Now the city was large and spacious, but the people in it were few and the houses were not built.

(A)Then my God put it into my heart to assemble the nobles, the officials, and the other people to be enrolled by genealogies. Then I found the book of the genealogy of those who came up first, [a]in which I found the following record:

(B)These are the [b]people of the province who came up from the captivity of the exiles whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had taken into exile, and who returned to Jerusalem and Judah, each to his city, who came with Zerubbabel, Jeshua, Nehemiah, [c]Azariah, [d]Raamiah, Nahamani, Mordecai, Bilshan, [e]Mispereth, Bigvai, [f]Nehum, and Baanah.

The number of men of the people of Israel: the sons of Parosh, 2,172; the sons of Shephatiah, 372; 10 the sons of Arah, 652; 11 the sons of Pahath-moab of the sons of Jeshua and Joab, 2,818; 12 the sons of Elam, 1,254; 13 the sons of Zattu, 845; 14 the sons of Zaccai, 760; 15 the sons of [g]Binnui, 648; 16 the sons of Bebai, 628; 17 the sons of Azgad, 2,322; 18 the sons of Adonikam, 667; 19 the sons of Bigvai, 2,067; 20 the sons of Adin, 655; 21 the sons of Ater, of Hezekiah, 98; 22 the sons of Hashum, 328; 23 the sons of Bezai, 324; 24 the sons of [h]Hariph, 112; 25 the sons of [i]Gibeon, 95; 26 the men of Bethlehem and Netophah, 188; 27 the men of Anathoth, 128; 28 the men of [j]Beth-azmaveth, 42; 29 the men of [k]Kiriath-jearim, Chephirah, and Beeroth, 743; 30 the men of Ramah and Geba, 621; 31 the men of Michmas, 122; 32 the men of Bethel and Ai, 123; 33 the men of the other Nebo, 52; 34 the sons of the other Elam, 1,254; 35 the sons of Harim, 320; 36 the [l]men of Jericho, 345; 37 the sons of Lod, Hadid, and Ono, 721; 38 the sons of Senaah, 3,930.

39 The priests: the sons of Jedaiah of the house of Jeshua, 973; 40 the sons of Immer, 1,052; 41 the sons of Pashhur, 1,247; 42 the sons of Harim, 1,017.

43 The Levites: the sons of Jeshua, of Kadmiel, of the sons of [m]Hodevah, 74. 44 The singers: the sons of Asaph, 148. 45 The gatekeepers: the sons of Shallum, the sons of Ater, the sons of Talmon, the sons of Akkub, the sons of Hatita, the sons of Shobai, 138.

46 The temple servants: the sons of Ziha, the sons of Hasupha, the sons of Tabbaoth, 47 the sons of Keros, the sons of [n]Sia, the sons of Padon, 48 the sons of Lebana, the sons of Hagaba, the sons of Shalmai, 49 the sons of Hanan, the sons of Giddel, the sons of Gahar, 50 the sons of Reaiah, the sons of Rezin, the sons of Nekoda, 51 the sons of Gazzam, the sons of Uzza, the sons of Paseah, 52 the sons of Besai, the sons of Meunim, the sons of [o]Nephushesim, 53 the sons of Bakbuk, the sons of Hakupha, the sons of Harhur, 54 the sons of [p]Bazlith, the sons of Mehida, the sons of Harsha, 55 the sons of Barkos, the sons of Sisera, the sons of Temah, 56 the sons of Neziah, the sons of Hatipha.

57 The sons of Solomon’s servants: the sons of Sotai, the sons of [q]Sophereth, the sons of [r]Perida, 58 the sons of Jaala, the sons of Darkon, the sons of Giddel, 59 the sons of Shephatiah, the sons of Hattil, the sons of Pochereth-hazzebaim, and the sons of [s]Amon.

