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Saturday, July 26th, 2025
the Week of Proper 11 / Ordinary 16
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Bible in Basic English

Nehemiah 11:17

And Mattaniah, the son of Mica, the son of Zabdi, the son of Asaph, who had to give the first note of the song of praise in prayer, and Bakbukiah, the second among his brothers, and Abda, the son of Shammua, the son of Galal, the son of Jeduthun.

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Bakbukiah;   Galal;   Micha;   Shammua;   Shemaiah;   Thankfulness;   Zabdi;   Torrey's Topical Textbook - Thanksgiving;  

Dictionaries:

- American Tract Society Bible Dictionary - Levites;   Prayer;   Easton Bible Dictionary - Abda;   Jeduthun;   Micha;   Shammua;   Zabdi;   Fausset Bible Dictionary - Abda;   Asaph;   Bakbukiah;   Chronicles, the Books of;   Galal;   Jeduthun;   Judea;   Micha;   Shammua;   Shemaiah;   Zabdi;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Abda;   Bakbukiah;   Galal;   Mattaniah;   Mica;   Micha;   Shammua(h);   Shemaiah;   Zabdi;   Zichri;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Abda;   Bakbukiah;   Galal;   Gershon, Gershonites;   Mattaniah;   Merari, Merarites;   Mica;   Obadiah;   Priests and Levites;   Shammua;   Shemaiah;   Writing;   Zabdi;   Zichri;   Morrish Bible Dictionary - Abda ;   Bakbukiah ;   Benjamin ;   Galal ;   Jeduthun ;   Mattaniah ;   Micah ;   Micha ;   Michaiah ;   Obadiah ;   Shammua, Shammuah ;   Zabdi ;   People's Dictionary of the Bible - Asaph;   Smith Bible Dictionary - Ab'da;   A'saph;   Bakbuki'ah;   Ga'lal;   Mattani'ah;   Mi'cha;   Shammu'a;   Zab'di;  

Encyclopedias:

- International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Bakbukiah;   Galal;   Gershon;   Law in the Old Testament;   Mattaniah;   Mica;   Names, Proper;   Obadiah;   Shammua;   Shemaiah;   Zabdi;   Zichri;   The Jewish Encyclopedia - Abda;   Bakbukiah;   Ethan;   Jeduthun;   Liturgy;   Micah;  

