Nehemiah 7 22

Nehemiah 7:22 kjv

The children of Hashum, three hundred twenty and eight.

Nehemiah 7:22 nkjv

the sons of Hashum, three hundred and twenty-eight;

Nehemiah 7:22 niv

of Hashum ? 328

Nehemiah 7:22 esv

The sons of Hashum, 328.

Nehemiah 7:22 nlt

The family of Hashum ? 328

Nehemiah 7 verses

Nehemiah 7 22 Meaning

Nehemiah 7:22 lists a specific contingent of returnees from the Babylonian exile, identifying them by their former place of residence and their number. It signifies the organized re-establishment of the post-exilic Jewish community in the land of Judah, underscoring the importance of tribal and familial lineage in their repopulation efforts. The verse, part of a broader census, demonstrates a divine providence in preserving a remnant and human diligence in documenting their return for the purpose of community rebuilding and restoration.

Nehemiah 7 22 Context

Nehemiah 7:22 is a specific entry within a detailed genealogical register that constitutes the bulk of Nehemiah chapter 7 (verses 6-69). This chapter is nearly identical to Ezra chapter 2. Its placement directly follows the completion of Jerusalem's wall, as recorded in Nehemiah 6. With the city walls rebuilt and security established, Nehemiah's attention shifts to repopulating Jerusalem and organizing the entire returning community. The list serves a crucial administrative and theological purpose: to identify the legitimate Israelites who returned from Babylonian captivity, thereby verifying their right to inhabit the land, possess property, and participate in the community's religious and civic life. The inclusion of numbers for each family group or town demonstrates a meticulous concern for order and accurate record-keeping, laying the foundation for the reorganized covenant community in Judah during the post-exilic period (mid-5th century BCE). The mention of Anathoth recalls its historical ties to Prophet Jeremiah, who, in a prophetic act of faith, purchased land there as a sign of future restoration (Jeremiah 32), a promise now beginning to be realized through this very return.

Nehemiah 7 22 Word analysis

• The men of: (Hebrew: אַנְשֵׁי, 'anshey) - This is the plural construct form of אישׁ ('ish), meaning "man" or "male person." Here, it signifies "men belonging to" or "the inhabitants of." It indicates a count of adult males, often representing the heads of households, who returned. This emphasis on males for the census reflects the patriarchal structure of the ancient Israelite society where lineage and family representation typically followed the male line for land rights and public service.
• Anathoth: (Hebrew: עֲנָתֹות, Anatot) - A historically significant Levitical city located about 3 miles northeast of Jerusalem in the territory of Benjamin (Joshua 21:18). It is most famously known as the hometown of the prophet Jeremiah (Jeremiah 1:1). Despite its sacred past, the city faced hardship and, at one point, sought Jeremiah's life (Jeremiah 11:21-23). The fact that a specific number of its inhabitants returned highlights the endurance of ancestral ties and divine faithfulness in bringing the scattered remnant back to their historic locations, fulfilling prophecies related to land restoration (e.g., Jeremiah 32:6-9, 44).
• one hundred and twenty-eight: (Hebrew: מֵאָה וְעֶשְׂרִים וּשְׁמוֹנָה, me'ah v'esrim u'shmonah) - This precise numerical figure is critical. It underscores the meticulousness of the record-keeping during the post-exilic period. Far from being a general estimate, these specific counts provided foundational data for the rebuilding efforts, enabling accurate land allocations, tax assessments, community organization, and proper re-establishment of family and tribal lines, which was vital for the legitimacy of priests and Levites. The numbers signify a specific, albeit relatively small, segment of the "remnant" preserved by God and active in the restoration process.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "The men of Anathoth": This phrase functions as a precise identification tag, signifying a distinct group within the larger body of returnees. It roots their identity in a specific historical, geographical, and perhaps even spiritual, location. Their return to Anathoth is not just a demographic detail but a subtle affirmation of the prophetic word given through Jeremiah concerning the future of the land (Jeremiah 32:15, 44), even after the desolation of exile. It speaks to the resilience of Israelite identity despite generations of displacement.
• "one hundred and twenty-eight": This exact figure indicates a diligent, divinely-sanctioned census, demonstrating that the restoration was not haphazard but carefully planned and executed. The individual numbers, though small for each listed location, accumulate to form the substantial remnant that would re-establish God's covenant community in the land. This precision ensured order, facilitated community governance, and confirmed who truly belonged to the assembly of Israel after the upheaval of exile, separating them from those of mixed lineage or foreign origins. It reinforces the importance of spiritual and ethnic purity for the new Israel.

Nehemiah 7 22 Bonus section

The genealogical lists in Nehemiah 7 (and Ezra 2) were more than just a roll call; they served as a fundamental act of identity verification and communal grounding for a people who had suffered a profound loss of national and personal identity during the exile. These numbers represent individuals and families who endured immense hardship, demonstrating perseverance and a deep commitment to their ancestral land and faith. The returnees, including those from Anathoth, were essential for repopulating Jerusalem and the surrounding areas (Nehemiah 11), re-establishing economic activity, and, critically, re-instituting Temple worship. The small numbers from each place, like the 128 from Anathoth, collectively built the new foundation of Judah, reflecting the Lord's hand in preserving His chosen line through whom the Messiah would eventually come. This act of census, driven by leaders like Nehemiah, solidified the foundation of the post-exilic community and prepared the ground for spiritual revival.

Nehemiah 7 22 Commentary

Nehemiah 7:22, a simple line in a census, speaks volumes about the meticulous care given to the re-establishment of the Jewish community post-exile. This seemingly mundane detail underscores several profound biblical themes. Firstly, it highlights the divine faithfulness in preserving a "remnant" of His people, fulfilling prophecies of return despite severe national judgment (Isaiah 10:21-22). Secondly, the inclusion of "Anathoth" is rich with meaning, pointing back to the hometown of Jeremiah. Jeremiah's prophetic act of purchasing a field in Anathoth (Jeremiah 32) served as a powerful sign that land would be bought and sold again, signaling future restoration. The return of 128 men from Anathoth signifies a tangible step in the fulfillment of this very prophecy. Thirdly, the detailed numbering emphasizes the importance of order and legitimate lineage in rebuilding the community and preparing for proper worship. This meticulousness was crucial for determining land inheritance, civic rights, and religious roles, particularly for priests and Levites, ensuring the spiritual purity and covenant integrity of the reborn nation. It's a testament to the belief that every individual, no matter how small their number, contributes to the grand narrative of God's redemptive plan.