Nehemiah 7 68

Nehemiah 7:68 kjv

Their horses, seven hundred thirty and six: their mules, two hundred forty and five:

Nehemiah 7:68 nkjv

Their horses were seven hundred and thirty-six, their mules two hundred and forty-five,

Nehemiah 7:68 niv

There were 736 horses, 245 mules,

Nehemiah 7:68 esv

Their horses were 736, their mules 245,

Nehemiah 7:68 nlt

They took with them 736 horses, 245 mules,

Nehemiah 7 68 Cross References

VerseTextReference Note
Ezra 2:66Their horses were seven hundred thirty and six...Parallel passage listing identical numbers
Neh 7:66-69The whole assembly together was forty and two thousand... and their various animals.Part of the broader census of returnees
Num 1:2Take a census of all the congregation of the children of Israel...Example of a biblical census
Gen 13:2Abram was very rich in livestock, in silver, and in gold.Livestock as a measure of wealth/provision
Gen 24:35The LORD has blessed my master greatly... He has given him flocks, and herds, and silver, and gold, and menservants, and maidservants, and camels, and donkeys.God's blessing shown through possessions
Job 1:3His possessions were seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels... five hundred donkeys, and five hundred she-asses...Listing of animals as a sign of prosperity
1 Kgs 10:26And Solomon gathered chariots and horsemen; and he had fourteen hundred chariots...Reference to kings accumulating horses
2 Chr 9:25Solomon had four thousand stalls for horses and chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen...Another example of royal animal holdings
Deut 17:16But he shall not multiply horses for himself, nor cause the people to return to Egypt...Warning against excessive accumulation of horses by kings
Isa 30:16But you said, "No, for we will flee upon horses..."Illustrates reliance on physical strength/animals over God
Ps 20:7Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God.Contrasts reliance on human means vs. God
Zech 14:15And so shall be the plague of the horse, of the mule...Mention of mules in a prophetic context
Ez 36:24For I will take you from among the nations, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land.Prophecy of return from exile
Isa 43:5-6Fear not: for I am with you: I will bring your seed from the east...Prophecy of God bringing His people back
Jer 29:10For thus says the LORD, After seventy years be accomplished at Babylon... I will cause you to return to this place.Prophecy regarding the duration and end of exile
Ezra 1:1-4The decree of Cyrus allowing the return from exileHistorical context of the return
Hag 2:8The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, says the LORD of hosts.God's sovereignty over all resources, including those brought by exiles
Zech 8:7-8Behold, I will save My people from the east country, and from the west country...God's continued restoration of His people
Phil 4:19But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.God's provision for His people
Lk 12:22-24Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap... and God feeds them: how much more are you better than the fowls?God's care for creation and His people

Nehemiah 7 verses

Nehemiah 7 68 Meaning

Nehemiah 7:68 provides a specific count of the livestock owned by the Israelites who returned from their Babylonian captivity. This verse details the exact number of their horses and mules, contributing to the comprehensive census that meticulously documented the resources and demographics of the re-establishing community in Judah. It underscores the practical means of transportation and utility available to the repatriated exiles as they undertook the work of rebuilding their nation.

Nehemiah 7 68 Context

Nehemiah 7:68 is an integral part of a detailed census (Neh 7:6-73) listing those who returned from the Babylonian exile to Judah under Zerubbabel. This chapter meticulously records the names of families, their numbers, and their collective assets, including various types of animals. The purpose of this meticulous record was crucial for the re-establishment of the Jewish community, identifying legitimate families and priests, organizing the resettlement, and preparing for the ongoing work of rebuilding both the city walls and, eventually, the spiritual life centered on the Temple. Historically, this account is a near-exact duplication of Ezra 2, emphasizing its critical importance for historical and religious accuracy in the post-exilic period, signaling God's faithfulness in bringing His people back and their practical steps towards re-forming a society in their promised land.

Nehemiah 7 68 Word analysis

  • their horses: (סוּס, sus). A considerable number. Horses were valuable assets in the ancient world, representing means of transport, labor, and at times, status or military potential, though here they primarily indicate a practical means of conveyance for a large returning population and their belongings. The possession of horses suggested a measure of resources and preparedness for the challenges of resettlement.
  • seven hundred thirty and six: This precise number highlights the meticulous nature of the record-keeping by the returnees. Such specific numerical data was critical for validating identities, establishing communal resources, and signifying an orderly and divinely orchestrated return rather than a disorganized dispersal.
  • their mules: (פֶּרֶד, pered). Mules were highly valued for their strength, endurance, and surefootedness, making them excellent for carrying heavy loads over varied terrain, especially in mountainous regions like Judah. They were indispensable for the practical aspects of rebuilding, from transporting materials to assisting in agriculture.
  • two hundred forty and five: Another exact numerical figure. The inclusion of specific counts for different types of animals underscores the thoroughness of the inventory. This precision was essential for administrative purposes within the new, developing society in Jerusalem and Judah, reinforcing a sense of order and detailed accounting within the covenant community.
  • their horses... their mules: The repeated "their" emphasizes that these were possessions of the collective returning community, reflecting their shared resources brought back to their ancestral land. It points to a communal effort and a certain level of re-established stability and wealth for the significant task of nation-building.
  • seven hundred thirty and six; two hundred forty and five: The detailed enumeration of both horses and mules speaks to the practical provision and logistical strength of the returning exiles. It reflects not only their physical capacity for the journey and resettlement but also a tangible aspect of God's blessing and care, equipping His people with the necessary means to rebuild their lives and their spiritual center.

Nehemiah 7 68 Bonus section

The almost exact correspondence of the Nehemiah 7 census with Ezra 2 suggests the use of a common official registry document. This emphasizes the document's reliability and crucial nature for the returned community. Beyond mere accounting, these lists served as a declaration of continuity and legitimacy for the re-established Israelite identity. The details, down to specific animal counts, provide a testament to the providential provision for the journey from Babylon and for the essential work of physically rebuilding a society and its infrastructure, affirming God's active involvement in the logistical and material aspects of their return.

Nehemiah 7 68 Commentary

Nehemiah 7:68, by meticulously itemizing the number of horses and mules, highlights the tangible resources the returning exiles possessed. These animals were not mere statistics but represented vital practical assets for the challenging tasks of resettlement and rebuilding. They provided crucial transportation, aided in agricultural endeavors, and contributed to the overall economic foundation of the re-established community. The inclusion of such precise detail underscores the orderliness of God's restoration plan and His faithfulness in providing for His people's practical needs as they physically returned to and worked to re-occupy their homeland. This accuracy in record-keeping reflected both a practical necessity for societal organization and a spiritual acknowledgement of divine provision.