Nehemiah 7
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
7 Now when the wall had been built and I had set up the doors and the gatekeepers, the singers, and the Levites had been appointed,(A) 2 I gave my brother Hanani charge over Jerusalem, along with Hananiah the commander of the citadel, for he was a faithful man and feared God more than many.(B) 3 And I said to them, “The gates of Jerusalem are not to be opened while the sun is hot; while the gatekeepers[a] are still standing guard, let them shut and bar the doors. Appoint guards from among the inhabitants of Jerusalem, some at their watch posts, and others before their own houses.” 4 The city was wide and large, but the people within it were few, and no houses had been built.
Lists of the Returned Exiles
5 Then my God put it into my mind to assemble the nobles and the officials and the people to be enrolled by genealogy. And I found the book of the genealogy of those who were the first to come back, and I found the following written in it:
6 These are the people of the province who came up out of the captivity of those exiles whom King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon had carried into exile; they returned to Jerusalem and Judah, each to his town.(C) 7 They came with Zerubbabel, Jeshua, Nehemiah, Azariah, Raamiah, Nahamani, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispereth, Bigvai, Nehum, Baanah.
The number of the Israelite people:(D) 8 the descendants of Parosh, two thousand one hundred seventy-two. 9 Of Shephatiah, three hundred seventy-two. 10 Of Arah, six hundred fifty-two. 11 Of Pahath-moab, namely, the descendants of Jeshua and Joab, two thousand eight hundred eighteen. 12 Of Elam, one thousand two hundred fifty-four.(E) 13 Of Zattu, eight hundred forty-five. 14 Of Zaccai, seven hundred sixty. 15 Of Binnui, six hundred forty-eight. 16 Of Bebai, six hundred twenty-eight. 17 Of Azgad, two thousand three hundred twenty-two.(F) 18 Of Adonikam, six hundred sixty-seven. 19 Of Bigvai, two thousand sixty-seven. 20 Of Adin, six hundred fifty-five. 21 Of Ater, namely, of Hezekiah, ninety-eight. 22 Of Hashum, three hundred twenty-eight. 23 Of Bezai, three hundred twenty-four.(G) 24 Of Hariph, one hundred twelve. 25 Of Gibeon, ninety-five. 26 The people of Bethlehem and Netophah, one hundred eighty-eight. 27 Of Anathoth, one hundred twenty-eight.(H) 28 Of Beth-azmaveth, forty-two. 29 Of Kiriath-jearim, Chephirah, and Beeroth, seven hundred forty-three. 30 Of Ramah and Geba, six hundred twenty-one. 31 Of Michmas, one hundred twenty-two. 32 Of Bethel and Ai, one hundred twenty-three. 33 Of the other Nebo, fifty-two. 34 The descendants of the other Elam, one thousand two hundred fifty-four.(I) 35 Of Harim, three hundred twenty. 36 Of Jericho, three hundred forty-five. 37 Of Lod, Hadid, and Ono, seven hundred twenty-one. 38 Of Senaah, three thousand nine hundred thirty.
39 The priests: the descendants of Jedaiah, namely, the house of Jeshua, nine hundred seventy-three.(J) 40 Of Immer, one thousand fifty-two. 41 Of Pashhur, one thousand two hundred forty-seven. 42 Of Harim, one thousand seventeen.
43 The Levites: the descendants of Jeshua, namely, of Kadmiel of the descendants of Hodevah, seventy-four.(K) 44 The singers: the descendants of Asaph, one hundred forty-eight. 45 The gatekeepers: the descendants of Shallum, of Ater, of Talmon, of Akkub, of Hatita, of Shobai, one hundred thirty-eight.
46 The temple servants: the descendants of Ziha, of Hasupha, of Tabbaoth,(L) 47 of Keros, of Sia, of Padon, 48 of Lebana, of Hagaba, of Shalmai, 49 of Hanan, of Giddel, of Gahar, 50 of Reaiah, of Rezin, of Nekoda, 51 of Gazzam, of Uzza, of Paseah, 52 of Besai, of Meunim, of Nephushesim, 53 of Bakbuk, of Hakupha, of Harhur, 54 of Bazlith, of Mehida, of Harsha, 55 of Barkos, of Sisera, of Temah, 56 of Neziah, of Hatipha.
57 The descendants of Solomon’s servants: of Sotai, of Sophereth, of Perida,(M) 58 of Jaala, of Darkon, of Giddel, 59 of Shephatiah, of Hattil, of Pochereth-hazzebaim, of Amon.
