Nehemiah 7:17 (KJV)

What does Nehemiah 7:17 mean?

Nehemiah 7:17 records that 2,322 descendants of Azgad returned to Jerusalem after the exile. This verse is part of a census listing the families and numbers of Israelites who came back to rebuild their community.

In the book of Nehemiah, Nehemiah is organizing and recording the people who returned from Babylonian exile to Jerusalem. The verse simply notes the number of people from the family of Azgad, showing the careful documentation of those involved in restoring the city and its society.

The Hebrew behind Nehemiah 7:17

• בְּנֵי (bənê, H1121): This word means "children" or "descendants." Here, it refers to the family group or clan descended from Azgad, not just literal children.
• אַזְגָּד (Azgad, H5803): This is a personal or family name. Including the name highlights the importance of each family’s role in the restoration.
• שְׁנַיִם (shenayim, H8147), אֶלֶף (eleph, H505), שְׁלֹשָׁה (sheloshah, H7969), מֵאוֹת (me’ot, H3967), עֶשְׂרִים (esrim, H6242), שְׁנַיִם (shenayim, H8147): These are the Hebrew words for the numbers "two thousand three hundred twenty and two." The detailed count underscores the accuracy and care taken in the record.

Why Nehemiah 7:17 matters

• This verse helps show the thoroughness of Nehemiah’s leadership and the importance placed on each family’s participation in rebuilding Jerusalem.
• Listing the descendants by name and number gives a sense of continuity and belonging for those returning from exile, connecting them to their heritage.
• The census in Nehemiah 7 mirrors earlier biblical lists, reinforcing the idea of restoration and faithfulness to God’s promises to the people of Israel.