Bible verse by verse

[_LittleNipper]

Nehemiah 10:1-39 The names of those on the sealed agreement were:

Nehemiah, the magistrate, the son of Hakaliah, and Zedekiah, Seraiah, Azariah, Jeremiah, Pashhur, Amariah, Malkijah, Hattush, Shebaniah, Malluk, Harim, Meremoth, Obadiah, Daniel, Ginnethon, Baruch, Meshullam, Abijah, Mijamin, Maaziah, Bilgai, and Shemaiah.

These were the priests.

Levites were:

Jeshua the son of Azaniah, Binnui of the sons of Henadad, and Kadmiel, their relatives Shebaniah, Hodiah, Kelita, Pelaiah, Hanan, Mika, Rehob, Hashabiah, Zakkur, Sherebiah, Shebaniah, Hodiah, Bani, and Beninu.

The public leaders were:

Parosh, Pahath-Moab, Elam, Zattu, Bani, Bunni, Azgad, Bebai, Adonijah, Bigvai, Adin, Ater, Hezekiah, Azzur, Hodiah, Hashum, Bezai, Hariph, Anathoth, Nebai, Magpiash, Meshullam, Hezir, Meshezabel, Zadok, Jaddua, Pelatiah, Hanan, Anaiah, Hoshea, Hananiah, Hasshub, Hallohesh, Pilha, Shobek, Rehum, Hashabnah, Maaseiah, Ahiah, Hanan, Anan, Malluk, Harim, and Baanah.

The remainder of the people, the priests, the Levites, the gatekeepers, the singers, the temple servants, and all who on the basis of the Law of God separated themselves from the people of the lands—their wives, their sons, and their daughters, that is, every one capable of knowledge and understanding— decisively joined in with citizens and nobles, and obligated themselves—by both a curse and an oath—to walk in the Law of God, given by Moses the servant of God, and to observe and do all the commandments of the Lord, along with His judgments and His statutes so that they will not give daughters to the people of the land nor take their daughters for sons of Israel.

They will not buy merchandise or any grain on the Sabbath day. They will also give up the seventh year harvest and the full payment of every debt. They also establish ordinance to collect from annually one-third of a shekel for the service of the house of our God: for the showbread, the continual grain offering, the continual burnt offering, the Sabbaths, the New Moons, the appointed feasts, the holy things, and the sin offerings to make an atonement for Israel, as well as for all the work of the house of our God.

They will cast lots to determine the duty of the supply of wood that the priests, the Levites, and the people—according to the houses of their fathers, being set by annually appointed times—might bring to the house of our God, in order to burn it on the altar of the Lord, as it is written in the Law; and, likewise, for the annual bringing of the first fruits of our ground and the first fruits of all fruit of all trees to the house of the Lord; and for bringing to the priests who are ministering at the house of God, the firstborn of sons and livestock, as it is written in the Law, plus the firstborn of herds and flocks.

Moreover, the first of their fresh dough, contributions, the fruit of every tree, and the new wine and oil will be brought to the priests at the rooms of the house of our God, but the tithe of crops will be brought to the Levites, since they themselves receive the tithes in all agricultural cities. There must be a priest, a descendant of Aaron, with the Levites when they are collecting tithes, and the Levites will offer a 10th of the tithes to the house of God, for the chambers of the storehouse. Both the children of Israel and the Levites should bring the contribution of the grain, new wine, and the fresh oil to the chambers because the vessels of the sanctuary and the ministering priests, the gatekeepers, and the singers are there.

They resolved not to forsake the house of God.


Young's Literal Translation (YLT)

1 And over those sealed [are] Nehemiah the Tirshatha, son of Hachaliah, and Zidkijah,

2 Seraiah, Azariah, Jeremiah,

3 Pashhur, Amariah, Malchijah,

4 Huttush, Shebaniah, Malluch,

5 Harim, Meremoth, Obadiah,

6 Daniel, Ginnethon, Baruch,

7 Meshullam, Abijah, Mijamin,

8 Maaziah, Bilgai, Shemaiah; these [are] the priests.

9 And the Levites: both Jeshua son of Azaniah, Binnui of the sons of Henadad, Kadmiel;

10 and their brethren: Shebaniah, Hodijah, Kelita, Pelaiah, Hanan,

11 Micha, Rehob, Hashabiah,

12 Zaccur, Sherebiah, Shebaniah,

13 Hodijah, Bani, Beninu.

14 Heads of the people: Parosh, Pahath-Moab, Elam, Zatthu, Bani,

15 Bunni, Azgad, Bebai,

16 Adonijah, Bigvai, Adin,

17 Ater, Hizkijah, Azzur,

18 Hodijah, Hashum, Bezai,

19 Hariph, Anathoth, Nebai,

20 Magpiash, Meshullam, Hezir,

21 Meshezabeel, Zadok, Jaddua,

22 Pelatiah, Hanan, Anaiah,

23 Hoshea, Hananiah, Hashub,

24 Hallohesh, Pilha, Shobek,

25 Rehum, Hashabnah, Maaseiah,

26 and Ahijah, Hanan, Anan,

27 Malluch, Harim, Baanah.

28 And the rest of the people, the priests, the Levites, the gatekeepers, the singers, the Nethinim, and every one who hath been separated from the peoples of the lands unto the law of God, their wives, their sons, and their daughters, every knowing intelligent one,

29 are laying hold on their brethren, their honourable ones, and coming in to an execration, and in to an oath, to walk in the law of God, that was given by the hand of Moses, servant of God, and to observe and to do all the commands of Jehovah our Lord, and His judgments, and His statutes;

30 and that we give not our daughters to the peoples of the land, and their daughters we take not to our sons;

31 and the peoples of the land who are bringing in the wares and any corn on the sabbath-day to sell, we receive not of them on the sabbath, and on a holy day, and we leave the seventh year, and usury on every hand.

32 And we have appointed for ourselves commands, to put on ourselves the third of a shekel in a year, for the service of the house of our God,

33 for bread of the arrangement, and the continual present, and the continual burnt-offering of the sabbaths, of the new moons, for appointed seasons, and for holy things, and for sin-offerings, to make atonement for Israel, even all the work of the house of our God.

34 And the lots we have caused to fall for the offering of wood, [among] the priests, the Levites, and the people, to bring in to the house of our God, by the house of our fathers, at times appointed, year by year, to burn on the altar of Jehovah our God, as it is written in the law,

35 and to bring in the first fruits of our ground, and the first fruits of all fruit of every tree, year by year, to the house of Jehovah,

36 and the firstlings of our sons, and of our cattle, as it is written in the law, and the firstlings of our herds and our flocks, to bring in to the house of our God, to the priests who are ministering in the house of our God.

