Nehemiah 7:48

KJV

The children of Lebana, the children of Hagaba, the children of Shalmai,

KJV (with Strong's)

The children {H1121} of Lebana {H3838}, the children {H1121} of Hagaba {H2286}, the children {H1121} of Shalmai {H8014},

Complete Jewish Bible

descendants of L'vanah, descendants of Hagava, descendants of Salmai,

Berean Standard Bible

the descendants of Lebanah, the descendants of Hagabah, the descendants of Shalmai,

American Standard Version

the children of Lebana, the children of Hagaba, the children of Salmai,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Nehemiah 7:48 is a brief but significant verse within the extensive census of those who returned to Judah from Babylonian exile, specifically listing "The children of Lebana, the children of Hagaba, the children of Shalmai." These names represent families belonging to the Nethinim, a class of temple servants. This meticulous record underscores the importance of identity, lineage, and the recognition of every individual's contribution, no matter how seemingly humble, to the re-establishment of the post-exilic community and the restoration of temple worship.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Nehemiah 7:48 is embedded within a detailed genealogical list spanning from [Nehemiah 7:6](/nehemiah/7-6 "Nehemiah 7:6 - Beginning of the Census") to [Nehemiah 7:65](/nehemiah/7-65 "Nehemiah 7:65 - End of the Census"). This chapter serves as a crucial historical and administrative record, meticulously documenting the families and individuals who returned to Jerusalem and Judah after the seventy-year Babylonian captivity. The list is almost identical to the one found in [Ezra 2](/ezra/2 "Ezra 2 - List of Returnees"), highlighting its authoritative nature and importance for validating claims to land, tribal affiliation, and roles within the restored community. Verses [Nehemiah 7:46-56](/nehemiah/7-46 "Nehemiah 7:46-56 - The Nethinim") specifically enumerate the families of the Nethinim, placing Nehemiah 7:48 squarely within this category of temple servants. The inclusion of these names, alongside priests, Levites, and other prominent families, emphasizes that every group, regardless of social standing, was vital to the rebuilding effort and recognized by divine providence.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The period following the Babylonian exile (circa 538 BCE onwards) was a time of immense challenge and re-establishment for the Jewish people. Having lost their land, temple, and political independence, the returnees faced the daunting task of reconstructing their society, religious life, and national identity. Genealogy was paramount in ancient Israelite society, serving as the basis for land inheritance, tribal affiliation, priestly legitimacy, and social standing. For those returning from exile, a verifiable lineage was essential to reclaim ancestral lands and assume their rightful places. The Nethinim, meaning "given ones," were a distinct class of temple servants, often believed to be descendants of non-Israelites (like the Gibeonites in [Joshua 9:27](/joshua/9-27 "Joshua 9:27 - Gibeonites as Woodcutters and Water Carriers")) who were dedicated to performing the more menial, yet essential, tasks associated with temple operations, such as drawing water, cutting wood, and general maintenance. Their inclusion in this census signifies their recognized and indispensable role in the re-establishment of temple worship and the overall community structure.
