What number verse is Nehemiah 7:51 in the Bible?

Nehemiah 7:51 is the 12,472nd verse of the Bible. Counting straight through the King James canon — all 31,102 verses from Genesis 1:1 to Revelation 22:21 — Nehemiah 7:51 sits at position 12,472.

“Priests, Levites, and Temple Servants”· Nehemiah 7:39–60

Translation

King James Version

The children of Gazzam, the children of Uzza, the children of Phaseah,

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KJV (with Strong's)

The children ^H1121 of Gazzam ^H1502, the children ^H1121 of Uzza ^H5798, the children ^H1121 of Phaseah ^H6454,

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Complete Jewish Bible

descendants of Gazam, descendants of 'Uza, descendants of Paseach,

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Berean Standard Bible

the descendants of Gazzam, the descendants of Uzza, the descendants of Paseah,

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American Standard Version

the children of Gazzam, the children of Uzza, the children of Paseah.

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World English Bible Messianic

the children of Gazzam, the children of Uzza, the children of Paseah.

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Geneva Bible (1599)

The sonnes of Gazzam, ye sonnes of Vzza, the sonnes of Paseah,

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Young's Literal Translation

sons of Gazzam, sons of Uzza, sons of Phaseah,

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Study This Verse

Summary

Nehemiah 7:51 is a precise record, enumerating three family groups—the children of Gazzam, Uzza, and Phaseah—among the multitude who returned from Babylonian exile to Judah. This verse forms an integral part of the extensive census in Nehemiah chapter 7, which meticulously documents the individuals and families foundational to the spiritual and physical re-establishment of Jerusalem and the land of Judah. It powerfully underscores the enduring significance of identity, lineage, and God's unwavering faithfulness in preserving His covenant people through generations of dispersion and return.

Context

Literary Context

Nehemiah 7:51 is situated within a comprehensive register of those who returned from the Babylonian captivity, a list that begins in Nehemiah 7:6 and concludes in Nehemiah 7:73. This detailed census immediately follows the triumphant completion of Jerusalem's wall, a monumental physical achievement chronicled in Nehemiah 6. The enumeration of families is not a mere administrative formality but a crucial step in Nehemiah's broader program of national restoration, shifting focus from physical infrastructure to the re-establishment of community, identity, and proper worship. The meticulous nature of this list, which closely parallels the record found in Ezra 2, highlights its authoritative and foundational role in defining the legitimate, restored Israelite community and preparing for the re-institution of the Law and temple service.

Historical & Cultural Context

The post-exilic period, commencing with Cyrus's decree in 538 BCE, represented a profound era of challenge and redefinition for the Jewish people. Stripped of their temple, land, and monarchy, their identity as God's chosen people was largely maintained through their lineage, adherence to the Mosaic Law, and the memory of their covenant relationship with Yahweh. The return from exile, divinely orchestrated through Persian edicts, fulfilled significant prophetic promises, such as those articulated in Jeremiah 29:10. In this precarious era, accurate genealogical records were indispensable. They served to validate claims to ancestral land inheritances, ensure the purity and legitimacy of priestly and Levitical lines for temple service, and confirm one's membership within the covenant community. Thus, the list in Nehemiah 7, far from being a dry enumeration, stands as a living testament to the re-gathering of a scattered people, each family representing a vital thread in the continuity and restoration of Israel.

Key Themes

The census in Nehemiah 7 significantly contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Nehemiah. Firstly, it powerfully emphasizes Identity and Belonging, meticulously defining who constitutes the authentic "remnant" of Israel that returned, thereby establishing their legitimate claim to the land and its heritage. This precise identification was critical for the re-establishment of a distinct national and religious identity. Secondly, it highlights Restoration and Rebuilding, not merely of physical structures like the wall, but of the social, religious, and political fabric of the nation. The families listed are the "living stones" of this renewed community, essential for repopulating Jerusalem and re-establishing communal life, as later detailed in Nehemiah 11:1-2. Lastly, the very existence of this detailed record testifies profoundly to God's Faithfulness in preserving His people and fulfilling His covenant promises, even through generations of exile and dispersion. It demonstrates His sovereign hand guiding the return and reconstitution of His chosen nation, ensuring that His redemptive plan continues to unfold through a distinct people.

