Nehemiah 7:58 (KJV)

What does Nehemiah 7:58 mean?

Nehemiah 7:58 lists three family groups—Jaala, Darkon, and Giddel—who returned from exile to Jerusalem. This verse is part of a census recording the names of those who came back to help rebuild the community after the Babylonian captivity.

In the book of Nehemiah, Nehemiah is leading efforts to restore Jerusalem’s walls and reestablish the people after years of exile. This verse appears in a section where specific groups and families are named to show who returned and took part in rebuilding. Naming these families highlights the importance of every group, no matter their size or status, in the restoration of the nation.

The Hebrew behind Nehemiah 7:58

• בְּנֵי (bənê, H1121): This word means “children” or “descendants.” It is used here to indicate the members or descendants of each named family group, emphasizing lineage and belonging.
• יַעֲלָא (Ya‘alā’, H3279), דַּרְקוֹן (Darkōn, H1874), גִּדֵּל (Giddel, H1435): These are the Hebrew names for Jaala, Darkon, and Giddel. The use of these specific names preserves the identity and memory of these families, showing their valued place in the returning community.

Why Nehemiah 7:58 matters

• This verse helps clarify that the restoration of Jerusalem involved many different families, not just prominent leaders or priests, but also groups whose names might otherwise be forgotten.
• By recording these names, Nehemiah’s account emphasizes the inclusiveness and thoroughness of the community’s restoration after exile.
• This list connects to the wider passage by showing the careful organization and record-keeping that marked the return from exile, underlining the importance of each person and family in rebuilding the nation’s life.