Nehemiah 11:23
New International Version
The musicians were under the king’s orders, which regulated their daily activity.

New Living Translation
Their daily responsibilities were carried out according to the terms of a royal command.

English Standard Version
For there was a command from the king concerning them, and a fixed provision for the singers, as every day required.

Berean Standard Bible
For there was a command from the king concerning the singers, an ordinance regulating their daily activities.

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

New King James Version
For it was the king’s command concerning them that a certain portion should be for the singers, a quota day by day.

New American Standard Bible
For there was a commandment from the king concerning them and a royal command for the singers day by day.

NASB 1995
For there was a commandment from the king concerning them and a firm regulation for the song leaders day by day.

NASB 1977
For there was a commandment from the king concerning them and a firm regulation for the song leaders day by day.

Legacy Standard Bible
For there was a commandment from the king concerning them and a firm regulation for the song leaders day by day.

Amplified Bible
For there was a command from the [Persian] king regarding the singers, as to their daily task.

Christian Standard Bible
There was, in fact, a command of the king regarding them, and an ordinance regulating the singers’ daily tasks.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
There was, in fact, a command of the king regarding them, and an ordinance regulating the singers’ daily tasks.

American Standard Version
For there was a commandment from the king concerning them, and a settled provision for the singers, as every day required.

Contemporary English Version
though the daily choice of music and musicians was decided by royal decree of the Persian king.

English Revised Version
For there was a commandment from the king concerning them, and a settled provision for the singers, as every day required.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
They were under orders from the king, orders that determined which duties they should perform day by day.

Good News Translation
There were royal regulations stating how the clans should take turns in leading the Temple music each day.

International Standard Version
They were subject to the commands of the king, who provided for the singers daily.

Majority Standard Bible
For there was a command from the king concerning the singers, an ordinance regulating their daily activities.

NET Bible
For they were under royal orders which determined their activity day by day.

New Heart English Bible
For there was a commandment from the king concerning them, and a settled provision for the singers, as every day required.

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

World English Bible
For there was a commandment from the king concerning them, and a settled provision for the singers, as every day required.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
for the command of the king [is] on them, and support [is] for the singers, a matter of a day in its day.

Young's Literal Translation
for the command of the king is upon them, and support is for the singers, a matter of a day in its day.

Smith's Literal Translation
For the king's command concerning them a surety for those singing the word of a day in its day.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
For the king's commandment was concerning them, and an order among the singing men day by day.

Catholic Public Domain Version
In fact, there was a precept of the king about them, and an order among the singing men, throughout each day.

New American Bible
for they had been appointed by royal decree, and there was a fixed schedule for the singers assigning them their daily duties.

New Revised Standard Version
For there was a command from the king concerning them, and a settled provision for the singers, as was required every day.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
For there was a commandment from the king concerning them and a decree concerning the singers daily.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Because of the commandment of the King upon them, and the truth was determined on the Ministers, every day by day.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
For there was a commandment from the king concerning them, and a sure ordinance concerning the singers, as every day required.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
For so was the king's commandment concerning them.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Residents Outside Jerusalem
22Now the overseer of the Levites in Jerusalem was Uzzi son of Bani, the son of Hashabiah, the son of Mattaniah, the son of Mica. He was one of Asaph’s descendants, who were the singers in charge of the service of the house of God. 23For there was a command from the king concerning the singers, an ordinance regulating their daily activities. 24Pethahiah son of Meshezabel, a descendant of Zerah son of Judah, was the king’s agent in every matter concerning the people.…

Cross References
1 Chronicles 9:33
Those who were musicians, the heads of Levite families, stayed in the temple chambers and were exempt from other duties because they were on duty day and night.

2 Chronicles 8:14
In keeping with the ordinances of his father David, Solomon appointed the divisions of the priests over their service, and the Levites for their duties to offer praise and to minister before the priests according to the daily requirement. He also appointed gatekeepers by their divisions at each gate, for this had been the command of David, the man of God.

1 Chronicles 25:1
Additionally, David and the commanders of the army set apart some of the sons of Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun to prophesy with the accompaniment of lyres, harps, and cymbals. The following is the list of the men who performed this service:

1 Chronicles 23:30-31
They were also to stand every morning to give thanks and praise to the LORD, and likewise in the evening. / Whenever burnt offerings were presented to the LORD on the Sabbaths, New Moons, and appointed feasts, they were to serve regularly before the LORD in the numbers prescribed for them.

1 Chronicles 16:4-6
David appointed some of the Levites to minister before the ark of the LORD, to celebrate, to give thanks, and to praise the LORD, the God of Israel. / Asaph was the chief, Zechariah was second, then Jeiel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Mattithiah, Eliab, Benaiah, Obed-edom, and Jeiel. They were to play the harps and lyres, while Asaph sounded the cymbals / and the priests Benaiah and Jahaziel blew the trumpets regularly before the ark of the covenant of God.

2 Chronicles 31:2
Hezekiah reestablished the divisions of the priests and Levites—each of them according to their duties as priests or Levites—for the burnt offerings and peace offerings, for ministry, for giving thanks, and for singing praises at the gates of the LORD’s dwelling.

1 Chronicles 6:31-32
These are the men David put in charge of the music in the house of the LORD after the ark rested there. / They ministered with song before the tabernacle, the Tent of Meeting, until Solomon built the house of the LORD in Jerusalem. And they performed their duties according to the regulations given them.

1 Chronicles 9:22
The number of those chosen to be gatekeepers at the thresholds was 212. They were registered by genealogy in their villages. David and Samuel the seer had appointed them to their positions of trust.

