What number verse is Nehemiah 7:23 in the Bible?

Nehemiah 7:23 is the 12,444th verse of the Bible. Counting straight through the King James canon — all 31,102 verses from Genesis 1:1 to Revelation 22:21 — Nehemiah 7:23 sits at position 12,444.

“The Register of Returnees”· Nehemiah 7:6–38

Translation

King James Version

The children of Bezai, three hundred twenty and four.

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KJV (with Strong's)

The children ^H1121 of Bezai ^H1209, three ^H7969 hundred ^H3967 twenty ^H6242 and four ^H702.

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Complete Jewish Bible

descendants of Betzai 324

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Berean Standard Bible

the descendants of Bezai, 324;

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American Standard Version

The children of Bezai, three hundred twenty and four.

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World English Bible Messianic

The children of Bezai, three hundred twenty-four.

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Geneva Bible (1599)

The sonnes of Bezai, three hundreth and foure and twentie.

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Young's Literal Translation

Sons of Bezai: three hundred twenty and four.

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Study This Verse

Summary

Nehemiah 7:23 is a concise yet profoundly significant entry within the extensive genealogical record of those who returned to Judah from Babylonian exile. This verse, "The children of Bezai, three hundred twenty and four," precisely identifies a specific family group and their numerical strength among the returnees. Far from being a mere dry statistic, it serves as a powerful testament to God's unwavering faithfulness in restoring His people, highlighting the meticulous care taken in re-establishing the post-exilic community, affirming legitimate lineage, and organizing the nascent society for the monumental task of rebuilding Jerusalem and its spiritual life.

Context

Literary Context

Nehemiah 7:23 is deeply embedded within a comprehensive register of Jewish families and their numbers, which spans from Nehemiah 7:6 to Nehemiah 7:69. This detailed census immediately follows the momentous completion of Jerusalem's walls, a monumental achievement under Nehemiah's divinely guided leadership, as vividly described in Nehemiah 6. The primary purpose of this meticulous list is profoundly crucial: to identify, organize, and legitimize the returning community, establishing clear lineage for the allocation of ancestral lands, the proper functioning of temple service, and the efficient administration of civic life. It is particularly noteworthy that this detailed list is almost identical to the one meticulously recorded in Ezra 2, underscoring its historical accuracy, canonical importance, and foundational role as a document for the restored community. Its strategic placement here signifies a pivotal shift in focus from the physical reconstruction of the city to the societal and spiritual re-establishment of God's covenant people.

Historical & Cultural Context

The setting for Nehemiah 7:23 is post-exilic Judah, specifically Jerusalem, around 445 BC. Generations after the devastating Babylonian captivity, which commenced in 586 BC with the destruction of Jerusalem and its sacred Temple, the Persian king Artaxerxes I graciously granted Nehemiah permission to return and embark on the monumental task of rebuilding. For these returning exiles, identity, lineage, and tribal affiliation were not merely matters of personal pride but of paramount importance for their very existence as a distinct people. The prolonged Babylonian exile had profoundly disrupted traditional societal structures, established patterns of land ownership, and deeply ingrained religious practices. Consequently, a meticulous census was far more than a mere administrative exercise; it was a profound theological and social necessity. It served to verify who genuinely belonged to the covenant community, who possessed the unblemished lineage required to serve in the sacred priesthood, and who held a legitimate claim to their ancestral lands. The "children of Bezai" would have been one such family, their recorded numbers indicating their significant contribution to the collective strength, viability, and spiritual vitality of the re-emerging nation.

Key Themes

This verse, as an integral part of the broader census, contributes significantly to several overarching themes woven throughout the book of Nehemiah. Firstly, it powerfully illustrates the theme of Restoration and Return, demonstrating God's unwavering faithfulness in fulfilling His ancient promises to bring His scattered people back to their ancestral land after generations of exile, precisely as prophesied by Jeremiah (e.g., Jeremiah 29:10). Secondly, it profoundly underscores the critical importance of Identity and Community. The meticulous record-keeping highlights that every family, every individual, was intimately known and deeply valued, forming a vital and indispensable component of the re-established covenant people. This census was foundational for rebuilding a cohesive society and forging a shared national and spiritual identity. Finally, it speaks eloquently to the interplay of Divine Providence and Human Diligence. While God sovereignly orchestrated the miraculous return, the detailed enumeration reflects the immense human effort, meticulous organization, and administrative diligence required to actualize God's grand plan on the ground, preparing the way for the profound spiritual revival that would follow (as powerfully seen in Nehemiah 8).

