Nehemiah 7 33

Nehemiah 7:33 kjv

The men of the other Nebo, fifty and two.

Nehemiah 7:33 nkjv

the men of the other Nebo, fifty-two;

Nehemiah 7:33 niv

of the other Nebo ? 52

Nehemiah 7:33 esv

The men of the other Nebo, 52.

Nehemiah 7:33 nlt

The people of West Nebo ? 52

Nehemiah 7 verses

Nehemiah 7 33 Meaning

Nehemiah 7:33 lists a specific demographic from the return from Babylonian exile: "The men of Ono, seven hundred twenty-five." This verse is part of a meticulous register detailing the Jewish exiles who returned to Judah with Zerubbabel and Jeshua, providing an accurate record of those committed to rebuilding Jerusalem and re-establishing the community in the land of their inheritance. It underscores the precision and importance of identifying the families and their numbers involved in the post-exilic restoration.

Nehemiah 7 33 Context

Nehemiah chapter 7 details a comprehensive register of those who returned to Judah from Babylonian exile, mirroring and supplementing the list in Ezra chapter 2. Following the successful completion of the Jerusalem wall under Nehemiah's leadership (Neh 6), the immediate priority shifted to repopulating the city and organizing the community. Nehemiah recognized that a strong community, defined by its tribal lineage and willingness to dwell in Jerusalem, was as crucial as the physical wall for the restoration of Israel. This register served not only as a census for administrative purposes (e.g., assigning dwellings, verifying purity for temple service) but also as a powerful affirmation of identity and God's faithfulness in bringing His people back to their land. The historical context is the post-exilic period, roughly 445-430 BC, during which Jerusalem and Judah were striving to reclaim their heritage and religious practices under Persian oversight, with spiritual renewal closely linked to their physical re-establishment.

Nehemiah 7 33 Word analysis

• The men of (אַנְשֵׁי - 'anshei): This Hebrew construct emphasizes that the subsequent place name identifies the group by their original dwelling or familial association, likely representing male heads of households or a count of those fit for military service and community participation. It signifies not just individuals but family units or groups associated with a particular place. Its usage highlights community identity rooted in ancestral land.
• Ono (אוֹנוֹ - 'Ono): A town in the tribal territory of Benjamin (1 Chr 8:12), located northwest of Jerusalem in the Plain of Sharon, near Lod (Lydda) and Hadid. The presence of its former inhabitants among the returnees signifies the re-population of historically important Judean and Benjaminite territories, a fulfillment of prophecies regarding the land's re-inhabitation after exile.
• seven hundred twenty-five (שֶׁבַע מֵאוֹת חֲמִשָּׁה וְעֶשְׂרִים - sheva me'ot chamishah ve'esrim): The precise number underscores the meticulous record-keeping during the post-exilic period. This level of detail highlights the importance attached to genealogical purity, communal identity, and land rights. While there are slight numerical discrepancies with the parallel list in Ezra 2:33 (which lists 721), such minor variations are common in ancient manuscripts and do not negate the overall reliability or the core message of diligent accountability. They might reflect different times of census, inclusion criteria, or simple scribal variations across texts.
• Words-group Analysis:
  • "The men of Ono": This phrase specifically identifies a returning contingent by their place of origin. It roots the returning population in their ancestral land, emphasizing the restoration of the geographic and demographic integrity of Judah. Each listed city and its returnees contribute to the rebuilding of a comprehensive social fabric.
  • "seven hundred twenty-five": The specific numerical count within the broader list of returnees is not just a statistical fact; it communicates divine providence and the careful preservation of God's covenant people. Each number, though seemingly mundane, represents individuals and families who endured exile and responded to God's call to return, playing their part in the larger redemptive narrative of re-establishing the nation of Israel.

Nehemiah 7 33 Bonus section

The presence of seemingly dry lists of names and numbers throughout the Bible (e.g., Numbers 1 and 26, 1 Chronicles 1-9, Ezra 2, Nehemiah 7) speaks volumes about God's attention to detail and His sovereign plan working through individual lives. These lists confirm historical facts, preserve lineage for covenant promises (like the Messiah's coming), and validate claims to property and positions (like priesthood). Far from being extraneous, they signify the concreteness of God's involvement in human history, tracking the faithfulness of His people and the fulfillment of His promises, even through generations and migrations.

Nehemiah 7 33 Commentary

Nehemiah 7:33, like the other verses in this genealogical register, serves as a testament to the practical, yet profoundly theological, task of post-exilic reconstruction. It records a specific contribution of returnees from Ono to the revitalized community. While seemingly a dry list of names and numbers, each entry reflects God's faithfulness in preserving a remnant of His people and their obedient response to His call to return. This meticulous accounting demonstrates the diligent efforts of the leaders like Nehemiah to re-establish a stable, pure, and covenant-faithful population in Judah. It also highlights the corporate identity of Israel, emphasizing that individual families, by their very presence and enumeration, contribute to the larger fabric of God's redemptive plan for His people and the rebuilding of Jerusalem, the city where God chose to put His name. These details ensure continuity from the pre-exilic kingdom to the rebuilt community, emphasizing the historical reality of God's covenant with Israel.