37 And the beginning of our dough, and our heave-offerings, and the fruit of every tree, of new wine, and of oil, we bring in to the priests, unto the chambers of the house of our God, and the tithe of our ground to the Levites; and they -- the Levites -- have the tithes in all the cities of our tillage;

38 and the priest, son of Aaron, hath been with the Levites in the tithing of the Levites, and the Levites bring up the tithe of the tithe to the house of our God unto the chambers, to the treasure-house;

39 for unto the chambers do they bring in -- the sons of Israel and the sons of Levi -- the heave-offering of the corn, the new wine, and the oil, and there [are] vessels of the sanctuary, and the priests, those ministering, and the gatekeepers, and the singers, and we do not forsake the house of our God.

[_ludwigm]

Some more names which are important for an XXI century reader.

As important as the list of membership of the first Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union (Russian: Центра́льный комите́т Коммунисти́ческой па́ртии Сове́тского Сою́за – ЦК КПСС, Tsentralniy Komitet Kommunistitcheskoi Partii Sovetskogo Soyuza – TsK KPSS), abbreviated in Russian as ЦК, "Tse-ka" would be...

Nehemiah 10:1-39
Young's Literal Translation (YLT)
1 And over those sealed [are] Nehemiah the Tirshatha, son of Hachaliah, and Zidkijah,
2 Seraiah, Azariah, Jeremiah,
3 Pashhur, Amariah, Malchijah,
4 Huttush, Shebaniah, Malluch,
5 Harim, Meremoth, Obadiah,
6 Daniel, Ginnethon, Baruch,
7 Meshullam, Abijah, Mijamin,
8 Maaziah, Bilgai, Shemaiah; these [are] the priests.
9 And the Levites: both Jeshua son of Azaniah, Binnui of the sons of Henadad, Kadmiel;
10 and their brethren: Shebaniah, Hodijah, Kelita, Pelaiah, Hanan,
11 Micha, Rehob, Hashabiah,
12 Zaccur, Sherebiah, Shebaniah,
13 Hodijah, Bani, Beninu.
14 Heads of the people: Parosh, Pahath-Moab, Elam, Zatthu, Bani,
15 Bunni, Azgad, Bebai,
16 Adonijah, Bigvai, Adin,
17 Ater, Hizkijah, Azzur,
18 Hodijah, Hashum, Bezai,
19 Hariph, Anathoth, Nebai,
20 Magpiash, Meshullam, Hezir,
21 Meshezabeel, Zadok, Jaddua,
22 Pelatiah, Hanan, Anaiah,
23 Hoshea, Hananiah, Hashub,
24 Hallohesh, Pilha, Shobek,
25 Rehum, Hashabnah, Maaseiah,
26 and Ahijah, Hanan, Anan,
27 Malluch, Harim, Baanah.

[_LittleNipper]

You may think all the names are a waste of space and time; however, they do root the historic nature of the text to very real (yet average) people who actually existed when these events unfolded, and witnessed these happenings. I mean, people do not seem to get upset when "all" the signers of the Declaration of Independence are listed.

[_Zadok]

You may think all the names are a waste of space and time; however, they do root the historic nature of the text to very real (yet average) people who actually existed when these events unfolded, and witnessed these happenings.

And validate my little-known alias name.

[_LittleNipper]

Nehemiah 11:1-36 The leaders lived in Jerusalem. The general public cast lots to bring 1/10 to live in the holy city of Jerusalem, while the remainder stayed in other towns. These are the leaders of the province who lived in Jerusalem; while the Israelites, the priests, the Levites, the temple servants, and the descendants of Solomon’s servants lived in the towns of Judah on their own property in their towns. Some of the descendants of Judah and Benjamin settled in Jerusalem.

From the family of Judah: Athaiah son of Uzziah son of Zechariah son of Amariah son of Shephatiah son of Mahalalel of the family of Perez; and Maaseiah son of Baruch son of Col-hozeh son of Hazaiah son of Adaiah son of Joiarib son of Zechariah son of the Shilonite. The family of Perez living in Jerusalem totaled 468 courageous people.

From the family of Benjamin: Sallu son of Meshullam son of Joed son of Pedaiah son of Kolaiah son of Maaseiah son of Ithiel son of Jeshaiah. And after him were Gabbai and Sallai: 928. Joel son of Zichri was their supervisor, and Judah son of Hassenuah was 2nd in charge of the city.

Of the priests: Jedaiah son of Joiarib, Jachin, Seraiah son of Hilkiah son of Meshullam son of Zadok son of Meraioth son of Ahitub the officer of God’s house, and their associates who carried out the work in the temple: 822. There was also Adaiah son of Jeroham son of Pelaliah son of Amzi son of Zechariah son of Pashhur son of Malchijah, and his associates, heads of families: 242. There was also Amashsai son of Azarel son of Ahzai son of Meshillemoth son of Immer 14 and their associates, for a total of 128 courageous people. Their supervisor was Zabdiel, Haggedolim’s son.


Of the Levites: Shemaiah son of Hasshub son of Azrikam son of Hashabiah son of Bunni; including Shabbethai and Jozabad, who were some of the leaders of the Levites in charge of exterior work on God’s house; also Mattaniah son of Mica son of Zabdi son of Asaph the leader who began the thanksgiving with prayer, and Bakbukiah, who was the 2nd among his associates; and Abda son of Shammua son of Galal son of Jeduthun. All the Levites in the holy city totaled 284. Gatekeepers: Akkub, Talmon, and those who guarded the gates totaled 172. The rest of Israel, the priests, and the Levites lived in various towns throughout Judah, each of them on their own property. However, the temple servants lived in Ophel, with Ziha and Gishpa in charge of them. The supervisor of the Levites in Jerusalem was Uzzi son of Bani son of Hashabiah son of Mattaniah son of Mica, from the family of Asaph, who were the singers in charge of the work of God’s house.

There was a command from the king establishing the daily requirements of the singers. Advising the king in all matters concerning the people was Pethahiah, Meshezabel’s son, from the family of Zerah, Judah’s son.

As to the villages with their fields, some of the people of Judah lived in Kiriath-arba and its villages, in Dibon and its villages, in Jekabzeel and its villages, in Jeshua, in Moladah and Beth-pelet, in Hazar-shual, in Beer-sheba and surrounding villages, in Ziklag, in Meconah and surrounding villages, in En-rimmon, Zorah, Jarmuth, Zanoah, Adullam, and villages, Lachish and fields, and Azekah and surrounding villages. So they settled from Beer-sheba to the Hinnom Valley.The people of Benjamin also lived from beyond Geba, at Michmash, Aija, Bethel and its villages, Anathoth, Nob, Ananiah, Hazor, Ramah, Gittaim, Hadid, Zeboim, Neballat, Lod, and Ono, the valley of artisans. Some of the Levites in Judah were joined to Benjamin.


Young's Literal Translation (YLT)

1 And the heads of the people dwell in Jerusalem, and the rest of the people have caused to fall lots to bring in one out of ten to dwell in Jerusalem the holy city, and nine parts in the cities,

2 and the people give a blessing to all the men who are offering themselves willingly to dwell in Jerusalem.

