Nehemiah 7:25

KJV

The children of Gibeon, ninety and five.

KJV (with Strong's)

The children {H1121} of Gibeon {H1391}, ninety {H8673} and five {H2568}.

Complete Jewish Bible

descendants of Giv'on 95

Berean Standard Bible

the descendants of Gibeon, 95;

American Standard Version

The children of Gibeon, ninety and five.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Nehemiah 7:25 is a succinct entry within a crucial census document, meticulously detailing the families and individuals who returned to Judea and Jerusalem from Babylonian captivity. This verse specifically records "The children of Gibeon, ninety and five," indicating that 95 individuals associated with the ancient city of Gibeon were part of the initial wave of returnees with Zerubbabel. Its inclusion underscores the precise, divinely orchestrated restoration of the post-exilic community, emphasizing the importance of identity, lineage, and belonging in the rebuilding of the nation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Nehemiah 7 serves as a pivotal administrative and theological document following the completion of Jerusalem's walls, as recorded in [Nehemiah 6:15](/nehemiah/6-15 "Nehemiah 6:15 - Completion of the Wall"). After securing the physical city, Nehemiah turns his attention to populating and organizing it, ensuring the community's spiritual and social integrity. This chapter presents a detailed register of those who returned from exile, primarily paralleling the list found in [Ezra 2](/ezra/2 "Ezra 2 - List of Returnees"). The purpose of this census was not merely to count people but to establish legitimate lineage for land claims, temple service, and overall community identity, distinguishing true Israelites from those who had remained or intermarried during the exile. The meticulous nature of this record highlights the importance of order and divine providence in the restoration process.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The return from Babylonian exile was a monumental event, marking a new chapter in Israel's history. After decades of displacement, the post-exilic community faced the challenge of re-establishing its identity, governance, and religious practices. A comprehensive census was vital for several reasons: to determine who had a rightful claim to ancestral land, to identify those eligible for priestly and Levitical duties (which required strict lineage purity), and to assess the community's strength for rebuilding. Gibeon was a significant city in ancient Israel, known from the time of Joshua for its unique covenant with Israel, where its inhabitants became "hewers of wood and drawers of water" for the congregation ([Joshua 9](/joshua/9 "Joshua 9 - The Gibeonite Deception and Covenant")). By the time of Nehemiah, "the children of Gibeon" most likely refers to Jewish families who either resided in Gibeon before the exile or whose ancestral roots were tied to that city, rather than descendants of the original Gibeonites as a distinct ethnic group. This demonstrates the re-establishment of geographical and familial ties within the covenant community.
* **Key Themes:** The inclusion of Nehemiah 7:25 within this census highlights several profound themes. Firstly, **Restoration and Return** are central, as God faithfully brings His scattered people back to their promised land, fulfilling ancient prophecies and demonstrating His unwavering covenant loyalty. This physical return foreshadows a deeper spiritual restoration. Secondly, **Identity and Community** are paramount; the meticulous record-keeping underscores the importance of a clear, defined identity for the covenant people. Each family, regardless of size, contributed to the collective identity and strength of the returning nation, emphasizing that every individual has a place and purpose within God's people. This focus on lineage was crucial for maintaining the purity of worship and the rightful inheritance of the land. Finally, **Divine Providence** is evident in the very preservation and meticulous nature of this list, spanning generations and the upheaval of exile. It speaks to God's careful oversight of His people, ensuring their survival, their return, and the fulfillment of His grand plan for their future, even in the smallest details like the number of returnees from Gibeon.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Gibeon (Hebrew, _Gib'on_):** Meaning "hill city," this name refers to a historically significant city in Benjaminite territory, northwest of Jerusalem. Its mention here connects the returning exiles to a specific geographical and historical heritage within the promised land. While historically associated with a non-Israelite people who made a covenant with Joshua ([Joshua 9:3](/joshua/9-3 "Joshua 9:3 - The Gibeonite Covenant")), in Nehemiah's time, "the children of Gibeon" almost certainly refers to Jewish families who resided in or originated from that area before the exile, now returning to reclaim their heritage and contribute to the rebuilding.
* **ninety and five (Hebrew, _tish'im vakhameshshah_):** The precise number indicates the meticulous nature of the census. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, such detailed registers were vital for administrative, military, and religious purposes. This exact figure, rather than an approximation, underscores the importance of each individual and family unit in the eyes of God and the community, reflecting a divine attention to detail in the restoration of His people.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The children of Gibeon":** This phrase identifies a specific group of returnees by their association with the city of Gibeon. In this post-exilic context, it refers to Jewish families whose ancestral homes were in Gibeon, now re-establishing their presence in the land. It signifies a geographical and familial identification within the larger returning community.
* **"ninety and five":** This numerical detail provides the exact count of individuals from Gibeon who were part of this initial wave of returnees. The precision of the number emphasizes the thoroughness of the census and the careful accounting of every person returning to rebuild the nation, highlighting the value placed on each life and family within God's covenant plan.

