Nehemiah 12:36

36 and his brothers Shemaiah, Azarel, Milalai, Gilalai, Maai, Nethanel, Judah, and Hanani with the instruments of the songs of David the man of God; and Ezra the scribe [went] before them.

Nehemiah 12:36 Meaning and Commentary

Nehemiah 12:36

And his brethren
The brethren of Zechariah, the priest's son, and such are those that follow:

Shemaiah, and Azarael, Milalai, Gilalai, Maai, Nethaneel, and Judah,
Hanani, with the musical instruments of David the man of God;
which were invented by him, and ordered by him to be used in religious service, under the divine direction:

and Ezra the scribe before them;
for he being a priest also, and a man of great eminence, was placed at the head of them in this procession.

Nehemiah 12:36 In-Context

34 Judah, Benjamin, Shemaiah, Jeremiah,

35 and the {priests} with trumpets; Zechariah son of Jehonathan, son of Shemaiah, son of Mattaniah, son of Micaiah, son of Zaccur, son of Asaph;

36 and his brothers Shemaiah, Azarel, Milalai, Gilalai, Maai, Nethanel, Judah, and Hanani with the instruments of the songs of David the man of God; and Ezra the scribe [went] before them.

37 At the Fountain Gate opposite them they went up the steps of the city of David, at the assent to the wall, over the house of David, and up to the Water Gate to the east.

38 Then the second choir went the opposite [way]. I [followed] after them with half of the people on the wall, from over the Tower of the Ovens up to the Wide Wall