Nehemiah 7

1 When the wall [of protection, surrounding Jerusalem] had been rebuilt [restored, renovated] and I had set [established, positioned] the doors [gates, entrances] in place, the gatekeepers [porters, doorkeepers], singers [musicians, Levites who sang], and Levites [descendants of Levi, temple servants] were appointed [assigned, given their duties]. word study 2 Then I put my brother [relative, close kin] Hanani in charge of Jerusalem, along with Hananiah [God has favored] the commander [ruler, leader] of the fortress, because he was a faithful [trustworthy, reliable] man who feared [revered, stood in awe of] God [Elohim, the supreme Creator] more than most [above many, beyond the majority]. word study 3 And I told them, “Do not [under any circumstances] open the gates [entrances, city doors] of Jerusalem [the city of peace, the capital] until the sun [the celestial body] is hot [warm, heated]. While the guards [watchmen, sentinels] are on duty [standing, watching], keep the doors [gates, entrances] shut [closed, barred] and securely fastened [locked, bolted]. And appoint the residents [inhabitants, dwellers] of Jerusalem as guards [watchmen, protectors], some at their posts [stations, positions] and some at their own homes [houses, dwellings, near their families].” word study 4 Now the city [broad and spacious, with plenty of space] was large [great, expansive] and spacious [wide, roomy], but there were few [a small number, little] people in it, and the houses [dwelling places, buildings] had not yet been rebuilt [constructed, established]. word study 5 Then my God [the supreme Creator, Elohim] put it into my heart [my inner being, including feelings, will, and intellect] to assemble [to gather, collect] the nobles [rulers, leaders of high rank], the officials [magistrates, those in authority], and the people [a nation, community] to be enrolled [officially recorded, listed] by genealogy [family history, pedigree]. I found [discovered, attained] the genealogical register [a written document, scroll] of those who had first [initially, at the beginning] returned, and I found [discovered, attained] the following written [recorded, inscribed] in it [the document, scroll]: word study 6 These [the children of the province, sons of the division] are the people of the province [a region or jurisdiction] who came up from the captivity [exile, being taken away] of the exiles [those who had been carried away, removed] carried away to Babylon [a city and empire, meaning confusion] by Nebuchadnezzar [a powerful king] its king [a royal person, ruler]. They returned [to turn back, come again] to Jerusalem [the city of peace] and Judah [a tribe and region], each to his own town [city, place of dwelling], word study 7 accompanied by [led by, with] Zerubbabel, Jeshua, Nehemiah, Azariah, Raamiah, Nahamani, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispereth, Bigvai, Nehum, and Baanah. This is the count [number, total] of the men [individuals, people] of Israel [God’s chosen people, the nation]: word study 8 the descendants [sons, children, or family] of Parosh [an Israelite ancestor], 2,172 [two thousand one hundred and seventy-two, a large number]; word study 9 the descendants [sons, children, or clan] of Shephatiah [a leader of Israel], 372 [three hundred seventy-two, a specific number of people]; word study 10 the descendants [children, sons] of Arah [a personal name, an Israelite], 652 [six hundred fifty and two, six hundred and fifty-two]; word study 11 the descendants [sons, children] of Pahath-moab [pit of Moab, an Israelite] (through the line [family, lineage] of Jeshua [a leader, Joshua] and Joab [Jehovah is father, a prominent Israelite]), 2,818 [two thousand eight hundred eighteen, a large number]; word study 12 the descendants [sons, children, or family line] of Elam [a son of Shem, a region, or its people], 1,254 [one thousand two hundred fifty and four, a large company]; word study 13 the descendants [sons, children, or family line] of Zattu [an Israelite clan], 845 [eight hundred forty and five]; word study 14 the descendants [sons, children, or posterity] of Zaccai [pure, or righteous], 760 [seven hundred and sixty, or seven hundred and threescore]; word study 15 the descendants [sons, children, or posterity] of Binnui [built up, or Bani], 648 [six hundred forty and eight, or six hundred and forty-eight]; word study 16 the descendants [sons, children, or posterity] of Bebai [an Israelite leader], 628 [six hundred and twenty-eight, six hundred twenty eight]; word study 17 the descendants [sons, children, or family] of Azgad [an Israelite who lived during the Exile and Return], 2,322 [two thousand three hundred twenty and two, a large number]; word study 18 the descendants [sons, children, or posterity] of Adonikam [my lord arose], 667 [six hundred sixty-seven, six hundred threescore and seven]; word study 19 the descendants [children, sons] of Bigvai [an Israelite who returned to Jerusalem], 2,067 [two thousand sixty-seven, two thousand threescore and seven]; word study 20 the descendants [sons, children, or clan] of Adin [dainty or delicate], 655 [six hundred fifty and five, six hundred and fifty-five]; word study 21 the descendants [sons, children, or clan] of Ater [binder, or one who binds] (through [of or belonging to] Hezekiah [a king of Judah, faithful servant of Jehovah]), 98 [ninety eight, a large quantity]; word study 22 the descendants [sons, children, or family line] of Hashum [a common Israelite name], 328; word study 23 the descendants [sons, children, or family] of Bezai [a leader of the exiles], 324 [three hundred and twenty-four, a specific count]; word study 24 the descendants [sons, children, or posterity] of Hariph [an Israelite clan leader], 112 [a hundred and twelve, one hundred twelve]; word study 25 the descendants [sons, children, or offspring] of Gibeon [a Levitical city in Benjamin], 95 [ninety and five, a large quantity]; word study 26 the men [people, inhabitants] of Bethlehem [house of bread, a place of abundance] and Netophah [a town of droppings, possibly a place of fertility], 188; word study 27 the men [people, individuals] of Anathoth [a city near Jerusalem, meaning answers to prayer], 128; word study 28 the men [people, individuals] of Beth-azmaveth [house of the strength of death], 42 [forty and two]; word study 29 the men [people, individuals] of Kiriath-jearim [city of forests], Chephirah [a city in Palestine], and Beeroth [a city of wells], 743; word study 30 the men [people, inhabitants] of Ramah [a city in Palestine, a place of battle] and Geba [a city in the tribe of Benjamin, near Jerusalem], 621; word study 31 the men [people, males] of Michmash [Mikmash, a hidden city], 122 [a hundred and twenty-two, one hundred twenty-two]; word study 32 the men [people, individuals] of Bethel [house of God, sacred place] and Ai [heap of ruins, a city in Palestine], 123; word study 33 the men [people, individuals] of the other [different, another] Nebo [a mountain in Moab, a Babylonian deity], 52 [fifty and two, fifty-two]; word study 34 the descendants [sons, children, or posterity] of the other [different, or next] Elam [a son of Shem and his descendants], 1,254 [a thousand two hundred fifty and four]; word study 35 the descendants [sons, children, or family line] of Harim [dedicated, a priest or family head], 320 [three hundred and twenty, a specific count]; word study 36 the men [sons, descendants, children] of Jericho [its moon, a city in Palestine], 345; word study 37 the men [sons, descendants] of Lod [a city in Palestine], Hadid [a place of return], and Ono [vigorous, a city in Benjamin], 721; word study 38 and the descendants [sons, children, or offspring] of Senaah [Hassenaah, a place in Palestine and a man’s name], 3,930 [three thousand nine hundred and thirty, a large company]. word study 39 The priests [spiritual leaders, ministers of God]: the descendants [sons, offspring] of Jedaiah [known by God, Jehovah has known] (through the house [family, lineage] of Jeshua [God is salvation]), 973; word study 40 the descendants [sons, children, or posterity] of Immer [a priestly family], 1,052 [one thousand fifty-two, a thousand and fifty-two]; word study 41 the descendants [children, sons, or posterity] of Pashhur [a priestly family], 1,247 [a thousand two hundred