Nehemiah 7: The gates guarded and the list of those who came up
A free study, verse by verse. Text: World English Bible. Notes come from the Hebrew. How to read a study
What happens?
When the wall is built and the doors are set up, Nehemiah puts Hanani his brother and Hananiah in charge of Jerusalem and gives orders for when the gates are opened and shut and for the watches. The city is wide and large, but the people in it are few and the houses are not built, and his God puts it into his heart to gather the nobles, the rulers and the people to be listed by genealogy. He finds the book of the genealogy of those who came up at the first, and the rest of the chapter gives the list: the families and towns by number, the priests, Levites, singers, gatekeepers, temple servants and Solomon's servants, those who could not show their records, the total and the animals, the gifts for the work, and everyone living in their cities when the seventh month came.
Who is speaking?
Nehemiah speaks as "I" in verses 1 to 5, and in verse 3 he gives his orders about the gates and the watches, the only words in quotation marks in the chapter. From verse 6 the chapter gives the list he says he found written in the book; the text does not mark where the written list ends. In verse 65 the governor tells some men not to eat of the most holy things; the text reports this without quoting him, and it is the governor's word, not God's. No verse is in gold: God speaks no words of his own in this chapter. God's own words are printed in gold, and those verses are marked God speaks
1Now when the wall was built and I had set up the doors, and the gatekeepers and the singers and the Levites were appointed,
In plain English: When the wall was built and I had set up the doors, the gatekeepers, the singers and the Levites were appointed,
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2I put my brother Hanani, and Hananiah the governor of the fortress, in charge of Jerusalem; for he was a faithful man and feared God above many.
In plain English: I put my brother Hanani, and Hananiah the commander (or: governor) of the fortress (or: citadel), in charge of Jerusalem, for he was a faithful man and feared God more than many.
The Hebrew words: "Commander" (the WEB says "governor") is sar, which the dictionary gives as "a head person (of any rank or class)". "Fortress" (or "citadel") is birah, which the dictionary gives as "a castle or palace".
How it is translated: Birah is in 3 verses of Nehemiah (1:1, 2:8 and this one). The WEB says "palace", "citadel" and "fortress", once each, so the one Hebrew word is put three ways. The verse does not say which fortress it means.
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3I said to them, “Don’t let the gates of Jerusalem be opened until the sun is hot; and while they stand guard, let them shut the doors, and you bar them; and appoint watches of the inhabitants of Jerusalem, everyone in his watch, with everyone near his house.”
In plain English: I said to them: "Do not let the gates of Jerusalem be opened until the sun is hot. While (or: until) they are standing guard, let them shut the doors and bar them. Appoint guards from the people living in Jerusalem, each man at his own guard post and each in front of his own house."
The Hebrew word: "Until" and "while" are the same Hebrew word, ad, which the dictionary gives as "as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)".
How it is translated: The word is in 34 verses of Nehemiah. The WEB says "until" in 8 of them (this verse's first use is one) and "while" in 1, the second use in this verse. Word for word, the verse says the gates are not opened "until the sun is hot, and until they are standing guard let them shut the doors".
What changes: Read as "while", the doors are shut and barred while the guards are standing at their posts. Read as "until", they are shut and barred up to the time the guards are standing there. The verse does not decide, and does not say who "they" are.
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4Now the city was wide and large; but the people were few therein, and the houses were not built.
In plain English: The city was wide and large (word for word: broad on both hands), but the people in it were few, and no houses had been built (or: rebuilt).
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5My God put into my heart to gather together the nobles, and the rulers, and the people, that they might be listed by genealogy. I found the book of the genealogy of those who came up at the first, and I found this written in it:
In plain English: My God put it into my heart to gather the nobles, the rulers (or: officials) and the people, so that they could be listed by genealogy. I found the book of the genealogy of those who came up at the first, and I found this written in it:
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6These are the children of the province who went up out of the captivity of those who had been carried away, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away, and who returned to Jerusalem and to Judah, everyone to his city,
In plain English: These are the people of the province who came up out of the captivity of the exiles whom Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon had carried away. They returned to Jerusalem and Judah, each to his own city.
Good to know: This verse opens the list that is also in . The two verses are nearly the same. Ezra says the exiles were carried away "to Babylon", which this verse does not. Some names and numbers differ in the list that follows, and the notes below say where. Neither list is explained or corrected here.
