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Nehemiah 7
Holman Christian Standard Bible

The Exiles Return

7 When the wall had been rebuilt and I had the doors installed,(A) the gatekeepers,(B) singers, and Levites were appointed. 2 Then I put my brother Hanani(C) in charge of Jerusalem,(D) along with Hananiah,(E) commander of the fortress,(F) because he was a faithful man who feared God(G) more than most. 3 I said to them, “Do not open the gates of Jerusalem until the sun is hot, and let the doors be shut and securely fastened while the guards are on duty. Station the citizens of Jerusalem as guards, some at their posts and some at their homes.”(H)

4 The city was large and spacious, but there were few people in it, and no houses had been built yet.(I) 5 Then my God put it into my mind(J) to assemble the nobles, the officials, and the people to be registered by genealogy. I found the genealogical record of those who came back first, and I found the following written in it:(K)

6 These are the people of the province who went up among the captive exiles deported by King Nebuchadnezzar(L) of Babylon. Each of them returned to Jerusalem and Judah, to his own town.(M) 7 They came with Zerubbabel,(N) Jeshua,(O) Nehemiah, Azariah, Raamiah, Nahamani, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispereth, Bigvai, Nehum, and Baanah.

The number of the Israelite men included:

8 Parosh’s descendants(P)2,172
9 Shephatiah’s descendants372
10 Arah’s descendants652
11 Pahath-moab’s descendants:
Jeshua’s and Joab’s descendants2,818
12 Elam’s descendants1,254
13 Zattu’s descendants845
14 Zaccai’s descendants760
15 Binnui’s descendants648
16 Bebai’s descendants628
17 Azgad’s descendants2,322
18 Adonikam’s descendants(Q)667
19 Bigvai’s descendants2,067
20 Adin’s descendants(R)655
21 Ater’s descendants: of Hezekiah98
22 Hashum’s descendants328
23 Bezai’s descendants324
24 Hariph’s descendants112
25 Gibeon’s[a] descendants95
26 Bethlehem’s(S) and Netophah’s(T) men188
27 Anathoth’s(U) men128
28 Beth-azmaveth’s men42
29 Kiriath-jearim’s, Chephirah’s, and Beeroth’s men743
30 Ramah’s and Geba’s men621
31 Michmas’s men122
32 Bethel’s and Ai’s men(V)123
33 the other Nebo’s men52
34 the other Elam’s people1,254
35 Harim’s people320
36 Jericho’s people(W)345
37 Lod’s,(X) Hadid’s, and Ono’s people721
38 Senaah’s people3,930.

39 The priests included:

Jedaiah’s(Y) descendants of the house of Jeshua973
40 Immer’s descendants1,052
41 Pashhur’s descendants1,247
42 Harim’s descendants1,017.

43 The Levites(Z) included:

Jeshua’s descendants: of Kadmiel
Hodevah’s descendants74.

44 The singers(AA) included:

Asaph’s descendants148.

45 The gatekeepers(AB) included:

Shallum’s descendants, Ater’s descendants,
Talmon’s descendants, Akkub’s descendants,
Hatita’s descendants, Shobai’s descendants138.

46 The temple servants(AC) included:

Ziha’s descendants, Hasupha’s descendants,
Tabbaoth’s descendants, 47 Keros’s descendants,
Sia’s descendants, Padon’s descendants,
48 Lebanah’s descendants, Hagabah’s descendants,
Shalmai’s descendants, 49 Hanan’s descendants,
Giddel’s descendants, Gahar’s descendants,
50 Reaiah’s descendants, Rezin’s descendants,
Nekoda’s descendants, 51 Gazzam’s descendants,
Uzza’s descendants, Paseah’s descendants,
52 Besai’s descendants, Meunim’s descendants,
Nephishesim’s[b] descendants, 53 Bakbuk’s descendants,
Hakupha’s descendants, Harhur’s descendants,
54 Bazlith’s descendants, Mehida’s descendants,
Harsha’s descendants, 55 Barkos’s descendants,
Sisera’s descendants, Temah’s descendants,
56 Neziah’s descendants, Hatipha’s descendants.