forty-seven, a large number]; word study 42 and the descendants [children, sons] of Harim [dedicated, a priest or family head], 1,017. word study 43 The Levites [descendants of the tribe of Levi]: the descendants [sons, or family line] of Jeshua [meaning God is salvation] (through Kadmiel [a Levite leader, meaning God is before me], through the line [family, or descendants] of Hodevah [meaning praise of Jehovah]), 74. word study 44 The singers [music-makers, sons of Asaph]: the descendants [children, sons] of Asaph [gatherer, Levite], 148. word study 45 The gatekeepers [porters, doorkeepers]: the descendants [children, sons] of Shallum, the descendants [children, sons] of Ater [binder], the descendants [children, sons] of Talmon [oppressor], the descendants [children, sons] of Akkub, the descendants [children, sons] of Hatita [explorer], and the descendants [children, sons] of Shobai [returning ones], 138 in all. word study 46 The temple servants [Nethinim, temple slaves]: the descendants [sons, offspring] of Ziha, the descendants [children, posterity] of Hasupha [a leader of the Nethinim], the descendants [sons, family line] of Tabbaoth [a family of temple slaves], word study 47 the descendants [children, sons] of Keros [temple slave, ankle], the descendants [children, sons] of Sia [Siaha, depart], the descendants [children, sons] of Padon [ransom, redemption], word study 48 the descendants [children, sons] of Lebanah [moon-white, a leader], the descendants [children, sons] of Hagabah [locust, a leader], the descendants [children, sons] of Shalmai [an Israelite, a returnee], word study 49 the descendants [children, sons] of Hanan [a common Israelite name], the descendants [children, sons] of Giddel [a post-exilic leader], the descendants [children, sons] of Gahar [a Nethinim leader, temple servant], word study 50 the descendants [children, sons] of Reaiah [Jehovah has seen], the descendants [children, sons] of Rezin [firm, strong], the descendants [children, sons] of Nekoda [a Temple servant], word study 51 the descendants [children, sons] of Gazzam [a leader of temple slaves], the descendants [children, sons] of Uzza [meaning strength], the descendants [children, sons] of Paseah [a helper in rebuilding the wall of Jerusalem], word study 52 the descendants [children, sons] of Besai [a temple slave], the descendants [children, sons] of Meunim [a group of people who lived south of Canaan], the descendants [children, sons] of Nephushesim [also known as Nephisi, Temple servants], word study 53 the descendants [children, sons] of Bakbuk [a leader of exiles], the descendants [children, sons] of Hakupha [a family leader], the descendants [children, sons] of Harhur [inflaming, a Nethinim leader], word study 54 the descendants [children, sons] of Bazlith [Bazluth, one who seeks], the descendants [children, sons] of Mehida [famous, noble], the descendants [children, sons] of Harsha [mute, silent], word study 55 the descendants [children, sons] of Barkos [a family of temple slaves], the descendants [children, sons] of Sisera [a Canaanite king], the descendants [children, sons] of Temah [a leader in Israel’s return], word study 56 the descendants [children, sons] of Neziah [pre-eminent, a leader], and the descendants [children, sons] of Hatipha [a temple servant, Nethinim]. word study 57 The descendants [sons, children, or posterity] of the servants [slaves, attendants, or those bound to serve] of Solomon [the king of Israel]: the descendants [offspring, or family line] of Sotai [a temple servant], the descendants [children, or posterity] of Sophereth [a servant of the temple], the descendants [family, or lineage] of Perida [also known as Peruda, a servant of King Solomon], word study 58 the descendants [sons, children, or posterity] of Jaala [ascending, or going up], the descendants [sons, or family] of Darkon [a servant of King Solomon], the descendants [children, or offspring] of Giddel [a leader during the Exile and Return], word study 59 the descendants [sons, children, or offspring] of Shephatiah, the descendants [sons, children, or offspring] of Hattil, the descendants [sons, children, or offspring] of