Nehemiah 7:21

KJV

The children of Ater of Hezekiah, ninety and eight.

KJV (with Strong's)

The children {H1121} of Ater {H333} of Hezekiah {H2396}, ninety {H8673} and eight {H8083}.

Complete Jewish Bible

descendants of Ater, of Y'chizkiyah 98

Berean Standard Bible

the descendants of Ater (through Hezekiah), 98;

American Standard Version

The children of Ater, of Hezekiah, ninety and eight.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Nehemiah 7:21 is a meticulous entry within a comprehensive census of the post-exilic community returning to Judah from Babylonian captivity. This verse, "The children of Ater of Hezekiah, ninety and eight," precisely records a specific family group and their numerical strength, underscoring the crucial importance of verifiable lineage and identity for the re-establishment of Israelite society, the proper functioning of the temple cult, and the ordered restoration of God's covenant people in their land. It highlights the divine attention to detail in the rebuilding of a nation, not just its walls.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Nehemiah 7 immediately follows the completion of Jerusalem's walls in [Nehemiah 6](/nehemiah/6 "Nehemiah 6 - Completion of the Wall"). With the physical defenses secured, Nehemiah shifts focus to the internal organization and repopulation of the city. This chapter functions as a critical administrative document, a detailed register of those who had returned from exile. It is an almost verbatim repetition of the list found in [Ezra 2](/ezra/2 "Ezra 2 - The List of Returning Exiles"), indicating its authoritative and foundational nature for the post-exilic community. The inclusion of such a precise census underscores the transition from physical rebuilding to the re-establishment of a functional, ordered, and covenantally pure society, preparing for the spiritual revival that would follow in [Nehemiah 8](/nehemiah/8 "Nehemiah 8 - The Reading of the Law").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is the mid-5th century BCE, during the Persian period, after the decree of Cyrus allowed the Jewish exiles to return to their homeland. For the returning exiles, identity and legitimate claim to land, temple service, and community participation were inextricably linked to their tribal and family lineage. Decades of exile had disrupted traditional structures, making these genealogical records vital for re-establishing order. The meticulous counting of individuals, as seen in [Numbers 1](/numbers/1 "Numbers 1 - The Census of Israel"), was a common practice in ancient Near Eastern societies, particularly for military, taxation, and land distribution purposes. For Israel, it also served a theological purpose, confirming who belonged to the covenant community and was eligible for priestly or Levitical service, safeguarding the purity of the religious institutions as outlined in [Ezra 2:62](/ezra/2-62 "Ezra 2:62 - Exclusion from the Priesthood").
* **Key Themes:** The meticulous record-keeping in [Nehemiah 7](/nehemiah/7 "Nehemiah 7 - The Census of the Returnees") highlights several key themes. First, **Identity and Lineage** are paramount; the very right to dwell in the land and serve in the temple was tied to one's verifiable ancestry, distinguishing true Israelites from others. This echoes the importance of genealogies throughout the Bible, from [Genesis 5](/genesis/5 "Genesis 5 - Genealogy from Adam to Noah") to the New Testament, which establish covenant connections and rights. Second, **Restoration and Order** are evident in the detailed census, demonstrating a commitment to rebuilding not just physical structures but a functional, organized society. The precise numbering signifies a deliberate effort to re-establish governance, assign roles, and distribute resources. Finally, these seemingly "dry" lists collectively testify to **God's Faithfulness**. Every returning family represents the fulfillment of God's promises to bring His people back to their land after the seventy years of exile, as prophesied by [Jeremiah 29:10](/jeremiah/29-10 "Jeremiah 29:10 - Prophecy of Return from Exile"). The careful gathering of His flock demonstrates divine oversight even in administrative details.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Ater (Hebrew, _'Aṭēr'_):** This is a personal name, likely referring to the patriarch or founder of a family or clan. The name itself means "bound" or "closed," but its significance here lies in its function as an identifier for a specific lineage. In ancient Israelite society, identifying individuals by their family or clan name was crucial for establishing social standing, property rights, and eligibility for various community roles, especially those related to temple service.
* **Hezekiah (Hebrew, _Ḥizqiyyāh'_):** This is also a personal name, meaning "Yahweh strengthens" or "My strength is Yahweh." The phrase "of Hezekiah" likely indicates a sub-clan or a specific branch within the larger "Ater" family, or perhaps an association with a prominent ancestor or leader named Hezekiah. This further refines the identification of the group, ensuring precision in the census and confirming their specific lineage and rights within the returning community.
* **Ninety and eight (Hebrew, _tišʿîm wəšəmōneh'_):** This precise numerical count signifies the meticulousness of the census. It's not an approximation but an exact tally of individuals belonging to this specific family unit. This detail highlights the administrative rigor applied to the re-establishment of the community, ensuring every returning person was accounted for and their contribution or eligibility for roles could be accurately assessed.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The children of Ater of Hezekiah":** This clause identifies a specific family or clan group within the returning exiles. "The children of Ater" designates the primary family unit, while "of Hezekiah" likely specifies a particular branch or a historical association with an ancestor or leader named Hezekiah. This precise identification was crucial for verifying their lineage and ensuring their legitimate place within the re-established Israelite community, particularly concerning land claims and eligibility for temple service.
* **"ninety and eight":** This numerical statement provides the exact count of individuals belonging to the "children of Ater of Hezekiah." The specificity of the number underscores the administrative precision of Nehemiah's census. It reflects a thorough and careful accounting of the population, vital for organizing the city, distributing resources, and ensuring that the community was properly structured and accounted for after the disruption of the Babylonian exile.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in Nehemiah 7:21, and indeed the entire chapter, is the **List** or **Register**. This device, common in ancient Near Eastern literature, serves a critical function beyond mere enumeration. In this context, it acts as a **Genealogy** and a **Census**, meticulously documenting the returning exiles. The very act of listing names and numbers imbues the text with a sense of **Authority** and **Legitimacy**, validating the identity and rights of the individuals and families mentioned. It also functions as a form of **Historical Record**, preserving the memory of those who participated in the restoration. The repetitive structure of the lists creates a sense of **Order** and **Completeness**, reflecting the divine and human effort to bring structure back to a disrupted people. While seemingly dry, the list implicitly conveys the theme of **Divine Faithfulness**, as each entry represents a person or family brought back by God's promise.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Nehemiah 7:21, though a seemingly minor detail in a long list, profoundly illustrates God's meticulous care for His people and the importance of order in His divine plan. The very act of counting and identifying each family underscores that every individual and group matters to God. It speaks to the divine commitment to the covenant, ensuring that the lineage through which the Messiah would come was preserved and that the community was pure and properly constituted for worship. This attention to detail in the restoration of physical and social structures mirrors God's comprehensive work in the spiritual restoration of His people, where every member is known and valued.