* **Key Themes:** Nehemiah 7:48 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book of Nehemiah and the broader post-exilic narrative. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Meticulous Record-Keeping and Divine Order**. The detailed enumeration of families, even those of the Nethinim, reflects a divine precision and care for every individual within God's covenant community. This attention to detail provided a foundational structure for the restored nation, ensuring proper administration, land distribution, and religious service, as seen in the later organization of temple duties in [Nehemiah 11:1-36](/nehemiah/11 "Nehemiah 11 - Inhabitants of Jerusalem and Other Towns"). Secondly, the verse highlights the **Value of Every Contribution and Role within God's Work**. By listing the Nethinim alongside priests and Levites, Nehemiah emphasizes that all roles, no matter how humble or behind-the-scenes, are essential for the functioning of God's house and the flourishing of His people. This theme resonates with the New Testament teaching on the body of Christ, where every member is vital ([1 Corinthians 12:12-27](/1_corinthians/12-12 "1 Corinthians 12:12-27 - The Body of Christ")). Finally, the very existence of this list, preserving names across generations and through exile, speaks to **God's Faithfulness in Preserving His People and Fulfilling His Promises**. It is a testament to His unwavering commitment to restore His covenant people to their land and purpose, demonstrating His sovereign hand in the details of history ([Jeremiah 29:10-14](/jeremiah/29-10 "Jeremiah 29:10-14 - God's Plans for Restoration")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Children (Hebrew, _b'nei_):** This common Hebrew term literally means "sons of" but is used broadly to denote descendants, members of a family, or a clan. Its repeated use ("The children of Lebana, the children of Hagaba, the children of Shalmai") emphasizes the familial and communal identity of those returning from exile. It highlights that the restoration was not merely of individuals but of family units and ancestral lines, reinforcing the continuity of Israel's heritage despite the disruption of exile.
* **Nethinim (Hebrew, _nathiyn_):** While not explicitly in Nehemiah 7:48, the families listed here are identified as Nethinim in the broader context of [Nehemiah 7:46](/nehemiah/7-46 "Nehemiah 7:46 - The Nethinim Introduced"). The word _nathiyn_ comes from the verb _nathan_ (to give, to set apart). It designates those "given" or "dedicated" to the service of the temple. Historically, they were often non-Israelites (like the Gibeonites mentioned in [Joshua 9:27](/joshua/9-27 "Joshua 9:27 - Gibeonites as Temple Servants")) who performed menial tasks. Their inclusion in this sacred census underscores their established, recognized, and necessary role within the restored community and temple operations.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The children of Lebana,"**: This clause introduces the first family or clan of Nethinim being enumerated. The name "Lebana" is of uncertain meaning, possibly related to "white" or "brick." The emphasis is not on the individual meaning of the name but on the collective identity of this family unit as part of the returning exiles dedicated to temple service.
* **"the children of Hagaba,"**: Following the same pattern, this clause lists the second family. "Hagaba" may mean "locust" or "swarm," but again, its primary significance here is its identification as a distinct family unit among the Nethinim. The repetition of "the children of" reinforces the genealogical and familial structure of the census.
* **"the children of Shalmai,"**: This final clause in the verse presents the third family of Nethinim. "Shalmai" is also of uncertain meaning, possibly related to "my recompense" or "my peace." The consistent format across these clauses underscores the meticulousness of the record-keeping and the equal recognition given to each family, regardless of their specific duties or social standing.

