Nehemiah 7:62

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

The children {H1121} of Delaiah {H1806}, the children {H1121} of Tobiah {H2900}, the children {H1121} of Nekoda {H5353}, six {H8337} hundred {H3967} forty {H705} and two {H8147}.

Complete Jewish Bible

descendants of D'layah, descendants of Toviyah, and descendants of N'koda 642

Berean Standard Bible

the descendants of Delaiah, the descendants of Tobiah, and the descendants of Nekoda, 642 in all.

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Nehemiah 7:62 is a precise entry within a comprehensive census of those who returned from Babylonian exile to Jerusalem, meticulously listing three specific family groups—the children of Delaiah, the children of Tobiah, and the children of Nekoda—totaling six hundred forty-two individuals. This verse, part of a larger, authoritative register compiled by Nehemiah, underscores the critical importance of verifiable lineage and identity in the post-exilic community, particularly for re-establishing social order, land claims, and the purity of temple service, especially for families whose ancestral records were ambiguous or contested.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within Nehemiah 7, which presents a detailed register of the exiles who returned to Judah under Zerubbabel, serving as a foundational document for the restored community. Following the successful rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls in [Nehemiah 6](/nehemiah/6 "Nehemiah 6 - The Wall is Completed"), Nehemiah shifts his focus from physical reconstruction to the re-population and spiritual organization of the city. The census provides the demographic and genealogical data essential for establishing order, assigning roles, and ensuring the purity of the community, particularly concerning those eligible for temple service and land inheritance. This list is nearly identical to the one found in [Ezra 2](/ezra/2 "Ezra 2 - The First Return from Exile"), highlighting its significance as an authoritative record for both Ezra and Nehemiah in their efforts to restore Israel's covenant identity and societal structure. The inclusion of groups with uncertain lineage, like those in Nehemiah 7:62, emphasizes the meticulous nature of the census and the challenges involved in fully integrating all returnees.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The return from Babylonian exile marked a pivotal moment in Israelite history, occurring under the patronage of the Persian Empire (circa 538 BCE for the first wave, and later under Ezra and Nehemiah in the 5th century BCE). In this post-exilic period, maintaining a distinct Israelite identity was paramount. Genealogy was not merely a matter of personal pride but a crucial determinant of social standing, land rights, and, most importantly, eligibility for priestly and Levitical service in the newly rebuilt Temple. Families whose lineage was uncertain, like those mentioned in this verse, faced significant challenges in proving their Israelite heritage, which could affect their participation in the community's religious and civic life. The meticulous record-keeping reflects a society deeply concerned with legitimate descent and the purity of its covenant relationship with God, seeking to avoid the syncretism that contributed to the earlier exile.
* **Key Themes:** Nehemiah 7:62 contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Nehemiah and the broader post-exilic narrative. Firstly, it emphasizes **Genealogy and Identity**, underscoring how critical verifiable lineage was for the re-establishment of the Israelite nation and its distinct covenant identity after generations in captivity. This concern is evident throughout the census, particularly in passages like [Nehemiah 7:5](/nehemiah/7-5 "Nehemiah 7:5 - Nehemiah Finds the Register"). Secondly, the meticulous nature of the register, particularly the scrutiny of groups like those in this verse, highlights a profound concern for the **Purity of the Community**. This concern extended to ensuring that only those of undisputed Israelite descent could fully participate in the community's life and sacred temple service, reflecting a desire to avoid the syncretism that contributed to the earlier exile, as seen in [Ezra 9](/ezra/9 "Ezra 9 - Ezra's Prayer About Intermarriage"). Thirdly, the very existence of this list, despite its seemingly dry nature, testifies to **Divine Faithfulness and Restoration**, demonstrating God's sovereign hand in bringing His people back to their land, fulfilling ancient prophecies, and enabling the rebuilding of Jerusalem and the Temple, a theme echoed in [Isaiah 43:5-7](/isaiah/43-5-7 "Isaiah 43:5-7 - God Gathers His People"). Lastly, the precise numbers, even with minor variations when compared to parallel accounts like [Ezra 2:60](/ezra/2-60 "Ezra 2:60 - Parallel List of Uncertain Lineage"), underscore the **Accuracy and Accountability** of the record-keeping and the tangible reality of the return.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Children (Hebrew, _bên_):** From the root meaning "to build," this word signifies a son or descendant, emphasizing the role of individuals in building and perpetuating the family name and lineage. In this context, "the children of" underscores the collective identity of these family units rather than individual persons, highlighting the importance of ancestral connection and the challenges faced when such connections were ambiguous or broken due to the exile. The term broadly covers literal and figurative relationships, but here it specifically points to the direct descendants of the named patriarchs.