3 And these [are] heads of the province who have dwelt in Jerusalem, and in cities of Judah, they have dwelt each in his possession in their cities; Israel, the priests, and the Levites, and the Nethinim, and the sons of the servants of Solomon.

4 And in Jerusalem have dwelt of the sons of Judah, and of the sons of Benjamin. Of the sons of Judah: Athaiah son of Uzziah, son of Zechariah, son of Amariah, son of Shephatiah, son of Mahalaleel, of the sons of Perez;

5 and Masseiah son of Baruch, son of Col-Hozeh, son of Hazaiah, son of Adaiah, son of Joiarib, son of Zechariah, son of Shiloni;

6 all the sons of Perez who are dwelling in Jerusalem [are] four hundred sixty and eight, men of valour.

7 And these [are] sons of Benjamin: Sallu son of Meshullam, son of Joed, son of Pedaiah, son of Kolaiah, son of Maaseiah, son of Ithiel, son of Jesaiah;

8 and after him Gabbai, Sallai, nine hundred twenty and eight.

9 And Joel son of Zichri [is] inspector over them, and Judah son of Senuah [is] over the city -- second.

10 Of the priests: Jedaiah son of Joiarib, Jachin,

11 Seraiah son of Hilkiah, son of Meshullam, son of Zadok, son of Meraioth, son of Ahitub, leader of the house of God,

12 and their brethren doing the work of the house [are] eight hundred twenty and two; and Adaiah son of Jeroham, son of Pelaliah, son of Amzi, son of Zechariah, son of Pashhur, son of Malchiah,

13 and his brethren, heads of fathers, two hundred forty and two; and Amashsai son of Azareel, son of Ahazai, son of Meshillemoth, son of Immer,

14 and their brethren, mighty of valour, a hundred twenty and eight; and an inspector over them [is] Zabdiel, son of [one of] the great men.

15 And of the Levites: Shemaiah son of Hashub, son of Azrikam, son of Hashabiah, son of Bunni,

16 and Shabbethai, and Jozabad, [are] over the outward work of the house of God, of the heads of the Levites,

17 and Mattaniah son of Micha, son of Zabdi, son of Asaph, [is] head -- at the commencement he giveth thanks in prayer; and Bakbukiah [is] second among his brethren, and Abda son of Shammua, son of Galal, son of Jeduthun.

18 All the Levites, in the holy city, [are] two hundred eighty and four.

19 And the gatekeepers, Akkub, Talmon, and their brethren, those watching at the gates, [are] a hundred seventy and two.

20 And the rest of Israel, of the priests, of the Levites, [are] in all cities of Judah, each in his inheritance;

21 and the Nethinim are dwelling in Ophel, and Ziha and Gishpa [are] over the Nethinim.

22 And the overseer of the Levites in Jerusalem [is] Uzzi son of Bani, son of Hashabiah, son of Mattaniah, son of Micha: of the sons of Asaph, the singers [are] over-against the work of the house of God,

23 for the command of the king [is] upon them, and support [is] for the singers, a matter of a day in its day.

24 And Pethahiah son of Meshezabeel, of the sons of Zerah, son of Judah, [is] by the hand of the king, for every matter of the people.

25 And at the villages with their fields, of the sons of Judah there have dwelt, in Kirjath-Arba and its small towns, and in Dibon and its small towns, and in Jekabzeel and its villages,

26 and in Jeshua, and in Moladah, and in Beth-Phelet,

27 and in Hazar-Shaul, and in Beer-Sheba and its small towns,

28 and in Ziklag, and in Mekonah and in its small towns,

29 and En-Rimmon, and in Zareah, and in Jarmuth,

30 Zanoah, Adullam, and their villages, Lachish and its fields, Azekah and its small towns; and they encamp from Beer-Sheba unto the valley of Hinnom.

31 And sons of Benjamin [are] at Geba, Michmash, and Aija, and Beth-El, and its small towns,

32 Anathoth, Nob, Ananiah,

33 Hazor, Ramah, Gittaim,

34 Hadid, Zeboim, Neballat,

35 Lod, and Ono, the valley of the artificers.

36 And of the Levites, the courses of Judah [are] for Benjamin.

[_LittleNipper]

Nehemiah 12:1-47 These are the priests and the Levites that went up with Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua:
Seraiah, Jeremiah, Ezra, Amariah, Malluch, Hattush, Shecaniah, Rehum, Meremoth, Iddo, Ginnethoi, Abijah, Mijamin, Maadiah, Bilgah, Shemaiah, and Joiarib, Jedaiah. Sallu, Amok, Hilkiah, Jedaiah. These were the head priests and their brethren in the days of Jeshua.

In addition the Levites: Jeshua, Binnui, Kadmiel, Sherebiah, Judah, and Mattaniah, officiated the thanksgiving, he and his brethren. Bakbukiah and Unno, their brethren stood opposite them in the service.

Jeshua begat Joiakim, and Joiakim begat Eliashib, and Eliashib begat Joiada, and Joiada begat Jonathan, and Jonathan begat Jaddua.

In the days of Joiakim, these were the heads of the priestly families: of Seraiah family, Meraiah; of Jeremiah, Hananiah; of Ezra, Meshullam; of Amariah, Jehohanan; of Malluchi, Jonathan; of Shebaniah, Joseph; of Harim, Adna; of Meraioth, Helkai; of Iddo, Zechariah; of Ginnethon, Meshullam; of Abijah, Zichri; of Miniamin, of Moadiah, Piltai; of Bilgah, Shammua; of Shemaiah, Jehonathan; and of Joiarib, Mattenai; of Jedaiah, Uzzi; of Sallai, Kallai; of Amok, Eber; of Hilkiah, Hashabiah; of Jedaiah, Nethanel.

The family heads of the Levites in the days of Eliashib, Joiada, Johanan and Jaddua, as well as those of the priests, were recorded in the reign of Darius of Persia. The family heads among the descendants of Levi up to the time of Johanan son of Eliashib were recorded in the book of the annals. The leaders of the Levites were Hashabiah, Sherebiah, Jeshua son of Kadmiel, and their associates, who stood opposite them to give praise and thanksgiving, one section responding to the other, as once prescribed by king David..

Mattaniah, Bakbukiah, Obadiah, Meshullam, Talmon and Akkub were gatekeepers who guarded the storerooms at the gates. They served in the days of Joiakim son of Joshua, the son of Jozadak, and in the days of Nehemiah the governor and of Ezra the priest, the teacher of the Law.

At the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem, the Levites were brought out from where they lived and were taken to Jerusalem to celebrate joyfully the dedication with songs of thanksgiving and with the music of cymbals, harps and lyres. Musicians also were brought together from the region around Jerusalem—from the villages of the Netophathites, from Beth Gilgal, and from the area of Geba and Azmaveth, for the musicians had built villages for themselves around Jerusalem. When the priests and Levites had purified themselves ceremonially, they purified the people, the gates and the wall.