Exposition and Analysis

Key Word Analysis

Bezai Bêtsay' H1209

This is a proper noun, referring to the ancestral head of a specific family or clan. While its precise etymological meaning is uncertain, its significance here lies not in its origin but in its function as a distinct identifier. It points to a specific, recognized lineage within the returning exiles, emphasizing the paramount importance of family identity, continuity, and ancestral roots in post-exilic Israel. The inclusion of this name, alongside numerous others, underscores the meticulous and comprehensive nature of the census and the profound value placed on maintaining accurate genealogical records.

three shâlôwsh' H7969

This primitive numeral (H7969) signifies the quantity "three." Its inclusion here, as part of "three hundred," highlights the precise numerical accounting. The use of exact numbers throughout the census, rather than approximations, emphasizes the administrative rigor and the importance of accountability for every individual. In a community rebuilding from scratch, knowing the exact population figures for each family was vital for resource allocation, defense, and the overall organization of society and worship.

hundred mêʼâh' H3967

This numeral (H3967) denotes the quantity "one hundred." As part of "three hundred twenty and four," it underscores the significant size of the Bezai family contingent. The detailed enumeration, down to the specific number of individuals in each family, reflects a deep commitment to order and structure within the newly forming community. This meticulousness was crucial for establishing a viable and sustainable society, capable of fulfilling its covenant obligations and rebuilding the nation.

Verse Breakdown

"The children of Bezai"

This phrase clearly identifies a specific family unit or clan, emphasizing their corporate identity within the larger community of returnees. In ancient Israelite society, the phrase "children of X" referred not merely to direct offspring but encompassed the descendants and members of an entire lineage or extended family group. This highlights the communal nature of the return and the indispensable role of family ties in re-establishing the nation's social and religious fabric. Each family, regardless of its size, was a recognized and vital component of the returning Jewish people, contributing to the collective strength and identity.

"three hundred twenty and four"

This precise numerical detail provides the exact count of individuals belonging to the Bezai family who participated in the return from exile. The exactitude of this number, rather than a rounded figure, underscores the meticulous record-keeping undertaken by the post-exilic community leaders. This was not a casual estimate but a careful, deliberate accounting, reflecting the profound value placed on every life and the critical need for accurate demographic information. Such data was essential for the purposes of equitable land distribution, effective military organization, and the establishment of a functional, ordered society in the newly re-inhabited Jerusalem and surrounding areas.

Literary Devices

The primary literary device at play in Nehemiah 7:23 and the broader census is Enumeration. The text systematically lists individuals, families, and their precise numerical counts, creating a comprehensive register of the returning exiles. This is closely related to Genealogy, as the fundamental purpose of the enumeration is to establish and affirm legitimate family lineages, which were absolutely crucial for matters of identity, inheritance rights, and the proper fulfillment of religious roles (especially for priests and Levites). The inclusion of such precise numerical data also lends a strong air of Verisimilitude or realism to the narrative, grounding the historical account in concrete detail and emphasizing the meticulousness of the record-keeping by Nehemiah and his scribes. Furthermore, when compared with the almost identical list found in Ezra 2, the presence of this census demonstrates Repetition, which serves to powerfully validate the historical accuracy and underscore the profound importance of this foundational census document for both Ezra's and Nehemiah's accounts of the post-exilic restoration.

Theological and Thematic Connections

Nehemiah 7:23, though a single line in a lengthy list, carries profound theological weight. It speaks volumes about God's meticulous care for His people, even extending to the precise counting of each family and individual. This divine attention to detail assures us that no one is overlooked or forgotten in God's grand redemptive plan. The census itself is an act of profound faith and obedience on the part of the community, reflecting their deep commitment to re-establish a society ordered according to God's covenant principles. It powerfully demonstrates that divine restoration is not chaotic but divinely ordered and humanly organized, a testament both to God's unwavering faithfulness in bringing His scattered people back and their diligent response to His sovereign call. The very act of counting affirms their sacred identity as the chosen people of God, miraculously preserved through the crucible of exile.

