Nehemiah 12:9

Neh 12:9 Also Bakbukiah and Unni, their brethren, [were] over against them in the watches.

Ver. 9. In the watches] In the order of their functions, taking their turns.

John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

They kept the wards and watches according to their turns, as 2 Chron. 23:6.

Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain. Text via Bolls.life.

their brethren, were over against them in the watches--that is, according to some, their stations--the places where they stood when officiating--"ward over against ward" (Neh 12:24); or, according to others, in alternate watches, in course of rotation.

Jamieson, Fausset & Brown — Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

9. and Unni] R.V. and Unno. The K’ri reads ‘and Unni,’ the C’thib ‘and Unno.’ The C’thib reading might, however, be rendered as the verb which occurs in Ezr_3:11, ‘And they sang one to another’ (cf. Deu_21:7; Deu_27:14), with the sense of ‘And their brethren responded to them in choral antiphon.’ This suggestion, however, apart from grammatical objections, requires us to suppose that Bakbukiah’s name has been interpolated. For this there is no evidence; and so far as the sense is concerned, the idea of antiphonal singing is sufficiently expressed in our own text. The confusion between ‘Unno’ and ‘Unni’ arises from the commonest source of variation in the Hebrew text, the similarity of Yod and Vâv (י and ו). But the original reading was very probably ‘Also Bakbukiah and Unni [and] their brethren;’ Yôd, the last letter of Unni, having fallen out before the Vâv, the Vâv became, instead of the copula, the last letter of ‘Unno.’ Another conjectural and less probable emendation of the text is to read ‘Obadiah’ instead of ‘Unni,’ in order to bring the verse in closer correspondence with Neh_12:25.

over against them] The same expression as in 2Ch_7:6, ‘The priests sounded trumpets before them,’ where probably the meaning is ‘over against, i.e. in answer to, the Levites:’ See also Neh_12:24.

in the watches] R.V. in wards. LXX. εἰς τὰς ἐφημερίας. Vulg. ‘in officio suo.’ The Hebrew could equally well be rendered ‘as watches, i.e. for the purpose of keeping watch.’ But the sense required is more probably ‘according to wards,’ ‘in wards by rotation.’ Cf. Neh_13:14.

The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Also Bakbukiah and Unni,.... Two other Levites; the first is mentioned in Neh 11:17,

their brethren, were over against them in the watches; the Levites were divided into twenty four wards, and these were placed one against another, Ch1 23:6.

John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

Office. Hebrew, "in the watches," each in his turn, (Vatable) "daily." (Septuagint) (Menochius)

George Leo Haydock (1774–1849), Haydock's Catholic Family Bible and Commentary, 1859 edition — public domain. Excludes Psalms (Douay-Rheims chapter numbering differs from Protestant) and Deuterocanonical books (Catholic canon only).

i.e. In the places where they were appointed to stand, and wait, and perform their office, one standing over against another, as it is explained, Neh 12:24, ward over against ward; for the Hebrew word is the same there and here. Others, according to their turns, or courses, of which see 1Ch 25:9.

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

Bakbukiah and Unni. Bakbukiah"s position with respect to Mattaniah has been already mentioned. (Neh_11:17) "Unni" appears, in this place only, as a Levite of Zerubbabel"s time. Were over against them in the watches. i.e. "ministered in their courses, as the others did, and kept their stations over against them in their turns of attendance, which are called their "watches" or wards" (Bp. Patrick).

Vers. 9, 24. Sacred singing.

Its place in public worship at the tabernacle and the temple, from David onward, if not earlier. The careful arrangements made for conducting it. Its place in the Christian Church, in which it was prominent from the first. Pliny"s testimony.

I Its DESIGN. Not the glorification of poets, organists, or choirs, or the musical entertainment of the people; but

1. The united praise of God. Of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. This chiefly, not this only, or many of cur best hymns would have to be condemned.

2. The benefit of the congregation. Of the Christians worshipping, and of others present. Promoting devout feelings, and impressing great truths on the heart. In Eph_5:19 Col_3:16, a distinctly didactic purpose seems, notwithstanding adverse criticism, to be recognised.

II The QUALIFICATIONS it requires. Besides the physical and the musical, and far above them in nature and importance.

1. Understanding of what is sung. (1Co_14:15)

2. Faith. In the object of worship, the truths uttered, the Mediator. (Heb_11:6 Heb_13:15)

3. Devout feelings. Reverence, humility, gratitude, love, joy in God. Unity with fellow-worshippers. (Rom_15:5, Rom_15:6) Mutual harmony is essential to harmonious praise. Anger, envy, alienation, hinder united worship, spoil the best singing.

III The DUTY OF THOSE WHO PROVIDE FOR OR CONDUCT IT. Such as (ver. 12) are "over the thanksgiving" are to regard themselves not as performers exhibiting their own skill, but as ministers of Christ and the congregation, to worship with their brethren, and aid them in worshipping God. The composition and choice of hymns and tunes, and the style of playing and singing, are all to be subordinate to this end. If this seem to require of composers, organists, and choirs some sacrifice of credit, it confers on them a far higher dignity than they could otherwise reach, and secures them a richer recompense now and hereafter.

IV THE DUTY OF CONGREGATIONS IN RESPECT TO IT.

1. To take part in the worship. In heart, if not with voice.

2. To unite, if capable, in the singing itself. The singing at the temple appears to have been chiefly choral; that of the Christian Church should be congregational. All are as Levites, "to praise and to give thanks," unless physically incapacitated. The benefits of the service depend much on the union of the many in it.

3. To qualify themselves, therefore, as far as possible for the exercise. That "with one mouth", (Rom_15:6) as well as "one mind," all may "glorify God." The subject requires more thought and care by ministers and congregations than it sometimes receives.

The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

in the watches as we find (in I Chronicles from ch. 24 on) that the Levites were divided into twenty- four watches.

Rashi on the Tanakh — English translations: “The Judaica Press complete Tanach with Rashi, translated by A. J. Rosenberg” (CC BY 4.0); “Pentateuch with Rashi's commentary by M. Rosenbaum and A.M. Silbermann, 1929-1934” (public domain); “The Metsudah Tanach series, Lakewood, N.J” (CC BY 4.0); and “The Book of Joshua, Metsudah Publications, 1997” (CC BY 4.0). Text via Sefaria.