#### Literary Devices
Nehemiah 7:25, like the entire chapter, primarily functions as a **Census** or **Register**, a common literary device in ancient Near Eastern texts and biblical narratives. Its purpose is not narrative development but factual documentation, establishing identity, lineage, and communal structure. The verse exhibits extreme **Conciseness** and **Factual Reporting**, presenting information in a stark, unadorned manner. This brevity emphasizes the functional nature of the text as a record. The near-identical nature of this list to [Ezra 2](/ezra/2 "Ezra 2 - Parallel Census List") demonstrates **Repetition** or **Parallelism**, serving to corroborate the authenticity and importance of the record across different biblical books. While not a complex literary device, the very act of listing individual groups with precise numbers highlights a form of **Metonymy** or **Synecdoche**, where "the children of Gibeon" stands for the entire group of returning Jewish inhabitants associated with that city, underscoring their collective identity and contribution to the larger restoration project.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The inclusion of "the children of Gibeon, ninety and five" within Nehemiah's census is far more than a dry statistic; it is a profound testament to God's meticulous care and faithfulness in the restoration of His people. This precise accounting reflects a divine commitment to every individual and family within the covenant community, demonstrating that no one is overlooked in His grand plan. It underscores the importance of identity and belonging, not just for the physical rebuilding of Jerusalem, but for the spiritual re-establishment of a people set apart for God. The census as a whole, and this verse in particular, showcases God's sovereign hand in gathering His scattered flock, ensuring their return to the land and their place within His unfolding redemptive history. It reminds us that God's promises are fulfilled with precision, even down to the number of people from a specific town.

* [Ezra 2:28](/ezra/2-28 "Ezra 2:28 - The Children of Gibeon in Ezra's Census")
* [Joshua 9:27](/joshua/9-27 "Joshua 9:27 - The Gibeonites as Servants")
* [Isaiah 43:5-6](/isaiah/43-5 "Isaiah 43:5-6 - God Gathers His People from Afar")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While Nehemiah 7:25 appears to be a simple, factual entry in a long list, its presence in the biblical narrative offers profound insights for contemporary believers. It reminds us that in God's eyes, every individual matters, and every life, no matter how seemingly small or insignificant, is accounted for and valued within His larger redemptive plan. Just as the returning exiles needed to know their place and identity within the re-established community, so too do believers today find their truest identity and belonging within the family of God, purchased and sealed by Christ. This verse encourages us to appreciate the meticulousness of God's providence, His faithfulness in restoring what was lost, and His commitment to gathering His people. It challenges us to consider our own place within the body of Christ and how our unique contributions, like those of the "ninety and five" from Gibeon, are vital to the collective work of God's kingdom. We are not anonymous in His sight; we are known, counted, and cherished.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the meticulous nature of this census, including the precise number from Gibeon, speak to God's care and attention to detail in your own life?**
* **In what ways do you find your identity and sense of belonging within the community of faith today, similar to how the returning exiles re-established theirs?**
* **What "restoration" is God currently working in your life or in your community, echoing the themes of return and rebuilding in Nehemiah?**

