Nehemiah 9:4
New International Version
Standing on the stairs of the Levites were Jeshua, Bani, Kadmiel, Shebaniah, Bunni, Sherebiah, Bani and Kenani. They cried out with loud voices to the LORD their God.

New Living Translation
The Levites—Jeshua, Bani, Kadmiel, Shebaniah, Bunni, Sherebiah, Bani, and Kenani—stood on the stairway of the Levites and cried out to the LORD their God with loud voices.

English Standard Version
On the stairs of the Levites stood Jeshua, Bani, Kadmiel, Shebaniah, Bunni, Sherebiah, Bani, and Chenani; and they cried with a loud voice to the LORD their God.

Berean Standard Bible
And the Levites—Jeshua, Bani, Kadmiel, Shebaniah, Bunni, Sherebiah, Bani, and Chenani—stood on the raised platform and cried out in a loud voice to the LORD their God.

King James Bible
Then stood up upon the stairs, of the Levites, Jeshua, and Bani, Kadmiel, Shebaniah, Bunni, Sherebiah, Bani, and Chenani, and cried with a loud voice unto the LORD their God.

New King James Version
Then Jeshua, Bani, Kadmiel, Shebaniah, Bunni, Sherebiah, Bani, and Chenani stood on the stairs of the Levites and cried out with a loud voice to the LORD their God.

New American Standard Bible
Now on the Levites’ platform stood Jeshua, Bani, Kadmiel, Shebaniah, Bunni, Sherebiah, Bani, and Chenani, and they cried out with a loud voice to the LORD their God.

NASB 1995
Now on the Levites’ platform stood Jeshua, Bani, Kadmiel, Shebaniah, Bunni, Sherebiah, Bani and Chenani, and they cried with a loud voice to the LORD their God.

NASB 1977
Now on the Levites’ platform stood Jeshua, Bani, Kadmiel, Shebaniah, Bunni, Sherebiah, Bani, and Chenani, and they cried with a loud voice to the LORD their God.

Legacy Standard Bible
Then Jeshua rose up on the Levites’ platform, along with Bani, Kadmiel, Shebaniah, Bunni, Sherebiah, Bani, and Chenani, and they cried out with a loud voice to Yahweh their God.

Amplified Bible
On the platform of the Levites stood Jeshua, Bani, Kadmiel, Shebaniah, Bunni, Sherebiah, Bani, and Chenani, and they called out with a loud voice to the LORD their God.

Christian Standard Bible
Jeshua, Bani, Kadmiel, Shebaniah, Bunni, Sherebiah, Bani, and Chenani stood on the raised platform built for the Levites and cried out loudly to the LORD their God.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Jeshua, Bani, Kadmiel, Shebaniah, Bunni, Sherebiah, Bani, and Chenani stood on the raised platform built for the Levites and cried out loudly to the LORD their God.

American Standard Version
Then stood up upon the stairs of the Levites, Jeshua, and Bani, Kadmiel, Shebaniah, Bunni, Sherebiah, Bani, and Chenani, and cried with a loud voice unto Jehovah their God.

Contemporary English Version
Jeshua, Bani, Kadmiel, Shebaniah, Bunni, Sherebiah, Bani, and Chenani stood on the special platform for the Levites and prayed aloud to the LORD their God.

English Revised Version
Then stood up upon the stairs of the Levites, Jeshua, and Bani, Kadmiel, Shebaniah, Bunni, Sherebiah, Bani, and Chenani, and cried with a loud voice unto the LORD their God.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Then Jeshua, Bani, Kadmiel, Shebaniah, Bunni, Sherebiah, Bani, and Chanani stood on the stairs built for the Levites and cried loudly to the LORD their God.

Good News Translation
There was a platform for the Levites, and on it stood Jeshua, Bani, Kadmiel, Shebaniah, Bunni, Sherebiah, Bani, and Chenani. They prayed aloud to the LORD their God.

International Standard Version
Jeshua, Bani, Kadmiel, Shebaniah, Bunni, Sherebiah, Bani, and Chenani stood on the rostrum assigned for use by the descendants of Levi and cried out loudly to the LORD their God.

Majority Standard Bible
And the Levites—Jeshua, Bani, Kadmiel, Shebaniah, Bunni, Sherebiah, Bani, and Chenani—stood on the raised platform and cried out in a loud voice to the LORD their God.

NET Bible
Then the Levites--Jeshua, Binnui, Kadmiel, Shebaniah, Bunni, Sherebiah, Bani, and Kenani--stood on the steps and called out loudly to the LORD their God.

New Heart English Bible
Then Jeshua, and Bani, Kadmiel, Shebaniah, Bunni, Sherebiah, Bani, and Chenani of the Levites stood up on the stairs, and cried with a loud voice to the LORD their God.