Ezra 2:1-70 Psalm 147:4 Matthew 10:30

Reflection and Application

The seemingly dry list in Nehemiah 7:23 offers surprisingly profound and relevant lessons for contemporary believers. It serves as a powerful reminder that every individual and every family within the community of faith is intimately known, deeply valued, and has a unique, indispensable place in God's overarching plan. Just as the children of Bezai were meticulously counted and recognized for their vital part in the physical rebuilding of Jerusalem, so too are we, as living members of God's spiritual house, called to contribute our unique gifts and efforts to the ongoing work of His kingdom. This verse encourages us to wholeheartedly embrace our distinct identity and role within the larger body of Christ, recognizing that our individual contributions, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant they may appear, are absolutely vital for the collective health, flourishing, and mission of the church. Furthermore, it speaks powerfully to the importance of order, structure, and diligent administration within our spiritual communities, reflecting God's own character of precision, purpose, and divine order.

Questions for Reflection

How does the meticulous counting of families in Nehemiah 7:23 challenge or affirm your understanding of God's personal care for individuals within a larger community?
In what practical ways does your local church or spiritual community emphasize and foster a sense of identity and belonging, similar to the census in Nehemiah?
What specific "rebuilding" work, whether spiritual, relational, or societal, is God calling you to participate in today, and how does your unique contribution fit into His larger, redemptive plan?

FAQ

Why is such a detailed list of names and numbers important in the Bible?

Such detailed lists, like the one containing Nehemiah 7:23, are crucial for several profound reasons. Historically, they served as vital administrative and legal records for the post-exilic community, meticulously establishing legitimate lineage for matters of land inheritance, proper temple service (especially for priests and Levites, as vividly seen in Nehemiah 7:63-65), and efficient civic administration. Theologically, these lists powerfully underscore God's unwavering faithfulness in preserving His covenant people through the crucible of exile and miraculously bringing them back to their promised land, thereby fulfilling His ancient prophecies (e.g., Jeremiah 29:10). Moreover, they highlight the profound importance of identity and belonging within the covenant community, demonstrating that every individual and family was intimately known and deeply valued by God and by the dedicated leaders orchestrating the restoration of Jerusalem and Judah.

Christ-Centered Fulfillment

While Nehemiah 7:23 is a historical record detailing a physical return and the rebuilding of a city, it finds its ultimate and most glorious spiritual fulfillment in Christ. The meticulous counting of God's people in Nehemiah's census foreshadows God's perfect knowledge and infinite care for every single individual who belongs to His new covenant community, the church. Just as the children of Bezai were part of a physical restoration to their homeland, believers are brought into a far grander spiritual restoration through the atoning and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. He is the true and ultimate "head" of the new spiritual family of God, the Church, meticulously gathering His elect from every tribe, tongue, people, and nation, not by physical lineage or ancestral claim but by the transformative power of faith in Him (as beautifully articulated in Galatians 3:28-29). The census in Nehemiah points to the divine order and sovereign purpose inherent in God's grand plan of salvation, where every believer is intimately known by name (John 10:3) and perfectly accounted for in the Lamb's eternal Book of Life (Revelation 21:27). Christ is the ultimate restorer, not merely of a city wall, but of humanity's broken relationship with God, building a spiritual temple (Ephesians 2:19-22) far more glorious and enduring than any physical structure, ensuring that every one of His "children" is present, accounted for, and eternally secure in His everlasting kingdom.

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Public-domain commentary

Matthew Henry

From his Commentary on the Whole Bible. Henry comments on passages, not single verses — this entry covers Nehemiah 7:5–73. His four-level outline is real structure in the source text, so it is rendered as structure.

1662–1714 · 69 verses

Passage under commentNehemiah 7:5–73

5¶ And my God put into mine heart to gather together the nobles, and the rulers, and the people, that they might be reckoned by genealogy. And I found a register of the genealogy of them which came up at the first, and found written therein,

6These are the children of the province, that went up out of the captivity, of those that had been carried away, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away, and came again to Jerusalem and to Judah, every one unto his city;

7Who came with Zerubbabel, Jeshua, Nehemiah, Azariah, Raamiah, Nahamani, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispereth, Bigvai, Nehum, Baanah. The number, I say, of the men of the people of Israel was this;

8The children of Parosh, two thousand an hundred seventy and two.

9The children of Shephatiah, three hundred seventy and two.

10The children of Arah, six hundred fifty and two.

11The children of Pahathmoab, of the children of Jeshua and Joab, two thousand and eight hundred and eighteen.

12The children of Elam, a thousand two hundred fifty and four.

13The children of Zattu, eight hundred forty and five.

14The children of Zaccai, seven hundred and threescore.

15The children of Binnui, six hundred forty and eight.

16The children of Bebai, six hundred twenty and eight.

