Nehemiah 7:59

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

The children {H1121} of Shephatiah {H8203}, the children {H1121} of Hattil {H2411}, the children {H1121} of Pochereth of Zebaim {H6380}, the children {H1121} of Amon {H526}.

Complete Jewish Bible

descendants of Sh'fatyah, descendants of Hatil, descendants of Pokheret-Hatzvayim, and descendants of Amon.

Berean Standard Bible

the descendants of Shephatiah, the descendants of Hattil, the descendants of Pochereth-hazzebaim, and the descendants of Amon.

American Standard Version

the children of Shephatiah, the children of Hattil, the children of Pochereth-hazzebaim, the children of Amon.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Nehemiah 7:59 is a concise yet significant entry within the extensive census of Jewish families who returned to Judah from Babylonian exile, meticulously compiled to re-establish the community in Jerusalem. This verse specifically names four family groups—the children of Shephatiah, Hattil, Pochereth of Zebaim, and Amon—who contributed to the non-priestly and non-Levitical population. Their inclusion underscores the vital importance of lineage and identity in the post-exilic period, ensuring proper social organization, land distribution, and the re-establishment of a functional society and worship system in the restored nation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Nehemiah 7 serves as a pivotal chapter, immediately following the triumphant completion of Jerusalem's walls under Nehemiah's leadership. Having secured the city physically, Nehemiah turns his attention to its spiritual and social restoration, recognizing that a city is defined by its people. This chapter provides a detailed register of those who returned from exile, mirroring the list found in [Ezra 2](/ezra/2 "Ezra 2 - List of Returning Exiles"). The purpose of this meticulous record-keeping was not merely historical documentation but a practical necessity for organizing the community, assigning dwelling places, determining eligibility for temple service, and ensuring the purity of lineage, particularly for priests and Levites. Verse 59, like its surrounding verses, lists families who were part of the general populace, highlighting the comprehensive nature of the re-population effort.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The return from Babylonian exile was a monumental event in Jewish history, marking the fulfillment of prophetic promises and the beginning of a new era for God's people. After generations in a foreign land, the repatriated community faced the immense challenge of rebuilding not just physical structures but also their national and religious identity. In ancient Israelite society, lineage was paramount; it determined land inheritance, tribal affiliation, social status, and eligibility for sacred duties. The meticulous genealogies and lists, like the one in Nehemiah 7, were crucial for establishing legitimacy, preventing intermarriage with foreign peoples, and ensuring the continuity of the covenant community. The mention of "Pochereth of Zebaim" might indicate a family associated with a specific place or profession, reflecting the diverse backgrounds and skills within the returning remnant.
* **Key Themes:** Nehemiah 7:59, as part of this comprehensive census, contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Nehemiah and the broader post-exilic narrative. Firstly, it emphasizes **Restoration and Rebuilding**, illustrating God's faithfulness in gathering His scattered people and Nehemiah's diligent efforts in organizing them for the future. Secondly, **Identity and Lineage** is crucial, as the detailed listing underscores the profound importance of ancestral heritage for establishing social order, land claims, and religious standing in the restored community. This meticulous record-keeping is a testament to the divine care for every individual and family within God's plan, reinforcing the theme of **Divine Faithfulness** in preserving a remnant. Finally, the inclusion of every family, regardless of their specific role, highlights the theme of **Community Building**, where each member is vital to the collective strength and future of the nation, working towards the re-establishment of the temple and the law, as seen in subsequent chapters like [Nehemiah 8](/nehemiah/8 "Nehemiah 8 - The Reading of the Law").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Children of (Hebrew, _bənê_):** This common Hebrew construct, literally "sons of," denotes direct descendants, members of a particular family, clan, or even a professional guild. In the context of Nehemiah 7, its repeated use before each name ("the children of Shephatiah," "the children of Hattil," etc.) emphasizes the familial and ancestral basis of the returning community. It highlights that the restoration was not just of individuals but of established family units, preserving their heritage and identity as part of the covenant people.
* **Pochereth of Zebaim (Hebrew, _Pôḵereth haṣ-ṣəḇāʾîm_):** This is the most distinctive name in the verse. "Pochereth" (פֹכֶרֶת) is a unique personal name, possibly meaning "snarer" or "captor." The appended "of Zebaim" (הַצְּבָאִים) is particularly intriguing. "Zebaim" (צְבָאִים) is the plural of "tzvi" (צְבִי), meaning "gazelle" or "roe deer." This could indicate a geographical origin (a place known for gazelles), or more likely, a professional association, suggesting a family of hunters, trappers, or perhaps those involved in the care of gazelles. This detail provides a rare glimpse into the specific identity or trade of one of the returning families, underscoring the granular detail of the census.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The children of Shephatiah":** This refers to the family or clan descended from an individual named Shephatiah. The name Shephatiah (שְׁפַטְיָה) means "Yah has judged" or "Yah has defended." This family is listed among the non-priestly, non-Levitical returnees, signifying their contribution to the general populace and the rebuilding efforts.
* **"the children of Hattil":** This identifies another family group, the descendants of Hattil. The name Hattil (חַטִּיל) is less common and its meaning is uncertain, possibly related to "wavering" or "trembling." Their inclusion further demonstrates the comprehensive nature of the census, encompassing various family lines that participated in the return.
* **"the children of Pochereth of Zebaim":** This is the most specific designation in the verse, identifying the family of Pochereth, distinguished by their association with "Zebaim." As discussed above, this likely points to a unique trade (e.g., gazelle hunters) or a specific place of origin, marking them as a distinct and identifiable unit within the returning community. Their presence highlights the diverse backgrounds and skills that contributed to the re-establishment of Jerusalem.
* **"the children of Amon":** This names the family descended from Amon. The name Amon (אָמוֹן) can mean "faithful," "trustworthy," or "master craftsman." This family, like the others, represents another segment of the lay Israelites who returned from exile, each playing a part in the collective effort to rebuild and repopulate the land. The collective listing of these families emphasizes the meticulous and inclusive nature of Nehemiah's census, ensuring that every contributing family was recognized and accounted for in the restored nation.

