Nehemiah 7:22

Nehemiah 7:22 is a concise verse, part of a detailed census recorded in the Book of Nehemiah. It specifically identifies "The children of Hashum" as a family unit that returned from the Babylonian exile, numbering three hundred twenty and eight individuals.

Context

This verse is situated within Nehemiah chapter 7, which meticulously lists the families and individuals who returned to Judah from Babylonian captivity. This census was crucial for Nehemiah's administration, especially after the completion of the wall around Jerusalem. The list serves to establish the legitimate residents of Jerusalem and the surrounding towns, ensuring proper organization, distribution of resources, and the re-establishment of the community's civic and religious life. This register closely mirrors the list found in the Book of Ezra, chapter 2, highlighting its historical accuracy and significance for the post-exilic community.

Key Themes

• Divine Faithfulness: The mere existence of this list testifies to God's faithfulness in preserving a remnant of His people and bringing them back to their homeland, fulfilling His covenant promises despite their disobedience and subsequent exile.
• Order and Accountability: The meticulous record-keeping underscores the importance of order, structure, and accountability within God's community. Every individual and family group was known and accounted for, which was vital for the rebuilding efforts and the functioning of society.
• Identity and Heritage: For the returning exiles, these lists were fundamental to establishing their identity, heritage, and lineage, particularly for those with priestly or Levitical duties. It affirmed their place within the covenant community and their right to the land.

Linguistic Insights

The name Hashum (Hebrew: חָשֻׁם, Chashum) is generally thought to mean "rich" or "silent." While the literal meaning of the name itself doesn't offer direct theological insight into this specific verse, the inclusion of such detailed family names throughout Nehemiah and Ezra emphasizes the Hebraic value placed on genealogy and the individual identity within the collective history of God's people. This highlights that even seemingly small family units were significant in God's larger plan for restoration.

Practical Application

While a simple numerical entry, Nehemiah 7:22 reminds us that every detail, even seemingly mundane ones, has significance in God's grand narrative. Just as God meticulously recorded the returning families, He knows each of us intimately. This verse can encourage us in several ways:

• Value of Every Individual: Every person, every family, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant, plays a part in God's work. The "children of Hashum" were not just a number; they were a distinct family contributing to the restoration.
• Importance of Community: The strength of the restored community depended on the collective participation of all its members. Our individual contributions, when brought together, build up the body of Christ.
• God's Meticulous Care: God is a God of order and detail. He oversees and orchestrates events, even down to the specific numbers of returning families, ensuring His purposes are fulfilled. This can bring comfort in knowing that our lives are not random but are known and cared for by Him, as Nehemiah sought to organize the community after the walls of Jerusalem were rebuilt.