Nehemiah 7 28

Nehemiah 7:28 kjv

The men of Bethazmaveth, forty and two.

Nehemiah 7:28 nkjv

the men of Beth Azmaveth, forty-two;

Nehemiah 7:28 niv

of Beth Azmaveth ? 42

Nehemiah 7:28 esv

The men of Beth-azmaveth, 42.

Nehemiah 7:28 nlt

The people of Beth-azmaveth ? 42

Nehemiah 7 verses

Nehemiah 7 28 Meaning

Nehemiah 7:28 records the specific number of men from the settlement of Beth-azmaveth who returned to Judah after the Babylonian exile, totaling forty-two individuals. This verse is part of a comprehensive census meticulously compiled by Nehemiah. It details the inhabitants and families who constituted the restored community in Jerusalem and surrounding areas, emphasizing the careful re-establishment of the post-exilic Jewish state. The exact enumeration underscores the importance of identity, belonging, and organized resettlement under God's provident hand.

Nehemiah 7 28 Context

Nehemiah chapter 7 lists the genealogy of those who returned from Babylonian captivity to Judah, specifically after the completion of the wall of Jerusalem. This census parallels the earlier list found in Ezra chapter 2. Nehemiah undertook this comprehensive enrollment not just as a practical measure for re-populating Jerusalem, which was still largely empty, but also to confirm the legitimacy of Jewish heritage and to allocate residences within the city. This particular verse, Nehemiah 7:28, records the contribution of forty-two men from the town of Beth-azmaveth, identifying one of the specific population groups crucial to the re-establishment of the covenant community. Historically, such lists were vital for land distribution, maintaining purity of lineage (especially for priestly and Levitical families), and confirming rightful citizenship in the restored commonwealth, ensuring only legitimate covenant members resided in the holy city.

Nehemiah 7 28 Word analysis

• "The": A definite article, signaling a specific and identifiable group within the larger returning population.
• "men": From the Hebrew word `'ǎnāshî` (אֲנָשִׁי), the plural construct of "man" (`'îsh`). It denotes adult males, who typically represented their households and contributed to the communal strength, often for military service or civic participation. Their presence signified household heads and contributing members to the re-established community.
• "of Beth-azmaveth": `Bêṯ-'Azmāveṯ` (בֵּית־עַזְמָוֶת), literally "House of Azmaveth." "Beth" (`Bêṯ`) means "house" or "place," implying a settled locality or ancestral home. "Azmaveth" (`'Azmāveṯ`) means "strength of death" or "strong one of death." This place name appears in other biblical contexts (e.g., 1 Chr 12:3 for an archer named Azmaveth) and identifies a town, likely in the territory of Benjamin. This detail links these returnees to a recognized geographical and ancestral lineage, confirming their original land claim and identity within Israel.
• "forty-two": A precise numerical count. This specific number (`'arba'îm ushnayim`, אַרְבָּעִים וּשְׁנַיִם) underscores the meticulous record-keeping during the post-exilic restoration. Exact figures were critical for administrative purposes, demonstrating the diligent care in organizing the community, allocating resources, and verifying the divine promise of restoration through tangible numbers.

• "The men of Beth-azmaveth": This phrase clearly designates a group of returnees by their communal or geographical origin. It highlights the importance of place and lineage in the formation of post-exilic Israelite identity. Each group, even a seemingly small one, was a distinct and counted part of the larger divine plan.
• "The men of Beth-azmaveth, forty-two": This entire clause efficiently conveys crucial census data: the identified group and their exact verified number. It speaks to Nehemiah's administrative rigor and God's providence in preserving and regathering His scattered people. The specificity ensures accuracy in the historical record and confirms the rebuilding not just of physical structures but also of the living covenant community, person by person.

Nehemiah 7 28 Bonus section

The act of counting and listing, though appearing secular, carried deep spiritual and theological significance for ancient Israel. It reflected God's covenantal care for His people, demonstrating that even after centuries of exile and dispersion, He meticulously remembered and re-gathered His own. The detailed census not only provided a basis for tribal land claims and ensured the purity of the priesthood but also symbolized the faithfulness of God in restoring His chosen lineage. The inclusion of even small groups from specific locales like Beth-azmaveth underscored the idea that the "whole house of Israel" was being restored, one family and one person at a time, fulfilling prophecies of their return to the land. This precision in human record-keeping echoed the divine precision with which God orchestrates all events according to His purpose for His people.

Nehemiah 7 28 Commentary

Nehemiah 7:28, though a brief enumeration, provides profound insight into the post-exilic restoration. It's not just a dull list but a testament to divine faithfulness and human dedication. The specific mention of "forty-two men of Beth-azmaveth" highlights the meticulous administrative efforts involved in re-establishing the nation of Israel. This precise accounting was critical for several reasons: it verified true Israelite identity, vital after generations in exile; it enabled orderly resettlement and land distribution; and it contributed to the numerical strength needed to rebuild the city and maintain its defense. Each recorded number, however small, represented a family or individual who had answered God's call to return, contributing to the "remnant" through whom God would fulfill His promises. It reinforces the truth that in God's eyes, every individual counts, and order is essential for a thriving, God-honoring community.