Nehemiah 7 59

Nehemiah 7:59 kjv

The children of Shephatiah, the children of Hattil, the children of Pochereth of Zebaim, the children of Amon.

Nehemiah 7:59 nkjv

the sons of Shephatiah, the sons of Hattil, the sons of Pochereth of Zebaim, and the sons of Amon.

Nehemiah 7:59 niv

Shephatiah, Hattil, Pokereth-Hazzebaim and Amon

Nehemiah 7:59 esv

the sons of Shephatiah, the sons of Hattil, the sons of Pochereth-hazzebaim, the sons of Amon.

Nehemiah 7:59 nlt

Shephatiah, Hattil, Pokereth-hazzebaim, and Ami.

Nehemiah 7 verses

Nehemiah 7 59 Meaning

Nehemiah 7:59 records three specific family lines, "the children of Hattil, the children of Pochereth-Hazzebaim, and the children of Amon," who were part of the descendants of "Solomon's servants" and returned from the Babylonian exile to Judah. These groups primarily performed support roles and manual labor for the Temple and royal administration, holding a distinct position alongside the Nethinim. Their inclusion in this precise roster underscores the comprehensive and meticulous nature of the post-exilic community's organization, recognizing the divine hand in bringing back all who contributed to the restoration of God's people and His house.

Nehemiah 7 59 Context

Nehemiah 7 details a crucial census taken after the completion of the Jerusalem wall. This chapter serves as a comprehensive roster of those who returned from Babylonian captivity to resettle Judah and Jerusalem, functioning as a vital historical record and a practical guide for organizing the re-established community. It largely parallels Ezra chapter 2. Following lists of priests, Levites, singers, and gatekeepers (Neh 7:39-45), Nehemiah 7:46-60 specifically itemizes the Nethinim (temple servants) and the "children of Solomon's servants," with Nehemiah 7:59 falling within this latter section. These groups were essential support personnel for the Temple and communal functions, undertaking tasks ranging from menial labor to administrative assistance. The recording of their names highlights their integration and valued contribution to the nascent post-exilic society and the rebuilding of Israel's spiritual life.

Nehemiah 7 59 Word analysis

• The children of (בְּנֵי - b'nei): Literally "sons of." This phrase consistently denotes lineage and familial identity throughout biblical texts. In this context, it signifies descendants who inherited or identified with a particular clan or historical grouping, indicating that these groups (Hattil, Pochereth-Hazzebaim, Amon) are distinct family lines or tribal units that have preserved their identity across generations, even through the exile. The meticulous recording of these "children of" families underscores the importance of ancestral connection and communal identity in the post-exilic period, ensuring the proper order for land distribution and Temple service.

• Hattil (חַטִּיל - Chaṭṭil): A clan or family name. Its exact meaning is not definitively established in biblical Hebrew lexicon. Some suggestions relate it to concepts of "trembling" or "fearing," but this is speculative. As a family of Solomon's servants, their identity would be linked to the pre-exilic royal administration and subsequently integrated into the Temple service post-exile. The inclusion of such a seemingly obscure name points to the exhaustive nature of the record, confirming that even less prominent families who served were recognized and remembered by divine providence.

• Pochereth-Hazzebaim (פּוֹכֶרֶת הַצְּבָיִם - Pokheret haṣṣĕba'yim): This is a highly unique and distinctive compound name.

  • Pochereth (פּוֹכֶרֶת - pokheret): Derived from a root potentially related to "binding," "snaring," or "trapping."
  • Hazzebaim (הַצְּבָיִם - haṣṣĕba'yim): The definite article "the" combined with "gazelles" or "roes."
  • Therefore, the full name means "The Snarer (or Binder) of the Gazelles."
  • This name likely originates from an ancestral occupation, possibly related to providing specific game for Solomon's royal court (e.g., for food, hides, or as part of royal parks/menageries). It suggests a specialized, possibly servile, role. For these "children of Solomon's servants" to bear such a distinct and ancient name generations later emphasizes the continuation of unique identities, even among those integrated into temple service. The unusual nature of the name has sparked scholarly interest regarding the diverse origins and functions of those categorized under "Solomon's servants," illustrating a society with complex layers of specialization. It demonstrates how individuals of varied backgrounds were meticulously woven into the fabric of the restored community.

