Nehemiah 12:40
New International Version
The two choirs that gave thanks then took their places in the house of God; so did I, together with half the officials,

New Living Translation
The two choirs that were giving thanks then proceeded to the Temple of God, where they took their places. So did I, together with the group of leaders who were with me.

English Standard Version
So both choirs of those who gave thanks stood in the house of God, and I and half of the officials with me;

Berean Standard Bible
The two thanksgiving choirs then stood in the house of God, as did I, along with the half of the officials accompanying me,

King James Bible
So stood the two companies of them that gave thanks in the house of God, and I, and the half of the rulers with me:

New King James Version
So the two thanksgiving choirs stood in the house of God, likewise I and the half of the rulers with me;

New American Standard Bible
Then the two choirs took their positions in the house of God. So did I and half of the officials with me;

NASB 1995
Then the two choirs took their stand in the house of God. So did I and half of the officials with me;

NASB 1977
Then the two choirs took their stand in the house of God. So did I and half of the officials with me;

Legacy Standard Bible
Then the two choirs took their stand in the house of God. So did I and half of the officials with me;

Amplified Bible
Then the two choirs stood in the house of God. So did I, and half of the officials with me;

Christian Standard Bible
The two thanksgiving processions stood in the house of God. So did I and half of the officials accompanying me,

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The two thanksgiving processions stood in the house of God. So did I and half of the officials accompanying me,

American Standard Version
So stood the two companies of them that gave thanks in the house of God, and I, and the half of the rulers with me;

Contemporary English Version
where we stood in front of the temple with the other group, praising God. In the group with me were half of the leaders,

English Revised Version
So stood the two companies of them that gave thanks in the house of God, and I, and the half of the rulers with me:

GOD'S WORD® Translation
So both choirs stood in God's temple, as did I and the half of the leaders who were with me.

Good News Translation
So both the groups that were giving thanks to God reached the Temple area. In addition to the leaders who were with me,

International Standard Version
Then the two choirs assembled in the Temple of God, as did I, along with half of the officials who accompanied me,

Majority Standard Bible
The two thanksgiving choirs then stood in the house of God, as did I, along with the half of the officials accompanying me,

NET Bible
Then the two choirs that gave thanks took their stations in the temple of God. I did also, along with half the officials with me,

New Heart English Bible
So stood the two companies of those who gave thanks in God's house, and I, and the half of the rulers with me;

Webster's Bible Translation
So stood the two companies of them that gave thanks in the house of God, and I, and the half of the rulers with me:

World English Bible
So the two companies of those who gave thanks in God’s house stood, and I and the half of the rulers with me;
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And the two thanksgiving companies stand in the house of God, and I and half of the prefects with me,

Young's Literal Translation
And the two thanksgiving companies stand in the house of God, and I and half of the prefects with me,

Smith's Literal Translation
And the two choirs will stand in the house of God, and I, and half of the prefects with me:
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And the two choirs of them that gave praise stood still at the house of God, and I and the half of the magistrates with me.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And the two choirs of those who gave praise stood still at the house of God, with myself and one half part of the magistrates who were with me.

New American Bible
Both choirs took up a position in the house of God; I, too, and half the magistrates with me,

New Revised Standard Version
So both companies of those who gave thanks stood in the house of God, and I and half of the officials with me;
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Then the two companies that gave thanks entered the house of the LORD, and I and the half of the chieftains who were with me;

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And two companies of the house of LORD JEHOVAH entered, and I and half of the Leaders who were with me
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
So stood the two companies of them that gave thanks in the house of God, and I, and the half of the rulers with me;

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Dedication of the Wall
39over the Gate of Ephraim, the Jeshanah Gate, the Fish Gate, the Tower of Hananel, and the Tower of the Hundred, as far as the Sheep Gate. And they stopped at the Gate of the Guard. 40The two thanksgiving choirs then stood in the house of God, as did I, along with the half of the officials accompanying me, 41as well as the priests with their trumpets—Eliakim, Maaseiah, Miniamin, Micaiah, Elioenai, Zechariah, and Hananiah—…

Cross References
Nehemiah 8:6
Then Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God, and with their hands uplifted, all the people said, “Amen, Amen!” Then they bowed down and worshiped the LORD with their faces to the ground.