60 All the temple servants and the descendants of Solomon’s servants were three hundred ninety-two.(N)
61 The following were those who came up from Tel-melah, Tel-harsha, Cherub, Addon, and Immer, but they could not prove their ancestral houses or their descent, whether they belonged to Israel: 62 the descendants of Delaiah, of Tobiah, of Nekoda, six hundred forty-two. 63 Also, of the priests: the descendants of Hobaiah, of Hakkoz, of Barzillai (who had married one of the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite and was called by their name).(O) 64 These sought their registration among those enrolled in the genealogies, but it was not found there, so they were excluded from the priesthood as unclean; 65 the governor told them that they were not to partake of the most holy food until a priest with Urim and Thummim should come.(P)
66 The whole assembly together was forty-two thousand three hundred sixty, 67 besides their male and female slaves, of whom there were seven thousand three hundred thirty-seven, and they had two hundred forty-five singers, male and female. 68 They had seven hundred thirty-six horses, two hundred forty-five mules,[b] 69 [c]four hundred thirty-five camels, and six thousand seven hundred twenty donkeys.
70 Now some of the heads of ancestral houses contributed to the work. The governor gave to the treasury one thousand darics of gold, fifty basins, and five hundred thirty priestly robes.(Q) 71 And some of the heads of ancestral houses gave into the building fund twenty thousand darics of gold and two thousand two hundred minas of silver.(R) 72 And what the rest of the people gave was twenty thousand darics of gold, two thousand minas of silver, and sixty-seven priestly robes.
73 So the priests, the Levites, the gatekeepers, the singers, some of the people, the temple servants, and all Israel settled in their towns.
Ezra Summons the People to Obey the Law
When the seventh month came, the Israelites being settled in their towns,(S)
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
- Nehemiah 7:3 Lit. until the sun is hot
- Nehemiah 7:6 Lit. These are the descendants
- Nehemiah 7:6 The Heb. lacks of Judah
- Nehemiah 7:7 MT of Ezra 2:2 lacks Azariah, Raamiah, Nahamani
- Nehemiah 7:7 Cf. MT of Ezra 2:2 Mispar
- Nehemiah 7:7 Cf. MT of Ezra 2:2 Rehum
- Nehemiah 7:8 Lit. Sons of; and so throughout the chapter
- Nehemiah 7:10 Cf. Ezra 2:3 775
- Nehemiah 7:11 Cf. Ezra 2:6 2,812
- Nehemiah 7:13 Cf. Ezra 2:8 945
- Nehemiah 7:15 Cf. Ezra 2:10 Bani
- Nehemiah 7:15 Cf. Ezra 2:10 642
- Nehemiah 7:16 Cf. Ezra 2:11 623
- Nehemiah 7:17 Cf. Ezra 2:12 1,222
- Nehemiah 7:18 Cf. Ezra 2:13 666
- Nehemiah 7:19 Cf. Ezra 2:14 2,056
- Nehemiah 7:20 Cf. Ezra 2:15 454
- Nehemiah 7:22 Cf. Ezra 2:19 223
- Nehemiah 7:23 Cf. Ezra 2:17 323
- Nehemiah 7:24 Cf. Ezra 2:18 Jorah
- Nehemiah 7:25 Cf. Ezra 2:19 Gibbar
- Nehemiah 7:26 Cf. Ezra 2:21-22 where the total is 179
- Nehemiah 7:28 Cf. Ezra 2:24 Azmaveth
- Nehemiah 7:29 Cf. Ezra 2:25 Kiriath-arim
- Nehemiah 7:32 Cf. Ezra 2:28 223
- Nehemiah 7:37 Cf. Ezra 2:33 725
- Nehemiah 7:38 Cf. Ezra 2:35 3,630
- Nehemiah 7:43 Cf. Ezra 2:40 Hodaviah
- Nehemiah 7:44 Cf. Ezra 2:41 128
- Nehemiah 7:45 Cf. Ezra 2:42 139
- Nehemiah 7:47 Cf. Ezra 2:44 Siaha
- Nehemiah 7:48 Cf. Ezra 2:45-46 and Akkub 46 Descendants of Hagab, Shalmai
- Nehemiah 7:52 Cf. Ezra 2:49-50 Besai. 50 Descendants of Asnah,
- Nehemiah 7:52 Cf. Ezra 2:50 Nephusim
- Nehemiah 7:54 Cf. Ezra 2:52 Bazluth
- Nehemiah 7:57 Cf. Ezra 2:55 Hassophereth
- Nehemiah 7:57 Cf. Ezra 2:55 Peruda
- Nehemiah 7:59 Cf. Ezra 2:47 Ami
- Nehemiah 7:62 Cf. Ezra 2:60 652
- Nehemiah 7:63 Cf. Ezra 7:61 Hakkoz
- Nehemiah 7:64 Lit. unclean
- Nehemiah 7:65 Lit. Tirshatha; i.e. a Persian title
- 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
- Nehemiah 7:67 Cf. Ezra 2:65 200
- Nehemiah 7:68 Some MT mss. lack this v.
- Nehemiah 7:70 Lit. Tirshatha; i.e. a Persian title
- Nehemiah 7:71 Lit. mina
- Nehemiah 7:72 Lit. mina
- Nehemiah 7:73 Lit. When the seventh month came; cf. Ezra 3:1
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