Bible 911 – Nehemiah

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Nehemiah 9:11 is part of a prayer/song of repentance and a history lesson that led to Jerusalem’s destruction in the time of Jeremiah. Its timestamp is the seventh month after the Feast of Tabernacles. This occurred after the wall of Jerusalem was rebuilt but not dedicated.

As I have done the Bible 911 series it is apparent how the Lord provided “two or three witnesses” to confirm His Word. Isaiah, Amos, Hosea, and others spoke against the Assyrians and the need for Judah to repent. Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Daniel were in the middle of the judgment on Judah and Jerusalem falling. Nehemiah, Ezra, Haggai, and Zechariah are after the seventy years of exile that Jeremiah prophesied. These three groups were also under three different oppressors – the first group dealt with the Assyrians, the second group suffered under the Babylonians, and the third were slaves to the Persians. Egypt and the delusion that it was a help to Israel are mentioned in all three time periods. Now that can make a great sermon. Samaritans, Philistines, and the “family enemies” of Moab, Ammon, and Edom have not gone away.

The Seventh Month

Chapters 8 and 9 of Nehemiah are set in the seventh month of the Hebrew religious calendar; there was a civil calendar that shared names but was in a different order. The importance of this month is found in Leviticus 23:23-44. It is the last set of feasts in the year and they come after the crops are gathered.

With that command in place, it is very curious to read 8:17. Why was the Feast of Tabernacles ignored? There are many references to the Exodus and the forty years of wandering (See Stories 1 and Stories 2), so it was not a forgotten event.

As I read it, the seventh-month gathering in Ezra 3 was not the one in Nehemiah.  It was the Feast of Trumpets, but the timeframe is different. When you follow the parade of kings, several have come and gone between the seventh-month meetings. Ezra’s meeting in chapter 10 is in the 9th month and it was raining. Rain in the “seventh month” in Israel is rare.

Hebrew Jewish Months in the Old Testament – Bible History (bible-history.com)

rainy season in israel – Search (bing.com)       

Chapter 9

The assembly that is chronicled in this chapter may be the final gathering for the Feast of Tabernacles, but it seems like it is an additional event because it began on the 24th. The details that are given signal the preparations and thoughts that have gone into this meeting. The list of Levities may well have been the choir and musicians for the Temple as well as its guards and officials.

This public confession or teaching or prayer or song is beautiful. It extols the Father’s goodness, provisions, and mercy for the Family as He brought them to the inheritance of Abraham. The good works of God are shown in contrast to the sins and unfaithfulness of His people. Abram leaving his home to follow the Lord is a powerful statement as they lead the people through Egypt and the wilderness to the Promise. The final stanzas pull the people back to their current plight and the distress they are enduring. 

9:5b+6 is a perfect joining of Genesis 1 and the foundation for the Lord’s Prayer taught by Jesus. It clearly announces that Jehovah has always been worthy of praise, even before we showed up.

After Genesis 17:5 the name Abram is used only twice in the Scriptures. 1 Chronicles has it in a family list and identifies him as Abraham. Here I feel it is used to connect the listener to the pilgrim who leaves the Ur of the Chaldeans to follow God’s leading to settle in a land they do not know, but it belongs to them. By this time most of these people have never been out of Babylon and only know stories of this land.

Nehemiah 9:11 And thou didst divide the sea before them, so that they went through the midst of the sea on the dry land; and their persecutors thou threwest into the deeps, as a stone into the mighty waters. (KJV)

O the teaching and sermons that have come from this event. Faith and fear, deliverance, provisions, light and dark, and obedience are just a few that come to my mind. It is a main lesson for baptism. These skilled Levities echo Moses and Miriam in their sermon songs found in Exodus 15: 1 – 21.    

Verse 11 is the miraculous scene change from the bondage of the Egyptians and their gods, whom Jehovah wrecked, to God who has covered them with His banner. I know the name Jehovah-Nissi is introduced in Exodus 17, but the Father proved Himself as their warring protector long before that.

