Chapter Seven

1–3. Measures taken by Nehemiah to maintain safety and security in the city. 4–5. Census of the population. 6–66. Lists of persons who returned from captivity. 67–69. Inventory of property of those returning. 70–73. Donations.

Nehemiah 7:1. When the wall had been built, and I had set the doors in place, and the gatekeepers and singers and Levites had been appointed to their service, In view of the plots of enemies, Nehemiah took strict measures to guard the city and the temple. “And the gatekeepers and singers and Levites had been appointed to their service.” According to ancient ordinance, the gatekeepers were to guard the temple and supervise the opening and closing of the gates through which was the entrance to the temple courtyard (1 Chr 9:17-27). The enumeration of the posts occupied by gatekeepers in postexilic times is given in the tractate of the Mishnah Middot I, 1. As is evident, on account of the troubled times, Nehemiah drew upon the singers and other Levites in addition to the gatekeepers to guard the temple, although temple guard was not part of their duties as prescribed by law. Probably the work was divided so that the gatekeepers were charged with guarding the temple gates, while the singers and other Levites together with the inhabitants of Jerusalem watched over the safety of the city.

Nehemiah 7:2. Then I appointed my brother Hanani and Hananiah the governor of the fortress over Jerusalem, because he was a faithful man and feared God more than many others, From verse 2 it can be concluded that Nehemiah’s brother Hanani and Hananiah the governor of the fortress of Jerusalem were placed in charge of the guard. Hananiah was in charge of the fortress (birah) situated to the north of the temple and was probably in the service of Persia, commanding the Jerusalem garrison.

Nehemiah 7:3. And I said to them: Do not let the gates of Jerusalem be opened until the sun grows hot, and while they are on guard, let them shut and bar the doors. And I appointed guards from among the inhabitants of Jerusalem, each at his post and each opposite his own house. While the gatekeepers, singers, and Levites guarded the city during the day, the watch was kept at night by the inhabitants themselves. The remark of verse 3 “while they are on guard” (vead hem omdim) is unclear in its purpose, and so some exegetes suspect corruption in the text. Bertheau reads it as vead hachom omed, “and while the heat still stands” (until sunset), which would be a good supplement to what follows—“let them shut and bar the doors.”

Nehemiah 7:4. But the city was spacious and great, and the people in it were few, and the houses had not been rebuilt. Nehemiah 7:5. And my God put it into my heart to gather the nobles, the officials, and the people to be registered by genealogy. And I found the genealogical record of those who first came back, and it was written in it: The sparse population of Jerusalem prompted Nehemiah to convene an assembly in order to clarify the situation and take measures to settle the city. Although with Zerubbabel there returned, according to (Ezra 2:64; Neh 7:66) 42,360 people (not counting women and children), and with Ezra (Ezra 8:1-20) another 1,500, they were scattered throughout the entire land, while only a few remained in Jerusalem itself. The remark of verse 4 about Jerusalem “and the houses had not been rebuilt” apparently means that the city within was not yet sufficiently built up, and there remained many vacant places in it.

