Nehemiah 7 42

Nehemiah 7:42 kjv

The children of Harim, a thousand and seventeen.

Nehemiah 7:42 nkjv

the sons of Harim, one thousand and seventeen.

Nehemiah 7:42 niv

of Harim ? 1,017

Nehemiah 7:42 esv

The sons of Harim, 1,017.

Nehemiah 7:42 nlt

The family of Harim ? 1,017

Nehemiah 7 verses

Nehemiah 7 42 Meaning

Nehemiah 7:42 states a specific record of returning exiles: "The children of Hatil, the children of Zobai, the children of Ami, one hundred thirty-nine." This verse is a segment of a detailed census, meticulously compiled by Nehemiah, listing families and individuals who returned from Babylonian captivity to Judah and Jerusalem. It highlights the administrative rigor involved in re-establishing the post-exilic community, confirming lineage, and accounting for the members who would rebuild and re-inhabit the land.

Nehemiah 7 42 Context

Nehemiah 7:42 is situated within a lengthy and vital register in Nehemiah chapter 7, which meticulously lists all the families and individuals who had returned to Judah and Jerusalem from Babylonian exile. This comprehensive list, spanning verses 6 to 73, serves as an administrative and legal record for the nascent post-exilic community. It parallels Ezra 2 almost identically, reinforcing its importance and authenticity. The purpose of this register was multifaceted: to establish valid lineage, confirm eligibility for resettlement and priestly service, assign portions of land, and systematically organize the re-establishing Israelite community after decades of dispersion. The chapter itself opens by describing Nehemiah's administrative actions after the completion of the wall, highlighting his concern for the internal order and population of Jerusalem, laying the groundwork for religious and social reforms to follow. Historically, such records were critical for affirming national identity and God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises of restoration.

Nehemiah 7 42 Word analysis

• "The children of" (בְּנֵי bĕnê):

  • Meaning: Literally "sons of," but used broadly to mean "descendants of," "members of a family," or "clan."
  • Significance: This phrase emphasizes the enduring family and clan identity, crucial for the Israelites' understanding of their heritage and their place within God's covenant. In the post-exilic context, it established belonging and the continuity of the people's lineage, enabling the proper re-allocation of land and duties.

• "Hatil" (חָטִיל ḥāṭîl):

  • A proper noun, identifying a specific family or clan head.
  • Significance: Its inclusion indicates the meticulous record-keeping during the return, signifying the importance of every group, no matter how small, in the re-establishment of the community. While the exact meaning of the name is uncertain (possibly related to "wavering" or "fearing"), its primary role here is one of specific identification.

• "Zobai" (צוֹבָי ṣōwḇāy):

  • Another proper noun, naming a distinct family or clan.
  • Significance: Further demonstrates the detailed nature of the census. Each identified group played a part in the return and re-settlement, underscoring divine orchestration in bringing specific people back to the land. Some scholars connect it to "stag" or a specific locality.

• "Ami" (אָמִי ʾāmî):

  • A proper noun for a family or clan. Notably, this name appears as "Amon" (אָמוֹן ʾāmôn) in the parallel list in Ezra 2:57.
  • Significance: This variation is a significant point for textual study, illustrating minor differences in biblical manuscripts, possibly due to scribal variance, alternative spellings, or different familial appellations over time. Despite the textual variant, the presence of the family group itself remains constant, pointing to their historical reality. Both "Ami" (meaning "my kinsman" or "faithful") and "Amon" (meaning "trusted" or "master craftsman") imply trustworthiness or established skill, fitting for those returning to rebuild.

• "one hundred thirty-nine":

  • A precise numerical count for the members of these combined families.
  • Significance: The exact number underscores the administrative rigor and accountability of Nehemiah's leadership. It highlights the divine emphasis on order and meticulous record-keeping for God's people. This precision demonstrates the concreteness of the return, showing God's faithfulness in bringing back a specific number of individuals, even if the individual group was small. This aggregate data formed the basis for future community planning.

Nehemiah 7 42 Bonus section

• The census in Nehemiah 7 serves a dual purpose: not only to count those who returned but also to exclude those whose lineage could not be verified, emphasizing the purity and distinction of the post-exilic community.
• These precise numbers highlight the "remnant" theology – while many remained in exile, God specifically brought back a chosen portion of His people.
• The re-establishment of genealogical records, as seen in this chapter, laid the foundation for the community's future spiritual and political identity, echoing earlier lists in Numbers and Chronicles.
• The meticulous administrative effort overseen by Nehemiah reflects a broader biblical principle of order and accountability in God's people, evident from the Tabernacle's construction to the church's early organization.

Nehemiah 7 42 Commentary

Nehemiah 7:42, though a concise numerical entry, is a vital part of the divine chronicle of God's covenant people. It captures the essence of restoration after exile: a precise, individual-by-individual return orchestrated by God. The meticulous listing of families like Hatil, Zobai, and Ami, along with their exact count, reveals that God's plan is not vague but involves specific people by name and number. This emphasis on family lineage was crucial for affirming membership in the covenant community, ensuring a proper allocation of land, and assigning roles in the rebuilt society, particularly for temple service where purity of lineage was paramount. The small textual difference with Ezra 2 regarding "Ami/Amon" highlights the authenticity of ancient record-keeping where slight variations could exist, yet the core message of these groups returning remains affirmed. The verse speaks to the practical, administrative diligence of leaders like Nehemiah, guided by God, to restore order and establish the identity of His chosen people for future generations. It reinforces the truth that God is faithful to His promises, preserving a remnant and guiding them back to fulfill His purposes.