A Little History and Background

  • This time of confession and repentance was predicted in Ezekiel 23 and Jeremiah 50.
  • Ezra, the priest and learned man leads the reading/meeting in Chapter 8. It is possible that not all of the returning Israelites may have been fluent in Hebrew. 9:2 sounds like a “family” only meeting.
  • Jeremiah 50:17 “Israel is a scattered flock that lions have chased away. The first to devour them was the king of Assyria; the last to crush their bones was Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon.” (NIV) They are now slaves of Persia.
  • The potentates in this period are confusing, this is not the entire list, just the ones from the Bible. I will give credit to BAR for this list. Darius the Mede (Daniel), Cyrus, Darius the Great (Ezra 4), Xerxes or Ahasuerus (Esther), Artaxerxes I (Ezra), and Darius II(Nehemiah). Yes, there are three different rulers with the name Darius.
  • The important Jews in order (of appearance) is also a hard list to find, this is my attempt. Sheshbazzar prince of Judah, Zerubbabel (also a prince of Judah) and Jeshua (a priest), Haggai and Zechariah, Ezra, and Nehemiah.
  • Zechariah in Context and Zechariah 911 may be helpful. 

Going Further – Place Ezekiel 23 and Jeremiah 50 in chronological order as to when Jerusalem fell, so you can get an appreciation of the mercy of God and His knowledge.

Seraiah

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Seraiah is a name that I saw several times in Ezra and Nehemiah as I was studying to do their Bible 911 post. This name is associated with several priests including Ezra. There are other men, that are not priests, that also have that name. Names were very important to ancient Hebrews. Seraiah is one of those. 2 Samuel 8:17 is the first time it is seen, and many priests from Jeremiah to Nehemiah received that name. Some of the other men may not have been nice people.

The reuse of names to honor people seems to have been common. At the time of Samuel and David, 1 Chronicles 6, several men were named Ahitub and Zadok. In the first century, several priests had the name Ananias.

Seraiah means Prince or Soldier of the Lord. Several experts lean towards Yah Retains. The “iah” is like “el” in a name, it refers to God or Lord. The “Sera” part seems to be the issue with people interpreting it very differently. I like Prince of the Lord, so I will go with that one.

This is a good reference to use in studying this name.  Seraiah | The amazing name Seraiah: meaning and etymology (abarim-publications.com)

It is the “family” part of the name I want to take some time with. Ezekiel and Jeremiah are “family” with all these men named Seraiah. These two prophets, who were also priests, were given some hard words to speak against their family members. But it is true that some of them were not doing right by God.

  • 2 Kings 25:18 and Jeremiah 52:24 tell the story of Seraiah the chief priest being carried into exile.
  • 1 Chronicles 6 is the section that lists priests, Levities, and singers. Verse 14 adds a note about being exiled to Babylon.
  • Ezra 2 has a man in the company with Zerubbabel who returns to Judah.
  • Ezra 7 introduces Ezra the son of Seraiah and family with Hilkiah. He is the Ezra who is also in Nehemiah, Haggai, and Zechariah.
  • Nehemiah 11 and 12 also mention Seraiah(s) in several roles in Jerusalem.

For good and bad, the family of Aaron influenced Israel; before there were kings, with kings, and with governors. The Greeks and Romans did their best to end or diminish the priest of God. The Law put specific restrictions on these relatives of Aaron. Because of the position that God gave them, He held them to a higher standard. Some did well, some did not do well in these duties and responsibilities. That is why they had to offer sacrifices for their sins before representing the people before God.

God bless the Kohen; may they hear His voice and follow His heart.  

Mē or μή

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Mē or μή is a Greek word (Strong’s G 3361) and is used over 1000 times in the New Testament. While using the Mounce translation and website I saw this word in Matthew 5:17 – Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. (NIV) I was actually studying the word “think” in the passage, but that is for another time.

Mē is the first of the two words translated as no in the passage. The second one is G3756 which is also used many times in the New Testament. Both words carry a negative thought and mean no or not.

