TRV
Study This Verse
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.
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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Summary
Nehemiah 7:34 is a precise entry within the comprehensive genealogical register of Jewish families who returned to Judah from Babylonian exile. This verse meticulously records the specific number of individuals belonging to "the children of the other Elam," a distinct family group differentiated from another of the same name. It serves as a testament to the painstaking detail with which Nehemiah and the returning exiles documented their community, underscoring the vital importance of identity, lineage, and accurate accounting for the purpose of re-establishing their national and spiritual infrastructure in Jerusalem.
CONTEXT
Exposition and Analysis
Key Word Analysis
This is a proper name, referring to a specific family or clan among the Jewish returnees from exile. The name "Elam" appears multiple times in biblical genealogies and registers (e.g., Genesis 10:22, Ezra 2:7). The critical distinction in Nehemiah 7:34 is "the other Elam," explicitly differentiating this group from another family also named Elam, listed earlier in the same census (Nehemiah 7:12). This meticulous naming convention underscores the administrative precision and the importance of accurate identification for the returning exiles, vital for land allocation, tribal identity, and civic organization in the re-established community.
Derived from a root meaning "hinder," this word signifies "next," "another," or "different." In the context of Nehemiah 7:34, its use with "Elam" is crucial for disambiguation. It indicates that the census-takers were aware of at least two distinct groups bearing the name "Elam" and were careful to distinguish between them. This highlights the administrative thoroughness and the critical need for precise identification in a society where lineage and family identity were foundational for land ownership, social standing, and religious duties.
This precise numerical figure, broken down into "thousand" (H505), "two hundred" (H3967), "fifty" (H2572), and "four" (H702), highlights the careful and systematic nature of the census. In ancient Near Eastern contexts, such detailed enumerations were not merely statistical but served practical purposes related to taxation, military conscription, and the allocation of resources. For the post-exilic community, these numbers represented the human capital available for the immense task of rebuilding Jerusalem and re-establishing the nation. The exactness of the number, down to the single digit, emphasizes the tangible reality of the return and the specific contribution of this particular family group to the overall restoration effort.
Verse Breakdown
"The children of the other Elam"
This clause precisely identifies a specific family or clan group among the returning exiles. The addition of "the other" (Hebrew: אַחֵר, ʼachêr) is crucial, indicating that this particular group named Elam is distinct from another family of the same name previously listed in the register (Nehemiah 7:12). This highlights the meticulousness of the census, ensuring clarity and avoiding confusion in a society where lineage was paramount for identity, inheritance, and social structure. It points to a highly organized and detailed record-keeping system undertaken by the leaders of the returning community.
"a thousand two hundred fifty and four"
This numerical statement provides the exact count of individuals belonging to "the children of the other Elam" who returned from exile. The specificity of the number, down to the single digit, emphasizes the comprehensive and accurate nature of the census. It transforms a mere name into a tangible group of people, each representing a life, a family unit, and a contributor to the rebuilding efforts. This figure contributes to the overall demographic picture of the post-exilic community, demonstrating the scale of the return and the human resources available for the restoration of Jerusalem and Judah, underscoring the collective effort required for national renewal.
Literary Devices
Nehemiah 7:34, as an integral part of a larger census, primarily employs the literary device of Enumeration or Register. This technique involves the systematic listing of names, places, or numbers, serving to provide a detailed and comprehensive account of the returning exiles. The meticulous numerical precision, "a thousand two hundred fifty and four," exemplifies this device, lending an air of historical accuracy and administrative thoroughness to the narrative. Furthermore, the phrase "the other Elam" demonstrates Distinction or Differentiation, a subtle but crucial literary technique used to clarify identity and avoid ambiguity within a list where names might be repeated. While not a vivid narrative, the very act of listing and numbering also functions as a form of Symbolism, where each entry, though seemingly mundane, represents the tangible reality of God's faithfulness in restoring His people and the collective human effort required for national rebuilding. The dry facts become a testament to divine promise and human perseverance in the face of immense challenges.