Nehemiah 7:5. And my God put it into my heart to gather the nobles, the officials, and the people to be registered by genealogy. And I found the genealogical record of those who first came back, and it was written in it: Nehemiah 7:6. These are the people of the province who came back from the captivity of those exiles whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away, and they returned to Jerusalem and Judah, each to his own city, Nehemiah 7:7. those who came with Zerubbabel, Jeshua, Nehemiah, Azariah, Raamiah, Nahamani, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispereth, Bigvai, Nehum, Baanah. The total number of the men of the people of Israel: Nehemiah 7:8. The sons of Parosh, two thousand one hundred seventy-two. Nehemiah 7:9. The sons of Shephatiah, three hundred seventy-two. Nehemiah 7:10. The sons of Arah, six hundred fifty-two. Nehemiah 7:11. The sons of Pahath-Moab, of the sons of Jeshua and Joab, two thousand eight hundred eighteen. Nehemiah 7:12. The sons of Elam, one thousand two hundred fifty-four. Nehemiah 7:13. The sons of Zattu, eight hundred forty-five. Nehemiah 7:14. The sons of Zaccai, seven hundred sixty. Nehemiah 7:15. The sons of Binnui, six hundred forty-eight. Nehemiah 7:16. The sons of Bebai, six hundred twenty-eight. Nehemiah 7:17. The sons of Azgad, two thousand three hundred twenty-two. Nehemiah 7:18. The sons of Adonikam, six hundred sixty-seven. Nehemiah 7:19. The sons of Bigvai, two thousand six hundred seven. Nehemiah 7:20. The sons of Adin, six hundred fifty-five. Nehemiah 7:21. The sons of Ater, of Hezekiah, ninety-eight. Nehemiah 7:22. The sons of Hashum, three hundred twenty-eight. Nehemiah 7:23. The sons of Bezai, three hundred twenty-four. Nehemiah 7:24. The sons of Hariph, one hundred twelve. Nehemiah 7:25. The people of Gibeon, ninety-five. Nehemiah 7:26. The people of Bethlehem and Netophah, one hundred eighty-eight. Nehemiah 7:27. The people of Anathoth, one hundred twenty-eight. Nehemiah 7:28. The people of Beth-Azmaveth, forty-two. Nehemiah 7:29. The people of Kiriath-Jearim, Chephirah, and Beeroth, seven hundred forty-three. Nehemiah 7:30. The people of Ramah and Geba, six hundred twenty-one. Nehemiah 7:31. The people of Michmas, one hundred twenty-two. Nehemiah 7:32. The people of Bethel and Ai, one hundred twenty-three. Nehemiah 7:33. The people of Nebo, the other, fifty-two. Nehemiah 7:34. The sons of Elam, the other, one thousand two hundred fifty-four. Nehemiah 7:35. The sons of Harim, three hundred twenty. Nehemiah 7:36. The people of Jericho, three hundred forty-five. Nehemiah 7:37. The people of Lod, Hadid, and Ono, seven hundred twenty-one. Nehemiah 7:38. The people of Senaah, three thousand nine hundred thirty. Nehemiah 7:39. The priests: the sons of Jedaiah, of the house of Jeshua, nine hundred seventy-three. Nehemiah 7:40. The sons of Immer, one thousand fifty-two. Nehemiah 7:41. The sons of Pashhur, one thousand two hundred forty-seven. Nehemiah 7:42. The sons of Harim, one thousand seventeen. Nehemiah 7:43. The Levites: the sons of Jeshua, of the house of Kadmiel, of the sons of Hodevah, seventy-four. Nehemiah 7:44. The singers: the sons of Asaph, one hundred forty-eight. Nehemiah 7:45. The gatekeepers: the sons of Shallum, the sons of Ater, the sons of Talmon, the sons of Akkub, the sons of Hatita, the sons of Shobai, one hundred thirty-eight. Nehemiah 7:46. The temple servants: the sons of Ziha, the sons of Hashupha, the sons of Tabbaoth, Nehemiah 7:47. the sons of Kiros, the sons of Sia, the sons of Phadon, Nehemiah 7:48. the sons of Lebana, the sons of Hagaba, the sons of Shalmai, Nehemiah 7:49. the sons of Hanan, the sons of Giddel, the sons of Gahar, Nehemiah 7:50. the sons of Reaiah, the sons of Rezin, the sons of Nekoda, Nehemiah 7:51. the sons of Gazzam, the sons of Uzza, the sons of Paseah, Nehemiah 7:52. the sons of Besai, the sons of Meunim, the sons of Nephushesim, Nehemiah 7:53. the sons of Bakbuk, the sons of Hakupha, the sons of Harhar, Nehemiah 7:54. the sons of Bazlith, the sons of Mehida, the sons of Harsha, Nehemiah 7:55. the sons of Barkos, the sons of Sisera, the sons of Temah, Nehemiah 7:56. the sons of Neziah, the sons of Hatipha. Nehemiah 7:57. The sons of Solomon’s servants: the sons of Sotai, the sons of Sophereth, the sons of Perida, Nehemiah 7:58. the sons of Jaala, the sons of Darkon, the sons of Giddel, Nehemiah 7:59. the sons of Shephatiah, the sons of Hattil, the sons of Pochereth-Hazzebaim, the sons of Amon. Nehemiah 7:60. All the temple servants and the sons of Solomon’s servants were three hundred ninety-two. Nehemiah 7:61. And these were the ones who came up from Tel-Melah, Tel-Harsha, Cherub, Addon, and Immer; but they could not give evidence of their fathers’ houses or their offspring, whether they were from Israel. Nehemiah 7:62. The sons of Delaiah, the sons of Tobiah, the sons of Nekoda, six hundred forty-two. Nehemiah 7:63. And of the priests: the sons of Habaiah, the sons of Hakkoz, the sons of Barzillai, who had taken a wife from the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite and was called by their name. Nehemiah 7:64. They sought their genealogical records, and they were not found, and so they were excluded from the priesthood. Nehemiah 7:65. And the governor said to them that they should not eat of the most holy things, until there should be a priest with Urim and Thummim. Nehemiah 7:66. The whole assembly together was forty-two thousand three hundred sixty people, Nehemiah 7:67. besides their male slaves and female slaves, of which there were seven thousand three hundred thirty-seven; and they had two hundred forty-five singers and singers. Nehemiah 7:68. They had seven hundred thirty-six horses, two hundred forty-five mules, Nehemiah 7:69. four hundred thirty-five camels, six thousand seven hundred twenty donkeys. Nehemiah 7:70. Some of the heads of the fathers’ houses gave to the work. The governor gave to the treasury in gold one thousand drachmas, fifty bowls, five hundred thirty priestly garments. Nehemiah 7:71. And some of the heads of the fathers’ houses gave to the treasury for the work twenty thousand drachmas of gold and two thousand two hundred minas of silver. Nehemiah 7:72. And the rest of the people gave twenty thousand drachmas of gold and two thousand minas of silver and sixty-seven priestly garments. The list beginning from verse 6 of those who returned from captivity and of donations to the temple is essentially identical to the list in (Ezra 2:1-67). The difference between the two lists consists in certain names and in numerical data.

