Nehemiah 7:60 (KJV)

What does Nehemiah 7:60 mean?

Nehemiah 7:60 lists the total number of the Nethinims and the descendants of Solomon’s servants who returned from exile, stating that together they numbered 392 people. This verse is part of a census recording those who came back to Jerusalem to help rebuild the community after the Babylonian captivity.

Nehemiah, the governor of Jerusalem, is recording the names and numbers of various groups returning from exile. The Nethinims were temple servants, and the children of Solomon’s servants were likely descendants of workers assigned to temple duties by King Solomon. This verse highlights the careful record-keeping and the importance of every group, even those in service roles, in the restoration of Jerusalem’s religious life.

The Hebrew behind Nehemiah 7:60

• נְתִינִים (Nethinims, nethinim): This word refers to a group of temple servants, often thought to be non-Israelites who were given to assist the Levites in the temple. Their inclusion shows the broad makeup of the returning community.
• בֵּן (children, ben): Used here to mean "descendants" or "members of the household," not just literal children. This clarifies that the verse is counting family groups or clans.
• שְׁלֹמֹה (Solomon's, shelomoh): Refers to King Solomon, connecting these servants back to the time when he organized temple service, emphasizing continuity in temple traditions.
• עֶבֶד (servants, eved): This term means "servant" or "worker," indicating that these were people assigned to support roles in the temple, not slaves in the harshest sense.

Why Nehemiah 7:60 matters

• Nehemiah 7:60 shows that the restoration of Jerusalem included not only priests and Levites but also those in humble service roles, underlining the value of every person in the community.
• The verse connects the post-exilic community to the earlier days of Solomon, emphasizing continuity in worship and tradition despite the disruption of exile.
• By recording exact numbers and specific groups, Nehemiah demonstrates the importance of order, accountability, and inclusion in rebuilding the religious and social life of Jerusalem.