Nehemiah 7:15

KJV

The children of Binnui, six hundred forty and eight.

KJV (with Strong's)

The children {H1121} of Binnui {H1131}, six {H8337} hundred {H3967} forty {H705} and eight {H8083}.

Complete Jewish Bible

descendants of Binui 648

Berean Standard Bible

the descendants of Binnui, 648;

American Standard Version

The children of Binnui, six hundred forty and eight.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Nehemiah 7:15 is a precise entry within a comprehensive genealogical and numerical register, documenting the return of Jewish exiles to Judah from Babylonian captivity. This verse specifically records that "the children of Binnui" numbered six hundred forty and eight individuals, forming a vital part of the reconstituted community in Jerusalem. It underscores the meticulous effort to re-establish the covenant people of God, emphasizing their identity, heritage, and the divine faithfulness in preserving a remnant for the restoration of Israel.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Nehemiah 7 serves as a pivotal chapter, immediately following the triumphant completion of the wall of Jerusalem in [Nehemiah 6:15](/nehemiah/6-15 "Nehemiah 6:15 - Completion of the Wall"). With the physical defenses secured, Nehemiah shifts his focus to the internal organization and repopulation of the holy city. This chapter presents a detailed census, almost identical to the one found in [Ezra 2](/ezra/2 "Ezra 2 - The First Returnees"), which lists the families and their numbers who returned with Zerubbabel in the first wave of exiles. The repetition of this list highlights its immense importance for establishing legitimacy, tribal identity, and the foundational population of the post-exilic community. It functions as a legal and historical document, affirming the lineage of those who would inherit land, serve in the temple, and participate in the restored nation.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is post-exilic Judah, specifically Jerusalem, around 444 BC, during Nehemiah’s governorship under the Persian Empire. Seventy years of Babylonian captivity had scattered the Jewish people, and their return was a fulfillment of prophetic promises. For a people whose identity was inextricably linked to their ancestry, land, and covenant with Yahweh, these genealogical records were paramount. They ensured that only true descendants of Israel, particularly those of priestly and Levitical lines, could serve in the rebuilt temple. Culturally, lineage determined social status, property rights, and religious roles. The meticulous counting of individuals, even down to specific family units like "the children of Binnui," reflects an administrative necessity for taxation, military conscription (though not explicitly stated here, it was a common ancient practice), and the proper allocation of resources in a nascent, struggling community striving for stability and purity.
* **Key Themes:** Nehemiah 7:15, as part of this extensive register, contributes to several overarching themes. Firstly, **Identity and Heritage** is central; the lists affirm who belongs to the covenant community, ensuring proper lineage for temple service and land inheritance, as seen in the careful distinction of those whose lineage was uncertain in [Nehemiah 7:64](/nehemiah/7-64 "Nehemiah 7:64 - Those Excluded from Priesthood"). Secondly, it powerfully illustrates **Divine Faithfulness and Preservation**; despite the trauma of exile and dispersion, God preserved a remnant of His people and orchestrated their return to the land, fulfilling His promises through prophets like [Isaiah](/isaiah/11 "Isaiah 11 - The Branch from Jesse") and [Jeremiah](/jeremiah/29 "Jeremiah 29 - Plans for Hope and a Future"). The very existence of these thousands of returnees testifies to God's unwavering commitment to His covenant. Thirdly, the chapter emphasizes **Order and Organization** in the restored community. Nehemiah, a skilled administrator, understood that rebuilding was not just about walls but about structuring a society, establishing proper governance, and ensuring the purity of worship, all of which depended on accurate records of its people.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Binnui (Hebrew, _Binnūy_):** This personal or clan name (בִּנּוּי) is derived from the Hebrew root בָּנָה (_banah_), meaning "to build" or "to establish." While its direct meaning "built" or "building" might be coincidental for this specific family, it resonates profoundly with the overarching theme of the book of Nehemiah, which is centered on the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls and the re-establishment of the Jewish community. The inclusion of "Binnui" in this list signifies the contribution of this particular family unit to the larger project of rebuilding and re-populating the city and nation.
* **Children (Hebrew, _b'nei_):** The term "children" (בְּנֵי) here functions as a collective noun, referring to the descendants or members of the household/clan of Binnui. It emphasizes the family as the fundamental unit of Israelite society and the primary means by which lineage and identity were preserved. The census is not merely of individuals but of family groups, highlighting the corporate nature of the covenant people and the importance of maintaining tribal and familial distinctions for land inheritance, religious duties, and social order in the restored community.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The children of Binnui":** This phrase identifies a specific family or clan unit that participated in the return from exile. The meticulous naming of families underscores the importance of lineage and heritage for the post-exilic community. It signifies their legitimate claim to being part of the covenant people of Israel and their right to reside in the land and participate in the life of the restored nation. This detail reinforces the historical accuracy and administrative thoroughness of the biblical record.
* **"six hundred forty and eight":** This precise numerical figure indicates the exact count of individuals belonging to the family of Binnui who returned. The specificity of the number, rather than an approximation, highlights the meticulous record-keeping undertaken by the leaders, likely for purposes of resettlement, resource allocation, and the re-establishment of social and religious order. It also conveys the scale of the return, emphasizing that while a remnant, it was a substantial number of people committed to rebuilding their lives and their nation in the promised land.

