Nehemiah 7:18

KJV

The children of Adonikam, six hundred threescore and seven.

KJV (with Strong's)

The children {H1121} of Adonikam {H140}, six {H8337} hundred {H3967} threescore {H8346} and seven {H7651}.

Complete Jewish Bible

descendants of Adonikam 667

Berean Standard Bible

the descendants of Adonikam, 667;

American Standard Version

The children of Adonikam, six hundred threescore and seven.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Nehemiah 7:18 is a precise entry within a meticulously compiled census of the Jewish exiles who returned to Judah from Babylonian captivity, specifically identifying "The children of Adonikam, six hundred threescore and seven." This seemingly simple statistical detail is profoundly significant, serving not merely as a record of population but as an affirmation of identity, lineage, and the divine faithfulness in the restoration of God's covenant people to their ancestral land and the rebuilding of Jerusalem.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Nehemiah 7:18 is embedded within a comprehensive register spanning [Nehemiah 7:6-73](/nehemiah/7 "Nehemiah 7 - The Census of Returnees"), which lists the families and individuals who returned to Judah following the decree of King Cyrus. This chapter immediately follows the successful completion of the wall of Jerusalem in [Nehemiah 6](/nehemiah/6 "Nehemiah 6 - Completion of the Wall"), marking a transition from physical rebuilding to the re-establishment of the community's social and religious order. The census is almost identical to the one found in [Ezra 2](/ezra/2 "Ezra 2 - The First Returnees"), indicating its authoritative and foundational nature for the post-exilic community. Its placement here underscores the importance of knowing "who is who" for the future organization of the nation, including the assignment of lands, the resumption of temple service, and the general administration of the restored community.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The return from Babylonian exile was a pivotal moment in Israelite history, fulfilling prophetic promises of restoration after seventy years of captivity (e.g., [Jeremiah 29:10](/jeremiah/29-10 "Jeremiah 29:10 - Promise of Restoration")). The meticulous record-keeping, as seen in this census, was vital for several reasons in the ancient Near East. Lineage determined rights to land, inheritance, and, crucially for Israel, eligibility for priestly and Levitical service. Without clear genealogical records, the purity of the priesthood and the tribal allocations could not be maintained. The returnees were a remnant, and their identity as the true Israel was paramount for their survival and the re-establishment of their covenant relationship with God. This census provided the foundational data for rebuilding not just structures, but the very fabric of their society and religious life.
* **Key Themes:** This verse, as part of the broader census, contributes to several overarching themes in Nehemiah. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Preservation and Restoration**, demonstrating God's faithfulness in bringing His people back from exile, despite their unfaithfulness, to fulfill His covenant promises. The very existence of these named families testifies to God's enduring commitment to His chosen people, as seen in passages like [Isaiah 43:5-7](/isaiah/43-5 "Isaiah 43:5-7 - God Gathers His People"). Secondly, the detailed nature of the list emphasizes **Order and Accuracy**, reflecting God's character as a God of order and the importance of meticulous administration in the life of His people. This attention to detail is not just bureaucratic; it underscores the divine hand in orchestrating the return and resettlement. Thirdly, it speaks to **Community and Identity**, as each family unit, like the children of Adonikam, was an integral part of the larger collective, contributing to the strength and purpose of the nascent post-exilic community and affirming their place within the covenant nation.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Adonikam (Hebrew, _ʼĂdônîqām'_):** This name means "my Lord has risen" or "the Lord has arisen." While the verse itself is a simple enumeration, the meaning of the family name subtly points to the overarching theme of divine intervention and restoration. The return from exile was a powerful demonstration of God "rising up" to deliver His people and fulfill His promises, bringing them out of bondage and back to their land. Thus, the name "Adonikam" serves as an unintentional theological echo, reminding the reader of the Lord's active role in the events described.
* **six hundred threescore and seven (Hebrew, _šēš mēʼôṯ šiššîm wəšebhaʻ_):** This precise number (667) highlights the meticulous nature of the census. "Threescore" is an archaic term for sixty, so "six hundred threescore and seven" translates to 667. The exactitude of the count underscores the importance placed on each individual and family within the returning community. It signifies a careful, deliberate process of accounting for every person who had a legitimate claim to be part of the restored Israel, emphasizing order, administrative diligence, and the value of each member in the eyes of the record-keepers and, by extension, in the eyes of God.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The children of Adonikam":** This phrase identifies a specific family unit or clan among the returnees. In ancient Israelite society, lineage was paramount, determining tribal affiliation, land inheritance, and eligibility for various roles, especially within the temple service. The identification by family name underscores the continuity of identity and heritage across generations, even through the disruption of exile. It signifies their legitimate claim to be part of the covenant community returning to Judah.
* **"six hundred threescore and seven":** This numerical count provides the exact number of individuals belonging to the family of Adonikam who participated in the return. The precision of this figure, like all others in the census, emphasizes the thoroughness of the record-keeping. It indicates that the return was not a chaotic migration but an organized, accounted-for movement, highlighting the administrative capacity of the leaders (Zerubbabel, Ezra, Nehemiah) and the importance of every individual within the collective restoration effort.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in Nehemiah 7:18 and the broader census is **Cataloging** or **Listing**, which serves to convey the comprehensive and meticulous nature of the post-exilic community's re-establishment. This detailed **Enumeration** of families and their numbers creates a sense of authenticity and historical accuracy, validating the legitimacy of the returnees. The **Repetition** of this list, almost identically in [Ezra 2](/ezra/2 "Ezra 2 - The First Returnees"), further emphasizes its importance and reliability. While seemingly dry, this precise detailing functions as a powerful testament to God's faithfulness in preserving a remnant and bringing them back in an orderly fashion, highlighting the divine attention to detail in the unfolding of His redemptive plan.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Nehemiah 7:18, as part of the comprehensive census, powerfully illustrates God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promises. Despite Israel's rebellion and subsequent exile, God meticulously preserved a remnant and orchestrated their return, demonstrating His sovereign control over history and His commitment to His people. This detailed accounting of individuals and families underscores the divine principle that God is a God of order, who knows His people intimately and values each member. It speaks to the re-establishment of identity for a people who had been dispersed, reminding them of their heritage and their place within God's ongoing redemptive narrative. The emphasis on lineage also points to the importance of continuity and the fulfillment of promises across generations, laying the groundwork for the future coming of the Messiah through these very family lines.

