Definition: And Shabbethai and Jozabad, of the chief of the Levites, [had] the oversight of the outward business of the house of God.

Explanation: Okay, let's break down that verse from Nehemiah 11:16. It’s a really important statement about responsibility and care! Here’s what it means in simpler terms: Basically, it means that the people responsible for running the temple (the house of God) – specifically the leaders of the Levites – were given a special job. Let's unpack it a little further: “Nehemiah 11” : This refers to a specific story in the Old Testament. “Sh Shabbethai and Jozabad” : These are two people named. “[had] the oversight of the outward business…” : This means they were in charge of everything that happened outside the temple – like cleaning, organizing, and managing all its activities. So, what does this tell us about the Levites? The Levites were a group of Jewish priests and teachers who were responsible for maintaining the temple (the holy place) and leading religious services in Jerusalem. They were deeply involved in the spiritual life of the community. This verse suggests they had a significant role in ensuring everything ran smoothly and was done according to God's will. It’s important to note: It wasn’t just about doing things; it was about managing them well, upholding standards, and keeping the temple clean and blessed. --- Does that make sense? Would you like me to explain any of this further, or perhaps delve into a specific aspect of the verse? For example, we could talk about: The significance of the Levites in Jewish history What “outward business” might have included (like building projects, ceremonies, etc.)