Nehemiah 7:17

KJV

The children of Azgad, two thousand three hundred twenty and two.

KJV (with Strong's)

The children {H1121} of Azgad {H5803}, two {H8147} thousand {H505} three {H7969} hundred {H3967} twenty {H6242} and two {H8147}.

Complete Jewish Bible

descendants of 'Azgad 2,322

Berean Standard Bible

the descendants of Azgad, 2,322;

American Standard Version

The children of Azgad, two thousand three hundred twenty and two.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Nehemiah 7:17, seemingly a simple numerical entry, records the precise count of 2,322 individuals from "the children of Azgad" who returned from Babylonian exile to Judah. This verse is part of a meticulous genealogical register that served as a foundational document for the post-exilic community. Far from being a mere statistic, this detailed record underscores God's unwavering faithfulness in preserving His covenant people, highlights the critical importance of identity and belonging for the re-established nation, and demonstrates the necessity of order and accountability in rebuilding a society centered on God's purposes. It reveals a divine attention to detail in the restoration of His people.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Nehemiah 7:17 is embedded within a comprehensive census, a register of those who returned to Judah after the Babylonian captivity. This chapter marks a significant transition in the book of Nehemiah. Following the triumphant completion of Jerusalem's walls in [Nehemiah 6](/nehemiah/6 "Nehemiah 6 - Completion of the Wall"), the focus shifts from physical reconstruction to the re-establishment of the community's spiritual and social order. Nehemiah discovers this genealogical record, originally compiled during the time of [Zerubbabel and Jeshua](/ezra/2 "Ezra 2 - The First Returnees"), and confirms its accuracy, as stated in [Nehemiah 7:5](/nehemiah/7-5 "Nehemiah 7:5 - Nehemiah Finds the Register"). The near-identical nature of this list to the one found in [Ezra 2](/ezra/2 "Ezra 2 - The List of Returnees") reinforces its authenticity and importance, serving as a foundational document for the restored covenant community, ensuring proper lineage for land inheritance, priestly service, and civic responsibilities.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical backdrop is the post-exilic period, specifically the mid-5th century BCE, during the Persian Empire's rule. After decades of exile in Babylon, a remnant of the Jewish people was permitted by Persian decrees (e.g., Cyrus's decree in [Ezra 1:1-4](/ezra/1-1 "Ezra 1:1-4 - Cyrus's Decree")) to return to their homeland. For the returning exiles, establishing and verifying their lineage was paramount. In ancient Israelite society, tribal identity and family registration were crucial for determining land ownership (rooted in the original allocation in [Joshua](/joshua "The Book of Joshua")), ensuring the purity of the priesthood (as seen in [Ezra 2:61-63](/ezra/2-61 "Ezra 2:61-63 - Priestly Lineage Issues")), and defining one's place within the covenant community. This census provided the necessary framework for re-establishing a functioning society, organizing temple worship, and ensuring the proper distribution of resources and responsibilities in a land that had been largely desolate.
* **Key Themes:** The meticulous numbering of families like "the children of Azgad" contributes to several overarching themes in Nehemiah. Firstly, it powerfully illustrates **Divine Faithfulness and Preservation**. Despite the exile, God remained true to His covenant promises, preserving a remnant of His people and orchestrating their return to the land, demonstrating His meticulous care even in seemingly mundane details. Secondly, it highlights the critical importance of **Identity and Belonging**. For a people whose identity had been threatened by displacement, knowing one's lineage confirmed their legitimate place within the restored Israelite community, granting them rights and responsibilities in the rebuilding efforts, including the [reconstruction of Jerusalem's walls](/nehemiah/2-17 "Nehemiah 2:17 - Nehemiah's Call to Rebuild the Wall") and the temple. Thirdly, the precise figures underscore the value of **Order and Accountability**. This detailed record-keeping provided a foundational structure for organizing society, assigning tasks, ensuring proper contributions for temple service, and establishing a stable, well-regulated civic and religious life, essential for the community's long-term health and survival.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Azgad (Hebrew, עַזְגָּד, _‘Azgad'_):** The name "Azgad" likely means "strong fort" or "strength of Gad." While the etymology of the name itself is not the primary focus of this verse, its inclusion signifies a recognized and prominent family head whose descendants formed a significant portion of the returning Jewish population. The listing of "the children of Azgad" by name and number underscores the meticulous nature of the census, validating their heritage and their rightful place within the restored community. It points to the importance of lineage and family identity in the post-exilic world, where belonging was tied to a verifiable connection to the historical Israel.
* **Two thousand three hundred twenty and two (Hebrew, אַלְפַּיִם שְׁלֹשׁ מֵאוֹת עֶשְׂרִים וּשְׁנַיִם, _‘alpayim shlosh me’ot ‘esrim u-shenayim'_):** This precise numerical count is crucial. It is not an approximation but a specific figure, reflecting the diligent and careful record-keeping vital for the community's re-establishment. The exactitude of the number emphasizes the accountability and order that Nehemiah sought to instill. It also symbolically represents the tangible evidence of God's faithfulness in preserving a substantial remnant, demonstrating that despite the devastation of exile, a significant portion of His people survived and returned, ready to rebuild.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The children of Azgad":** This phrase identifies a specific family or clan, descendants of a man named Azgad. In ancient Israelite society, identity was strongly tied to one's family and tribal lineage. Being listed as "children of Azgad" meant these individuals had a verifiable claim to their Israelite heritage, which was essential for land rights, participation in temple worship, and civic duties in the re-established community. It speaks to the importance of genealogical purity and continuity for the covenant people.
* **"two thousand three hundred twenty and two":** This exact number indicates the meticulousness of the census. It signifies that each individual was accounted for, highlighting the value placed on every member of the returning remnant. This precision was not merely administrative; it was foundational for organizing the community, allocating resources, and ensuring that the restored nation could function effectively. It also serves as a testament to God's preservation of a significant number of His people, a tangible fulfillment of His promise to maintain a remnant.