#### Literary Devices
Nehemiah 7:59, as part of a larger list, primarily employs **Enumeration** and **Repetition**. The **Enumeration** of family names serves to provide a detailed and verifiable record, emphasizing the historical accuracy and the comprehensive nature of the post-exilic community's organization. The repeated phrase "the children of" functions as **Repetition**, creating a rhythmic structure that underscores the emphasis on lineage and the familial basis of the returning exiles. This anaphoric repetition reinforces the idea that the restoration was fundamentally about the re-establishment of distinct family units. Furthermore, the entire chapter, including this verse, functions as a **Genealogy** or a **Census**, a literary form common in biblical texts (e.g., Numbers, Ezra, Chronicles). This device serves to legitimize claims, establish social order, and demonstrate the continuity of God's covenant people through generations, even after the disruption of exile. The specific detail of "Pochereth of Zebaim" also introduces an element of **Specificity**, making the list feel less abstract and more grounded in the particular identities of the returning individuals.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Nehemiah 7:59, though a seemingly dry list of names, carries profound theological weight. It speaks to God's meticulous care for His people, even down to individual families, and His faithfulness in fulfilling His promises of restoration. The emphasis on lineage reflects the covenantal nature of God's relationship with Israel, where identity and belonging were tied to ancestry and the land. This census ensures order and proper function within the community, mirroring God's character as a God of order, not chaos. It highlights that the rebuilding of Jerusalem was not just about walls, but about the people—their identity, their purity, and their place within God's redemptive plan. Every family, no matter how seemingly obscure, played a vital role in the larger narrative of God's unfolding purposes.

* [Ezra 2:57](/ezra/2-57 "Ezra 2:57 - Parallel List of Temple Servants")
* [Numbers 1:2](/numbers/1-2 "Numbers 1:2 - Census by Families and Clans")
* [Luke 10:20](/luke/10-20 "Luke 10:20 - Names Written in Heaven")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The meticulous record-keeping in Nehemiah 7:59, listing families by name, might initially appear tedious, but it offers rich lessons for contemporary believers. It reminds us that God, in His grand redemptive plan, cares about every individual and every family. Just as these specific families were integral to the physical and spiritual restoration of Israel, every believer has a unique place and purpose within God's larger family, the church. This verse encourages us to value our own identity in Christ and to recognize the importance of every member in the body of Christ, no matter how seemingly "small" or "obscure" their contribution. It also underscores the importance of order, diligence, and accountability in our communal life and service to God, reflecting His character. Ultimately, it is a testament to God's enduring faithfulness to His covenant promises, preserving a remnant and bringing them back to rebuild, demonstrating that His plans will always prevail.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the meticulous detail of this census challenge our perception of God's care for individuals within His grand plan?**
* **In what ways does our identity in Christ parallel or diverge from the importance of lineage in ancient Israel?**
* **What "mundane" tasks or roles in our church or community might be more significant in God's eyes than we perceive, similar to the importance of these named families?**
* **How can we foster a greater sense of belonging and value for every member within our spiritual community, reflecting the inclusivity seen in Nehemiah's census?**

