Nehemiah 7:14 (KJV)

What does Nehemiah 7:14 mean?

Nehemiah 7:14 lists a group of people returning from exile: “The children of Zaccai, seven hundred and threescore.” This means that 760 descendants or family members of a man named Zaccai were counted among those who came back to Jerusalem.

This verse is part of a census Nehemiah records, listing families and how many returned to help rebuild Jerusalem after the Babylonian exile. The verse simply names the family group (Zaccai) and gives their number, showing the careful record-keeping and the importance of each family’s contribution to the restoration of the community.

The Hebrew behind Nehemiah 7:14

• בְּנֵי (bənê, H1121): This word means “children” or “descendants.” Here, it refers to the family line or clan, not just literal sons.
• זַכַּי (Zaccai, H2140): This is a personal or family name. The verse identifies the group by their ancestor, Zaccai.
• שִׁבְעָה (shiv‘ah, H7651): This is the word for “seven.” It is part of the number 760.
• מֵאוֹת (me’ot, H3967): This means “hundred.” Combined with the other numbers, it forms the total count.
• שִׁשִּׁים (shishim, H8346): This means “sixty.” The phrase “seven hundred and threescore” uses this word for “sixty,” making the total 760.

Why Nehemiah 7:14 matters

• Nehemiah 7:14 shows the careful documentation of families returning from exile, highlighting the value placed on community and heritage.
• The verse helps readers see that the restoration of Jerusalem was a collective effort, with each family’s presence being counted and remembered.
• By naming families and their numbers, Nehemiah emphasizes the continuity of Israel’s identity after a time of national crisis and displacement.