Nehemiah 7:38 kjv
The children of Senaah, three thousand nine hundred and thirty.
Nehemiah 7:38 nkjv
the sons of Senaah, three thousand nine hundred and thirty.
Nehemiah 7:38 niv
of Senaah ? 3,930
Nehemiah 7:38 esv
The sons of Senaah, 3,930.
Nehemiah 7:38 nlt
The citizens of Senaah ? 3,930
Nehemiah 7 38 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ezr 2:32 | "the children of Hariph, three hundred and twenty;" | Parallel record, numerical variant |
| Ezr 2:1 | "Now these are the people of the province who came up from the captivity..." | Introduction to the parallel list |
| Neh 7:5 | "...found the book of the genealogy of those who had come up first..." | Source of Nehemiah's census |
| Neh 7:6 | "These are the children of the province who came up from the captivity..." | Overall context of the census list |
| Num 1:2 | "Take a census of all the congregation of the children of Israel, by their families..." | Divine command for census and lineage records |
| Num 26:51 | "These were the numbered of the children of Israel, six hundred..." | Importance of numerical records for Israel |
| Ezr 8:1-3 | "These are the heads of their fathers' houses, and this is the genealogy..." | Ezra's later list of returnees |
| Jer 29:10 | "For thus says the Lord: After seventy years are completed at Babylon..." | Prophecy of the return from exile |
| Ezr 6:21 | "The people of Israel who had returned from exile ate..." | The identity of the restored community |
| Neh 11:3 | "These are the heads of the province who dwelt in Jerusalem..." | Another list of those resettling |
| Gen 10:32 | "These were the families of the sons of Noah..." | Foundational biblical genealogies |
| 1 Chr 9:1 | "So all Israel was recorded by genealogies, and there they are written..." | Emphasis on maintaining family records |
| Luk 3:23-38 | "...the son of David, the son of Abraham, the son of Adam, the son of God." | Jesus' genealogy, demonstrating spiritual lineage's importance |
| Rev 20:12 | "...And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life..." | Ultimate divine record of names |
| Phil 4:3 | "...whose names are in the Book of Life." | Belonging to God's eternal registry |
| Heb 12:23 | "...to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are registered in heaven..." | Spiritual 'census' of God's people in NT |
| Neh 12:47 | "...and set apart holy things for the Levites..." | Orderly provisioning for priestly families |
| 1 Cor 14:33 | "For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints." | Divine characteristic of order |
| Hag 1:8 | "Go up to the mountains and bring wood and build the temple..." | Call to rebuilding, dependent on community |
| Zec 4:6 | "...‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the Lord..." | God's enablement for the re-establishment |
| Neh 13:30 | "Thus I cleansed them of everything pagan..." | Nehemiah's work in maintaining purity of community |
Nehemiah 7 verses
Nehemiah 7 38 Meaning
This verse states that the family or clan named Hariph numbered three hundred and twenty-four individuals among the Israelites who returned from the Babylonian exile. It serves as a single entry within a comprehensive genealogical register found in Nehemiah chapter 7, which meticulously lists the returning exiles. This record was crucial for re-establishing the community, verifying their identity and lineage, and structuring the post-exilic Jewish society in Judah.
Nehemiah 7 38 Context
Nehemiah chapter 7 serves as a detailed record of those who returned from Babylonian captivity to Judah under Zerubbabel and later under Nehemiah. It functions primarily as a genealogical census, identifying the various families, priests, Levites, temple servants, and others, along with the precise number of individuals in each group. This register was vitally important for the restoration of Jerusalem and the nation of Israel after the exile. It authenticated the lineage and legitimacy of the community members, determining their right to priestly service, inheritance of land, and participation in the rebuilding efforts, including the temple. Nehemiah 7:38 is a specific entry within this extensive list, focusing on the "children of Hariph," providing their headcount as part of the overall restored population. This list directly parallels and likely reaffirms the earlier register found in Ezra chapter 2.
Nehemiah 7 38 Word analysis
- The children of: Hebrew: Běnê (בְּנֵי). Literally translates as "sons of," but in this context, it broadly means "descendants" or "members of the family/clan of." This phrase highlights the importance of family and clan identity within ancient Israelite society. Such familial identifiers were fundamental to one's social standing, land inheritance, and religious role. After the exile, preserving these lineages was crucial for re-establishing the nation's fabric.
- Hariph: Hebrew: Charîph (חָרִיף). This is a personal or clan name. Its root meaning can be "sharp" or "autumn." In a list of returning exiles, this name serves as a vital identifier for a specific lineage that participated in the post-exilic community. Its presence in both Nehemiah 7 and Ezra 2 underscores the consistency of these foundational records for the renewed covenant people.
- three hundred and twenty-four: This specific number indicates a precise count. In a post-exilic context, such numerical details reflect the meticulous efforts to record and establish the community, which was key to re-ordering society, assessing strength, and planning resources. This numerical accuracy speaks to the importance of divine order and human accountability in the restoration process.
- Words-group: "The children of Hariph": This grouping emphasizes the communal and ancestral nature of identity in ancient Israel. The continuity of families and clans after generations of exile demonstrated God's faithfulness in preserving His people and allowed for the orderly re-establishment of roles within the new covenant community. It signified that this group had maintained their distinct identity even amidst foreign captivity.
- Words-group: "three hundred and twenty-four": The inclusion of specific numbers alongside family names underscores the tangible reality of God's bringing His people back. It moves beyond abstract prophecy to concrete population figures, providing evidence of the repopulation and reconstruction of the nation according to God's plan. It showcases a highly organized, divinely sanctioned undertaking.
Nehemiah 7 38 Bonus section
- Numerical Discrepancy with Ezra 2: While Nehemiah 7:38 records 324, Ezra 2:32 lists 320 for "the children of Hariph." Such minor discrepancies between similar biblical lists are not uncommon. Scholars suggest various reasons, including different points in time when the census was taken (e.g., immediate return vs. later adjustments), different scopes of the census (e.g., adult males vs. total family members), scribal variations over centuries of copying, or even different versions of the original document. Crucially, these minor differences do not negate the overall historicity or accuracy of the registers, which overwhelmingly match in names and general figures, attesting to their reliability and purpose.
- Theological Significance of Lists: While lists of names and numbers might appear dry, they are profoundly significant in biblical theology. They embody God's knowledge of His people, His attention to detail, and His covenant faithfulness in preserving and ordering His chosen nation. They highlight the concept of belonging, of being counted among God's redeemed community, and foreshadow the ultimate "Book of Life" where the names of all those who belong to God are eternally recorded (Rev 20:12).
- Importance of Identity for Restoration: For the returning exiles, understanding their specific clan and family affiliation was not merely genealogical trivia; it was foundational to their identity as Israelites, their right to particular land allocations, and their eligibility for specific roles, especially within the renewed Temple service. Without these clear distinctions, the restored community would lack structure and legitimacy, underlining the practical necessity and spiritual importance of these detailed registers.
Nehemiah 7 38 Commentary
Nehemiah 7:38, like all other entries in this chapter, goes beyond a mere historical record of names and numbers. It powerfully demonstrates God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promise to restore His people from Babylonian exile (Jer 29:10-14). The meticulous accounting of each family, no matter its size, validates the legitimacy and identity of the post-exilic community. This attention to detail speaks of the divine hand guiding the re-establishment of His covenant people and city, ensuring order and accountability. Each person listed, and each number counted, signifies a piece of God's sovereign plan for the continuation of His redemptive history, laying the groundwork for the coming of the Messiah within these very lineages. The census was vital for ensuring proper lineage for priests and Levites, distributing land, and maintaining social and religious order.