Parallel Translations

Christian Standard Bible®
Mattaniah son of Mica, son of Zabdi, son of Asaph, the one who began the thanksgiving in prayer; Bakbukiah, second among his relatives; and Abda son of Shammua, son of Galal, son of Jeduthun.
Hebrew Names Version
and Mattanyah the son of Mikha, the son of Zavdi, the son of Asaf, who was the chief to begin the thanksgiving in prayer, and Bakbukyah, the second among his brothers; and `Avda the son of Shammua, the son of Galal, the son of Yedutun.
King James Version
And Mattaniah the son of Micha, the son of Zabdi, the son of Asaph, was the principal to begin the thanksgiving in prayer: and Bakbukiah the second among his brethren, and Abda the son of Shammua, the son of Galal, the son of Jeduthun.
English Standard Version
and Mattaniah the son of Mica, son of Zabdi, son of Asaph, who was the leader of the praise, who gave thanks, and Bakbukiah, the second among his brothers; and Abda the son of Shammua, son of Galal, son of Jeduthun.
New Century Version
There was Mattaniah son of Mica. (Mica was the son of Zabdi, the son of Asaph.) Mattaniah was the director who led the people in thanksgiving and prayer. There was Bakbukiah, who was second in charge over his fellow Levites. And there was Abda son of Shammua. (Shammua was the son of Galal, the son of Jeduthun.)
New English Translation
Mattaniah son of Mica, the son of Zabdi, the son of Asaph, the praise leader who led in thanksgiving and prayer; Bakbukiah, second among his colleagues; and Abda son of Shammua, the son of Galal, the son of Jeduthun.
Amplified Bible
Mattaniah the son of Mica, the son of Zabdi, the son of Asaph, who was the leader to begin the thanksgiving in prayer, and Bakbukiah, second among his brothers; and Abda the son of Shammua, the son of Galal, the son of Jeduthun.
New American Standard Bible
and Mattaniah the son of Mica, the son of Zabdi, the son of Asaph, who was the leader in beginning the thanksgiving at prayer, and Bakbukiah, the second among his kinsmen; and Abda the son of Shammua, the son of Galal, the son of Jeduthun.
World English Bible
and Mattaniah the son of Mica, the son of Zabdi, the son of Asaph, who was the chief to begin the thanksgiving in prayer, and Bakbukiah, the second among his brothers; and Abda the son of Shammua, the son of Galal, the son of Jeduthun.
Geneva Bible (1587)
And Mattaniah, the sonne of Micha, the sonne of Zabdi, the sonne of Asaph was the chiefe to begin the thankesgiuing & prayer: & Bakbukiah the second of his brethren, & Abda, the sonne of Shammua, the sonne of Galal, the sonne of Ieduthun.
Legacy Standard Bible
and Mattaniah the son of Mica, the son of Zabdi, the son of Asaph, who was the chief in beginning the thanksgiving in prayer, and Bakbukiah, the second among his relatives; and Abda the son of Shammua, the son of Galal, the son of Jeduthun.
Berean Standard Bible
Mattaniah son of Mica, the son of Zabdi, the son of Asaph, who led in thanksgiving and prayer; Bakbukiah, second among his associates; and Abda son of Shammua, the son of Galal, the son of Jeduthun.
Contemporary English Version
Then there was Mattaniah son of Mica. His ancestors were Zabdi and Asaph. Mattaniah led the temple choir in the prayer of praise. Bakbukiah, who also settled in Jerusalem, was his assistant. Finally, there was Abda son of Shammua; his grandfather was Galal, and his great-grandfather was Jeduthun.
Complete Jewish Bible
and Matanyah the son of Mikha, the son of Zavdi, the son of Asaf, the leader who began the thanksgiving prayer; and Bakbukyah, the second among his kinsmen; and ‘Avda the son of Shamua, the son of Galal, the son of Y'dutun.
Darby Translation
and Mattaniah the son of Mica, the son of Zabdi, the son of Asaph, [who was] the principal to begin the thanksgiving in prayer; and Bakbukiah, the second among his brethren; and Abda the son of Shammua, the son of Galal, the son of Jeduthun:
Easy-to-Read Version
Mattaniah (the son of Mica, who was the son of Zabdi, who was the son of Asaph), the director who led the people in singing songs of praise and prayer, Bakbukiah (the second in charge over his brothers), and Abda son of Shammua (the son of Galal, who was the son of Jeduthun).
George Lamsa Translation
And of the chiefs of the Levites: Mattaniah, the son of Micha, the son of Zabdi, the son of Asaph, the principal among the Jews to begin the thanksgiving in prayer: and Bakbukah the second among his brethren, and Aira the son of Shammua, the son of Galal, the son of Jethron.
Good News Translation
Mattaniah, the son of Mica and grandson of Zabdi, a descendant of Asaph. He led the Temple choir in singing the prayer of thanksgiving. Bakbukiah, who was Mattaniah's assistant. Abda, the son of Shammua and grandson of Galal, a descendant of Jeduthun.
Lexham English Bible
Mattaniah son of Micah, son of Zabdi, son of Asaph, who was the leader to begin the thanksgiving prayer, and Bakbukiah the second of his brothers; Abda son of Shammua, son of Galal, son of Jeduthun.
