Nehemiah 7:36

KJV

The children of Jericho, three hundred forty and five.

KJV (with Strong's)

The children {H1121} of Jericho {H3405}, three {H7969} hundred {H3967} forty {H705} and five {H2568}.

Complete Jewish Bible

descendants of Yericho 345

Berean Standard Bible

the men of Jericho, 345;

American Standard Version

The children of Jericho, three hundred forty and five.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Nehemiah 7:36 is a precise numerical entry within a comprehensive post-exilic census, documenting the return of "three hundred forty and five" individuals descended from the ancient city of Jericho. This seemingly simple verse is a vital component of Nehemiah's meticulous record-keeping, underscoring the importance of identity, lineage, and the re-establishment of the Israelite community in Judah following generations of Babylonian captivity, reflecting God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises of restoration.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Nehemiah 7:36 is deeply embedded within a lengthy genealogical register spanning [Nehemiah 7:6-69](/nehemiah/7 "Nehemiah 7 - The Register of Returning Exiles"), which meticulously lists the families and numbers of those who returned from Babylonian exile. This chapter serves as a crucial administrative document, strategically placed immediately following the completion and dedication of Jerusalem's walls in [Nehemiah 6](/nehemiah/6 "Nehemiah 6 - Completion of the Wall"). The primary purpose of this census was multifaceted: not merely historical documentation, but a deeply practical and theological exercise to organize the population for resettlement, allocate resources, and ensure the purity and integrity of the community, especially concerning those eligible for priestly and Levitical service. The list in Nehemiah 7 bears striking resemblance to the one found in [Ezra 2](/ezra/2 "Ezra 2 - The First Return from Exile"), suggesting a shared, authoritative source and emphasizing the continuity of the returned community from the time of Zerubbabel and Jeshua to Nehemiah's era. The inclusion of specific numbers for each family or city, like Jericho, highlights the meticulous nature of the post-exilic reconstruction effort and the divine oversight in gathering His people.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The return from Babylonian exile, initiated by Cyrus the Great's decree in [538 BC](/ezra/1-1 "Ezra 1:1 - Cyrus's Decree"), marked a watershed moment in Israelite history. After seventy years of displacement, the exiles faced the daunting task of rebuilding their devastated homeland, both physically and spiritually. Genealogical records were paramount in ancient Israelite society, serving as legal documents for land claims, tribal identity, and, most critically, eligibility for religious service within the temple system. For a community striving to re-establish its covenant relationship with God and its national identity, verifying one's lineage was indispensable for maintaining ritual purity, social order, and the proper functioning of the priesthood. The city of Jericho itself carries immense historical and symbolic weight, famously known for its miraculous fall during Israel's conquest of Canaan under Joshua, as recorded in [Joshua 6](/joshua/6 "Joshua 6 - The Fall of Jericho"). Its inclusion in the returnees' list signifies not just a geographical origin but a profound connection to the foundational narratives of Israel's entry into the Promised Land, reinforcing the overarching theme of divine promise, return, and re-possession.
* **Key Themes:** Nehemiah 7:36, as an integral part of this extensive register, contributes significantly to several overarching themes in the book of Nehemiah and the broader post-exilic narrative. Firstly, it powerfully illustrates the theme of **Restoration and Return**, demonstrating God's unwavering faithfulness in fulfilling His prophetic promises to bring His people back to their land after the seventy years of exile, as foretold by prophets like [Jeremiah](/jeremiah/29-10 "Jeremiah 29:10 - Prophecy of Seventy Years of Exile"). The return of specific numbers from various locales, including Jericho, underscores the widespread and divinely orchestrated nature of this movement. Secondly, the emphasis on **Identity and Lineage** is crucial; for the returning exiles, knowing one's ancestral city and family line was foundational for re-establishing community, allocating land, and ensuring the continuity of the priesthood, as seen in the detailed lists of [Nehemiah 7](/nehemiah/7 "Nehemiah 7 - The Register of Returning Exiles"). Finally, the meticulous detail of the census, down to the precise number of individuals from a specific place like Jericho, speaks volumes about **God's Meticulous Providence**. It highlights that every person counted was part of God's precise and careful oversight of His people's history, demonstrating His sovereign hand in the rebuilding and re-ordering of His covenant community, affirming that no detail is too small for His divine plan.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **children (Hebrew, _bên'_):** This term (H1121) literally means "son" but is used in a broad sense to denote descendants, offspring, or members of a particular group or place. In this context, "children of Jericho" signifies those who trace their lineage back to the inhabitants of Jericho, emphasizing their ancestral connection and legitimate claim to a place within the restored community of Israel. It highlights the importance of family and tribal identity in ancient Israelite society.
* **Jericho (Hebrew, _Yᵉrîychôw'_):** This proper noun (H3405) refers to the ancient city of Jericho, a place of immense historical and symbolic significance in Israel's narrative. Known as the first city conquered by Joshua upon Israel's entry into Canaan ([Joshua 6](/joshua/6 "Joshua 6 - The Fall of Jericho")), its mention here connects these returnees to a foundational moment of God's power and faithfulness in fulfilling His promises to His people regarding the land.
* **five (Hebrew, _châmêsh'_):** This numeral (H2568), part of the larger numerical phrase "three hundred forty and five," exemplifies the meticulous precision of the census. The inclusion of such exact figures, down to the single digit, underscores the administrative rigor and the importance placed on accurate record-keeping for the purpose of community organization, resource allocation, and maintaining the purity of lineage in post-exilic Judah. It reflects a careful, deliberate enumeration, not an approximation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The children of Jericho,"**: This clause identifies a specific contingent of returnees, categorizing them by their ancestral city of origin. It immediately places them within the larger context of the returning exiles, distinguishing them by their historical and geographical roots. The reference to Jericho, a city with a profound history in Israel's narrative, connects these individuals to a lineage that predates the exile, reinforcing their legitimate claim to the land and their place within the covenant community.
* **"three hundred forty and five."**: This numerical statement provides the exact count of individuals from Jericho who returned. Its precision highlights the meticulous nature of the census, which was crucial for administrative purposes in the newly re-established community. This number, though small in the grand scheme of the nation, represents a tangible fulfillment of God's promise to bring His people back, demonstrating that even specific family lines from specific cities were part of His sovereign plan of restoration.

