Nehemiah 7:35

KJV

The children of Harim, three hundred and twenty.

KJV (with Strong's)

The children {H1121} of Harim {H2766}, three {H7969} hundred {H3967} and twenty {H6242}.

Complete Jewish Bible

descendants of Harim 320

Berean Standard Bible

the descendants of Harim, 320;

American Standard Version

The children of Harim, three hundred and twenty.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Nehemiah 7:35 is a precise entry within the extensive census of Jewish families and individuals who returned to Judah from Babylonian exile. This specific verse meticulously records the number of descendants belonging to the clan of Harim, highlighting their participation in the post-exilic restoration efforts and underscoring the diligent efforts to re-establish the community's identity, order, and spiritual life in Jerusalem.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Nehemiah 7:35 is embedded within a comprehensive register found in Nehemiah 7:6-69, which meticulously lists the families and individuals who returned from Babylonian captivity under the leadership of Zerubbabel. This chapter immediately follows the successful completion of the wall's reconstruction in [Nehemiah 6](/nehemiah/6 "Nehemiah 6 - Completion of the Wall"), signaling a shift from physical rebuilding to the re-establishment of social, religious, and administrative order within Jerusalem. The list serves as a vital administrative document, paralleling the one found in [Ezra 2](/ezra/2 "Ezra 2 - List of Returnees"), and acts as a foundational record for the new community, ensuring proper lineage for priestly duties, land claims, and communal identity as the people of God. The inclusion of such detailed numerical data, like the "three hundred and twenty" from Harim, underscores the meticulous nature of Nehemiah's leadership in organizing the returned remnant.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The return from Babylonian exile, prophesied by Jeremiah (e.g., [Jeremiah 29:10](/jeremiah/29-10 "Jeremiah 29:10 - Seventy Years of Exile")), marked a pivotal moment in Israelite history. After seventy years of displacement, the people were permitted by Cyrus the Great to return and rebuild their temple and city. This period was characterized by immense challenges, including opposition from surrounding peoples and internal struggles. Culturally, lineage and tribal identity were paramount, not merely for social standing but for religious legitimacy, especially concerning the priesthood and participation in temple worship. The census in Nehemiah 7, therefore, was not a mere demographic exercise but a theological act, affirming who belonged to the covenant community and had a rightful claim to the land and its spiritual heritage. The meticulous record-keeping reflects the high value placed on maintaining pure Israelite identity and preventing assimilation after generations in a foreign land.
* **Key Themes:** The meticulous listing of families and numbers, including the children of Harim, contributes significantly to several overarching themes in Nehemiah. Firstly, it powerfully illustrates the theme of **Restoration and Rebuilding**, not just of walls but of a people and their identity. God's faithfulness in bringing His people back to the land, as promised, is evident in the very existence of this census. Secondly, **Identity and Lineage** are central; the detailed genealogies affirm who truly belongs to the covenant community, ensuring the purity of the priesthood and the proper distribution of land. This emphasis on belonging is crucial for the re-establishment of a distinct people of God. Finally, the precision of the numbers, such as the "three hundred and twenty" from Harim, highlights the theme of **Divine Order and Administration**. Nehemiah's leadership is characterized by careful planning and organization, reflecting a divine intention for order within His people, a principle echoed throughout the biblical narrative, from the orderly creation in [Genesis 1](/genesis/1 "Genesis 1 - The Creation Account") to the structured community of the early church in [Acts 6](/acts/6 "Acts 6 - Appointment of Deacons").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Harim (Hebrew, _Ḥārîm'_):** This personal and clan name, meaning "devoted" or "consecrated," appears multiple times in post-exilic literature, indicating a prominent family. Members of this clan are listed among the returnees in [Ezra 2:32](/ezra/2-32 "Ezra 2:32 - The Children of Harim in Ezra's List") and [Nehemiah 7:35](/nehemiah/7-35 "Nehemiah 7:35 - The Children of Harim in Nehemiah's List"). Furthermore, a branch of the Harim family is identified as priests who returned with Zerubbabel ([Nehemiah 12:15](/nehemiah/12-15 "Nehemiah 12:15 - Priests of Harim")), and others from this family were among those who sealed the covenant with Nehemiah ([Nehemiah 10:27](/nehemiah/10-27 "Nehemiah 10:27 - Harim Seals the Covenant")). The recurrence of this name across various significant lists underscores its importance and the active participation of this family in the spiritual and administrative rebuilding of Judah.
* **Three hundred and twenty (Hebrew, _shlosh me'ot v'esrim'_):** The precise numerical count is not merely a dry statistic but a testament to the meticulous record-keeping and the tangible reality of the return. In a culture where numbers often carried symbolic weight, here they primarily convey accuracy and accountability. This precision demonstrates the seriousness with which the leaders, particularly Nehemiah, approached the task of re-establishing the community. It signifies a tangible, measurable remnant, highlighting God's faithfulness in preserving a people and their commitment to re-establish their presence in the land. This detail reinforces the theme of order and the careful administration required for the nascent community's survival and flourishing.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The children of Harim":** This phrase identifies a specific family or clan unit within the larger returning community. In ancient Israelite society, "children of" (בְּנֵי, _bĕnê_) typically denoted not just immediate offspring but a broader lineage, encompassing descendants, clan members, or even a guild. This emphasis on family identity was crucial for maintaining tribal distinctions, land inheritances, and particularly for verifying eligibility for priestly and Levitical service. The inclusion of "Harim" here specifically links this group to a known, active family in the post-exilic period, demonstrating their continuity and participation in the restoration.
* **"three hundred and twenty":** This numerical detail provides the exact count of individuals from the Harim clan who returned. The precision of this number underscores the meticulous nature of the census. It reflects a careful, deliberate process of accounting for every person who made the arduous journey back to Judah. This exactitude serves several purposes: it validates claims to identity and land, aids in administrative organization for repopulating Jerusalem and its surrounding towns, and symbolically represents the tangible, albeit still small, remnant that God had preserved and brought back to the land. Each number, though seemingly mundane, represents lives committed to the restoration of God's people.

