Nehemiah 7:39

KJV

The priests: the children of Jedaiah, of the house of Jeshua, nine hundred seventy and three.

KJV (with Strong's)

The priests {H3548}: the children {H1121} of Jedaiah {H3048}, of the house {H1004} of Jeshua {H3442}, nine {H8672} hundred {H3967} seventy {H7657} and three {H7969}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"The cohanim: descendants of Y'da'yah, of the house of Yeshua 973

Berean Standard Bible

The priests: the descendants of Jedaiah (through the house of Jeshua), 973;

American Standard Version

The priests: The children of Jedaiah, of the house of Jeshua, nine hundred seventy and three.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Nehemiah 7:39 meticulously records the number of descendants from the priestly family of Jedaiah, of the house of Jeshua, who returned from Babylonian exile to Judah, totaling nine hundred seventy-three individuals. This specific entry is part of a larger, comprehensive census compiled by Nehemiah, highlighting the post-exilic community's diligent efforts to re-establish its social, civic, and religious structures in Jerusalem, with particular emphasis on the vital role and legitimate lineage of the priesthood in the restored temple worship.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Nehemiah 7 serves as a pivotal chapter, immediately following the completion of the wall of Jerusalem in [Nehemiah 6](/nehemiah/6 "Nehemiah 6 - Completion of the Wall"). With the city's defenses secured, Nehemiah's attention turns to populating and organizing the city, ensuring its spiritual and civic functionality. This chapter presents a detailed register of those who returned from Babylonian captivity, paralleling the list found in [Ezra 2](/ezra/2 "Ezra 2 - The Return from Exile"). The inclusion of this extensive genealogy and census underscores the importance of identity, lineage, and order for the re-establishing community, laying the groundwork for the subsequent re-institution of temple worship and the reading of the Law in [Nehemiah 8](/nehemiah/8 "Nehemiah 8 - The Reading of the Law"). The specific mention of priestly families like Jedaiah's is crucial, as their presence was indispensable for the proper functioning of the restored cultic life.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The return from Babylonian exile was a monumental event in Israelite history, marking the end of a seventy-year period of divine judgment and the beginning of a new era of restoration. For the returning exiles, especially the priests, maintaining accurate genealogical records was not merely a bureaucratic exercise but a matter of profound religious and social importance. The right to serve in the Temple, to offer sacrifices, and to handle sacred objects was strictly limited to those who could prove their direct lineage from Aaron, the first high priest. Without verifiable ancestry, even if one claimed priestly descent, they were barred from service, as exemplified in [Ezra 2:62](/ezra/2-62 "Ezra 2:62 - Exclusion from Priesthood Due to Unverified Lineage"). This census, therefore, was a critical step in re-establishing the legitimate religious hierarchy and ensuring the purity of worship in the Second Temple period. It also served practical purposes, aiding in land distribution, taxation, and military organization for the nascent Judean province under Persian rule.

* **Key Themes:** This verse, within the broader context of Nehemiah 7, contributes significantly to several key themes. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **Restoration and Re-establishment**, demonstrating God's faithfulness in bringing His people back to their land and enabling them to rebuild not just physical structures but also their societal and religious institutions. The return of such a large number of priests signals the active re-establishment of the Temple cult. Secondly, **Genealogical Purity and Legitimacy** is paramount, especially for the priesthood. The meticulous recording of families and their numbers, particularly for priests, underscores the deep concern for maintaining proper lineage to ensure legitimate service in the sacred sphere, preventing unauthorized access to holy duties. Finally, the entire census reflects a profound sense of **Divine Order and Providence**. Nehemiah's diligent record-keeping, mirroring God's own meticulous care for His people, shows that the restoration was not haphazard but a divinely guided process, ensuring that every necessary role, from governor to priest, was accounted for and properly filled for the community's spiritual and physical well-being.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Jedaiah (Hebrew, _Yeda'yah'_):** Meaning "Jehovah knows" or "Praise of Jehovah." This name, belonging to one of the priestly divisions established by David (1 Chronicles 24:7), signifies a family with a long and distinguished history of service in the Temple. Its appearance here confirms the continuity of the priestly line despite the exile, underscoring God's preservation of His covenant people and their designated servants.
* **Jeshua (Hebrew, _Yeshua'_):** A common post-exilic name, meaning "Yahweh is salvation." While this Jeshua is distinct from the high priest Jeshua mentioned elsewhere in Ezra and Nehemiah (e.g., [Nehemiah 12:1](/nehemiah/12-1 "Nehemiah 12:1 - Priests and Levites Who Returned with Zerubbabel")), its recurrence among the returning exiles reflects a pervasive theological conviction: that Yahweh alone is the source of salvation and deliverance, a truth powerfully demonstrated in their return from captivity.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The priests:"**: This opening phrase immediately identifies the category of individuals being enumerated, emphasizing their distinct and crucial role within the returning community. The priests were essential for the re-establishment of the sacrificial system and the proper functioning of the Temple.
* **"the children of Jedaiah, of the house of Jeshua,"**: This specifies the particular priestly family. "Children of Jedaiah" refers to the descendants belonging to the priestly course of Jedaiah. "Of the house of Jeshua" further identifies a specific branch or prominent ancestor within that larger family, indicating a sub-lineage. This precision highlights the meticulous nature of the census and the importance of exact genealogical identification for priestly legitimacy.
* **"nine hundred seventy and three."**: This precise number indicates the total count of individuals within this specific priestly family who returned. The exactitude of the figures throughout the census underscores the thoroughness of Nehemiah's record-keeping and the significant number of people committed to rebuilding Jerusalem and its sacred institutions.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in Nehemiah 7:39, and indeed throughout much of Nehemiah 7, is **Enumeration** (or **Cataloging**). This involves the systematic listing of names, families, and numbers, transforming the text into a detailed register. This device serves not only to provide historical data but also to emphasize the scale of the return, the meticulous organization of the community, and the importance of each group within the re-established society. The precise numbers lend a sense of **Documentary Style** or **Verisimilitude**, making the account feel authentic and historically reliable. Furthermore, the act of listing priestly families specifically highlights the **Symbolism** of lineage and purity, crucial for the legitimacy of worship in the post-exilic period. The very presence of these lists is a testament to the divine faithfulness that preserved a remnant and enabled their return to re-establish the covenant community.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Nehemiah 7:39, though a seemingly dry demographic detail, is pregnant with theological significance. It underscores God's meticulous care for His covenant people and His commitment to restoring them, not just physically to their land, but spiritually to proper worship. The emphasis on priestly lineage reflects the Old Covenant's strict requirements for mediation between God and humanity, highlighting the sanctity of the divine-human encounter and the necessity of appointed, pure channels for worship. This verse also speaks to the theme of continuity and faithfulness across generations; despite the exile, the priestly lines endured, ready to resume their sacred duties. It is a testament to divine preservation and the human commitment to upholding God's established order.