60 All the temple servants and the sons of Solomon’s servants totaled 392.

61 These were the ones who came up from Tel-melah, Tel-harsha, Cherub, [t]Addon, and Immer; but they could not provide evidence for their fathers’ households or their [u]descendants, whether they were of Israel: 62 the sons of Delaiah, the sons of Tobiah, the sons of Nekoda, 642. 63 And of the priests: the sons of Hobaiah, the sons of Hakkoz, the sons of Barzillai, who took a wife of the daughters of Barzillai, the Gileadite, and was named after them. 64 These searched among their ancestral registration, but it could not be located; therefore they were considered unclean and disqualified from the priesthood. 65 And (C)the [v]governor said to them that they were not to eat from the most holy things until a priest arose with (D)Urim and Thummim.

Total of People and Gifts

66 The whole assembly together totaled 42,360, 67 besides their male slaves and their female slaves, [w]of whom there were 7,337; and they had 245 male and female singers. 68 [x](E)Their horses were 736; their mules, 245; 69 their camels, 435; their donkeys, 6,720.

70 Some of the heads of fathers’ households gave to the work. The [y](F)governor gave to the treasury a thousand gold drachmas, fifty basins, and 530 priests’ garments. 71 And some of the heads of fathers’ households gave to the treasury for the work twenty thousand gold drachmas and 2,200 silver minas. 72 What the rest of the people gave was twenty thousand gold drachmas, two thousand silver minas, and sixty-seven priests’ garments.

73 Now (G)the priests, the Levites, the gatekeepers, the singers, some of the people, the temple servants, and all Israel lived in their cities.

(H)And when the seventh month came, the sons of Israel were in their cities.

Ezra Reads the Law

And all the people gathered as one person at the public square which was in front of (I)the Water Gate, and they [z]asked (J)Ezra the scribe to bring (K)the Book of the Law of Moses which the Lord had [aa]given to Israel. Then (L)Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly of men, women, and all who could listen with understanding, on (M)the first day of the seventh month. And he read from it before the public square which was in front of (N)the Water Gate, from [ab]early morning until midday, in the presence of men and women, those who could understand; and [ac]all the people were attentive to the Book of the Law. Ezra the scribe stood at a wooden podium which they had made for the purpose. And beside him stood Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Uriah, Hilkiah, and Maaseiah on his right; and Pedaiah, Mishael, Malchijah, Hashum, Hashbaddanah, Zechariah, and Meshullam on his left. Then Ezra opened (O)the book in the sight of all the people, for he was standing above all the people; and when he opened it, all the people (P)stood up. Then Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God. And all the people answered, “(Q)Amen, Amen!” with the raising of their hands; then (R)they kneeled down and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground. Also Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, and the Levites explained the Law to the people while the people remained in their place. They read from the book, from the Law of God, [ad]translating to give the sense so that they understood the reading.

This Day Is Holy

Then Nehemiah, who was the [ae](S)governor, and Ezra (T)the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, “(U)This day is holy to the Lord your God; (V)do not mourn or weep.” For all the people were weeping when they heard the words of the Law. 10 Then he said to them, “Go, eat the festival foods, drink the sweet drinks, and (W)send portions to him who has nothing prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your [af]refuge.” 11 So the Levites silenced all the people, saying, “Be still, for the day is holy; do not be grieved.” 12 Then all the people went away to eat, drink, (X)to send portions, and to [ag]celebrate a great feast, (Y)because they understood the words which had been made known to them.

