Nehemiah 7:72 (KJV)

What does Nehemiah 7:72 mean?

Nehemiah 7:72 reports the total contributions made by the rest of the people for the rebuilding effort in Jerusalem: twenty thousand drams of gold, two thousand pounds of silver, and sixty-seven sets of garments for the priests. This verse highlights the collective generosity and support of the community in restoring their city and religious life.

This verse comes as Nehemiah records the gifts given by ordinary people, not just leaders, after the return from exile. The setting is Jerusalem, where Nehemiah is organizing the people and resources to reestablish worship and security. The verse emphasizes that everyone, not just the wealthy or officials, played a part in the restoration by giving what they could.

The Hebrew behind Nehemiah 7:72

• The word for "rest" is שְׁאָר (she'ar, H7611), meaning the remainder or those left, pointing to the broader community beyond the leaders.
• "Drams" is דַּרְכְּמוֹן (darkemon, H1871), a Persian coin, often understood as a gold drachma, showing the influence of Persian currency and administration at the time.
• "Pound" is מָנֶה (maneh, H4488), a weight measurement, indicating that the silver was given in bulk amounts, not coins.
• "Garments" is בֶּגֶד (beged, H3801), referring to special clothing for priests, underlining the care for religious service and worship.

Why Nehemiah 7:72 matters

• This verse clarifies that the rebuilding of Jerusalem was a shared effort, not just the work of leaders or the wealthy, but of the whole community.
• The mention of specific amounts and priestly garments shows the practical needs involved in restoring both the city’s infrastructure and its spiritual life.
• By listing these contributions, Nehemiah highlights the unity and commitment of the returned exiles, connecting this verse to the broader theme of communal restoration in the book.