Hashabniah was one of the men who stood beside Ezra as he read the Law to the people in Jerusalem after their return from exile in Babylon. He is mentioned in connection with the great assembly at the Water Gate, where the people renewed their covenant with God. His role was to support and lend authority to the public reading of the Law.
Avaintapahtumat
The Reading of the Law at the Water Gate
Hashabniah stood at Ezra's right or left side while Ezra read the Law of Moses to all the people at the Water Gate in Jerusalem.
1Then all the people gathered as one to the square in front of the Water Gate, and they asked Ezra the scribe to bring the Book of the Law of Moses, which the LORD had commanded Israel.
2So on the first day of the seventh month Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly—men and women and all who could understand what they heard.
3He read from it, facing the square before the Water Gate, from daybreak until midday, to the men and the women and all who could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive to the Book of the Law.
4Ezra the scribe stood on a wooden platform built for the occasion. Beside him on his right stood Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Uriah, Hilkiah, and Maaseiah; and on his left, Pedaiah, Mishael, Malchijah, Hashum, Hashbaddanah, Zechariah, and Meshullam.
6Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God, and all the people lifted their hands and answered, "Amen! Amen!" Then they bowed down and worshiped the LORD with their faces to the ground.
7And Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, and Pelaiah—the Levites—explained the Law to the people while they remained in their places.
9Then Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who were teaching the people said to them all, "This day is holy to the LORD your God. Do not mourn or weep." For all the people had been weeping as they heard the words of the Law.
10He said to them, "Go, eat what is rich and drink what is sweet, and send portions to those who have nothing prepared, for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength."
12So all the people went away to eat and drink, to send portions, and to celebrate with great joy, because they had understood the words that had been made known to them.