Lux Domini

Nehemiah 7

Chapter context

What is happening in Nehemiah 7?

restorationleadershipreformprayer

Nehemiah 7 belongs to the middle movement of the book, especially the section often described as public Torah reading and covenant renewal. Nehemiah recounts the rebuilding of Jerusalem’s walls, the renewal of covenant identity, and the hard maintenance of communal reform. Read this chapter with the wider themes of restoration, leadership, and reform in view so the individual verses keep their proper weight.

1 Now it came to pass, when the wall was built, and I had set up the doors, and the porters and the singers and the Levites were appointed,   2 That I gave my brother Hanani, and Hananiah the ruler of the palace, charge over Jerusalem: for he was a faithful man, and feared God above many.   3 And I said unto them, Let not the gates of Jerusalem be opened until the sun be hot; and while they stand by, let them shut the doors, and bar them: and appoint watches of the inhabitants of Jerusalem, every one in his watch, and every one to be over against his house.   4 Now the city was large and great: but the people were few therein, and the houses were not builded.   5 And my God put into mine heart to gather together the nobles, and the rulers, and the people, that they might be reckoned by genealogy. And I found a register of the genealogy of them which came up at the first, and found written therein,   6 These are the children of the province, that went up out of the captivity, of those that had been carried away, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away, and came again to Jerusalem and to Judah, every one unto his city;   7 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;   8 The children of Parosh, two thousand an hundred seventy and two.   9 The children of Shephatiah, three hundred seventy and two.   10 The children of Arah, six hundred fifty and two.   11 The children of Pahathmoab, of the children of Jeshua and Joab, two thousand and eight hundred and eighteen.   12 The children of Elam, a thousand two hundred fifty and four.   13 The children of Zattu, eight hundred forty and five.   14 The children of Zaccai, seven hundred and threescore.   15 The children of Binnui, six hundred forty and eight.   16 The children of Bebai, six hundred twenty and eight.   17 The children of Azgad, two thousand three hundred twenty and two.   18 The children of Adonikam, six hundred threescore and seven.   19 The children of Bigvai, two thousand threescore and seven.   20 The children of Adin, six hundred fifty and five.   21 The children of Ater of Hezekiah, ninety and eight.   22 The children of Hashum, three hundred twenty and eight.   23 The children of Bezai, three hundred twenty and four.   24 The children of Hariph, an hundred and twelve.   25 The children of Gibeon, ninety and five.   26 The men of Bethlehem and Netophah, an hundred fourscore and eight.   27 The men of Anathoth, an hundred twenty and eight.   28 The men of Bethazmaveth, forty and two.   29 The men of Kirjathjearim, Chephirah, and Beeroth, seven hundred forty and three.   30 The men of Ramah and Gaba, six hundred twenty and one.   31 The men of Michmas, an hundred and twenty and two.   32 The men of Bethel and Ai, an hundred twenty and three.   33 The men of the other Nebo, fifty and two.   34 The children of the other Elam, a thousand two hundred fifty and four.   35 The children of Harim, three hundred and twenty.   36 The children of Jericho, three hundred forty and five.   37 The children of Lod, Hadid, and Ono, seven hundred twenty and one.   38 The children of Senaah, three thousand nine hundred and thirty.   39 The priests: the children of Jedaiah, of the house of Jeshua, nine hundred seventy and three.   40 The children of Immer, a thousand fifty and two.   41 The children of Pashur, a thousand two hundred forty and seven.   42 The children of Harim, a thousand and seventeen.   43 The Levites: the children of Jeshua, of Kadmiel, and of the children of Hodevah, seventy and four.   44 The singers: the children of Asaph, an hundred forty and eight.   45 The porters: the children of Shallum, the children of Ater, the children of Talmon, the children of Akkub, the children of Hatita, the children of Shobai, an hundred thirty and eight.   46 The Nethinims: the children of Ziha, the children of Hashupha, the children of Tabbaoth,   47 The children of Keros, the children of Sia, the children of Padon,   48 The children of Lebana, the children of Hagaba, the children of Shalmai,   49 The children of Hanan, the children of Giddel, the children of Gahar,   50 The children of Reaiah, the children of Rezin, the children of Nekoda,   51 The children of Gazzam, the children of Uzza, the children of Phaseah,   52 The children of Besai, the children of Meunim, the children of Nephishesim,   53 The children of Bakbuk, the children of Hakupha, the children of Harhur,   54 The children of Bazlith, the children of Mehida, the children of Harsha,   55 The children of Barkos, the children of Sisera, the children of Tamah,   56 The children of Neziah, the children of Hatipha.   57 The children of Solomon’s servants: the children of Sotai, the children of Sophereth, the children of Perida,   58 The children of Jaala, the children of Darkon, the children of Giddel,   59 The children of Shephatiah, the children of Hattil, the children of Pochereth of Zebaim, the children of Amon.   60 All the Nethinims, and the children of Solomon’s servants, were three hundred ninety and two.   61 And these were they which went up also from Telmelah, Telharesha, Cherub, Addon, and Immer: but they could not shew their father’s house, nor their seed, whether they were of Israel.   62 The children of Delaiah, the children of Tobiah, the children of Nekoda, six hundred forty and two.   63 And of the priests: the children of Habaiah, the children of Koz, the children of Barzillai, which took one of the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite to wife, and was called after their name.   64 These sought their register among those that were reckoned by genealogy, but it was not found: therefore were they, as polluted, put from the priesthood.   65 And the Tirshatha said unto them, that they should not eat of the most holy things, till there stood up a priest with Urim and Thummim.   66 The whole congregation together was forty and two thousand three hundred and threescore,   67 Beside their manservants and their maidservants, of whom there were seven thousand three hundred thirty and seven: and they had two hundred forty and five singing men and singing women.   68 Their horses, seven hundred thirty and six: their mules, two hundred forty and five:   69 Their camels, four hundred thirty and five: six thousand seven hundred and twenty asses.   70 And some of the chief of the fathers gave unto the work. The Tirshatha gave to the treasure a thousand drams of gold, fifty basons, five hundred and thirty priests’ garments.   71 And some of the chief of the fathers gave to the treasure of the work twenty thousand drams of gold, and two thousand and two hundred pound of silver.   72 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.   73 So the priests, and the Levites, and the porters, and the singers, and some of the people, and the Nethinims, and all Israel, dwelt in their cities; and when the seventh month came, the children of Israel were in their cities.  