17The children of Azgad, two thousand three hundred twenty and two.

18The children of Adonikam, six hundred threescore and seven.

19The children of Bigvai, two thousand threescore and seven.

20The children of Adin, six hundred fifty and five.

21The children of Ater of Hezekiah, ninety and eight.

22The children of Hashum, three hundred twenty and eight.

23The children of Bezai, three hundred twenty and four.

24The children of Hariph, an hundred and twelve.

25The children of Gibeon, ninety and five.

26The men of Bethlehem and Netophah, an hundred fourscore and eight.

27The men of Anathoth, an hundred twenty and eight.

28The men of Bethazmaveth, forty and two.

29The men of Kirjathjearim, Chephirah, and Beeroth, seven hundred forty and three.

30The men of Ramah and Geba, six hundred twenty and one.

31The men of Michmas, an hundred and twenty and two.

32The men of Bethel and Ai, an hundred twenty and three.

33The men of the other Nebo, fifty and two.

34The children of the other Elam, a thousand two hundred fifty and four.

35The children of Harim, three hundred and twenty.

36The children of Jericho, three hundred forty and five.

37The children of Lod, Hadid, and Ono, seven hundred twenty and one.

38The children of Senaah, three thousand nine hundred and thirty.

39The priests: the children of Jedaiah, of the house of Jeshua, nine hundred seventy and three.

40The children of Immer, a thousand fifty and two.

41The children of Pashur, a thousand two hundred forty and seven.

42The children of Harim, a thousand and seventeen.

43The Levites: the children of Jeshua, of Kadmiel, and of the children of Hodevah, seventy and four.

44The singers: the children of Asaph, an hundred forty and eight.

45The porters: the children of Shallum, the children of Ater, the children of Talmon, the children of Akkub, the children of Hatita, the children of Shobai, an hundred thirty and eight.

46The Nethinims: the children of Ziha, the children of Hashupha, the children of Tabbaoth,

47The children of Keros, the children of Sia, the children of Padon,

48The children of Lebana, the children of Hagaba, the children of Shalmai,

49The children of Hanan, the children of Giddel, the children of Gahar,

50The children of Reaiah, the children of Rezin, the children of Nekoda,

51The children of Gazzam, the children of Uzza, the children of Phaseah,

52The children of Besai, the children of Meunim, the children of Nephishesim,

53The children of Bakbuk, the children of Hakupha, the children of Harhur,

54The children of Bazlith, the children of Mehida, the children of Harsha,

55The children of Barkos, the children of Sisera, the children of Tamah,

56The children of Neziah, the children of Hatipha.

57The children of Solomon's servants: the children of Sotai, the children of Sophereth, the children of Perida,

58The children of Jaala, the children of Darkon, the children of Giddel,

59The children of Shephatiah, the children of Hattil, the children of Pochereth of Zebaim, the children of Amon.

60All the Nethinims, and the children of Solomon's servants, were three hundred ninety and two.

61And these were they which went up also from Telmelah, Telharesha, Cherub, Addon, and Immer: but they could not shew their father's house, nor their seed, whether they were of Israel.

62The children of Delaiah, the children of Tobiah, the children of Nekoda, six hundred forty and two.

63And of the priests: the children of Habaiah, the children of Koz, the children of Barzillai, which took one of the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite to wife, and was called after their name.

64These sought their register among those that were reckoned by genealogy, but it was not found: therefore were they, as polluted, put from the priesthood.

65And the Tirshatha said unto them, that they should not eat of the most holy things, till there stood up a priest with Urim and Thummim.

66The whole congregation together was forty and two thousand three hundred and threescore,

67Beside their manservants and their maidservants, of whom there were seven thousand three hundred thirty and seven: and they had two hundred forty and five singing men and singing women.

68Their horses, seven hundred thirty and six: their mules, two hundred forty and five:

69Their camels, four hundred thirty and five: six thousand seven hundred and twenty asses.

70And some of the chief of the fathers gave unto the work. The Tirshatha gave to the treasure a thousand drams of gold, fifty basons, five hundred and thirty priests' garments.

71And some of the chief of the fathers gave to the treasure of the work twenty thousand drams of gold, and two thousand and two hundred pound of silver.

72And that which the rest of the people gave was twenty thousand drams of gold, and two thousand pound of silver, and threescore and seven priests' garments.

73So the priests, and the Levites, and the porters, and the singers, and some of the people, and the Nethinims, and all Israel, dwelt in their cities; and when the seventh month came, the children of Israel were in their cities.

