Nehemiah 7:29

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

The men {H582} of Kirjathjearim {H7157}, Chephirah {H3716}, and Beeroth {H881}, seven {H7651} hundred {H3967} forty {H705} and three {H7969}.

Complete Jewish Bible

people of Kiryat-Ye'arim, K'firah and Be'erot 743

Berean Standard Bible

the men of Kiriath-jearim, Chephirah, and Beeroth, 743;

American Standard Version

The men of Kiriath-jearim, Chephirah, and Beeroth, seven hundred forty and three.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Nehemiah 7:29 is a precise entry within a comprehensive post-exilic census, meticulously detailing the number of men who returned from Babylonian captivity to resettle their ancestral lands. Specifically, it records the 743 men from the towns of Kirjathjearim, Chephirah, and Beeroth. This seemingly simple enumeration underscores the painstaking effort to re-establish the Israelite community, emphasizing the importance of identity, lineage, and the collective contribution of every individual to the monumental task of rebuilding Jerusalem and restoring the covenant community.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Nehemiah 7 serves as a crucial register, appearing immediately after the completion of Jerusalem's walls in [Nehemiah 6](/nehemiah/6 "Nehemiah 6 - Completion of the Wall"). This census functions as a foundational document, preparing the way for the spiritual and social reforms detailed in subsequent chapters, particularly the great covenant renewal ceremony in [Nehemiah 8](/nehemiah/8 "Nehemiah 8 - The Reading of the Law"). The chapter's meticulous listing of families, leaders, and common people, along with their numbers, mirrors the earlier census found in [Ezra 2](/ezra/2 "Ezra 2 - The First Return from Exile"), reinforcing the historical continuity and divine oversight of the returnees from the first wave under Zerubbabel to the later efforts under Nehemiah. Verse 29, therefore, is a specific data point within this larger, vital record of the re-gathering of God's people.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The return from Babylonian exile (beginning in 538 BC under Cyrus the Great) was a monumental event in Israelite history, marking a new phase of their national and spiritual identity. The people were returning to a desolate homeland, facing significant challenges from surrounding adversaries and the arduous task of rebuilding not just physical structures but also their societal and religious life. In ancient Israel, meticulous genealogical and census records were paramount for establishing tribal identity, land inheritance, and priestly legitimacy (as seen in [Nehemiah 7:64](/nehemiah/7-64 "Nehemiah 7:64 - Exclusion from Priesthood")). The towns mentioned—Kirjathjearim, Chephirah, and Beeroth—were historically associated with the Gibeonites, a people who had made a covenant with Joshua and became servants to Israel ([Joshua 9:17-27](/joshua/9-17 "Joshua 9:17-27 - The Gibeonite Deception and Covenant")). Their inclusion in this census, even if representing a later integration or a Jewish population within these towns, highlights the diverse elements contributing to the post-exilic community.
* **Key Themes:** Nehemiah 7:29, as part of this comprehensive census, contributes to several overarching themes. First, it underscores the theme of **Divine Providence and Restoration**, demonstrating God's faithfulness in bringing His people back to their land after decades of exile, fulfilling prophetic promises. Second, it highlights the importance of **Identity and Belonging** in the post-exilic community; each listed family and individual was vital for re-establishing the nation's fabric and preserving its heritage. The precision of the numbers, including the specific count of 743 men, reflects God's meticulous care for each person and family within His covenant people, a truth echoed in [Matthew 10:30](/matthew/10-30 "Matthew 10:30 - God's Knowledge of Every Hair"). Finally, the act of returning and being counted signifies **Perseverance and Rebuilding**, illustrating the commitment and courage required of these individuals to leave the relative comfort of Babylon and contribute to the arduous task of restoring Jerusalem and the worship of Yahweh.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Kirjathjearim (Hebrew, _Qiryath Ye'arim'_):** Meaning "city of forests." This was an ancient Gibeonite town, strategically located on the border between Judah and Benjamin. It was a significant place in Israelite history, notably as the temporary resting place for the Ark of the Covenant for many years before David brought it to Jerusalem ([1 Samuel 7:1-2](/1_samuel/7-1 "1 Samuel 7:1-2 - The Ark at Kirjathjearim")). Its inclusion here signifies the return of people to historically important territories.
* **Seven hundred forty and three (Hebrew, _sheva' me'ot arba'im veshālōsh'_):** This precise numerical figure, repeated for various groups throughout Nehemiah 7, emphasizes the meticulous nature of the census. It's not a round estimate but an exact count, reflecting the administrative diligence of the leaders (Nehemiah and Ezra) and the cultural importance of accurate record-keeping for lineage, land claims, and community organization in the post-exilic period. This precision highlights the tangible reality of the restoration and the value placed on every returning individual.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The men of Kirjathjearim, Chephirah, and Beeroth,"**: This clause specifies the origin of a particular group of returnees. "The men" (Hebrew, _'anashim'_) generally refers to adult males, often heads of households, who would have been counted for their contribution to the community's strength and rebuilding efforts. The mention of these three specific towns indicates their distinct geographical and historical identities, even as they are grouped together for the census. These Gibeonite cities, now with returning Jewish inhabitants, were part of the broader effort to repopulate the land.
* **"seven hundred forty and three."**: This final clause provides the exact numerical count for the men from these three towns combined. The precision of this number underscores the thoroughness of the census, which was vital for administrative purposes, including taxation, military organization, and the allocation of resources for the rebuilding projects. It also serves as a testament to the significant number of people who committed to the arduous journey and task of restoration.