Study helps

Glossary

Hanani Person v. 2

God has gratified me, or is gracious. (1. ) One of the sons of Heman ( 1 Chr. 25:4 , 25). (2. ) A prophet who was sent to rebuke king Asa for entering into a league with Benhadad I., king of Syria, against Judah.

Hananiah Tribe v. 2

Jehovah has given. (1. ) A chief of the tribe of Benjamin ( 1 Chr. 8:24 ). (2. ) One of the sons of Heman ( 1 Chr. 25:4 , 23). (3. ) One of Uzziah’s military officers ( 2 Chr. 26:11 ).

Jerusalem Place v. 2-3, 6, 73

Biblical settlement. Modern identification: Jerusalem.

City People v. 4, 6

The earliest mention of city-building is that of Enoch, which was built by Cain ( Gen. 4:17 ). After the confusion of tongues, the descendants of Nimrod founded several cities (10:10-12).

Babylon Place v. 6

Biblical settlement. Modern identification: Babylon.

Azariah Person v. 7

Whom Jehovah helps. (1. ) Son of Ethan, of the tribe of Judah ( 1 Chr. 2:8 ). (2. ) Son of Ahimaaz, who succeeded his grandfather Zadok as high priest ( 1 Chr. 6:9 ; 1 Kings 4:2 ) in the days of Solomon.

Baanah Person v. 7

Son of affliction. (1. ) One of the two sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, a captain in Saul’s army. He and his brother Rechab assassinated Ishbosheth.

Bilshan Person v. 7

Son of the tongue; i. e., “eloquent”, a man of some note who returned from the Captivity with Zerubbabel ( Ezra 2:2 ; Neh. 7:7 ).

Mordecai Tribe v. 7

The son of Jair, of the tribe of Benjamin.

Nehemiah Tribe v. 7

Comforted by Jehovah. (1. ) Ezra 2:2 ; Neh. 7:7 . (2. ) Neh. 3:16 . (3. ) The son of Hachaliah ( Neh. 1:1 ), and probably of the tribe of Judah. His family must have belonged to Jerusalem ( Neh. 2:3 ).

