The children of Pahathmoab, of the children of Jeshua and Joab, two thousand and eight hundred and eighteen.

NEHEMIAH 7:11KJV
Know the Bible

Nehemiah 7:11 (KJV)

What does Nehemiah 7:11 mean?

Nehemiah 7:11 lists a group of people who returned from exile: the descendants of Pahathmoab, specifically those connected to Jeshua and Joab, numbering 2,818. This verse is part of a census recording the families and numbers of Israelites who came back to Jerusalem after the Babylonian exile.

Nehemiah, the governor, is recounting the names and numbers of families who returned to help rebuild Jerusalem. The mention of Pahathmoab, Jeshua, and Joab identifies a specific clan within the larger community, showing careful attention to family lines. This record-keeping helped reestablish the community’s identity and organization after years of displacement.

The Hebrew behind Nehemiah 7:11

  • בְּנֵי (bənê, H1121): This word means "children" or "descendants." It highlights that the list is about family groups, not just individuals.
  • פַּחַת־מוֹאָב (Pahathmoab, H6355): This is a family or clan name meaning "governor of Moab." It shows the clan’s origin or ancestral role, connecting them to Moab.
  • יֵשׁוּעַ (Yeshua, H3442) and יוֹאָב (Yoav, H3097): These are personal names, marking subgroups within the Pahathmoab clan. Including these names helps distinguish between different branches of the same larger family.
  • שְׁנַיִם אֶלֶף וּשְׁמֹנֶה מֵאוֹת וּשְׁמֹנָה עָשָׂר (two thousand and eight hundred and eighteen): The Hebrew numbers are spelled out, emphasizing the exactness and reliability of the record.

Why Nehemiah 7:11 matters

  • This verse shows the importance of family identity and continuity for the returning exiles, helping them reconnect with their heritage after exile.
  • The careful listing of names and numbers underlines the organized approach Nehemiah took to rebuilding the community, which was essential for restoring order and worship in Jerusalem.
  • By naming specific subgroups (Jeshua and Joab), the verse hints at the complexity and diversity within Israel’s clans, reminding readers that the community was made up of many different family stories.

Where else these words appear

“Pahathmoab” Hebrew H6355 · used in 6 verses

  • Ezra 2:6 The children of Pahathmoab, of the children of Jeshua and Joab, two thousand eight hundred and twelve.
  • Ezra 8:4 Of the sons of Pahathmoab; Elihoenai the son of Zerahiah, and with him two hundred males.
  • Nehemiah 3:11 Malchijah the son of Harim, and Hashub the son of Pahathmoab, repaired the other piece, and the tower of the furnaces.

“Jeshua” Hebrew H3442 · used in 29 verses

  • 1 Chronicles 24:11 The ninth to Jeshua, the tenth to Shecaniah,
  • Ezra 4:3 But Zerubbabel, and Jeshua, and the rest of the chief of the fathers of Israel, said unto them, Ye have nothing to do with us to build an house unto our God; but we ourselves together will build unto the LORD God of Israel, as king Cyrus the king of Persia hath commanded us.
  • Nehemiah 9:4 Then stood up upon the stairs, of the Levites, Jeshua, and Bani, Kadmiel, Shebaniah, Bunni, Sherebiah, Bani, and Chenani, and cried with a loud voice unto the LORD their God.

“eight” Hebrew H8083 · used in 105 verses

  • Genesis 5:4 And the days of Adam after he had begotten Seth were eight hundred years: and he begat sons and daughters:
  • 1 Kings 7:10 And the foundation was of costly stones, even great stones, stones of ten cubits, and stones of eight cubits.
  • 2 Chronicles 34:8 Now in the eighteenth year of his reign, when he had purged the land, and the house, he sent Shaphan the son of Azaliah, and Maaseiah the governor of the city, and Joah the son of Joahaz the recorder, to repair the house of the LORD his God.

“Joab” Hebrew H3097 · used in 124 verses

  • 1 Samuel 26:6 Then answered David and said to Ahimelech the Hittite, and to Abishai the son of Zeruiah, brother to Joab, saying, Who will go down with me to Saul to the camp? And Abishai said, I will go down with thee.
  • 2 Samuel 14:21 And the king said unto Joab, Behold now, I have done this thing: go therefore, bring the young man Absalom again.
  • 2 Samuel 24:3 And Joab said unto the king, Now the LORD thy God add unto the people, how many soever they be, an hundredfold, and that the eyes of my lord the king may see it: but why doth my lord the king delight in this thing?