### FAQ
**Why is this census, including Nehemiah 7:25, so important in the book of Nehemiah?**

Answer: This census is critically important for several reasons. Firstly, it served to establish the legitimate identity and lineage of the post-exilic community. After decades in Babylon, knowing who truly belonged to the covenant people was paramount for rebuilding not just the walls of Jerusalem but also the social, religious, and political fabric of the nation. Secondly, it was essential for determining ancestral land claims and ensuring that those eligible for priestly and Levitical service (which required strict genealogical purity) could fulfill their roles in the re-established temple worship. The meticulous record-keeping, as seen in the specific count for "the children of Gibeon," underscores the divine order and precision in God's plan for His people's restoration, ensuring the continuity of the covenant line.

**Who exactly were "the children of Gibeon" mentioned in this verse? Were they original Gibeonites?**

Answer: While Gibeon was historically associated with a non-Israelite people who made a covenant with Joshua in [Joshua 9](/joshua/9 "Joshua 9 - The Gibeonite Covenant"), by the time of Nehemiah, "the children of Gibeon" most likely refers to Jewish families who either resided in or originated from the city of Gibeon before the Babylonian exile. It is highly improbable that they were descendants of the original Gibeonites as a distinct ethnic group, given the emphasis on Israelite lineage throughout the census. Rather, these were Israelites whose ancestral ties were to that specific region, now returning to reclaim their heritage and contribute to the rebuilding efforts in Jerusalem. Their inclusion highlights the comprehensive nature of the return, encompassing Jewish families from various towns and regions within the historical land of Israel.

**Is the list in Nehemiah 7, which includes this verse, identical to the list found in Ezra 2?**

Answer: The list in Nehemiah 7 is nearly identical to the one found in [Ezra 2](/ezra/2 "Ezra 2 - Parallel Census of Returnees"). While there are minor variations in numbers for certain families and some differences in spelling or phrasing, the overall structure and purpose of the two lists are the same. These minor discrepancies are often attributed to different scribal traditions, slight variations in how the census was compiled or copied, or perhaps even different points in time when the lists were finalized. The substantial agreement between the two accounts, however, strongly reinforces the authenticity and historical reliability of the census, serving as a powerful testament to the divine preservation of the records detailing the return from exile.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Nehemiah 7:25, with its precise accounting of "the children of Gibeon" returning from exile, beautifully foreshadows the ultimate restoration and gathering accomplished through Jesus Christ. Just as this census meticulously documented those who belonged to the physical covenant community, the New Testament reveals a spiritual census, where true belonging is found not in ethnic lineage or geographical origin, but in faith in Christ. Jesus, the ultimate [Good Shepherd](/john/10-11 "John 10:11 - Jesus, the Good Shepherd"), came to gather His scattered sheep from every nation, tribe, and tongue, bringing them into one fold ([John 10:16](/john/10-16 "John 10:16 - One Flock, One Shepherd")). The meticulous counting of the returnees in Nehemiah points to God's divine care for every individual, a care supremely demonstrated in Christ's sacrifice, which ensures that all who believe are written in the [Lamb's Book of Life](/revelation/21-27 "Revelation 21:27 - The Book of Life"). In Christ, our true identity is found as co-heirs with Him ([Romans 8:17](/romans/8-17 "Romans 8:17 - Heirs with Christ")) and fellow citizens with the saints ([Ephesians 2:19](/ephesians/2-19 "Ephesians 2:19 - Fellow Citizens with the Saints")), transcending any earthly census. The restoration of Jerusalem's community finds its ultimate fulfillment in the spiritual restoration and new creation found in the church, the [body of Christ](/ephesians/4-16 "Ephesians 4:16 - The Body of Christ"), where there is neither Jew nor Gentile, but all are one in Him ([Galatians 3:28](/galatians/3-28 "Galatians 3:28 - No Jew or Gentile in Christ")).

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.

Cross-References

Ezra 2:20

The children of Gibbar, ninety and five.