Definition: Then I brought up the princes of Judah upon the wall, and appointed two great [companies of them that gave] thanks, [whereof one] went on the right hand upon the wall toward the dung gate:

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Nehemiah 12:31. It's a really important passage about rebuilding and remembering God’s presence. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: This verse describes a specific act of putting the people of Judah (a region in Israel) back together, but with a special focus on praising God. Let's look at the parts: “Then I brought up the princes of Judah upon the wall…” – This means Nehemiah was rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem, which had been damaged during times of war and rebellion. He needed to make sure everyone was safe and secure. “…and appointed two great [companies of them that gave] thanks…” - This is the key part! He chose a group of leaders – called "princes" – to be focused on giving thanks . It wasn’t just any thanks; it was a specific kind of thanks. “[whereof one] went on the right hand upon the wall toward the dung gate:” - This is where it gets interesting. He chose one specific group of leaders to go on the right hand (that’s facing the wall) and toward the “dung gate” – a place for waste disposal. What does this all mean? It suggests that these leaders weren't just giving thanks in general; they were specifically thanking God for His presence while they were working on the rebuilding project. They were acknowledging God’s power and guidance through their efforts. Why is it important? This verse highlights a few things: Focus on God: It emphasizes that true thanksgiving comes from recognizing God's role in our lives. Active Participation: It shows that people weren't just passively waiting for something to happen; they were actively praising and thanking God during the process of rebuilding. God’s Presence: The placement of these leaders near the dung gate suggests a strong connection between God and the work being done – he was watching over them and guiding their actions. In short, Nehemiah is telling us that giving thanks to God while we're working on important things is a really important part of a good faith effort. --- Do you want me to: Explain this verse in more detail? Connect it to a specific event or story from the Bible? Explore its significance within the context of the Old Testament?