Webster's Bible Translation
Then stood upon the stairs, of the Levites, Jeshua, and Bani, Kadmiel, Shebaniah, Bunni, Sherebiah, Bani, and Chenani, and cried with a loud voice to the LORD their God.

World English Bible
Then Jeshua, Bani, Kadmiel, Shebaniah, Bunni, Sherebiah, Bani, and Chenani of the Levites stood up on the stairs, and cried with a loud voice to Yahweh their God.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And there stand up on the ascent, of the Levites, Jeshua, and Bani, Kadmiel, Shebaniah, Bunni, Sherebiah, Bani, Chenani, and they cry with a loud voice to their God YHWH.

Young's Literal Translation
And there stand up on the ascent, of the Levites, Jeshua, and Bani, Kadmiel, Shebaniah, Bunni, Sherebiah, Bani, Chenani, and they cry with a loud voice unto Jehovah their God.

Smith's Literal Translation
And there will rise up upon the ascent of the Levites, Joshua and the sons of Kadmiel, Shebaniah, Bani, Sherebiah, Bani, Chenani; and they will cry with a great voice to Jehovah their God.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And there stood up upon the seep of the Levites, Josue, and Bani, and Cedmihel, Sabania, Bonni, Sarebias, Bani, and Chanani: and they cried with a loud voice to the Lord their God.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Then, upon the step of the Levites, Jeshua, and Bani, and Kadmiel, Shebaniah, Bunni, Sherebiah, Bani, and Chenani rose up. And they cried out in a great voice to the Lord their God.

New American Bible
Standing on the platform of the Levites were Jeshua, Binnui, Kadmiel, Shebaniah, Bunni, Sherebiah, Bani, and Chenani, who cried out to the LORD their God, with a loud voice.

New Revised Standard Version
Then Jeshua, Bani, Kadmiel, Shebaniah, Bunni, Sherebiah, Bani, and Chenani stood on the stairs of the Levites and cried out with a loud voice to the LORD their God.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Then the chiefs over the Levites, Joshua, Kadmiel, Bani, Heshabiah, Sherebiah, Hodiah, Shebaniah, and Pethahiah, stood up and prayed with a loud voice before the LORD their God.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And the Chiefs stood over the Levites: Yeshua and the sons of Qadmayel, Bani, Kheshabya and the sons of Sherabyah, and the sons of Kabni, and they prayed before LORD JEHOVAH their God in a loud voice.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Then stood up upon the platform of the Levites, Jeshua, and Bani, Kadmiel, Shebaniah, Bunni, Sherebiah, Bani, and Chenani, and cried with a loud voice unto the LORD their God.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And there stood upon the stairs, of the Levites, Jesus, and the sons of Cadmiel, Sechenia the son of Sarabia, sons of Choneni; and they cried with a loud voice to the Lord their God.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The People Confess Their Sins
3While they stood in their places, they read from the Book of the Law of the LORD their God for a quarter of the day, and they spent another quarter of the day in confession and worship of the LORD their God. 4And the Levites— Jeshua, Bani, Kadmiel, Shebaniah, Bunni, Sherebiah, Bani, and Chenani— stood on the raised platform and cried out in a loud voice to the LORD their God. 5Then the Levites—Jeshua, Kadmiel, Bani, Hashabneiah, Sherebiah, Hodiah, Shebaniah, and Pethahiah—said, “Stand up and bless the LORD your God from everlasting to everlasting: Blessed be Your glorious name, and may it be exalted above all blessing and praise.…

Cross References
Ezra 9:5
At the evening offering, I got up from my humiliation with my tunic and cloak torn, and I fell on my knees, spread out my hands to the LORD my God,

Daniel 9:3-4
So I turned my attention to the Lord God to seek Him by prayer and petition, with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes. / And I prayed to the LORD my God and confessed, “O, Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps His covenant of loving devotion to those who love Him and keep His commandments,

2 Chronicles 20:5-9
Then Jehoshaphat stood in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem in the house of the LORD in front of the new courtyard / and said, “O LORD, God of our fathers, are You not the God who is in heaven, and do You not rule over all the kingdoms of the nations? Power and might are in Your hand, and no one can stand against You. / Our God, did You not drive out the inhabitants of this land before Your people Israel and give it forever to the descendants of Abraham Your friend? ...

1 Kings 8:22-23
Then Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD in front of the whole assembly of Israel, spread out his hands toward heaven, / and said: “O LORD, God of Israel, there is no God like You in heaven above or on earth below, keeping Your covenant of loving devotion with Your servants who walk before You with all their hearts.