2 Chronicles 29:25-30
Hezekiah stationed the Levites in the house of the LORD with cymbals, harps, and lyres according to the command of David, of Gad the king’s seer, and of Nathan the prophet. For the command had come from the LORD through His prophets. / The Levites stood with the instruments of David, and the priests with the trumpets. / And Hezekiah ordered that the burnt offering be sacrificed on the altar. When the burnt offering began, the song of the LORD and the trumpets began as well, accompanied by the instruments of David king of Israel. ...

1 Chronicles 23:5
4,000 are to be gatekeepers, and 4,000 are to praise the LORD with the instruments I have made for giving praise.”

1 Chronicles 15:16-22
David also told the leaders of the Levites to appoint their relatives as singers to lift up their voices with joy, accompanied by musical instruments—harps, lyres, and cymbals. / So the Levites appointed Heman son of Joel; from his brothers, Asaph son of Berechiah; from their brothers the Merarites, Ethan son of Kushaiah; / and with them their brothers next in rank: Zechariah, Jaaziel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Unni, Eliab, Benaiah, Maaseiah, Mattithiah, Eliphelehu, Mikneiah, and the gatekeepers Obed-edom and Jeiel. ...

1 Chronicles 25:6-7
All these were under the direction of their fathers for the music of the house of the LORD with cymbals, harps, and lyres, for the service of the house of God. Asaph, Jeduthun, and Heman were under the direction of the king. / Together with their relatives, who were all trained and skillful in the songs of the LORD, they numbered 288.

1 Chronicles 16:37-42
So David left Asaph and his associates there before the ark of the covenant of the LORD, to minister there regularly according to the daily requirements, / along with Obed-edom and his sixty-eight relatives. Obed-edom son of Jeduthun, and also Hosah, were to be gatekeepers. / And David left Zadok the priest and his fellow priests before the tabernacle of the LORD at the high place in Gibeon ...

1 Chronicles 23:28-32
but their duty was to assist the descendants of Aaron with the service of the house of the LORD, being responsible for the courts and chambers, the purification of all the holy things, and the work of the service of the house of God, / as well as for the rows of the showbread, the fine flour for the grain offering, the wafers of unleavened bread, the baking, the mixing, and all measurements of quantity and size. / They were also to stand every morning to give thanks and praise to the LORD, and likewise in the evening. ...

1 Chronicles 9:26-27
But the four chief gatekeepers, who were Levites, were entrusted with the rooms and the treasuries of the house of God. / They would spend the night stationed around the house of God, because they were responsible for guarding it and opening it every morning.


Treasury of Scripture

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

the king's.

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.

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 expences be given unto these men, that they be not hindered…

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…

a certain portion.

Jump to Previous
Amount Command Commandment Daily Due Firm King's Leaders Matter Music-Makers Order Orders Ordinance Portion Provision Regular Regulated Regulation Required Settled Singers Song Support Sure
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Amount Command Commandment Daily Due Firm King's Leaders Matter Music-Makers Order Orders Ordinance Portion Provision Regular Regulated Regulation Required Settled Singers Song Support Sure
Nehemiah 11
1. The rulers, voluntary men, and the tenth man chosen by lot, dwell at Jerusalem.
3. A catalogue of their names.
20. Those who remain dwell in other cities.














For there was a command from the king concerning them
This phrase highlights the authority and influence of the Persian king over the affairs of Jerusalem during Nehemiah's time. The "command" signifies an official decree, reflecting the structured governance under which the Jewish people lived post-exile. Historically, this underscores the favor and support that Nehemiah and the Jewish community received from the Persian rulers, particularly Artaxerxes I. The king's involvement in religious and civic matters illustrates the providential hand of God working through foreign powers to restore and sustain His people.

and a daily regulation for the singers was established
The "daily regulation" indicates a systematic provision for the temple singers, ensuring their needs were met so they could focus on their sacred duties. This reflects the importance of worship and music in the spiritual life of Israel. The singers played a crucial role in maintaining the worship practices in the temple, which was central to the community's identity and faith. The establishment of this regulation shows a commitment to the continuity of worship and the acknowledgment of the Levites' and singers' roles in leading the people in praise and adoration of God. Historically, this provision would have been necessary to maintain the morale and spiritual fervor of the people, emphasizing the centrality of worship in the life of the restored community.

(23) The king's commandment.--It seems that Artaxerxes had gone beyond the exemption of Ezra 7:24, and given them a daily allowance, which it was the business of Uzzi to see to.

Verse 23. - For it was the king's commandment concerning them. Artaxerxes, it appears, had assigned a certain stipend from the royal revenue for the support of such Levites as were singers, and this stipend had to be paid to them day by day. It is suggested as the grounds for this special favour -

1. That the Levites engaged in the choral service were regarded as those especially who prayed "for the life of the king and of his sons" (Ezra 6:10); and,

2. That the singing Levites who returned from Babylon, being so few in number (128), had to be constantly on duty in the temple, and so needed a regular daily stipend. The nexus of this verse with the preceding one imp!ice that the payment in question was an important part of the internal business of the house committed to Uzzi.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
For
כִּֽי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

[there was] a command
מִצְוַ֥ת (miṣ·waṯ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 4687: Commandment

from the king
הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ (ham·me·leḵ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428: A king

concerning [the singers],
עֲלֵיהֶ֑ם (‘ă·lê·hem)
Preposition | third person masculine plural
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

an ordinance
וַאֲמָנָ֥ה (wa·’ă·mā·nāh)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 548: Something fixed, a covenant, an allowance

regulating
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

[their]
הַמְשֹׁרְרִ֖ים (ham·šō·rə·rîm)
Article | Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 7891: To sing

daily
י֥וֹם (yō·wm)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3117: A day

activities.
דְּבַר־ (də·ḇar-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1697: A word, a matter, thing, a cause


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OT History: Nehemiah 11:23 For there was a commandment (Neh Ne)
Nehemiah 11:22
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