And Shabbethai and Jozabad, of the chief of the Levites, had the oversight of the outward business of the house of God.
Parallel translations
- WEB and Shabbethai and Jozabad, of the chiefs of the Levites, who had the oversight of the outward business of God’s house;
- BSB Shabbethai and Jozabad, two leaders of the Levites, who supervised the work outside the house of God;
- NKJV Shabbethai and Jozabad, of the heads of the Levites, had the oversight of the business outside of the house of God;
- NASB and Shabbethai and Jozabad, from the leaders of the Levites, who were in charge of the outside work of the house of God;
- NLT Also Shabbethai and Jozabad, who were in charge of the work outside the Temple of God.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Shabbethai and Jozabad, Levite chiefs, oversaw the temple's external affairs. Practical administration was entrusted to faithful leaders.
Overview
These two leading Levites managed the 'outward business' of God's house — the practical and administrative tasks supporting worship. The temple required not only sacred service but also organization of its material affairs. Their role reminds us that faithful administration and stewardship are themselves valued forms of service in the work of God.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 5
- Ezra 8:33Now on the fourth day was the silver and the gold and the vessels weighed in the house of our God by the hand of Meremoth the son of Uriah the priest; and with him was Eleazar the son of Phinehas; and with them was Jozabad the son of Jeshua, and Noadiah the son of Binnui, Levites;
- 1 Chr 26:20And of the Levites, Ahijah was over the treasures of the house of God, and over the treasures of the dedicated things.
- Acts 6:2–3Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables.
- Neh 8:7Also Jeshua, and Bani, and Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodijah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, and the Levites, caused the people to understand the law: and the people stood in their place.
- 1 Chr 26:29Of the Izharites, Chenaniah and his sons were for the outward business over Israel, for officers and judges.
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Christ at the center
The rebuilt walls and renewed covenant community foreshadow the greater builder who gathers and secures a people for God, the one who declares 'I will build my church.'
How Nehemiah 11:16 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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