Nehemiah 12:30
New International Version
When the priests and Levites had purified themselves ceremonially, they purified the people, the gates and the wall.

New Living Translation
The priests and Levites first purified themselves; then they purified the people, the gates, and the wall.

English Standard Version
And the priests and the Levites purified themselves, and they purified the people and the gates and the wall.

Berean Standard Bible
After the priests and Levites had purified themselves, they purified the people, the gates, and the wall.

King James Bible
And the priests and the Levites purified themselves, and purified the people, and the gates, and the wall.

New King James Version
Then the priests and Levites purified themselves, and purified the people, the gates, and the wall.

New American Standard Bible
The priests and the Levites purified themselves; they also purified the people, the gates, and the wall.

NASB 1995
The priests and the Levites purified themselves; they also purified the people, the gates and the wall.

NASB 1977
And the priests and the Levites purified themselves; they also purified the people, the gates, and the wall.

Legacy Standard Bible
The priests and the Levites cleansed themselves; they also cleansed the people, the gates, and the wall.

Amplified Bible
The priests and the Levites purified themselves; they also purified the people, the gates, and the wall.

Christian Standard Bible
After the priests and Levites had purified themselves, they purified the people, the city gates, and the wall.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
After the priests and Levites had purified themselves, they purified the people, the gates, and the wall.

American Standard Version
And the priests and the Levites purified themselves; and they purified the people, and the gates, and the wall.

Contemporary English Version
The priests and Levites held special ceremonies to make themselves holy, and then they did the same for the rest of the people and for the gates and walls of the city.

English Revised Version
And the priests and the Levites purified themselves; and they purified the people, and the gates, and the wall.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The priests and the Levites cleansed themselves. Then they cleansed the people, the gates, and the wall.

Good News Translation
The priests and the Levites performed ritual purification for themselves, the people, the gates, and the city wall.

International Standard Version
The priests and the descendants of Levi purified themselves, and also purified the people, the gates, and the wall.

Majority Standard Bible
After the priests and Levites had purified themselves, they purified the people, the gates, and the wall.

NET Bible
When the priests and Levites had purified themselves, they purified the people, the gates, and the wall.

New Heart English Bible
The priests and the Levites purified themselves; and they purified the people, and the gates, and the wall.

Webster's Bible Translation
And the priests and the Levites purified themselves, and purified the people, and the gates, and the wall.

World English Bible
The priests and the Levites purified themselves; and they purified the people, the gates, and the wall.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and the priests and the Levites are cleansed, and they cleanse the people, and the gates, and the wall.

Young's Literal Translation
and the priests and the Levites are cleansed, and they cleanse the people, and the gates, and the wall.

Smith's Literal Translation
And the priests and the Levites will be purified, and they will purify the people and the gates and the wall.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And the priests and the Levites purified, and they purified the people, and the gates, and the wall.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And the priests and the Levites were cleansed, and they cleansed the people, and the gates, and the wall.

New American Bible
The priests and Levites first purified themselves, then they purified the people, the gates, and the wall.

New Revised Standard Version
And the priests and the Levites purified themselves; and they purified the people and the gates and the wall.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And the priests and the Levites purified themselves and purified the people and the gates and the wall.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And the Priests and the Levites purified themselves, and they purified the people and the gates of the wall.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And the priests and the Levites purified themselves; and they purified the people, and the gates, and the wall.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And the priests and the Levites purified themselves, and they purified the people, and the porters, and the wall.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Dedication of the Wall
29from Beth-gilgal, and from the fields of Geba and Azmaveth, for they had built villages for themselves around Jerusalem. 30After the priests and Levites had purified themselves, they purified the people, the gates, and the wall. 31Then 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.…

Cross References
Leviticus 16:30
because on this day atonement will be made for you to cleanse you, and you will be clean from all your sins before the LORD.

2 Chronicles 29:15-16
When they had assembled their brothers and consecrated themselves, they went in to cleanse the house of the LORD, according to the command of the king by the words of the LORD. / So the priests went inside the house of the LORD to cleanse it, and they brought out to the courtyard all the unclean things that they found in the temple of the LORD. Then the Levites took these things and carried them out to the Kidron Valley.

Ezra 6:20
All the priests and Levites had purified themselves and were ceremonially clean. And the Levites slaughtered the Passover lamb for all the exiles, for their priestly brothers, and for themselves.

Numbers 8:6-7
“Take the Levites from among the Israelites and make them ceremonially clean. / This is what you must do to cleanse them: Sprinkle them with the water of purification. Have them shave their whole bodies and wash their clothes, and so purify themselves.

Psalm 51:7
Purify me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.