Exposition and Analysis

Key Word Analysis

Children bên H1121

This common Hebrew term, often translated "sons of," functions broadly in this context to denote descendants, members of a clan, or those belonging to a particular family group. In ancient Israelite society, one's identity was intrinsically linked to their family and ancestral lineage, making this term crucial for establishing social and religious standing. The repeated use of "the children of" before each family name in the census emphasizes the collective identity and the foundational importance of familial units in the re-establishment of the community. It signifies not just biological offspring but the entire household or clan associated with the patriarch.

Gazzam Gazzâm H1502

The name "Gazzam" derives from a root meaning "devourer" or "cutting off." While the etymological meaning of individual names in these genealogical lists is often secondary to their primary function as identifiers, its preservation here, alongside many other names, underscores the meticulous nature of the biblical record. It affirms God's attention to every detail of His people's return and the comprehensive scope of the census, ensuring that all who rightfully belonged were accounted for.

Phaseah Pâçêach H6454

The name "Phaseah" means "limping" or "lame." Like the other names in this list, its primary significance in Nehemiah 7:51 is as a proper noun identifying a specific family unit that returned from exile. The inclusion of such families, regardless of the specific meaning of their names, speaks to the exhaustive nature of the census, ensuring that every family with a legitimate claim to Israelite heritage and a place in the restored community was carefully documented and recognized.

Verse Breakdown

"The children of Gazzam,"

This opening phrase introduces the first of three distinct family groups enumerated in this specific verse. It signifies that the descendants or members of the clan associated with the patriarch Gazzam were among the returning exiles and were officially counted in the comprehensive census. Their inclusion emphasizes the breadth of the return, encompassing various families, some more prominent than others, all contributing to the repopulation and rebuilding efforts of Jerusalem and Judah.

"the children of Uzza,"

Similar to the preceding clause, this identifies another specific family unit, the descendants of Uzza, as an integral part of the returning community. The consistent repetition of "the children of" throughout the census highlights the fundamental familial basis of ancient Israelite society and the paramount importance of lineage in establishing identity, rights, and responsibilities within the newly re-established nation.

"the children of Phaseah,"

This final clause in the verse names the third family group, completing the enumeration for Nehemiah 7:51. The meticulous listing of these particular families, alongside the many others detailed in the broader chapter, reinforces the crucial role of accurate record-keeping for the post-exilic community. Such records were vital for validating their claim to ancestral land, confirming their participation in the covenant, and defining their legitimate role in the ongoing work of national and spiritual restoration.

Literary Devices

Nehemiah 7:51, embedded within the larger census of Nehemiah 7, primarily employs Enumeration and Listing. These devices are fundamental to the genre of a census or genealogy, serving to establish legitimacy, identity, and to demonstrate the fulfillment of God's promise to regather His people. The consistent Repetition of the phrase "the children of" (Hebrew: בְּנֵי, b'nei) before each family name creates a rhythmic pattern that underscores the familial structure of the returning community and reinforces the concept of lineage as a primary marker of identity and belonging. Furthermore, the use of a patriarch's name to represent an entire group (e.g., "Gazzam" for the "children of Gazzam") is a form of Metonymy, where the name of the ancestor stands in for the entire clan or household. This literary device efficiently conveys the inclusion of numerous distinct family units without the need to list every individual, streamlining the comprehensive record.

Theological and Thematic Connections

Nehemiah 7:51, as part of the broader census, profoundly illustrates God's meticulous care for His people and His unwavering commitment to His covenant promises. The preservation of such detailed records, even for seemingly obscure families, reveals that every individual and family unit is known and valued by God in His grand plan of redemption and restoration. It speaks to the divine precision in fulfilling prophecy, bringing a remnant back to the land to rebuild not just physical walls, but a vibrant covenant community. This divine attention to detail in the Old Testament foreshadows God's intimate knowledge of each believer in the New Covenant, where our names are eternally inscribed in the Lamb's Book of Life. The inclusion of these families underscores the profound importance of belonging to God's people, a foundational theme echoed throughout the entirety of Scripture.

Ezra 2:1-70 Psalm 139:16 Revelation 20:12

Reflection and Application

While a list of names might initially appear dry or insignificant to the modern reader, Nehemiah 7:51 offers profound insights into God's character and our own spiritual journey. It serves as a powerful reminder that God is a God of order, precision, and intricate detail, who cares not only for the grand sweep of redemptive history but for every individual within it. Just as these families were meticulously counted, given a specific place, and acknowledged as vital to the restored community, so too are we, as believers in Christ, known intimately by God and given a unique place within His spiritual family, the Church. Our spiritual heritage, rooted in Christ's finished work, is infinitely more significant than any earthly lineage, yet it calls us to the same commitment to community, perseverance in faith, and active participation in God's ongoing work of restoration and reconciliation in the world. This verse encourages us to deeply value our place in the body of Christ, to contribute faithfully to its health and growth, and to trust implicitly that God's faithful hand guides every detail of our lives and the life of His church, working all things for His glory and our good.