#### Literary Devices
Nehemiah 7:48, as part of a larger census, primarily employs **Cataloging** or **Listing**, a common feature in historical and genealogical texts of the ancient Near East. This device serves to systematically enumerate individuals or groups, providing a comprehensive record. The **Repetition** of the phrase "the children of" before each name creates a rhythmic structure that emphasizes the familial lineage and the collective identity of the returning exiles. This repetition also contributes to the sense of **Completeness** and **Thoroughness**, assuring the reader that every relevant family, even those serving in less prominent roles like the Nethinim, has been accounted for. The inclusion of these specific names, though seemingly mundane, also functions as **Metonymy**, where the names stand in for the entire family or clan they represent, highlighting their collective contribution to the restoration project.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Nehemiah 7:48, though a simple list of names, carries profound theological weight. It speaks to God's meticulous care for His people, valuing every individual and every role within His grand plan of restoration. The inclusion of the Nethinim, who performed the more menial tasks, challenges any human tendency to categorize contributions as more or less significant in God's eyes. It underscores that faithfulness in humble service is as vital as leadership in prominent positions. This detailed record is a testament to God's faithfulness in preserving His covenant people through exile and bringing them back to fulfill His promises, demonstrating His sovereign hand in the details of history and community building.

* [Ezra 2:58](/ezra/2-58 "Ezra 2:58 - The Nethinim in Ezra's Census")
* [1 Corinthians 12:22-24](/1_corinthians/12-22 "1 Corinthians 12:22-24 - Indispensable Parts of the Body")
* [Romans 12:4-5](/romans/12-4 "Romans 12:4-5 - Many Members, One Body")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The seemingly dry list of names in Nehemiah 7:48 holds a powerful message for believers today. It reminds us that in God's economy, every individual and every contribution, no matter how small or hidden, is seen, valued, and essential for the flourishing of His kingdom. Just as the Nethinim performed vital support roles for the temple, so too are there countless unsung heroes in the church and in our communities whose faithful, behind-the-scenes service enables the larger work of God to progress. This verse encourages us to embrace our unique calling, whether prominent or humble, with diligence and joy, knowing that God delights in faithful service in all its forms. It also calls us to appreciate and affirm those who serve in less visible capacities, recognizing that their contributions are indispensable to the health and vitality of the body of Christ. Our identity in Christ is not based on worldly status but on our belonging to His family and our willingness to serve His purposes.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the inclusion of seemingly "less prominent" groups like the Nethinim in this census challenge our modern perceptions of value and importance within the church or society?**
* **What "behind-the-scenes" roles or tasks do you currently perform or observe that are essential but often overlooked, and how can we better affirm their significance?**
* **In what ways does this verse encourage you to embrace your own unique role and contribution to God's work, regardless of its visibility?**
* **How does God's meticulous record-keeping, even of names like Lebana, Hagaba, and Shalmai, speak to His personal care and attention to detail in your own life?**

### FAQ
**Who were the Nethinim, and why are they included in this important census?**

Answer: The Nethinim (Hebrew: *nathiyn*, meaning "given" or "dedicated") were a class of temple servants in ancient Israel. They were responsible for the more menial tasks associated with the temple, such as drawing water, gathering wood, and general maintenance. Their origins are debated, but many scholars believe they were descendants of non-Israelites, like the Gibeonites who were "given" to the service of the tabernacle in [Joshua 9:27](/joshua/9-27 "Joshua 9:27 - Gibeonites as Servants"). Their inclusion in this census ([Nehemiah 7:46-56](/nehemiah/7-46 "Nehemiah 7:46-56 - The Nethinim List")) is highly significant because it underscores their recognized and indispensable role in the re-establishment of temple worship and the overall community structure after the Babylonian exile. It demonstrates that every contribution, regardless of its perceived status, was vital for the functioning of God's house and the restoration of His people.

**Why is such a detailed list of names, like those in Nehemiah 7:48, considered important in the Bible?**

Answer: Detailed genealogical lists, such as the one in Nehemiah 7, were crucial for several reasons in ancient Israel. Firstly, they established identity and lineage, which was essential for land claims, tribal affiliation, and determining eligibility for priestly or Levitical service after the exile. Secondly, they served as a historical record, documenting the faithfulness of God in preserving His people and fulfilling His promises to bring them back to their land ([Jeremiah 29:10](/jeremiah/29-10 "Jeremiah 29:10 - God's Promise to Return")). Thirdly, they highlighted the meticulousness of God's plan and His attention to every individual within His covenant community. Even seemingly "minor" families like those of the Nethinim were important enough to be recorded, emphasizing that every part of the community was vital for the collective good and the worship of God.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Nehemiah 7:48, with its emphasis on meticulous record-keeping, the value of every individual, and the inclusion of all roles in God's restoration, finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ and the new covenant community. Just as the Nethinim were "given" for service in the earthly temple, believers are now "given" to Christ, dedicated to serving Him in the spiritual temple, which is the church ([1 Peter 2:5](/1_peter/2-5 "1 Peter 2:5 - Living Stones in a Spiritual House")). Christ, the ultimate Restorer, does not overlook anyone; He meticulously gathers His people from every tribe and nation, writing their names in the [Book of Life](/revelation/20-12 "Revelation 20:12 - Book of Life"). He elevates the humble and values the "least of these" ([Matthew 25:40](/matthew/25-40 "Matthew 25:40 - Serving the Least of These")), demonstrating that every member of His body, no matter how seemingly insignificant, is indispensable and uniquely gifted for His purposes ([1 Corinthians 12:12-27](/1_corinthians/12-12 "1 Corinthians 12:12-27 - The Body of Christ")). In Christ, the meticulous census of Nehemiah finds its spiritual echo in the perfect inclusion and purposeful assignment of every believer within His kingdom, where all are united in their service to the one true God, and all contributions are eternally significant.

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 2:45

The children of Lebanah, the children of Hagabah, the children of Akkub,

Ezra 2:46

The children of Hagab, the children of Shalmai, the children of Hanan,