Nehemiah 7:7. those who came with Zerubbabel, Jeshua, Nehemiah, Azariah, Raamiah, Nahamani, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispereth, Bigvai, Nehum, Baanah. The total number of the men of the people of Israel: In (Ezra 2:2) instead of Azariah named in verse 7 is named Saraiah, instead of Raamiah—Reelaiah, instead of Mispereth—Mispar, instead of Nehum—Rehum.

Nehemiah 7:10. The sons of Arah, six hundred fifty-two. According to (Ezra 2:5) the sons of Arah were 775.

Nehemiah 7:11. The sons of Pahath-Moab, of the sons of Jeshua and Joab, two thousand eight hundred eighteen. Instead of the number 2,818 in (Ezra 2:6) it reads 2,812.

Nehemiah 7:13. The sons of Zattu, eight hundred forty-five. The sons of Zattu according to (Ezra 2:8) were 945.

Nehemiah 7:15. The sons of Binnui, six hundred forty-eight. Instead of Binnui in (Ezra 2:10) is named Bani and the number is given as 642 (instead of 648 in verse 15).

Nehemiah 7:16. The sons of Bebai, six hundred twenty-eight. In (Ezra 2:11) is given the number 623 (instead of 628).

Nehemiah 7:17. The sons of Azgad, two thousand three hundred twenty-two. According to (Ezra 2:12) – 1,222.

Nehemiah 7:18. The sons of Adonikam, six hundred sixty-seven. According to (Ezra 2:13) – 666 (instead of 667).

Nehemiah 7:19. The sons of Bigvai, two thousand six hundred seven. According to (Ezra 2:14) – 2,056 (instead of 2,607).