Ezra 3:10-11
When the builders had laid the foundation of the temple of the LORD, the priests in their apparel with trumpets, and the Levites (the sons of Asaph) with cymbals, took their positions to praise the LORD, as David king of Israel had prescribed. / And they sang responsively with praise and thanksgiving to the LORD: “For He is good; for His loving devotion to Israel endures forever.” Then all the people gave a great shout of praise to the LORD, because the foundation of the house of the LORD had been laid.

2 Chronicles 5:12-13
all the Levitical singers—Asaph, Heman, Jeduthun, and their sons and relatives—stood on the east side of the altar, dressed in fine linen and playing cymbals, harps, and lyres, accompanied by 120 priests sounding trumpets. / The trumpeters and singers joined together to praise and thank the LORD with one voice. They lifted up their voices, accompanied by trumpets, cymbals, and musical instruments, in praise to the LORD: “For He is good; His loving devotion endures forever.” And the temple, the house of the LORD, was filled with a cloud

Psalm 68:24-27
They have seen Your procession, O God—the march of my God and King into the sanctuary. / The singers lead the way, the musicians follow after, among the maidens playing tambourines. / Bless God in the great congregation; bless the LORD from the fountain of Israel. ...

Psalm 122:1-4
A song of ascents. Of David. I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the LORD.” / Our feet are standing in your gates, O Jerusalem. / Jerusalem is built up as a city united together, ...

1 Chronicles 15:16-28
David also told the leaders of the Levites to appoint their relatives as singers to lift up their voices with joy, accompanied by musical instruments—harps, lyres, and cymbals. / So the Levites appointed Heman son of Joel; from his brothers, Asaph son of Berechiah; from their brothers the Merarites, Ethan son of Kushaiah; / and with them their brothers next in rank: Zechariah, Jaaziel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Unni, Eliab, Benaiah, Maaseiah, Mattithiah, Eliphelehu, Mikneiah, and the gatekeepers Obed-edom and Jeiel. ...

2 Chronicles 29:25-30
Hezekiah stationed the Levites in the house of the LORD with cymbals, harps, and lyres according to the command of David, of Gad the king’s seer, and of Nathan the prophet. For the command had come from the LORD through His prophets. / The Levites stood with the instruments of David, and the priests with the trumpets. / And Hezekiah ordered that the burnt offering be sacrificed on the altar. When the burnt offering began, the song of the LORD and the trumpets began as well, accompanied by the instruments of David king of Israel. ...

Psalm 150:1-6
Hallelujah! Praise God in His sanctuary. Praise Him in His mighty heavens. / Praise Him for His mighty acts; praise Him for His excellent greatness. / Praise Him with the sound of the horn; praise Him with the harp and lyre. ...

Psalm 48:12-13
March around Zion, encircle her, count her towers, / consider her ramparts, tour her citadels, that you may tell the next generation.

Psalm 100:4
Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and bless His name.

1 Chronicles 23:5
4,000 are to be gatekeepers, and 4,000 are to praise the LORD with the instruments I have made for giving praise.”

1 Chronicles 25:1-7
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: / From the sons of Asaph: Zaccur, Joseph, Nethaniah, and Asarelah. These sons of Asaph were under the direction of Asaph, who prophesied under the direction of the king. / From the sons of Jeduthun: Gedaliah, Zeri, Jeshaiah, Shimei, Hashabiah, and Mattithiah—six in all—under the direction of their father Jeduthun, who prophesied with the harp, giving thanks and praise to the LORD. ...

2 Chronicles 7:6
The priests stood at their posts, as did the Levites with the musical instruments of the LORD, which King David had made for giving thanks to the LORD and with which David had offered praise, saying, “For His loving devotion endures forever.” Across from the Levites, the priests sounded trumpets, and all the Israelites were standing.

Psalm 134:1-2
A song of ascents. Come, bless the LORD, all you servants of the LORD who serve by night in the house of the LORD! / Lift up your hands to the sanctuary and bless the LORD!

Psalm 135:1-3
Hallelujah! Praise the name of the LORD. Give praise, O servants of the LORD, / who stand in the house of the LORD, in the courts of the house of our God. / Hallelujah, for the LORD is good; sing praises to His name, for it is lovely.


