And their brethren who did the work of the house …: Their brethren refers to the clan of Jedaiah. The total number of this clan was 822. They are described as doing the work of the house. This refers to the religious duties of the priests in the Temple. Jerusalem Bible says they “were responsible for the Temple liturgy” and New Jerusalem Bible says they “performed the Temple liturgy.” In this context it is understood that the house refers to the house of God (see Neh 10.39), as Good News Translation makes explicit with a helpful model.

And Adaiah the son of …: The listing then continues into the next verse with the priest Adaiah.

Quoted with permission from Noss, Philip A. and Thomas, Kenneth J. A Handbook on Nehemiah. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2005. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .