Nehemiah 7:23
The children of Bezai, three hundred twenty and four.
The children {H1121} of Bezai {H1209}, three {H7969} hundred {H3967} twenty {H6242} and four {H702}.
descendants of Betzai 324
the descendants of Bezai, 324;
The children of Bezai, three hundred twenty and four.
Cross-References
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Ezra 2:17
The children of Bezai, three hundred twenty and three.
Commentary
Nehemiah 7:23 is a concise entry within a much larger, meticulously detailed census in the Book of Nehemiah. This chapter provides a comprehensive register of the Jewish exiles who returned from Babylonian captivity to Judah, serving as a vital record for the re-establishment of the community in Jerusalem.
Context
This verse is part of a lengthy list (Nehemiah 7:6-69) that enumerates the families and their numbers who returned to Judah. Specifically, "The children of Bezai, three hundred twenty and four" identifies a particular family group and their size among the returnees. This register is almost identical to the one found in Ezra 2, underscoring its historical accuracy and importance for the post-exilic community. The primary purpose of such a detailed census was to establish legitimate lineage, identify those eligible for temple service, allocate land, and organize the community for the monumental task of rebuilding Jerusalem's walls and re-establishing its societal structures after generations in exile.
Key Themes
Linguistic Insights
The Hebrew text throughout Nehemiah 7 emphasizes precise numerical records (mispar) and specific family names (beit av, "house of the father"). This attention to detail is characteristic of ancient Israelite society, where tribal and family identity was paramount, especially after the disruptive period of the Babylonian exile. The inclusion of exact numbers for each family, like the 324 children of Bezai, underscores the meticulous effort made to account for every individual returning to the land.
Significance and Application
Conclusion
Nehemiah 7:23, though brief, is a small yet significant piece of a larger narrative of God's redemptive work. It speaks to the meticulous care taken in re-establishing the covenant community in Jerusalem, ensuring that every family, like the children of Bezai, played their part in the great work of rebuilding the city and restoring the nation after the Babylonian exile.
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