57 The descendants of Solomon’s servants(AD) included:

Sotai’s descendants, Sophereth’s descendants,
Perida’s descendants, 58 Jaala’s descendants,
Darkon’s descendants, Giddel’s descendants,
59 Shephatiah’s descendants, Hattil’s descendants,
Pochereth-hazzebaim’s descendants, Amon’s descendants.

60 All the temple servants
and the descendants of Solomon’s servants(AE)392.

61 The following(AF) are those who came from Tel-melah, Tel-harsha, Cherub, Addon, and Immer, but were unable to prove that their families and ancestors were Israelite:

62 Delaiah’s descendants,
Tobiah’s descendants,
and Nekoda’s descendants642

63 and from the priests: the descendants of Hobaiah, the descendants of Hakkoz, and the descendants of Barzillai—who had taken a wife from the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite and was called by their name. 64 These searched for their entries in the genealogical records, but they could not be found, so they were disqualified from the priesthood. 65 The governor(AG) ordered them not to eat the most holy things until there was a priest who could consult the Urim and Thummim.(AH)

66 The whole combined assembly numbered42,360
67 not including their 7,337 male and female slaves,
as well as their 245 male and female singers.
68 They had 736 horses, 245 mules,[c]
69 435 camels, and 6,720 donkeys.(AI)

70 Some of the family leaders gave to the project. The governor gave 1,000 gold coins,[d] 50 bowls, and 530 priestly garments to the treasury. 71 Some of the family leaders gave 20,000 gold coins and 2,200 silver minas[e] to the treasury for the project. 72 The rest of the people gave 20,000 gold coins, 2,000 silver minas, and 67 priestly garments. 73 So the priests, Levites, gatekeepers, temple singers, some of the people, temple servants, and all Israel settled in their towns.[f](AJ)

Public Reading of the Law

When the seventh month(AK) came and the Israelites had settled in their towns,

Footnotes

  1. Nehemiah 7:25 = Gibbar’s in Ezr 2:20
  2. Nehemiah 7:52 Alt Hb tradition reads Nephushesim’s
  3. Nehemiah 7:68 Some Hb mss, LXX; Ezr 2:66; other Hb mss omit v. 68
  4. Nehemiah 7:70 Or drachmas, or darics; also in vv. 71-72
  5. Nehemiah 7:71 A Babylonian coin worth 50 shekels
  6. Nehemiah 7:73 The second half of v. 73 is better understood when placed with 8:1.
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Nehemiah 7
International Standard Version

Nehemiah Appoints Administrators

7 After the wall had been completed and its doors installed, then the gatekeepers, singers, and descendants of Levi were appointed. 2 I appointed my brother Hanani and fortress commander Hananiah to be over Jerusalem, since he was a faithful person who revered God more than many others did. 3 I charged them, “Do not open the gates of Jerusalem until mid-day.[a] Until then, let everyone stand watch, keeping the gates shut and locked. Appoint security watches from those who live in Jerusalem. Everyone should maintain his own watch near his house.” 4 Even though the city was large and spread out, not many people were living there and not many houses had been built. 5 So my God gave me the idea to gather together the nobles, the officials, and the people so they could be registered according to their genealogies.

A List of Those who Returned(A)

I found a register of the original inhabitants in which there was recorded 6 a list of descendants[b] of the province of Judah[c] who returned from captivity, from those who had been exiled by Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon. They had come back to Jerusalem and to Judah, each one to his town. 7 They were coming with Zerubbabel, Jeshua, Nehemiah, Azariah, Raamiah, Nahamani,[d] Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispereth,[e] Bigvai, Nehum,[f] and Baanah. Here is the enumeration of:

The Men of Israel:

8 Parosh’s descendants:[g] 2,172

9 Shephatiah’s descendants: 372

10 Arah’s descendants: 652[h]

11 Pahath-moab’s descendants; that is, through Jeshua and Joab: 2,818[i]

12 Elam’s descendants: 1,254

13 Zattu’s descendants: 845[j]

14 Zaccai’s descendants: 760

15 Binnui’s descendants:[k] 648[l]

16 Bebai’s descendants: 628[m]

17 Azgad’s descendants: 2,322[n]

18 Adonikam’s descendants: 667[o]

19 Bigvai’s descendants: 2,067[p]

20 Adin’s descendants: 655[q]

21 Ater’s descendants through Hezekiah: 98

22 Hashum’s descendants: 328[r]

23 Bezai’s descendants: 324[s]

24 Hariph’s descendants:[t] 112

25 Gibeon’s descendants:[u] 95

26 People from Bethlehem and Netophah: 188[v]

27 People from Anathoth: 128

28 People from Beth-azmaveth:[w] 42

29 People from Kiriath-jearim,[x] Chephirah, and Beeroth: 743

30 People from Ramah and Geba: 621

31 People from Michmas: 122

32 People from Bethel and Ai: 123[y]

33 People from the other Nebo: 52

34 The other Elam’s descendants: 1,254

35 Harim’s descendants: 320

36 Jericho’s descendants: 345

37 Descendants of Lod, Hadid, and Ono: 721[z]

38 Senaah’s descendants: 3,930[aa]

39 The Priests:

Jedaiah’s descendants from the household of Jeshua: 973

40 Immer’s descendants: 1,052

41 Pashhur’s descendants: 1,247

42 Harim’s descendants: 1,017

43 The Descendants of Levi:

Jeshua of Kadmiel’s descendants: that is, Hodevah’s descendants:[ab] 74

44 The Singers:

Asaph’s descendants: 148[ac]

45 The Gatekeepers:

Shallum’s descendants, Ater’s descendants, Talmon’s descendants, Akkub’s descendants, Hatita’s descendants, Shobai’s descendants: 138[ad]

46 The Temple Servants:

Descendants of Ziha, Hasupha, and Tabbaoth.

47 Descendants of Keros, Sia,[ae] and Padon.

48 Descendants of Lebanah, Hagabah, and Shalmai.[af]

49 Descendants of Hanan, Giddel, and Gahar.

50 Descendants of Reaiah, Rezin, and Nekoda.

51 Descendants of Gazzam, Uzza, and Paseah.

52 Descendants of Besai,[ag] Meunim, and Nephushesim,[ah]

53 Descendants of Bakbuk, Hakupha, and Harhur.

54 Descendants of Bazlith,[ai] Mehida, and Harsha.

55 Descendants of Barkos, Sisera, and Temah.

56 Descendants of Neziah and Hatipha.

57 The Descendants of Solomon’s Servants:

Descendants of Sotai, Sophereth,[aj] and Perida,[ak]

58 Descendants of Jaala, Darkon, and Giddel,

59 Descendants of Shephatiah, Hattil, Pochereth-hazzebaim, and Ammon;[al]

60 All of the Temple Servants and descendants of Solomon’s servants numbered 392.

Non-Documented Persons(B)

61 Here is a list of returnees from Tel-melah, Tel-harsha, Cherub, Addan, and Immer, who could not prove their ancestry and lineage from Israel:

62 Descendants of Delaiah, Tobiah, and Nekoda: 642[am]

63 Of the Priests:

Descendants of Habaiah, Koz,[an] and Barzillai, who married one of the daughters of Barzillai from Gilead and took that name.

64 These people searched for their ancestral records, but they couldn’t be located. Accordingly, they were considered disqualified[ao] from the priesthood. 65 The governor[ap] ordered them not to eat anything holy until a priest would be installed with Urim and Thummim.[aq]

66 The entire assembly numbered 42,360, 67 not including their 7,337 male and female servants. They had 245[ar] men and women singers. 68 [as]They had 736 horses, 245 mules, 69 435 camels, and 6,720 donkeys.

Gifts for the Temple(C)

70 Some of the heads of the families contributed to the work. The governor[at] contributed 1,000 gold drachmas to the treasury, along with 50 basins, and 530 priestly garments. 71 Some of the heads of the families gave to the treasury 20,000 gold drachmas and 2,200 silver units[au] for the work. 72 The rest of the people gave 20,000 gold drachmas, 2,000 silver units[av], and 67 priestly garments.

73 The priests, descendants of Levi, gatekeepers, singers, some of the people, the Temple Servants, and all the Israelis settled in their cities.