My thought on the word Mē is very simple and has little to do with Greek grammar or tenses. When “me” takes center stage in what I am doing it translates into a big NO. We all have talents and abilities from the Father we are to use to bring glory to Jesus. The Holy Spirit may even have given you a spiritual gift for building up the Church. But when the “me” factor starts to shadow the glory, we are to give the Father and Jesus a mē and a οὐ has to come in. Another time when me needs a Mē is in dealing with other people, that “as yourself “part is easy to ignore.

So, Jesus = Yes and me = no. Father begin your reign on earth as it is in Heaven. Come Lord Jesus.

Ezra’s Timestamps

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These are the mentions of time in Ezra. The italics verses are important but not in the time flow of the Book. They mark actions and give historical references.  

Ezra 1:1  1y of Cyrus of Persia (reference Daniel)

Ezra 3:1  7m (1y) Jeshua and Zerubbabel rebuilt the altar

Ezra 3:4  Feast of Tabernacles was celebrated with offerings (15d) 

Ezra 3:6  refers back to 3:1, burnt offerings were started (daily)

Ezra 3:8  2y, 2m after their arrival started the Temple. 5m after 3:1

Ezra 4:2  Samaritans reference Esarhaddon king of Assyria, no time is given

Ezra 4:7  Xerxes or Ahasuerus is referenced in verse six and a formal letter is sent in the days of Artaxerxes that stopped work on the Temple

Ezra 4:24  2y of Darius king of Persia work was stopped, this is Darius the Second (there are three mentioned starting in Daniel)

Ezra 5:3  5:1 references Haggai and Zechariah, 5:3 mentions Tattenai the governor, who is confirmed by archeology.

Ezra 5:11  reference to Solomon

Ezra 5:13  reference to Cyrus

Ezra 5:16  reference to Sheshbazzar

Ezra 6:3  a letter Darius found, from Cyrus (see 3:1)

Ezra 6:15  6y 12m 3d of Darius, the Temple was completed

Ezra 6:19 1m 14d after the Temple is finished, they celebrate Passover

Ezra 6:22  the seven days of the Feast cycle

Ezra 7:7   

Ezra 7:8

Ezra 7:9  Ezra started 7y1m1d and arrived at 7y5m1d of Artaxerxes with additional temple workers. This is the time of Passover and Pentecost.

Ezra 8:15  Assembled at the Ahava Canal, camped for three days, fasted, and waited for Levities.

Ezra 8:31  1m 12 d they started left for Jerusalem. (See 7:8+9)

Ezra 8:32  Three-day rest in Jerusalem after arriving.

Ezra 8:33  Fourth day they check the treasures that were brought with them.

Ezra 10:8  A three-day notice to appear. The exact time is not mentioned.

Ezra 10:9 9m 20d Ezra had an assembly, it rained, about mixed marriages.

Ezra 10:16 10m 1d The investigations started

Ezra 10:17 1m 1d The investigation was finished.

Bible 911 – Ezekiel

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Wow, this Bible 911 on Ezekiel reminds me of why I started this series. To study things that I may not be familiar with. I have done other studies in and around Ezekiel, but this one has stretched me. Since I just did Jeremiah 911, I noticed some similar features. One is the pronouncements of the judgment of other nations as well as Israel. But in the middle of some very heavy words, God gives promises of hope and restoration. Ezekiel and Jeremiah are priests and many of their words were against their own tribe members. Jeremiah could have been selected as the high priest because he was the “son of Hilkiah”.

390 + 40

An important feature of Ezekiel is the timestamps. For this post, the two in Chapters 1 and 8 are the important ones. They start again in Chapter 20 and stop at Chapter 40; I will highlight some of these as they date Ezekiel’s visions and the destruction of Judah. The first two timestamps correspond to the number of days that Ezekiel was to lay on his side and “bear the sin” of Israel and Judah (4:5+6).

