Nehemiah 7:21
Nehemiah 7:21 in Multiple Translations
the descendants of Ater (through Hezekiah), 98;
The children of Ater of Hezekiah, ninety and eight.
The children of Ater, of Hezekiah, ninety and eight.
The children of Ater, of Hezekiah, ninety-eight.
The sons of Ater (sons of Hezekiah), 98;
The sonnes of Ater of Hizkiah, ninetie and eight.
Sons of Ater of Hezekiah: ninety and eight.
The children of Ater: of Hezekiah, ninety-eight.
The children of Ater of Hezekiah, ninety eight.
The children of Ater, children of Hezechias, ninety-eight.
98 men from the clan of Ater, whose other name is Hezekiah;
Berean Amplified Bible — Nehemiah 7:21
BAB
Word Study
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Nehemiah 7:21 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
בְּנֵֽי
אָטֵ֥ר
לְ/חִזְקִיָּ֖ה
תִּשְׁעִ֥ים
וּ/שְׁמֹנָֽה
בְּנֵֽי
bên
H1121
son
N-mp
אָטֵ֥ר
ʼÂṭêr
H333
Ater
N-proper
לְ/חִזְקִיָּ֖ה
Chizqîyâh
H2396
Hezekiah
Prep | N-proper
תִּשְׁעִ֥ים
tishʻîym
H8673
ninety
Adj
וּ/שְׁמֹנָֽה
shᵉmôneh
H8083
eight
Conj | Adj
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Nehemiah 7:21
בְּנֵֽי
bên
H1121
"son"
N-mp
In the Bible, this word means a son or descendant, and can also refer to a grandson, nation, or quality. It appears in 1 Chronicles 24, describing a Levite named Beno. The word is used to show family relationships and inheritance.
Definition: : child/son
Usage: Occurs in 3653 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth. See also: Genesis 3:16; Genesis 23:3; Genesis 34:18.
אָטֵ֥ר
ʼÂṭêr
H333
"Ater"
N-proper
Ater, meaning 'binder', is the name of three Israelites, including a chief who sealed Nehemiah's covenant in Nehemiah 10:17.
Definition: A man living at the time of Exile and Return, only mentioned at Neh.10.17 § Ater = "binder" a chief Israelite who sealed Nehemiah's covenant
Usage: Occurs in 5 OT verses. KJV: Ater. See also: Ezra 2:16; Nehemiah 7:21; Nehemiah 10:18.
לְ/חִזְקִיָּ֖ה
Chizqîyâh
H2396
"Hezekiah"
Prep | N-proper
Hezekiah was a king of Judah who served Jehovah and removed idolatrous practices. He was the son of Ahaz and Abijah, and a great-great-grandfather of Zephaniah the prophet. His name means Jehovah is my strength.
Definition: A man living at the time of Divided Monarchy, only mentioned at Zep.1.1; father of: Amariah (H0568O) § Hezekiah or Hizkiah or Hizkijah = "Jehovah is my strength" 1) 12th king of Judah, son of Ahaz and Abijah; a good king in that he served Jehovah and did away with idolatrous practices 2) great-great-grandfather of Zephaniah the prophet 3) son of Neariah, a descendant of David 4) head of a family of returning exiles in the time of Nehemiah
Usage: Occurs in 119 OT verses. KJV: Hezekiah, Hizkiah, Hizkijah. Compare H3169 (יְחִזְקִיָּה). See also: 2 Kings 16:20; 2 Chronicles 31:20; Proverbs 25:1.
תִּשְׁעִ֥ים
tishʻîym
H8673
"ninety"
Adj
This word represents the number ninety in biblical Hebrew, used for counting or describing large quantities of items or people, like ninety years of age.
Definition: ninety
Usage: Occurs in 20 OT verses. KJV: ninety. See also: Genesis 5:9; Ezra 2:58; Jeremiah 52:23.
וּ/שְׁמֹנָֽה
shᵉmôneh
H8083
"eight"
Conj | Adj
The Hebrew word for the number eight, which was considered a special number in biblical times. It is used to describe quantities, such as eight days or eight years, and also appears in ordinal forms, like eighth or eighth day.