Treasury of Scripture

So stood the two companies of them that gave thanks in the house of God, and I, and the half of the rulers with me:

Nehemiah 12:31,32
Then I brought up the princes of Judah upon the wall, and appointed two great companies of them that gave thanks, whereof one went on the right hand upon the wall toward the dung gate: …

Psalm 42:4
When I remember these things, I pour out my soul in me: for I had gone with the multitude, I went with them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept holyday.

Psalm 47:6-9
Sing praises to God, sing praises: sing praises unto our King, sing praises…

Jump to Previous
Bands Chiefs Choirs Companies Half House Officials Places Positions Praise Prefects Rulers Stand Stood Thanks Thanksgiving Together
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Bands Chiefs Choirs Companies Half House Officials Places Positions Praise Prefects Rulers Stand Stood Thanks Thanksgiving Together
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 two choirs
The use of "two choirs" here signifies a structured and organized form of worship and thanksgiving. In Hebrew, the word for choir can be linked to "maḥălāh," which implies a procession or a company of singers. This reflects the communal and participatory nature of worship in ancient Israel, emphasizing unity and collective praise. Historically, choirs were integral to temple worship, and their presence here underscores the restoration of religious practices after the exile.

that gave thanks
The act of giving thanks is central to Jewish worship and is rooted in the Hebrew word "yadah," which means to praise or give thanks. This expression of gratitude is not just a ritual but a heartfelt acknowledgment of God's faithfulness and provision. In the context of Nehemiah, it highlights the people's recognition of God's hand in the rebuilding of Jerusalem and the restoration of their community.

took their positions on the wall
The wall of Jerusalem, which Nehemiah and the people rebuilt, symbolizes protection, strength, and the re-establishment of the Jewish identity. By positioning the choirs on the wall, it signifies a public declaration of faith and a reclaiming of their heritage. The wall, once a source of shame due to its destruction, now becomes a platform for praise and thanksgiving.

at the House of God
The "House of God" refers to the temple, the center of Jewish worship and the dwelling place of God's presence among His people. This phrase underscores the importance of the temple in Jewish life as a place of sacrifice, prayer, and divine encounter. It also reflects the fulfillment of God's promises to restore His people and His dwelling place after the exile.

so did I
Nehemiah's personal involvement ("so did I") highlights his leadership and commitment to the spiritual and communal life of the people. His presence among the choirs and officials demonstrates servant leadership, where he leads by example in worship and thanksgiving. It reflects the biblical principle that leaders are called to be active participants in the spiritual life of their community.

along with half the officials
The mention of "half the officials" indicates the involvement of the leadership in the act of worship. This participation by the officials signifies the unity between the religious and civic leaders in the community. It also reflects the biblical ideal of leaders who are not only administrators but also spiritual guides, leading the people in devotion and gratitude to God.

(40) In the house of God.--They stood first outside, but afterwards entered to present their offerings. But the main interest of the day was the professional worship under the open heavens.

Verse 40. - So stood the two companies. Having performed their respective portions of the perambulation, and reached the central portion of the eastern wall, opposite the temple area, the two companies came to a stand, one over against the other, not in the house of God, but by it, or near it, which is a meaning that the preposition ב often has. The half of the rulers. Compare ver. 32.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
The two
שְׁתֵּ֥י (šə·tê)
Number - fdc
Strong's 8147: Two (a cardinal number)

thanksgiving [choirs]
הַתּוֹדֹ֖ת (hat·tō·w·ḏōṯ)
Article | Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 8426: An extension of the hand, avowal, adoration, a choir of worshippers

then stood
וַֽתַּעֲמֹ֛דְנָה (wat·ta·‘ă·mō·ḏə·nāh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine plural
Strong's 5975: To stand, in various relations

in the house
בְּבֵ֣ית (bə·ḇêṯ)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1004: A house

of God,
הָאֱלֹהִ֑ים (hā·’ĕ·lō·hîm)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

as did I,
וַאֲנִ֕י (wa·’ă·nî)
Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - first person common singular
Strong's 589: I

along with the half
וַחֲצִ֥י (wa·ḥă·ṣî)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 2677: The half, middle

of the officials
הַסְּגָנִ֖ים (has·sə·ḡā·nîm)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 5461: A prefect of a, province

accompanying me,
עִמִּֽי׃ (‘im·mî)
Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's 5973: With, equally with


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OT History: Nehemiah 12:40 So stood the two companies of those (Neh Ne)
Nehemiah 12:39
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