The 390 days is a thirteen-month year that could be called by the High Priest to adjust the calendar to match the seasons. The forty-day component is for the sins of Judah. I am sure there are many factors that God used to select this number of days. For me, it is a bit of a mystery, I would think it has to do with King Manasseh, but that will be another study. God’s counting is perfect, and we may not be told all of the facts as to start and end times. To impress upon Ezekiel the importance of the message, God used heavenly messengers at the beginning and end of this period.

Back to the first two timestamps. The amount of time between Chapter 1 and Chapter 8 could mean that Ezekiel had his heavenly visions while lying on his side. This set of visions ends with Chapter 11; so, it could be grouped 1-7 and 8-11. From previous studies, I know it is very easy to focus on the angels and cherubim of the visions. God gave these to Ezekiel to inform him of what was going to happen to Jerusalem and Judah. These prophetic visions and acts were started four years before the siege of Jerusalem began (24:1). You have to know that word of this got back to the land of Israel, which was the point. God was adding another witness with Jeremiah and Daniel for the people to repent.

Ezekiel 9:11 And, behold, the man clothed with linen, which had the inkhorn by his side, reported the matter, saying, I have done as thou hast commanded me. (KJV)

Imagine the turmoil for this prophet and priest of God Most High as he watched people he knew be marked for death. This was his Temple, city, and people that he now had to speak against. All of these centuries later, I fear, we tend to remove the personal aspect that Ezekiel and the other prophets lived with as they spoke the thoughts of their God to the Family. 9:11 is in the middle of a vision that if it had been spoken in Jerusalem would have gotten Ezekiel stoned to death. God’s loving nature and mercy are seen in the last part of Chapter 11 where He promises restoration.

Kings, Prophets, and High Use Words

I love God and I love how He works in His time. Josiah was the last godly king of Israel and his work and life produced the prophets and kings that would play out the prophecies of Isaiah, Amos, Hosea, and others. This WordPress post was written several years ago and will help make sense of the backstory of Ezekiel and the punishment of Jerusalem.
ificouldteachthebible.com/2017/10/28/josiahs-children/

Below are a collection of thought, facts, and observations.

Jehoiachin ruled for 100 days before being removed and taken to Babylon. For Jehoiachin that is a number of mercy, his life was spared. He was 55 years old when he was released by Awel-Marduk after 37 years as a prisoner.

Ezekiel was alive, a teenager, during the reign of Josiah. (It was at the end of his rule.)

IF Jeremiah was born when Josiah started ruling, he would be in his 50s when Jerusalem fell. He would have been a prophet for over 40 years.

Like Jeremiah, in the middle of words of judgment, God gives words of hope and restoration through Ezekiel.

There are sections of announcements of judgment on other nations. Jeremiah 24 and 25 may help in understanding this.

There is a section on Egypt, where the survivors ran to after leaving Jerusalem. Timestamps are out of order here, so it is apparent that there was some editing to produce the final book.

There is a section about Tyre. Much of that is a shadow of Satan. (26:1)

The “prince of____” is mentioned several times. Depending on the translation it is used the most in Ezekiel, not all are about Israel.

“Son of man” is mentioned more often here than in other books. Most are directed to Ezekiel, but the connection to Jesus should not be ignored.

Son and daughter are also used many times.

Land and day are used repeatedly, not always about “the day” or “the land”. Outside the Torah, it is a leader in the use of these words. NASB is my reference.

NIV has many “year and day” combinations in the Book of Ezekiel, most are part of the timeline of his life and the messages he was given.

Next to Revelations. Ezekiel uses cherubim or living being or living creature many times. It is a main reference if you are studying these heavenly messengers.

Ezekiel 26:1 is also the time when Jerusalem fell to the siege. Since Ezekiel is a priest, I believe he used the religious calendar. That means that references to the first month are just before Passover. A third-month reference is around the time of Pentecost.

Other posts I have written where Ezekiel was important.

Going Further –

Find and list the thirteen timestamps that refer to Jehoiachin in exile and write a statement about them. OR Read the ending chapters of 2 Kings and 2 Chronicles and imagine how Ezekiel, Daniel, and Jeremiah fit into those stories.