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7who came with Zerubbabel, Jeshua, Nehemiah, Azariah, Raamiah, Nahamani, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispereth, Bigvai, Nehum, and Baanah. The number of the men of the people of Israel:
In plain English: They came with Zerubbabel, Jeshua, Nehemiah, Azariah, Raamiah, Nahamani, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispereth, Bigvai, Nehum and Baanah. The number of the men of the people of Israel:
Good to know: names eleven men and this verse names twelve. Where Ezra has Seraiah, Reelaiah, Mispar and Rehum, this verse has Azariah, Raamiah, Mispereth and Nehum, and it also has Nahamani. The other names are the same. The text does not say why they differ.
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8The children of Parosh: two thousand one hundred seventy-two.
In plain English: The children of Parosh: two thousand one hundred seventy-two.
Good to know: The family numbers in verses 8 to 38 are nearly those of to . Many are the same, among them Parosh, Shephatiah, Elam, Zaccai, Ater, Anathoth, Ramah and Geba, Michmas, the other Elam, Harim and Jericho. These differ (this list first, then Ezra): Arah 652 and 775; Pahathmoab 2,818 and 2,812; Zattu 845 and 945; Binnui 648 and Bani 642; Bebai 628 and 623; Azgad 2,322 and 1,222; Adonikam 667 and 666; Bigvai 2,067 and 2,056; Adin 655 and 454; Hashum 328 and 223; Bezai 324 and 323; Bethel and Ai 123 and 223; Lod, Hadid and Ono 721 and 725; Senaah 3,930 and 3,630. The text does not say why. Names and lines also differ. Ezra has Jorah (112) and Gibbar (95) where this list has Hariph (112) and Gibeon (95). Ezra lists Bethlehem (123) and Netophah (56) on two lines, and ; verse 26 has one line, "Bethlehem and Netophah", with 188. Ezra has the children of Azmaveth where verse 28 has the men of Beth Azmaveth, and the children of Nebo where verse 33 has the men of "the other Nebo". Ezra has Kiriath Arim where verse 29 has Kiriath Jearim. Ezra has Magbish (156) in , which this list does not have. Ezra puts Bezai before Hashum, and Jericho after Lod, Hadid and Ono; this list puts Hashum before Bezai, and Jericho (verse 36) before Lod, Hadid and Ono (verse 37). The text does not add up the families, and this page does not either.
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9The children of Shephatiah: three hundred seventy-two.
In plain English: The children of Shephatiah: three hundred seventy-two.
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10The children of Arah: six hundred fifty-two.
In plain English: The children of Arah: six hundred fifty-two.
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11The children of Pahathmoab, of the children of Jeshua and Joab: two thousand eight hundred eighteen.
In plain English: The children of Pahathmoab, of the children of Jeshua and Joab: two thousand eight hundred eighteen.
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12The children of Elam: one thousand two hundred fifty-four.
In plain English: The children of Elam: one thousand two hundred fifty-four.
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13The children of Zattu: eight hundred forty-five.
In plain English: The children of Zattu: eight hundred forty-five.
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14The children of Zaccai: seven hundred sixty.
In plain English: The children of Zaccai: seven hundred sixty.
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15The children of Binnui: six hundred forty-eight.
In plain English: The children of Binnui: six hundred forty-eight.
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16The children of Bebai: six hundred twenty-eight.
In plain English: The children of Bebai: six hundred twenty-eight.
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17The children of Azgad: two thousand three hundred twenty-two.
In plain English: The children of Azgad: two thousand three hundred twenty-two.
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18The children of Adonikam: six hundred sixty-seven.
In plain English: The children of Adonikam: six hundred sixty-seven.
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19The children of Bigvai: two thousand sixty-seven.
In plain English: The children of Bigvai: two thousand sixty-seven.
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20The children of Adin: six hundred fifty-five.
In plain English: The children of Adin: six hundred fifty-five.
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21The children of Ater: of Hezekiah, ninety-eight.
In plain English: The children of Ater, of Hezekiah: ninety-eight.
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22The children of Hashum: three hundred twenty-eight.
In plain English: The children of Hashum: three hundred twenty-eight.
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23The children of Bezai: three hundred twenty-four.
In plain English: The children of Bezai: three hundred twenty-four.
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24The children of Hariph: one hundred twelve.
In plain English: The children of Hariph: one hundred twelve.
