Nehemiah 7:53 kjv
The children of Bakbuk, the children of Hakupha, the children of Harhur,
Nehemiah 7:53 nkjv
the sons of Bakbuk, the sons of Hakupha, the sons of Harhur,
Nehemiah 7:53 niv
Bakbuk, Hakupha, Harhur,
Nehemiah 7:53 esv
the sons of Bakbuk, the sons of Hakupha, the sons of Harhur,
Nehemiah 7:53 nlt
Bakbuk, Hakupha, Harhur,
Nehemiah 7 53 Cross References
Verse | Text | Reference |
---|---|---|
Neh 7:60 | All the Nethinim, and the children of Solomon's servants, were three hundred ninety and two. | Total number of Nethinim & Solomon's servants. |
Ezr 2:43 | The Nethinim: the children of Ziha, the children of Hasupha, the children of Tabbaoth... | Parallel census list, same families. |
Ezr 2:43-58 | The Nethinim, and the children of Solomon's servants, all the Nethinim, and the children of Solomon's servants, were three hundred ninety and two. | Extensive list of Nethinim families. |
Ezr 7:7 | And there went up some of the children of Israel, and of the priests, and the Levites, and the singers, and the porters, and the Nethinim, unto Jerusalem, in the seventh year of Artaxerxes the king. | Nethinim returned with Ezra. |
Ezr 7:24 | Also we do certify you, that touching any of the priests and Levites, singers, porters, Nethinim, or ministers of this house of God, that it shall not be lawful to impose toll, tribute, or custom, upon them. | Nethinim exempted from royal taxation. |
Ezr 8:20 | And of the Nethinim, whom David and the princes had appointed for the service of the Levites, two hundred and twenty Nethinim... | Nethinim dedicated by David for Levites. |
Neh 3:26 | Moreover the Nethinim dwelt in Ophel, unto the place over against the water gate toward the east... | Nethinim residing near the temple area. |
Neh 10:28 | And the rest of the people, the priests, the Levites, the gatekeepers, the singers, the Nethinim, and all they that had separated themselves from the peoples of the lands unto the law of God, their wives, their sons, and their daughters, every one having knowledge, and having understanding; | Nethinim included in the covenant makers. |
Neh 11:3 | Now these are the chief of the province that dwelt in Jerusalem: but in the cities of Judah dwelt every one in his possession in their cities, to wit, Israel, the priests, and the Levites, and the Nethinim, and the children of Solomon's servants. | Nethinim settling in Judah. |
Neh 11:21 | But the Nethinim dwelt in Ophel: and Ziha and Gispa were over the Nethinim. | Nethinim residency and leadership. |
1 Chr 9:2 | Now the first inhabitants that dwelt in their possessions in their cities were, the Israelites, the priests, Levites, and the Nethinim. | General mention of Nethinim as residents. |
Josh 9:23 | Now therefore ye are cursed, and there shall none of you be freed from being bondmen, and hewers of wood and drawers of water for the house of my God. | Gibeonites bound to service, possibly origin of Nethinim. |
Josh 9:27 | And Joshua made them that day hewers of wood and drawers of water for the congregation, and for the altar of the LORD... | Gibeonites given perpetual temple duties. |
1 Kin 9:20-21 | As for all the people that were left of the Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites, which were not of the children of Israel... And their children that were left after them in the land... upon those did Solomon levy a tribute of bondservice unto this day. | Solomon's imposition of forced labor on non-Israelites (Solomon's servants). |
Exo 38:8 | And he made the laver of brass, and the foot of it of brass, of the lookingglasses of the women assembling, which assembled at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. | Manual service for the tabernacle. |
Lev 8:36 | So Aaron and his sons did all things which the LORD commanded by the hand of Moses. | Fulfillment of priestly duties. |
Num 3:6-9 | Bring the tribe of Levi near, and present them before Aaron the priest, that they may minister unto him. And they shall keep his charge, and the charge of the whole congregation before the tabernacle of the congregation, to do the service of the tabernacle. | Levites' general duties for tabernacle/temple. |
1 Chr 23:28 | Because their office was to wait on the sons of Aaron for the service of the house of the LORD... | Levites assisting priests in temple duties. |
Isa 56:6-7 | Also the sons of the stranger, that join themselves to the LORD, to minister unto him... Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer... | Inclusion of foreigners in service to God. |
Zeph 3:9-10 | For then will I turn to the people a pure language, that they may all call upon the name of the LORD, to serve him with one consent. From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia my suppliants, even the daughter of my dispersed, shall bring mine offering. | Diverse people serving God. |
Nehemiah 7 verses
Nehemiah 7 53 Meaning
Nehemiah 7:53 specifically lists three families of the Nethinim: the children of Ziha, the children of Hasupha, and the children of Tabbaoth. This verse is part of a comprehensive census of all individuals who returned from Babylonian exile and settled in Judah, meticulously detailing their ancestral lines and numbers. Its inclusion underscores the established and necessary role of these "given ones" in the support and function of the temple operations in post-exilic Jerusalem, even though they were not of Israelite descent.
