Nehemiah 7:16

KJV

The children of Bebai, six hundred twenty and eight.

KJV (with Strong's)

The children {H1121} of Bebai {H893}, six {H8337} hundred {H3967} twenty {H6242} and eight {H8083}.

Complete Jewish Bible

descendants of B'vai 628

Berean Standard Bible

the descendants of Bebai, 628;

American Standard Version

The children of Bebai, six hundred twenty and eight.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Nehemiah 7:16 is a precise entry within a comprehensive census list, meticulously detailing the number of individuals from the family of Bebai who returned to Judah from the Babylonian exile. This verse, part of a larger administrative record in Nehemiah 7, underscores the careful organization of the post-exilic community, highlighting the importance of lineage, identity, and the tangible fulfillment of God's promises in the restoration of His people to their land.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Nehemiah 7 immediately follows the completion of Jerusalem's walls, a monumental achievement detailed in [Nehemiah 6](/nehemiah/6 "Nehemiah 6 - Completion of the Wall"). With the physical security of the city established, Nehemiah shifts his focus to the internal organization and repopulation of Jerusalem. Chapter 7 serves as a vital administrative document, a detailed roster of those who returned from exile. This list is nearly identical to the one found in [Ezra 2](/ezra/2 "Ezra 2 - List of Exiles Who Returned"), indicating its profound significance and accuracy to both Ezra and Nehemiah as foundational records for the reconstituted community. The inclusion of specific family counts, like that of Bebai, emphasizes the meticulous nature of this record, laying the groundwork for the re-establishment of civic and religious life.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The return from Babylonian exile was a pivotal moment in Israelite history, marking the end of a seventy-year period of judgment and the beginning of a new era of restoration. This return was facilitated by the decree of Cyrus the Great, allowing the Jewish people to return to their homeland and rebuild the Temple. For the returning exiles, identity and lineage were paramount. Genealogical records were crucial for establishing tribal affiliations, determining rights to ancestral lands, confirming eligibility for priestly and Levitical duties, and ensuring the purity of the covenant community. The meticulous counting of families, such as the 628 members of Bebai, reflects the cultural emphasis on maintaining a clear and verifiable connection to their Israelite heritage in a period of national rebuilding and spiritual renewal.
* **Key Themes:** This seemingly dry list contributes significantly to several major themes within Nehemiah and the broader post-exilic narrative. Firstly, it powerfully illustrates **Divine Faithfulness and Restoration**, demonstrating God's unwavering commitment to His covenant promises to bring His people back from captivity, as prophesied by Jeremiah (e.g., [Jeremiah 29:10](/jeremiah/29-10 "Jeremiah 29:10 - God's Plans for Restoration")). Each number, including the precise count for Bebai, represents a tangible act of divine deliverance. Secondly, it underscores the theme of **Identity and Heritage**, as knowing one's family lineage was essential for affirming one's place within the covenant community and the reconstituted nation. These records highlight the importance of both spiritual and national identity in God's plan. Finally, the **Meticulous Record-Keeping** reflects the precision and order God brings to His work, suggesting that every individual was known and accounted for in His comprehensive plan for His people, forming the nucleus of the restored Jewish community in Judah.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Bebai (Hebrew, _Bebai'_):** This is a personal or family name, appearing several times in the post-exilic lists (e.g., [Ezra 2:11](/ezra/2-11 "Ezra 2:11 - The Children of Bebai")). Its etymology is uncertain, though it is generally considered to be of Babylonian or Persian origin, reflecting the cultural influences absorbed during the seventy years of exile. The significance here lies not in the name's meaning, but in its inclusion as a distinct, identifiable family unit among the returning exiles, underscoring the specific and granular nature of the census.
* **Six hundred twenty and eight (Hebrew, _shesh mē'ôt u-ʻeśrîm u-shmônāh'_):** This precise numerical count is highly significant. It emphasizes the meticulousness of the record-keeping and the administrative diligence applied to the resettlement process. In a culture where oral tradition was strong, the written preservation of such exact figures highlights the importance placed on accuracy and accountability. It also implicitly conveys the sheer scale of the return, not just as a general movement but as a collection of thousands of individuals, each belonging to a specific family, known and counted.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The children of Bebai,":** This phrase identifies a specific family or clan unit that returned from exile. The use of "children of" (בְּנֵי, _bĕnê_) is a common Hebrew idiom to denote descendants or members of a particular lineage, emphasizing their collective identity and shared heritage. This highlights the tribal and familial structure that formed the bedrock of Israelite society and was crucial for re-establishing order and land claims after the exile.
* **"six hundred twenty and eight.":** This numerical detail provides the exact count of individuals belonging to the family of Bebai who participated in the return. The precision of this number, down to the single digit, underscores the administrative rigor of the census. It signifies that these were not mere estimates but carefully tabulated figures, reflecting a deep concern for accuracy in documenting the foundational population of the restored community. This meticulousness also subtly suggests divine oversight, where every individual in God's redemptive plan is known and accounted for.