Pochereth-hazzebaim [of Zebaim, from the lineage of], and the descendants [sons, children, or offspring] of Amon. word study 60 The temple servants [Nethinim, helpers of the Levites] and descendants [sons, offspring] of the servants [slaves, attendants] of Solomon [king of Israel] numbered [amounted to, totaled] 392 [three hundred ninety-two, a specific count] in all [everything, the total sum]. word study 61 The following [these specific individuals, they] came up from Tel-melah [mound of salt], Tel-harsha [mound of the deaf mute], Cherub [a place in Babylon], Addon [powerful, strong], and Immer [a priestly family], but could not prove [show, demonstrate] that their families [father’s house, ancestral lineage] were descended [originated, came from] from Israel [God’s chosen people, the descendants of Jacob]: word study 62 the descendants [sons, children, or posterity] of Delaiah [Jehovah has drawn], the descendants [sons, children, or posterity] of Tobiah [Jehovah is good], and the descendants [sons, children, or posterity] of Nekoda [a Temple servant], 642 in all [the total number, or the complete count]. word study 63 And from among the priests [who served God, spiritual leaders]: the descendants [sons, offspring] of Hobaiah [a priestly family], the descendants of Hakkoz [a priestly lineage], and the descendants of Barzillai [my iron] (who had married [taken as wife] a daughter [female child] of Barzillai the Gileadite [from the region of Gilead] and was called [named, identified] by their name [family identity, reputation]). word study 64 These men [specific individuals, those reckoned by genealogy] searched [sought diligently, to seek] for their family records [writing, genealogical documents], but they could not find [were not able to discover, it was not found] them and so were excluded [deemed polluted, put from] from the priesthood [office of priest, spiritual leadership] as unclean [defiled, impure, made unclean]. word study 65 The governor [Tirshatha, a high-ranking official] ordered them not to eat the most holy things [sacred or set-apart areas, like the temple in Jerusalem] until there was a priest [a person who serves God and leads others in worship] to consult the Urim [stones on the high-priest’s breastplate, used to determine God’s decisions] and Thummim [objects on the high priest’s breastplate, used to reveal God’s will]. word study 66 The whole [entire, complete] assembly [congregation, group of people] numbered [was counted as, totaled] 42,360 [forty-two thousand three hundred and sixty, a large multitude], word study 67 in addition to their [male and female] 7,337 menservants [servants or slaves] and maidservants [female slaves or servants], as well as their [singing men and women, or musicians] 245 male and female singers [those who sing or make music]. word study 68 They had [seven hundred and thirty-six] 736 horses [used for riding or carrying loads], 245 [two hundred forty and five] mules [donkeys, or transport beasts], word study 69 435 camels [four hundred thirty and five], and 6,720 donkeys [asses, beasts of burden]. word study 70 Some of the heads [chiefs, leaders] of the families [fathers’ houses, clans] contributed [gave, donated] to the project [work, task]. The governor [Tirshatha, ruler] gave to the treasury [storehouse, depository] 1,000 darics [drachmas, gold coins] of gold [a valuable metal], 50 bowls [basins, vessels], and 530 priestly [sacred, ceremonial] garments [robes, attire]. word study 71 And some of the heads [chief leaders, prominent fathers] of the families gave to the treasury [storehouse, repository] for the project [work, undertaking] 20,000 [two myriads] darics [drachma, gold coins] of gold [a valuable metal] and 2,200 [two thousand and two hundred] minas [a fixed weight, measured amount] of silver [a precious metal, often used for payment]. word study 72 The rest [remainder, those who were left] of the people gave a total of 20,000 darics [drams, a unit of gold] of gold [a precious metal], 2,000 minas [pounds, a unit of weight] of silver [a valuable resource], and 67 priestly [belonging to the priests, sacred] garments [robes, clothing for the priests]. word study