Footnotes

  1. Nehemiah 7:5 Lit and I found written in it
  2. Nehemiah 7:6 Lit sons
  3. Nehemiah 7:7 In Ezra 2:2, Seraiah
  4. Nehemiah 7:7 In Ezra 2:2, Reelaiah
  5. Nehemiah 7:7 In Ezra 2:2, Mispar
  6. Nehemiah 7:7 In Ezra 2:2, Rehum
  7. Nehemiah 7:15 In Ezra 2:10, Bani
  8. Nehemiah 7:24 In Ezra 2:18, Jorah
  9. Nehemiah 7:25 In Ezra 2:20, Gibbar
  10. Nehemiah 7:28 In Ezra 2:24, Azmaveth
  11. Nehemiah 7:29 In Ezra 2:25, Kiriath-arim
  12. Nehemiah 7:36 Lit sons
  13. Nehemiah 7:43 In Ezra 2:40, Hodaviah, in Ezra 3:9, Judah
  14. Nehemiah 7:47 In Ezra 2:44, Siaha
  15. Nehemiah 7:52 In Ezra 2:50, Nephisim
  16. Nehemiah 7:54 In Ezra 2:52, Bazluth
  17. Nehemiah 7:57 In Ezra 2:55, Hassophereth
  18. Nehemiah 7:57 In Ezra 2:55, Peruda
  19. Nehemiah 7:59 In Ezra 2:57, Ami
  20. Nehemiah 7:61 In Ezra 2:59, Addan
  21. Nehemiah 7:61 Lit seed
  22. Nehemiah 7:65 Heb Tirshatha, a Persian title
  23. Nehemiah 7:67 Lit these
  24. Nehemiah 7:68 As in some ancient mss and LXX; verse not in MT
  25. Nehemiah 7:70 Heb Tirshatha, a Persian title
  26. Nehemiah 8:1 Lit said to
  27. Nehemiah 8:1 Lit commanded
  28. Nehemiah 8:3 Lit the light
  29. Nehemiah 8:3 Lit the ears of all...were to
  30. Nehemiah 8:8 Or explaining
  31. Nehemiah 8:9 Heb Tirshatha, a Persian title
  32. Nehemiah 8:10 Or stronghold
  33. Nehemiah 8:12 Lit make a great rejoicing

The List of the Exiles Who Returned(A)

Now the city was large and spacious, but there were few people in it,(B) and the houses had not yet been rebuilt. So my God put it into my heart to assemble the nobles, the officials and the common people for registration by families. I found the genealogical record of those who had been the first to return. This is what I found written there:

These are the people of the province who came up from the captivity of the exiles(C) whom Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon had taken captive (they returned to Jerusalem and Judah, each to his own town, in company with Zerubbabel,(D) Joshua, Nehemiah, Azariah, Raamiah, Nahamani, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispereth, Bigvai, Nehum and Baanah):

The list of the men of Israel:

the descendants of Parosh2,172
of Shephatiah372
10 of Arah652
11 of Pahath-Moab (through the line of Jeshua and Joab)2,818
12 of Elam1,254
13 of Zattu845
14 of Zakkai760
15 of Binnui648
16 of Bebai628
17 of Azgad2,322
18 of Adonikam667
19 of Bigvai2,067
20 of Adin(E)655
21 of Ater (through Hezekiah)98
22 of Hashum328
23 of Bezai324
24 of Hariph112
25 of Gibeon95
26 the men of Bethlehem and Netophah(F)188
27 of Anathoth(G)128
28 of Beth Azmaveth42
29 of Kiriath Jearim, Kephirah(H) and Beeroth(I)743
30 of Ramah and Geba621
31 of Mikmash122
32 of Bethel and Ai(J)123
33 of the other Nebo52
34 of the other Elam1,254
35 of Harim320
36 of Jericho(K)345
37 of Lod, Hadid and Ono(L)721
38 of Senaah3,930

39 The priests:

the descendants of Jedaiah (through the family of Jeshua)973
40 of Immer1,052
41 of Pashhur1,247
42 of Harim1,017

43 The Levites:

the descendants of Jeshua (through Kadmiel through the line of Hodaviah)74

44 The musicians:(M)

the descendants of Asaph148

45 The gatekeepers:(N)

the descendants of
Shallum, Ater, Talmon, Akkub, Hatita and Shobai138

46 The temple servants:(O)

the descendants of
Ziha, Hasupha, Tabbaoth,
47 Keros, Sia, Padon,
48 Lebana, Hagaba, Shalmai,
49 Hanan, Giddel, Gahar,
50 Reaiah, Rezin, Nekoda,
51 Gazzam, Uzza, Paseah,
52 Besai, Meunim, Nephusim,
53 Bakbuk, Hakupha, Harhur,
54 Bazluth, Mehida, Harsha,
55 Barkos, Sisera, Temah,
56 Neziah and Hatipha

