Nehemiah 7:39 (KJV)

What does Nehemiah 7:39 mean?

Nehemiah 7:39 lists a group of priests who returned to Jerusalem after the exile, specifically the descendants of Jedaiah from the house of Jeshua, numbering 973 people. This verse is part of a census that records those who came back to help rebuild the city and its religious life.

In the context of Nehemiah, this list is being compiled by Nehemiah as he organizes the returned exiles and reestablishes the community. The mention of "priests" highlights the importance of restoring proper worship in Jerusalem, and naming the families and their numbers shows the careful record-keeping and the significance of each group in the rebuilding effort.

The Hebrew behind Nehemiah 7:39

• כֹּהֵן (kohen; H3548): This word means "priest." Its use here shows that the people listed were from the priestly class, responsible for temple service.
• בֵּן (ben; H1121): This means "child" or "descendant." In this context, it refers to the descendants or family line of Jedaiah.
• יְדָעְיָה (Yeda‘yah; H3048): This is the name "Jedaiah," identifying a specific priestly family.
• בַּיִת (bayit; H1004): This means "house," referring to the family or household, here specifically "the house of Jeshua."
• יֵשׁוּעַ (Yeshua; H3442): This is the name "Jeshua," another important priestly ancestor.
• תֵּשַׁע (tesha‘; H8672), מֵאָה (me’ah; H3967), שִׁבְעִים (shiv‘im; H7657), שָׁלוֹשׁ (shalosh; H7969): These are the Hebrew words for "nine," "hundred," "seventy," and "three," making up the total 973. The precise number underscores the careful documentation of each family.

Why Nehemiah 7:39 matters

• Nehemiah 7:39 clarifies that the returning exiles included not just ordinary people but also priests, which was essential for restoring temple worship and religious practices in Jerusalem.
• The verse shows the importance of family lineage and record-keeping in ancient Israel, especially for those serving in religious roles.
• By naming specific families and their numbers, Nehemiah emphasizes the organized and communal nature of the rebuilding effort, connecting this verse to the broader theme of restoration in the book.