Nehemiah 7WEB
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Nehemiah7

World English Bible · Public Domain

1Now when the wall was built and I had set up the doors, and the gatekeepers and the singers and the Levites were appointed,

2I put my brother Hanani, and Hananiah the governor of the fortress, in charge of Jerusalem; for he was a faithful man and feared God above many.

3I said to them, “Don’t let the gates of Jerusalem be opened until the sun is hot; and while they stand guard, let them shut the doors, and you bar them; and appoint watches of the inhabitants of Jerusalem, everyone in his watch, with everyone near his house.”

4Now the city was wide and large; but the people were few therein, and the houses were not built.

5My God put into my heart to gather together the nobles, and the rulers, and the people, that they might be listed by genealogy. I found the book of the genealogy of those who came up at the first, and I found this written in it:

6These are the children of the province who went up out of the captivity of those who had been carried away, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away, and who returned to Jerusalem and to Judah, everyone to his city,

7who came with Zerubbabel, Jeshua, Nehemiah, Azariah, Raamiah, Nahamani, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispereth, Bigvai, Nehum, and Baanah. The number of the men of the people of Israel:

8The children of Parosh: two thousand one hundred seventy-two.

9The children of Shephatiah: three hundred seventy-two.

10The children of Arah: six hundred fifty-two.

11The children of Pahathmoab, of the children of Jeshua and Joab: two thousand eight hundred eighteen.

12The children of Elam: one thousand two hundred fifty-four.

13The children of Zattu: eight hundred forty-five.

14The children of Zaccai: seven hundred sixty.

15The children of Binnui: six hundred forty-eight.

16The children of Bebai: six hundred twenty-eight.

17The children of Azgad: two thousand three hundred twenty-two.

18The children of Adonikam: six hundred sixty-seven.

19The children of Bigvai: two thousand sixty-seven.

20The children of Adin: six hundred fifty-five.

21The children of Ater: of Hezekiah, ninety-eight.

22The children of Hashum: three hundred twenty-eight.

23The children of Bezai: three hundred twenty-four.

24The children of Hariph: one hundred twelve.

25The children of Gibeon: ninety-five.

26The men of Bethlehem and Netophah: one hundred eighty-eight.

27The men of Anathoth: one hundred twenty-eight.

28The men of Beth Azmaveth: forty-two.

29The men of Kiriath Jearim, Chephirah, and Beeroth: seven hundred forty-three.

30The men of Ramah and Geba: six hundred twenty-one.

31The men of Michmas: one hundred twenty-two.

32The men of Bethel and Ai: one hundred twenty-three.

33The men of the other Nebo: fifty-two.

34The children of the other Elam: one thousand two hundred fifty-four.

35The children of Harim: three hundred twenty.

36The children of Jericho: three hundred forty-five.

37The children of Lod, Hadid, and Ono: seven hundred twenty-one.

38The children of Senaah: three thousand nine hundred thirty.

39The priests: The children of Jedaiah, of the house of Jeshua: nine hundred seventy-three.

40The children of Immer: one thousand fifty-two.

41The children of Pashhur: one thousand two hundred forty-seven.

42The children of Harim: one thousand seventeen.

43The Levites: the children of Jeshua, of Kadmiel, of the children of Hodevah: seventy-four.

44The singers: the children of Asaph: one hundred forty-eight.

45The gatekeepers: the children of Shallum, the children of Ater, the children of Talmon, the children of Akkub, the children of Hatita, the children of Shobai: one hundred thirty-eight.

46The temple servants: the children of Ziha, the children of Hasupha, the children of Tabbaoth,

47the children of Keros, the children of Sia, the children of Padon,

48the children of Lebana, the children of Hagaba, the children of Salmai,

49the children of Hanan, the children of Giddel, the children of Gahar,

50the children of Reaiah, the children of Rezin, the children of Nekoda,

51the children of Gazzam, the children of Uzza, the children of Paseah,

52the children of Besai, the children of Meunim, the children of Nephushesim,

53the children of Bakbuk, the children of Hakupha, the children of Harhur,

54the children of Bazlith, the children of Mehida, the children of Harsha,

55the children of Barkos, the children of Sisera, the children of Temah,

56the children of Neziah, and the children of Hatipha.

57The children of Solomon’s servants: the children of Sotai, the children of Sophereth, the children of Perida,

58the children of Jaala, the children of Darkon, the children of Giddel,

59the children of Shephatiah, the children of Hattil, the children of Pochereth Hazzebaim, and the children of Amon.

60All the temple servants and the children of Solomon’s servants were three hundred ninety-two.

61These were those who went up from Tel Melah, Tel Harsha, Cherub, Addon, and Immer; but they could not show their fathers’ houses, nor their offspring, whether they were of Israel:

62The children of Delaiah, the children of Tobiah, the children of Nekoda: six hundred forty-two.

63Of the priests: the children of Hobaiah, the children of Hakkoz, the children of Barzillai, who took a wife of the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite, and was called after their name.

64These searched for their genealogical records, but couldn’t find them. Therefore they were deemed disqualified and removed from the priesthood.

65The governor told them not to eat of the most holy things until a priest stood up to minister with Urim and Thummim.

66The whole assembly together was forty-two thousand three hundred sixty,

67in addition to their male servants and their female servants, of whom there were seven thousand three hundred thirty-seven. They had two hundred forty-five singing men and singing women.

68Their horses were seven hundred thirty-six; their mules, two hundred forty-five;

69their camels, four hundred thirty-five; their donkeys, six thousand seven hundred twenty.

