Nehemiah 10:1
New International Version
Those who sealed it were: Nehemiah the governor, the son of Hakaliah. Zedekiah,

New Living Translation
The document was ratified and sealed with the following names: The governor: Nehemiah son of Hacaliah, and also Zedekiah.

English Standard Version
“On the seals are the names of Nehemiah the governor, the son of Hacaliah, Zedekiah,

Berean Standard Bible
Now these were the ones who sealed the document: Nehemiah the governor, son of Hacaliah, and also Zedekiah,

Berean Literal Bible
And upon the seals were: Nehemiah the Tirshatha, son of Hachaliah, and Zedekiah,

King James Bible
Now those that sealed were, Nehemiah, the Tirshatha, the son of Hachaliah, and Zidkijah,

New King James Version
Now those who placed their seal on the document were: Nehemiah the governor, the son of Hacaliah, and Zedekiah,

New American Standard Bible
Now on the sealed document were the names of: Nehemiah the governor, the son of Hacaliah, and Zedekiah,

NASB 1995
Now on the sealed document were the names of: Nehemiah the governor, the son of Hacaliah, and Zedekiah,

NASB 1977
Now on the sealed document were the names of: Nehemiah the governor, the son of Hacaliah, and Zedekiah,

Legacy Standard Bible
Now on the sealed document were the following names: Nehemiah the governor, the son of Hacaliah, and Zedekiah,

Amplified Bible
Now these were the names on the sealed document: Nehemiah the governor, the son of Hacaliah. And Zedekiah,

Berean Annotated Bible
Now these were the ones who sealed the document: Nehemiah (YHWH comforts) the governor, son of Hacaliah (whom YHWH enlightens), and also Zedekiah (YHWH is righteous),

Christian Standard Bible
Those whose seals were on the document were the governor Nehemiah son of Hacaliah, and Zedekiah,

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Those whose seals were on the document were: Nehemiah the governor, son of Hacaliah, and Zedekiah,

American Standard Version
Now those that sealed were: Nehemiah the governor, the son of Hacaliah, and Zedekiah,

Contemporary English Version
As governor, I signed the agreement together with Zedekiah and the following priests:

English Revised Version
Now those that sealed were, Nehemiah the Tirshatha, the son of Hacaliah, and Zedekiah;

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The following people sealed the agreement: Governor Nehemiah (son of Hacaliah), Zedekiah,

Good News Translation
The first to sign was the governor, Nehemiah son of Hacaliah, and then Zedekiah signed. The following also signed:

International Standard Version
Here is a list of those who signed: Hacaliah's son Nehemiah the governor, Zedekiah,

NET Bible
On the sealed documents were the following names: Nehemiah the governor, son of Hacaliah, along with Zedekiah,

New Heart English Bible
Now those who sealed were: Nehemiah the governor, the son of Hacaliah, and Zedekiah,

Webster's Bible Translation
Now those that sealed were, Nehemiah, the Tirshatha, the son of Hachaliah, and Zidkijah,
Majority Text Translations
Majority Standard Bible
Now these were the ones who sealed the document: Nehemiah the governor, son of Hacaliah, and also Zedekiah,

World English Bible
Now those who sealed were: Nehemiah the governor, the son of Hacaliah, and Zedekiah,
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And over those sealed [are] Nehemiah the Tirshatha, son of Hachaliah, and Zidkijah,

Berean Literal Bible
And upon the seals were: Nehemiah the Tirshatha, son of Hachaliah, and Zedekiah,

Young's Literal Translation
And over those sealed are Nehemiah the Tirshatha, son of Hachaliah, and Zidkijah,

Smith's Literal Translation
And upon the seelings, Nehemiah the Tirshatha, son of Hachaliah, and Zidkijah,
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And the subscribers were Nehemias, Athersatha the son of Hachelai, and Sedecias,

Catholic Public Domain Version
And the signatories were: Nehemiah, the cupbearer, the son of Hacaliah, and Zedekiah,

New American Bible
On the sealed document: the governor Nehemiah, son of Hacaliah, and Zedekiah.

New Revised Standard Version
Upon the sealed document are the names of Nehemiah the governor, son of Hacaliah, and Zedekiah;
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
NOW those who took an oath and sealed it were: Nehemiah, the elder, the son of Hananiah, the high priest, and Zerahiah,

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Nekhemiah the Elder, son of KhananYah Chief of the Priests and Zerakhyah
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Now those that set their seal were: Nehemiah the Tirshatha, the son of Hachaliah, and Zedekiah;

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And over them that sealed were Neemias the Artasastha, son of Achalia, and Zedekias,

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Signers of the Covenant
1Now these were the ones who sealed the document: Nehemiah the governor, son of Hacaliah, and also Zedekiah, 2Seraiah, Azariah, Jeremiah,…

Cross References
Now these were the ones who sealed the document:

Nehemiah 9:38
In view of all this, we make a binding agreement, putting it in writing and sealing it with the names of our leaders, Levites, and priests.”

