Nehemiah 7 20

Nehemiah 7:20 kjv

The children of Adin, six hundred fifty and five.

Nehemiah 7:20 nkjv

the sons of Adin, six hundred and fifty-five;

Nehemiah 7:20 niv

of Adin ? 655

Nehemiah 7:20 esv

The sons of Adin, 655.

Nehemiah 7:20 nlt

The family of Adin ? 655

Nehemiah 7 verses

Nehemiah 7 20 Meaning

Nehemiah 7:20 states that six hundred fifty and five descendants from the family of Adin were among the initial returnees from the Babylonian exile to Judah and Jerusalem. This verse is part of a comprehensive roster identifying those who were rightfully part of the rebuilt community, emphasizing the re-establishment of the people of God and their tribal lineages in their ancestral land, marking a divinely orchestrated continuation of their covenant identity.

Nehemiah 7 20 Context

Nehemiah 7 details the crucial process of repopulating Jerusalem and establishing order within the newly rebuilt city. Following the successful completion of the city wall, which provided physical security, Nehemiah shifted focus to spiritual and social order. This chapter contains a meticulous census, a list of all those who had returned from Babylonian exile with Zerubbabel. This detailed register, parallel to Ezra 2, was essential for re-establishing the proper identity of God's people in the land. It allowed for the organization of inhabitants, the distribution of land, the accurate assignment of roles in society, and most critically, verified legitimate lineage, especially for those serving in the priesthood and as Levites, thereby safeguarding the purity of worship and the community's adherence to God's covenant.

Nehemiah 7 20 Word analysis

• The children of: (Hebrew: Benei, בְּנֵי) Literally "sons of." This term indicates direct descendants or a lineage belonging to a specific family or clan head. In the context of ancient Israel, "children of" was fundamental for establishing tribal identity, inheritance rights, and membership within the covenant community, signifying continuity across generations.
• Adin: (Hebrew: ’Āḏîn, אָֽדִין) This is a specific proper noun, identifying a patriarchal figure or the recognized head of a prominent family. The mention of this name ensures that the accounting is precise to family units rather than merely abstract numbers, reinforcing the importance of family lines in God's ordered community.
• six hundred fifty and five: (Hebrew: shēš mē'ôṯ ḥamiššîm waḥamiššāh, שֵׁשׁ־מֵא֥וֹת חֲמִשִּׁ֤ים וַחֲמִשָּֽׁה) The exact numerical figure of 655. This precision underscores the meticulous record-keeping maintained for the returning exiles. These figures were critical for organizing the post-exilic community, allocating resources, assigning dwellings, and assessing tax contributions. The minor numerical variance from Ezra 2:15 (454) is a recognized feature in ancient biblical manuscripts, often attributed to scribal variations, different census points, or perhaps even slight changes in family groupings over time, but it does not diminish the overall reliability and purpose of the detailed registry.

• "The children of Adin": This phrase encapsulates the crucial role of family and lineage in defining the identity of the returning Jewish community. It signifies more than just a name; it points to ancestral heritage, a continuous connection to the covenant promises made to Israel, and validates their right to inherit and rebuild in the promised land after generations of exile.
• "six hundred fifty and five": This specific numerical enumeration emphasizes the meticulous and systematic approach taken in reconstituting the Israelite community. Such exact figures were indispensable for practical administration: ensuring fair land distribution, maintaining civil order, organizing labor for reconstruction, and establishing the proper order of Temple service by validating who belonged and was eligible. This numerical detail also points to God's precise care over His remnant.

Nehemiah 7 20 Bonus section

The seemingly dry list in Nehemiah 7, of which verse 20 is a part, provides significant theological implications beyond its immediate historical purpose. It strongly communicates the biblical theme of God preserving a "remnant," illustrating His unyielding covenant faithfulness even in the face of human unfaithfulness and judgment. This divine preservation underscores that God's plan for Israel, and through them, for the world, could not be thwarted by exile. Furthermore, the emphasis on exact lineage served as a guard against intermingling with foreign nations and their idolatrous practices, upholding the distinctness required for Israel to fulfill its role as a holy people. This earthly register, therefore, foreshadows the heavenly register, the Book of Life, wherein God records the names of all His redeemed, affirming that His people are known to Him in the minutest detail and eternally accounted for.

Nehemiah 7 20 Commentary

Nehemiah 7:20, nestled within a detailed census, goes beyond a simple historical record; it embodies divine faithfulness and the foundational re-establishment of Israelite identity. Each number, including the 655 from the family of Adin, represents a portion of the preserved remnant whom God supernaturally brought back from Babylonian exile. This meticulous record-keeping was not for mere curiosity but was essential for reconstituting society: verifying land claims, assigning residential areas, and critically, ensuring the legitimacy of those serving in sacred offices. The integrity of lineage was paramount, guaranteeing purity in worship and adherence to the Law. While the precise figures occasionally vary from parallel accounts (e.g., Ezra 2), the overarching purpose—God's steadfast determination to gather and reorder His people for His covenant purposes—remains powerfully evident. The details demonstrate that God works in orderly and specific ways, accounting for each individual and family within His kingdom purposes.

• Like a shepherd knowing each sheep by name, God knows and restores His scattered flock.
• Similar to maintaining precise family heirlooms or property deeds, these lists protected sacred and secular inheritances.