Questions for Reflection

How does the meticulous record-keeping in Nehemiah 7:51 challenge our perception of what God considers important, moving beyond what might seem grand to what is foundational?
In what ways does belonging to a spiritual family—the Church—provide identity, purpose, and security, mirroring the function of physical lineage for the returning exiles?
Considering the perseverance of these returning families, what "restoration" or "rebuilding" work, whether personal or communal, might God be calling you to participate in today?

FAQ

Why are these seemingly obscure family names important enough to be listed in the Bible?

These names, including Gazzam, Uzza, and Phaseah, are profoundly important because they represent the individual families and clans that collectively formed the returning remnant of Israel after the Babylonian exile. Their inclusion in the comprehensive census of Nehemiah 7 serves several crucial purposes. First, it underscores the historical accuracy and meticulous record-keeping of the biblical narrative, affirming the legitimacy of those who returned to rebuild Jerusalem and re-establish the nation. Second, it highlights the paramount importance of lineage and identity in ancient Israelite society, where one's family determined land rights, social standing, and eligibility for sacred service, particularly for priestly or Levitical roles. Finally, and most significantly from a theological perspective, it powerfully demonstrates God's unwavering faithfulness in preserving His people and fulfilling His promises to bring them back to their land. This detailed accounting, down to the level of individual families, no matter how "obscure" they may seem to us today, illustrates that every name represents a vital thread in the intricate tapestry of God's redemptive plan for His chosen people.

Christ-Centered Fulfillment

While Nehemiah 7:51 meticulously records the physical lineage and return of specific families to the land of Israel under the Old Covenant, it ultimately points to a far greater, spiritual restoration and re-gathering found exclusively in Christ. The careful accounting of those who belonged to the Old Covenant community foreshadows the divine record-keeping of all who belong to the New Covenant family. Through faith in Jesus, we are not merely grafted into an earthly lineage but into the true vine, becoming "children of God" not by physical descent or human will, but by spiritual adoption through the power of the Holy Spirit (John 1:12-13). The ultimate and eternal census is found in the Lamb's Book of Life, where the names of all who are redeemed by the precious blood of Christ are eternally recorded and secured (Revelation 21:27). Just as the families in Nehemiah 7 were essential for the physical rebuilding of Jerusalem and its community, so too are believers, as living stones, being built into a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, through the cornerstone, Christ Jesus (1 Peter 2:5). The meticulous care God showed in preserving and re-gathering His Old Testament people finds its most glorious and expansive fulfillment in His sovereign work through Christ to gather a people from every tribe, tongue, nation, and people group into His eternal kingdom, forming a new, universal family of God (Revelation 7:9-10).

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Public-domain commentary

Matthew Henry

From his Commentary on the Whole Bible. Henry comments on passages, not single verses — this entry covers Nehemiah 7:5–73. His four-level outline is real structure in the source text, so it is rendered as structure.

1662–1714 · 69 verses

Passage under commentNehemiah 7:5–73

5¶ And my God put into mine heart to gather together the nobles, and the rulers, and the people, that they might be reckoned by genealogy. And I found a register of the genealogy of them which came up at the first, and found written therein,

6These are the children of the province, that went up out of the captivity, of those that had been carried away, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away, and came again to Jerusalem and to Judah, every one unto his city;

7Who came with Zerubbabel, Jeshua, Nehemiah, Azariah, Raamiah, Nahamani, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispereth, Bigvai, Nehum, Baanah. The number, I say, of the men of the people of Israel was this;

8The children of Parosh, two thousand an hundred seventy and two.

9The children of Shephatiah, three hundred seventy and two.

10The children of Arah, six hundred fifty and two.

11The children of Pahathmoab, of the children of Jeshua and Joab, two thousand and eight hundred and eighteen.

12The children of Elam, a thousand two hundred fifty and four.

13The children of Zattu, eight hundred forty and five.

14The children of Zaccai, seven hundred and threescore.

15The children of Binnui, six hundred forty and eight.

16The children of Bebai, six hundred twenty and eight.

17The children of Azgad, two thousand three hundred twenty and two.

