נחמיה, פרק י׳, פסוק ב׳

A momentous national commitment requires formal validation, and a detailed record is established of the individuals who stepped forward to sign the covenant. These leaders act as witnesses, formally confirming the people's acceptance of the Commandments and their newly taken oaths [רש״י, מצודת דוד]. The collective act of signing reflects a complete and final agreement regarding all the regulations and commitments that follow [מצודת דוד].

The document's signers are organized in a strict hierarchy. The list begins with the priests, continues with the Levites, and concludes with the leaders of the people. In total, eighty-three men signed the agreement. This specific number represents the core of the nation's spiritual and practical leadership, comprising the seventy members of the Sanhedrin along with thirteen high-ranking Temple officials, including deputies, administrators, and treasurers. Notably, the High Priest himself is absent from this list of signers [מלבי״ם].

Nehemiah heads the list, taking the first position due to his role as the political leader of the nation. He is accompanied by a specific title, which is understood in two different ways. One perspective views it as an official Persian administrative title of honor [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Another tradition suggests it is a unique nickname given to him by the Jewish sages. Because Nehemiah served as the cupbearer to the king of Persia, the sages granted him special permission to drink the wine of non-Jews, and his title serves as a subtle reference to this specific allowance [רש״י]. Immediately following Nehemiah, Zedekiah is recorded as the second person to sign the document [ביאור שטיינזלץ].