70Some from among the heads of fathers’ households gave to the work. The governor gave to the treasury one thousand darics of gold, fifty basins, and five hundred thirty priests’ garments.

71Some of the heads of fathers’ households gave into the treasury of the work twenty thousand darics of gold, and two thousand two hundred minas of silver.

72That which the rest of the people gave was twenty thousand darics of gold, plus two thousand minas of silver, and sixty-seven priests’ garments.

73So the priests, the Levites, the gatekeepers, the singers, some of the people, the temple servants, and all Israel lived in their cities. When the seventh month had come, the children of Israel were in their cities.

Study Guide

Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Nehemiah 7.

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Chapter Summary

In this chapter: The city committed to Hananiah. (1–4). Register of those that first returned. (5–73).

vv1-4

Nehemiah, having finished the wall, returned to the Persian court, and came to Jerusalem again with a new commission. The public safety depends on every one's care to guard himself and his family against sin.

vv5-73

Nehemiah knew that the safety of a city, under God, depends more upon the inhabitants than upon its walls. Every good gift and every good work are from above. God gives knowledge, he gives grace; all is of him, and therefore all must be to him. What is done by human prudence, must be ascribed to the direction of Divine Providence. But woe to those who turn back from the Lord, loving this present world! and happy those who dedicate themselves, and their substance, to his service and glory!

Cross References

Nehemiah 7
v6Ezra 2:1-70thematic

The foundational parallel register of those returning with Zerubbabel, which Nehemiah explicitly finds and transcriptions.

Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB

v63Ezra 2:61-63thematic

Direct parallel list detailing the genealogical search and exclusion of these specific priestly families.

Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB

v2Nehemiah 1:2thematic

Identifies Hanani, Nehemiah's brother, who previously brought report of Jerusalem's ruin to Shushan.

Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB

v24Ezra 2:18thematic

JFB notes Hariph in Nehemiah is the same as Jorah in Ezra's register.

Supported by JFB

v47Ezra 2:44thematic

JFB notes Sia is spelling variant of Siaha in the parallel register.

Supported by JFB

v61Ezra 2:59thematic

Direct parallel text tracking those returning from Tel-melah, Tel-harsha, Cherub, Addon, and Immer.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v65Exodus 28:30thematic

Defines the Urim and Thummim, which the Tirshatha required to resolve genealogical doubt.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v73Ezra 2:70thematic

Direct parallel confirming the resettlement of the priests, Levites, and people in their cities.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v73Ezra 3:1thematic

Parallel account of the assembly of Israel in the seventh month after settling in cities.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v1Nehemiah 6:1thematic

Establishes context: the wall is completed and doors set up, initiating public order.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v4Nehemiah 11:1thematic

Shows the immediate next step to address the large city's small, scattered population.

Supported by Matthew Poole

Parallels God putting earnest care and wisdom directly into the heart of His servants.

Supported by Matthew Henry

v21Ezra 2:16thematic

Direct parallel in Ezra's list of those returning with Zerubbabel.

Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB

v25Ezra 2:20thematic

Parallel register entry where Gibeon corresponds to Gibbar in Ezra.

Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB

v27Ezra 2:23thematic

Parallel record of the men of Anathoth returning from exile.

Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB

v29Ezra 2:25thematic

Parallel listing for the inhabitants of Kirjath-jearim, Chephirah, and Beeroth.

Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB

v30Ezra 2:26thematic

Parallel record of the men of Ramah and Geba.

Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB

v37Ezra 2:33thematic

Parallel listing of the families of Lod, Hadid, and Ono.

Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB

v39Ezra 2:36thematic

Parallel listing for the priests of the house of Jedaiah.

Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB

v40Ezra 2:37thematic

Parallel listing for the priestly family of Immer.

Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB

v46Joshua 9:23-27thematic

Establishes historical origin of Nethinim as temple servants from Joshua's treaty.

v571 Kings 9:21thematic

Identifies origin of Solomon's servants from subjugated Canaanite populations.

Provides historical background of Barzillai the Gileadite, whose descendants lost their register.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v631 Kings 2:7thematic

Further historical background on David showing kindness to the sons of Barzillai.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v65Ezra 2:63thematic

Identical ruling by the Tirshatha regarding eating the most holy things.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v65Numbers 27:21thematic

Biblical precedent for seeking divine judgment through the Urim before the priest.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v70Ezra 2:68-70thematic

Parallel account of the donations and gifts offered by the heads of families.

Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB

Davidic institution of singers, gatekeepers, and Levites for organized temple service.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v2Exodus 18:21thematic

The Mosaic standard for appointing rulers: able, God-fearing, trustworthy men.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v2Nehemiah 5:15contrast

Contrasts corrupt rulers with those who act uprightly specifically because of the fear of God.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v3Nehemiah 13:19thematic

Nehemiah's strict security protocols regarding the shutting of Jerusalem's gates.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v7Ezra 2:2thematic

Direct parallel list of leaders who returned under Zerubbabel.

Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB

JFB references David's priestly courses which these returning priests reconstructed.

Supported by JFB

v41Ezra 2:38thematic

Direct parallel in Ezra's list of the children of Pashur.

Supported by JFB, Matthew Poole

v42Ezra 2:39thematic

Direct parallel in Ezra's list of the children of Harim.

Supported by JFB, Matthew Poole

v43Ezra 2:40thematic

Direct parallel in Ezra's list of Levites.

Supported by JFB, Matthew Poole