#### Literary Devices
Nehemiah 7:35, as part of a larger genealogical register, primarily employs **Census/Genealogy** as its overarching literary device. This meticulous listing of names and numbers serves to establish legitimacy, identity, and continuity for the returning exiles. It functions as a foundational document for the re-establishment of Israelite society. Furthermore, the chapter demonstrates **Precision and Detail**, with specific numbers assigned to each family, emphasizing the careful and orderly nature of Nehemiah's administration and the importance of every individual within the community. The **Repetition** of this list, mirroring the one in [Ezra 2](/ezra/2 "Ezra 2 - List of Returnees"), reinforces its historical accuracy and theological significance, underscoring the divine hand in preserving and restoring the covenant people.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Nehemiah 7:35, though a single line in a lengthy register, profoundly connects to the biblical themes of divine faithfulness, the importance of community, and the meticulous care God has for His people. The very act of returning from exile and being meticulously counted signifies God's unwavering commitment to His covenant promises, bringing His scattered flock back to their land and re-establishing their identity. This verse, therefore, is a testament to the enduring nature of God's covenant with Israel, demonstrating His power to restore even after severe judgment. It also highlights the human responsibility to respond to God's faithfulness with obedience and diligent effort in rebuilding, both physically and spiritually. The emphasis on lineage and number underscores that every individual and family played a vital role in this grand narrative of restoration, each known and valued in God's redemptive plan.