### FAQ
**Why are these lists of names so important in the Bible?**

Answer: Lists of names, like the one in Nehemiah 7:59, are crucial for several reasons. Historically, they provide verifiable records of populations, land distribution, and social structures, grounding the biblical narrative in reality. Theologically, they underscore God's meticulous care for individuals and families, demonstrating His faithfulness in preserving a remnant and fulfilling His covenant promises. They also establish lineage, which was vital for tribal identity, inheritance, and especially for proving eligibility for priestly service or, ultimately, the messianic line, as seen in [Matthew 1](/matthew/1 "Matthew 1 - The Genealogy of Jesus"). These lists show that God's work of restoration and salvation is not abstract but involves real people with real identities.

**What is the significance of "Pochereth of Zebaim"?**

Answer: "Pochereth of Zebaim" is significant because it's the most specific and descriptive name in Nehemiah 7:59. While "Pochereth" is a personal name, "Zebaim" (Hebrew for "gazelles") likely indicates either a geographical origin (a place known for gazelles) or, more commonly in such contexts, a professional association. This family might have been known as "the snarers of gazelles" or "those who dealt with gazelles," suggesting a unique trade or skill. This detail highlights the diversity of the returning exiles and the specific identities they brought back to the re-established community, underscoring the comprehensive nature of the census.

**How does this verse relate to the broader narrative of Nehemiah?**

Answer: Nehemiah 7:59 is part of a critical census in Nehemiah 7, which immediately follows the completion of Jerusalem's walls in [Nehemiah 6](/nehemiah/6 "Nehemiah 6 - The Completion of the Wall"). Having physically secured the city, Nehemiah's next priority was to populate and organize it spiritually and socially. This census, including verse 59, provides the foundational data for that organization, ensuring proper distribution of people, re-establishing temple service, and preparing the community for the re-introduction of the Law, as detailed in [Nehemiah 8](/nehemiah/8 "Nehemiah 8 - The Reading of the Law"). Thus, this verse contributes to the overarching theme of restoration, moving from physical rebuilding to the re-establishment of a functioning, covenant-keeping community.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Nehemiah 7:59 meticulously lists the earthly lineages of those returning to rebuild Jerusalem, its deeper Christ-centered fulfillment points to a far grander restoration and a new, spiritual lineage in Jesus Christ. The careful accounting of families in Nehemiah foreshadows the ultimate genealogy of Christ, which meticulously traces His human descent to establish His rightful claim as the Messiah, the true King of Israel (e.g., [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")). More profoundly, the emphasis on identity and belonging in the restored Israel finds its ultimate expression in the church, the new covenant community, where believers are given a new identity not based on earthly ancestry or physical return to a land, but on spiritual adoption through [faith in Christ Jesus](/galatians/3-26 "Galatians 3:26 - Children of God Through Faith"). In Christ, the old distinctions of earthly lineage are transcended, and all who believe become part of God's household, fellow citizens with the saints, and members of God's spiritual temple ([Ephesians 2:19-22](/ephesians/2-19 "Ephesians 2:19-22 - Fellow Citizens with the Saints")). The meticulous record of names in Nehemiah, ensuring a place for every family, points to the Lamb's Book of Life, where the names of all who are redeemed by the ultimate sacrifice of [Jesus, the Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), are eternally inscribed ([Revelation 21:27](/revelation/21-27 "Revelation 21:27 - Only Those Written in the Book of Life")). Thus, the physical restoration in Nehemiah serves as a powerful type of the spiritual restoration and new creation found in Christ, where believers are given a secure and eternal identity in God's family.

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 2:57

The children of Shephatiah, the children of Hattil, the children of Pochereth of Zebaim, the children of Ami.