Leviticus 23:27-32
“The tenth day of this seventh month is the Day of Atonement. You shall hold a sacred assembly and humble yourselves, and present a food offering to the LORD. / On this day you are not to do any work, for it is the Day of Atonement, when atonement is made for you before the LORD your God. / If anyone does not humble himself on this day, he must be cut off from his people. ...

Joel 1:14
Consecrate a fast; proclaim a solemn assembly! Gather the elders and all the residents of the land to the house of the LORD your God, and cry out to the LORD.

Joel 2:12-17
“Yet even now,” declares the LORD, “return to Me with all your heart, with fasting, weeping, and mourning.” / So rend your hearts and not your garments, and return to the LORD your God. For He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion. And He relents from sending disaster. / Who knows? He may turn and relent and leave a blessing behind Him—grain and drink offerings for the LORD your God. ...

Jeremiah 3:21-25
A voice is heard on the barren heights, the children of Israel weeping and begging for mercy, because they have perverted their ways and forgotten the LORD their God. / “Return, O faithless children, and I will heal your faithlessness.” “Here we are. We come to You, for You are the LORD our God. / Surely deception comes from the hills, and commotion from the mountains. Surely the salvation of Israel is in the LORD our God. ...

Isaiah 58:1-9
“Cry aloud, do not hold back! Raise your voice like a ram’s horn. Declare to My people their transgression and to the house of Jacob their sins. / For day after day they seek Me and delight to know My ways, like a nation that does what is right and does not forsake the justice of their God. They ask Me for righteous judgments; they delight in the nearness of God.” / “Why have we fasted, and You have not seen? Why have we humbled ourselves, and You have not noticed?” “Behold, on the day of your fast, you do as you please, and you oppress all your workers. ...

Psalm 106:6
We have sinned like our fathers; we have done wrong and acted wickedly.

Psalm 79:8-9
Do not hold past sins against us; let Your compassion come quickly, for we are brought low. / Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of Your name; deliver us and atone for our sins, for the sake of Your name.

Acts 13:2-3
While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” / And after they had fasted and prayed, they laid their hands on them and sent them off.

Matthew 6:16-18
When you fast, do not be somber like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they already have their full reward. / But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, / so that your fasting will not be obvious to men, but only to your Father, who is unseen. And your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Acts 14:23
Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church, praying and fasting as they entrusted them to the Lord, in whom they had believed.

Luke 2:37
and then was a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple, but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying.


Treasury of Scripture

Then stood up on the stairs, of the Levites, Jeshua, and Bani, Kadmiel, Shebaniah, Bunni, Sherebiah, Bani, and Chenani, and cried with a loud voice to the LORD their God.

stairs.

Nehemiah 9:5
Then the Levites, Jeshua, and Kadmiel, Bani, Hashabniah, Sherebiah, Hodijah, Shebaniah, and Pethahiah, said, Stand up and bless the LORD your God for ever and ever: and blessed be thy glorious name, which is exalted above all blessing and praise.

See on

Nehemiah 8:7
Also Jeshua, and Bani, and Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodijah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, and the Levites, caused the people to understand the law: and the people stood in their place.

Nehemiah 10:9-13
And the Levites: both Jeshua the son of Azaniah, Binnui of the sons of Henadad, Kadmiel; …

Nehemiah 12:8
Moreover the Levites: Jeshua, Binnui, Kadmiel, Sherebiah, Judah, and Mattaniah, which was over the thanksgiving, he and his brethren.

cried

2 Chronicles 20:19
And the Levites, of the children of the Kohathites, and of the children of the Korhites, stood up to praise the LORD God of Israel with a loud voice on high.

Psalm 3:4
I cried unto the LORD with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill. Selah.

Psalm 77:1
To the chief Musician, to Jeduthun, A Psalm of Asaph. I cried unto God with my voice, even unto God with my voice; and he gave ear unto me.

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Ascent Bani Bunni Cried Cry Jeshua Kadmiel Kad'mi-El Levites Places Platform Shebaniah Shebani'ah Sherebiah Sherebi'ah Stairs Stand Standing Stood Voice
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Ascent Bani Bunni Cried Cry Jeshua Kadmiel Kad'mi-El Levites Places Platform Shebaniah Shebani'ah Sherebiah Sherebi'ah Stairs Stand Standing Stood Voice
Nehemiah 9
1. A solemn fast, and repentance of the people
4. The Levites make a confession of God's goodness, and their wickedness














And the Levites
The Levites were members of the tribe of Levi, set apart for religious duties and service in the temple. Historically, the Levites were responsible for the spiritual leadership and instruction of the Israelites. Their role in this verse underscores the importance of spiritual leadership in guiding the people back to God. The Levites' involvement in this public act of repentance highlights their dedication to their divine calling and their role as mediators between God and the people.