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25The children of Gibeon: ninety-five.
In plain English: The children of Gibeon: ninety-five.
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26The men of Bethlehem and Netophah: one hundred eighty-eight.
In plain English: The men of Bethlehem and Netophah: one hundred eighty-eight.
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27The men of Anathoth: one hundred twenty-eight.
In plain English: The men of Anathoth: one hundred twenty-eight.
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28The men of Beth Azmaveth: forty-two.
In plain English: The men of Beth Azmaveth: forty-two.
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29The men of Kiriath Jearim, Chephirah, and Beeroth: seven hundred forty-three.
In plain English: The men of Kiriath Jearim, Chephirah and Beeroth: seven hundred forty-three.
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30The men of Ramah and Geba: six hundred twenty-one.
In plain English: The men of Ramah and Geba: six hundred twenty-one.
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31The men of Michmas: one hundred twenty-two.
In plain English: The men of Michmas: one hundred twenty-two.
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32The men of Bethel and Ai: one hundred twenty-three.
In plain English: The men of Bethel and Ai: one hundred twenty-three.
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33The men of the other Nebo: fifty-two.
In plain English: The men of the other Nebo: fifty-two.
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34The children of the other Elam: one thousand two hundred fifty-four.
In plain English: The children of the other Elam: one thousand two hundred fifty-four.
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35The children of Harim: three hundred twenty.
In plain English: The children of Harim: three hundred twenty.
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36The children of Jericho: three hundred forty-five.
In plain English: The children of Jericho: three hundred forty-five.
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37The children of Lod, Hadid, and Ono: seven hundred twenty-one.
In plain English: The children of Lod, Hadid and Ono: seven hundred twenty-one.
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38The children of Senaah: three thousand nine hundred thirty.
In plain English: The children of Senaah: three thousand nine hundred thirty.
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39The priests: The children of Jedaiah, of the house of Jeshua: nine hundred seventy-three.
In plain English: The priests: the children of Jedaiah, of the house of Jeshua: nine hundred seventy-three.
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40The children of Immer: one thousand fifty-two.
In plain English: The children of Immer: one thousand fifty-two.
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41The children of Pashhur: one thousand two hundred forty-seven.
In plain English: The children of Pashhur: one thousand two hundred forty-seven.
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42The children of Harim: one thousand seventeen.
In plain English: The children of Harim: one thousand seventeen.
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43The Levites: the children of Jeshua, of Kadmiel, of the children of Hodevah: seventy-four.
In plain English: The Levites: the children of Jeshua, of Kadmiel, of the children of Hodevah: seventy-four.
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44The singers: the children of Asaph: one hundred forty-eight.
In plain English: The singers: the children of Asaph: one hundred forty-eight.
Good to know: has the Levites as "Jeshua and Kadmiel, of the children of Hodaviah", seventy-four, where verse 43 has "Jeshua, of Kadmiel, of the children of Hodevah", also seventy-four. gives the singers, the children of Asaph, as 128. This verse says 148.
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45The gatekeepers: the children of Shallum, the children of Ater, the children of Talmon, the children of Akkub, the children of Hatita, the children of Shobai: one hundred thirty-eight.
In plain English: The gatekeepers: the children of Shallum, Ater, Talmon, Akkub, Hatita and Shobai: one hundred thirty-eight.
Good to know: The same six names are in , which says "in all one hundred thirty-nine". This verse says one hundred thirty-eight.
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46The temple servants: the children of Ziha, the children of Hasupha, the children of Tabbaoth,
In plain English: The temple servants: the children of Ziha, Hasupha and Tabbaoth,
The Hebrew word: "Temple servants" is nathin, which the dictionary gives as "the Nethinim, or Temple-servants (as given to that duty)". The word is in 15 verses of the Bible, and the WEB says "temple servants" in every one of them. Some English Bibles keep the Hebrew name and say "the Nethinim".
Good to know: to name nearly the same temple servants. Ezra has Akkub, Hagab and Asnah, which are not in this list. This list has Salmai in verse 48 where Ezra has Shamlai in . A few names are spelled differently, such as Sia and Siaha, Bazlith and Bazluth, Nephushesim and Nephisim. The text does not say why.
