Nehemiah 7 39

Nehemiah 7:39 kjv

The priests: the children of Jedaiah, of the house of Jeshua, nine hundred seventy and three.

Nehemiah 7:39 nkjv

The priests: the sons of Jedaiah, of the house of Jeshua, nine hundred and seventy-three;

Nehemiah 7:39 niv

The priests: the descendants of Jedaiah (through the family of Jeshua) ? 973

Nehemiah 7:39 esv

The priests: the sons of Jedaiah, namely the house of Jeshua, 973.

Nehemiah 7:39 nlt

These are the priests who returned from exile:
The family of Jedaiah (through the line of Jeshua) ? 973

Nehemiah 7 verses

Nehemiah 7 39 Meaning

Nehemiah 7:39 records the number of descendants belonging to the priestly family of Immer who returned to Jerusalem from the Babylonian exile. This precise numerical detail (1,052 individuals) was part of a critical census to re-establish the covenant community, allocate land, and organize roles for temple service following the restoration. It underscores the meticulous efforts to rebuild Israel's identity and worship infrastructure.

Nehemiah 7 39 Context

Nehemiah chapter 7 serves as a detailed registry of the Israelites who returned from the Babylonian exile to resettle Jerusalem and other Judean towns, especially after the completion of the city wall under Nehemiah's leadership. This list, closely mirroring the one found in Ezra chapter 2, establishes the identity, lineage, and numerical strength of the returned community. It's crucial for re-establishing proper temple worship and governance. Verse 39 specifically pertains to the priestly family of Immer, one of the groups whose descendants qualified for temple service. The meticulous nature of this record ensured that only those with confirmed lineage could perform their respective roles, particularly in the sacred duties of the priesthood, upholding the purity and legitimacy of Israel's restored religious life and societal structure.

Nehemiah 7 39 Word analysis

• "the children of Immer" (בְּנֵי אִמֵּר - b'nei Immer):
  • "the children of" (בְּנֵי - b'nei): This Hebrew term primarily means "sons of," but contextually, as in biblical genealogies and clan listings, it broadly denotes "descendants," "members of a household/clan," or "those belonging to." It signifies a collective identity and inherited status, not just literal offspring. For a priestly family, this hereditary link was paramount.
  • "Immer" (אִמֵּר): This refers to a specific priestly family. In 1 Chronicles 24:14, Immer is listed as one of the twenty-four divisions of priests established by David for temple service. The inclusion of this family in the returnee list affirms the continuity of the Levitical priesthood, which was vital for the re-establishment of the temple and its sacrificial system. A specific priest named Pashhur, son of Immer, is mentioned in Jeremiah 20:1 as a chief officer in the LORD's house, highlighting the prominence of this line even before the exile.
• "a thousand fifty and two" (אֶ֤לֶף חֲמִשִּׁ֤ים וּשְׁנַ֙יִם֙ - 'elef chamishim ushnayim):
  • This precisely stated number (1,052) highlights the meticulous nature of the record-keeping during the post-exilic restoration. It reflects the Israelites' deep commitment to re-establishing their community in an ordered and divinely sanctioned manner. The accuracy was critical for legal, land-related, and religious purposes—determining inheritance, tribute, and roles in sacred service. This precision underscores the divine attention to order and the careful planning required for re-establishing God's covenant people. Such details serve to validate the authenticity of those claiming positions of leadership and service in the restored community, preventing unqualified individuals from usurping sacred roles.

Nehemiah 7 39 Bonus section

The rigorous maintenance of genealogies, particularly for priestly families like Immer, was a defining characteristic of ancient Israelite society, serving not merely as historical records but as fundamental theological documents. These lists affirmed identity, inheritance rights, and eligibility for sacred service, preserving the unique character of Israel as God's covenant people. The detailed records in Nehemiah 7 (and Ezra 2) allowed for the authentication of true Israelites, safeguarding against impurity, both ritually and ethnically, which was paramount for maintaining the distinctiveness required for fulfilling God's purposes. For the priests, a confirmed lineage traced back to Aaron was non-negotiable for their ability to perform the Mosaic Law's prescribed duties in the newly rebuilt temple, ensuring that their ministrations were divinely sanctioned and therefore effective in mediating between God and His people. This strong emphasis on physical lineage in the Old Testament sets a contrast, yet also foreshadows, the New Testament's emphasis on spiritual lineage and the "priesthood of all believers" in Christ, where new birth through faith grants access to God (1 Pet 2:5, 9), transcending physical descent but maintaining the concept of a chosen, sanctified people.

Nehemiah 7 39 Commentary

Nehemiah 7:39, though a brief enumeration of a priestly family's returning members, is profoundly significant within the larger narrative of post-exilic restoration. It embodies God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises to bring His people back to their land. The meticulous accounting of the Immerites and other groups demonstrates a divine interest in order, lineage, and the proper re-establishment of the priesthood, ensuring that the temple worship adhered to God's ordained standards. This careful attention to detail reinforces the sanctity of the Levitical service and the necessity of proper lineage for fulfilling it. The presence of so many from this priestly line shows the enduring commitment of the faithful remnant to God's covenant, even after generations in exile. Practically, it reminds believers of the importance of spiritual order, clear identity in Christ, and diligent service in God's kingdom, as well as God's meticulous care for His people.