Literal Translation
And Mattaniah the son of Micha, the son of Zabdi, the son of Asaph, was the leader of the beginning, he gave thanks with prayer. And Bakbukiah the second from his brothers, and Abda the sonof Shammua, the son of Galal, the son ofJeduthun.
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
And Mathania the sonne of Micha, the sonne of Sabdi, the sonne of Assaph, which was the pryncipall to begynne the thankesgeuynge vnto prayer. And bacbuchia ye seconde amoge his brethren, and Abda the sonne of Sammua, the sonne of Galal, the sonne of Iedithun.
American Standard Version
and Mattaniah the son of Mica, the son of Zabdi, the son of Asaph, who was the chief to begin the thanksgiving in prayer, and Bakbukiah, the second among his brethren; and Abda the son of Shammua, the son of Galal, the son of Jeduthun.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
And Mathania, the sonne of Micha, the sonne of Zabdi, the sonne of Asaph, was the principall to begin the thankesgeuing and prayer: and Bacbucia the seconde among his brethren, and Abda the sonne of Sammua, the sonne of Galal, the sonne of Ieduthun.
JPS Old Testament (1917)
and Mattaniah the son of Mica, the son of Zabdi, the son of Asaph, who was the chief to begin the thanksgiving in prayer, and Bakbukiah, the second among his brethren; and Abda the son of Shammua, the son of Galal, the son of Jeduthun.
King James Version (1611)
And Mattaniah the sonne of Micha, the sonne of Zabdi, the sonne of Asaph, was the principall to beginne the thankesgiuing in prayer: and Bakbukiah the second among his brethren, and Abda the sonne of Shammua, the sonne of Galal, the sonne of Ieduthun.
Brenton's Septuagint (LXX)
Matthanias son of Micha, and Jobeb son of Samui,
English Revised Version
and Mattaniah the son of Mica, the son of Zabdi, the son of Asaph, who was the chief to begin the thanksgiving in prayer, and Bakbukiah, the second among his brethren; and Abda the son of Shammua, the son of Galal, the son of Jeduthun.
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
And Mathanye, the sone of Mycha, the sone of Zebdai, the sone of Asaph, was prince, to herie and to knowleche in preier; and Bethechie was the secounde of hise britheren, and Abdie, the sone of Sammya, the sone of Galal, the sone of Iditum.
Update Bible Version
and Mattaniah the son of Mica, the son of Zabdi, the son of Asaph, who was the chief of praise, he led in prayer, and Bakbukiah, the second among his brothers; and Abda the son of Shammua, the son of Galal, the son of Jeduthun.
Webster's Bible Translation
And Mattaniah the son of Micha, the son of Zabdi, the son of Asaph, [was] the principal to begin the thanksgiving in prayer: and Bakbukiah the second among his brethren, and Abda the son of Shammua, the son of Galal, the son of Jeduthun.
New King James Version
Mattaniah the son of Micha, [fn] the son of Zabdi, the son of Asaph, the leader who began the thanksgiving with prayer; Bakbukiah, the second among his brethren; and Abda the son of Shammua, the son of Galal, the son of Jeduthun.
New Living Translation
Also Mattaniah son of Mica, son of Zabdi, a descendant of Asaph, who led in thanksgiving and prayer. Also Bakbukiah, who was Mattaniah's assistant, and Abda son of Shammua, son of Galal, son of Jeduthun.
New Life Bible
And there was Mattaniah the son of Mica, son of Zabdi, son of Asaph, who was the leader in beginning the giving of thanks at prayer, and Bakbukiah, the second among his brothers. And there was Abda the son of Shammua, son of Galal, son of Jeduthun.
New Revised Standard
and Mattaniah son of Mica son of Zabdi son of Asaph, who was the leader to begin the thanksgiving in prayer, and Bakbukiah, the second among his associates; and Abda son of Shammua son of Galal son of Jeduthun.
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
and Mattaniah son of Mica, son of Zabdi, son of Asaph, leader of the praise who giveth thanks, in prayer, and Bakbukiah the second among his brethren, - and Obadiah son of Shemaiah, son of Galal, son of Jeduthun.
Douay-Rheims Bible
And Mathania the son of Micha, the son of Zebedei, the son of Asaph, was the principal man to praise, and to give glory in prayer, and Becbecia, the second, one of his brethren, and Abda the son of Samua, the son of Galal, the son of Idithun.
Revised Standard Version
and Mattani'ah the son of Mica, son of Zabdi, son of Asaph, who was the leader to begin the thanksgiving in prayer, and Bakbuki'ah, the second among his brethren; and Abda the son of Sham'mua, son of Galal, son of Jedu'thun.
Young's Literal Translation
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.
New American Standard Bible (1995)
and Mattaniah the son of Mica, the son of Zabdi, the son of Asaph, who was the leader in beginning the thanksgiving at prayer, and Bakbukiah, the second among his brethren; and Abda the son of Shammua, the son of Galal, the son of Jeduthun.