* [Ezra 2:1-70](/ezra/2-1 "Ezra 2:1-70 - The List of Returning Exiles")
* [1 Chronicles 9:1-34](/1_chronicles/9-1 "1 Chronicles 9:1-34 - Genealogies of the Returnees")
* [Numbers 1:1-46](/numbers/1-1 "Numbers 1:1-46 - The Census of Israel in the Wilderness")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The seemingly mundane details of Nehemiah 7:21 invite us to reflect on God's incredible attention to detail and His profound care for every individual within His covenant community. Just as the returning exiles were meticulously counted and identified, so too are we, as believers, known intimately by God. This verse reminds us that there is no insignificant part in God's grand narrative; every person, every family, every detail contributes to His overarching plan of redemption and restoration. It challenges us to appreciate the value of order, structure, and accountability within our spiritual communities, recognizing that healthy organization facilitates effective ministry and spiritual growth. Furthermore, it encourages us to understand our own spiritual heritage, rooted in God's faithfulness across generations, and to embrace our place within the ongoing story of God's people.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the meticulous detail of this census entry challenge or affirm your understanding of God's care for individuals?**
* **In what ways does this verse emphasize the importance of identity and belonging within a community, especially the community of faith?**
* **What "details" in your own life or in your church community might seem insignificant but could, in fact, be part of God's larger, meticulous plan?**

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

Answer: These detailed lists are crucial for several reasons. Historically, they served as official records to establish the legitimacy of the returning exiles' claims to their ancestral lands and their right to dwell in Jerusalem. Culturally, they affirmed tribal and family identities, which were foundational to ancient Israelite society, especially for determining eligibility for priestly or Levitical service in the rebuilt temple (as seen in [Ezra 2:62](/ezra/2-62 "Ezra 2:62 - Exclusion from the Priesthood")). Theologically, these lists demonstrate God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises to restore His people to their land after exile, showing His meticulous care for every individual and family involved in this divine plan, ensuring the continuity of the covenant line.

**What does "Ater of Hezekiah" specifically mean, and why is this level of detail included?**

Answer: "Ater of Hezekiah" likely refers to a specific family or clan ("the children of Ater") that had a particular association with an ancestor or prominent figure named Hezekiah. This could indicate a sub-branch of a larger family, a lineage tracing back to a notable Hezekiah, or even a group that had been servants or dependents of a household headed by a Hezekiah. This level of detail was included to ensure absolute precision in the census. In a society where lineage determined inheritance, land rights, and eligibility for sacred duties, such specific identifiers were vital for maintaining social order, preventing disputes, and ensuring the purity of the community, especially regarding those who would serve in the temple.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The meticulous genealogies and census lists in the Old Testament, including Nehemiah 7:21, ultimately point to the ultimate fulfillment of God's promises in Jesus Christ. While Old Testament lineage established physical identity and rights within the covenant community, the New Testament reveals a new, spiritual lineage. Jesus' own genealogies in [Matthew 1:1-17](/matthew/1-1 "Matthew 1:1-17 - The Genealogy of Jesus") and [Luke 3:23-38](/luke/3-23 "Luke 3:23-38 - The Genealogy of Jesus") meticulously trace His physical descent, confirming His rightful claim as the Messiah, the Son of David. However, Christ inaugurates a new covenant where true identity and belonging are no longer defined by physical descent or tribal affiliation, but by spiritual rebirth and faith in Him. As [John 1:12-13](/john/1-12 "John 1:12-13 - Children of God") declares, "to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God." The precise counting of physical families in Nehemiah foreshadows the divine care for every individual who is spiritually "counted" into the family of God through Christ, becoming part of His body, the Church, a new community where there is "neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus" ([Galatians 3:28](/galatians/3-28 "Galatians 3:28 - Unity in Christ")). Thus, the meticulous Old Testament record-keeping finds its ultimate purpose in the perfect, all-encompassing record of those redeemed and included in God's eternal family through the Lamb of God.

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.