Nehemiah 7:19

KJV

The children of Bigvai, two thousand threescore and seven.

KJV (with Strong's)

The children {H1121} of Bigvai {H902}, two thousand {H505} threescore {H8346} and seven {H7651}.

Complete Jewish Bible

descendants of Bigvai 2,067

Berean Standard Bible

the descendants of Bigvai, 2,067;

American Standard Version

The children of Bigvai, two thousand threescore and seven.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Nehemiah 7:19 is a specific entry within a meticulous genealogical register of Jewish exiles who returned to Judah and Jerusalem following the Babylonian captivity. This verse records the "children of Bigvai," numbering two thousand threescore and seven (2,067 individuals), as a significant family group among the returnees. This detailed census, nearly identical to the one in Ezra 2, served as a crucial document for establishing the legitimate members of the post-exilic community, affirming their identity, lineage, and right to participate in the rebuilding and re-establishment of the nation, thereby underscoring God's faithfulness in preserving His covenant people.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Nehemiah 7:19 is situated within a lengthy list of returnees from the Babylonian exile, spanning from [Nehemiah 7:6](/nehemiah/7-6 "Nehemiah 7:6 - The List of Returnees Begins") to [Nehemiah 7:65](/nehemiah/7-65 "Nehemiah 7:65 - End of the List"). This chapter immediately follows the triumphant completion of the wall of Jerusalem in [Nehemiah 6:15](/nehemiah/6-15 "Nehemiah 6:15 - The Wall Completed"). With the physical structure of the city secured, Nehemiah turns his attention to the equally vital task of organizing and populating the city and its surrounding areas. The detailed census provides the foundation for this societal and spiritual restoration, ensuring proper lineage for temple service, land distribution, and communal order. The list's near-verbatim repetition in [Ezra 2](/ezra/2 "Ezra 2 - List of Those Who Returned from Exile") highlights its historical importance and shared source material, likely an official register of those who returned under Zerubbabel.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is post-exilic Judah, under the overarching authority of the Persian Empire. The return from Babylonian captivity, initiated by Cyrus's decree, was a pivotal moment in Israelite history. In ancient Israelite society, genealogy and tribal identity were paramount. Lineage determined inheritance rights, priestly eligibility, and a sense of belonging within the covenant community. After decades of exile, maintaining accurate records of who belonged to the legitimate Israelite community was crucial for re-establishing their national and religious identity. The mention of "Bigvai," a name likely of Persian origin, suggests the diverse backgrounds of some prominent families among the returnees, indicating either assimilation during exile or the inclusion of individuals who, though not ethnically pure Israelites, had fully identified with the Jewish community and its faith.
* **Key Themes:** This verse, as part of the broader census, contributes to several significant themes in Nehemiah. Firstly, **Identity and Lineage** are central; the detailed lists affirm who belonged to the covenant community, ensuring proper tribal inheritance and eligibility for temple service, particularly for priests (as seen in [Nehemiah 7:64](/nehemiah/7-64 "Nehemiah 7:64 - Excluded from Priesthood")). Secondly, the theme of **Rebuilding the Community** is evident. While Nehemiah is renowned for the physical reconstruction of Jerusalem's walls, this census demonstrates the equally crucial task of rebuilding the social and spiritual fabric of the nation. Knowing the numbers and families helped organize the community for worship, defense, and administration, laying the groundwork for the reforms described later in [Nehemiah 8](/nehemiah/8 "Nehemiah 8 - The Reading of the Law"). Lastly, the very existence of such a large returning population, meticulously recorded, testifies to **Divine Faithfulness**. God preserved a remnant of His people through decades of exile, fulfilling His promises to restore them to their land and rebuild their society, demonstrating His enduring covenant love despite their past disobedience.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Bigvai (Hebrew, _Bigvay'_):** This is the name of a family or clan leader whose descendants are listed among the returnees. The name is likely Persian in origin (from *Bagaya*, meaning "my desire" or "my gift"), which is not uncommon among prominent figures in the post-exilic period. Its inclusion here signifies the recognized and legitimate status of this large family within the returning Jewish community, highlighting that some who returned may have had non-Hebrew ancestry or had assimilated into Persian culture during the exile, yet remained committed to their Israelite identity and faith.
* **Threescore (English, _archaic_):** An archaic English term meaning "sixty." Therefore, "two thousand threescore and seven" translates to 2,067. This precise enumeration underscores the meticulous nature of the record-keeping and the importance placed on accurate demographic data for the re-establishment of the community.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The children of Bigvai":** This phrase identifies a specific family or clan unit. In ancient Israel, identity was deeply rooted in family and lineage. Being listed as "children of Bigvai" meant belonging to a recognized and legitimate group within the returning exiles, carrying with it a shared history, communal responsibility, and a place within the re-established covenant community. This highlights the foundational role of the family unit in the restoration of Israel.
* **"two thousand threescore and seven":** This numerical entry provides the exact count of individuals belonging to the Bigvai clan. The precision of the number (2,067) indicates a thorough and accurate census. Such large numbers for individual families underscore the significant scale of the return and the substantial contribution of specific clans to the overall population of the restored community. It also reflects the administrative diligence required to manage and organize such a large group of people for resettlement and rebuilding efforts.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in Nehemiah 7:19 and the surrounding verses is the **List** or **Register**. This is a common feature in biblical texts, particularly in historical and genealogical books (e.g., Numbers, Chronicles, Ezra). The meticulous enumeration of families and individuals serves several purposes: it establishes historical authenticity, provides a verifiable record of those who returned, and underscores the importance of lineage for identity and communal organization. The sheer detail of the list, including precise numbers for each family, conveys a sense of **Order** and **Accountability**, reflecting the administrative efforts required to re-establish a nation. Furthermore, the almost identical nature of this list to [Ezra 2](/ezra/2 "Ezra 2 - List of Those Who Returned from Exile") demonstrates **Repetition**, which in this context serves to confirm the validity and significance of the census, reinforcing its authority as a foundational document for the post-exilic community.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Nehemiah 7:19, as part of the comprehensive census, powerfully illustrates God's meticulous care for His people and His unwavering commitment to His covenant promises. The very act of counting and recording each family unit, even those with potentially non-Israelite names like Bigvai, speaks to God's providence in preserving a remnant and His intentionality in bringing them back to the land. It highlights that God's plan of restoration is not merely abstract but involves specific individuals and families, each valued and accounted for. This detailed record-keeping also underscores the importance of order and identity within the community of faith, reflecting a divine principle that a well-ordered people are better equipped to serve God and fulfill His purposes.

