Nehemiah 7 55

Nehemiah 7:55 kjv

The children of Barkos, the children of Sisera, the children of Tamah,

Nehemiah 7:55 nkjv

the sons of Barkos, the sons of Sisera, the sons of Tamah,

Nehemiah 7:55 niv

Barkos, Sisera, Temah,

Nehemiah 7:55 esv

the sons of Barkos, the sons of Sisera, the sons of Temah,

Nehemiah 7:55 nlt

Barkos, Sisera, Temah,

Nehemiah 7 verses

Nehemiah 7 55 Meaning

Nehemiah 7:55 records specific family groups among those known as "Solomon's servants" or "Nethinim" who returned from the Babylonian exile to Judah. These families—the children of Bakbuk, the children of Hakupha, and the children of Harhur—were recognized components of the community, designated to perform various menial but essential tasks for the temple service in Jerusalem. Their inclusion in this register signifies the meticulous documentation of all groups necessary for the restoration of the religious and social fabric of post-exilic Judah.

Nehemiah 7 55 Context

Nehemiah 7 details a comprehensive census of those who returned from Babylonian exile with Zerubbabel. This chapter serves as a historical and administrative record, meticulously listing all the families, priests, Levites, singers, gatekeepers, Nethinim, and descendants of Solomon's servants, along with their numerical counts. The purpose of this precise registration was to identify the true descendants of Israel and the various classes dedicated to the temple service, thereby solidifying the social and religious order of the post-exilic community.

Nehemiah 7:55 specifically falls within the section listing "the children of Solomon's servants" (Neh 7:57), a group distinct from the priests and Levites, but also consecrated for temple duties, typically performing the more laborious tasks. This verse, identical to Ezra 2:51, highlights the thoroughness of the records kept to ensure that every group, even those in subordinate roles, was accounted for in the re-establishment of Jewish life in Jerusalem and Judah.

Nehemiah 7 55 Word analysis

• The children of:
  • Hebrew: בְּנֵי (bene)
  • Significance: Denotes descendants, family units, or tribal affiliations. In this context, it identifies groups united by common ancestry who collectively functioned as temple servants, rather than indicating literal minors. It underscores the importance of lineage in Jewish identity and roles, particularly concerning service in and around the rebuilt temple.
• Bakbuk:
  • Hebrew: בַּקְבּוּק (Baḵḇūq)
  • Significance: A proper noun, name of a family. The literal meaning in Hebrew can be "flask" or "bottle," but for proper names, direct translation often isn't the primary significance; rather, it denotes a specific ancestral line belonging to the "Solomon's servants."
• Hakupha:
  • Hebrew: חֲקוּפָא (Ḥăqūp̄ā)
  • Significance: A proper noun, family name. Possibly derived from a root meaning "bowed" or "bent." Like other Nethinim names, its specific meaning is less important than its function in identifying a particular lineage serving the temple.
• Harhur:
  • Hebrew: חַרְחוּר (Ḥarḥūr)
  • Significance: A proper noun, family name. Potentially related to a word meaning "glowing heat" or "fever." Its inclusion establishes this family as a recognized group among the returning "children of Solomon's servants."

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "The children of Bakbuk, the children of Hakupha, the children of Harhur":
  • This phrase acts as a meticulous listing, emphasizing the distinct family units that formed the larger group of "Solomon's servants." It underscores the systematic record-keeping of the post-exilic administration.
  • Their names appear consistently across Ezra and Nehemiah, affirming their established identity and role in the restoration efforts. This specific and repeated identification signifies their recognized, if subservient, position within the religious economy of the newly constituted community. It reflects the value placed on order and proper assignment of roles for the effective functioning of the temple and the people of God.

Nehemiah 7 55 Bonus section

The Nethinim (meaning "given ones") and the children of Solomon's servants likely constituted a combined group whose historical origins varied, but whose function converged: dedicated support staff for the temple. Their precise origin is often traced back to the Gibeonites (Josh 9:27), who were condemned to be "hewers of wood and drawers of water for the house of my God," and later captives dedicated by David and Solomon to similar temple tasks (Ezra 8:20). While they held a subordinate status, they were essential for the daily operations of the temple and are listed alongside priests and Levites, indicating their formal integration into the cultic hierarchy after the exile. Their presence signifies a return to the full, diverse infrastructure necessary for worship, emphasizing the principle that all members of the community, regardless of their tasks, contribute to the functioning and flourishing of God's people.

Nehemiah 7 55 Commentary

Nehemiah 7:55, nestled within a detailed register, emphasizes the comprehensive nature of the return from exile and the careful organization of the post-exilic community. The inclusion of "the children of Bakbuk, the children of Hakupha, the children of Harhur"—families classified as "Solomon's servants" or Nethinim—highlights a vital aspect of Israel's restoration: not just the religious elite, but all classes, including those dedicated to menial temple labor, were integral to God's plan.

These individuals, whose ancestors may have been foreign captives assigned to temple service, returned to fill necessary, though often overlooked, roles. Their meticulous registration underscored their recognized, legitimate place in the rebuilt society and for the re-established worship. It showcased Nehemiah's concern for order and the divine orchestration that ensured every part of the former temple structure, from priests to these humblest servants, was present to rebuild the nation and worship effectively. It subtly communicates that God cares for all parts of His house and His people, regardless of their status or specific duties. The principle that all members are necessary for the body's proper functioning is rooted deeply in the community structure God established.