Nehemiah 7 72

Nehemiah 7:72 kjv

And that which the rest of the people gave was twenty thousand drams of gold, and two thousand pound of silver, and threescore and seven priests' garments.

Nehemiah 7:72 nkjv

And that which the rest of the people gave was twenty thousand gold drachmas, two thousand silver minas, and sixty-seven priestly garments.

Nehemiah 7:72 niv

The total given by the rest of the people was 20,000 darics of gold, 2,000 minas of silver and 67 garments for priests.

Nehemiah 7:72 esv

And what the rest of the people gave was 20,000 darics of gold, 2,000 minas of silver, and 67 priests' garments.

Nehemiah 7:72 nlt

The rest of the people gave 20,000 gold coins, about 2,500 pounds of silver, and 67 robes for the priests.

Nehemiah 7 verses

Nehemiah 7 72 Meaning

Nehemiah 7:72 concludes the detailed record of contributions made by all groups of returning exiles—the governor, the heads of fathers' houses, and "the rest of the people"—towards the restoration of the Temple and the re-establishment of worship in Jerusalem. This verse specifically highlights the generous collective offerings of 20,000 gold drachmas, 2,000 silver minas, and 67 priestly garments from the general populace. It signifies the widespread devotion and sacrificial commitment of the community to God's work, providing the necessary resources for sacred services and the sustenance of the Levitical priesthood after their return from Babylonian captivity.

Nehemiah 7 72 Context

Nehemiah chapter 7 primarily serves as a detailed registry of the exiles who returned from Babylon to Judah under Zerubbabel and Joshua, mirroring and slightly updating the list found in Ezra chapter 2. Following the successful completion of the Jerusalem walls (Neh 1-6), Nehemiah focused on the internal organization and spiritual life of the community. This census established the lineage and proper ordering of families, particularly important for distinguishing between legitimate priests and those who lacked proper records. The specific contributions detailed in verses 70-72, including verse 72, are an appendage to this register, concluding the record of those who came. They highlight the community's immediate and concrete response to the need for rebuilding the Temple service. It occurs before the significant event of reading the Law in Nehemiah chapter 8, showing the people's readiness and material support as a foundation for the ensuing spiritual revival and covenant renewal.

Nehemiah 7 72 Word analysis

• And the rest of the people (Hebrew: יֶתֶר הָעָם, yether ha-`am): This phrase emphasizes that contributions were not limited to just the leaders (governor and heads of fathers' houses mentioned in prior verses) but included the general populace. It highlights the communal and widespread nature of devotion and support for God's work, showing a unified commitment from all strata of society among the returnees.
• gave (Hebrew: נָתְנוּ, nathnu): From the verb nathan, meaning "to give," "to put," or "to set." This active verb indicates a voluntary and intentional act of offering. It denotes a tangible transfer of possessions and commitment from the individual to God's purpose, reflecting a heart willing to relinquish resources for a greater good.
• 20,000 drachmas of gold (Hebrew: דַּרְכְּמוֹנֵי זָהָב, darkəmōnê zāhāḇ):
  • drachmas/darics: This refers to a Persian gold coin (the daric), a unit of currency during the Persian Empire. Its mention underscores the historical reality that Judah was a satrapy under Persian rule, and the people were using the dominant imperial currency. The act of offering foreign currency signifies dedicating one's worldly gains, even those obtained within the political sphere of Gentile dominion, to Yahweh. It also highlights the people's prosperity and capacity to give after their return.
  • gold: As the most precious metal, gold universally symbolizes immense value, purity, divinity, and lasting worth. In biblical contexts, gold was extensively used in the Tabernacle and Temple furnishings, representing God's glory and holiness (e.g., Ex 25:11, 1 Kgs 6:21-22). The offering of gold indicates prioritizing God's house with the most valuable possessions.
• 2,000 minas of silver (Hebrew: מָנִים כֶּסֶף, mānīm kesef):
  • minas/pounds: A mina (or maneh) was a unit of weight, not a coin, typically equivalent to about 50-60 shekels or 1.25 pounds, though its exact value varied by region and period. It was a significant sum of silver.
  • silver: Silver, also a precious metal, was widely used for religious purposes (e.g., Tabernacle bases, ransom money, ceremonial instruments) and everyday commerce (e.g., Gen 23:16, Ex 30:13). It symbolizes redemption, purity, and monetary value. Its inclusion with gold demonstrates comprehensive material support.
• and 67 priests' garments (Hebrew: כֻּתְּנֹות כֹּהֲנִים, kuttənôṯ kōhănîm):
  • priests' garments: These refer to the specific, consecrated attire prescribed for the Aaronic priests to wear during their temple service (Ex 28). They were essential for the legitimate and ordered performance of sacred duties.
  • Significance: Providing priestly garments speaks directly to the re-establishment of the priesthood and proper temple worship. It addresses a very practical and immediate need, as priests could not function in their sacred roles without these specialized garments, signifying a dedication to the functional necessities of their spiritual life. It highlights a commitment to God's ordinances and the purity of worship.