#### Literary Devices
Nehemiah 7:36 primarily employs **Enumeration** and serves as a direct example of **Historical Record**. The verse is part of a comprehensive list, where the specific number of individuals from Jericho is precisely counted and recorded. This meticulous **Enumeration** underscores the administrative and organizational efforts of Nehemiah and the post-exilic community, highlighting their commitment to re-establishing order and identity within the returned population. As a **Historical Record**, it provides factual data crucial for understanding the demographics of the returning exiles and the scale of the rebuilding project. While not overtly poetic, the very act of recording such detail can be seen as a subtle form of **Symbolism**. Jericho, a city famously brought down by divine power in [Joshua 6](/joshua/6 "Joshua 6 - The Fall of Jericho"), now has its "children" returning, symbolizing God's power not just to judge and destroy, but also to restore and rebuild. The inclusion of this specific city, with its rich history of both divine judgment and miraculous intervention, subtly reinforces the overarching theme of God's enduring covenant and His sovereign hand in the history of His people.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Nehemiah 7:36, though a simple numerical entry, profoundly contributes to the theological narrative of God's faithfulness and meticulous providence. It demonstrates that God's covenant promises are not abstract but are fulfilled in the lives of specific individuals and families, even down to those from a particular city like Jericho. The meticulous counting signifies God's personal care for each person within His larger plan of restoration, emphasizing that every individual's return was part of His sovereign design to re-establish His people in the land. This attention to detail reflects a divine order and purpose, assuring the community of their legitimate heritage and God's ongoing commitment to their future, even amidst the challenges of rebuilding.