Contextual Overview

1 And the rulers of the people were living in Jerusalem: the rest of the people made selection, by the decision of chance, of one out of every ten to be living in Jerusalem, the holy town; the other nine to go to the other towns. 2 And the people gave a blessing to all the men who were freely offering to take up their places in Jerusalem. 3 Now these are the chiefs of the divisions of the country who were living in Jerusalem: but in the towns of Judah everyone was living on his heritage in the towns, that is, Israel, the priests, the Levites, the Nethinim, and the children of Solomon's servants. 4 And in Jerusalem there were living certain of the children of Judah and of Benjamin. Of the children of Judah: Athaiah, the son of Uzziah, the son of Zechariah, the son of Amariah, the son of Shephatiah, the son of Mahalalel, of the children of Perez; 5 And Maaseiah, the son of Baruch, the son of Col-hozeh, the son of Hazaiah, the son of Adaiah, the son of Joiarib, the son of Zechariah, the son of the Shilonite. 6 All the sons of Perez living in Jerusalem were four hundred and sixty-eight men of good position. 7 And these are the sons of Benjamin: Sallu, the son of Meshullam, the son of Joed, the son of Pedaiah, the son of Kolaiah, the son of Maaseiah, the son of Ithiel, the son of Jeshaiah. 8 And after him Gabbai, Sallai, nine hundred and twenty-eight. 9 And Joel, the son of Zichri, was their overseer; and Judah, the son of Hassenuah, was second over the town. 10 Of the priests: Jedaiah, the son of Joiarib, Jachin,

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

Zabdi: In the parallel passage, instead of Zichri, many manuscripts have Zabdi, as here: he is also called Zaccur. Nehemiah 10:12, 1 Chronicles 9:15, Zichri

to begin: Nehemiah 12:8, Nehemiah 12:31, 1 Chronicles 16:4, 1 Chronicles 16:41, 1 Chronicles 25:1-6

thanksgiving: Philippians 4:6, 1 Thessalonians 5:17, 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Bakbukiah: Nehemiah 12:9, Nehemiah 12:25

Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 2:1 - prayed 1 Chronicles 6:32 - and then 1 Chronicles 6:39 - Asaph 1 Chronicles 9:16 - Obadiah 1 Chronicles 9:33 - were free 2 Chronicles 31:2 - to give thanks Ezra 2:41 - Asaph Nehemiah 11:22 - Mattaniah Nehemiah 12:35 - Zechariah

Gill's Notes on the Bible

And Mattaniah the son of Micha, the son of Zabdi, the son of Asaph,.... Zabdi is called Zichri in 1 Chronicles 9:15

was the principal to begin the thanksgiving in prayer: he was the precentor, or led the song at the time of the daily sacrifice, in which prayer was also made, as in many of the songs, hymns, and psalms of David:

and Bakbukiah the second among his brethren; he was the next singer, or deputy to Mattaniah; perhaps the same that is called Bakbakkar, 1 Chronicles 9:15

and Abda the son of Shammua; called Obadiah the son of Shemaiah, 1 Chronicles 9:16

the son of Galal, the son of Jeduthun: one of the three principal singers.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

See the margin reference notes. Both accounts appear to be extracts from a public official register which Nehemiah caused to be made of his census. The census itself seems to have been confined to the dwellers at Jerusalem. The subjoined table exhibits the differences between the accounts of the entire population of Jerusalem as given in Nehemiah and in Chronicles:




1 Chron Nehemiah
Tribes of Judah

Of Pharez
468
Of Zerah 690
Tribe of Benjamin 956 928
Tribe of Levi

Priests 1760 1192
Levites
284
Porters 212 172



According to Nehemiah’s numbers, supplemented from Chronicles, the entire adult male population of the city was 3,734, which would give a total population of 14,936. According to Chronicles, supplemented from Nehemiah, the adult males were 4,370, and consequently the entire population, would have been 17,480. As the Nethinims and the Israelites of Ephraim and Manasseh 1 Chronicles 9:3 are not included in either list, we may conclude that the actual number of the inhabitants, after the efforts recorded in Nehemiah 11:1-2, was not much short of 20,000.

Nehemiah 11:16

The outward business of the house of God - Such as the collection of the newly-imposed tax Nehemiah 10:32, the providing of the regular sacrifices, the renewal of vestments, and the like.

Nehemiah 11:17

The principal to begin the thanksgiving - i. e., “the precentor,” or “leader of the choir.”

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 17. The principal to begin the thanksgiving — The precentor, pitcher of the tune, or master-singer.


 
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