Zerubbabel Person v. 7

The seed of Babylon, the son of Salathiel or Shealtiel ( Hag. 1:1 ; Zorobabel, Matt. 1:12 ); called also the son of Pedaiah ( 1 Chr. 3:17-19 ), i. e.

Shephatiah Person v. 9, 59

Judged of the Lord. (1. ) A son of David by Abital ( 2 Sam. 3:4 ). (2. ) A Benjamite who joined David at Ziklag ( 1 Chr. 12:5 ). (3. ) A Simeonite prince in David’s time ( 1 Chr. 27:16 ).

Joab Person v. 11

Jehovah is his father. (1. ) One of the three sons of Zeruiah, David’s sister, and “captain of the host” during the whole of David’s reign ( 2 Sam. 2:13 ; 10:7 ; 11:1 ; 1 Kings 11:15 ).

Hezekiah Person v. 21

Whom Jehovah has strengthened. (1. ) Son of Ahaz ( 2 Kings 18:1 ; 2 Chr. 29:1 ), whom he succeeded on the throne of the kingdom of Judah. He reigned twenty-nine years (B. C. 726-697).

Gibeon Place v. 25

Biblical settlement. Modern identification: El Jib.

Bethlehem Place v. 26

House of bread. (1. ) A city in the “hill country” of Judah. It was originally called Ephrath ( Gen. 35:16 , 19; 48:7; Ruth 4:11 ). It was also called Beth-lehem Ephratah ( Micah 5:2 ), Beth-lehem-judah. Modern identification: Bethlehem.

Netophah Place v. 26

Distillation; dropping, a town in Judah, in the neighbourhood, probably, of Bethlehem ( Neh. 7:26 ; 1 Chr. 2:54 ). Two of David’s guards were Netophathites ( 1 Chr. 27:13 , 15). Modern identification: Khirbet Badd Faluh.

Anathoth Place v. 27

Biblical settlement. Modern identification: Ras el Kharruba.

Azmaveth Place v. 28

Biblical settlement. Modern identification: Hizma.

Beeroth Place v. 29

Biblical settlement. Modern identification: Khirbet el Burj.

Chephirah Place v. 29

Biblical settlement. Modern identification: Khirbet el Kefireh.

Kiriath-jearim Place v. 29

City, a city belonging to Benjamin ( Josh. 18:28 ), the modern Kuriet el-‘Enab, i. e., “city of grapes”, about 7 1/2 miles west-north-west of Jerusalem. Modern identification: Deir el Azar.

Geba Place v. 30

Biblical settlement. Modern identification: Jaba.

Ramah Place v. 30

( Matt. 2:18 ), the Greek form of Ramah. (1. ) A city first mentioned in Josh. 18:25 , near Gibeah of Benjamin. It was fortified by Baasha, king of Israel ( 1 Kings 15:17-22 ; 2 Chr. 16:1-6 ). Modern identification: Al Ram.

Michmash Place v. 31

Something hidden, a town of Benjamin ( Ezra 2:27 ), east of Bethel and south of Migron, on the road to Jerusalem ( Isa. 10:28 ). Modern identification: Mukhmas.

Ai Place v. 32

Biblical settlement. Modern identification: Et Tell.

Bethel Place v. 32

House of God. (1. ) A place in Central Palestine, about 10 miles north of Jerusalem, at the head of the pass of Michmash and Ai. It was originally the royal Canaanite city of Luz ( Gen. 28:19 ). Modern identification: Beitin.

Nebo Place v. 33

Biblical settlement. Modern identification: Nuba.

Harim Place v. 35, 42

Biblical settlement. Modern identification: Al Haram.

Jericho Place v. 36

Biblical settlement. Modern identification: Tell es Sultan.

Hadid Place v. 37

Biblical settlement. Modern identification: Al Haditha.

Lod Place v. 37

Biblical settlement. Modern identification: Lod.

Ono Place v. 37

A town of Benjamin, in the “plain of Ono” ( 1 Chr. 8:12 ; Ezra 2:33 ); now Kefr ‘Ana, 5 miles north of Lydda, and about 30 miles north-west of Jerusalem. Modern identification: Kafr Ana.

Senaah Place v. 38

Thorny, a place many of the inhabitants of which returned from Babylon with Zerubbabel ( Ezra 2:35 ; Neh. 7:38 ). Modern identification: Khirbet el Aujah el Foqa.