* [Ezra 2:32](/ezra/2-32 "Ezra 2:32 - The Children of Harim in Ezra's Census")
* [Nehemiah 10:27](/nehemiah/10-27 "Nehemiah 10:27 - Harim Among Those Who Sealed the Covenant")
* [Nehemiah 12:15](/nehemiah/12-15 "Priestly Family of Harim")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
At first glance, a verse like Nehemiah 7:35 might seem dry or irrelevant to contemporary life, a mere historical record. However, its inclusion in the inspired Word of God reminds us that every detail matters in God's grand narrative. Just as the "children of Harim" were known, counted, and given a place in the restored community, so too is every individual known and valued by God. This verse challenges us to consider our own place within God's people today—the Church. Are we actively participating in the rebuilding and restoration work that God is doing in our time? Do we appreciate the importance of our spiritual lineage, our identity in Christ, and our belonging within the community of faith? The diligence of Nehemiah in accounting for every family calls us to a similar diligence in stewardship, organization, and care for the body of Christ, ensuring that every member is recognized, valued, and equipped to contribute to God's kingdom. It invites us to find purpose and identity not in worldly achievements, but in our God-given place within His redemptive story.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the meticulous record-keeping in Nehemiah 7, including the specific count for the children of Harim, speak to God's care and knowledge of every individual within His covenant community?**
* **In what ways does your own sense of identity and belonging within the Christian community reflect the importance of lineage and participation seen in the post-exilic returnees?**
* **What "rebuilding" or "restoration" work is God calling you to participate in today, whether in your local church, family, or wider community, and how can you approach it with similar diligence to Nehemiah?**

### FAQ
**Why is such a detailed list of names and numbers included in the Bible?**

Answer: The inclusion of detailed lists like Nehemiah 7:35 serves several crucial purposes. Historically, it provided a verifiable record for the returning exiles, establishing legitimate claims to land, property, and, most importantly, priestly and Levitical service, which required strict genealogical proof (e.g., [Ezra 2:62](/ezra/2-62 "Ezra 2:62 - Those Who Could Not Prove Their Lineage")). Theologically, these lists underscore God's faithfulness in preserving a remnant of His people and fulfilling His covenant promises to bring them back to the land. They demonstrate the tangible reality of the restoration. Pastorally, they communicate that every individual and family was known and valued by God, playing a specific part in His grand redemptive plan. It emphasizes the importance of identity, belonging, and order within the community of faith, principles that remain relevant for the church today.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Nehemiah 7:35 details the physical return and restoration of a specific family in ancient Israel, it ultimately points to the greater, spiritual restoration accomplished through Jesus Christ. The meticulous accounting of lineages in Nehemiah foreshadows the ultimate importance of the lineage of Christ, through whom God's promises find their perfect fulfillment (e.g., [Matthew 1:1-17](/matthew/1-1-17 "Matthew 1:1-17 - The Genealogy of Jesus Christ") and [Luke 3:23-38](/luke/3-23-38 "Luke 3:23-38 - The Genealogy of Jesus")). Just as the children of Harim were counted and given a place in the restored community, so too are all who believe in Christ counted as members of God's new covenant people, the Church, which is the spiritual Israel (e.g., [Galatians 3:29](/galatians/3-29 "Galatians 3:29 - Heirs According to the Promise")). Jesus is the ultimate "restorer of paths to dwell in" ([Isaiah 58:12](/isaiah/58-12 "Isaiah 58:12 - Restorer of Paths to Dwell In")), not merely rebuilding walls but reconciling humanity to God through His atoning sacrifice (e.g., [Colossians 1:19-20](/colossians/1-19-20 "Colossians 1:19-20 - Reconciliation Through Christ")). The diligent organization seen in Nehemiah finds its ultimate expression in the divine order of God's kingdom, established by Christ, where every believer is a vital member of His body, known by name, and given a unique role in His ongoing redemptive work (e.g., [1 Corinthians 12:27](/1_corinthians/12-27 "1 Corinthians 12:27 - You Are the Body of 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 10:31

And [of] the sons of Harim; Eliezer, Ishijah, Malchiah, Shemaiah, Shimeon,

Ezra 2:32

The children of Harim, three hundred and twenty.