* [Ezra 2:1](/ezra/2-1 "Ezra 2:1 - List of Returnees")
* [Numbers 1:2](/numbers/1-2 "Numbers 1:2 - First Census of Israel")
* [1 Chronicles 9:1](/1_chronicles/9-1 "1 Chronicles 9:1 - Genealogies of Israel")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Even seemingly mundane lists in the Bible, like the census in Nehemiah 7, carry profound spiritual meaning and offer valuable insights for contemporary believers. This verse reminds us that God cares about every individual and every family within His grand redemptive narrative. Just as the returning exiles needed to know their place and identity within the re-established community, we too find our true belonging and purpose within the family of God. The meticulous record-keeping challenges us to appreciate the significance of every detail in God's Word and in His providential care for our lives. It also encourages us to embrace our part in the ongoing work of building up the body of Christ, recognizing that each member, no matter how seemingly small or insignificant, contributes to the collective strength and spiritual health of the community.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the meticulous record-keeping in Nehemiah challenge our perception of "unimportant" biblical passages or seemingly ordinary details in our own lives?**
* **In what ways does belonging to a spiritual community today reflect the importance of lineage and identity for the returning exiles?**
* **What does this verse teach us about God's faithfulness in preserving His people, even through periods of desolation and exile?**

### FAQ
**Why is this list so similar to the one in Ezra 2?**

Answer: The near-identical nature of the list in [Nehemiah 7](/nehemiah/7 "Nehemiah 7 - The Census of Returnees") to that in [Ezra 2](/ezra/2 "Ezra 2 - List of Those Who Returned from Exile") is a strong indicator of their shared historical source. Both Nehemiah and Ezra were concerned with the accurate and legitimate re-establishment of the Jewish community in Judah after the Babylonian exile. It is highly probable that both books drew from a common official register or census document that recorded the initial wave of returnees under Zerubbabel and Jeshua. This repetition serves to validate the historical accuracy and significance of the census, emphasizing the importance of a verifiable record for the post-exilic community's identity, lineage, and administrative organization. It underscores the shared commitment of these leaders to ensure the purity and proper structure of the re-established nation.

**What is the significance of "Bigvai" being potentially Persian?**

Answer: The name "Bigvai" (Hebrew: בִּגְוַי, *Bigvay'*) is widely considered to be of Persian origin. Its inclusion among the prominent families returning from exile is significant for several reasons. Firstly, it reflects the reality that not all those who identified as Jewish and returned to Judah had purely Israelite lineage, or they had adopted names from the dominant culture during their long exile. Secondly, it suggests a degree of assimilation or integration during the Babylonian and Persian periods, where individuals or families of non-Hebrew background might have converted to Judaism or fully embraced the Jewish faith and identity. Thirdly, and most importantly, the fact that a family with a potentially Persian name is listed in this crucial genealogical register confirms their recognized and legitimate status within the covenant community. This highlights a broader theological point: God's redemptive plan, while centered on Israel, has always had an inclusive dimension, welcoming those from other nations who commit themselves to Him, foreshadowing the expansive nature of the church in the New Testament, where national or ethnic origin is superseded by faith in Christ (as seen in [Galatians 3:28](/galatians/3-28 "Galatians 3:28 - Unity in Christ")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Nehemiah 7:19 meticulously details the physical lineage and numbers of those returning to rebuild an earthly Jerusalem, its ultimate fulfillment is found in Christ and the spiritual community He establishes. The earthly census in Nehemiah underscores the importance of identity and belonging within God's covenant people, a theme that finds its perfect and eternal expression in the new covenant. In Christ, our true identity is no longer defined by earthly genealogies or national origin, but by spiritual rebirth and adoption into God's family. As [John 1:12](/john/1-12 "John 1:12 - Children of God by Faith") proclaims, "to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God." Jesus is the ultimate restorer and rebuilder, not of physical walls, but of broken humanity, establishing a spiritual temple made of living stones ([1 Peter 2:5](/1_peter/2-5 "1 Peter 2:5 - Living Stones")). The meticulous record-keeping in Nehemiah foreshadows the ultimate "census" of God's people, recorded in the [Lamb's Book of Life](/revelation/21-27 "Revelation 21:27 - Book of Life"), where every true believer is eternally accounted for. Through Christ, the scattered "children" of God, from every tribe and nation, are gathered into one unified body, fulfilling the deepest longing for belonging and purpose that the returning exiles sought to re-establish in their physical community ([Ephesians 2:19](/ephesians/2-19 "Ephesians 2:19 - Fellow Citizens with the Saints")).

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.