Jedaiah Person v. 39

(1. ) Invoker of Jehovah. The son of Shimri, a chief Simeonite ( 1 Chr. 4:37 ). (2. ) One of those who repaired the walls of Jerusalem after the return from Babylon ( Neh. 3:10 ). (3. ) Knowing Jehovah.

Pashur Person v. 41

Release. (1. ) The son of Immer (probably the same as Amariah, Neh. 10:3 ; 12:2 ), the head of one of the priestly courses, was “chief governor [Heb. paqid nagid, meaning “deputy governor”] of the temple” ( Jer. 20:1 , 2).

Asaph Person v. 44

Convener, or collector. (1. ) A Levite; one of the leaders of David’s choir ( 1 Chr. 6:39 ). Psalms 50 and 73-83 inclusive are attributed to him. He is mentioned along with David as skilled in music, and a “seer”.

Akkub Person v. 45

(another form of Jacob). (1. ) The head of one of the families of Nethinim ( Ezra 2:45 ). (2. ) A Levite who kept the gate of the temple after the return from Babylon ( 1 Chr. 9:17 ; Ezra 2:42 ; Neh. 7:45 ).

Shallum Person v. 45

Retribution. (1. ) The son of Jabesh, otherwise unknown. He “conspired against Zachariah, and smote him before the people, and slew him, and reigned in his stead” ( 2 Kings 15:10 ).

Ziha Person v. 46

Drought. (1. ) The name of a family of Nethinim ( Ezra 2:43 ; Neh. 7:46 ). (2. ) A ruler among the Nethinim ( Neh. 11:21 ).

Hanan Person v. 49

Merciful. (1. ) A Benjamite ( 1 Chr. 8:23 ). (2. ) One of David’s heroes ( 1 Chr. 11:43 ). (3. ) Jer. 35:4 . (4. ) A descendant of Saul ( 1 Chr. 8:38 ). (5. ) One of the Nethinim ( Ezra 2:46 ).

Rezin Person v. 50

Firm; a prince, a king of Syria, who joined Pekah (q. v. ) in an invasion of the kingdom of Judah ( 2 Kings 15:37 ; 16:5-9 ; Isa. 7:1-8 ). Ahaz induced Tiglath-pileser III.

Sisera Person v. 55

(Egypt. Ses-Ra, “servant of Ra”). (1. ) The captain of Jabin’s army ( Judg. 4:2 ), which was routed and destroyed by the army of Barak on the plain of Esdraelon.

Amon Person v. 59

Builder. (1. ) The governor of Samaria in the time of Ahab. The prophet Micaiah was committed to his custody ( 1 Kings 22:26 ; 2 Chr. 18:25 ). (2. ) The son of Manasseh, and fourteenth king of Judah.

Addon Place v. 61

Biblical settlement. Modern identification: Babylon.

Cherub Place v. 61

Biblical settlement. Modern identification: Babylon.

Immer Place v. 61

Biblical settlement. Modern identification: Babylon.

Tel-harsha Place v. 61

Hill of the wood, a place in Babylon from which some captive Jews returned to Jerusalem ( Ezra 2:59 ; Neh. 7:61 ). Modern identification: Nippur.

Tel-melah Place v. 61

Hill of salt, a place in Babylon from which the Jews returned (id. ). Modern identification: Nippur.

Delaiah Person v. 62

Freed by Jehovah. (1. ) The head of the twenty-third division of the priestly order ( 1 Chr. 24:18 ). (2. ) A son of Shemaiah, and one of the courtiers to whom Jeremiah’s first roll of prophecy was read ( Jer. 36:12 ).

Tobiah Person v. 62

Pleasing to Jehovah, the “servant,” the “Ammonite,” who joined with those who opposed the rebuilding of Jerusalem after the Exile ( Neh. 2:10 ).

Barzillai Person v. 63

Of iron. (1. ) A Meholathite, the father of Adriel ( 2 Sam. 21:8 ). (2. ) A Gileadite of Rogelim who was distinguished for his loyalty to David. He liberally provided for the king’s followers ( 2 Sam. 17:27 ).

Gilead Place v. 63

Biblical region. Modern identification: Tell edh Dhahab esh Sherqiyeh.