Nehemiah 7 53 Context
Nehemiah 7 serves as a vital register detailing the Jewish community that returned to Jerusalem and Judah after the Babylonian exile. It essentially repeats the census found in Ezra 2, compiled during the initial return with Zerubbabel. Following the completion of Jerusalem's walls under Nehemiah, this chapter functions to organize the people, establishing their family lineage and settlement areas. This meticulous recording was critical for societal order, establishing property rights, and most importantly, delineating the roles and responsibilities within the rebuilt community, especially concerning the services of the temple. The verse fits within the list of various occupational and family groups—priests, Levites, singers, gatekeepers, and finally, the Nethinim and the children of Solomon's servants—who collectively formed the foundational structure of post-exilic Judah.
Nehemiah 7 53 Word analysis
- The: (הַ) A definite article, pointing to specific groups that are already recognized within the community structure.
- children of: (בְּנֵי, benei) Meaning "sons of," emphasizing lineage and ancestral groups. In ancient Israel, identity and social standing were deeply tied to family and patriarchal descent. This phrasing highlights that the listed names represent not just individuals but entire families or clans.
- Nethinim: (הַנְּתִינִים, ha-Netiynim) Plural of natin, which means "given ones" or "dedicated ones." This refers to a class of temple servants who were not of Israelite descent, but were dedicated to perform menial tasks for the temple or sanctuary. Their duties likely included drawing water, cutting wood, and other strenuous or humble labors, freeing the Levites and priests for their sacred and administrative duties. Traditionally, many believe they were descendants of the Gibeonites, who were cursed by Joshua to be "hewers of wood and drawers of water for the house of my God" (Josh 9:27), though other non-Israelites may have been incorporated over time. Their inclusion in this census underscores their accepted and indispensable role in the re-established community of Israel.
- Ziha: (צִיחָא, Tziha) A specific personal name, representing the head or founder of one of the Nethinim families. This name also appears in the parallel list in Ezr 2:43. The meaning is uncertain, possibly related to "dazzling" or "arid ground."
- Hasupha: (חֲשֻׂפָא, Khasupha) Another personal name, identifying another distinct Nethinim family. Found in Ezr 2:43. Its meaning is debated, perhaps "stripped" or "bare."
- Tabbaoth: (טַבָּאוֹת, Tava'ot) A third personal name, representing a separate Nethinim family line. Also found in Ezr 2:43. Potentially means "rings" or "seals."
- The children of Nethinim: This phrase collectively identifies a distinct, established socio-religious group within the returned exiles. Despite their non-Israelite background, their hereditary dedication to temple service grants them a recognized place within the restored community. Their role, though of lower status, was critical for the functioning of the holy place.
- children of Ziha, the children of Hasupha, the children of Tabbaoth: The meticulous naming of individual families, even within a seemingly minor group like the Nethinim, emphasizes the comprehensive nature of Nehemiah's census. It reflects a concern for precise genealogy and accountability for all who returned, highlighting the organized rebuilding efforts of the community under divine guidance. These names represent living households participating in the restoration.
Nehemiah 7 53 Bonus section
The presence and careful listing of the Nethinim in both Ezra and Nehemiah underscore their significant numbers (totaling 392, or 392 combined with the children of Solomon's servants in Neh 7:60) and their organized integration into the returned community. While their service was often perceived as lowly, the fact that they were granted exemption from royal taxes and tolls (Ezr 7:24) highlights their recognized official status within the Persian administration due to their dedication to God's house. This status indicates the strategic importance placed upon maintaining temple services by both the Jewish leaders and the Persian government. Their existence serves as a testament to the diverse and varied forms of service acceptable before God, transcending ethnic and social distinctions in the performance of duties for His sanctuary.
Nehemiah 7 53 Commentary
Nehemiah 7:53 forms a segment of a vital census, demonstrating the post-exilic community's commitment to orderly restoration. The detailed enumeration of Nethinim families, such as Ziha, Hasupha, and Tabbaoth, illustrates that every functional group, regardless of their societal standing, was crucial to the re-establishment of the Jewish nation. The Nethinim, meaning "given ones," were non-Israelite servants dedicated to the temple, performing essential support roles. Their inclusion signifies the practical approach taken by the leaders of the return to incorporate all available hands into the divine work. It also implicitly highlights God's broader redemptive plan, which often includes diverse individuals from various backgrounds contributing to His sacred purposes, valuing faithful service over pure ethnic lineage for certain roles. This listing affirms their indispensable, albeit often overlooked, contribution to the communal and religious life of post-exilic Judah.