The men of the other Nebo, fifty and two.

NEHEMIAH 7:33KJV
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Nehemiah 7:33 (KJV)

What does Nehemiah 7:33 mean?

Nehemiah 7:33 records that there were fifty-two men from “the other Nebo” who returned from exile. This verse is part of a census list, naming the number of people from various towns who came back to Jerusalem after the Babylonian captivity.

In the context of Nehemiah, these lists were compiled by Nehemiah as he organized the repopulation and rebuilding of Jerusalem. “The other Nebo” likely refers to a specific group or location distinct from another place called Nebo, showing careful record-keeping of different family or town groups. This detail highlights the effort to restore the community by acknowledging each returning group.

The Hebrew behind Nehemiah 7:33

  • “other” (אַחֵר, ’acher): This word means “another” or “other,” and its use here suggests there were at least two places called Nebo, or two groups associated with Nebo. This helps clarify that the census was very precise about people’s origins.
  • “Nebo” (נְבוֹ, Nevo): This is the name of a town or region. The mention of Nebo distinguishes this group from others, showing the diversity of returnees.
  • “fifty” (חֲמִשִּׁים, chamishim) and “two” (שְׁנַיִם, shenayim): These are the numbers used to count the men, emphasizing the careful and accurate record-keeping in the restoration process.

Why Nehemiah 7:33 matters

  • Nehemiah 7:33 shows the importance of every group and individual in the rebuilding of the Jewish community, even those from smaller or less-known places.
  • The verse highlights the thoroughness of Nehemiah’s leadership, as he made sure every returning family and town was counted and remembered.
  • This census connects the people to their heritage and land, reinforcing their identity after years of exile and displacement.

Where else these words appear

“Nebo” Hebrew H5015 · used in 13 verses

  • Numbers 32:3 Ataroth, and Dibon, and Jazer, and Nimrah, and Heshbon, and Elealeh, and Shebam, and Nebo, and Beon,
  • Deuteronomy 34:1 And Moses went up from the plains of Moab unto the mountain of Nebo, to the top of Pisgah, that is over against Jericho. And the LORD shewed him all the land of Gilead, unto Dan,
  • Isaiah 15:2 He is gone up to Bajith, and to Dibon, the high places, to weep: Moab shall howl over Nebo, and over Medeba: on all their heads shall be baldness, and every beard cut off.

“fifty” Hebrew H2572 · used in 141 verses

  • Genesis 6:15 And this is the fashion which thou shalt make it of: The length of the ark shall be three hundred cubits, the breadth of it fifty cubits, and the height of it thirty cubits.
  • Numbers 4:30 From thirty years old and upward even unto fifty years old shalt thou number them, every one that entereth into the service, to do the work of the tabernacle of the congregation.
  • 2 Kings 21:1 Manasseh was twelve years old when he began to reign, and reigned fifty and five years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Hephzibah.