Nehemiah 7:38

KJV

The children of Senaah, three thousand nine hundred and thirty.

KJV (with Strong's)

The children {H1121} of Senaah {H5570}, three {H7969} thousand {H505} nine {H8672} hundred {H3967} and thirty {H7970}.

Complete Jewish Bible

descendants of S'na'ah 3,930

Berean Standard Bible

and the descendants of Senaah, 3,930.

American Standard Version

The children of Senaah, three thousand nine hundred and thirty.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Nehemiah 7:38, "The children of Senaah, three thousand nine hundred and thirty," is a precise entry within the comprehensive genealogical register of those who returned to Judah from Babylonian exile. This verse, seemingly a simple numerical detail, serves as a testament to God's meticulous faithfulness in gathering His scattered people, highlighting the re-establishment of community, identity, and order in post-exilic Jerusalem following the completion of the city walls. It underscores the tangible reality of the restoration and the diverse origins of those who contributed to the rebuilding of the nation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Nehemiah 7 immediately follows the triumphant completion of the wall of Jerusalem, as recounted in [Nehemiah 6:15](/nehemiah/6-15 "Nehemiah 6:15 - Completion of the Wall"). With the city's physical defenses secured, the focus shifts to its repopulation and organization. This chapter presents a detailed census of the returnees, which is remarkably similar to the list found in [Ezra 2](/ezra/2 "Ezra 2 - List of Exiles Who Returned"). The placement of this register here is strategic, demonstrating Nehemiah's administrative foresight in establishing a viable community within the rebuilt city, ensuring proper lineage for land inheritance and temple service, and preparing for the re-establishment of covenant life.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is the post-exilic period, specifically around 444 BC, after the seventy-year Babylonian captivity. For the returning Jewish community, lineage and tribal affiliation were paramount. These records were vital for maintaining the distinct identity of Israel, ensuring rightful claims to ancestral lands, and verifying eligibility for priestly and Levitical service within the newly restored temple system. The meticulous nature of the census reflects an ancient Near Eastern cultural practice where such registers served administrative, legal, and theological purposes, confirming the fulfillment of prophetic promises regarding the return and the re-establishment of a divinely ordered society.
* **Key Themes:** This verse, as part of the larger census, contributes to several overarching themes in Nehemiah and the broader post-exilic narrative. It powerfully illustrates **Divine Faithfulness**, as God brings His people back to their land, fulfilling prophecies like that in [Jeremiah 29:10](/jeremiah/29-10 "Jeremiah 29:10 - Prophecy of Return from Exile"). It underscores the theme of **Identity and Heritage**, emphasizing the importance of knowing one's place within the covenant community, tracing their roots back to Abraham and the promises of God. The detailed enumeration also highlights **Order and Organization**, crucial for the effective governance and worship of the restored community, reflecting God's desire for structure. Finally, it speaks to **Restoration and Repopulation**, showcasing the physical and spiritual rebuilding of the nation beyond just walls and buildings, as people like "the children of Senaah" returned to rebuild their lives and society in Jerusalem, as seen throughout [Nehemiah](/nehemiah/1 "The Book of Nehemiah - Rebuilding Jerusalem").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Senaah (סְנָאָה, _s'na'ah'_):** This is a geographical designation, likely referring to a place from which this particular clan or family originated. While its exact location is debated, its inclusion signifies the diverse geographical origins of the returning exiles, underscoring that God gathered His people from various places of dispersion. The name itself might derive from a root meaning "thorny" or "hated," but its primary significance here is as an identifier of a specific group within the larger returning community.
* **Children (בְּנֵי, _b'nei'_):** This Hebrew term literally means "sons of" but functions broadly to denote descendants, a clan, or a family unit. Its use here emphasizes the familial and communal nature of the return. The census is not merely a count of individuals but a register of established family units, highlighting the continuity of lineage and the re-establishment of the social fabric of Israel.
* **Three thousand nine hundred and thirty:** The precise numerical figure is significant. It demonstrates the meticulous record-keeping of the time and the administrative thoroughness of Nehemiah's efforts. The specificity of the number, rather than a round approximation, lends credibility and historical weight to the account, indicating a careful tally of those who actively participated in the return and the rebuilding efforts.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The children of Senaah":** This phrase identifies a specific, distinct family or clan group among the multitude of returnees. It signifies their unique identity and their contribution to the overall community. The inclusion of such specific family names highlights the individual components that collectively formed the restored nation.
* **"three thousand nine hundred and thirty":** This numerical datum quantifies the size of the "children of Senaah" clan. It indicates that this was a substantial group, making a significant contribution to the total number of returnees. The precision of the number underscores the administrative and historical accuracy of the census, which was crucial for land allocation, taxation, and the organization of labor for the rebuilding efforts.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in Nehemiah 7, including verse 38, is the **Register** or **Census**. This is a common ancient Near Eastern literary form used to document populations, resources, and lineages. Its purpose here is multi-faceted: it serves as an administrative record for the re-establishment of the community, a legal document for land claims and temple service, and a theological affirmation of God's faithfulness in bringing His people back. The **Numerical Detail** throughout the chapter, exemplified by "three thousand nine hundred and thirty," is another key device, lending an air of authenticity and precision to the historical account. Furthermore, the almost **Verbatim Repetition** of this census in [Ezra 2](/ezra/2 "Ezra 2 - List of Exiles Who Returned") functions as a literary device to underscore the reliability and importance of the information, reinforcing its historical accuracy and the divine hand in the meticulous gathering of the remnant.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Nehemiah 7:38, though a seemingly dry statistical entry, is profoundly theological. It testifies to God's meticulous care for His people, even down to the individual families and their numbers. The very existence of this census confirms the fulfillment of God's covenant promises to restore Israel after exile, demonstrating His unwavering faithfulness. It underscores the importance of identity within the covenant community – each family, each individual, has a place and a purpose in God's redemptive plan. The return from exile was not a random scattering of individuals but a divinely orchestrated regathering of a people, meticulously accounted for, ready to rebuild their spiritual and physical heritage. This attention to detail reflects a God who is intimately involved in the lives of His people, orchestrating history for His purposes.

