Nehemiah 7 23

Nehemiah 7:23 kjv

The children of Bezai, three hundred twenty and four.

Nehemiah 7:23 nkjv

the sons of Bezai, three hundred and twenty-four;

Nehemiah 7:23 niv

of Bezai ? 324

Nehemiah 7:23 esv

The sons of Bezai, 324.

Nehemiah 7:23 nlt

The family of Bezai ? 324

Nehemiah 7 verses

Nehemiah 7 23 Meaning

Nehemiah 7:23 precisely records that one hundred twenty-eight descendants of Anathoth returned to Judah from the Babylonian exile. This verse is part of a detailed register of families, cities, and the specific number of individuals who formed the first wave of returnees with Zerubbabel and Jeshua after Cyrus's decree. It highlights the meticulous record-keeping and the significance of lineage and community identity in the post-exilic restoration.

Nehemiah 7 23 Context

Nehemiah 7:23 is a single verse within a lengthy and vital census list, encompassing verses 6 through 73 of the chapter. This register is almost identical to Ezra 2, detailing those who returned to Judah from Babylonian captivity after the decree of King Cyrus. The purpose of this list was manifold: to verify the identity and legitimate membership of the returning exiles, crucial for re-establishing the Jewish community, especially for those claiming priestly or Levitical duties, to ascertain entitlement to ancestral lands, and to prepare for the organization of community resources and temple offerings. Historically, this period follows over 70 years of exile (c. 586-516 BC), during which many families had been displaced, and their genealogies needed re-establishing for a structured societal and religious revival in post-exilic Judah.

Nehemiah 7 23 Word analysis

• The children of: (בְּנֵי, bᵊnê) This Hebrew term literally means "sons of" but in this context signifies descendants, a lineage, or a clan. It's a common biblical construct used to identify groups or families by their progenitor or ancestral town. Its use here emphasizes tribal and family identity, which was foundational to the Israelite understanding of nationhood and inheritance.
• Anathoth: (עֲנָתוֹת, ʿĂnātôt) This refers to a specific priestly city located in the territory of Benjamin, northeast of Jerusalem. It was designated as a Levitical city given to the priests (Joshua 21:18, 1 Chronicles 6:60). It is famously known as the hometown of the prophet Jeremiah (Jeremiah 1:1), who suffered persecution from its inhabitants. The identification of a group as "children of Anathoth" immediately marks them as likely belonging to a priestly family or being closely associated with such a lineage, thereby holding specific duties or rights within the returned community.
• one hundred twenty-eight: (מֵאָה וְעֶשְׂרִים וּשְׁמֹנָה, mêʾâ wᵉʿeśrîm ûšmōnâ) The precision of this number highlights the careful and meticulous nature of the census being recorded. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, exact figures in administrative lists like this conveyed authenticity, authority, and accountability. It also suggests a thorough effort to preserve and record the returning remnant, vital for determining community size, tax collection, labor assignments, and the re-allocation of inherited land plots.

Words-group analysis:

• "The children of Anathoth,": This phrase signifies the ancestral or familial origin of a specific group of returnees. Their identity is tied to their historical place of dwelling, which carries the connotation of a priestly background, thereby lending a particular weight or purpose to their return within the larger community. Their lineage was a credential, legitimizing their role in the restored Judah.

Nehemiah 7 23 Bonus section

The discrepancies found between the numbers in Nehemiah 7 and Ezra 2 are a subject of scholarly discussion. While generally minor, they are often attributed to various factors such as different times of compilation, different criteria for counting (e.g., counting individuals vs. households), scribal variations over centuries of copying, or reflecting slightly different stages of the return process. Despite these slight differences, the overall message remains consistent: God faithfully brought back a substantial remnant of His people. The inclusion of groups like "the children of Anathoth" illustrates the broad and diverse nature of this return, encompassing various professions and tribal affiliations beyond just royalty or high officials. This census also laid the groundwork for future societal and religious organization, impacting temple service, land distribution, and even the contributions for the sanctuary (Neh 7:70-72), ensuring that the restored community was well-ordered according to divine principles.

Nehemiah 7 23 Commentary

Nehemiah 7:23 provides a single line in a comprehensive roster, but it speaks volumes about the value placed on identity, heritage, and meticulous record-keeping during the restoration of Israel after the Babylonian exile. The inclusion of the "children of Anathoth" among the counted returnees signifies God's faithfulness in preserving a remnant and enabling the continuity of His covenant people, including those from priestly lines. This register underscores the systematic re-establishment of the community in their ancestral lands, with each group contributing to the collective strength. The precise numerical entry not only authenticates the list but also reflects a divine overseeing, where every individual's return mattered in the unfolding of God's redemptive plan for His people. This careful census was essential for re-organizing religious life and social structures.