Nehemiah 7 12

Nehemiah 7:12 kjv

The children of Elam, a thousand two hundred fifty and four.

Nehemiah 7:12 nkjv

the sons of Elam, one thousand two hundred and fifty-four;

Nehemiah 7:12 niv

of Elam ? 1,254

Nehemiah 7:12 esv

The sons of Elam, 1,254.

Nehemiah 7:12 nlt

The family of Elam ? 1,254

Nehemiah 7 verses

Nehemiah 7 12 Meaning

Nehemiah 7:12 specifies the number of descendants belonging to the household of Elam who returned from the Babylonian exile to rebuild Jerusalem and repopulate Judah. This verse, part of a larger genealogical roster, underscores the meticulous record-keeping, the identifiable nature of the returned remnant, and the re-establishment of the community of Israel under God’s covenant promises. It signifies the faithfulness of God in restoring His people and their lineage after generations of exile.

Nehemiah 7 12 Context

Nehemiah chapter 7 provides a detailed roster of the returning exiles who participated in the restoration of Jerusalem's walls and its re-establishment. Following the completion of the wall, Nehemiah establishes governance, places watchmen, and begins to populate the city. Before doing so, he seeks to establish a register of all those who had returned. This list, almost identical to that in Ezra 2, is foundational. It meticulously records families, leaders, priests, Levites, temple servants, and the numbers of their members, along with their possessions. This particular verse (7:12) names one specific family group, the "sons of Elam," and their exact count. The context is vital for verifying lineage, particularly for priests and Levites, and for re-establishing tribal and family inheritances, which was critical for a community rebuilding its identity after a seventy-year exile. This historical record emphasizes the divinely orchestrated return and the administrative effort to rebuild the Israelite commonwealth according to God’s laws.

Nehemiah 7 12 Word analysis

• The sons of:
  • Significance: Denotes familial descent and lineage (בְּנֵי, benei). In ancient Israel, "sons of" was crucial for establishing identity, heritage, tribal affiliation, and inheritance rights. It underscores the communal identity rooted in family lines, a cornerstone of Israelite society and the basis for the renewed covenant community.
• Elam:
  • Significance: Refers to a particular ancestral head or a prominent figure whose descendants are being listed. This is not the ancient nation of Elam (which was in Persia), but rather a specific personal or clan name. Its inclusion identifies one of the many distinct family units that responded to God's call to return, emphasizing individual participation within the larger collective.
• one thousand two hundred fifty-four:
  • Significance: This precise number (אֶ֣לֶף וּמָאתַ֔יִם חֲמִשִּׁ֥ים וְאַרְבָּעָֽה, ’elef u’mātayim chamishshim ve’arba‘ah) highlights meticulous record-keeping. It signifies divine order and the human effort to enumerate and account for every person. The specificity reflects the value God places on each individual and the careful organization required for a cohesive and functioning society. Such exact figures would have been important for land distribution, tax collection, military conscription (though not the immediate purpose here), and administrative tasks in the re-established community. It conveys reliability and authentication of the list.
• "The sons of Elam, one thousand two hundred fifty-four":
  • This phrase acts as a singular entry in a broader ledger. It collectively represents a significant segment of the returning remnant, demonstrating the tangible fulfillment of prophetic promises concerning Israel's return from exile. The structure of these entries (family name + count) highlights the collective effort of entire family units participating in the national restoration, reflecting a unified response to God's leading. It’s a testament to the fact that the return was not just a handful of individuals, but entire family lines preserving their heritage and responding to the divine call.

Nehemiah 7 12 Bonus section

The strong correlation between Nehemiah 7 and Ezra 2 underscores the authoritative nature and authenticity of these records. While there are minor numerical discrepancies (e.g., in other entries, not 7:12 directly), these are typically understood as variations in transcription or different administrative purposes, rather than errors, highlighting the consistency of the main content across different accounts. These lists were essentially the "who's who" of the post-exilic community, functioning as a "book of remembrance" for God's restored people. The emphasis on returning by families shows the continuity of the covenant community, demonstrating that despite the exile, their family identities and connection to Abraham's covenant had been preserved, enabling the re-establishment of a true Israelite society in the land. This detail is also essential for establishing the genealogical links leading to the Messiah.

Nehemiah 7 12 Commentary

Nehemiah 7:12, embedded within the extensive register of returnees, serves more than a mere numerical function; it's a testament to God's covenant faithfulness and the precise fulfillment of His prophetic promises. The listing of specific families like the "sons of Elam" and their exact numbers speaks to the detailed Providence of God, who oversees every aspect of His people's restoration. This meticulous accounting established identity, legitimizing claims to land and status, and ensuring the purity of priestly and Levitical lines crucial for resumed temple worship. It was a visible sign of God gathering His scattered people, not randomly, but as identifiable, organized units, reinforcing the notion of a holy remnant preserving their heritage for future generations. The inclusion of these numbers instilled confidence and trust in Nehemiah's leadership and God's plan.Practical examples include the church maintaining membership rolls (analogous to these ancient registers) to identify and shepherd its flock, or how families might track their ancestry, acknowledging the legacy of faith passed down through generations.