Nehemiah 7:63
Nehemiah 7:63 in Multiple Translations
And from among the priests: the descendants of Hobaiah, the descendants of Hakkoz, and the descendants of Barzillai (who had married a daughter of Barzillai the Gileadite and was called by their name).
¶ And of the priests: the children of Habaiah, the children of Koz, the children of Barzillai, which took one of the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite to wife, and was called after their name.
And of the priests: the children of Hobaiah, the children of Hakkoz, the children of Barzillai, who took a wife of the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite, and was called after their name.
And of the priests: the children of Hobaiah, the children of Hakkoz, the children of Barzillai, who was married to one of the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite, and took their name.
In addition there were three priestly families, sons of Hobaiah, Hakkoz, and Barzillai. (Barzillai had married a woman descended from Barzillai of Gilead, and he was called by that name.)
And of the Priestes: the sonnes of Habaiah, the sonnes of Hakkoz, the sonnes of Barzillai, which tooke one of the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite to wife, and was named after their name.
And of the priests: sons of Habaiah sons of Koz, sons of Barzillai, who hath taken from the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite a wife, and is called by their name.
Of the priests: the children of Hobaiah, the children of Hakkoz, the children of Barzillai, who took a wife of the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite, and was called after their name.
And of the priests: the children of Habaiah, the children of Koz, the children of Barzillai, who took one of the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite for a wife, and was called after their name.
And of the priests, the children of Habia, the children of Accos, the children of Berzellai, who took a wife of the daughters of Berzellai the Galaadite, and he was called by their name.
Priests from the clans of Hobaiah, Hakkoz, and Barzillai also returned. Barzillai had married a woman who is a descendant of a man named Barzillai from the Gilead region, and he had taken his wife’s family name.
Berean Amplified Bible — Nehemiah 7:63
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Nehemiah 7:63 Interlinear (Deep Study)
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Hebrew Word Reference — Nehemiah 7:63
Study Notes — Nehemiah 7:63
Context — The List of Returning Exiles
63And from among the priests: the descendants of Hobaiah, the descendants of Hakkoz, and the descendants of Barzillai (who had married a daughter of Barzillai the Gileadite and was called by their name).
64These men searched for their family records, but they could not find them and so were excluded from the priesthood as unclean. 65The governor ordered them not to eat the most holy things until there was a priest to consult the Urim and Thummim.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ezra 2:61–63 | And from among the priests: the descendants of Hobaiah, the descendants of Hakkoz, and the descendants of Barzillai (who had married a daughter of Barzillai the Gileadite and was called by their name). These men searched for their family records, but they could not find them and so were excluded from the priesthood as unclean. The governor ordered them not to eat the most holy things until there was a priest to consult the Urim and Thummim. |
| 2 | 1 Kings 2:7 | But show loving devotion to the sons of Barzillai the Gileadite, and let them be among those who eat at your table, because they stood by me when I fled from your brother Absalom. |
| 3 | 2 Samuel 17:27 | When David came to Mahanaim, he was met by Shobi son of Nahash from Rabbah of the Ammonites, Machir son of Ammiel from Lo-debar, and Barzillai the Gileadite from Rogelim. |
| 4 | 2 Samuel 19:31–33 | Now Barzillai the Gileadite had come down from Rogelim to cross the Jordan with the king and send him on his way from there. Barzillai was quite old, eighty years of age, and since he was a very wealthy man, he had provided for the king while he stayed in Mahanaim. The king said to Barzillai, “Cross over with me, and I will provide for you at my side in Jerusalem.” |
Nehemiah 7:63 Summary
Nehemiah 7:63 talks about some priests who couldn't prove that they were really priests because they didn't have the right family records. This was a big deal because, in the Bible, being a priest was not just a job, but a special calling from God, as seen in Exodus 28:1 and 1 Samuel 2:28. These priests were excluded from serving as priests because they couldn't prove their lineage, which shows how important it is to follow God's rules and instructions, as seen in Leviticus 21:1-24 and Ezekiel 44:1-31. This verse reminds us that our identity and purpose come from God, not from our family or accomplishments, and that we should strive to live with integrity and humility, as seen in Proverbs 10:9 and 2 Corinthians 1:12.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why were some priests unable to prove their lineage in Nehemiah 7:63?
These priests, including the descendants of Hobaiah, Hakkoz, and Barzillai, were unable to prove their lineage because they lacked the necessary family records, as seen in Nehemiah 7:64, which led to their exclusion from the priesthood as unclean, highlighting the importance of genealogical records in the Bible, such as in 1 Chronicles 9:1-44.
What is the significance of the descendants of Barzillai being called by their wife's family name?
The descendants of Barzillai being called by their wife's family name indicates the strong influence of the wife's family and possibly the lack of a clear male lineage, which is also seen in the case of Moses' wife, Zipporah, in Exodus 2:16-22 and 18:1-6, where her father, Jethro, played a significant role in Moses' life.
How does this verse relate to the concept of priesthood in the Bible?
This verse highlights the importance of lineage and purity in the priesthood, as seen in Leviticus 21:1-24, where God instructs the priests to be holy and separate from the rest of the Israelites, and in Ezekiel 44:1-31, where the priests are instructed to follow specific rules to maintain their purity and holiness.
What can we learn from the example of these priests in Nehemiah 7:63?
We can learn the importance of integrity, honesty, and humility, as seen in Proverbs 10:9, where it is written that 'whoever walks in integrity walks securely', and in 2 Corinthians 1:12, where Paul boasts in the simplicity and sincerity of his devotion to God, demonstrating that our identity and purpose come from God, not from our family lineage or earthly accomplishments, as seen in Galatians 3:26-29.
Reflection Questions
- What are some areas in my life where I may be trying to prove my own worth or identity, and how can I surrender those to God's sovereignty?
- How can I apply the principles of purity and holiness in my own life, as seen in the example of the priests in Nehemiah 7:63?
- What are some ways that I can demonstrate humility and integrity in my relationships with others, as seen in the example of the descendants of Barzillai?
- How can I trust in God's plan and purpose for my life, even when I face uncertainty or doubt, as seen in Jeremiah 29:11 and Romans 8:28?
Gill's Exposition on Nehemiah 7:63
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Nehemiah 7:63
Ellicott's Commentary on Nehemiah 7:63
Cambridge Bible on Nehemiah 7:63
Sermons on Nehemiah 7:63
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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(Through the Bible) Ezra by Chuck Smith | In this sermon, the speaker talks about a man who had been bragging to the king about the power and greatness of God. As a result, the king gave him a lot of gold and silver, but n |