Nehemiah had the leaders of Judah go up on top of the wall. Nehemiah assigned two large choirs to give thanks. One was to proceed on top of the wall to the right, toward the Dung Gate. Hoshaiah and half the leaders of Judah followed them, along with Azariah, Ezra, Meshullam, Judah, Benjamin, Shemaiah, Jeremiah, as well as some priests with trumpets, and also Zechariah son of Jonathan, the son of Shemaiah, the son of Mattaniah, the son of Micaiah, the son of Zakkur, the son of Asaph, and his associates—Shemaiah, Azarel, Milalai, Gilalai, Maai, Nethanel, Judah and Hanani—with musical instruments required by king David. Ezra the teacher of the Law led the procession. At the Fountain Gate they continued directly up the steps of the City of David on the ascent to the wall and passed above the site of David’s palace to the Water Gate on the east.

The second choir proceeded in the opposite direction. Nehemiah followed them on top of the wall, together with half the people—past the Tower of the Ovens to the Broad Wall, over the Gate of Ephraim, and by the old-gate, the Fish Gate, the Tower of Hananel and the Tower of the Hundred, as far as the Sheep Gate. At the Gate of the Guard they stopped. The two choirs that gave thanks then took their places in the house of God; as did Nehemiah, together with half the officials, as well as the priests—Eliakim, Maaseiah, Miniamin, Micaiah, Elioenai, Zechariah and Hananiah with their trumpets— and also Maaseiah, Shemaiah, Eleazar, Uzzi, Jehohanan, Malkijah, Elam and Ezer. The choirs sang under the direction of Jezrahiah. And on that day they offered great sacrifices, rejoicing because God had given them great joy. The women and children rejoiced. The sound of rejoicing in Jerusalem could be heard far away.

At that time men were appointed to be in charge of the storerooms for the contributions, firstfruits and tithes. From the fields around the towns they were to bring into the storerooms the portions required by the Law for the priests and the Levites, for Judah was pleased with the ministering priests and Levites. They performed the service of God and the service of purification, as did also the musicians and gatekeepers, according to the commands of David and Solomon.

For in the days of David and Asaph, there had been directors for the musicians and for the songs of praise and thanksgiving to God. So it was in the days of Zerubbabel and Nehemiah, all Israel contributed the daily portions for the musicians and the gatekeepers. They also set aside the portion for the other Levites, and the Levites set aside the portion for the descendants of Aaron.

Young's Literal Translation (YLT)

1 And these [are] the priests and the Levites who came up with Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua; Seraiah, Jeremiah, Ezra,

2 Amariah, Malluch, Hattush,

3 Shechaniah, Rehum, Meremoth,

4 Iddo, Ginnethoi, Abijah,

5 Miamin, Maadiah, Bilgah,

6 Shemaiah, and Joiarib, Jedaiah,

7 Sallu, Amok, Hilkiah, Jedaiah; these [are] heads of the priests and of their brethren in the days of Jeshua.

8 And the Levites [are] Jeshua, Binnui, Kadmiel, Sherebiah, Judah, Mattaniah, he [is] over the thanksgiving, and his brethren,

9 and Bakbukiah and Unni, their brethren, [are] over-against them in charges.

10 And Jeshua hath begotten Joiakim, and Joiakim hath begotten Eliashib, and Eliashib hath begotten Joiada,

11 and Joiada hath begotten Jonathan, and Jonathan hath begotten Jaddua.

12 And in the days of Joiakim have been priests, heads of the fathers; of Seraiah, Meraiah; of Jeremiah, Hananiah;

13 of Ezra, Meshullam; of Amariah, Jehohanan;

14 of Melicu, Jonathan; of Shebaniah, Joseph;

15 of Harim, Adna; of Meraioth, Helkai;

16 of Iddo, Zechariah; of Ginnethon, Meshullam;

17 of Abijah, Zichri; of Miniamin; of Moadiah, Piltai;

18 of Bilgah, Shammua; of Shemaiah, Jehonathan;

19 and of Joiarib, Mattenai; of Jedaiah, Uzzi;

20 of Sallai, Kallai; of Amok, Eber;

21 of Hilkiah, Hashabiah; of Jedaiah, Nethaneel.

22 The Levites, in the days of Eliashib, Joiada, and Johanan, and Jaddua, are written, heads of fathers, and of the priests, in the kingdom of Darius the Persian.

23 Sons of Levi, heads of the fathers, are written on the book of the Chronicles even till the days of Johanan son of Eliashib;

24 and heads of the Levites: Hashabiah, Sherebiah, and Jeshua son of Kadmiel, and their brethren, [are] over-against them, to give praise, to give thanks, by command of David the man of God, charge over-against charge.

25 Mattaniah, and Bakbukiah, Obadiah, Meshullam, Talmon, Akkub, [are] gatekeepers, keeping charge in the gatherings of the gates.

26 These [are] in the days of Joiakim son of Jeshua, son of Jozadak, and in the days of Nehemiah the governor, and of Ezra the priest, the scribe.

27 And at the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem they sought the Levites out of all their places, to bring them in to Jerusalem, to make the dedication even with gladness, and with thanksgivings, and with singing, [with] cymbals, psalteries, and with harps;

28 and sons of the singers are gathered together even from the circuit round about Jerusalem, and from the villages of Netophathi,

29 and from the house of Gilgal, and from fields of Geba and Azmaveth, for villages have the singers built for themselves round about Jerusalem;

30 and the priests and the Levites are cleansed, and they cleanse the people, and the gates, and the wall.

31 And I bring up the heads of Judah upon the wall, and appoint two great thanksgiving companies and processions. At the right, on the wall, to the dung-gate;

32 and after them goeth Hoshaiah, and half of the heads of Judah,

33 and Azariah, Ezra, and Meshullam,

34 Judah, and Benjamin, and Shemaiah, and Jeremiah;

35 and of the sons of the priests with trumpets, Zechariah son of Jonathan, son of Shemaiah, son of Mattaniah, son of Michaiah, son of Zaccur, son of Asaph,

36 and his brethren Shemaiah, and Azarael, Milalai, Gilalai, Maai, Nethaneel, and Judah, Hanani, with instruments of song of David the man of God, and Ezra the scribe [is] before them;

37 and by the gate of the fountain and over-against them, they have gone up by the steps of the city of David, at the going up of the wall beyond the house of David, and unto the water-gate eastward.

38 And the second thanksgiving company that is going over-against, and I after it, and half of the people on the wall from beyond the tower of the furnaces and unto the broad wall,

39 and from beyond the gate of Ephraim, and by the old-gate, and by the fish-gate, and the tower of Hananeel, and the tower of Meah, and unto the sheep-gate -- and they have stood at the prison-gate.

