Nehemiah 7:6

These [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;

These are the children {H1121} of the province {H4082}, that went up {H5927} out of the captivity {H7628}, of those that had been carried away {H1473}, whom Nebuchadnezzar {H5019} the king {H4428} of Babylon {H894} had carried away {H1540}, and came again {H7725} to Jerusalem {H3389} and to Judah {H3063}, every one {H376} unto his city {H5892};

"Here is a list of the people of the province who had been exiled, carried off to Bavel by N'vukhadnetzar king of Bavel, but who later returned from exile and went up to Yerushalayim and Y'hudah, each to his own city;

These are the people of the province who came up from the captivity of the exiles carried away to Babylon by Nebuchadnezzar its king. They returned to Jerusalem and Judah, each to his own town,

These 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 that returned unto Jerusalem and to Judah, every one unto his city;

Commentary

Nehemiah 7:6 serves as the introductory verse to a vital genealogical record, detailing the families and individuals who returned to Jerusalem and Judah from the Babylonian exile. This meticulous list was crucial for the post-exilic community in establishing their identity, lineage, and rightful claim to their ancestral lands.

Context

This verse sets the stage for a census, which is almost identical to the one found in Ezra 2:1-70. The repetition underscores the importance of this record for the returning community. It identifies the returnees as "the children of the province," meaning the descendants of those from the former kingdom of Judah, now a Persian province, who were living in exile.

The explicit mention of "Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon" grounds the narrative firmly in the historical reality of the Babylonian captivity. This period, beginning with the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple around 586 BC (as recorded in 2 Kings 25), saw the forced deportation of the Jewish elite and skilled laborers to Babylon. The return to "Jerusalem and to Judah, every one unto his city" signifies the fulfillment of prophetic promises for restoration after a period of judgment and exile.

Key Themes

  • Restoration and Return: The primary theme is the miraculous return of God's people to their homeland after decades of forced displacement. This highlights God's faithfulness to His covenant promises, even through periods of national judgment and seemingly insurmountable obstacles.
  • Identity and Lineage: The detailed genealogical list that follows this verse was fundamental for the re-establishment of the Jewish community. It served to verify who belonged to the covenant people, who was eligible for priestly service, and who could reclaim their family land, ensuring proper order and continuity.
  • Divine Providence: Despite the devastation of the exile, God orchestrated the return through foreign kings like Cyrus (as seen in Ezra 1:1-4), demonstrating His sovereign control over history and nations to fulfill His purposes for His people.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "children of the province" (Hebrew: bene hammedinah) is significant. It designates those who were descendants of the original inhabitants of Judah, now a Persian province, who had been exiled and were now returning. This term emphasizes their unique identity and their rightful claim to the land, distinguishing them from other groups inhabiting the region during the post-exilic period.

Practical Application

Nehemiah 7:6 offers profound lessons for today. It reminds us that God is a God of restoration. Just as He precisely remembered and returned the exiles to Jerusalem, He is faithful to bring about renewal and healing in our lives, even after periods of spiritual wandering, hardship, or brokenness. This verse can inspire hope, demonstrating that God's plans for His people will ultimately prevail, leading them back to their intended purpose and place in His kingdom.

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Ezra 2:1 (5 votes)

    ¶ Now these [are] the children of the province that went up out of the captivity, of those which had been carried away, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away unto Babylon, and came again unto Jerusalem and Judah, every one unto his city;

  • Ezra 2:70 (5 votes)

    So the priests, and the Levites, and [some] of the people, and the singers, and the porters, and the Nethinims, dwelt in their cities, and all Israel in their cities.

  • Ezra 5:8 (5 votes)

    Be it known unto the king, that we went into the province of Judea, to the house of the great God, which is builded with great stones, and timber is laid in the walls, and this work goeth fast on, and prospereth in their hands.

  • Jeremiah 52:1 (3 votes)

    ¶ Zedekiah [was] one and twenty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name [was] Hamutal the daughter of Jeremiah of Libnah.

  • Jeremiah 52:34 (3 votes)

    And [for] his diet, there was a continual diet given him of the king of Babylon, every day a portion until the day of his death, all the days of his life.

  • 2 Chronicles 36:1 (2 votes)

    ¶ Then the people of the land took Jehoahaz the son of Josiah, and made him king in his father's stead in Jerusalem.

  • 2 Chronicles 36:23 (2 votes)

    Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia, All the kingdoms of the earth hath the LORD God of heaven given me; and he hath charged me to build him an house in Jerusalem, which [is] in Judah. Who [is there] among you of all his people? The LORD his God [be] with him, and let him go up.