Theological and Thematic Connections
The seemingly mundane nature of a numerical entry like Nehemiah 7:34 carries profound theological weight. It speaks to God's divine meticulousness and His sovereign interest in the details of His people's lives. Just as He numbered the tribes of Israel in the wilderness for purposes of organization and land allocation, this post-exilic register demonstrates that every individual and family, no matter how seemingly small or obscure, is known and valued by God. This attention to detail reflects a God who is intimately involved in the restoration of His covenant people, orchestrating their return and providing the human resources necessary for the fulfillment of His promises. It underscores the theological truth that God's plans are not abstract but are realized through the specific lives and contributions of His people, highlighting His providential care for the community and its individual members.
Reflection and Application
While Nehemiah 7:34 might initially appear as a dry historical statistic, it offers profound lessons for contemporary believers. It reminds us that God, who oversees the grand sweep of history and orchestrates the return of an entire nation, also cares intimately about the individual. Each number, each name, represents a person known to God, whose life and contribution were essential to His redemptive plan. This should encourage us to recognize our own irreplaceable value within the body of Christ; no one is a mere statistic in God's kingdom. Furthermore, it challenges us to appreciate the collective effort required for God's work. Just as the "children of the other Elam" contributed their numbers to the rebuilding of Jerusalem, so too are our individual gifts, talents, and presence vital for the flourishing of the church and the advancement of God's kingdom today. It calls us to faithful participation, knowing that even seemingly small contributions are significant in God's grand design, and that God sees and values every act of obedience and service.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why is this census so detailed, and why is it repeated in Ezra?
The meticulous detail of the census in Nehemiah 7, including specific family names and precise numbers like "the children of the other Elam, a thousand two hundred fifty and four," was crucial for several reasons in the post-exilic community. It served to re-establish tribal identities, confirm land ownership rights, organize the population for rebuilding efforts (especially the walls of Jerusalem), and ensure the purity of the priestly and Levitical lines. The repetition of this census in Ezra 2 underscores its immense historical and administrative importance. It provided a foundational document for the re-establishment of the nation of Israel, validating the lineage of those who returned and forming the basis for the new community's structure and governance. This dual appearance in two distinct but related historical books emphasizes its authoritative and foundational nature for the restored Jewish community, highlighting its reliability and significance.
What is the significance of "the other Elam"?
The phrase "the other Elam" (Hebrew: אֶלָם אַחֵר, ‘Elam ‘achêr) in Nehemiah 7:34 is a key detail that highlights the extraordinary precision of the ancient census. It signifies that there were at least two distinct family groups or clans named Elam among the returning exiles. One "Elam" group is listed earlier in the register (Nehemiah 7:12), and this verse refers to a second, separate group. This careful differentiation was vital for accurate record-keeping, preventing confusion in matters of lineage, inheritance, and community organization. It demonstrates the meticulous administrative efforts undertaken by Nehemiah and the leaders to properly identify and account for every family in the re-established community, ensuring order, continuity, and the integrity of the tribal system.
Christ-Centered Fulfillment
While Nehemiah 7:34 details the physical restoration of a specific lineage in post-exilic Israel, it points forward to the ultimate and spiritual restoration found in Jesus Christ. The meticulous accounting of names and numbers in Nehemiah foreshadows God's intimate knowledge of every individual who belongs to His new covenant people. Just as the returning exiles were gathered to rebuild Jerusalem, Christ gathers His church, the spiritual Israel, from every tribe and nation (Revelation 7:9). In Christ, the emphasis shifts from physical lineage to spiritual adoption, where believers are made "children of God through faith" (Galatians 3:26-29). He is the true builder of God's temple, not of stone, but of living stones, with each believer being a vital part of this spiritual edifice (1 Peter 2:5). Every believer, regardless of their earthly origin, is known by name by the Good Shepherd (John 10:3) and is an essential part of His body (1 Corinthians 12:27). The detailed census of Nehemiah thus serves as a historical testament to God's unwavering commitment to His people, a commitment fully realized and infinitely expanded in the person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ, who ensures that none of His chosen "sheep" are lost (John 6:39), bringing them into a spiritual lineage that transcends earthly records.