Nehemiah 7 24

Nehemiah 7:24 kjv

The children of Hariph, an hundred and twelve.

Nehemiah 7:24 nkjv

the sons of Hariph, one hundred and twelve;

Nehemiah 7:24 niv

of Hariph ? 112

Nehemiah 7:24 esv

The sons of Hariph, 112.

Nehemiah 7:24 nlt

The family of Jorah ? 112

Nehemiah 7 verses

Nehemiah 7 24 Meaning

Nehemiah 7:24 lists four individuals: Azzur, Hodiah, Hashum, and Bezai. This verse is part of a detailed census of those who returned from Babylonian exile to Judah and Jerusalem during the time of Nehemiah. The inclusion of these names signifies their personal importance and their contribution to the rebuilding and re-establishment of the community in Judah, emphasizing a meticulous record of the returned remnant.

Nehemiah 7 24 Context

Nehemiah 7 details a comprehensive registry of those who returned from the Babylonian exile to resettle Judah, specifically Jerusalem. This chapter immediately follows the completion of the wall of Jerusalem, marking a transition from physical rebuilding to the re-establishment of social and spiritual order. The listing of names and family units, including various leaders and specific individuals like those in verse 24, served several crucial purposes: to define who constituted the renewed Israelite community, to re-establish tribal and family identities vital for land claims and temple service, and to assess the available manpower for maintaining the city. Verse 24 is part of the general listing of the "people of Israel," often highlighting prominent individuals alongside specific family heads.

Nehemiah 7 24 Word analysis

• Azzur (עַזּוּר - 'Azzūr):
  • Word: "Azzur" means "helper" or "helped."
  • Significance: It reflects the idea of divine assistance or an individual who was a helper to the community. An "Azzur" is also listed among the leaders who sealed the covenant in Nehemiah 10:17, suggesting he was a notable figure in the post-exilic community.
• Hodiah (הוֹדִיָּה - Hôdîyâ):
  • Word: "Hodiah" means "my praise is Yahweh" or "Praise Yah."
  • Significance: This name indicates a recognition of Yahweh's worthiness of praise. Multiple individuals bearing this name appear in Nehemiah, some identified as Levites (Neh 10:10, 13, 18), indicating a role in the spiritual life and leadership of the returned exiles. Its inclusion emphasizes the religious aspect of the community.
• Hashum (חָשׁוּם - Chāshûm):
  • Word: "Hashum" means "hushed" or possibly "enriched."
  • Significance: While a prominent clan, "the sons of Hashum," is listed separately with a specific number of members (Neh 7:22; Ezra 2:19), the singular "Hashum" here likely refers to an individual of significance, possibly a leader of a different family branch or another prominent citizen who bears the same name. This indicates the meticulous nature of the census, differentiating between family units and specific key persons. This "Hashum" also sealed the covenant in Neh 10:18.
• Bezai (בְּצָי - Bēṣay):
  • Word: "Bezai" means "my plunder" or "triumphant."
  • Significance: Like "Hashum," a distinct family unit, "the sons of Bezai," is listed in Neh 7:23 (and Ezra 2:17). The individual "Bezai" mentioned here is likely another specific prominent figure or head of a smaller group not accounted for under the larger ancestral family headings, demonstrating the precise and detailed nature of the census. A "Bezai" is also a signatory in Neh 10:18.
• Words-group Analysis (The listing of specific names):
  • The careful enumeration of individuals in Nehemiah 7:24, distinct from the numbered families in other parts of the chapter, highlights God's particular attention to each person in His community. This reflects the biblical emphasis on individuals as vital components of God's larger plan and covenant relationship.
  • These names, along with others in the chapter, confirm the physical presence of the returned remnant and their readiness to participate in the restoration, demonstrating a tangible fulfillment of God's promises of return from exile.
  • The act of recording these names served to establish identity, lineage, and legal claims within the re-forming nation, laying a foundation for future generations and affirming continuity despite displacement.

Nehemiah 7 24 Bonus section

• The variations in lists between Ezra 2 and Nehemiah 7, while not perfectly identical, are typically understood by scholars as reflecting slightly different stages of the census, or different administrative priorities in record-keeping during the various phases of the return and rebuilding. These are not contradictions, but rather confirmations of authentic historical attempts to catalog the returning exiles.
• The emphasis on "naming" in the Bible signifies not just identification, but relationship, ownership, and destiny. God "calls His own sheep by name" (John 10:3), and names written in the "book of life" (Phil 4:3) symbolize divine election and eternal destiny. Thus, these names in Nehemiah connect the earthly act of census-taking with the heavenly principle of divine remembrance.
• These individuals, by virtue of their presence and recording, embody the faithful remnant of Israel. They chose to return to a desolate land and participate in a challenging restoration project, representing a testament to resilience, faith, and obedience in rebuilding the physical and spiritual house of God.

Nehemiah 7 24 Commentary

Nehemiah 7:24, a concise list of four names—Azzur, Hodiah, Hashum, Bezai—might seem inconsequential at first glance, but it profoundly underscores core biblical principles. In the immediate post-exilic context, the detailed census was paramount. It established who had returned, solidifying the renewed community's identity and structure. These specific names, distinct from larger family units noted elsewhere, highlight prominent individuals or heads of smaller households, ensuring that virtually no one integral to the return was overlooked. This meticulous record-keeping is a testament to God's careful attention to His people.

From a broader perspective, the verse illuminates God's personal knowledge and valuing of individuals. Just as He knows the number and name of every star, so He cares for each member of His covenant community. The inclusion of these names is not mere historical archiving; it reflects divine precision in restoring Israel, laying a foundational stone for the nation that would ultimately prepare for the coming of the Messiah. These names are part of the unfolding story of salvation history, showcasing the faithfulness of a God who brings His people back, piece by piece, fulfilling His promises through individual lives. The verse's true weight lies in demonstrating that every "one" matters to God in the collective body of believers.