18The children of Adonikam, six hundred threescore and seven.

19The children of Bigvai, two thousand threescore and seven.

20The children of Adin, six hundred fifty and five.

21The children of Ater of Hezekiah, ninety and eight.

22The children of Hashum, three hundred twenty and eight.

23The children of Bezai, three hundred twenty and four.

24The children of Hariph, an hundred and twelve.

25The children of Gibeon, ninety and five.

26The men of Bethlehem and Netophah, an hundred fourscore and eight.

27The men of Anathoth, an hundred twenty and eight.

28The men of Bethazmaveth, forty and two.

29The men of Kirjathjearim, Chephirah, and Beeroth, seven hundred forty and three.

30The men of Ramah and Geba, six hundred twenty and one.

31The men of Michmas, an hundred and twenty and two.

32The men of Bethel and Ai, an hundred twenty and three.

33The men of the other Nebo, fifty and two.

34The children of the other Elam, a thousand two hundred fifty and four.

35The children of Harim, three hundred and twenty.

36The children of Jericho, three hundred forty and five.

37The children of Lod, Hadid, and Ono, seven hundred twenty and one.

38The children of Senaah, three thousand nine hundred and thirty.

39The priests: the children of Jedaiah, of the house of Jeshua, nine hundred seventy and three.

40The children of Immer, a thousand fifty and two.

41The children of Pashur, a thousand two hundred forty and seven.

42The children of Harim, a thousand and seventeen.

43The Levites: the children of Jeshua, of Kadmiel, and of the children of Hodevah, seventy and four.

44The singers: the children of Asaph, an hundred forty and eight.

45The porters: the children of Shallum, the children of Ater, the children of Talmon, the children of Akkub, the children of Hatita, the children of Shobai, an hundred thirty and eight.

46The Nethinims: the children of Ziha, the children of Hashupha, the children of Tabbaoth,

47The children of Keros, the children of Sia, the children of Padon,

48The children of Lebana, the children of Hagaba, the children of Shalmai,

49The children of Hanan, the children of Giddel, the children of Gahar,

50The children of Reaiah, the children of Rezin, the children of Nekoda,

51The children of Gazzam, the children of Uzza, the children of Phaseah,

52The children of Besai, the children of Meunim, the children of Nephishesim,

53The children of Bakbuk, the children of Hakupha, the children of Harhur,

54The children of Bazlith, the children of Mehida, the children of Harsha,

55The children of Barkos, the children of Sisera, the children of Tamah,

56The children of Neziah, the children of Hatipha.

57The children of Solomon's servants: the children of Sotai, the children of Sophereth, the children of Perida,

58The children of Jaala, the children of Darkon, the children of Giddel,

59The children of Shephatiah, the children of Hattil, the children of Pochereth of Zebaim, the children of Amon.

60All the Nethinims, and the children of Solomon's servants, were three hundred ninety and two.

61And these were they which went up also from Telmelah, Telharesha, Cherub, Addon, and Immer: but they could not shew their father's house, nor their seed, whether they were of Israel.

62The children of Delaiah, the children of Tobiah, the children of Nekoda, six hundred forty and two.

63And of the priests: the children of Habaiah, the children of Koz, the children of Barzillai, which took one of the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite to wife, and was called after their name.

64These sought their register among those that were reckoned by genealogy, but it was not found: therefore were they, as polluted, put from the priesthood.

65And the Tirshatha said unto them, that they should not eat of the most holy things, till there stood up a priest with Urim and Thummim.

66The whole congregation together was forty and two thousand three hundred and threescore,

67Beside their manservants and their maidservants, of whom there were seven thousand three hundred thirty and seven: and they had two hundred forty and five singing men and singing women.

68Their horses, seven hundred thirty and six: their mules, two hundred forty and five:

69Their camels, four hundred thirty and five: six thousand seven hundred and twenty asses.

70And some of the chief of the fathers gave unto the work. The Tirshatha gave to the treasure a thousand drams of gold, fifty basons, five hundred and thirty priests' garments.

71And some of the chief of the fathers gave to the treasure of the work twenty thousand drams of gold, and two thousand and two hundred pound of silver.

72And that which the rest of the people gave was twenty thousand drams of gold, and two thousand pound of silver, and threescore and seven priests' garments.

73So the priests, and the Levites, and the porters, and the singers, and some of the people, and the Nethinims, and all Israel, dwelt in their cities; and when the seventh month came, the children of Israel were in their cities.