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47the children of Keros, the children of Sia, the children of Padon,
In plain English: the children of Keros, Sia and Padon,
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48the children of Lebana, the children of Hagaba, the children of Salmai,
In plain English: the children of Lebana, Hagaba and Salmai,
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49the children of Hanan, the children of Giddel, the children of Gahar,
In plain English: the children of Hanan, Giddel and Gahar,
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50the children of Reaiah, the children of Rezin, the children of Nekoda,
In plain English: the children of Reaiah, Rezin and Nekoda,
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51the children of Gazzam, the children of Uzza, the children of Paseah,
In plain English: the children of Gazzam, Uzza and Paseah,
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52the children of Besai, the children of Meunim, the children of Nephushesim,
In plain English: the children of Besai, Meunim and Nephushesim,
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53the children of Bakbuk, the children of Hakupha, the children of Harhur,
In plain English: the children of Bakbuk, Hakupha and Harhur,
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54the children of Bazlith, the children of Mehida, the children of Harsha,
In plain English: the children of Bazlith, Mehida and Harsha,
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55the children of Barkos, the children of Sisera, the children of Temah,
In plain English: the children of Barkos, Sisera and Temah,
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56the children of Neziah, and the children of Hatipha.
In plain English: the children of Neziah and Hatipha.
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57The children of Solomon’s servants: the children of Sotai, the children of Sophereth, the children of Perida,
In plain English: The children of Solomon's servants: the children of Sotai, Sophereth and Perida,
Good to know: Four names are spelled differently from to : Sophereth (Hassophereth in Ezra), Perida (Peruda), Jaala in verse 58 (Jaalah) and Amon in verse 59 (Ami).
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58the children of Jaala, the children of Darkon, the children of Giddel,
In plain English: the children of Jaala, Darkon and Giddel,
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59the children of Shephatiah, the children of Hattil, the children of Pochereth Hazzebaim, and the children of Amon.
In plain English: the children of Shephatiah, Hattil, Pochereth Hazzebaim and Amon.
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60All the temple servants and the children of Solomon’s servants were three hundred ninety-two.
In plain English: All the temple servants and the children of Solomon's servants were three hundred ninety-two.
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61These were those who went up from Tel Melah, Tel Harsha, Cherub, Addon, and Immer; but they could not show their fathers’ houses, nor their offspring, whether they were of Israel:
In plain English: These are the ones who went up from Tel Melah, Tel Harsha, Cherub, Addon and Immer. They could not show their fathers' houses or their offspring, whether they were of Israel:
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62The children of Delaiah, the children of Tobiah, the children of Nekoda: six hundred forty-two.
In plain English: the children of Delaiah, Tobiah and Nekoda: six hundred forty-two.
Good to know: gives six hundred fifty-two for the same three families. This verse says six hundred forty-two. Two spellings also differ in this part: has Addan where verse 61 has Addon, and has Habaiah where verse 63 has Hobaiah. The name Tobiah is also the name of Tobiah the Ammonite servant in and . This verse does not say whether the two are linked, and this page does not either.
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63Of 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.
In plain English: Of the priests: the children of Hobaiah, Hakkoz and Barzillai, who took a wife from the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite and was called by their name.
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64These searched for their genealogical records, but couldn’t find them. Therefore they were deemed disqualified and removed from the priesthood.
In plain English: These looked for their genealogical records (literally: their writing, of those listed by genealogy), but it was not found. So they were deemed disqualified (literally: defiled) and removed from the priesthood.
The Hebrew word: "Disqualified" is gaal, which the dictionary gives as "to soil or (figuratively) desecrate". The word is in 9 verses of the Bible, and the WEB says "disqualified" in two of them, this verse and . "Records" is ketav, which the dictionary gives as "something written, i.e. a writing, record or book". It is the same Hebrew word as in Ezra 2:62, where the WEB says "their place".
How it is translated: Word for word, the Hebrew says that they "were defiled" (or: soiled) from the priesthood.
What changes: Read as "defiled", the verse says the men were made unclean for the priesthood. Read as "disqualified", it says they were ruled out. The verse says they were removed from the priesthood and does not say more.
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65The governor told them not to eat of the most holy things until a priest stood up to minister with Urim and Thummim.
In plain English: The governor told them not to eat of the most holy things until a priest stood up to minister with (literally: for) Urim and Thummim.
