Nehemiah 7:13

KJV

The children of Zattu, eight hundred forty and five.

KJV (with Strong's)

The children {H1121} of Zattu {H2240}, eight {H8083} hundred {H3967} forty {H705} and five {H2568}.

Complete Jewish Bible

descendants of Zatu 845

Berean Standard Bible

the descendants of Zattu, 845;

American Standard Version

The children of Zattu, eight hundred forty and five.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Nehemiah 7:13 is a concise entry within the extensive census recorded in Nehemiah 7, detailing the number of individuals belonging to the family of Zattu who returned from Babylonian exile to Jerusalem. This meticulously compiled register served as a foundational document for the re-establishment of the post-exilic Jewish community, underscoring the importance of identity, lineage, and the human resources available for the monumental task of rebuilding the city and its spiritual life.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Nehemiah 7:13 is situated within a comprehensive genealogical list that spans the majority of the chapter, from [Nehemiah 7:6](/nehemiah/7-6 "Nehemiah 7:6 - List of Exiles Who Returned") to [Nehemiah 7:65](/nehemiah/7-65 "Nehemiah 7:65 - Conclusion of the Census"). This census immediately follows the completion of the wall of Jerusalem, a monumental feat described in [Nehemiah 6](/nehemiah/6 "Nehemiah 6 - Completion of the Wall"). With the physical defenses secured, Nehemiah's attention shifts to organizing the city's inhabitants and ensuring its proper functioning and security. The list is introduced by Nehemiah's divine inspiration to gather the nobles, officials, and people to be registered by genealogy ([Nehemiah 7:5](/nehemiah/7-5 "Nehemiah 7:5 - Nehemiah's Divine Inspiration for the Census")), indicating its critical role in civic and religious order. This detailed record closely parallels the one found in [Ezra 2](/ezra/2 "Ezra 2 - The First Return from Exile"), highlighting its authoritative and foundational nature for the post-exilic community and demonstrating continuity across the historical narratives of the return.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The return from Babylonian exile was a pivotal moment in Israelite history, marking the restoration of a people who had endured seventy years of captivity, as prophesied by Jeremiah ([Jeremiah 29:10](/jeremiah/29-10 "Jeremiah 29:10 - Jeremiah's Prophecy of Seventy Years of Exile")). The meticulous recording of genealogies was not merely an administrative exercise but a cultural imperative. For a people whose identity, land claims, and eligibility for priestly or Levitical service were deeply tied to their tribal and family lineage, these records were paramount. They helped re-establish social order, verify religious purity, and ensure that only those genuinely descended from Israel could participate fully in the restored covenant community. The list also served a practical purpose: to quantify the human resources available for the immense task of repopulating Jerusalem, rebuilding the temple, and re-establishing the spiritual life of the nation after generations of displacement.

