Nehemiah 7 36

Nehemiah 7:36 kjv

The children of Jericho, three hundred forty and five.

Nehemiah 7:36 nkjv

the sons of Jericho, three hundred and forty-five;

Nehemiah 7:36 niv

of Jericho ? 345

Nehemiah 7:36 esv

The sons of Jericho, 345.

Nehemiah 7:36 nlt

The citizens of Jericho ? 345

Nehemiah 7 verses

Nehemiah 7 36 Meaning

This verse records the number of descendants from Jericho who returned to Judah after the Babylonian exile, forming part of a comprehensive list in Nehemiah chapter 7. It signifies the re-establishment and precise identification of specific families and their historical connections within the repatriated Israelite community. The careful enumeration highlights the importance of lineage and collective identity for those returning to rebuild Jerusalem and its society.

Nehemiah 7 36 Context

Nehemiah 7:36 is part of a detailed census in Nehemiah chapter 7, which largely parallels Ezra chapter 2. This chapter meticulously lists the names and numbers of the Israelites who returned from Babylonian exile with Zerubbabel and Jeshua, providing a vital registry for the restored community in Judah. Coming after Nehemiah’s successful completion of the Jerusalem wall, this census served to identify and organize the inhabitants, crucial for allocating tasks, determining temple contributions, and ensuring that those settling in Jerusalem and other towns were indeed legitimate descendants of the covenant people. The immediate context of verse 36 places it among lists of families and places, confirming the identity and contribution of the people of Jericho to the returning exiles. Historically, the post-exilic period was one of physical and spiritual restoration, with an emphasis on re-establishing a distinct Israelite identity amidst surrounding peoples.

Nehemiah 7 36 Word analysis

• The children of: (Hebrew: bənê, בְּנֵי) Literally "sons of," but widely used to mean "descendants of" or "people belonging to." This emphasizes lineage and belonging, which was critical in ancient Israel for establishing identity, tribal affiliation, inheritance rights, and qualification for various communal duties, including priestly service and contributions to the temple. The term underscores the generational continuity and the importance of familial ties in maintaining the collective identity of Israel.
• Jericho: (Hebrew: Yəriḥô, יְרֵחוֹ) A prominent city with deep biblical history. It was the first city conquered by Joshua after the Israelites entered Canaan (Josh 6), a symbol of God's power and fulfillment of promises. Though it fell under a curse for rebuilding in 1 Kings 16:34, its mention here signifies its re-establishment and repopulation by the returned exiles. The presence of its "children" highlights the breadth of the restoration across the land of Israel, reclaiming historic sites.
• three hundred forty and five: (Hebrew: šəlōš mê’ōwṯ ’arba‘îm wāḥamiššāh) This precise numerical detail underscores the meticulous record-keeping during the post-exilic period. Such numbers were not merely statistical but foundational for administrative purposes: determining the population available for work on the temple and wall, calculating the headcount for sacrificial duties, distributing resources, and managing the re-establishment of the national life. The accuracy of the count reinforced the legitimacy and divine oversight of the rebuilding effort.
• Words-group: The children of Jericho, three hundred forty and five: This phrase collectively signifies the restoration of a specific historic community. It tells us that descendants from a city central to Israel’s identity returned in a countable and significant number. The particularity of the number shows the effort to re-establish and re-integrate every returning group, demonstrating God's comprehensive work in gathering His dispersed people and reorganizing them as a nation within their covenant land. This also reflects an understanding of the continuity of God's people despite the exile.

Nehemiah 7 36 Bonus section

The close parallel between the list in Nehemiah 7 and Ezra 2, with minor discrepancies in some numbers, does not undermine the historical accuracy but rather suggests slightly different periods of counting or compilation, or possibly the inclusion/exclusion of specific groups like women or young children in different tallies. These genealogical lists provided crucial evidence for establishing entitlement to the tribal lands, temple tax exemptions, or specific service roles within the rebuilt religious system. For the Jewish people, such records served as a powerful testimony to God's enduring covenant and His faithfulness in preserving a remnant and fulfilling His promises to bring them back to the Promised Land. The re-emergence of the "children of Jericho" after centuries signifies more than just a return to a geographical location; it marks a return to covenant and identity.

Nehemiah 7 36 Commentary

Nehemiah 7:36, though a seemingly simple numerical entry, carries profound significance within the larger narrative of Israel’s restoration. It reflects the meticulous attention to detail required in re-establishing a covenant community after devastating exile. The very act of counting and listing names and numbers of returnees, such as "the children of Jericho," was an exercise in affirming identity and validating legitimate participation in the renewed Jewish society. This was not merely about census data; it was about confirming who truly belonged to the seed of Abraham, essential for maintaining ritual purity, priestly lines, and ancestral land claims. God's faithfulness is evident in gathering a remnant from across various original settlements, allowing communities like those from Jericho to contribute to the repopulation and rebuilding efforts. It demonstrates God's sovereignty over history, fulfilling prophecies of restoration and showing His commitment to preserving His chosen people. These registers were the foundation upon which the community could confidently proceed with temple worship, covenant observance, and civil order, highlighting that God values the specific individuals and communities within His larger redemptive plan.