Yah sends burning heat is unmatched. If He sends burning heat upon us as His Body, may we lean into the refinement and relish the relationship.
Judah is next, a common name in the Old Testament, which probably means “praised, celebrated.” It’s from yadah – to throw, cast, confess, give thanks, cast out, throw down…”from yad; literally, to use the hand; to throw (a stone, an arrow) at or away; especially to revere or worship (with extended hands); intensively, to bemoan (by wringing the hands)…”
Well, speaking of Yah sending burning heat. Worshipping intensely, bemoaning with wringing hands, sounds exactly like Biblical praise. Honest sharing of life with the Giver of life. And don’t you love the giving thanks part? Our celebrations and practice of gratitude, despite any burning heat in our lives, is transformational.
And continuing on with Thanksgiving, Mattaniah is listed next as the one leading (al – hovered over) the songs of thanksgiving (psalms) with his associates. Literally, the “psalms hovered over them.” What kind of spectacular image is this?
These songs of thanksgiving likely were joined to the real-life challenges our group of returned exiles experienced. The ones whose parents had left their homes and brought them to a new place only to be faced with constant rebuilding. Add to that all-too-common relational struggles, sinful decisions, and sickness or death, and you have a picture of the book of Psalms. May this honest and honoring praise hover over us all.
Finally we have Bakbukiah and Unni and their brothers who stood opposite – neged: in front of, in sight of, opposite to, aloof, against, away, before, demoralized, other side, risked, straight ahead, suitable, under; “From nagad; a front…[p]art opposite; specifically a counterpart, or mate…”
This one makes me smile, as my personal counterpart and I regularly choose something directly opposite each other. One time I actually said, “I suppose in order to figure out what you would do, I should just think of how I would do it, then do the exact opposite.” And you know what? That’s good stuff. We both love Jesus, our family, our community. So it’s okay when our same purposes end up looking opposite. That’s what makes it complete, whole.
How about us as the Body? I saw a tweet the other day which pointed out how the culturally challenging topic of meat sacrificed to idols did not turn into a call for uniformity to Paul. Rather, he pointed to patience and understanding toward each other. We can be complete in Him as His perfectly imperfect church and not see eye to eye on everything.
However, if any of our perspectives turn into demoralizing others, we can be assured we are not representing our sacrificial Savior.
Which leads to the definition of duties which Bakbukiah, Unni, and their associates took up. It is mishmereth – guard, charge, function, allegiance, keep, obligation, post, safeguard, service, watch, worship; “from mishmar: a place of confinement, jail, prison, division, diligence, keeping watch…sentry, the post; Preservation.”
I believe we can hold to orthodoxy while challenging our cultural assumptions on how we live out those beliefs in our day. After all, He is regularly doing a new thing and putting a new song in our hearts. We are not to live on moldy manna or old wineskins. Walking with Jesus daily assumes He is always at work, on the move, and we are to join Him.
Perhaps it would do us all good to think of which direction we personally tend to lean, then intentionally lean into the opposite. If we prefer things like they’ve always been and enjoy tradition, it would probably be best to purposely look into ways the worldwide Body is experiencing fresh manna. We do serve a God-Man Who said, “You have heard it said, but I say to you…”
However, if we’re always on the lookout for something new, it would likely do our souls well to learn from those who have lived out long obedience in the same direction.
If our primary allegiance in our duties is loving God with our entire heart, soul, mind, and strength, while seeking to love our neighbor as ourselves, we can watch and worship and serve diligently without it turning into a place of confinement for us or others.
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. This Advent may we live like that’s true.
