Nehemiah 7:48 kjv
The children of Lebana, the children of Hagaba, the children of Shalmai,
Nehemiah 7:48 nkjv
the sons of Lebana, the sons of Hagaba, the sons of Salmai,
Nehemiah 7:48 niv
Lebana, Hagaba, Shalmai,
Nehemiah 7:48 esv
the sons of Lebana, the sons of Hagaba, the sons of Shalmai,
Nehemiah 7:48 nlt
Lebanah, Hagabah, Shalmai,
Nehemiah 7 48 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ezr 2:43 | The Nethinim: the children of Ziha, the children of Hasupha, the children of Tabbaoth... | Parallel list of these Nethinim families. |
| Ezr 2:58 | All the Nethinim and the children of Solomon’s servants were 392. | Total number of Nethinim and Solomon's servants. |
| Ezr 7:7 | ...Nethinim returned to Jerusalem in Artaxerxes' seventh year. | Nethinim among those returning with Ezra. |
| Ezr 7:24 | It shall not be lawful to impose tax, tribute, or custom upon any of them... | Exemption of Nethinim from taxes. |
| Ezr 8:20 | And also of the Nethinim, whom David and the princes had given for the service of the Levites... | Nethinim were "given ones" for temple service. |
| Neh 3:26 | Moreover, the Nethinim dwelt in Ophel... | Nethinim resided near the temple mount. |
| Neh 10:28 | And the rest of the people, the priests, the Levites, the gatekeepers, the singers, the Nethinim... | Nethinim included in those who covenanted with God. |
| Neh 11:3 | Now these are the chiefs of the province who dwelt in Jerusalem... Nethinim. | Nethinim recognized residents of Jerusalem. |
| Neh 11:21 | But the Nethinim dwelt in Ophel; and Ziha and Gispa were over the Nethinim. | Ziha as an overseer among Nethinim in Jerusalem. |
| Josh 9:23, 27 | Cursed are you... you shall be perpetual servants... for the house of my God. | Possible origin of some Nethinim (Gibeonites). |
| Num 3:9 | You shall give the Levites to Aaron and his sons; they are wholly given to him out of the children of Israel. | Concept of specific groups "given" for service. |
| 1 Chr 9:2 | Now the first inhabitants who dwelt in their possessions in their cities were Israelites, priests, Levites, and the Nethinim. | Nethinim were among the first settlers in their towns. |
| Isa 56:3, 6-7 | ...Let not the son of the foreigner say, "The Lord has utterly separated me from His people."... foreign children, who dedicate themselves to the Lord to serve Him... | Inclusivity of foreigners who serve the Lord in His house. |
| Zeph 3:9-10 | For then I will restore to the peoples a pure language, that they all may call on the name of the Lord... my worshipers from beyond the rivers of Ethiopia shall bring My offerings. | Prophecy of future global worship, including gentiles. |
| Rom 9:8 | ...those who are the children of the promise are counted as the offspring. | God's calling and lineage transcends physical birth alone. |
| Gal 3:28 | There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. | New Covenant principle of unity and equality in Christ. |
| Eph 2:19 | Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God. | Believers (including Gentiles) integrated into God's spiritual family. |
| Matt 20:28 | just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many. | Example of Christ's service for God and humanity. |
| Phil 2:7 | ...but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. | Christ's humility in taking a servant's form. |
| Rev 7:9 | After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues... | Ultimate vision of God's diverse people serving Him. |
| Ps 84:10 | For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness. | The honor of serving in God's house, even in humble roles. |
Nehemiah 7 verses
Nehemiah 7 48 Meaning
Nehemiah 7:48 provides a detailed registry of three specific families, Ziha, Hasupha, and Tabbaoth, who belonged to the Nethinim, a class of dedicated temple servants in ancient Israel. This verse, part of a larger census recorded upon the return from Babylonian exile, highlights the importance of every individual and group designated for service in the re-established worship of God in Jerusalem. Their inclusion in this genealogical record underscores their vital role and recognized identity within the post-exilic community.
Nehemiah 7 48 Context
Nehemiah 7 serves as a detailed registry of those who returned from Babylonian exile, listing families by lineage, numbers, and types of service. This chapter parallels Ezra 2, detailing the initial return under Zerubbabel. The purpose of this comprehensive list was to affirm the identity of the returned community, ensure their purity and lineage for temple service (especially for priests and Levites), and to facilitate the distribution of the land and the reconstruction efforts in Jerusalem. Nehemiah's concern for meticulous record-keeping reflects the communal desire to re-establish life according to the Law of Moses after seventy years of captivity. The inclusion of the Nethinim, alongside priests, Levites, singers, and gatekeepers, highlights that every class dedicated to temple service was valued and accounted for in the re-organized post-exilic Jewish society.