#### Literary Devices
Nehemiah 7:15, as part of a larger list, primarily employs the literary device of **Cataloging** or **Register**. This involves the systematic enumeration of items, in this case, family units and their respective numbers. The purpose of such a catalog is not merely to provide dry data but to establish historical veracity, demonstrate comprehensive organization, and underscore the tangible reality of the returned remnant. The **Repetition** of this list, nearly identical to [Ezra 2](/ezra/2 "Ezra 2 - The First Returnees"), serves to validate its accuracy and emphasize its foundational importance for the identity and structure of the restored community. The precision of the numbers also acts as a form of **Emphasis**, highlighting the meticulous care taken in documenting the new beginnings of Israel, reflecting a divine concern for order and accountability.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Nehemiah 7:15, embedded within the larger census, powerfully testifies to God's unwavering covenant faithfulness. Despite the devastating exile, God preserved a remnant and orchestrated their return, fulfilling His prophetic promises. This meticulous record-keeping underscores the divine value placed on individual identity within the corporate body of Israel, demonstrating that every person and family unit mattered in God's grand plan of redemption and restoration. It speaks to the importance of order, heritage, and the re-establishment of a holy people in their land, laying the groundwork for future divine interactions.

* [Ezra 2:1-70](/ezra/2-1 "Ezra 2:1-70 - List of Returnees with Zerubbabel")
* [Isaiah 11:11-12](/isaiah/11-11 "Isaiah 11:11-12 - The Remnant's Return")
* [Romans 9:27](/romans/9-27 "Romans 9:27 - A Remnant Will Be Saved")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While a verse like Nehemiah 7:15 might initially appear to be a simple historical record, it offers profound spiritual and practical lessons for believers today. It reminds us that God is a God of detail and order, who knows each of His children by name and numbers the very hairs on our heads. Just as the returning exiles were meticulously counted and recorded, so too are we, as members of God's new covenant community, known and valued by Him. This verse encourages us to appreciate our spiritual heritage, understanding that we are part of a larger story of God's faithfulness throughout history. It also challenges us to live with intentionality and order, recognizing that our individual lives contribute to the collective witness and mission of the church. The preservation of a remnant against all odds serves as a powerful reminder of God's enduring power to keep His promises and sustain His people through every trial, instilling hope and confidence in His sovereign plan.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the meticulous record-keeping in Nehemiah 7, including specific numbers like "six hundred forty and eight," speak to God's character and His view of individuals within His community?**
* **In what ways does understanding your own spiritual heritage (your place in God's redemptive story) strengthen your identity and purpose as a believer today?**
* **What practical steps can you take to live a more ordered and intentional life, recognizing your role within the larger body of Christ?**

### FAQ
**Why is this detailed list, including numbers like "six hundred forty and eight," so important in the book of Nehemiah?**

Answer: This detailed list is crucial for several reasons. Firstly, it serves as a foundational document for the re-establishment of the Jewish community in Jerusalem after the Babylonian exile. It meticulously records the families and their numbers who returned, providing a clear and verifiable lineage for the inhabitants, which was essential for maintaining tribal identities, land inheritance rights, and ensuring that only legitimate descendants of Israel, particularly those of priestly and Levitical lines, could serve in the rebuilt temple. Secondly, its near-identical nature to the list in [Ezra 2](/ezra/2 "Ezra 2 - The First Returnees") underscores its historical accuracy and importance to the chroniclers, validating the legitimacy of the post-exilic community. Thirdly, it highlights the administrative genius of Nehemiah, who, after securing the city's physical walls, turned his attention to organizing its people, demonstrating a divine emphasis on order, accountability, and the proper structuring of society for worship and governance. It shows that God cares about the details of His people's lives and their corporate identity.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Nehemiah 7:15 is a historical record of a specific family's return, it finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the ultimate "builder" and gatherer of God's people, Jesus Christ. The meticulous accounting of the remnant in Nehemiah foreshadows God's precise and intentional work in gathering His new covenant people, the Church, from every tribe and nation. Just as the "children of Binnui" were counted and brought back to Jerusalem, so too are all believers "numbered" in the Lamb's Book of Life, called out of spiritual exile and brought into the true city of God, the heavenly Jerusalem ([Hebrews 12:22-24](/hebrews/12-22 "The Heavenly Jerusalem")). Jesus is the true "builder" of God's spiritual house, as He declared, "I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it" ([Matthew 16:18](/matthew/16-18 "Jesus' Promise to Build His Church")). The emphasis on lineage in Nehemiah points to Christ as the ultimate Seed of Abraham ([Galatians 3:16](/galatians/3-16 "The Promise to Abraham's Seed")), through whom all the families of the earth are blessed. The preservation of a physical remnant in Nehemiah anticipates the spiritual remnant preserved by grace through faith in Christ ([Romans 11:5-6](/romans/11-5 "A Remnant Chosen by Grace")), who are now citizens of a heavenly kingdom, eternally registered in the divine census of redemption.

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.

Cross-References

Ezra 2:10

The children of Bani, six hundred forty and two.