* [Ezra 2:34](/ezra/2-34 "Ezra 2:34 - The Children of Jericho in Ezra's Census") - This parallel verse in Ezra's account confirms the consistency and authority of the census, underscoring the importance of these records for the returning community and the unity of God's restorative work.
* [Jeremiah 29:10](/jeremiah/29-10 "Jeremiah 29:10 - Prophecy of Return from Exile") - This prophecy foretold the seventy years of exile and the subsequent return, showing Nehemiah 7:36 as a direct and precise fulfillment of God's word, highlighting His unwavering commitment to His promises.
* [Isaiah 43:5-6](/isaiah/43-5-6 "Isaiah 43:5-6 - God Gathers His Scattered People") - This passage speaks of God gathering His people from the ends of the earth, providing a broader prophetic context for the return of individuals like the children of Jericho, emphasizing the global scope of God's redemptive plan.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Nehemiah 7:36, a seemingly dry numerical detail, offers profound insights for contemporary believers. It reminds us that God's grand redemptive plan is meticulously attentive to individuals. Just as He knew and counted each descendant of Jericho, He knows and cares for every person within His global church, down to the smallest detail of our lives. This verse encourages us to value our spiritual heritage and the lineage of faith that precedes us, recognizing that we are part of a larger, ongoing story of God's faithfulness that spans generations. It also challenges us to be faithful in the "small details" of our lives and ministries, understanding that even the most mundane tasks, when done in obedience and with precision, contribute significantly to God's greater purposes. Our identity in Christ, like the identity of these returnees, is rooted not in our own merit but in God's sovereign covenant and His divine call, providing a secure and meaningful foundation for our lives and service.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the meticulous detail of this census, including specific numbers like "three hundred forty and five," affirm God's personal care for individuals within His larger redemptive plans?**
* **In what ways does understanding our spiritual heritage and the historical journey of faith strengthen our identity and purpose as believers today, connecting us to God's ongoing story?**
* **What "small details" or seemingly mundane tasks in your life or ministry might God be using to fulfill His greater purposes, much like the careful recording of these numbers in Nehemiah?**

### FAQ
**Why was it so important to list the exact number of people from each city, like Jericho?**

Answer: The precise enumeration of individuals from each city, including Jericho, was critically important for several reasons in post-exilic Judah. Firstly, it served as a vital **administrative and organizational tool** for Nehemiah and the leaders. Knowing the exact numbers allowed for efficient resettlement, proper land allocation, and the equitable distribution of resources among the returning exiles. Secondly, it was crucial for **establishing and verifying identity and lineage**. In a society where tribal affiliation, family heritage, and ancestral land claims were paramount, these lists provided legal and social legitimacy. This was especially true for those claiming eligibility for priestly or Levitical service, whose lineage had to be beyond reproach to ensure ritual purity and continuity of worship (as seen in [Nehemiah 7:63-65](/nehemiah/7-63-65 "Nehemiah 7:63-65 - Exclusion from the Priesthood")). Finally, these detailed records underscored the **fulfillment of God's covenant promises**. The return of a specific number of people from specific places like Jericho demonstrated God's faithfulness in bringing His scattered people back to their land, as prophesied, showing His meticulous oversight of His people's history and future.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Nehemiah 7:36 is a historical record of a physical return, it profoundly points to a deeper spiritual reality fulfilled in Jesus Christ. The meticulous counting of those returning from exile foreshadows God's sovereign and precise plan for the ultimate restoration of humanity through Christ. Just as the "children of Jericho" were part of a physical return to a promised land, believers are now adopted as "children of God" through faith in Christ, returning to a spiritual inheritance that transcends earthly boundaries and is eternal ([Galatians 3:26](/galatians/3-26 "Galatians 3:26 - Children of God Through Faith")). The emphasis on lineage and identity in Nehemiah finds its ultimate resolution in Christ, who is the true Son of David and the promised Messiah, through whom all of God's promises find their definitive "Yes" and "Amen" ([2 Corinthians 1:20](/2-corinthians/1-20 "2 Corinthians 1:20 - God's Promises are Yes in Christ")). The re-establishment of the community in Jerusalem, detailed in Nehemiah, serves as a powerful type for the spiritual Jerusalem, the church, which is built upon Christ, the cornerstone, uniting all believers into one holy temple ([Ephesians 2:20](/ephesians/2-20 "Ephesians 2:20 - Christ the Cornerstone")). The return of the exiles, including the children of Jericho, prefigures the gathering of God's elect from every nation, tribe, and tongue into the family of God, united under the headship of Christ, who brings us out of spiritual exile (sin and death) into His glorious kingdom of light ([Colossians 1:13-14](/colossians/1-13-14 "Colossians 1:13-14 - Delivered from Darkness into His Kingdom")). Thus, this seemingly simple verse ultimately testifies to God's meticulous plan culminating in the person and redemptive work of Jesus, the true restorer and redeemer of His people.

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 2:34

The children of Jericho, three hundred forty and five.