* **Key Themes:** The census in Nehemiah 7, including the specific entry of [Nehemiah 7:13](/nehemiah/7-13 "Nehemiah 7:13 - The Children of Zattu"), contributes to several major theological and narrative themes within the book of Nehemiah and the broader post-exilic literature. Foremost among these is **Divine Order and Accountability**, as the detailed nature of the census highlights God's meticulous care for His people and the importance of structure and organization within His community. Every family, even those seemingly insignificant in isolation, contributes to the larger divine plan of restoration. Another crucial theme is the **Faithfulness of God**, demonstrated by the very existence of this list, which testifies to God's unwavering commitment to fulfilling His promises to restore His people from captivity and bring them back to their land. Furthermore, the emphasis on **Identity and Heritage** is central, as these records were vital for preserving the distinctiveness of God's covenant people and ensuring the continuation of the lineage that would ultimately lead to the Messiah. Finally, the census underscores the theme of **Foundation for Rebuilding**, representing the human capital essential for the physical and spiritual reconstruction of Jerusalem and the nation.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Zattu (Hebrew, _Zattû'_):** This is a proper noun referring to the progenitor or head of a specific family or clan. The name itself does not carry a profound linguistic meaning that alters the interpretation of the verse beyond identifying the family. Its inclusion, however, is highly significant. In ancient Israelite society, and particularly in the context of the return from exile, the precise identification of families and their lineage was crucial for re-establishing social structures, land ownership, and eligibility for religious duties (e.g., priestly or Levitical service). The mention of "Zattu" here, and in similar lists in [Ezra 2](/ezra/2 "Ezra 2 - The First Return from Exile"), underscores the biblical emphasis on genealogical precision as a means of establishing identity and historical continuity within God's covenant people, tracing their heritage back through generations.
* **Eight hundred forty and five (Hebrew, _shmoneh me'ot ve'arba'im va'chamesh'_):** This number represents the total count of males from the family of Zattu who returned from exile. The specific numerical detail, repeated for each family throughout the chapter, highlights the meticulous nature of the census. In a broader sense, these numbers are not merely statistics; they represent the tangible fulfillment of God's promise to restore His people. Each number signifies a group of individuals who, by faith, chose to leave the relative comfort of Babylon to participate in the arduous task of rebuilding Jerusalem. The precision of the numbers also lends credibility and authority to the record, indicating a careful and deliberate accounting of the returning exiles.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The children of Zattu":** This phrase identifies a specific clan or family unit that returned from the Babylonian captivity. In a society where family and tribal identity were paramount, this designation immediately places these individuals within the broader tapestry of Israel's history and covenant relationship with God. It signifies their lineage, their connection to the past, and their inherited place within the community of faith. The use of "children of" (בְּנֵי, _bĕnê_) emphasizes their collective identity as descendants of a common ancestor, Zattu, reinforcing the communal nature of the return and rebuilding effort.
* **"eight hundred forty and five":** This numerical figure quantifies the male members (typically adult males capable of contributing to the community) belonging to the Zattu family who were part of the post-exilic return. The exactness of the number underscores the administrative precision and importance of the census. It represents a significant contribution to the overall population of the restored community, highlighting that the rebuilding of Jerusalem was a collective effort, dependent on the participation of many families, each contributing their unique strength and numbers. This detail, seemingly mundane, is a testament to the tangible reality of God's restorative work through His people.

#### Literary Devices
Nehemiah 7:13, as part of a larger list, primarily employs the literary device of **Census** or **Genealogy**. This is a common feature in biblical literature, serving not merely as a historical record but as a theological statement. The repetitive structure of "The children of [Family Name], [Number]" throughout the chapter creates a sense of **Repetition** and **Pattern**, emphasizing the comprehensive nature of the return and the meticulous divine and human organization behind it. While seemingly a dry list, it functions as a **Testimony** to God's faithfulness in preserving a remnant and to the commitment of the people who returned. The very act of listing these families and their numbers transforms what could be mere data into a narrative of restoration, identity, and the foundational elements of a renewed covenant community.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Nehemiah 7:13, though a single line in a long list, profoundly illustrates God's meticulous attention to detail and His faithfulness in fulfilling His covenant promises. It demonstrates that God's plan of restoration is not abstract but involves specific individuals and families, each counted and valued. The census underscores the importance of community and identity within God's people, highlighting how individual families contribute to the collective strength and purpose of the whole. It reflects the divine order that underpins successful spiritual and physical rebuilding, reminding us that God works through organized and committed human agents. This seemingly mundane entry is a testament to God's sovereign hand guiding His people back to their land and re-establishing their heritage.