Isaiah 52:11
Depart, depart, go out from there! Touch no unclean thing; come out from it, purify yourselves, you who carry the vessels of the LORD.

2 Corinthians 7:1
Therefore, beloved, since we have these promises, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that defiles body and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

Hebrews 9:13-14
For if the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that their bodies are clean, / how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself unblemished to God, purify our consciences from works of death, so that we may serve the living God!

1 John 1:7
But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.

Psalm 24:3-4
Who may ascend the hill of the LORD? Who may stand in His holy place? / He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to an idol or swear deceitfully.

Ezekiel 36:25
I will also sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean. I will cleanse you from all your impurities and all your idols.

John 15:3
You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you.

James 4:8
Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

Matthew 23:25-26
Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. / Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, so that the outside may become clean as well.

1 Peter 1:22
Since you have purified your souls by obedience to the truth so that you have a genuine love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from a pure heart.


Treasury of Scripture

And the priests and the Levites purified themselves, and purified the people, and the gates, and the wall.

themselves.

Genesis 35:2
Then Jacob said unto his household, and to all that were with him, Put away the strange gods that are among you, and be clean, and change your garments:

Exodus 19:10,15
And the LORD said unto Moses, Go unto the people, and sanctify them to day and to morrow, and let them wash their clothes, …

Numbers 19:2-20
This is the ordinance of the law which the LORD hath commanded, saying, Speak unto the children of Israel, that they bring thee a red heifer without spot, wherein is no blemish, and upon which never came yoke: …

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Ceremonially Clean Cleanse Cleansed Doorways Gates Levites Priests Purified Themselves Wall
Nehemiah 12
1. The priests and the Levites which came up with Zerubbabel.
10. The succession of high priests.
22. Certain chief Levites.
27. The solemnity of the dedication of the walls.
44. The offices of priests and Levites appointed in the temple.














Then the priests and Levites purified themselves
The act of purification by the priests and Levites is deeply rooted in the Hebrew tradition, where ceremonial cleanliness was essential for approaching God. The Hebrew word for "purified" is "טָהֵר" (taher), which means to be clean or pure. This purification was not merely physical but also spiritual, symbolizing a readiness to serve and worship God. Historically, the priests and Levites held the responsibility of maintaining the sanctity of the temple and the community. Their self-purification underscores the importance of leaders setting an example of holiness and dedication to God.

and they purified the people
The purification of the people signifies a communal preparation to stand before God. In the context of Nehemiah, this was a time of renewal and rededication to the covenant. The Hebrew community understood that collective purity was necessary for God's presence and blessing. This act of purification can be seen as a precursor to the New Testament concept of the church as a body of believers, where communal holiness is emphasized. It reflects the idea that spiritual leaders are responsible for guiding their communities in righteousness.

the gates
The gates of Jerusalem were not just physical entry points but symbolized the city's strength and security. Purifying the gates indicates a desire to dedicate every aspect of the city to God, ensuring that what enters and exits is in alignment with His will. In a broader spiritual sense, it reminds believers to guard their hearts and minds, as the gates of their lives, ensuring that they remain pure and dedicated to God.

and the wall
The wall of Jerusalem represented protection and separation from external threats. By purifying the wall, the people acknowledged God's sovereignty over their safety and security. Historically, the wall's reconstruction was a significant achievement for the returning exiles, symbolizing the restoration of their identity and faith. Spiritually, it serves as a reminder of the importance of setting boundaries that honor God, protecting one's faith from worldly influences.

(30) Purified themselves.--Before consecration to God there must be purification from defilement. It is made emphatic that both priests and Levites purified themselves, that is, by offerings and ablutions (comp. 2Chronicles 29:15; Ezra 6:20): the gates and the wall by being sprinkled.



Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
After the priests
הַכֹּהֲנִ֖ים (hak·kō·hă·nîm)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 3548: Priest

and Levites
וְהַלְוִיִּ֑ם (wə·hal·wî·yim)
Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - proper - masculine plural
Strong's 3881: Levites -- descendant of Levi

had purified themselves,
וַיִּֽטַּהֲר֔וּ (way·yiṭ·ṭa·hă·rū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hitpael - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 2891: To be clean or pure

they purified
וַֽיְטַהֲרוּ֙ (way·ṭa·hă·rū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 2891: To be clean or pure

the people,
הָעָ֔ם (hā·‘ām)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock

the gates,
הַשְּׁעָרִ֖ים (haš·šə·‘ā·rîm)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 8179: An opening, door, gate

and the wall.
הַחוֹמָֽה׃ (ha·ḥō·w·māh)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 2346: A wall of protection


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OT History: Nehemiah 12:30 The priests and the Levites purified themselves (Neh Ne)
Nehemiah 12:29
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