#### Literary Devices
Nehemiah 7:16, as part of a larger genealogical record, primarily employs **List** or **Census** as its literary device. This technique serves to document and categorize, providing a factual and verifiable account of the returning exiles. The sheer **Precision** of the numbers, down to the single digit, functions as a form of **Emphasis through Detail**, underscoring the historical accuracy and administrative diligence of the biblical record. This meticulousness lends credibility to the narrative, asserting that these were real people, precisely counted and remembered. Furthermore, the repetitive structure of the list, naming a family and then its number, creates a sense of **Order** and **Completeness**, reinforcing the idea that the restoration was not haphazard but a carefully orchestrated divine and human endeavor.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Nehemiah 7:16, though a simple numerical entry, is profoundly theological. It testifies to God's unwavering faithfulness in fulfilling His covenant promises, particularly His commitment to restore His people to their land after exile, as prophesied by Jeremiah and Isaiah. The meticulous counting of each family underscores the divine value placed on every individual and lineage within God's redemptive plan, demonstrating that no one is forgotten or insignificant in His sight. This census provided the foundational structure for the reconstituted community, emphasizing the importance of identity, heritage, and the collective effort required to rebuild both the physical city and the spiritual life of the nation. It serves as a powerful reminder that God's grand narrative of salvation unfolds through the lives of ordinary people, precisely known and sovereignly guided.

* [Ezra 2:11](/ezra/2-11 "Ezra 2:11 - The Children of Bebai in Ezra's Census")
* [Jeremiah 29:10](/jeremiah/29-10 "Jeremiah 29:10 - Prophecy of Return from Exile")
* [Psalm 147:4](/psalms/147-4 "Psalm 147:4 - God Knows the Number of the Stars")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Even a seemingly mundane list of names and numbers, like Nehemiah 7:16, carries profound lessons for contemporary believers. It reminds us that God is a God of order, precision, and faithfulness, meticulously overseeing every detail of His redemptive plan, including the lives of individuals. Just as every member of the Bebai family was counted and known, so too does God know and value every single person in His kingdom. We are not lost in the crowd; our individual lives, our heritage, and our contributions are significant to Him. This passage encourages us to embrace our identity within the larger community of faith, recognizing that we are part of a continuous story of God's faithfulness and restoration. It calls us to live with diligence and accountability, knowing that our collective efforts, no matter how small, contribute to the building of God's kingdom.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the meticulous counting of families like Bebai challenge our perception of what God considers important?**
* **In what ways does this verse affirm God's faithfulness to His promises, even through long periods of waiting and hardship?**
* **How can understanding our spiritual heritage and actively participating in a faith community strengthen our sense of identity and purpose today?**
* **What does the emphasis on order and diligence in this ancient census teach us about our own responsibilities in spiritual and practical matters?**

### FAQ
**Why is a verse like Nehemiah 7:16, which just lists a number, included in the Bible?**

Answer: Verses like [Nehemiah 7:16](/nehemiah/7-16 "Nehemiah 7:16 - The Children of Bebai") are included for several crucial reasons. Firstly, they provide historical and administrative authenticity to the biblical narrative. This meticulous record-keeping underscores the reality of the return from exile, demonstrating that it was not a vague concept but a concrete historical event involving real people and families. Secondly, these lists highlight God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises; the return of His people, even in precise numbers, is a tangible demonstration of His covenant loyalty. Thirdly, they establish the identity and lineage of the returning community, which was vital for re-establishing tribal lands, priestly functions, and ultimately, preserving the genealogical line that would lead to the Messiah. Every number, every name, speaks to God's detailed involvement in the lives of His people and the unfolding of His redemptive plan. The parallel list in [Ezra 2](/ezra/2 "Ezra 2 - List of Returning Exiles") further emphasizes its importance and accuracy.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Nehemiah 7:16 is a historical record of returning exiles, it finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in several profound ways. The preservation of specific lineages, like that of Bebai, underscores God's meticulous care in maintaining the genealogical thread that would ultimately lead to the Messiah. The entire purpose of the return from exile was to re-establish a people and a land through whom God's redemptive plan would culminate in Jesus Christ, the true King of Israel. Just as these individuals were counted and restored to their homeland, Christ, as the ultimate Good Shepherd, gathers His elect from every tribe and nation, bringing them into a new spiritual kingdom, the church, where every believer is known and valued by name (cf. [John 10:3](/john/10-3 "John 10:3 - The Shepherd Calls His Own Sheep by Name")). The precision of the census foreshadows the divine order and perfect fulfillment found in Christ, who is the head of the new covenant community, the true Israel of God (cf. [Galatians 6:16](/galatians/6-16 "Galatians 6:16 - The Israel of God")). He is the ultimate restorer, not just of a physical land, but of humanity's broken relationship with God, bringing true and lasting spiritual restoration to all who believe (cf. [Colossians 1:19-20](/colossians/1-19 "Colossians 1:19-20 - Christ Reconciles All Things")). The returnees in Nehemiah were foundational to the physical rebuilding; Christ is the cornerstone of the spiritual temple, building up His church with every individual member precisely fitted into His divine design (cf. [Ephesians 2:20-22](/ephesians/2-20 "Ephesians 2:20-22 - Christ the Cornerstone")).

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.