#### Literary Devices
Nehemiah 7:29, like the rest of the chapter, primarily employs **Enumeration** and **Cataloging**. The entire chapter is a detailed list, and this verse is a specific entry within that comprehensive catalog. This device serves to provide a precise and verifiable record of the returning exiles, establishing their identity and legitimacy. The **Repetition** of similar census data across [Ezra 2](/ezra/2 "Ezra 2 - The First Return Census") and Nehemiah 7 also functions as a literary device, confirming the historical accuracy and importance of these records. This meticulous record-keeping is a form of **Historical Documentation**, emphasizing the factual basis of the narrative and the tangible reality of God's work in restoring His people. While seemingly dry, these lists convey a profound theological truth: God cares about individuals and their specific roles in His unfolding plan.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Nehemiah 7:29, though a simple line in a census, profoundly illustrates God's meticulous care for His people and the importance of every individual within His redemptive plan. The divine attention to detail, reflected in the precise enumeration of returnees, speaks to a God who knows and values each member of His covenant community. This record-keeping is not merely an administrative task but a theological statement about identity, belonging, and the collective effort required for God's kingdom work. It reminds us that even seemingly small or insignificant contributions are vital in the grand tapestry of God's purposes, and that the restoration of a physical nation foreshadows a greater spiritual restoration.

* [Matthew 10:30](/matthew/10-30 "God's Knowledge of Every Hair"): "But the very hairs of your head are all numbered."
* [1 Corinthians 12:27](/1_corinthians/12-27 "Many Members, One Body"): "Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular."
* [Ephesians 2:19-22](/ephesians/2-19 "Fellow Citizens with the Saints"): "Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit."

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Nehemiah 7:29, a single line in a list of names and numbers, might seem distant from our contemporary lives, yet it holds profound spiritual lessons. It reminds us that God is a God of detail, who sees and values every individual. Just as the men from Kirjathjearim, Chephirah, and Beeroth were essential to the physical rebuilding of Jerusalem, so too is every believer indispensable to the spiritual building of God's church today. Our unique gifts, our presence, and our commitment, no matter how seemingly small, contribute to the larger work of God's kingdom. This verse encourages us to embrace our place within the community of faith, recognizing that our collective efforts, guided by God's providence, bring about His purposes. It calls us to faithfulness in our own "return" to God's call, persevering through challenges, and valuing the identity and belonging we find in Christ's body.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the meticulous record-keeping in Nehemiah 7, including verse 29, affirm God's personal knowledge and care for you today?**
* **In what ways are you, like the men listed, contributing your unique gifts and presence to the "rebuilding" of God's kingdom in your community or church?**
* **What challenges or "desolate lands" might you be called to "return" to or rebuild in your spiritual journey, requiring similar perseverance and faith?**

### FAQ
**Why is such a detailed and seemingly dry list of names and numbers included in a biblical book like Nehemiah?**

Answer: The inclusion of such meticulous lists, like Nehemiah 7:29, serves several crucial purposes. Historically, it provided a verifiable record for the returning exiles, establishing their lineage, tribal identity, and rights to ancestral lands—details vital for re-establishing the nation's social and legal structures. Theologically, it underscores God's meticulous care for His people, demonstrating that every individual and family was known and valued in His plan of restoration. It highlights the tangible reality of God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises to bring His people back to their land after exile. Furthermore, it emphasizes the importance of community and collective effort in God's work; each number represents individuals who chose to participate in the arduous task of rebuilding Jerusalem and re-establishing the covenant community, demonstrating their faith and commitment. This detailed record also serves as a testament to the divine inspiration of Scripture, showing that even seemingly mundane details are part of God's revealed truth.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Nehemiah 7:29 details a physical return and rebuilding, it points to a profound spiritual reality fulfilled in Christ. The meticulous census of those returning from exile foreshadows God's intimate knowledge and sovereign election of His people, the church, who are called out of spiritual exile in sin and brought into the kingdom of His beloved Son ([Colossians 1:13](/colossians/1-13 "Colossians 1:13 - Delivered from Darkness")). The rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls and the re-establishment of the community prefigure the construction of the spiritual temple, the church, with Christ as the cornerstone ([Ephesians 2:20-22](/ephesians/2-20 "Ephesians 2:20-22 - Christ the Cornerstone")). Just as the men from Kirjathjearim, Chephirah, and Beeroth were integral to the physical restoration, every believer, regardless of background or perceived status, is a vital member of Christ's body, equipped by the Spirit to build up the church ([1 Corinthians 12:12-27](/1_corinthians/12-12 "1 Corinthians 12:12-27 - One Body, Many Members")). The inclusion of people from historically diverse backgrounds, like those from the Gibeonite towns, subtly hints at the expansive nature of God's redemptive plan, which ultimately includes Gentiles alongside Jews in one new humanity in Christ ([Ephesians 2:14-16](/ephesians/2-14 "Ephesians 2:14-16 - Peace in Christ")). Thus, this seemingly dry list of names and numbers ultimately testifies to God's comprehensive and inclusive work of salvation, culminating in the person and work of Jesus Christ, who gathers His people from every tribe and nation to build His eternal kingdom ([Revelation 7:9-10](/revelation/7-9 "Revelation 7:9-10 - A Great Multitude from Every Nation")).

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

Joshua 18:25

Gibeon, and Ramah, and Beeroth,

Ezra 2:25

The children of Kirjatharim, Chephirah, and Beeroth, seven hundred and forty and three.

Joshua 9:17

And the children of Israel journeyed, and came unto their cities on the third day. Now their cities [were] Gibeon, and Chephirah, and Beeroth, and Kirjathjearim.

Judges 18:12

And they went up, and pitched in Kirjathjearim, in Judah: wherefore they called that place Mahanehdan unto this day: behold, [it is] behind Kirjathjearim.