* **Delaiah (Hebrew, _Dᵉlâyâh_):** Meaning "Jah has delivered," this name carries a theological significance, expressing a reliance on God's salvation. For a family bearing such a name to have their lineage questioned adds a poignant layer of irony; despite their name proclaiming divine deliverance, their earthly identity and right to full participation in the restored community were uncertain. This highlights the practical difficulties of re-establishing life after generations of displacement and the loss of vital family records.
* **Tobiah (Hebrew, _Ṭôwbîyâh_):** Meaning "goodness of Jehovah," this name, like Delaiah, points to God's character. However, its inclusion here immediately evokes the prominent adversary of Nehemiah, Tobiah the Ammonite ([Nehemiah 2:10](/nehemiah/2-10 "Nehemiah 2:10 - Tobiah the Ammonite Opposes Nehemiah")), who vehemently opposed the rebuilding efforts. The presence of "the children of Tobiah" in this list of returnees, whose lineage was questioned, raises significant concerns. It suggests either a different family bearing the same common name or, more provocatively, a family with a problematic association or mixed heritage that required careful scrutiny before full inclusion in the restored community, underscoring the complex social and ethnic dynamics of the post-exilic period.
* **Nekoda (Hebrew, _Nᵉqôwdâʼ_):** Derived from a root meaning "marked" or "distinguished," this name, when applied to a family whose lineage is uncertain, presents a subtle irony. While the name itself suggests distinction, the family's actual status in the census is one of ambiguity regarding their Israelite heritage. This grouping with Delaiah and Tobiah suggests that these three families shared a common challenge regarding the verification of their lineage, possibly because their ancestral records were either incomplete, lost, or otherwise ambiguous, preventing them from definitively proving their Israelite descent.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The children of Delaiah, the children of Tobiah, the children of Nekoda":** This clause identifies three distinct family groups, emphasizing their collective identity through the repeated phrase "the children of." These specific families are grouped together because they shared the common problem of being unable to definitively prove their Israelite ancestry, a critical requirement for full participation in the restored community, especially for those aspiring to priestly or Levitical roles. Their inclusion in the census, despite their ambiguous status, indicates a meticulous effort to account for all who returned, even those whose claims were under scrutiny, reflecting the comprehensive nature of Nehemiah's administrative work.
* **"six hundred forty and two":** This precise number represents the total count of individuals across these three family groups. The specificity of the number highlights the meticulous record-keeping undertaken by Nehemiah and his scribes, underscoring the importance of accuracy in the re-establishment of the community. While there is a slight numerical discrepancy with the parallel account in [Ezra 2:60](/ezra/2-60 "Ezra 2:60 - Parallel List of Uncertain Lineage") (which lists 652 for these same groups), such minor variations are common in ancient texts and do not undermine the overall historical veracity or the emphasis on exactitude in the census. The overall totals for the entire census in [Nehemiah 7:66](/nehemiah/7-66 "Nehemiah 7:66 - Total Number of Returnees") and [Ezra 2:64](/ezra/2-64 "Ezra 2:64 - Total Number of Returnees") are identical, suggesting a high degree of accuracy for the complete register.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in Nehemiah 7:62, and indeed throughout the entire census, is **Catalog** or **List**. This technique serves to organize, enumerate, and validate the community's composition, providing a tangible record of the returned exiles. The meticulous detailing of family names and precise numbers functions as a historical and administrative document, establishing order and accountability within the nascent post-exilic society. The repeated phrase "the children of" employs **Repetition**, emphasizing the importance of lineage and family identity in a culture where tribal and familial ties were foundational to social structure and religious participation. Furthermore, the very act of creating and preserving such a detailed list carries **Symbolism**; it symbolizes the re-establishment of a distinct, pure, and ordered community in the land, reflecting God's faithfulness in restoring His people. The inclusion of "the children of Tobiah" also introduces a subtle **Irony** or **Tension**, given the prominent adversary Tobiah the Ammonite, hinting at the internal and external challenges faced by the community in maintaining its purity and loyalty, even among those claiming Israelite heritage.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The meticulous record-keeping in Nehemiah 7:62, particularly concerning families with questionable lineage, underscores a profound theological truth: God's concern for order, purity, and identity within His covenant people. The detailed census reflects not just human administrative effort but a divine imperative to re-establish a holy nation in the land, distinct from the surrounding peoples. This concern for verifiable lineage in the Old Testament foreshadows the New Testament's emphasis on spiritual lineage and identity in Christ, where belonging is determined not by bloodline but by faith. The challenges faced by families like Delaiah, Tobiah, and Nekoda in proving their heritage highlight the importance of clear standing before God and the community, a theme that finds its ultimate resolution in the perfect and unimpeachable lineage of Christ and the spiritual heritage offered to all who believe.