The Hebrew word: "Governor" is Tirshatha, which the dictionary gives as "the title of a Persian deputy or governor". The word is in 5 verses of the Bible (, this verse, , and ), and the WEB says "governor" in all five. This verse does not say who he is. Nehemiah 8:9 and 10:1 use the same word with Nehemiah's name.
Good to know: Ezra 2:63 has almost the same sentence. It says "serve" where this verse says "minister". The text does not say what Urim and Thummim were or how a priest would use them.
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66The whole assembly together was forty-two thousand three hundred sixty,
In plain English: The whole assembly together was forty-two thousand three hundred sixty,
The Hebrew word: "Forty-two thousand" is, word for word, "four myriads, two thousand". Ribbo is the dictionary's "myriad", "a myriad, i.e. indefinitely, large number". The word is in 3 verses of Nehemiah (this one, 7:71 and 7:72), and the WEB writes the number out as "thousand" in all three.
Good to know: This is the total of the whole assembly. gives the same total, forty-two thousand three hundred sixty. The text does not add up the families in verses 8 to 60, and this page does not either.
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67in addition to their male servants and their female servants, of whom there were seven thousand three hundred thirty-seven. They had two hundred forty-five singing men and singing women.
In plain English: besides their male servants and their female servants, who were seven thousand three hundred thirty-seven. They had two hundred forty-five singing men and singing women.
Good to know: The servants (seven thousand three hundred thirty-seven) are the same as in . Here the singing men and singing women are two hundred forty-five. Ezra says two hundred. The text does not say why.
68Their horses were seven hundred thirty-six; their mules, two hundred forty-five;
In plain English: Their horses were seven hundred thirty-six, their mules two hundred forty-five,
Good to know: The Hebrew text this study uses has no words for this verse: it goes from verse 67 to verse 69. The WEB prints it, and it has the same horses and mules as . This page gives the WEB verse and says nothing more about where it comes from.
69their camels, four hundred thirty-five; their donkeys, six thousand seven hundred twenty.
In plain English: their camels four hundred thirty-five, and their donkeys six thousand seven hundred twenty.
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70Some from among the heads of fathers’ households gave to the work. The governor gave to the treasury one thousand darics of gold, fifty basins, and five hundred thirty priests’ garments.
In plain English: Some of the heads of the fathers' households gave to the work. The governor gave to the treasury one thousand darics of gold, fifty basins and five hundred thirty priests' garments.
The Hebrew words: "Darics" is darkemon, which the dictionary gives as "a 'drachma', or coin". The word is in 4 verses of the Bible (Ezra 2:69 and Nehemiah 7:70 to 7:72), and the WEB says "daric" in all four. "Basins" is mizraq, which the dictionary gives as "a bowl (as if for sprinkling)". "Garments" is kuttoneth, which the dictionary gives as "a shirt".
Good to know: and tell the gifts differently. There some of the heads of the fathers' households give sixty-one thousand darics of gold, five thousand minas of silver and one hundred priests' garments. Here the governor gives one thousand darics of gold, fifty basins and five hundred thirty priests' garments (verse 70); some of the heads of the fathers' households give twenty thousand darics of gold and two thousand two hundred minas of silver (verse 71); and the rest of the people give twenty thousand darics of gold, two thousand minas of silver and sixty-seven priests' garments (verse 72). The text does not add up either account or explain the difference.
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71Some of the heads of fathers’ households gave into the treasury of the work twenty thousand darics of gold, and two thousand two hundred minas of silver.
In plain English: Some of the heads of the fathers' households gave into the treasury of the work twenty thousand darics of gold and two thousand two hundred minas of silver.
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72That which the rest of the people gave was twenty thousand darics of gold, plus two thousand minas of silver, and sixty-seven priests’ garments.
In plain English: What the rest of the people gave was twenty thousand darics of gold, two thousand minas of silver and sixty-seven priests' garments.
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73So the priests, the Levites, the gatekeepers, the singers, some of the people, the temple servants, and all Israel lived in their cities. When the seventh month had come, the children of Israel were in their cities.
In plain English: So the priests, the Levites, the gatekeepers, the singers, some of the people, the temple servants and all Israel lived in their cities. When the seventh month came, the children of Israel were in their cities.
Good to know: has nearly the same sentence about living in their cities, with the groups in a slightly different order and without the seventh month. has the seventh month and the children of Israel in the cities, and the people gathering to Jerusalem; begins with all the people gathering. The text does not say how these fit, and this page does not either.
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