Nehemiah 7 43

Nehemiah 7:43 kjv

The Levites: the children of Jeshua, of Kadmiel, and of the children of Hodevah, seventy and four.

Nehemiah 7:43 nkjv

The Levites: the sons of Jeshua, of Kadmiel, and of the sons of Hodevah, seventy-four.

Nehemiah 7:43 niv

The Levites: the descendants of Jeshua (through Kadmiel through the line of Hodaviah) ? 74

Nehemiah 7:43 esv

The Levites: the sons of Jeshua, namely of Kadmiel of the sons of Hodevah, 74.

Nehemiah 7:43 nlt

These are the Levites who returned from exile:
The families of Jeshua and Kadmiel (descendants of Hodaviah ) ? 74

Nehemiah 7 verses

Nehemiah 7 43 Meaning

Nehemiah 7:43 introduces a list of family lines designated as "Temple servants," also known as Nethinim. These individuals and their descendants played an essential role in the practical maintenance and logistical support of the Temple worship. Their inclusion in this register alongside priests, Levites, and other Israelites returning from Babylonian exile underscores the diverse yet vital components necessary for the re-establishment of the post-exilic community and the proper functioning of the sacred house of God in Jerusalem. The verse specifically names the descendants of Ziha, Hasupha, Tabbaoth, Keros, Sia, and Padon as part of this group.

Nehemiah 7 43 Context

Nehemiah 7:43 is part of a comprehensive roster, spanning from verse 6 to verse 73, detailing the individuals and families who returned to Jerusalem from Babylonian captivity following the decree of Artaxerxes. This specific section of names (vv. 43-56) focuses on the "Temple servants" (Nethinim) and the "descendants of Solomon's servants," outlining another group essential to the functioning of the restored worship in Jerusalem. This list largely mirrors the one found in Ezra 2, serving to validate the lineage and identity of the post-exilic community.

The broader context of Nehemiah 7, following the successful rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls (chapter 6), marks a shift from physical reconstruction to community restoration. Nehemiah recognized that a strong city required not just walls, but a consecrated population that upheld divine worship and lived according to God's covenant. This detailed register serves multiple purposes: confirming Israelite identity through genealogy, organizing the community for repopulation and service within Jerusalem, and ensuring that those with specific hereditary duties, such as the Temple servants, were properly accounted for. Historically, the Nethinim, meaning "given ones," were likely descendants of foreigners (like the Gibeonites) who had been "given" or dedicated to serve the Tabernacle and later the Temple in various ancillary roles, tasks considered less priestly but crucial for the day-to-day operations. Their meticulous inclusion here highlights their recognized and respected, though non-priestly, place within the returned Israelite community and God's design for His house.

Nehemiah 7 43 Word analysis

• The temple servants:
  • Original Hebrew: Ha-Nethinim (הַנְּתִינִים).
  • Literally means "the given ones" or "the appointed ones." It comes from the Hebrew root nātan (נָתַן), meaning "to give," "to put," "to set."
  • Significance: These were not ethnic Israelites in origin, but often descendants of non-Israelites (e.g., Gibeonites, or war captives) dedicated to menial tasks in the Tabernacle/Temple (hewing wood, drawing water, cleaning, etc.). Their dedicated status indicates God's sovereign use of all peoples in His work. Despite their humble service, their presence was critical for the Temple's function.
• the descendants of Ziha:
  • "descendants of" often translated from benei (בְּנֵי), meaning "sons of" or "children of." It establishes lineage and clan identity, crucial in this period for property rights, communal organization, and religious roles.
  • Ziha: Hebrew name, its meaning is uncertain but possibly related to "bright" or "clean." It signifies a family line head within the Nethinim.
• the descendants of Hasupha:
  • Hasupha: Hebrew name, meaning "naked" or "uncovered." Another ancestral head for a Nethinim family.
• the descendants of Tabbaoth:
  • Tabbaoth: Hebrew name, possibly related to "rings" or "seals." Another family head, highlighting the diverse origins of these Temple servants.
• the descendants of Keros:
  • Keros: Hebrew name, meaning "bowels" or "a gut string" (of an instrument). It's another clan leader.
• the descendants of Sia:
  • Sia: Hebrew name, sometimes rendered "Siaha" (Ezra 2:44), possibly meaning "journeying" or "council." Another Nethinim family patriarch.
• the descendants of Padon:
  • Padon: Hebrew name, meaning "deliverance" or "redemption." The final Nethinim family head listed in this specific verse.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "The temple servants: the descendants of Ziha, the descendants of Hasupha...": This collective listing underscores that these groups, while diverse in origin and possibly socially distinct from other Israelites, were formally recognized as a vital component of the restored Jerusalem community. Their enumeration demonstrates meticulous record-keeping and highlights that every participant, regardless of their role's perceived status, was essential to God's plan for the nation and its worship. The emphasis is on ordered society and the divine economy of gifts and responsibilities within the faith community. Their inclusion symbolizes the holistic restoration of the temple infrastructure and community life.

Nehemiah 7 43 Bonus section

The precise enumeration of these Nethinim families, along with priests, Levites, singers, gatekeepers, and other lay Israelites, serves as more than just a census. It confirms legal rights and identities, especially concerning lineage-based roles and properties upon returning to the land. This detailed genealogy prevented usurpation of priestly duties by those not of Aaron's line, ensured continuity of the levitical service, and verified who belonged to the covenant community that returned. Furthermore, the inclusion of Nethinim showcases God's remarkable plan of incorporation; even descendants of former enemies or non-Israelites who devoted themselves to His house found a place and purpose within the covenant community. Their willing service, often associated with a humbler status, stands as a testament to commitment that transcends social hierarchy, aligning with Christ's teaching that true greatness lies in humble service.

Nehemiah 7 43 Commentary

Nehemiah 7:43 provides a critical insight into the comprehensive rebuilding effort in post-exilic Jerusalem, which extended beyond physical walls to include a re-established, organized community for proper Temple worship. The meticulous listing of Nethinim, "Temple servants," by their family heads underscores the biblical principle that all roles within God's house are vital. While the Nethinim performed practical, often manual tasks (like tending fires, preparing wood, or drawing water), they were indispensable to the sacrificial system and daily operations of the Temple. Their very existence in this sacred register highlights God's providence and meticulous care for every aspect of His work, valuing service whether it is front-stage priestly duty or behind-the-scenes support. This also conveys the message that belonging to God's people involves contributing to its sacred purposes, demonstrating commitment and shared responsibility for corporate worship and spiritual life.