#### Literary Devices
Nehemiah 7:17 primarily employs the literary device of **List** or **Census**. This is a common feature in biblical texts, particularly in historical and legal books (e.g., Numbers, Ezra, Nehemiah), serving multiple functions beyond mere enumeration. Here, the list provides **Validation** of the returnees' identity and heritage, establishing their legitimate claim to the land and their place within the covenant community. It also functions as a form of **Documentation**, providing an authoritative record for administrative purposes, such as taxation, military service, and temple contributions. Furthermore, the meticulous detail within the census, including specific numbers for each family, conveys a sense of **Order** and divine providence, suggesting that God's hand was in the precise gathering and accounting of His people. The repetition of similar lists (as seen by comparison with Ezra 2) reinforces their authenticity and significance, underscoring the foundational importance of this register for the re-establishment of Israelite society.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Nehemiah 7:17, though a single line in a lengthy register, profoundly illustrates God's meticulous care and faithfulness towards His covenant people. It demonstrates that even in what appears to be a dry, administrative detail, God is at work, preserving a remnant and orchestrating their return with precision. This census is a tangible sign of God remembering His promises despite Israel's disobedience and exile. It reveals that every individual within His people matters to Him, and He meticulously accounts for them, laying the groundwork for the rebuilding not just of walls, but of a nation. This divine attention to detail in the Old Testament foreshadows God's intimate knowledge of each believer in the New Covenant, where our names are recorded in an even more significant register.

* [Psalm 139:16](/psalm/139-16 "Psalm 139:16 - God Sees Our Days")
* [1 Peter 2:9](/1_peter/2-9 "1 Peter 2:9 - A Chosen Race, a Royal Priesthood")
* [Revelation 20:12](/revelation/20-12 "Revelation 20:12 - The Books Were Opened")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The seemingly mundane numerical entry of Nehemiah 7:17 offers profound lessons for contemporary believers. It reminds us that God is a God of order, precision, and intimate care, even in the details we might overlook. Just as the physical lineage was crucial for the returning exiles to establish their identity and place, our spiritual identity in Christ is paramount today. We are not merely anonymous individuals in a vast world, but children of God, part of a [chosen generation, a royal priesthood](/1_peter/2-9 "1 Peter 2:9 - Our Spiritual Identity"), whose names are known and cherished by our Heavenly Father. This verse challenges us to embrace the value of order and accountability within our own lives and in our church communities, recognizing that good stewardship of our resources, time, and gifts contributes to the flourishing of God's kingdom. It encourages us to see the divine hand in the ordinary, trusting that God's meticulous care extends to every aspect of our lives and the collective life of His people.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the meticulous detail of Nehemiah 7:17 challenge your perception of God's involvement in the seemingly mundane aspects of your life?**
* **In what ways does your spiritual identity in Christ provide a sense of belonging and purpose, mirroring the importance of lineage for the returning exiles?**
* **How can you, as an individual or as part of your church community, embrace principles of order and accountability to better serve God's purposes and strengthen your collective witness?**

