Nehemiah 7:67

KJV

Beside 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.

KJV (with Strong's)

Beside their manservants {H5650} and their maidservants {H519}, of whom there were seven {H7651} thousand {H505} three {H7969} hundred {H3967} thirty {H7970} and seven {H7651}: and they had two hundred {H3967} forty {H705} and five {H2568} singing men {H7891} and singing women {H7891}.

Complete Jewish Bible

not including their male and female slaves, of whom there were 7,337. They also had 245 male and female singers.

Berean Standard Bible

in addition to their 7,337 menservants and maidservants, as well as their 245 male and female singers.

American Standard Version

besides their men-servants and their maid-servants, of whom there were seven thousand three hundred thirty and seven: and they had two hundred forty and five singing men and singing women.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Nehemiah 7:67 concludes a meticulous census of the Jewish community that returned from Babylonian exile to Jerusalem and Judah. This verse specifically records the number of their domestic servants—seven thousand three hundred thirty-seven—and their professional musicians—two hundred forty-five singing men and singing women. It serves as a final tally, underscoring the comprehensive nature of the restoration effort, which encompassed not only the rebuilding of walls and homes but also the reconstitution of a vibrant, socially structured, and spiritually devoted community.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Nehemiah 7:67 appears at the very end of a lengthy and detailed genealogical register (Nehemiah 7:6-67), which lists the families, clans, and individuals who returned with Zerubbabel from Babylon. This census is almost identical to the one found in [Ezra 2](/ezra/2 "Ezra 2 - The First Returnees Census"), indicating its authoritative and foundational importance for the post-exilic community. The chapter begins by describing Nehemiah's appointment of gatekeepers, singers, and Levites, and his subsequent decision to take a census of the people, prompted by God's leading ([Nehemiah 7:4-5](/nehemiah/7-4 "Nehemiah 7:4-5 - Nehemiah's Census Initiative")). The meticulous accounting in this chapter provides a concrete basis for organizing the community, assigning responsibilities, and ensuring proper lineage, particularly for those serving in the temple. Verse 67 acts as a summary total for two specific, yet vital, groups within this returning population, preceding the final grand total for the entire assembly in [Nehemiah 7:68-69](/nehemiah/7-68 "Nehemiah 7:68-69 - Grand Totals of the Returnees").

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The return from Babylonian exile was a monumental event in Jewish history, marking the end of a 70-year period of captivity prophesied by Jeremiah ([Jeremiah 29:10](/jeremiah/29-10 "Jeremiah 29:10 - Prophecy of Return")). The community was re-establishing itself in a land that had been desolate for decades, under the oversight of the Persian Empire. The inclusion of servants (manservants and maidservants) in the census reflects the socio-economic reality of the time; possessing a significant number of servants indicated a degree of wealth and the capacity to rebuild and sustain households. These servants would have performed various domestic and labor-intensive tasks essential for the community's survival and growth. The specific mention of "singing men and singing women" highlights the cultural and religious priorities of the returning exiles. Music played a crucial role in ancient Israelite worship, particularly in the temple. These individuals were likely professional musicians, trained to lead the community in praise and worship, ensuring the restoration of liturgical practices that had been central to Israel's identity before the exile.

* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes to several overarching themes in Nehemiah and the broader post-exilic narrative. First, it underscores the theme of **Comprehensive Restoration**. The detailed accounting of every segment of the population, from leaders and priests to ordinary families, servants, and musicians, signifies a holistic effort to reconstitute a functioning society, not just rebuild physical structures. This was about restoring the entire fabric of Jewish life. Second, the explicit mention of "singing men and singing women" highlights the **Centrality of Worship** in the restored community. Their presence indicates that spiritual and liturgical restoration was as vital as physical rebuilding, echoing the joyful sounds of praise heard during the laying of the temple's foundation in [Ezra 3:11](/ezra/3-11 "Ezra 3:11 - Praise at the Temple's Foundation"). Finally, the very existence of this returning remnant, complete with diverse skills and roles, serves as a powerful testimony to **God's Faithfulness and Preservation**. Despite decades of exile and the challenges of resettlement, God preserved His people and brought them back to fulfill His promises, demonstrating His unwavering covenant love.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Manservants and Maidservants (Hebrew, _‘eved veshifchah'_):** These terms refer to male and female servants, encompassing a range of roles from household staff to agricultural laborers. In ancient Near Eastern societies, servants were often an integral part of a household's economic and social structure, reflecting the status and capacity of the family or community they served. Their significant number (7,337) indicates the substantial resources and established households among the returning exiles, crucial for the arduous task of rebuilding Jerusalem.
* **Singing Men and Singing Women (Hebrew, _sharim v'sharot'_):** This phrase specifically denotes professional musicians, those dedicated to the art of singing, particularly in a liturgical context. In ancient Israel, temple musicians played a vital role in worship, leading congregational praise, lament, and thanksgiving. Their inclusion in the census, alongside the general populace and servants, underscores the community's commitment to restoring the full complement of temple services and the importance of music in their spiritual life, reminiscent of David's organization of temple musicians in [1 Chronicles 25:7](/1_chronicles/25-7 "1 Chronicles 25:7 - David Organizes Temple Musicians").

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Beside their manservants and their maidservants, of whom [there were] seven thousand three hundred thirty and seven":** This clause provides a precise numerical account of the domestic servants who returned with the exiles. The large number suggests that many of the returnees were not destitute but had managed to retain or acquire significant wealth and resources during their time in Babylon, enabling them to support a substantial retinue of servants. This indicates a degree of social and economic stability among the leading families and individuals, essential for the monumental task of rebuilding.
* **"and they had two hundred forty and five singing men and singing women."**: This clause specifies the number of professional musicians among the returnees. The presence of such a dedicated group highlights the community's prioritization of organized worship and the arts. These individuals were crucial for re-establishing the musical aspects of temple service, ensuring that praise and adoration would once again resound in Jerusalem, signifying not just physical restoration but spiritual revival.

