Nehemiah 7:15 (KJV)

What does Nehemiah 7:15 mean?

Nehemiah 7:15 records that there were 648 descendants of Binnui among those returning to Jerusalem after the Babylonian exile. This verse is part of a census listing the families and their numbers who came back to help rebuild the city.

Nehemiah, the governor of Judah, is compiling a careful record of the people who returned from exile. The list in Nehemiah 7 helps establish the community’s identity and shows the continuity of Israel’s families. Each family group, like the children of Binnui, is counted to highlight their role in restoring Jerusalem.

The Hebrew behind Nehemiah 7:15

• בְּנֵי (bənê, H1121) — “children” or “sons”: This word refers to the descendants or family members of a particular ancestor, in this case, Binnui. It emphasizes the importance of family lineage in Israel’s community.
• בִּנּוּי (Binnui, H1131) — “Binnui”: This is a personal name, identifying a specific family group among the returnees. Including names like Binnui preserves the memory of those who contributed to rebuilding.
• שֵׁשׁ (shesh, H8337), מֵאוֹת (me’ot, H3967), אַרְבָּעִים (arba‘im, H705), שְׁמוֹנָה (shemoneh, H8083) — “six hundred forty and eight”: These Hebrew words combine to specify the exact number of Binnui’s descendants. The detailed count shows the careful record-keeping and the value placed on each family’s participation.

Why Nehemiah 7:15 matters

• Nehemiah 7:15 shows the importance of every family in the restoration of Jerusalem, not just the leaders or priests.
• This census connects the returning exiles to their ancestral roots, reinforcing their identity after years of displacement.
• The verse highlights the careful organization and accountability in rebuilding the community, which was essential for the stability and future of Jerusalem.