Nehemiah 11 · Verse 23

Nehemiah 11:23

For it was the king’s commandment concerning them, that a certain portion should be for the singers, due for every day.
Nehemiah 11:23, King James Version

Nehemiah 11:23 in other translations

BSBFor there was a command from the king concerning the singers, an ordinance regulating their daily activities.
WEBFor there was a commandment from the king concerning them, and a settled provision for the singers, as every day required.
ASVFor there was a commandment from the king concerning them, and a settled provision for the singers, as every day required.
YLTfor the command of the king is upon them, and support is for the singers, a matter of a day in its day.
DARBYFor it was the king's commandment concerning them, and there was a settled portion for the singers, due for each day.
BBEFor there was an order from the king about them and a regular amount for the music-makers, for their needs day by day.
WebsterFor it was the king's commandment concerning them, that a certain portion should be for the singers, due for every day.

What does Nehemiah 11:23 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
23. it was the king's commandment--It was the will of the Persian monarch in issuing his edict that the temple service should be revived in all its religious fulness and solemnity. As this special provision for the singers is said to have been by the king's commandment, the order was probably given at the request or suggestion of Ezra or Nehemiah.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 23 It was the king's commandment - By the king some understand David, and others Artaxerxes. It is most probable that it was the latter; who wished that a provision should be made for these, a part of whose office was to offer up prayers also, as well as praises. For we know that Darius made an ample provision for the priests, that they might offer sacrifices of sweet savor unto the God of heaven; and pray for the life of the king and of his sons, Ezr 6:10. Some have thought that they had been Jewish singers employed in the service of the Persian king, to whom he had given a salary, and to whom he wished still to continue the same.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Nehemiah 11:23 in the original Hebrew

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

כִּֽי\־ki-forH3588
מִצְוַ֥תmitz.Vat[the] commandment ofH4687
הַמֶּ֖לֶךְha.Me.lekhthe kingH4428
עֲלֵיהֶ֑ם'a.lei.Hem[was] on themH5921
וַאֲמָנָ֥הva.'a.ma.Nahand a firm ordinanceH548
עַל\־'al-[was] onH5921
הַמְשֹׁרְרִ֖יםham.sho.re.Rimthe singersH7891
דְּבַר\־de.var-[the] matter ofH1697
י֥וֹםYoma dayH3117
בְּיוֹמֽוֹ\׃be.yo.Moin day itsH3117

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Nehemiah 11:23

  • Nehemiah 12:47

    And all Israel in the days of Zerubbabel, and in the days of Nehemiah, gave the portions of the singers and the porters, every day his portion: and they sanctified holy things unto the Levites; and the Levites sanctified them unto the children of Aaron.

  • Ezra 6:8-9

    Moreover I make a decree what ye shall do to the elders of these Jews for the building of this house of God: that of the king’s goods, even of the tribute beyond the river, forthwith expenses be given unto these men, that they be not hindered. And that which they have need of, both young bullocks, and rams, and lambs, for the burnt offerings of the God of heaven, wheat, salt, wine, and oil, according to the appointment of the priests which are at Jerusalem, let it be given them day by day without fail:

  • Ezra 7:20-24

    And whatsoever more shall be needful for the house of thy God, which thou shalt have occasion to bestow, bestow it out of the king’s treasure house. And I, even I Artaxerxes the king, do make a decree to all the treasurers which are beyond the river, that whatsoever Ezra the priest, the scribe of the law of the God of heaven, shall require of you, it be done speedily, Unto an hundred talents of silver, and to an hundred measures of wheat, and to an hundred baths of wine, and to an hundred baths of oil, and salt without prescribing how much. Whatsoever is commanded by the God of heaven, let it be diligently done for the house of the God of heaven: for why should there be wrath against the realm of the king and his sons? …

  • 1 Chronicles 9:33

    And these are the singers, chief of the fathers of the Levites, who remaining in the chambers were free: for they were employed in that work day and night.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
the king's.
1Ch 9:33; Ezr 6:8,9; 7:20-24
a certain portion. or, a sure ordinance.

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Nehemiah 11:22

    The overseer also of the Levites at Jerusalem was Uzzi the son of Bani, the son of Hashabiah, the son of Mattaniah, the son of Micha. Of the sons of Asaph, the singers were over the business of the house of God.

  • Nehemiah 11:23

    For it was the king’s commandment concerning them, that a certain portion should be for the singers, due for every day.

  • Nehemiah 11:24

    And Pethahiah the son of Meshezabeel, of the children of Zerah the son of Judah, was at the king’s hand in all matters concerning the people.

Read all of Nehemiah 11

Nehemiah 11:23 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Porque había mandamiento del rey acerca de ellos, y determinación acerca de los cantores para cada día.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Car c’était le commandement du roi à leur égard, et il y avait un fixe pour les chantres, pour chaque jour ce qu’il fallait.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Denn ein Gebot des Königs war über sie ergangen, und eine Verpflichtung über die Sänger betreffs der täglichen Gebühr.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Præceptum quippe regis super eos erat, et ordo in cantoribus per dies singulos,