Nehemiah 7 48 Word analysis
- The children of (בְּנֵי - bə·nê): Literally "sons of." This phrase indicates direct lineage, tribal affiliation, or membership within a defined group. In this context, it specifies families belonging to the general category of "Nethinim." The consistent use of "children of" across various groups in this census (priests, Levites, gatekeepers, etc.) underscores the familial and hereditary nature of their roles in the returned community, ensuring continuity and identity from generation to generation. It establishes a communal identity rooted in shared ancestry and shared purpose.
- Nethinim (נְתִינִים - Nəthînîm): This is a plural noun derived from the Hebrew verb
נתן(nāthan), meaning "to give" or "to dedicate." Therefore, the Nethinim were "given ones" or "dedicated ones." They were a specific class of temple servants who performed menial but essential duties such as providing wood for the altar, drawing water, and other support services for the priests and Levites. Their exact origin is debated among scholars, but many believe they were descendants of the Gibeonites (Josh 9), who were condemned to be "hewers of wood and drawers of water" for the sanctuary, or other foreign captives dedicated to temple service by King David and Solomon. Their inclusion in this sacred census signifies their recognized and essential place within the post-exilic Jewish community and temple system, despite their non-Israelite or ambiguous origins. This recognition quietly counters notions of rigid ethnic purity, affirming that dedicated service to God allows inclusion and a legitimate role within His people. - Ziha (צִיחָא - Ṣîḥā): This is the name of one specific family group among the Nethinim. It also appears in Ezra 2:43, confirming the consistency of these historical records. The listing of specific family names emphasizes the granular level of detail in the post-exilic census, vital for accountability, land distribution, and allocation of responsibilities.
- Hasupha (חֲסוּפָא - Ḥăṣūphā): Another specific family of Nethinim, also listed in Ezra 2:43. Its presence here further reinforces the administrative meticulousness of Nehemiah’s record and the distinct identity of each Nethinim household.
- Tabbaoth (טַבָּעוֹת - Ṭabbā‘ôṯ): The third named family in this verse, also found in Ezra 2:43. The presence of these consistent family names across both Ezra and Nehemiah implies a recognized lineage and an enduring legacy of dedication to temple service over generations, post-exile.
- "The children of Nethinim: the children of Ziha, the children of Hasupha, the children of Tabbaoth": This group of words illustrates the meticulous categorization of the returned exiles. It first names the overarching group ("children of Nethinim") and then provides a list of its constituent sub-groups or families. This pattern is prevalent throughout Nehemiah 7 (and Ezra 2) and signifies a systematic and precise enumeration. It confirms the hierarchical yet integrated structure of the post-exilic community, where every part, even the humble "given ones," contributed to the functioning of God's house and was worthy of being counted. The repetition of "children of" highlights their collective identity through ancestral ties dedicated to service.
Nehemiah 7 48 Bonus section
The consistent listing of these specific Nethinim families in both Ezra 2:43 and Nehemiah 7:48 not only testifies to the historical accuracy and careful record-keeping of the biblical chroniclers but also emphasizes the continuity of identity and function over time, despite the long period of exile. It shows that even during the diaspora, these service families maintained their identity and their designated role within the greater community awaiting the opportunity to serve at the Temple once more. This speaks to a strong sense of hereditary duty and dedication passed down through generations. Furthermore, the very existence and recognized status of the Nethinim within Israel's spiritual framework highlight that God's plan often accommodates and integrates individuals and groups who might be considered "outsiders" based on conventional social or ethnic boundaries, affirming a wider principle of grace and inclusive service within God's household for all who are "given" to Him.
Nehemiah 7 48 Commentary
Nehemiah 7:48 is a brief, factual verse embedded within a comprehensive register, yet it carries profound implications. It underscores the post-exilic community's commitment to divine order, meticulous record-keeping, and the recognition of all those consecrated to the Lord's service. The inclusion of the Nethinim, a group traditionally associated with menial temple duties and of potentially foreign descent, highlights an important principle: all who genuinely serve the Lord, regardless of their background or the apparent "lowliness" of their task, are integral to God's plan and community. Their specific family names—Ziha, Hasupha, and Tabbaoth—were not mere general labels but represented distinct households dedicated to upholding the sanctity and operations of the Jerusalem temple. This verse speaks to the divine appreciation for diverse forms of service, establishing their legitimacy and belonging within the restored people of God, illustrating that devotion and faithfulness, even in supporting roles, are highly valued.