Ezra Reads the Law(D)

73 Seven months later,[aw] the Israelis had settled in their own cities.

Footnotes

  1. Nehemiah 7:3 Lit. until the sun is hot
  2. Nehemiah 7:6 Lit. These are the descendants
  3. Nehemiah 7:6 The Heb. lacks of Judah
  4. Nehemiah 7:7 MT of Ezra 2:2 lacks Azariah, Raamiah, Nahamani
  5. Nehemiah 7:7 Cf. MT of Ezra 2:2 Mispar
  6. Nehemiah 7:7 Cf. MT of Ezra 2:2 Rehum
  7. Nehemiah 7:8 Lit. Sons of; and so throughout the chapter
  8. Nehemiah 7:10 Cf. Ezra 2:3 775
  9. Nehemiah 7:11 Cf. Ezra 2:6 2,812
  10. Nehemiah 7:13 Cf. Ezra 2:8 945
  11. Nehemiah 7:15 Cf. Ezra 2:10 Bani
  12. Nehemiah 7:15 Cf. Ezra 2:10 642
  13. Nehemiah 7:16 Cf. Ezra 2:11 623
  14. Nehemiah 7:17 Cf. Ezra 2:12 1,222
  15. Nehemiah 7:18 Cf. Ezra 2:13 666
  16. Nehemiah 7:19 Cf. Ezra 2:14 2,056
  17. Nehemiah 7:20 Cf. Ezra 2:15 454
  18. Nehemiah 7:22 Cf. Ezra 2:19 223
  19. Nehemiah 7:23 Cf. Ezra 2:17 323
  20. Nehemiah 7:24 Cf. Ezra 2:18 Jorah
  21. Nehemiah 7:25 Cf. Ezra 2:19 Gibbar
  22. Nehemiah 7:26 Cf. Ezra 2:21-22 where the total is 179
  23. Nehemiah 7:28 Cf. Ezra 2:24 Azmaveth
  24. Nehemiah 7:29 Cf. Ezra 2:25 Kiriath-arim
  25. Nehemiah 7:32 Cf. Ezra 2:28 223
  26. Nehemiah 7:37 Cf. Ezra 2:33 725
  27. Nehemiah 7:38 Cf. Ezra 2:35 3,630
  28. Nehemiah 7:43 Cf. Ezra 2:40 Hodaviah
  29. Nehemiah 7:44 Cf. Ezra 2:41 128
  30. Nehemiah 7:45 Cf. Ezra 2:42 139
  31. Nehemiah 7:47 Cf. Ezra 2:44 Siaha
  32. Nehemiah 7:48 Cf. Ezra 2:45-46 and Akkub 46 Descendants of Hagab, Shalmai
  33. Nehemiah 7:52 Cf. Ezra 2:49-50 Besai. 50 Descendants of Asnah,
  34. Nehemiah 7:52 Cf. Ezra 2:50 Nephusim
  35. Nehemiah 7:54 Cf. Ezra 2:52 Bazluth
  36. Nehemiah 7:57 Cf. Ezra 2:55 Hassophereth
  37. Nehemiah 7:57 Cf. Ezra 2:55 Peruda
  38. Nehemiah 7:59 Cf. Ezra 2:47 Ami
  39. Nehemiah 7:62 Cf. Ezra 2:60 652
  40. Nehemiah 7:63 Cf. Ezra 7:61 Hakkoz
  41. Nehemiah 7:64 Lit. unclean
  42. Nehemiah 7:65 Lit. Tirshatha; i.e. a Persian title
  43. Nehemiah 7:65 I.e. a high priest to whom God would reveal his will through the jewel-encrusted breastplate that he wore; cf. Exod 28:30, Ezra 2:63
  44. Nehemiah 7:67 Cf. Ezra 2:65 200
  45. Nehemiah 7:68 Some MT mss. lack this v.
  46. Nehemiah 7:70 Lit. Tirshatha; i.e. a Persian title
  47. Nehemiah 7:71 Lit. mina
  48. Nehemiah 7:72 Lit. mina
  49. Nehemiah 7:73 Lit. When the seventh month came; cf. Ezra 3:1
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Nehemiah 6
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