Nehemiah 7 51

Nehemiah 7:51 kjv

The children of Gazzam, the children of Uzza, the children of Phaseah,

Nehemiah 7:51 nkjv

the sons of Gazzam, the sons of Uzza, the sons of Paseah,

Nehemiah 7:51 niv

Gazzam, Uzza, Paseah,

Nehemiah 7:51 esv

the sons of Gazzam, the sons of Uzza, the sons of Paseah,

Nehemiah 7:51 nlt

Gazzam, Uzza, Paseah,

Nehemiah 7 verses

Nehemiah 7 51 Meaning

Nehemiah 7:51 lists three specific families or clans of the Nethinim, who were hereditary temple servants dedicated to assisting the priests and Levites in their duties within the restored sanctuary. The verse precisely identifies these groups as "the children of Bakbuk, the children of Hakupha, and the children of Harhur," highlighting their return from Babylonian exile and their designated place within the post-exilic community of Israel, meticulously recorded as part of Nehemiah's census of returnees.

Nehemiah 7 51 Context

Nehemiah 7, largely a detailed roster of returnees from Babylonian exile, mirrors the earlier census in Ezra 2. This chapter marks a pivotal moment after the completion of Jerusalem's wall, as Nehemiah focuses on re-populating and reorganizing the city and its sacred services. Verses 6-72 specifically list families by categories: Israelites, priests, Levites, singers, gatekeepers, and finally, the Nethinim, along with the children of Solomon's servants. The meticulous enumeration, including obscure groups like those in Nehemiah 7:51, underscores Nehemiah’s administrative thoroughness and commitment to re-establishing Israel's proper spiritual and civil order. This detailed census served to identify and legitimize who belonged to the covenant community, ensuring accurate genealogies, establishing lines for temple service, and preparing for future contributions and obligations within the re-established theocratic state. The inclusion of the Nethinim, hereditary temple servants, signifies their important, albeit lower, status in the structured temple administration crucial for functioning worship.

Nehemiah 7 51 Word analysis

• The children of (Hebrew: B'nei / בְּנֵי or הַבְּנֵי, hab'nei for the first instance):

  • Meaning: This common Hebrew prefix signifies "sons of," indicating lineage, family affiliation, or a clan descended from a particular ancestor. It establishes identity through familial descent.
  • Significance: In a genealogical list like this, "the children of" validates a group's claim to returnee status and their specific role, even if the actual "father" or founder Bakbuk, Hakupha, and Harhur are not central figures themselves. It confirms their established family units.
  • Biblical Connection: Found extensively in biblical genealogies and censuses (e.g., Num 1:1, Gen 10:1-32), emphasizing tribal and familial structure as foundational to Israel's identity and inheritance.

• Bakbuk (Hebrew: Bakbuk / בַקְבּוּק):

  • Meaning: Literally translates to "bottle" or "flask."
  • Significance: While intriguing in its literal meaning, it likely functioned simply as a family or ancestral name, without necessarily carrying deeper symbolic meaning relevant to their temple service. Ancient names sometimes reflected professions, circumstances of birth, or even physical characteristics, but in a genealogical list, the primary function is identification. This name might point to their ancient occupation, perhaps in storing or handling liquids in a sacred context.

• Hakupha (Hebrew: Hakupha / חֲקוּפָא):

  • Meaning: Possibly derived from a root meaning "crookedness," "bending," or "snapping off."
  • Significance: Similar to "Bakbuk," this is primarily a proper noun for identification. It's improbable that the name’s literal meaning carries polemical or profound spiritual insight in this specific context. It served to distinguish one clan of Nethinim from another.

• Harhur (Hebrew: Harhur / חַרְחוּר):

  • Meaning: Potentially means "fever," "burning heat," or "inflammation."
  • Significance: As with the other names, its literal meaning primarily indicates the name of a progenitor, serving as a family identifier. The detailed recording of such family names underscores the comprehensive and administrative nature of Nehemiah's work in organizing the post-exilic community.

Words-Group Analysis:

• "the children of Bakbuk, the children of Hakupha, the children of Harhur":
  • Function: This repeated phrase structure (b'nei [name]) systematically lists distinct familial units among the Nethinim. This pattern reinforces the idea of ancestral lineage and communal organization.
  • Inclusion of Nethinim: The mere listing of these names within the general census of returning exiles emphasizes the Nethinim's accepted and necessary role within the covenant community. Despite often being descendants of non-Israelite temple slaves, they were integral to the functionality of the rebuilt Temple.
  • Historical Accuracy and Verification: The similarity of this list to Ezra 2 (specifically Ezra 2:45 for Hakupha and Harhur, and Ezra 2:46 for Bakbuk within the Nethinim section) suggests a common source or a shared administrative record used by both Nehemiah and Ezra, lending credibility and continuity to the historical account of the restoration. This detailed recording ensures historical authenticity for generations.

Nehemiah 7 51 Bonus section

The term "Nethinim" itself (Hebrew: Nettinim) means "given" or "dedicated ones." This designation possibly referred to those dedicated to Temple service by David, and potentially others who had a status similar to that of the Gibeonites (Josh 9:27), who were conscripted to serve as woodcutters and water carriers for the sanctuary. While the names in Nehemiah 7:51 (Bakbuk, Hakupha, Harhur) might sound peculiar to modern ears, they are likely just unique Hebrew proper names, with their precise origins or reasons for naming lost to history. The extensive lists of Nethinim and other groups (like Solomon's servants) demonstrate the organized effort to restore a functional, structured society and a viable system of worship that honored God by careful adherence to administrative details, showing the divine interest in even the small parts making up the whole.

Nehemiah 7 51 Commentary

Nehemiah 7:51, though seemingly a dry list of names, serves a vital function in the book of Nehemiah by documenting the painstaking re-establishment of a divinely ordained order after the exile. It continues the detailed enumeration of the Nethinim, individuals or families dedicated to the service of the Temple, primarily for the more menial or routine tasks that supported the priests and Levites. The mention of "the children of Bakbuk, Hakupha, and Harhur" underlines the importance of every component, no matter how humble, in the overall spiritual and communal restoration of Israel. This meticulous record reflects Nehemiah's dedication to proper governance, ensuring that all who belonged and were called to serve were accounted for and properly situated. It teaches us the biblical principle that every role, from the most prominent priest to the humblest temple servant, is necessary and valued in God's eyes for the flourishing of His people and the maintenance of His house. The act of recording these seemingly obscure names legitimizes their service and secures their place within the returned remnant.