Jeremiah 32:10-14
I signed and sealed the deed, called in witnesses, and weighed out the silver on the scales. / Then I took the deed of purchase—the sealed copy with its terms and conditions, as well as the open copy— / and I gave this deed to Baruch son of Neriah, the son of Mahseiah, in the sight of my cousin Hanamel and the witnesses who were signing the purchase agreement and all the Jews sitting in the courtyard of the guard. …

Esther 8:8
Now you may write in the king’s name as you please regarding the Jews, and seal it with the royal signet ring. For a decree that is written in the name of the king and sealed with the royal signet ring cannot be revoked.”
Nehemiah the governor,

Nehemiah 12:26
They served in the days of Joiakim son of Jeshua, the son of Jozadak, and in the days of Nehemiah the governor and Ezra the priest and scribe.

Nehemiah 5:14
Furthermore, from the day King Artaxerxes appointed me to be their governor in the land of Judah, from his twentieth year until his thirty-second year (twelve years total), neither I nor my brothers ate the food allotted to the governor.

Nehemiah 5:18
Each day one ox, six choice sheep, and some fowl were prepared for me, and once every ten days an abundance of all kinds of wine was provided. But I did not demand the food allotted to the governor, because the burden on the people was so heavy.
son of Hacaliah,

Nehemiah 1:1
These are the words of Nehemiah son of Hacaliah: In the month of Chislev, in the twentieth year, while I was in the citadel of Susa,

Nehemiah 2:1
Now in the month of Nisan, in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when wine was set before him, I took the wine and gave it to the king. I had never been sad in his presence,

Nehemiah 13:6
While all this was happening, I was not in Jerusalem, because I had returned to Artaxerxes king of Babylon in the thirty-second year of his reign. Some time later I obtained leave from the king
and also Zedekiah,

2 Kings 24:17-18
Then the king of Babylon made Mattaniah, Jehoiachin’s uncle, king in his place and changed his name to Zedekiah. / Zedekiah was twenty-one years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem eleven years. His mother’s name was Hamutal daughter of Jeremiah; she was from Libnah.

2 Kings 25:1-7
So in the ninth year of Zedekiah’s reign, on the tenth day of the tenth month, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon marched against Jerusalem with his entire army. They encamped outside the city and built a siege wall all around it. / And the city was kept under siege until King Zedekiah’s eleventh year. / By the ninth day of the fourth month, the famine in the city was so severe that the people of the land had no food. …

Jeremiah 39:1-10
In the ninth year of Zedekiah king of Judah, in the tenth month, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon marched against Jerusalem with his entire army and laid siege to the city. / And on the ninth day of the fourth month of Zedekiah’s eleventh year, the city was breached. / Then all the officials of the king of Babylon entered and sat in the Middle Gate: Nergal-sharezer of Samgar, Nebo-sarsekim the Rabsaris, Nergal-sharezer the Rabmag, and all the rest of the officials of the king of Babylon. …
Ezra 10:3
So now let us make a covenant before our God to send away all the foreign wives and their children, according to the counsel of my lord and of those who tremble at the command of our God. Let it be done according to the Law.

Nehemiah 7:2
Then I put my brother Hanani in charge of Jerusalem, along with Hananiah the commander of the fortress, because he was a faithful man who feared God more than most.

Nehemiah 8:9
Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who were instructing the people said to all of them, “This day is holy to the LORD your God. Do not mourn or weep.” For all the people were weeping as they heard the words of the Law.

Ezra 7:6
this Ezra came up from Babylon. He was a scribe skilled in the Law of Moses, which the LORD, the God of Israel, had given. The king had granted Ezra all his requests, for the hand of the LORD his God was upon him.


Treasury of Scripture

Now those that sealed were, Nehemiah, the Tirshatha, the son of Hachaliah, and Zidkijah,

those that sealed.

Nehemiah 9:38
And because of all this we make a sure covenant, and write it; and our princes, Levites, and priests, seal unto it.

Nehemiah.

Nehemiah 8:9
And Nehemiah, which is the Tirshatha, and Ezra the priest the scribe, and the Levites that taught the people, said unto all the people, This day is holy unto the LORD your God; mourn not, nor weep. For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the law.

Tirshatha.

Nehemiah 7:70
And some of the chief of the fathers gave unto the work. The Tirshatha gave to the treasure a thousand drams of gold, fifty basons, five hundred and thirty priests' garments.