Nehemiah 7:20. The sons of Adin, six hundred fifty-five. According to (Ezra 2:15) – 454 (instead of 655).

Nehemiah 7:22. The sons of Hashum, three hundred twenty-eight. According to (Ezra 2:19) – 223 (instead of 328).

Nehemiah 7:24. The sons of Hariph, one hundred twelve. Instead of Hariph in (Ezra 2:18) is named Jorah.

Nehemiah 7:25. The people of Gibeon, ninety-five. “The people of Gibeon.” (Ezra 2:20) – “the sons of Gibbar.”

Nehemiah 7:26. The people of Bethlehem and Netophah, one hundred eighty-eight. According to (Ezra 2:21-22) the people of Bethlehem and Netophah were 179 (instead of 188).

Nehemiah 7:28. The people of Beth-Azmaveth, forty-two. “The people of Beth-Azmaveth.” According to (Ezra 2:24) – “Azmaveth.”

Nehemiah 7:32. The people of Bethel and Ai, one hundred twenty-three. According to (Ezra 2:28) the people of Bethel and Ai were 223 (instead of 123).

Nehemiah 7:36. The people of Jericho, three hundred forty-five. In (Ezra 2:33-34) – they appear in reverse order.

Nehemiah 7:37. The people of Lod, Hadid, and Ono, seven hundred twenty-one. Instead of “Lod” in (Ezra 2:33) it reads “Lydda” and the total number of inhabitants of the three places is indicated as 725 (instead of 721).

Nehemiah 7:38. The people of Senaah, three thousand nine hundred thirty. According to (Ezra 2:35) – 3,630 (instead of 3,930).

Nehemiah 7:44. The singers: the sons of Asaph, one hundred forty-eight. According to (Ezra 2:41) – 128 (instead of 148).

Nehemiah 7:45. The gatekeepers: the sons of Shallum, the sons of Ater, the sons of Talmon, the sons of Akkub, the sons of Hatita, the sons of Shobai, one hundred thirty-eight. According to (Ezra 2:42) there were 139 gatekeepers (instead of 138).

Nehemiah 7:47. the sons of Kiros, the sons of Sia, the sons of Phadon, “The sons of Sia.” According to (Ezra 2:44) – “the sons of Siaha.”

Nehemiah 7:48. the sons of Lebana, the sons of Hagaba, the sons of Shalmai, Instead of Shalmai in (Ezra 2:45) is named Akkub.

Nehemiah 7:57. The sons of Solomon’s servants: the sons of Sotai, the sons of Sophereth, the sons of Perida, Instead of “Perida” in (Ezra 2:55) it reads “Feruda.”

Nehemiah 7:59. the sons of Shephatiah, the sons of Hattil, the sons of Pochereth-Hazzebaim, the sons of Amon. “The sons of Amon.” In (Ezra 2:57) – “the sons of Ami.”

Nehemiah 7:62. The sons of Delaiah, the sons of Tobiah, the sons of Nekoda, six hundred forty-two. According to (Ezra 2:60) – 652 (instead of 642).

Nehemiah 7:70. Some of the heads of the fathers’ houses gave to the work. The governor gave to the treasury in gold one thousand drachmas, fifty bowls, five hundred thirty priestly garments. Nehemiah 7:71. And some of the heads of the fathers’ houses gave to the treasury for the work twenty thousand drachmas of gold and two thousand two hundred minas of silver. Nehemiah 7:72. And the rest of the people gave twenty thousand drachmas of gold and two thousand minas of silver and sixty-seven priestly garments. See the note on (Ezra 2:69). The text of (Neh 7:70-72) is fuller than in the parallel passage (Ezra 2:69). The sum of gold contributions in the book of Nehemiah is determined as 41 thousand (1+20+20) drachmas, whereas in (Ezra 2:69) – it is 61 thousand. Verse 70. “Five hundred thirty priestly garments.” The Hebrew text gives grounds to assume that there were only 30 priestly garments, and the number 500 refers to something else, apparently omitted through scribal error—perhaps to minas of silver.