• Amon (אָמוֹן - 'Amōn): This name is notable for its textual variant; in Ezra 2:57, the parallel list provides the name Ami (אָמִי - 'Amî).

  • Amon: Could mean "faithful" or "master workman/craftsman," connecting them to skills valuable in service.
  • Ami: Means "my kinsman" or "my people."
  • Scholars often attribute this discrepancy to scribal variation or a legitimate alternate name or spelling for the same family, rather than two distinct groups. Such variations are common in biblical parallel texts and do not undermine the overall accuracy but highlight the detailed recording of names from potentially different sources or traditions of the same event. It reaffirms the careful transcription process by scribes over centuries and how minor orthographic differences could emerge for essentially the same individual or family group. The group itself belonged to the "children of Solomon's servants," signifying their pre-exilic origins within the royal court's staff.

• Words-group: "The children of Hattil, the children of Pochereth-Hazzebaim, the children of Amon."This consistent repetition of "the children of [name]" (Hebrew: b'nei) serves as a formulaic enumeration of clan or family units. The structure reinforces the emphasis on communal identity through lineage. For a community rebuilding after exile, understanding one's ancestry was crucial for land inheritance, civic rights, and the right to serve in specific temple roles (like the priests, Levites, and indeed, Solomon's servants). The names themselves, particularly "Pochereth-Hazzebaim," hint at the diverse origins and specialized functions of those assimilated into Solomon's workforce, which ultimately became part of Israel's restored community serving the Lord. Their inclusion underlines God's meticulous care for all who served Him and returned to the promised land.

Nehemiah 7 59 Bonus section

• Historical Integration of "Solomon's Servants": The category "children of Solomon's servants" suggests descendants of foreign captives or forced laborers conscripted by King Solomon for vast building projects like the First Temple and his palace. Over centuries, these groups integrated into Israelite society and, similar to the Nethinim, were assigned roles as perpetual temple servants (sometimes connected to the Gibeonites whom Joshua pressed into service). Their re-establishment post-exile underlines the long-term inclusion and assimilation of diverse peoples into the Israelite fabric of worship and nationhood.
• Meticulous Records in Divine Plan: The extensive genealogical lists in Ezra and Nehemiah, including verses like Nehemiah 7:59, showcase a divine care for meticulous record-keeping. This level of detail served practical purposes (land allocation, re-establishing cultic purity, organizing labor) but also bore profound theological significance: it affirmed God's faithfulness to His covenant, recognizing every individual (and their lineage) involved in His restorative work, ensuring continuity with the past and clarity for the future.
• Divine Inclusivity: The listing of non-Israelite or foreign-descended groups such as the children of Solomon's servants alongside the returning exiles exemplifies God's broader plan of inclusion, preparing for a future where people from all nations would come to worship Him. Their role, though possibly of a lower status, was recognized as essential and part of the re-established community, paralleling how the New Testament emphasizes that every part of the body of Christ, regardless of perceived importance, is vital for the whole.

Nehemiah 7 59 Commentary

Nehemiah 7:59 provides specific detail within a comprehensive post-exilic census, listing three more family units among the descendants of "Solomon's servants." These individuals were not priests or Levites, but served in essential supportive capacities for the Temple and communal life. The precise enumeration of even these lesser-known, often foreign-descended, groups speaks volumes about divine Providence and the thoroughness required for national and religious restoration. It demonstrates that every single part of the community was valued and meticulously accounted for by God. This attention to detail highlights that faithful service, regardless of perceived status, is acknowledged by God, establishing order and legitimizing roles within the covenant community. It reminds us that God works through a variety of individuals and groups, each playing a vital, recognized part in His grand redemptive plan.