Nehemiah 7:41

KJV

The children of Pashur, a thousand two hundred forty and seven.

KJV (with Strong's)

The children {H1121} of Pashur {H6583}, a thousand {H505} two hundred {H3967} forty {H705} and seven {H7651}.

Complete Jewish Bible

descendants of Pash'chur 1,247

Berean Standard Bible

the descendants of Pashhur, 1,247;

American Standard Version

The children of Pashhur, a thousand two hundred forty and seven.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Nehemiah 7:41 is a concise yet significant entry within a meticulously detailed register of those who returned to Judah from Babylonian exile, specifically listing "The children of Pashur" as numbering one thousand two hundred forty and seven individuals. This verse, identical to its counterpart in Ezra 2, serves as a crucial historical and genealogical record, affirming the identity, lineage, and sheer scale of the community that responded to God's call to return and rebuild Jerusalem and its temple in the post-exilic period.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Nehemiah 7 immediately follows the completion and dedication of the wall of Jerusalem, a monumental achievement under Nehemiah's leadership. With the city secured, Nehemiah's next priority is to repopulate it and establish proper order. He finds a register, likely the one from the first return under Zerubbabel and Jeshua (as found in [Ezra 2](/ezra/2 "Ezra 2 - The First Return from Exile")), and meticulously records the names and numbers of the families who returned. This chapter functions as a foundational census, establishing the legitimate inhabitants and their tribal affiliations, which was vital for land claims, temple service, and community organization. Verse 41 is part of a long list of family groups, demonstrating the comprehensive nature of this record.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is the mid-5th century BCE, during the Persian Empire's reign, approximately 70 years after the initial Babylonian exile. The return from exile was a fulfillment of prophetic promises (e.g., [Jeremiah 29:10](/jeremiah/29-10 "Jeremiah 29:10 - Prophecy of Return from Exile")). For the returning exiles, establishing lineage was paramount. It determined one's right to inherit land, participate in temple worship (especially for priests and Levites), and affirm one's identity as a member of the covenant people. The detailed census in Nehemiah 7 reflects the meticulous record-keeping practices of the ancient Near East, but also the theological importance for Israel of maintaining tribal and family distinctions as part of their unique identity and covenant relationship with God. The sheer numbers, like the 1,247 from the family of Pashur, underscore the significant demographic shift and the challenges of organizing a returning population.

