Nehemiah 7 52

Nehemiah 7:52 kjv

The children of Besai, the children of Meunim, the children of Nephishesim,

Nehemiah 7:52 nkjv

the sons of Besai, the sons of Meunim, the sons of Nephishesim,

Nehemiah 7:52 niv

Besai, Meunim, Nephusim,

Nehemiah 7:52 esv

the sons of Besai, the sons of Meunim, the sons of Nephushesim,

Nehemiah 7:52 nlt

Besai, Meunim, Nephusim,

Nehemiah 7 verses

Nehemiah 7 52 Meaning

Nehemiah 7:52 lists "the children of Hatipha" among those who returned from Babylonian exile. These individuals were part of the Nethinim (Nethinim are first mentioned generally in the list within Ezra 2 and then again here in Nehemiah 7). The Nethinim were a group of Temple servants, separate from the priests and Levites, who performed menial duties associated with the sanctuary, such as fetching water, chopping wood, and other labor-intensive tasks required for the operation and maintenance of the House of God. This verse, therefore, records a specific family line dedicated to supporting the religious infrastructure of Judah upon their return to Jerusalem.

Nehemiah 7 52 Context

Nehemiah chapter 7 describes a census taken by Nehemiah of the Jews who returned from Babylonian exile to Jerusalem and Judah. This register is almost identical to the one found in Ezra chapter 2. Its primary purpose was to meticulously document the individuals and families that formed the re-establishing community, emphasizing their lineage, roles, and contributions to the rebuilding efforts, particularly regarding the Temple. Nehemiah 7:52 falls within the list of "The Nethinim," a specific category of temple servants. This detailed enumeration underscores the organizational precision required for the new society, the preservation of Israelite identity through genealogy, and the readiness to properly resume temple worship with all necessary personnel. The immediate preceding verses (7:46-51) list other Nethinim families, and the verses following (7:53-60) continue this section before listing the "descendants of Solomon's servants." This meticulous record highlights the divine providence in gathering the remnant and equipping them for the tasks ahead, reinforcing the restoration of Israel's covenant relationship with God.

Nehemiah 7 52 Word analysis

• בְּנֵֽי (Benei / bə-nê):
  • Word: בְּנֵי
  • Meaning: "Sons of" or "children of."
  • Significance: This term typically denotes direct patrilineal descent, highlighting a family unit. In genealogical lists like this, "children of X" identifies a clan or extended family stemming from a common ancestor named Hatipha. It underscores the tribal and familial structure important for identity and land inheritance in ancient Israel, as well as roles within the community.
• חֲטִ֕יפָא (Chatipha / ḥă-ṭî-p̄ā):
  • Word: חֲטִ֕יפָא
  • Meaning: Hatipha (proper name). The root 'חתף' (chataph) means "to seize" or "to snatch away."
  • Significance: While a proper name here, its root meaning is interesting given the nature of the Nethinim. Many scholars suggest the Nethinim originated from captured foreigners or groups like the Gibeonites (Josh 9) who were "seized" into service. This name could coincidentally or meaningfully reflect the Nethinim's historical origin as a "given" or "dedicated" servant class, though the family likely adopted the name after an ancestor named Hatipha. The listing of specific families like this reinforces the detailed record-keeping for temple service.
• בְּנֵ֥י (Benei / bə-nê):
  • Word: בְּנֵ֥י
  • Meaning: "Sons of" or "children of."
  • Significance: Repetition reinforces the structure of the list. Here, it precedes another Nethinim family name. This pattern indicates each family line is distinctively noted.
• קְפָרִיָּ֖א (Kephariyya / qə-p̄ā-riy-yā):
  • Word: קְפָרִיָּ֖א
  • Meaning: Kephariya (proper name).
  • Significance: Another family head of a Nethinim household. The repetition of "the children of" before each family name maintains the genealogical integrity of the register. This demonstrates the meticulousness with which even these "lower" temple servants were documented.
• בְּנֵ֥י (Benei / bə-nê):
  • Word: בְּנֵ֥י
  • Meaning: "Sons of" or "children of."
  • Significance: Continues the pattern, introducing the next family.
• בָרְק֖וֹס (Barqōws / bā-rə-qō-ws):
  • Word: בָרְק֖וֹס
  • Meaning: Barkos (proper name).
  • Significance: The final family listed in this verse. The meticulous detailing of these families in both Ezra and Nehemiah suggests a critical need to affirm their identity and place within the restored community and their inherited role in Temple service. This record preserves their contribution despite their status as "given ones."

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• בְנֵי־חֲטִיפָא בְנֵי־קְפָרִיָּא בְנֵי בַרְקֹס׃ (b'nei Chatipha b'nei Qephariyya b'nei Barqows):
  • Significance: This phrase lists three distinct family units: the children of Hatipha, the children of Kephariya, and the children of Barkos. All three are Nethinim families, implying they were designated temple servants returning from exile. The structure of repeated "b'nei" (children of) emphasizes the specific ancestral lineage of each group. This meticulous enumeration of "Temple servants" (Nethinim) within the broader returning community highlights God's organization and providence even in seemingly minor roles for the proper functioning of His sanctuary. It ensures accountability, defines communal identity, and prepares the groundwork for resuming covenant life centered on the rebuilt Temple. This attention to detail underscores that all dedicated service, regardless of perceived status, is valuable and recognized by God in the rebuilding of His kingdom.

Nehemiah 7 52 Bonus section

The inclusion of Nethinim families in the official census of returning exiles is noteworthy. Historically, many Nethinim were not of Israelite descent, believed by some to be descendants of groups like the Gibeonites who were assigned perpetual servitude to the Tabernacle (Joshua 9), or other prisoners of war "given" to the sanctuary. Their name, from the Hebrew "nathan" (to give), signifies "the given ones" or "dedicated ones." By Nehemiah's time, they had likely become an established and inherited caste of Temple servants, some possibly intermarrying with Israelites. Their precise documentation alongside priests and Levites emphasizes their integration into the community and the vital, albeit often overlooked, nature of their work. This underscores a broader biblical principle that all forms of consecrated service, no matter how menial, are recognized and honored by God when done unto Him. This practice ensures that even those without traditional tribal or priestly lineage are acknowledged and given a place within the restored covenant community, fulfilling God's broader plan for His people.

Nehemiah 7 52 Commentary

Nehemiah 7:52, nestled within a detailed register of those returning from Babylonian captivity, highlights the meticulous divine care for all segments of the returning community. It specifically names the "children of Hatipha," "children of Kephariya," and "children of Barkos" as Nethinim. These individuals, distinct from priests and Levites, performed essential, often arduous, tasks necessary for the Temple's function. Their inclusion in this precise genealogy underscores several critical points: God remembers and values all who serve in His house, irrespective of the nature of their service; meticulous record-keeping was crucial for the identity, purity, and functional organization of the re-established community; and every role, from high priest to the humble Nethinim, was integral to restoring covenant life. This census, nearly identical to Ezra 2, validates the authenticity of their return and their rightful place in Judah's spiritual and societal rebuilding. Their dedication ensured that even the most basic needs of the sanctuary were met, allowing priests and Levites to focus on their liturgical duties, thereby maintaining proper worship and national purity.