The next two men on the list, Shabbethai and Jozabad, were contemporaries of Ezra (see Ezra 10.15; Neh 8.7). Jozabad was one of the Temple treasurers (see Ezra 8.33). The first three Levites were chiefs (literally “heads”) of those who were responsible for the outside work of the house of God. This is contrasted with the work of the priests who did the “work of the house” (verse 12 above). The outside work included the physical upkeep of the Temple, the care of Temple provisions, and the collection of tithes and taxes.

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 .