40 And the two thanksgiving companies stand in the house of God, and I and half of the prefects with me,

41 and the priests, Eliakim, Maaseiah, Miniamin, Michaiah, Elioenai, Zechariah, Hananiah, with trumpets,

42 and Masseiah, and Shemaiah, and Eleazar, and Uzzi, and Jehohanan, and Malchijah, and Elam, and Ezer, and the singers sound, and Jezrahiah the inspector;

43 and they sacrifice on that day great sacrifices and rejoice, for God hath made them rejoice [with] great joy, and also, the women and the children have rejoiced, and the joy of Jerusalem is heard -- unto a distance.

44 And certain are appointed on that day over the chambers for treasures, for heave-offerings, for first-fruits, and for tithes, to gather into them out of the fields of the cities the portions of the law for priests, and for Levites, for the joy of Judah [is] over the priests, and over the Levites, who are standing up.

45 And the singers and the gatekeepers keep the charge of their God, even the charge of the cleansing -- according to the command of David [and] Solomon his son,

46 for in the days of David and Asaph of old [were] heads of the singers, and a song of praise and thanksgiving to God.

47 And all Israel in the days of Zerubbabel, and in the days of Nehemiah, are giving the portions of the singers, and of the gatekeepers, the matter of a day in its day, and are sanctifying to the Levites, and the Levites are sanctifying to the sons of Aaron.

[_LittleNipper]

Nehemiah 13:1-31 As the Law of Moses was being read aloud to the people, they came to the passage which stated that no Ammonite or Moabite was ever to be permitted to join God's people. This was because the people of Ammon and Moab did not provide food and water to the Israelites on their way from Egypt. Instead, they paid money to Balaam to curse Israel. God turned that curse into a blessing. When the people of Israel heard this law read, they excluded all foreigners from the community.

Priest Eliashib was in charge of the Temple storerooms, had for a long time been on good terms with Tobiah. He allowed Tobiah to use a large room that was intended only for storing offerings of grain, incense, Temple equipment, offerings to the priests, tithes of grain, wine, olive oil (for the Levites, Temple musicians, and Temple guards). Nehemiah was not in Jerusalem, because in the 32nd year that Artaxerxes was king of Babylon Nehemiah had returned to report to him. After some time Nehemiah received his permission and returned to Jerusalem. Nehemiah was shocked to find that Eliashib had allowed Tobiah to use a room in the Temple, and threw out all of Tobiah's belongings. Nehemiah orders the rooms to be ritually purified and for the Temple equipment, grain offerings, and incense to be returned.

Nehemiah learned that the Temple musicians and other Levites had left Jerusalem and returned to their farms, because the people had not been giving them enough to live on. Nehemiah reprimanded the officials for allowing this neglect. Nehemiah brought the Levites and musicians back to the Temple and put them to work again. Then all the people of Israel again started bringing to the Temple storerooms their tithes of grain, wine, and olive oil. Nehemiah put Shelemiah, a priest; Zadok, a scholar of the Law; and Pedaiah, a Levite in charge of the storerooms. Hanan, the son of Zaccur and grandson to Mattaniah, was to be their assistant. Nehemiah could trust these men to be honest in distributing the supplies to the other workers.

Nehemiah saw people in Judah pressing juice from grapes on the Sabbath. Others were loading grain, wine, grapes, figs, and other things on their donkeys and taking them into Jerusalem; Nehemiah warned them not to sell anything on the Sabbath. Some people from the city of Tyre were living in Jerusalem, and they brought fish and all kinds of goods into the city to sell on the Sabbath. Nehemiah reprimanded the Jewish leaders and said, “You're making the Sabbath unholy. This is exactly why God punished Israel in the past ----- when He brought destruction on this city.”

Nehemiah gave orders for the city gates to be shut at the beginning of every Sabbath, as soon as evening began to fall, and not to be opened again until the Sabbath was over. Nehemiah stationed some men at the gates to make sure that nothing was brought into the city on the Sabbath. Once or twice merchants who sold all kinds of goods spent Friday night outside the city walls. Nehemiah warned them, “It's no use waiting out there for morning to come. If you try this again, I'll use force on you.” From then on they did not come back on the Sabbath. Nehemiah ordered the Levites to purify themselves and to guard the gates to make sure that the Sabbath was kept holy.

At that time Nehemiah discovered that many of the Jewish men had married women from Ashdod, Ammon, and Moab. Half of their children spoke the language of Ashdod or some other language and didn't know how to speak Hebrew. Nehemiah reprimanded the men, called down curses on them, beat them, and pulled out their hair. Then made them take an oath in God's name that never again would they or their children intermarry with foreigners. Nehemiah explained, “It was foreign women that made King Solomon sin. Here was a man who was greater than any of the kings of other nations. God loved him and made him king over all of Israel, and yet he fell into this sin. Are we then to follow your example and disobey our God by marrying foreign women?”

Joiada was the son of Eliashib the High Priest, but one of Joiada's sons married the daughter of Sanballat, from the town of Beth Horon, so he was forced to leave Jerusalem.

Nehemiah purified the people from everything foreign preparing regulations for the priests and the Levites so that all of them would know their duties. Nehemiah arranged for the wood used for burning the offerings to be brought at the proper times, and for the people to bring their offerings of the first grain and the first fruits that ripened.
Nehemiah takes credit for things being straightened out and done correctly.

Young's Literal Translation (YLT)

1 On that day there was read in the book of Moses, in the ears of the people, and it hath been found written in it that an Ammonite and Moabite doth not come into the assembly of God -- unto the age,

2 because they have not come before the sons of Israel with bread and with water, and hire against them Balaam to revile them, and our God turneth the reviling into a blessing.

3 And it cometh to pass, at their hearing the law, that they separate all the mixed people from Israel.

4 And before this Eliashib the priest, appointed over chambers of the house of our God, [is] a relation of Tobiah,

5 and he maketh for him a great chamber, and there they were formerly putting the present, the frankincense, and the vessels, and the tithe of the corn, the new wine, and the oil -- the commanded thing of the Levites, and the singers, and the gatekeepers -- and the heave-offering of the priests.

6 And during all this I was not in Jerusalem, for in the thirty and second year of Artaxerxes king of Babylon did I come unto the king, and at the end of days I have asked of the king,

7 and I come in to Jerusalem, and understand concerning the evil that Eliashib hath done for Tobiah, to make to him a chamber in the courts of the house of God,

8 and it is very displeasing to me, and I cast all the vessels of the house of Tobiah without, out of the chamber,

9 and I speak, and they cleanse the chambers, and I bring back thither the vessels of the house of God with the present and the frankincense.

10 And I know that the portions of the Levites have not been given, and they flee each to his field -- the Levites and the singers, doing the work.

11 And I strive with the prefects, and say, `Wherefore hath the house of God been forsaken?' and I gather them, and set them on their station;

12 and all Judah have brought in the tithe of the corn, and of the new wine, and of the oil, to the treasuries.

13 And I appoint treasurers over the treasuries, Shelemiah the priest, and Zadok the scribe, and Pedaiah of the Levites; and by their hand [is] Hanan son of Zaccur, son of Mattaniah, for stedfast they have been reckoned, and on them [it is] to give a portion to their brethren.

14 Be mindful of me, O my God, for this, and do not blot out my kind acts that I have done, for the house of my God, and for its charges.

15 In those days I have seen in Judah those treading wine-vats on sabbath, and bringing in the sheaves, and lading on the asses, and also, wine, grapes, and figs, and every burden, yea, they are bringing in to Jerusalem on the sabbath-day, and I testify in the day of their selling provision.

16 And the Tyrians have dwelt in it, bringing in fish, and every ware, and selling on sabbath to the sons of Judah and in Jerusalem.

17 And I strive with the freemen of Judah, and say to them, `What [is] this evil thing that ye are doing, and polluting the sabbath-day?

18 Thus did not your fathers do? and our God bringeth in on us all this evil, and on this city, and ye are adding fierceness on Israel, to pollute the sabbath.'

19 And it cometh to pass, when the gates of Jerusalem have been dark before the sabbath, that I speak, and the doors are shut, and I say, that they do not open them till after the sabbath; and of my servants I have stationed at the gates; there doth not come in a burden on the sabbath-day.

20 And they lodge -- the merchants and sellers of all ware -- at the outside of Jerusalem, once or twice,

21 and I testify against them, and say unto them, `Wherefore are ye lodging over-against the wall? if ye repeat [it], a hand I put forth upon you;' from that time they have not come in on the sabbath.

22 And I say to the Levites, that they be cleansed, and, coming in, keeping the gates, to sanctify the sabbath-day. Also, this, remember for me, O my God, and have pity on me, according to the abundance of Thy kindness.

23 Also, in those days, I have seen the Jews [who] have settled women of Ashdod, of Ammon, of Moab.

24 And of their sons, half are speaking Ashdoditish -- and are not knowing to speak Jewish -- and according to the language of people and people.

25 And I strive with them, and declare them vile, and smite certain of them, and pluck off their hair, and cause them to swear by God, `Ye do not give your daughters to their sons, nor do ye take of their daughters to your sons, and to yourselves.

26 `By these did not Solomon king of Israel sin? and among the many nations there was no king like him, and beloved by his God he was, and God maketh him king over all Israel -- even him did the strange women cause to sin.

27 And to you do we hearken to do all this great evil, to trespass against our God, to settle strange women?'

28 And [one] of the sons of Joiada son of Eliashib the high priest, [is] son-in-law to Sanballat the Horonite, and I cause him to flee from off me.

29 Be mindful of them, O my God, for the redeemed of the priesthood, and the covenant of the priesthood, and of the Levites.

30 And I have cleansed them from every stranger, and appoint charges to priests and to Levites, each in his work,

31 and for the wood-offering at appointed times, and for first-fruits. Be mindful of me, O my God, for good.

[_LittleNipper]

Esther 1:1-22 King Xerxes ruled 127 provinces from Persia's capital city of Susa, all the way from India to Ethiopia. In the 3rd year of his reign he threw a party all his officials and administrators. The armies of Persia and Media were present, as well as the governors and noblemen from provinces. For 6 months he made a show of the riches of the imperial court. After that, the king threw a party for all the people in the capital city of Susa, rich and poor alike. It continued for a week and was held in the gardens of the palace. The courtyard there was decorated with blue and white cotton curtains, tied back with cords of fine purple linen to silver rings on the marble columns. Couches made of gold and silver had been placed in the courtyard, which was paved with white marble, red feldspar, shining mother-of-pearl, and blue turquoise. Drinks were served in all different gold cups. The king was generous with the royal wine. There were no limits on the drinks; the king had given orders to the palace servants that everyone could have as much as they wanted.

Inside the royal palace Queen Vashti was giving a banquet for the women. On the 7th day of his party Xerxes was drinking and feeling happy. He called in the 7 eunuchs who were his personal servants,
Mehuman,
Biztha,
Harbona,
Bigtha,
Abagtha,
Zethar,
and Carkas.
He ordered them to bring in Queen Vashti, wearing her royal crown. The queen was lovely, and the king wanted to show her off to the officials and all his guests. But when the servants told Queen Vashti of the king's command, she refused to come. This angered the king.

Now it was Xerxes' custom to ask for expert opinion on questions of law and order, so he called for his advisers, who would recommend what to do. He most often turned to
Carshena,
Shethar,
Admatha,
Tarshish,
Meres,
Marsena,
and Memucan—-------- 7 officials of Persia and Media who held the highest offices in the kingdom. He said to these men, “I, King Xerxes, sent my servants to Queen Vashti with a command, and she refused to obey it! What does the law say that we should do with her?”

Memucan declared to the king and his officials: “Queen Vashti has insulted not only the king but also his officials—in fact, every man in the empire! Every woman in the empire will ignore her husband as soon as she hears of the queen's example. They'll brag, ‘King Xerxes commanded Queen Vashti to come to him, and she refused.’ When the wives of the royal officials of Persia and Media hear about the queen's behavior, they will be informing their husbands concerning it before the day is out. Wives everywhere will have no respect for their husbands, and husbands will be angry with their wives. If it please Your Majesty, issue a proclamation that Vashti may never again appear before the king. Have it added to the laws of Persia and Media, so that it can never be changed. Then give her place as queen to some better woman. When your proclamation is read all over the empire, every woman will treat her husband with appropriate respect, whether he's rich or poor.”

Xerxes and his other officials liked this idea, and the Xerxes did what Memucan suggested. To every provinces he sent a message in the language and the system of writing of that province, saying that every husband should be the master of his home and speak with final authority.


Young's Literal Translation (YLT)

1 And it cometh to pass, in the days of Ahasuerus -- he [is] Ahasuerus who is reigning from Hodu even unto Cush, seven and twenty and a hundred provinces --

2 in those days, at the sitting of the king Ahasuerus on the throne of his kingdom, that [is] in Shushan the palace,

3 in the third year of his reign, he hath made a banquet to all his heads and his servants; of the force of Persia and Media, the chiefs and heads of the provinces [are] before him,

4 in his shewing the wealth of the honour of his kingdom, and the glory of the beauty of his greatness, many days -- eighty and a hundred days.

5 And at the fulness of these days hath the king made to all the people who are found in Shushan the palace, from great even unto small, a banquet, seven days, in the court of the garden of the house of the king --

6 white linen, white cotton, and blue, fastened with cords of fine linen and purple on rings of silver, and pillars of marble, couches of gold, and of silver, on a pavement of smaragdus, and white marble, and mother-of-pearl, and black marble --

7 and the giving of drink in vessels of gold, and the vessels [are] divers vessels, and the royal wine [is] abundant, as a memorial of the king.

8 And the drinking [is] according to law, none is pressing, for so hath the king appointed for every chief one of his house, to do according to the pleasure of man and man.