* [Ezra 2:59-60](/ezra/2-59-60 "Those Unable to Prove Lineage")
* [Hebrews 7:3](/hebrews/7-3 "Melchizedek's Priesthood Without Genealogy")
* [Revelation 7:9](/revelation/7-9 "A Multitude from Every Nation")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While Nehemiah 7:62 might seem like a dry genealogical list, it offers profound insights for contemporary believers. The meticulous attention to lineage and community purity in post-exilic Israel reminds us of the paramount importance of our spiritual identity in Christ. Just as the returning exiles needed to verify their heritage to participate fully in the community, believers today are called to understand and live out their identity as children of God, adopted into His family through faith in Jesus Christ. This verse also implicitly highlights the need for discernment and accountability within the church community, ensuring that those who claim to belong genuinely align with biblical truth and values, upholding the purity of the body of Christ. God's meticulous care for His people, evident in the detailed accounting of every individual, encourages us that He is intimately involved in the specifics of our lives and the life of His church, orchestrating even the seemingly mundane details for His grand purposes of restoration, holiness, and the advancement of His kingdom.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding our identity in Christ redefine the importance of earthly lineage, background, or social status for us today?**
* **What lessons can the church today learn from the meticulous concern for community purity and accountability seen in Nehemiah, especially concerning membership and leadership?**
* **In what ways does God's meticulous attention to detail, even in seemingly mundane lists like this census, encourage your faith in His sovereign care for your life and the church?**

### FAQ

**Why is this verse, seemingly just a list of names and numbers, important?**

Answer: This verse, as part of a larger census, is crucial because it underscores the meticulous efforts to re-establish Israelite identity, social order, and spiritual purity after the Babylonian exile. It highlights the challenges faced by families whose ancestral records were ambiguous or lost, particularly concerning their eligibility for priestly or Levitical service. The list serves as a foundational document for the restored community, demonstrating God's faithfulness in bringing His people back to their land and enabling the rebuilding of their society and worship. It also reveals the administrative diligence required to reconstruct a covenant community.

**Who were Delaiah, Tobiah, and Nekoda, and why are their "children" grouped together?**

Answer: Delaiah, Tobiah, and Nekoda represent family groups whose lineage was questioned or whose ancestral records were incomplete or lost. They are grouped together because they shared the common problem of being unable to definitively prove their Israelite heritage, which was essential for full participation in the community, especially for those in sacred roles. The name [Tobiah](/nehemiah/2-10 "Nehemiah 2:10 - Tobiah the Ammonite Opposes Nehemiah") is particularly notable due to its association with Nehemiah's prominent adversary, raising questions about identity and allegiance within the returning community and the careful scrutiny applied to all claiming Israelite descent.

**Is there a discrepancy with the parallel list in Ezra 2?**

Answer: Yes, there is a minor numerical difference. [Ezra 2:60](/ezra/2-60 "Parallel list of uncertain lineage") lists 652 for these families, while Nehemiah 7:62 lists 642. While minor numerical variations exist between the two lists for specific groups, the overall totals for the entire census in [Nehemiah 7:66](/nehemiah/7-66 "Total number of returnees") and [Ezra 2:64](/ezra/2-64 "Total number of returnees") are identical (42,360). Such slight differences are common in ancient texts and do not undermine the historical veracity of the return or the general accuracy of the record-keeping. They likely reflect different scribal traditions, varying points of compilation, or slightly different methods of classifying individuals within the larger census.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The meticulous genealogies and the profound concern for purity and verifiable lineage in Nehemiah 7:62 find their ultimate fulfillment and transformation in Jesus Christ. While earthly genealogies were crucial for establishing the Messiah's rightful claim to the Davidic throne, as seen in the [genealogies of Matthew 1](/matthew/1 "Matthew 1 - The Genealogy of Jesus Christ") and [Luke 3](/luke/3 "Luke 3 - The Genealogy of Jesus Christ"), Christ's redemptive work transcends and redefines all earthly lineage. Through His atoning sacrifice, He establishes a new, spiritual lineage, where believers are no longer identified by their physical ancestry but by their union with Him. We become [children of God](/john/1-12 "John 1:12 - Becoming Children of God") not by birth or human descent, but by faith in His name and the power of the Holy Spirit. The Old Testament's emphasis on a pure community, set apart from foreign entanglement, foreshadows the New Covenant's call for a holy people, sanctified and set apart for God through Christ's perfect and complete work. He is the one who [purifies His church](/ephesians/5-25-27 "Ephesians 5:25-27 - Christ's Love for the Church") to be without spot or wrinkle, making us a [royal priesthood and a holy nation](/1_peter/2-9 "1 Peter 2:9 - A Royal Priesthood") in a far greater and more enduring sense than any Old Testament Levitical order. The detailed counting of the returnees in Nehemiah, reflecting God's intimate knowledge of His people, points to Christ's perfect knowledge and sovereign care for every believer, where [not one sparrow falls to the ground](/matthew/10-29-31 "Matthew 10:29-31 - God's Care for His Own") without our Father's knowledge, and the names of His redeemed are eternally [written in the Lamb's Book of Life](/revelation/21-27 "Revelation 21:27 - The Book of Life").

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 2:60

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