* **Key Themes:** The meticulous listing in Nehemiah 7, including the specific count for the "children of Pashur," highlights several key themes. First, **Identity and Lineage** are central; the detailed recording emphasizes the continuity of God's covenant people through their family lines, crucial for maintaining their distinctiveness and heritage in the land. Second, the chapter underscores **Divine Faithfulness and Restoration**; the return itself is a testament to God's promise-keeping, bringing a remnant back to their land despite the odds, as prophesied (e.g., [Isaiah 43:5-6](/isaiah/43-5 "Isaiah 43:5-6 - God Gathers His People")). Third, the list speaks to the **Community and Rebuilding** effort; these are the individuals and families who committed to the arduous task of restoring Jerusalem, both its physical structures and its spiritual life, demonstrating their dedication and collective purpose. The precise numbers reflect God's careful attention to His people and their organized return.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Pashur (Hebrew, _Pašḥûr'_):** This is a common Hebrew name, meaning "freedom" or "prosperity." While a prominent priestly family bore this name (e.g., [Jeremiah 20:1](/jeremiah/20-1 "Jeremiah 20:1 - Pashur the Priest")), the "children of Pashur" in this list are distinct from the priestly groups enumerated elsewhere in Nehemiah 7 (e.g., [Nehemiah 7:40](/nehemiah/7-40 "Nehemiah 7:40 - The Children of Immer")). This suggests it refers to a significant lay family or a different branch of a larger clan, highlighting the diversity of the returning community beyond just the priestly classes.
* **Children (Hebrew, _bānîm'_):** This term denotes direct descendants, emphasizing the generational continuity of the family line. In the context of the post-exilic return, "children" signifies not merely individuals but the perpetuation of the family unit, which was the bedrock of Israelite society and crucial for maintaining tribal identity, land inheritance, and the overall structure of the restored community.
* **A thousand two hundred forty and seven (Hebrew, _ʾelep̱ maʾṯayim ʾarbāʿîm wəšibʿâ'_):** The precise numerical figure underscores the meticulous nature of the census. This level of detail is not merely bureaucratic but serves to authenticate the record, demonstrating the care taken in identifying and counting every individual who returned. It signifies a substantial family group, highlighting the significant contribution of specific clans to the overall population of the returning remnant.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The children of Pashur":** This phrase identifies a specific family or clan unit, rather than just an individual. It emphasizes the collective identity and contribution of this lineage to the returning community. The inclusion of such specific family names underscores the importance of tribal and family identity in post-exilic Israel, where lineage determined social standing, inheritance, and eligibility for various roles, particularly within the temple service.
* **"a thousand two hundred forty and seven":** This precise number indicates the total count of individuals belonging to the family of Pashur who returned from exile. The exactitude of the figure highlights the thoroughness of the census and the historical reliability of the record. It also demonstrates the significant size of this particular family group, making them a substantial component of the restored community in Judah.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in Nehemiah 7:41, and indeed throughout the entire chapter, is **Census/Register**. This meticulous listing of names and numbers serves as a foundational record, establishing the identity and legitimacy of the returning exiles. It functions as a historical document, providing concrete evidence of the fulfillment of God's promises regarding the return. Coupled with this is **Precision/Detail**, evident in the exact numerical count for each family. This precision lends authority and verifiability to the narrative, emphasizing the divine care in preserving a remnant and the human effort in organizing the community. Furthermore, the **Repetition** of this list from [Ezra 2](/ezra/2 "Ezra 2 - The First Return from Exile") serves to underscore its importance and authenticity, reinforcing its status as a vital historical and theological document for the restored nation.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Nehemiah 7:41, as part of the larger census, powerfully illustrates God's meticulous care for His covenant people and His faithfulness in fulfilling His promises. The detailed record of names and numbers is a tangible testament to the preservation of a remnant, demonstrating that even after generations of exile, God remembered His people and orchestrated their return to the land. This precision underscores the divine order and purpose in the restoration, showing that every individual and family was known and accounted for in God's redemptive plan. It also highlights the human response of faith and obedience, as these thousands chose to leave the comfort of their established lives in Babylon to embark on a challenging journey of rebuilding.

* [Ezra 2:1](/ezra/2-1 "Ezra 2:1 - The List of Returnees")
* [Jeremiah 29:10](/jeremiah/29-10 "Jeremiah 29:10 - Prophecy of the Seventy Years of Exile")
* [Isaiah 43:5-6](/isaiah/43-5 "Isaiah 43:5-6 - God Gathers His People from the Ends of the Earth")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While Nehemiah 7:41 might appear to be a mere statistic, it carries profound implications for reflection and application today. It reminds us that God is a God of detail, who knows each of His children by name and cares about our individual and collective identity within His larger redemptive plan. Just as the "children of Pashur" were counted and given their place in the rebuilding of Jerusalem, so too are we, as believers, called to find our place and contribute to the ongoing work of God's kingdom. This verse challenges us to consider our own spiritual lineage and identity in Christ, recognizing that we are part of a larger story of God's faithfulness throughout history. It also encourages us to value the meticulous record-keeping of Scripture, which provides a reliable foundation for our faith and understanding of God's character and purposes.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the meticulous detail of this census, including the specific number for the children of Pashur, speak to God's character and His care for individuals within a larger community?**
* **In what ways do you identify with being part of a larger "family" or community of faith, and how does that identity shape your sense of purpose?**
* **What "rebuilding" or restorative work is God calling you to participate in, either individually or as part of your community, and what does this verse teach you about faithfulness in that process?**

