Nehemiah 7 7

Nehemiah 7:7 kjv

Who came with Zerubbabel, Jeshua, Nehemiah, Azariah, Raamiah, Nahamani, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispereth, Bigvai, Nehum, Baanah. The number, I say, of the men of the people of Israel was this;

Nehemiah 7:7 nkjv

Those who came with Zerubbabel were Jeshua, Nehemiah, Azariah, Raamiah, Nahamani, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispereth, Bigvai, Nehum, and Baanah. The number of the men of the people of Israel:

Nehemiah 7:7 niv

in company with Zerubbabel, Joshua, Nehemiah, Azariah, Raamiah, Nahamani, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispereth, Bigvai, Nehum and Baanah): The list of the men of Israel:

Nehemiah 7:7 esv

They came with Zerubbabel, Jeshua, Nehemiah, Azariah, Raamiah, Nahamani, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispereth, Bigvai, Nehum, Baanah. The number of the men of the people of Israel:

Nehemiah 7:7 nlt

Their leaders were Zerubbabel, Jeshua, Nehemiah, Seraiah, Reelaiah, Nahamani, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispar, Bigvai, Rehum, and Baanah. This is the number of the men of Israel who returned from exile:

Nehemiah 7 verses

Nehemiah 7 7 Meaning

Nehemiah 7:7 initiates the meticulous census list of those who returned from Babylonian exile to Judah under Zerubbabel and Jeshua, providing a detailed record of the specific family groups and their numbers. This verse specifically names the family of Parosh as having two thousand one hundred seventy-two individuals. It underscores the restoration of the covenant community of Israel and the careful preservation of their lineage and identity.

Nehemiah 7 7 Context

Nehemiah chapter 7 presents a vital register of the Jewish exiles who returned from Babylon to Judah, primarily following the decree of King Cyrus (538 BC), under the leadership of Zerubbabel. This census is essentially a repetition, with minor numerical differences, of the list found in Ezra 2. Its placement immediately after the dedication of Jerusalem's rebuilt walls in Nehemiah 6 signifies a crucial step in re-establishing the restored community's social and religious order. The meticulous record-keeping emphasizes the divine preservation of Israel's identity, especially concerning priestly duties, land claims, and temple service. It underscores the theme of restoration not just of structures but of the covenant people. The chapter sets the stage for the public reading of the Law in Nehemiah 8, as a defined and enumerated community gathers before God's Word. Historically, such precise genealogies were paramount for legal, religious, and social standing in ancient Near Eastern societies, verifying rights to land, temple privileges, and tribal affiliation.

Nehemiah 7 7 Word analysis

• The men of: This phrase, "אִ֣ישׁ" (ish - man) coupled with a possessive structure, highlights male heads of households or responsible male adults who form the basis of the family units listed. It speaks to the patriarchal structure of the society and the census's focus on foundational identity and continuity.
• the people of Israel: "עַם יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל" (Am Yisrael) - "Am" (people) signifies a distinct community or nation, united by common heritage and purpose. "Yisrael" (Israel) is not just a geographical designation but carries profound theological weight, signifying "God contends" or "Prince with God," reflecting Jacob's wrestling with the angel (Gen 32:28). It emphasizes their covenant relationship with Yahweh and their identity as God's chosen nation. In this post-exilic context, it reaffirms their divine calling despite exile and dispersal.
• The children of Parosh: "בְּנֵ֥י פַרְעֹשׁ֙" (Benei Pharosh) - "Benei" (sons/children of) clearly indicates lineage, clan, or family unit rather than just individuals. "Parosh" itself means "flea" or "flea-stricken" and is the name of an ancestral head whose descendants formed a significant returning family. This structure underscores the importance of tribal and clan identity in the re-establishment of the Jewish community. These names are not merely identifiers but signposts of inherited covenant promises and responsibilities, as well as land claims. The large number reflects the survival and growth of this particular clan during the exile.
• two thousand one hundred seventy-two: The specific numeral "אַלְפַּ֛יִם מֵא֥וֹת שִׁבְעִ֛ים וּשְׁנַ֖יִם" (alpaim me'ot shiv'im ushnaim) indicates precise record-keeping. In a time before modern data systems, such exact counts reflected careful registration and significant administrative effort. It speaks to the tangible fulfillment of divine promises to restore His people. The slight numerical discrepancies found between Ezra 2 and Nehemiah 7 have been interpreted by scholars as due to different points of registration (e.g., initial departure from Babylon vs. arrival in Judah), different accounting methods (e.g., counting adults vs. entire households), or common scribal variations in copying such large lists. Nonetheless, the consistent emphasis remains on the substantial, not negligible, size of the returning community, demonstrating God's faithfulness in bringing them back as a substantial remnant. This precise count validates the physical return and reorganization of Israel.

Nehemiah 7 7 Bonus section

• The re-establishment of genealogical records like this list served a crucial purpose in ancient Jewish society: affirming one's "pure" Jewish descent. This was especially significant for those who would serve in the priesthood, as Levites and Aaronic priests had strict lineage requirements (Ezr 2:62, Neh 7:64). Without such records, a person's religious and social standing could be challenged.
• The placement of this list immediately after the walls are completed signifies a thematic transition: from securing the physical city to establishing the community that would inhabit and spiritually sanctify it. The internal ordering of the people became as important as the external defense of their city.
• This register forms part of a literary pattern common in biblical books (e.g., Numbers, Ezra), where enumeration and genealogy underscore divine ownership, covenant continuity, and preparation for future tasks. It reflects God's meticulous care for His people, knowing each family and person by name and number, reminiscent of the heavenly roll calls.
• The fact that these names and numbers, even with slight variations, are recorded twice (Ezra 2 and Nehemiah 7) emphasizes their profound importance to the chroniclers. It points to a common authoritative source, likely an official state document or census list from the Persian provincial archives concerning Judea.

Nehemiah 7 7 Commentary

Nehemiah 7:7, the opening entry in a long census, is more than just a list of names and numbers; it's a testament to divine faithfulness and the restoration of a people. Following the completion of Jerusalem's walls, the physical structure, attention shifts to the spiritual and social reordering of its inhabitants. This list provides the factual foundation for Nehemiah's leadership and the future organization of the temple and the city. The emphasis on specific family units like "Parosh" and precise numbers highlights God's orderly restoration and the value of individual and communal identity within the covenant. It confirms that God was gathering a "remnant" for His purposes, demonstrating His unwavering commitment to His promises to Abraham regarding numerous descendants and land. These meticulous records were crucial for ensuring proper lineage for priestly service, authenticating land ownership, and establishing social cohesion among the repatriated Jews. They countered any ambiguity regarding who genuinely belonged to the restored community, forming the backbone of post-exilic Jewish society and ensuring the continuity of the covenant lineage that would ultimately lead to Christ. The record-keeping illustrates a practical outworking of faith and obedience, providing the data needed for administering justice, worship, and community life in accordance with God's law.