#### Literary Devices
Nehemiah 7:67 primarily employs **Enumeration** and **Census** as its core literary devices, characteristic of the entire chapter. The meticulous listing of precise numbers for servants and musicians emphasizes the comprehensive and orderly nature of the post-exilic community's re-establishment. This precision lends an air of historical accuracy and divine oversight to the narrative. Furthermore, the verse demonstrates **Inclusivity** by explicitly mentioning these two distinct groups—servants and professional musicians—alongside the general family units. This highlights that the restoration was not limited to specific classes or roles but encompassed all facets of society, each contributing to the collective well-being. There is also an element of **Juxtaposition**, as the practical, labor-oriented role of servants is listed immediately before the spiritual, aesthetic role of the singers. This subtle pairing underscores the holistic nature of the restored community, where both physical sustenance and spiritual expression were deemed essential and interconnected.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Nehemiah 7:67 powerfully articulates the meticulous care of God for His people and the comprehensive nature of His redemptive plan. The detailed accounting of every segment of the returning community, down to servants and musicians, reveals that God's restoration is holistic, addressing not only physical structures but also the social fabric and spiritual life of His chosen people. It underscores the theological truth that every member, regardless of their societal role, is valuable in God's eyes and contributes to the flourishing of His kingdom. The emphasis on "singing men and singing women" particularly highlights the enduring importance of worship as a central expression of faith and gratitude within the covenant community, demonstrating that spiritual vitality is paramount to true restoration.

* [Ezra 2:64-65](/ezra/2-64 "Ezra 2:64-65 - Parallel Census Totals")
* [1 Chronicles 25:7](/1_chronicles/25-7 "1 Chronicles 25:7 - Organization of Temple Musicians")
* [Psalm 150:3-6](/psalm/150-3 "Psalm 150:3-6 - Call to Praise with All Instruments")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Nehemiah 7:67 offers profound insights for contemporary believers, reminding us that every individual within the community of faith has a vital role to play, regardless of how seemingly humble or prominent. Just as the servants provided essential labor and the singers brought spiritual vibrancy to the post-exilic community, so too does the body of Christ thrive when diverse gifts and callings are recognized, valued, and utilized. This verse encourages us to appreciate the often-unseen contributions of those who serve behind the scenes and to prioritize the corporate expression of worship, recognizing its power to unify, uplift, and glorify God. It challenges us to foster a community where both practical service and joyful praise are celebrated as indispensable elements of our collective spiritual journey, demonstrating that true restoration involves the flourishing of all members in both their practical and spiritual capacities.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the inclusion of both servants and musicians in this census challenge our modern perceptions of value and contribution within a community?**
* **In what ways does your local church or community of faith recognize and affirm the diverse "servants" and "singers" among its members?**
* **What does the emphasis on "singing men and singing women" teach us about the enduring importance of worship and artistic expression in our spiritual lives today?**
* **How can we, like the returning exiles, intentionally prioritize both practical service and joyful praise in our personal and communal walk with God?**

### FAQ
**Why is it important that the census includes both servants and singing men and women?**

Answer: The inclusion of both servants and singing men and women in the census is crucial for several reasons. First, it provides a comprehensive picture of the returning community, highlighting its social and economic structure. The presence of a large number of servants (7,337) indicates that the exiles were not a homogeneous group of impoverished individuals but included those with significant resources, capable of supporting a substantial workforce for the rebuilding efforts. Second, the specific mention of professional musicians (245 singing men and women) underscores the community's commitment to restoring not only the physical temple but also its spiritual and liturgical functions. It demonstrates that worship, music, and the arts were considered integral to their identity and future, signaling a holistic approach to restoration that encompassed both practical needs and spiritual devotion. This detailed accounting emphasizes the divine providence that preserved a diverse and capable remnant for the task of re-establishing God's people in the land.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Nehemiah 7:67, with its meticulous accounting of servants and worshipers, finds its ultimate fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ and the nature of the New Covenant community. Christ Himself is the ultimate Servant, who "did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many" ([Mark 10:45](/mark/10-45 "Mark 10:45 - Jesus the Servant")). He embodies the selfless dedication seen in the faithful servants, taking on the very nature of a servant ([Philippians 2:7](/philippians/2-7 "Philippians 2:7 - Christ's Humility")). Furthermore, Jesus is the Head of the Church, the new temple, where all believers are called to be both servants and worshipers. Under the New Covenant, the distinction between professional "singing men and singing women" and the general populace is transcended, as all believers are made "a royal priesthood" ([1 Peter 2:9](/1_peter/2-9 "1 Peter 2:9 - A Royal Priesthood")), empowered by the Holy Spirit to offer spiritual sacrifices of praise and worship ([Hebrews 13:15](/hebrews/13-15 "Hebrews 13:15 - Sacrifice of Praise")). The ultimate fulfillment of the "singing men and singing women" is found in the heavenly choir, where a multitude from every tribe and nation sings a new song of praise to the Lamb who was slain ([Revelation 5:9-10](/revelation/5-9 "Revelation 5:9-10 - The New Song of the Redeemed")), culminating in the eternal worship of God in the new heavens and new earth ([Revelation 21:3-4](/revelation/21-3 "Revelation 21:3-4 - God Dwells with His People")). Thus, Nehemiah 7:67 foreshadows the comprehensive and worship-centered community established by Christ, where every member serves and praises God in unity.

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.