* [Ezra 2:13](/ezra/2-13 "Ezra 2:13 - The Children of Adonikam in Ezra's Census")
* [Psalm 147:4](/psalm/147-4 "Psalm 147:4 - God Knows All the Stars by Name")
* [Isaiah 43:1](/isaiah/43-1 "Isaiah 43:1 - God Calls His People by Name")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Though Nehemiah 7:18 appears to be a mere statistical entry, its inclusion in the inspired Word of God reminds us that every detail matters to Him. Just as God meticulously accounted for each family returning from exile, He knows and cares for every individual within His spiritual household today. This verse encourages us to value our place within the community of faith, recognizing that our individual identities are affirmed and purposed within God's larger redemptive plan. It calls us to reflect on the faithfulness of God, who keeps His promises across generations and circumstances, providing hope and assurance that He will complete the good work He has begun in us. Our lives, though seemingly small in the grand scheme, are precisely known and deeply valued by our Creator, who orchestrates all things for His glory and our good.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the meticulous record-keeping in Nehemiah 7:18 challenge or affirm your understanding of God's attention to detail in your own life?**
* **In what ways does belonging to a community of faith provide you with a sense of identity and purpose, similar to how the returnees found theirs in the restored Israel?**
* **What specific promises of God, demonstrated through the restoration in Nehemiah, encourage you to trust Him more fully in your current circumstances?**

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

Answer: These lists are critically important for several reasons. First, they establish **identity and legitimacy**. For the returning exiles, knowing one's lineage confirmed their right to settle in the land, reclaim ancestral inheritances, and participate in the life of the community. Second, they were essential for **rebuilding and organization**. The census provided the data needed to organize the population for the monumental tasks of rebuilding Jerusalem's walls and the Temple, assigning responsibilities, and allocating resources. Third, they ensured **religious purity and continuity**. Eligibility for priestly and Levitical service was strictly based on lineage, so these records were vital for maintaining the integrity of the temple worship (e.g., [Nehemiah 7:63-65](/nehemiah/7-63 "Nehemiah 7:63-65 - Exclusion from the Priesthood")). Finally, they serve as a historical record, testifying to God's faithfulness in preserving His covenant people and fulfilling His promises of restoration after the Babylonian exile, as prophesied in passages like [Jeremiah 29:10](/jeremiah/29-10 "Jeremiah 29:10 - God's Promise of Restoration")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Nehemiah 7:18 records a physical census of the returning exiles, it foreshadows the ultimate divine "census" of God's people in Christ. The meticulous accounting of the children of Adonikam speaks to God's intimate knowledge of each individual within His covenant community. In the New Testament, this finds its profound fulfillment in the spiritual Israel, the church, whose members are not merely counted but are "written in the Lamb's Book of Life" ([Revelation 21:27](/revelation/21-27 "Revelation 21:27 - Only Those in the Book of Life Enter New Jerusalem")). Jesus, the true "Adonikam" whose "Lord has risen," is the one who gathers His people from every tribe and nation, establishing a new covenant community not based on physical lineage but on faith in Him ([Galatians 3:28](/galatians/3-28 "Galatians 3:28 - No Jew or Gentile in Christ")). The precision of the Nehemiah record points to the certainty of God's salvation and the eternal security of those who are "known by God" ([Galatians 4:9](/galatians/4-9 "Galatians 4:9 - Known by God")). Just as the returnees were restored to their land, believers in Christ are restored to fellowship with God and given an inheritance in the heavenly city, a new Jerusalem, where their names are eternally secure ([Hebrews 12:22-23](/hebrews/12-22 "Hebrews 12:22-23 - The Heavenly Jerusalem")).

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 2:13

The children of Adonikam, six hundred sixty and six.