Ezra 2:63
And the Tirshatha said unto them, that they should not eat of the most holy things, till there stood up a priest with Urim and with Thummim.

son of Hachaliah.

Nehemiah 1:1
The words of Nehemiah the son of Hachaliah. And it came to pass in the month Chisleu, in the twentieth year, as I was in Shushan the palace,

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Document Governor Hacaliah Hacali'ah Hachaliah Head Names Nehemiah Nehemi'ah Seal Sealed Tirshatha Zedekiah Zedeki'ah
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Document Governor Hacaliah Hacali'ah Hachaliah Head Names Nehemiah Nehemi'ah Seal Sealed Tirshatha Zedekiah Zedeki'ah
Nehemiah 10
1. The names of those who sealed the covenant.
29. The points of the covenant.












Now these were the ones who sealed the document:
This phrase introduces the list of individuals who committed to the covenant renewal in Jerusalem. The act of sealing a document was a formal and binding agreement, akin to signing a contract today. In the ancient Near East, seals were often used to authenticate documents, indicating the seriousness and solemnity of the covenant. This renewal was a response to the reading of the Law and the people's desire to recommit to God's commandments, reflecting a communal return to faithfulness.

Nehemiah the governor,
Nehemiah's role as governor highlights his leadership and authority in the post-exilic community. Appointed by the Persian king Artaxerxes, Nehemiah was instrumental in rebuilding Jerusalem's walls and reforming the community. His position underscores the cooperation between Jewish leaders and Persian authorities during this period. Nehemiah's leadership is characterized by prayer, strategic planning, and a deep commitment to God's purposes, serving as a model for godly leadership.

son of Hacaliah,
This designation identifies Nehemiah's lineage, which is significant in establishing his Jewish heritage and legitimacy. The mention of his father, Hacaliah, is a common biblical practice to trace ancestry and affirm identity. It also connects Nehemiah to the broader narrative of Israel's history and God's covenantal promises to His people.

and also Zedekiah,
Zedekiah's inclusion in the list of those who sealed the document indicates his role as a leader or official in the community. While not much is known about this particular Zedekiah, the name itself is significant in biblical history, as it was also the name of the last king of Judah before the Babylonian exile. This connection may evoke themes of restoration and hope, as the community seeks to rebuild and renew their covenant with God after the exile.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Nehemiah
The central figure in the book, Nehemiah was a cupbearer to the Persian king Artaxerxes before becoming the governor of Judah. He played a crucial role in the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls and the spiritual renewal of the Jewish people.

2. The Sealing of the Document
This event marks a significant moment of covenant renewal among the Israelites. The sealing of the document was a public declaration of commitment to follow God's laws.

3. Zedekiah
Although not much is known about this individual, he is listed alongside Nehemiah, indicating his importance in the community and his role in the covenant renewal.

4. The Covenant
The document being sealed was a covenant, a solemn agreement between the Israelites and God, to adhere to His commandments and laws.

5. Jerusalem
The city where these events took place, Jerusalem was the spiritual and political center for the Jewish people, and its restoration was vital for their identity and worship.
Teaching Points
The Importance of Leadership
Nehemiah's role as a leader was crucial in guiding the people towards spiritual renewal. Effective leadership is vital in fostering community commitment to God's ways.

Covenant Commitment
The act of sealing the document symbolizes a serious commitment to follow God's laws. As believers, we are called to renew our commitment to God regularly.

Community Involvement
The inclusion of various leaders in the sealing of the covenant highlights the importance of community involvement in spiritual renewal. Every member has a role to play in upholding God's standards.

Historical Continuity
Understanding the historical context of covenant renewals helps us appreciate the ongoing need for spiritual renewal in our lives and communities.

Personal Reflection
Just as the Israelites reflected on their past and committed to change, we should regularly examine our lives and make necessary adjustments to align with God's will.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1. What is the meaning of Nehemiah 10:1?

2. What significance does Nehemiah 10:1 hold in the context of covenant renewal?

3. How does Nehemiah 10:1 demonstrate leadership commitment to God's covenant?

4. What parallels exist between Nehemiah 10:1 and other biblical covenant renewals?

5. How can we apply Nehemiah's example of leadership in our own communities?

6. Why is it important to publicly affirm our commitments, as seen in Nehemiah 10:1?

7. Who was Nehemiah, and why is his leadership significant in Nehemiah 10:1?

8. What is the historical context of Nehemiah 10:1?

9. How does Nehemiah 10:1 reflect the covenant renewal theme?

10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Nehemiah 10?