Jeshua, Bani, Kadmiel, Shebaniah, Bunni, Sherebiah, Bani, and Kenani
These names represent specific Levites who were actively participating in this significant moment of communal repentance. Each name carries its own meaning and history, often reflecting the character or the divine purpose associated with the individual. For instance, "Jeshua" means "The LORD is salvation," which is fitting for a leader calling the people back to God. The listing of these names emphasizes the personal commitment of these leaders to the spiritual renewal of the nation.

stood on the stairs
The stairs likely refer to a raised platform or steps leading to a prominent place where the Levites could be seen and heard by the assembly. This physical elevation symbolizes their spiritual authority and the importance of their message. In a broader sense, it represents the elevation of God's Word and the call to repentance above the mundane concerns of daily life.

and cried out with a loud voice
The act of crying out with a loud voice signifies urgency and earnestness in their appeal to God. It reflects the depth of their conviction and the seriousness of the situation. This public proclamation is a powerful expression of collective repentance and a call for divine intervention. The loud voice also ensures that the message reaches all the people, emphasizing the communal nature of this act of worship and repentance.

to the LORD their God
This phrase underscores the personal relationship between the Israelites and Yahweh, their covenant God. The use of "their God" highlights the unique bond and the covenantal promises that God made with Israel. It is a reminder of God's faithfulness and the people's need to return to Him. The invocation of the LORD in this context is a plea for mercy, forgiveness, and restoration, acknowledging His sovereignty and grace.

(4) Stairs, of the Levites.--The scaffold of the Levites, without the comma: the steps of ascent to the pulpit of Ezra (Nehemiah 8:2).

Bani, and Chenani.--Probably, Binnui and Haman (Nehemiah 10:9-10).

Their God.--When the people are called upon (Nehemiah 9:5), it is "your God"; hence these eight Levites offered a prayer which is not inserted.

Verse 4. - Upon the stairs, of the Levites. Rather, "upon the platform of the Levites," the same probably as the "pulpit of Nehemiah 8:4. Bani. Rather, "Binnui" (see Nehemiah 10:9; Nehemiah 12:8),the representative of the "sons of Henadad. Jeshua, Binnui, and Kadmiel are the three principal families of the Levites (comp. Ezra 2:40; Ezra 3:9; Nehemiah 3:24; Nehemiah 8:7, etc.). Sherebiah was the head of a family which returned with Ezra (Ezra 8:18). Chenani is probably the "Hanan" of Nehemiah 8:7, and Nehemiah 10:10.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
And the Levites—
הַלְוִיִּ֗ם (hal·wî·yim)
Article | Noun - proper - masculine plural
Strong's 3881: Levites -- descendant of Levi

Jeshua,
יֵשׁ֨וּעַ (yê·šū·a‘)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3442: Jeshua

Bani,
וּבָנִ֜י (ū·ḇā·nî)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1137: Bani -- the name of several Israelites

Kadmiel,
קַדְמִיאֵ֧ל (qaḏ·mî·’êl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 6934: Kadmiel -- 'God is the ancient one', a Levite name

Shebaniah,
שְׁבַנְיָ֛ה (šə·ḇan·yāh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 7645: Shebaniah -- the name of several Israelites

Bunni,
בֻּנִּ֥י (bun·nî)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1138: Bunni -- the name of several Israelites

Sherebiah,
שֵׁרֵבְיָ֖ה (šê·rê·ḇə·yāh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 8274: Sherebiah -- 'Yah has sent burning heat', an Israelite name

Bani,
בָּנִ֣י (bā·nî)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1137: Bani -- the name of several Israelites

and Chenani—
כְנָ֑נִי (ḵə·nā·nî)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3662: Chenani -- a Levite

stood
וַיָּ֜קָם (way·yā·qām)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6965: To arise, stand up, stand

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

the raised platform
מַֽעֲלֵ֣ה (ma·‘ă·lêh)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4608: An elevation, acclivity, platform, a rise, priority

and cried out
וַֽיִּזְעֲקוּ֙ (way·yiz·‘ă·qū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 2199: To shriek, to announce, convene publicly

in a loud
גָּד֔וֹל (gā·ḏō·wl)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 1419: Great, older, insolent

voice
בְּק֣וֹל (bə·qō·wl)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6963: A voice, sound

to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

the LORD
יְהוָ֖ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

their God.
אֱלֹהֵיהֶֽם׃ (’ĕ·lō·hê·hem)
Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative


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OT History: Nehemiah 9:4 Then stood up on the stairs (Neh Ne)
Nehemiah 9:3
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