* [Ezra 2:8](/ezra/2-8 "Ezra 2:8 - The Children of Zattu in Ezra's Census")
* [Numbers 1:2-3](/numbers/1-2 "Numbers 1:2-3 - God Commands a Census of Israel")
* [Luke 10:20](/luke/10-20 "Luke 10:20 - Rejoice That Your Names Are Written in Heaven")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Nehemiah 7:13, despite its brevity and seemingly administrative nature, offers profound insights for contemporary believers. It reminds us that God is intimately involved in the details of our lives and communities, even those we might consider mundane or insignificant. Just as every family in the census contributed to the larger body of returning exiles, so too does every individual and family play a vital role in the contemporary church, the body of Christ. Our unique identities, gifts, and contributions, though sometimes feeling like just a number in a large congregation, are valued in God's economy and are essential for the flourishing of His kingdom. This verse encourages faithfulness in the seemingly ordinary tasks of life and ministry, recognizing that God works through diligent, detailed efforts to bring about His grand redemptive purposes. It calls us to appreciate the importance of our spiritual heritage and to participate actively in the ongoing work of building God's kingdom, knowing that our names are known and valued by Him.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the meticulous detail of this census challenge our perception of what God considers important?**
* **In what ways do you see your own "number" or unique contribution fitting into the larger body of Christ or your local church community?**
* **What "mundane" or "administrative" tasks in your life or ministry might God be using to fulfill His greater purposes?**
* **How does understanding the importance of lineage and identity in Nehemiah's time inform your understanding of your spiritual identity in Christ today?**

### FAQ
**Why is a detailed list of names and numbers important in the Bible, especially in a book like Nehemiah?**

Answer: Detailed lists of names and numbers, like the one in [Nehemiah 7](/nehemiah/7 "Nehemiah 7 - The Census of the Returnees"), are crucial for several reasons. Historically, they provide verifiable records of identity, lineage, and community structure, which were vital for land claims, tribal inheritances, and eligibility for priestly service in ancient Israel. Theologically, these lists demonstrate God's meticulous care for His people, showing that His promises of restoration are fulfilled through specific individuals and families, not just in an abstract sense. They also underscore the importance of order and accountability within God's community. Furthermore, they serve as a testament to the faithfulness of the returning exiles who, by their presence, fulfilled prophecy and contributed to the rebuilding of Jerusalem and the re-establishment of the covenant community. Such records also preserved the lineage through which the Messiah would eventually come, as seen in the genealogies of [Matthew 1](/matthew/1 "Matthew 1 - The Genealogy of Jesus Christ") and [Luke 3](/luke/3 "Luke 3 - The Genealogy of Jesus Christ").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Nehemiah 7:13 appears as a simple demographic detail, it finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment in several ways. The meticulous preservation of genealogies, of which this verse is a part, ultimately served to maintain the lineage through which the Messiah, Jesus Christ, would come, fulfilling the promises made to Abraham ([Genesis 12:3](/genesis/12-3 "Genesis 12:3 - Abrahamic Covenant")) and David ([2 Samuel 7:12-16](/2_samuel/7-12 "2 Samuel 7:12-16 - Davidic Covenant")). Just as every individual in the Zattu family was counted and essential for the physical rebuilding of Jerusalem, so too is every believer, regardless of their perceived significance, a vital member of the spiritual body of Christ ([1 Corinthians 12:12-27](/1_corinthians/12-12 "1 Corinthians 12:12-27 - The Body of Christ")). Christ Himself is the true head of the restored community, the one who perfectly fulfills God's promise to gather His scattered people ([John 11:52](/john/11-52 "John 11:52 - Jesus Gathers God's Scattered Children")). The census, a record of those who returned to rebuild, foreshadows the ultimate spiritual rebuilding and restoration found in Christ, who builds His church ([Matthew 16:18](/matthew/16-18 "Matthew 16:18 - Jesus Builds His Church")) and gathers His people into a new, eternal Jerusalem ([Revelation 21:2-4](/revelation/21-2 "Revelation 21:2-4 - The New Jerusalem")). Thus, this seemingly dry verse points to the grand redemptive plan culminating in Jesus, the one in whom all God's promises find their "Yes" and "Amen" ([2 Corinthians 1:20](/2_corinthians/1-20 "2 Corinthians 1:20 - God's Promises are Yes in Christ")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.