9 Also Vashti the queen hath made a banquet for women, in the royal house that the king Ahasuerus hath.

10 On the seventh day, as the heart of the king is glad with wine, he hath said to Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, and Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcas, the seven eunuchs who are ministering in the presence of the king Ahasuerus,

11 to bring in Vashti the queen before the king, with a royal crown, to shew the peoples and the heads her beauty, for she [is] of good appearance,

12 and the queen Vashti refuseth to come in at the word of the king that [is] by the hand of the eunuchs, and the king is very wroth, and his fury hath burned in him.

13 And the king saith to wise men, knowing the times -- for so [is] the word of the king before all knowing law and judgment,

14 and he who is near unto him [is] Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, Memucan, seven heads of Persia and Media seeing the face of the king, who are sitting first in the kingdom --

15 `According to law, what -- to do with queen Vashti, because that she hath not done the saying of the king Ahasuerus by the hand of the eunuchs?'

16 And Memucan saith before the king and the heads, `Not against the king by himself hath Vashti the queen done perversely, but against all the heads, and against all the peoples that [are] in all provinces of the king Ahasuerus;

17 for go forth doth the word of the queen unto all the women, to render their husbands contemptible in their eyes, in their saying, The king Ahasuerus said to bring in Vashti the queen before him, and she did not come;

18 yea, this day do princesses of Persia and Media, who have heard the word of the queen, say [so] to all heads of the king, even according to the sufficiency of contempt and wrath.

19 `If to the king [it be] good, there goeth forth a royal word from before him, and it is written with the laws of Persia and Media, and doth not pass away, that Vashti doth not come in before the king Ahasuerus, and her royalty doth the king give to her companion who [is] better than she;

20 and the sentence of the king that he maketh hath been heard in all his kingdom -- for it [is] great -- and all the wives give honour to their husbands, from great even unto small.'

21 And the thing is good in the eyes of the king, and of the princes, and the king doth according to the word of Memucan,

22 and sendeth letters unto all provinces of the king, unto province and province according to its writing, and unto people and people according to its tongue, for every man being head in his own house -- and speaking according to the language of his people.

[_LittleNipper]

Esther 2:1-23 When King Xerxes relaxed, he thought of Vashti and what she had done and his order passed because of her. The king’s personal servants suggested, “Let a search be made for beautiful young girls for the king. Let the king appoint officials in every province of his kingdom to bring every beautiful young girl to the palace at Susa. They should be taken to the women’s apartments and put under the care of Hegai, the king’s eunuch in charge of the women --- to have beauty treatments applied. Let the girl who most pleases the king become queen in place of Vashti.” Xerxes liked this idea.

There was a Jewish man in the palace of Susa whose name was Mordecai son of Jair.
Jair was the son of Shimei,
the son of Kish.
Mordecai was from the tribe of Benjamin, taken captive from Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon. They were part of the group taken into captivity with Jehoiachin king of Judah. Mordecai had an orphaned cousin named Hadassah whom he adopted. Hadassah, also known as Esther had a very pretty figure and face.

When the king’s command and order had been heard, many girls had been brought to the palace in Susa and put under the care of Hegai. Esther was also taken to the king’s palace. Esther pleased Hegai, and he liked her. Hegai quickly began giving Esther her beauty treatments and special food. He gave her 7 select servant girls from the palace. He moved her and her seven servant girls to the best part of the women’s quarters.

Esther did not tell anyone about her family or who her people were, because Mordecai had told her not to. Every day Mordecai walked back and forth near the courtyard where the king’s women lived to find out how Esther was and what was happening.

Before a girl could take her turn with Xerxes, she had to complete 12 months purification ordered for the women. For 6 months she was treated with oil and myrrh and for 6 months with perfumes and cosmetics. Then she was ready to go to the king. Anything she asked for was given to her to take with her from the women’s quarters to the king’s palace. In the evening she would go to the king’s palace, and in the morning she would return to another part of the women’s quarters. There she would be placed under the care of Shaashgaz, the king’s eunuch in charge of the slave women. The girl would not go back to the king again unless he was pleased with her and asked for her by name.

The time came for Esther daughter of Abihail, to go to the king. She asked only for what Hegai suggested she should take. Everyone who saw Esther liked her. Esther was taken to King Xerxes in the royal palace in the 10 month (Tebeth) during Xerxes’ 7th year of reign.

Xerxes was pleased with Esther more than with any of the other virgins. He liked her more than any of the others, so he put a royal crown on her head and made her queen in place of Vashti. Then the king threw a party for Esther and invited all his important men and royal officers. He announced a holiday for the entire empire and had the government give away gifts.

Now Mordecai was sitting at the king’s gate when the girls were gathered the 2nd time. Esther still had not told anyone about her family or heritage, as Mordecai had commanded her. She obeyed Mordecai just as she had done when she was under his care.

Bigthana and Teresh were two of the king’s eunuchs who guarded the doorway. While Mordecai was sitting at the king’s gate, they became angry and began to make plans to murder King Xerxes. But Mordecai heard their plans and told Queen Esther. Esther told the king how Mordecai had discovered the evil plan. An investigation verified the truth, and the 2 officers who had planned to kill the king were hanged. All this was written down in the daily log in the king’s presence.


Young's Literal Translation (YLT)

1 After these things, at the ceasing of the fury of the king Ahasuerus, he hath remembered Vashti, and that which she did, and that which hath been decreed concerning her;

2 and servants of the king, his ministers, say, `Let them seek for the king young women, virgins, of good appearance,

3 and the king doth appoint inspectors in all provinces of his kingdom, and they gather every young woman -- virgin, of good appearance -- unto Shushan the palace, unto the house of the women, unto the hand of Hege eunuch of the king, keeper of the women, and to give their purifications,

4 and the young woman who is good in the eyes of the king doth reign instead of Vashti;' and the thing is good in the eyes of the king, and he doth so.

5 A man, a Jew, there hath been in Shushan the palace, and his name [is] Mordecai son of Jair, son of Shimei, son of Kish, a Benjamite --

6 who had been removed from Jerusalem with the removal that was removed with Jeconiah king of Judah, whom Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon removed --

7 and he is supporting Hadassah -- she [is] Esther -- daughter of his uncle, for she hath neither father nor mother, and the young woman [is] of fair form, and of good appearance, and at the death of her father and her mother hath Mordecai taken her to him for a daughter.

8 And it cometh to pass, in the word of the king, even his law, being heard, and in many young women being gathered unto Shushan the palace, unto the hand of Hegai, that Esther is taken unto the house of the king, unto the hand of Hegai, keeper of the women,

9 and the young woman is good in his eyes, and she receiveth kindness before him, and he hasteneth her purifications and her portions -- to give to her, and the seven young women who are provided -- to give to her, from the house of the king, and he changeth her and her young women to a good [place in] the house of the women.

10 Esther hath not declared her people, and her kindred, for Mordecai hath laid a charge on her that she doth not declare [it];

11 and during every day Mordecai is walking up and down before the court of the house of the women to know the welfare of Esther, and what is done with her.