### FAQ

**Why is this detailed list, including Nehemiah 7:41, so important in the book of Nehemiah?**

Answer: This detailed list is crucial for several reasons. First, it serves as a historical record, authenticating the return from Babylonian exile and demonstrating the fulfillment of God's prophetic promises (e.g., [Jeremiah 29:10](/jeremiah/29-10 "Jeremiah 29:10 - Prophecy of Return from Exile")). Second, it establishes the legitimate identity and lineage of the returning community, which was vital for land claims, tribal inheritance, and eligibility for temple service (especially for priests and Levites). Third, it highlights the scale of the return and the commitment of thousands of individuals and families who chose to leave their lives in Babylon to rebuild Jerusalem, underscoring the collective effort and divine providence in the restoration process. The precision of numbers, like the 1,247 for the children of Pashur, lends credibility and authority to the narrative.

**Is the "Pashur" mentioned in Nehemiah 7:41 the same as the Pashur who persecuted Jeremiah?**

Answer: While "Pashur" was a relatively common name in ancient Israel, the "Pashur" mentioned in [Jeremiah 20:1](/jeremiah/20-1 "Jeremiah 20:1 - Pashur the Priest Persecutes Jeremiah") was a chief officer in the temple and a priest, known for his opposition to Jeremiah. The "children of Pashur" in Nehemiah 7:41 are listed among the lay families (or non-priestly groups) who returned from exile. While it's possible they were descendants of the same broad clan, this specific entry in Nehemiah 7 refers to a family group distinct from the priestly lines listed elsewhere in the chapter (e.g., [Nehemiah 7:40](/nehemiah/7-40 "Nehemiah 7:40 - The Children of Immer")). Therefore, it's highly unlikely to be the same individual, but rather a family that shared a common name, emphasizing the importance of distinguishing between different individuals or branches of families with identical names in biblical genealogies.

**What is the theological significance of the precise numbers, like 1,247, in this list?**

Answer: The theological significance of precise numbers lies in several aspects. It underscores God's meticulous attention to detail and His sovereign oversight of His people; every individual and family returning from exile was known and accounted for in His plan of restoration. This precision also lends authenticity and reliability to the biblical record, affirming its historical veracity. Furthermore, it highlights the tangible reality of the remnant that God preserved and brought back, demonstrating the fulfillment of His covenant promises. The numbers reveal the substantial human commitment involved in the rebuilding effort, showing that God's plan often unfolds through the faithful participation of many individuals and families.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Nehemiah 7:41 seems like a mere historical statistic, it profoundly points to Christ by illustrating God's meticulous care for His people and the preservation of a lineage through which His ultimate redemptive plan would unfold. The detailed census, ensuring the identity and belonging of each family, foreshadows the ultimate "census" of God's people, not by physical descent alone, but by spiritual adoption into the family of God through Christ. Jesus' own meticulously recorded genealogies in [Matthew 1:1-17](/matthew/1-1 "Matthew 1:1-17 - The Genealogy of Jesus Christ") and [Luke 3:23-38](/luke/3-23 "Luke 3:23-38 - The Genealogy of Jesus Christ") demonstrate God's faithfulness in preserving the promised line of David, culminating in the birth of the Messiah. Just as the returning exiles were counted and given their place in the rebuilt Jerusalem, so too are believers today, through faith in Christ, counted as "children of God" ([John 1:12](/john/1-12 "John 1:12 - Becoming Children of God")) and "heirs according to the promise" ([Galatians 3:29](/galatians/3-29 "Galatians 3:29 - Heirs According to the Promise")). The restoration of Jerusalem in Nehemiah points to the greater, spiritual restoration found in Christ, who builds His church, a spiritual temple not made with hands ([Ephesians 2:19-22](/ephesians/2-19 "Ephesians 2:19-22 - Built on the Foundation of the Apostles and Prophets")). Ultimately, the precise numbers of the returned remnant anticipate the countless multitude from every tribe, tongue, people, and nation who will stand before the throne in worship, redeemed by the Lamb ([Revelation 7:9](/revelation/7-9 "Revelation 7:9 - A Multitude from Every Nation")).

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.