### FAQ
**Why are these detailed lists of names and numbers so important in Nehemiah?**

Answer: The detailed lists in Nehemiah, including the specific count for "the children of Azgad," were critically important for several reasons. Primarily, they served as a **validation of identity** for the returning exiles. In a post-exilic world, proving one's lineage was essential for claiming land inheritance (which was tied to tribal allocations from the time of [Joshua](/joshua "The Book of Joshua")), ensuring the purity of the priesthood (as seen in [Ezra 2:61-63](/ezra/2-61 "Ezra 2:61-63 - Priestly Lineage")), and establishing one's rightful place within the restored covenant community. Secondly, they provided a framework for **organizational structure**. With precise numbers, Nehemiah could effectively organize the population for rebuilding efforts, assign tasks, allocate resources, and ensure proper contributions for the temple service and civic life. These lists underscore the importance of order and accountability in re-establishing a society centered on God's commands.

**Is the list in Nehemiah 7 identical to the one found in Ezra 2?**

Answer: The list in Nehemiah 7 is nearly identical to the one found in [Ezra 2](/ezra/2 "Ezra 2 - The List of Returnees"), which records the first wave of returnees under Zerubbabel. There are minor variations in the numbers for some families and the spelling of a few names, but the overall structure and the vast majority of the entries are the same. This near-identity is significant because it suggests that Nehemiah's list is an authentic and carefully preserved record, likely a copy or updated version of the original census taken decades earlier. The consistency between the two books reinforces the historical accuracy and the foundational importance of this genealogical register for the post-exilic community, confirming the legitimate heritage of those who returned to rebuild Jerusalem and Judah.

**What is the deeper significance of the specific number 2,322 for the children of Azgad?**

Answer: The specific number 2,322 for the children of Azgad, like all the precise figures in Nehemiah 7, carries significant meaning beyond mere statistics. It highlights the **meticulousness of God's care** and the **diligence of the human record-keepers**. This exactitude demonstrates that God was faithful in preserving a substantial remnant of His people, ensuring that a viable population returned to rebuild. It speaks to **accountability and order** within the community, as each individual was counted and recognized. Furthermore, the sheer number, when aggregated across all families, underscores the scale of God's preservation and the tangible evidence of His promise to restore His people, providing hope and a solid foundation for the future of Israel.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Nehemiah 7:17 details a physical census of a returning remnant, it profoundly foreshadows the spiritual reality of God's people in Christ. The meticulous accounting of "the children of Azgad" speaks to God's intimate knowledge and preservation of His chosen ones. In the New Covenant, this physical lineage gives way to a spiritual one, where our identity is found not in earthly genealogies but in being "in Christ" ([2 Corinthians 5:17](/2_corinthians/5-17 "2 Corinthians 5:17 - New Creation in Christ")). Jesus is the ultimate fulfillment of God's promise to gather His scattered people ([Matthew 23:37](/matthew/23-37 "Matthew 23:37 - Jesus' Lament Over Jerusalem")), not merely a physical remnant, but a spiritual one redeemed by His blood. The "census" that truly matters is not of those who returned from Babylon, but of those whose names are written in the [Lamb's Book of Life](/revelation/21-27 "Revelation 21:27 - The Book of Life"), a register kept by God Himself from the foundation of the world ([Revelation 13:8](/revelation/13-8 "Revelation 13:8 - The Lamb Slain From the Foundation of the World")). Just as the Azgad family had a verifiable place in the restored community, believers in Christ have an eternal, secure place in the heavenly Jerusalem, a testament to God's perfect plan of redemption and His unwavering faithfulness to those whom He calls His own ([2 Timothy 2:19](/2_timothy/2-19 "2 Timothy 2:19 - God Knows Those Who Are His")).

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 2:12

The children of Azgad, a thousand two hundred twenty and two.