Lexical Summary
Shebanyah or Shebanyahu: Shebanyah or Shebanyahu
Original Word:שְׁבַנְיָה
Part of Speech:Proper Name Masculine
Transliteration:Shbanyah
Pronunciation:sheb-an-yaw'
Phonetic Spelling:(sheb-an-yaw')
KJV: Shebaniah
NASB:Shebaniah
Word Origin:[from the same asH7644 (שֶׁבנָא שֶׁבנָה - Shebna) andH3050 (יָהּ - LORD)]
1. Jah has grown (i.e. prospered)
2. Shebanjah, the name of three or four Israelites
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
Shebaniah
Or Shbanyahuw {sheb-an-yaw'-hoo}; from the same asShebna' andYahh; Jah has grown (i.e. Prospered); Shebanjah, the name of three or four Israelites -- Shebaniah.
see HEBREWShebna'
see HEBREWYahh
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Originfrom the same as
Shebna and from
YahDefinitionthe name of several Isr.
NASB TranslationShebaniah (7).
Brown-Driver-Briggs
-
, (1)Nehemiah 9:4,5;Nehemiah 10:13, (2)Nehemiah 10:11; , ().
Nehemiah 10:5, priestly familyNehemiah 12:14 (L ) =Nehemiah 12:3 (()), and perhaps1 Chronicles 24:11 (, ).
-, priest,1 Chronicles 15:24 (,L ).
(√ of following; meaning ?).
Topical Lexicon
OverviewShebaniah (Strong’s H7645) designates at least three men whose ministries span from the united monarchy under David to the post-exilic restoration led by Ezra and Nehemiah. Together they illustrate the continuity of priestly and Levitical service, the importance of ordered worship, and the gravity of covenant fidelity.
Occurrences
1.1 Chronicles 15:24 – priest, trumpeter before the Ark.
2.Nehemiah 9:4–5 – Levite leading national confession.
3.Nehemiah 10:4 – priestly signer of the renewed covenant.
4.Nehemiah 10:10 – priestly family representative.
5.Nehemiah 10:12 – Levitical family representative.
6.Nehemiah 12:14 – ancestral head of a post-exilic priestly division.
Roles and Historical Settings
1. Priest-Musician in David’s Procession (1 Chronicles 15)
David appointed seven priests “to blow trumpets before the Ark of God” (1 Chronicles 15:24). Shebaniah helped introduce a liturgical practice that would characterize temple worship for centuries: musicians drawn from the priesthood signaling the presence and holiness of the LORD. His inclusion among the trumpeters underscores the union of sacrifice and song, preparing Israel for the day when “the sound of the trumpet” (Psalm 98:6) would accompany praise to the Lord in Zion.
2. Levite Reformer in the Great Fast (Nehemiah 9)
Almost six centuries later, another Shebaniah stands on the newly built platform during the fast of the seventh month. With seven fellow Levites he “cried out with a loud voice to the LORD their God” (Nehemiah 9:4). Their exhortation, “Stand up and bless the LORD your God from everlasting to everlasting” (Nehemiah 9:5), sparks the longest recorded prayer in Scripture (verses 5-37). Here Shebaniah models public intercession grounded in the historical acts of God—creation, covenant, redemption, and discipline—culminating in confession of communal sin. His role demonstrates that genuine revival is word-centered and repentance-driven.
3. Signatory of the Covenant Renewal (Nehemiah 10)
Three verses later (10:4, 10, 12) the name appears among priests and Levites who affix their seals to the written covenant. By signing, Shebaniah pledges to uphold specific reforms: separation from pagan marriages (10:30), Sabbath sanctity (10:31), and support of temple service (10:32-39). His signature embodies the priesthood’s responsibility to guide the people in obedience, foreshadowing the New Covenant in which the Law is written on hearts (Jeremiah 31:31-33;Hebrews 8:10).
4. Founder of a Priestly Division (Nehemiah 12:14)
During the high priesthood of Joiakim, “of Shebaniah, Joseph” (Nehemiah 12:14) marks the transmission of Shebaniah’s house to the next generation. The listing of priestly courses mirrors the Davidic pattern (1 Chronicles 24) and attests that post-exilic worship now functions on a stable, genealogical footing. Shebaniah’s family line thus bridges the exile’s rupture and affirms God’s preservation of a faithful remnant.
Theological Significance
Temple-Centered Worship
From trumpets before the Ark to covenant seals guarding temple dues, each Shebaniah is linked to sanctuary life. Their ministries proclaim that true religion centers on God’s presence and His prescribed means of approach.
Confession and Covenant
The Levite Shebaniah’s prayer (Nehemiah 9) and the covenant he signs (Nehemiah 10) demonstrate that confession is not an end in itself; it must culminate in renewed obedience. The narrative showcases divine mercy that both forgives past failure and empowers future faithfulness.
Continuity of Priesthood
Spanning roughly 600 years, the name threads through Israel’s story, illustrating the reliability of God’s promises regarding the Levitical priesthood (Numbers 25:13). Even after exile, the priestly line endures, anticipating the ultimate High Priest who “holds His priesthood permanently” (Hebrews 7:24).
Practical Applications
• Worship leaders should combine musical excellence with theological depth, as trumpeter-priest Shebaniah did.
• National and congregational renewal must be rooted in Scripture-fed confession and commitment.
• Signing the covenant challenges believers today to explicit, accountable obedience rather than vague intention.
• Faithful service across generations—modeled by Shebaniah’s house—encourages families and churches to cultivate enduring ministries.
Summary
Shebaniah’s scattered references coalesce into a portrait of priestly and Levitical integrity that supports corporate worship, fuels communal repentance, and safeguards covenant fidelity. Though each appearance is brief, together they testify that God honors servants who keep His sanctuary central, His word exalted, and His covenant unbroken.
Forms and Transliterations
וּשְׁבַנְיָ֡הוּ ושבניהו לִשְׁבַנְיָ֖ה לשבניה שְׁבַנְיָ֖ה שְׁבַנְיָ֛ה שְׁבַנְיָ֣ה שְׁבַנְיָ֧ה שְׁבַנְיָֽה׃ שבניה שבניה׃ liš·ḇan·yāh lišḇanyāh lishvanYah šə·ḇan·yāh šəḇanyāh shevanYah ū·šə·ḇan·yā·hū ūšəḇanyāhū ushevanYahu
Links
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