Nehemiah 7:51

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

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

Complete Jewish Bible

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

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### 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](/nehemiah/7-6 "Nehemiah 7:6 - The Census of Returnees Begins") and concludes in [Nehemiah 7:73](/nehemiah/7-73 "Nehemiah 7:73 - The Census Concludes"). This detailed census immediately follows the triumphant completion of Jerusalem's wall, a monumental physical achievement chronicled in [Nehemiah 6](/nehemiah/6 "Nehemiah 6 - Completion of the Wall"). 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](/ezra/2 "Ezra 2 - List of Returnees from Exile"), 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](/jeremiah/29-10 "Jeremiah 29:10 - Promise of Return from Exile"). 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](/nehemiah/7 "Nehemiah 7 - The Census of Returnees"), 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](/nehemiah/7 "Nehemiah 7 - The Census of Returnees") 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](/nehemiah/11-1-2 "Nehemiah 11:1-2 - Resettlement of Jerusalem"). 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 (Hebrew, _bên_):** 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 (Hebrew, _Gazzâm_):** 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 (Hebrew, _Pâçêach_):** 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](/nehemiah/7 "Nehemiah 7 - The Census of Returnees"), 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](/ezra/2-1-70 "Ezra 2:1-70 - Parallel List of Returnees from Exile")
* [Psalm 139:16](/psalm/139-16 "Psalm 139:16 - God's Foreknowledge and Intimate Care")
* [Revelation 20:12](/revelation/20-12 "Revelation 20:12 - The Books Opened, Including the Book of Life")

### 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?**

Answer: 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](/nehemiah/7 "Nehemiah 7 - The Census of Returnees") 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](/john/1-12-13 "John 1:12-13 - Becoming Children of God")). 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](/revelation/21-27 "Revelation 21:27 - Only Those in the Book of Life Enter")). 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](/1_peter/2-5 "1 Peter 2:5 - Living Stones in a Spiritual House")). 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](/revelation/7-9-10 "Revelation 7:9-10 - A Great 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.

Cross-References

Ezra 2:49

The children of Uzza, the children of Paseah, the children of Besai,