Definition: 1) eight, eighth 1a) eight (as cardinal number) 1b) eighth (as ordinal number) 1c) in combination with other numbers
Usage: Occurs in 105 OT verses. KJV: eight(-een, -eenth), eighth. See also: Genesis 5:4; 1 Chronicles 16:38; Jeremiah 32:1.
Study Notes — Nehemiah 7:21
Show Verse Quote Highlights
Context — The List of Returning Exiles
19the descendants of Bigvai, 2,067;
20the descendants of Adin, 655;
21the descendants of Ater (through Hezekiah), 98;
22the descendants of Hashum, 328; 23the descendants of Bezai, 324;Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ezra 2:16 | the descendants of Ater (through Hezekiah), 98; |
Nehemiah 7:21 Summary
Nehemiah 7:21 tells us about a specific group of people, the descendants of Ater, who returned to Jerusalem after being in exile. There were 98 of them, and they are mentioned by name because God cares about each and every one of His people, as we see in verses like Psalm 138:8 and Matthew 10:30. This verse reminds us that God is faithful to His promises, just like He promised in Jeremiah 29:11 and Jeremiah 31:8-14. By including this detail, the Bible shows us that God values every individual and family, and we can trust in His love and care for us, just as we're encouraged to do in Romans 8:28 and Philippians 4:13.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who were the descendants of Ater and why are they mentioned in Nehemiah 7:21?
The descendants of Ater were a family group who returned to Jerusalem with Nehemiah, as recorded in Nehemiah 7:21, and their mention here emphasizes God's faithfulness to His people, as seen in Deuteronomy 31:6 and Hebrews 13:5.
What is the significance of the number 98 in this verse?
The number 98 represents the specific count of the descendants of Ater who returned to Jerusalem, highlighting the meticulous record-keeping and attention to detail in the biblical account, similar to the detailed genealogies found in 1 Chronicles 1-9.
Who is Hezekiah mentioned in this verse and what role did he play?
Hezekiah is likely a leader or prominent figure within the descendants of Ater, and his mention in Nehemiah 7:21 may indicate that he played a key role in the return to Jerusalem, much like other leaders mentioned in Ezra 2:1-2 and Nehemiah 7:1-5.
How does this verse relate to the broader story of God's people in the Bible?
Nehemiah 7:21 is part of the larger narrative of God's redemption and restoration of His people, as seen in passages like Isaiah 43:5-7 and Jeremiah 31:8-14, which speak of God's promise to gather and restore His people from exile.
Reflection Questions
- What does the mention of specific family groups in Nehemiah 7:21 reveal about God's care and attention to detail in the lives of His people?
- How does the return of the descendants of Ater to Jerusalem reflect the fulfillment of God's promises to His people, as seen in verses like Jeremiah 31:17 and Ezekiel 37:21-22?
- In what ways can I apply the principles of faithfulness and meticulous record-keeping seen in Nehemiah 7:21 to my own life and walk with God, as encouraged in verses like Colossians 3:23-24 and 2 Timothy 4:7-8?
- What does the presence of leaders like Hezekiah in Nehemiah 7:21 teach me about the importance of leadership and obedience in the life of a believer, as seen in passages like 1 Timothy 3:1-13 and Hebrews 13:17?
Gill's Exposition on Nehemiah 7:21
[See comments on Ne 7:6].
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Nehemiah 7:21
These are the children of the province, that went up out of the captivity, of those that had been carried away, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away, and came again to Jerusalem
Ellicott's Commentary on Nehemiah 7:21
(5-73) The genealogical reckoning of the people, as the first step towards increasing the population of the metropolis, is determined on, not without express Divine suggestion; the allusion to this inspiration from God, is, as in Nehemiah 2:12, very emphatic. The original register of Zerubbabelis found and copied. The express language of both Ezra and Nehemiah makes it plain that this is no other than the list of those who came up with Zerubbabel and Joshua after the decree of Cyrus, in B.C. 538. Nehemiah’s own census follows, in Nehemiah 11. The exposition, especially as compared with Ezra 2, has been given on that chapter.
Cambridge Bible on Nehemiah 7:21
21–23. Ater … Hashum … Bezai … Hariph] In Ezra the order is Ater, Bezai, Jorah (= Hariph), Hashum. For Hariph see Nehemiah 10:19.