57 The descendants of the servants of Solomon:

the descendants of
Sotai, Sophereth, Perida,
58 Jaala, Darkon, Giddel,
59 Shephatiah, Hattil,
Pokereth-Hazzebaim and Amon
60 The temple servants and the descendants of the servants of Solomon(P)392

61 The following came up from the towns of Tel Melah, Tel Harsha, Kerub, Addon and Immer, but they could not show that their families were descended from Israel:

62 the descendants of
Delaiah, Tobiah and Nekoda642

63 And from among the priests:

the descendants of
Hobaiah, Hakkoz and Barzillai (a man who had married a daughter of Barzillai the Gileadite and was called by that name).

64 These searched for their family records, but they could not find them and so were excluded from the priesthood as unclean. 65 The governor, therefore, ordered them not to eat any of the most sacred food until there should be a priest ministering with the Urim and Thummim.(Q)

66 The whole company numbered 42,360, 67 besides their 7,337 male and female slaves; and they also had 245 male and female singers. 68 There were 736 horses, 245 mules,[a] 69 435 camels and 6,720 donkeys.

70 Some of the heads of the families contributed to the work. The governor gave to the treasury 1,000 darics[b] of gold, 50 bowls and 530 garments for priests. 71 Some of the heads of the families(R) gave to the treasury for the work 20,000 darics[c] of gold and 2,200 minas[d] of silver. 72 The total given by the rest of the people was 20,000 darics of gold, 2,000 minas[e] of silver and 67 garments for priests.(S)

73 The priests, the Levites, the gatekeepers, the musicians and the temple servants,(T) along with certain of the people and the rest of the Israelites, settled in their own towns.(U)

Ezra Reads the Law

When the seventh month came and the Israelites had settled in their towns,(V) all the people came together as one in the square before the Water Gate.(W) They told Ezra the teacher of the Law to bring out the Book of the Law of Moses,(X) which the Lord had commanded for Israel.

So on the first day of the seventh month(Y) Ezra the priest brought the Law(Z) before the assembly, which was made up of men and women and all who were able to understand. He read it aloud from daybreak till noon as he faced the square before the Water Gate(AA) in the presence of the men, women and others who could understand. And all the people listened attentively to the Book of the Law.

Ezra the teacher of the Law stood on a high wooden platform(AB) built for the occasion. Beside him on his right stood Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Uriah, Hilkiah and Maaseiah; and on his left were Pedaiah, Mishael, Malkijah, Hashum, Hashbaddanah, Zechariah and Meshullam.

Ezra opened the book. All the people could see him because he was standing(AC) above them; and as he opened it, the people all stood up. Ezra praised the Lord, the great God; and all the people lifted their hands(AD) and responded, “Amen! Amen!” Then they bowed down and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground.

The Levites(AE)—Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan and Pelaiah—instructed(AF) the people in the Law while the people were standing there. They read from the Book of the Law of God, making it clear[f] and giving the meaning so that the people understood what was being read.

Then Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and teacher of the Law, and the Levites(AG) who were instructing the people said to them all, “This day is holy to the Lord your God. Do not mourn or weep.”(AH) For all the people had been weeping as they listened to the words of the Law.

10 Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing(AI) prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy(AJ) of the Lord is your strength.”

11 The Levites calmed all the people, saying, “Be still, for this is a holy day. Do not grieve.”

12 Then all the people went away to eat and drink, to send portions of food and to celebrate with great joy,(AK) because they now understood the words that had been made known to them.

Footnotes

  1. Nehemiah 7:68 Some Hebrew manuscripts (see also Ezra 2:66); most Hebrew manuscripts do not have this verse.
  2. Nehemiah 7:70 That is, about 19 pounds or about 8.4 kilograms
  3. Nehemiah 7:71 That is, about 375 pounds or about 170 kilograms; also in verse 72
  4. Nehemiah 7:71 That is, about 1 1/3 tons or about 1.2 metric tons
  5. Nehemiah 7:72 That is, about 1 1/4 tons or about 1.1 metric tons
  6. Nehemiah 8:8 Or God, translating it