12 And in the drawing nigh of the turn of each young woman to come in unto the king Ahasuerus, at the end of there being to her -- according to the law of the women -- twelve months, for so they fulfil the days of their purifications; six months with oil of myrrh, and six months with spices, and with the purifications of women,

13 and with this the young woman hath come in unto the king, all that she saith is given to her, to go in with her, out of the house of the women, unto the house of the king;

14 in the evening she hath gone in, and in the morning she hath turned back unto the second house of the women, unto the hand of Shaashgaz eunuch of the king, keeper of the concubines; she cometh not in any more unto the king except the king hath delighted in her, and she hath been called by name.

15 And in the drawing nigh of the turn of Esther -- daughter of Abihail, uncle of Mordecai, whom he had taken to him for a daughter -- to come in unto the king, she hath not sought a thing except that which Hegai eunuch of the king, keeper of the women, saith, and Esther is receiving grace in the eyes of all seeing her.

16 And Esther is taken unto the king Ahasuerus, unto his royal house, in the tenth month -- it [is] the month of Tebeth -- in the seventh year of his reign,

17 and the king loveth Esther above all the women, and she receiveth grace and kindness before him above all the virgins, and he setteth a royal crown on her head, and causeth her to reign instead of Vashti,

18 and the king maketh a great banquet to all his heads and his servants -- the banquet of Esther -- and a release to the provinces hath made, and giveth gifts as a memorial of the king.

19 And in the virgins being gathered a second time, then Mordecai is sitting in the gate of the king;

20 Esther is not declaring her kindred and her people, as Mordecai hath laid a charge upon her, and the saying of Mordecai Esther is doing as when she was truly with him.

21 In those days, when Mordecai is sitting in the gate of the king, hath Bigthan been wroth, and Teresh, (two of the eunuchs of the king, the keepers of the threshold,) and they seek to put forth a hand on king Ahasuerus,

22 and the thing is known to Mordecai, and he declareth [it] to Esther the queen, and Esther speaketh to the king in the name of Mordecai,

23 and the thing is sought out, and found, and they are hanged both of them on a tree, and it is written in the book of the Chronicles before the king.

[_LittleNipper]

Esther 3:1-15 King Xerxes promoted Haman son of Hammedatha the Agagite over all the other nobles. This made him the most powerful official in the empire. All the king’s officials would bow down to Haman to show him respect whenever he passed by as the king had commanded. Mordecai refused to bow or show him respect. The palace officials at the king’s gate asked Mordecai why he disobeyed the king’s command. They spoke to him daily, but still he refused to comply. They told Haman about this to see if he would tolerate Mordecai’s conduct. Mordecai had told them he was a Jew.

When Haman saw that Mordecai would not bow down or show him respect, he was angry. He had learned of Mordecai’s nationality, and decided it was not enough to lay hands on Mordecai alone. Instead, he looked for a way to destroy all the Jews throughout the entire empire of Xerxes.

So in April, during the 12th year of Xerxes’ reign, lots were cast in Haman’s presence (called purim) to determine the best day and month to take action. March 7th came up. Haman approached King Xerxes and said, “There is a race of people scattered through all the provinces of your empire who keep themselves separate from everyone else. Their laws are different from all other people, and they refuse to obey the laws of the king. So it is not in the king’s interest to let them live. If it please the king, issue a decree that they be destroyed, and I will give 10,000 large sacks of silver to the government administrators to be deposited in the royal treasury.”

The king agreed, confirming his decision by giving his signet ring to Haman, the enemy of the Jews. The king said, “The money and the people are both yours to do with as you see fit.”

On April 17 the king’s secretaries were summoned, and a decree was written as Haman dictated. It was sent to the king’s highest officers, the governors, and the nobles of each province in their own scripts and languages. The decree was written in the name of Xerxes and sealed with the king’s signet ring. Dispatches were sent by swift messengers into all the provinces of the empire, giving the order that all Jews—young and old, including women and children—must be annihilated on a single day. This was scheduled to happen on March 7 of the next year. The property of the Jews would be given to those who killed them.

A copy of this decree was to be issued as law in every province and proclaimed to all peoples, so that they would be ready to do their duty on the appointed day. At the king’s command, the decree went out by swift messengers, and proclaimed throughout the empire. The king and Haman sat down to drink, but the city of Susa fell into confusion.


Young's Literal Translation (YLT)

1 After these things hath the king Ahasuerus exalted Haman son of Hammedatha the Agagite, and lifteth him up, and setteth his throne above all the heads who [are] with him,

2 and all servants of the king, who [are] in the gate of the king, are bowing and doing obeisance to Haman, for so hath the king commanded for him; and Mordecai doth not bow nor do obeisance.

3 And the servants of the king, who [are] in the gate of the king, say to Mordecai, `Wherefore [art] thou transgressing the command of the king?'

4 And it cometh to pass, in their speaking unto him, day by day, and he hath not hearkened unto them, that they declare [it] to Haman, to see whether the words of Mordecai do stand, for he hath declared to them that he [is] a Jew.

5 And Haman seeth that Mordecai is not bowing and doing obeisance to him, and Haman is full of fury,

6 and it is contemptible in his eyes to put forth a hand on Mordecai by himself, for they have declared to him the people of Mordecai, and Haman seeketh to destroy all the Jews who [are] in all the kingdom of Ahasuerus -- the people of Mordecai.

7 In the first month -- it [is] the month of Nisan -- in the twelfth year of the king Ahasuerus, hath one caused to fall Pur (that [is] the lot) before Haman, from day to day, and from month to month, [to] the twelfth, it [is] the month of Adar.

8 And Haman saith to the king Ahasuerus, `There is one people scattered and separated among the peoples, in all provinces of thy kingdom, and their laws [are] diverse from all people, and the laws of the king they are not doing, and for the king it is not profitable to suffer them;

9 if to the king [it be] good, let it be written to destroy them, and ten thousand talents of silver I weigh into the hands of those doing the work, to bring [it] in unto the treasuries of the king.'

10 And the king turneth aside his signet from off his hand, and giveth it to Haman son of Hammedatha the Agagite, adversary of the Jews;

11 and the king saith to Haman, `The silver is given to thee, and the people, to do with it as [it is] good in thine eyes.'

12 And scribes of the king are called, on the first month, on the thirteenth day of it, and it is written according to all that Haman hath commanded, unto lieutenants of the king, and unto the governors who [are] over province and province, and unto the heads of people and people, province and province, according to its writing, and people and people according to its tongue, in the name of the king Ahasuerus it hath been written and sealed with the signet of the king,

13 and letters to be sent by the hand of the runners unto all provinces of the king, to cut off, to slay, and to destroy all the Jews, from young even unto old, infant and women, on one day, on the thirteenth of the twelfth month -- it [is] the month of Adar -- and their spoil to seize,

14 a copy of the writing to be made law in every province and province is revealed to all the peoples, to be ready for this day.

15 The runners have gone forth, hastened by the word of the king, and the law hath been given in Shushan the palace, and the king and Haman have sat down to drink, and the city Shushan is perplexed.