11. Is the extensive list of names in Nehemiah 10:1–27 historically consistent with known genealogical records, or are there discrepancies?

12. Are there non-biblical historical or archaeological sources that verify or challenge the covenant details in Nehemiah 10:32-39?

13. Why does Nehemiah 10:30 emphasize not intermarrying with neighboring peoples, when other passages (e.g., the Book of Ruth) show positive outcomes from such unions?

14. Why does the chronicler's account of who returned to Jerusalem in 1 Chronicles 9 differ from the lists in Ezra and Nehemiah?
What Does Nehemiah 10:1 Mean
Now these were the ones who sealed the document

• The verse opens by spotlighting an official covenant-renewal act. “Sealed” is literal—wax or clay impressions pressed with personal seals, confirming irrevocable commitment (cf. Nehemiah 9:38; Jeremiah 32:10).

• The people had just heard the Law read (Nehemiah 8) and confessed national sin (Nehemiah 9). By sealing, leaders publicly pledge, “We will obey” (echoed later in Nehemiah 10:28-29).

• Covenant language reminds readers that faith is not merely private feeling but binding allegiance—mirroring earlier covenants such as at Sinai (Exodus 24:7-8).


Nehemiah the governor

• First on the list is Nehemiah, underscoring servant-leadership. Though wielding Persian authority (Nehemiah 5:14), he bows under God’s higher authority, modeling Psalm 101:2, “I will walk with integrity of heart.”

• His signature shows that reforms he promoted (wall building, economic justice, Sabbath observance) flow from personal commitment, not political expediency (cf. Nehemiah 2:17-18; 5:9-12).

• A governor signing first signals corporate solidarity: rulers and ruled unite under God (Numbers 30:2; Joshua 24:24-25).


son of Hacaliah

• Scripture adds Nehemiah’s paternal link (also in Nehemiah 1:1), rooting him in Israel’s lineage. Genealogies validate covenant continuity from exile to restoration (cf. Ezra 2:59-62).

• Mentioning Hacaliah highlights that families, not just individuals, stand in covenant. What one generation seals affects the next (Deuteronomy 6:6-7; Psalm 78:4-7).

• The detail assures readers of historical reliability; God works through real people in verifiable families (Luke 3:23-38 affirms the same principle).


and also Zedekiah

• Zedekiah, likely a high-ranking official or scribe, joins Nehemiah, showing leadership plurality. God’s work thrives when several bear responsibility (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12; Acts 13:1-3).

• His inclusion keeps the covenant from looking like a one-man agenda. Collective signatures echo earlier moments—Moses and the elders (Exodus 24:9-11), David and his leaders (1 Chronicles 29:6-9).

• Though less known than the governor, Zedekiah’s name in Scripture honors his willingness to stand publicly for obedience—a reminder that God records every faithful act (Malachi 3:16).


summary

Nehemiah 10:1 captures a pivotal moment: leaders physically seal their promise to live by God’s Law. Nehemiah sets the tone, identified both by office and by family, illustrating that civil authority and household life alike submit to divine rule. Zedekiah’s signature adds collaborative strength. Together these names affirm that genuine revival moves from hearing God’s Word to publicly, tangibly committing to obey it—an enduring pattern for God’s people in every age.

(1) Zidkijah.--Probably, Zadok the scribe (Nehemiah 13:13), Nehemiah's secretary. (Comp. Ezra 4:8.)

Verse 1. - Nehemiah, as Tirshatha, or civil ruler, naturally appended his seal first of all. He was followed by Zidkijah, or Zadok, probably his secretary (Nehemiah 13:13).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Now
וְעַ֖ל (wə·‘al)
Conjunctive waw | Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

those who sealed [the document were]:
הַחֲתוּמִ֑ים (ha·ḥă·ṯū·mîm)
Article | Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - masculine plural
Strong's 2856: To seal, affix a seal, seal up

Nehemiah
נְחֶמְיָ֧ה (nə·ḥem·yāh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 5166: Nehemiah -- 'Yah comforts', three Israelites

the governor,
הַתִּרְשָׁ֛תָא (hat·tir·šā·ṯā)
Article | Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 8660: (a person title) governor

son
בֶּן־ (ben-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1121: A son

of Hacaliah,
חֲכַלְיָ֖ה (ḥă·ḵal·yāh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 2446: Hacaliah -- perhaps 'wait for Yah', father of Nehemiah

and also Zedekiah,
וְצִדְקִיָּֽה׃ (wə·ṣiḏ·qî·yāh)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 6667: Zedekiah -- 'Yah is righteousness', six Israelites


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OT History: Nehemiah 10:1 Now those who sealed were: Nehemiah (Neh Ne)
Nehemiah 9:38
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