* [Ezra 2:62](/ezra/2-62 "Ezra 2:62 - Exclusion from Priesthood Due to Unverified Lineage")
* [1 Chronicles 24:7](/1_chronicles/24-7 "1 Chronicles 24:7 - The First Lot Fell to Jehoiarib, the Second to Jedaiah")
* [Leviticus 21:16-23](/leviticus/21-16 "Leviticus 21:16-23 - Physical Requirements for Priests")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This seemingly mundane verse about numbers offers profound insights for contemporary believers. Just as the priests' identity and calling were rooted in their verifiable lineage, our identity and calling as believers are rooted in our spiritual lineage through Christ. We are called to understand who we are in Him—a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation—and to live out the implications of that identity. The meticulous record-keeping of Nehemiah reminds us that God is a God of order, who pays attention to the details of His people and His plans. No one is overlooked in His divine purposes, and every individual, regardless of their perceived significance, plays a part in His grand design. The commitment of these returning exiles, who left the comfort of Babylon to rebuild a devastated land and restore true worship, challenges us to consider our own level of commitment to God's kingdom and community. Our service, like theirs, should be marked by intentionality, diligence, and a deep understanding of our God-given role.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the emphasis on priestly lineage in the Old Testament illuminate the concept of the "priesthood of all believers" in the New Testament?**
* **In what ways does God demonstrate His "attention to detail" in your life or in the broader Christian community today?**
* **What specific "calling" or "identity in Christ" are you being asked to live out with greater intentionality and commitment in your current season of life?**

### FAQ
**Why is the precise number of priests so important in this verse and chapter?**

Answer: The precise number is crucial for several reasons. First, it serves as a historical record, documenting the actual scale of the return from exile and the composition of the re-established community. Second, for the priests specifically, it was vital for establishing their legitimacy and right to serve in the Temple. Priestly service was hereditary, and only those who could prove their lineage from Aaron were permitted to officiate. This meticulous counting ensured that the Temple rituals would be performed by authorized individuals, maintaining the sanctity and purity of worship. Finally, it reflects the careful organization and planning undertaken by Nehemiah to rebuild not just the walls but also the civic and religious life of Jerusalem, demonstrating a commitment to order and accountability.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Nehemiah 7:39, with its focus on a legitimate, numerous, and returning priesthood, finds its ultimate fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The Old Testament priesthood, with its emphasis on physical lineage and ritual purity, foreshadowed the perfect and eternal priesthood of our Lord. Unlike the Levitical priests, whose service was temporary and whose lineage was subject to human record-keeping and potential impurity, Jesus' priesthood is "not according to a legal requirement concerning bodily descent but by the power of an indestructible life" ([Hebrews 7:16](/hebrews/7-16 "Hebrews 7:16 - Jesus' Indestructible Priesthood")). He is the great High Priest who offered Himself as the perfect, once-for-all sacrifice, rendering the continuous animal sacrifices of the Old Covenant obsolete ([Hebrews 9:11-14](/hebrews/9-11 "Hebrews 9:11-14 - Christ's Superior Sacrifice")). Through His atoning work, the need for a specific, physical priestly lineage to mediate access to God is removed. Instead, all who believe in Him are made part of a "royal priesthood" ([1_peter/2-9](/1_peter/2-9 "1 Peter 2:9 - A Royal Priesthood")), able to draw near to God directly through Him ([Hebrews 4:14-16](/hebrews/4-14 "Hebrews 4:14-16 - Approach the Throne of Grace with Confidence")). Thus, the meticulous counting of the returning priests in Nehemiah points forward to the comprehensive and perfect provision of Christ, who not only fulfills the priestly office but also inaugurates a new covenant where all believers share in His priestly access to God.

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 2:36

¶ The priests: the children of Jedaiah, of the house of Jeshua, nine hundred seventy and three.

1 Chronicles 24:7

Now the first lot came forth to Jehoiarib, the second to Jedaiah,

1 Chronicles 24:19

These [were] the orderings of them in their service to come into the house of the LORD, according to their manner, under Aaron their father, as the LORD God of Israel had commanded him.