I. II. Main points1. 2. Sub-points(1.) (2.) Details[1.] [2.] Fine details

We have here another good project of Nehemiah's; for wise and zealous men will be always contriving something or other for the glory of God and the edification of his church. He knew very well that the safety of a city, under God, depends more upon the number and valour of the inhabitants than upon the height or strength of its walls; and therefore, observing that the people were few that dwelt in it, he thought fit to take an account of the people, that he might find what families had formerly had their settlement in Jerusalem, but were now removed into the country, that he might bring them back, and what families could in any other way be influenced by their religion, or by their business, to come and rebuild the houses in Jerusalem and dwell in them. So little reason have we to wish that we may be placed alone in the earth, or in Jerusalem itself, that much of our safety and comfort depends upon our neighbours and friends; the more the stronger, the more the merrier. It is the wisdom of the governors of a nation to keep the balance even between the city and country, that the metropolis be not so extravagantly large as to drain and impoverish the country, nor yet so weak as not to be able to protect it. Now observe,

I.Whence this good design of Nehemiah's came.

He owns, My God put it into my heart, Neh 7:5. Note, Whatever good motion is in our minds, either prudent or pious, we must acknowledge it to come from God. It was he that put it into our hearts; for every good gift and every good work are from above. He gives knowledge; he gives grace; all is of him, and therefore all must be to him. What is done by human prudence must be ascribed to the direction of divine Providence; he that teaches the husbandman his discretion (Isa 28:26) teaches the statesman his.

II.What method he took in prosecution of it.

1.He called the rulers together, and the people, that he might have an account of the present state of their families - their number and strength, and where they were settled. It is probable that when he summoned them to come together he ordered them to bring such an account along with them out of their several districts. And I doubt they were not so many but that it might be soon done.

2.He reviewed the old register of the genealogy of those who came up at the first, and compared the present accounts with that; and here we have the repetition of that out of Ezra 2. The title is the same here (Neh 7:6, Neh 7:7) as there (Ezr 2:1): These are the children of the province, etc. Two things are here repeated and recorded a second time from thence - the names and numbers of their several families, and their oblations to the service of the temple. The repetition of these accounts may intimate to us the delight which the great God is pleased to take in the persons, families, and services of his spiritual Israel, and the particular notice he takes of them. He knows those that are his, knows them all, knows them by name, has his eye on the register of those children of the captivity, and does all according to the ancient counsel of his will concerning them.

(1.)Here is an account of the heads of the several families that first came up, v. 6-69. As to this,

[1.]Though it seem of little use to us now, yet then it was of great use, to compare what they had been with what they now were. We may suppose they were much increased by this time; but it would do well for them to remember their small beginnings, that they might acknowledge God in multiplying their families and building them up. By this means likewise their genealogies would be preserved, and the distinction of their families kept up, till the Messiah should come, and then an end be put to all their genealogies, which were preserved for his sake, but afterwards were endless. But,

[2.]There are many differences in the numbers between this catalogue and that in Ezra. Most of them indeed are exactly the same, and some others within a very few under or over (one or two perhaps); and therefore I cannot think, as some do, that that was the number of these families at their first coming and this as they were now, which was at least forty years after (some make it much more); for we cannot suppose so many families to be not at all, or but little, altered in their numbers in all that time; therefore what differences there are we may suppose to arise either from the mistakes of transcribers, which easily happen in numbers, or from the diversity of the copies from which they were taken. Or perhaps one was the account of them when they set out from Babylon with Zerubbabel, the other when they came to Jerusalem. The sum totals are all just the same there and here, except of the singing-men and singing-women, which there are 200, here 245. These were not of such importance as that they should keep any strict account of them.

(2.)Here is an account of the offerings which were given towards the work of God, Neh 7:70, etc. This differs much from that in Ezr 2:68, Ezr 2:69, and it may be questioned whether it refers to the same contribution; here the tirshatha, or chief governor, who there was not mentioned, begins the offering; and the single sum mentioned there exceeds all those here put together; yet it is probable that it was the same, but that followed one copy of the lists, this another; for the last verse is the same here that it was Ezr 2:70, adding Ezr 3:1. Blessed be God that our faith and hope are not built upon the niceties of names and numbers, genealogy and chronology, but on the great things of the law and gospel. Whatever is given to the work of God, he is not unrighteous to forget it; nor shall even a cup of cold water, wherewith he is honoured, go without its reward.

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Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.

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