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:
Parallel translations
- WEB So the two companies of those who gave thanks in God’s house stood, and I, and the half of the rulers with me;
- BSB The two thanksgiving choirs then stood in the house of God, as did I, along with the half of the officials accompanying me,
- NKJV So the two thanksgiving choirs stood in the house of God, likewise I and the half of the rulers with me;
- NASB Then the two choirs took their positions in the house of God. So did I and half of the officials with me;
- NLT 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.
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
Both thanksgiving choirs took their stand in God's house, along with Nehemiah and half the rulers. It matters because the procession of praise culminated in worship at the temple itself.
Overview
The two companies converged and stood together in the house of God, the proper destination of their praise. Worship that began on the walls found its center in the place of God's presence. This movement toward God's dwelling reflects the longing of His people to draw near, fully answered in Christ, through whom we have access to the Father.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 4
- Ps 42:4When 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.
- Neh 12:31–32Then 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:
- Ps 134:1–3Behold, bless ye the LORD, all ye servants of the LORD, which by night stand in the house of the LORD.
- Ps 47:6–9Sing praises to God, sing praises: sing praises unto our King, sing praises.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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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 12:40 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
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.