* [Ezra 2:1-2](/ezra/2-1 "Ezra 2:1-2 - The List of Returnees") - This parallel passage in Ezra confirms the historical accuracy and importance of the census, highlighting the meticulous nature of the record-keeping.
* [Jeremiah 29:10](/jeremiah/29-10 "Jeremiah 29:10 - Prophecy of Seventy Years of Exile") - Prophesied the return from exile, making the census a tangible fulfillment of God's word and a testament to His faithfulness.
* [Isaiah 43:5-7](/isaiah/43-5 "Isaiah 43:5-7 - God Gathers His People") - Speaks of God gathering His scattered people from all corners of the earth, a poetic foreshadowing of the census in Nehemiah.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While Nehemiah 7:38 might appear to be an obscure detail, it carries profound spiritual lessons for believers today. It reminds us that God's plan is comprehensive, encompassing both grand historical movements and the specific, seemingly mundane details of individual lives. Just as He meticulously accounted for every family returning from exile, God knows each of us intimately, valuing our unique place within His larger redemptive story. This verse encourages us to appreciate the importance of our spiritual heritage, understanding that we are part of a continuous lineage of faith, connected to a vast community of believers across time and space. It also underscores the importance of order and participation within the church, God's new covenant community, where every member, like the "children of Senaah," plays a vital role in the ongoing work of God's kingdom. Our identity is found not just in our individual relationship with God, but in our belonging to His family, contributing to His purposes.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does this seemingly "dry" numerical verse challenge your assumptions about what parts of the Bible are most important for spiritual growth?**
* **In what ways does God demonstrate His meticulous care for details in your own life, even in what might seem insignificant?**
* **How does understanding your spiritual heritage as part of God's people (the Church) impact your sense of identity and purpose today?**

### FAQ
**Why is this verse so specific about numbers and family names?**

Answer: The specificity in Nehemiah 7:38 and the entire chapter serves multiple crucial purposes. Administratively, it was vital for allocating land, assessing taxes, and organizing labor for the rebuilding of Jerusalem and the temple. Theologically, it confirmed the fulfillment of God's promises to bring His people back from exile, demonstrating His faithfulness. Culturally, these detailed records established legitimate lineage, which was paramount for maintaining the distinct identity of Israel, ensuring rightful claims to ancestral lands, and verifying eligibility for priestly and Levitical service within the restored temple system, as seen in passages like [Nehemiah 7:64](/nehemiah/7-64 "Nehemiah 7:64 - Exclusion from the Priesthood").

**What is the significance of "Senaah"?**

Answer: "Senaah" refers to a specific place from which this particular family or clan originated. Its significance lies not in its geographical prominence, but in its role as an identifier. It highlights the diverse origins of the returning exiles, demonstrating that God gathered His people from various locations of their dispersion. The inclusion of such specific place-names and family units underscores the comprehensive nature of the return and the meticulous way in which the community was re-established, with each group contributing to the collective restoration of Israel.

**How does this list relate to the one in Ezra 2?**

Answer: The list in Nehemiah 7 is almost an exact parallel to the one found in [Ezra 2](/ezra/2 "Ezra 2 - List of Exiles Who Returned"). This near-verbatim repetition serves to confirm the historical accuracy and importance of the census. While there are minor numerical discrepancies between the two lists (possibly due to different stages of return, scribal variations, or different counting methodologies), the core message and the vast majority of the data are consistent. This consistency reinforces the reliability of the biblical record and the significance of this post-exilic census for the re-establishment of the Jewish community.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The meticulous census in Nehemiah 7, including the entry for "the children of Senaah," finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ and the new covenant community He establishes. The physical return of a remnant to Jerusalem, meticulously counted and organized, foreshadows the spiritual gathering of God's people from all nations into the Church. While the Old Testament census focused on physical lineage and tribal identity, Christ inaugurates a new spiritual lineage, where identity is found not in human descent but in being "born again" by the Spirit, as Jesus teaches in [John 3:3](/john/3-3 "John 3:3 - Born Again"). The "children of Senaah" were part of a specific historical restoration; Christ, the true Shepherd, gathers His "sheep" from every tribe, tongue, people, and nation, forming a new, diverse, and innumerable multitude, as envisioned in [Revelation 7:9-10](/revelation/7-9 "Revelation 7:9-10 - Multitude from Every Nation"). He is the ultimate fulfillment of God's promise to gather His scattered people, not merely to a physical land, but into His eternal kingdom, making them "fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God" through His atoning work on the cross, as described in [Ephesians 2:19](/ephesians/2-19 "Ephesians 2:19 - Fellow Citizens with the Saints"). The detailed record of Nehemiah's time points to the divine precision of God's redemptive plan, culminating in Christ, who perfectly fulfills every promise and gathers His elect into His glorious body, the Church.

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 2:35

The children of Senaah, three thousand and six hundred and thirty.