Words-group Analysis:

• "The rest of the people gave...": This phrase signifies the pervasive spirit of generosity throughout the entire returned community, not merely from their leaders. It shows unity in purpose and dedication to the restoration efforts. This communal giving lays the groundwork for the revitalized national identity and renewed covenant relationship with God.
• "...drachmas of gold, minas of silver, and priests' garments": This list illustrates a holistic contribution involving both financial wealth (gold and silver) and practical necessities (priestly garments). It demonstrates that their giving was not only quantitative (valuable metals) but also qualitative, addressing the specific functional needs of the religious establishment. This multifaceted donation pattern aligns with offerings made for the Tabernacle (Ex 35) and the First Temple (1 Chr 29), emphasizing continuity of worship and generous support for God's house.

Nehemiah 7 72 Bonus section

• Echoes of Earlier Giving: The detailed list of gold, silver, and garments in Nehemiah 7, particularly the almost identical language to Ezra 2:68-69 (where initial contributions are mentioned upon the first wave of returnees), underscores a continuity of the covenant and commitment to the temple. It signifies that the people's resolve to support God's work had not waned but was rekindled with each generation and wave of return. The slightly varying amounts likely reflect the contributions of different specific groups over time.
• Leadership by Example: While this verse focuses on "the rest of the people," it follows the donations by the governor (Neh 7:70) and heads of fathers' houses (Neh 7:71). This sequential listing implicitly shows a leadership-by-example dynamic, where the leaders initiated the large-scale giving, encouraging the general populace to follow suit in their generosity, reinforcing a united vision.
• Beyond Materialism: The detailed accounting of resources not only confirms the tangible assets brought to the cause but also serves as a spiritual thermometer. Such willing and widespread giving, including both highly valued currency and essential functional items like priestly garments, indicated that the people's hearts were genuinely engaged in rebuilding God's presence among them, not just their physical city. This sacrificial giving prepared the community spiritually for the renewed covenant in Nehemiah 9-10.

Nehemiah 7 72 Commentary

Nehemiah 7:72 provides the culmination of the giving recorded following the census, illustrating the deep-seated commitment of all returnees to the re-establishment of God's house and its accompanying worship. After the physical walls of Jerusalem were completed, the focus shifted to the spiritual infrastructure of the community. The specific mention of gold darics and silver minas highlights not only the material wealth available to the people, despite their prior exile and present humble circumstances under Persian rule, but also their willingness to consecrate their economic gains to God's purposes. The contribution of priestly garments underscores a keen understanding of the practical and ritualistic requirements for the temple service, ensuring the priests could perform their duties in accordance with divine law. This generous, collective giving paved the way for the profound spiritual renewal that followed, as documented in later chapters, signifying that true devotion translates into tangible action and support for the means of grace within the community.