I. II. Main points1. 2. Sub-points(1.) (2.) Details[1.] [2.] Fine details

We have here another good project of Nehemiah's; for wise and zealous men will be always contriving something or other for the glory of God and the edification of his church. He knew very well that the safety of a city, under God, depends more upon the number and valour of the inhabitants than upon the height or strength of its walls; and therefore, observing that the people were few that dwelt in it, he thought fit to take an account of the people, that he might find what families had formerly had their settlement in Jerusalem, but were now removed into the country, that he might bring them back, and what families could in any other way be influenced by their religion, or by their business, to come and rebuild the houses in Jerusalem and dwell in them. So little reason have we to wish that we may be placed alone in the earth, or in Jerusalem itself, that much of our safety and comfort depends upon our neighbours and friends; the more the stronger, the more the merrier. It is the wisdom of the governors of a nation to keep the balance even between the city and country, that the metropolis be not so extravagantly large as to drain and impoverish the country, nor yet so weak as not to be able to protect it. Now observe,

I.Whence this good design of Nehemiah's came.

He owns, My God put it into my heart, Neh 7:5. Note, Whatever good motion is in our minds, either prudent or pious, we must acknowledge it to come from God. It was he that put it into our hearts; for every good gift and every good work are from above. He gives knowledge; he gives grace; all is of him, and therefore all must be to him. What is done by human prudence must be ascribed to the direction of divine Providence; he that teaches the husbandman his discretion (Isa 28:26) teaches the statesman his.

II.What method he took in prosecution of it.

1.He called the rulers together, and the people, that he might have an account of the present state of their families - their number and strength, and where they were settled. It is probable that when he summoned them to come together he ordered them to bring such an account along with them out of their several districts. And I doubt they were not so many but that it might be soon done.

2.He reviewed the old register of the genealogy of those who came up at the first, and compared the present accounts with that; and here we have the repetition of that out of Ezra 2. The title is the same here (Neh 7:6, Neh 7:7) as there (Ezr 2:1): These are the children of the province, etc. Two things are here repeated and recorded a second time from thence - the names and numbers of their several families, and their oblations to the service of the temple. The repetition of these accounts may intimate to us the delight which the great God is pleased to take in the persons, families, and services of his spiritual Israel, and the particular notice he takes of them. He knows those that are his, knows them all, knows them by name, has his eye on the register of those children of the captivity, and does all according to the ancient counsel of his will concerning them.

(1.)Here is an account of the heads of the several families that first came up, v. 6-69. As to this,

[1.]Though it seem of little use to us now, yet then it was of great use, to compare what they had been with what they now were. We may suppose they were much increased by this time; but it would do well for them to remember their small beginnings, that they might acknowledge God in multiplying their families and building them up. By this means likewise their genealogies would be preserved, and the distinction of their families kept up, till the Messiah should come, and then an end be put to all their genealogies, which were preserved for his sake, but afterwards were endless. But,

[2.]There are many differences in the numbers between this catalogue and that in Ezra. Most of them indeed are exactly the same, and some others within a very few under or over (one or two perhaps); and therefore I cannot think, as some do, that that was the number of these families at their first coming and this as they were now, which was at least forty years after (some make it much more); for we cannot suppose so many families to be not at all, or but little, altered in their numbers in all that time; therefore what differences there are we may suppose to arise either from the mistakes of transcribers, which easily happen in numbers, or from the diversity of the copies from which they were taken. Or perhaps one was the account of them when they set out from Babylon with Zerubbabel, the other when they came to Jerusalem. The sum totals are all just the same there and here, except of the singing-men and singing-women, which there are 200, here 245. These were not of such importance as that they should keep any strict account of them.

(2.)Here is an account of the offerings which were given towards the work of God, Neh 7:70, etc. This differs much from that in Ezr 2:68, Ezr 2:69, and it may be questioned whether it refers to the same contribution; here the tirshatha, or chief governor, who there was not mentioned, begins the offering; and the single sum mentioned there exceeds all those here put together; yet it is probable that it was the same, but that followed one copy of the lists, this another; for the last verse is the same here that it was Ezr 2:70, adding Ezr 3:1. Blessed be God that our faith and hope are not built upon the niceties of names and numbers, genealogy and chronology, but on the great things of the law and gospel. Whatever is given to the work of God, he is not unrighteous to forget it; nor shall even a cup of cold water, wherewith he is honoured, go without its reward.

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Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.

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