Nehemiah 7:68

KJV

Their horses, seven hundred thirty and six: their mules, two hundred forty and five:

KJV (with Strong's)

Their horses {H5483}, seven {H7651} hundred {H3967} thirty {H7970} and six {H8337}: their mules {H6505}, two hundred {H3967} forty {H705} and five {H2568}:

Complete Jewish Bible

Their horses numbered 736; their mules, 245;

Berean Standard Bible

They had 736 horses, 245 mules,

American Standard Version

Their horses were seven hundred thirty and six; their mules, two hundred forty and five;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Nehemiah 7:68 is a precise entry within a comprehensive census of the Jewish exiles who returned from Babylonian captivity to Jerusalem. This verse specifically records the number of horses and mules that accompanied the returning remnant, highlighting the tangible resources and practical means of transport and labor available to the community. This detailed accounting was crucial for the re-establishment of the community, the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls, and the restoration of its social and spiritual life, mirroring a similar list found in Ezra 2.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Nehemiah 7 serves as a pivotal chapter, providing a detailed register of the families and their possessions who returned to Judah. It immediately follows the completion of the wall in [Nehemiah 6](/nehemiah/6 "Nehemiah 6 - Completion of the Wall") and precedes the spiritual revival and covenant renewal described from [Nehemiah 8](/nehemiah/8 "Nehemiah 8 - Reading of the Law") onwards. This census is not merely an administrative detail but a foundational act, establishing the identity and resources of the post-exilic community. Its near-identical parallel in [Ezra 2](/ezra/2 "Ezra 2 - The First Returnees") underscores its historical accuracy and importance as a divine record of those whom God preserved and brought back to the land. The meticulous nature of the list emphasizes the order and structure necessary for the nascent community to thrive after generations of exile.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is the post-exilic period, specifically the mid-5th century BC, following the decrees of Persian kings that allowed the Jews to return to their homeland. Jerusalem lay in ruins, its walls broken, and its population scattered. The returning exiles faced immense challenges in rebuilding the city, re-establishing their lives, and restoring their religious practices. In this context, livestock like horses and mules were invaluable assets. Horses were primarily used for riding, transport, and potentially for military purposes (though less emphasized here), while mules, known for their strength, endurance, and sure-footedness, were essential for hauling heavy loads, plowing fields, and navigating rugged terrain. The possession of such animals signified not only wealth but also the practical means necessary for agriculture, trade, and the monumental task of reconstruction, reflecting the material provision for the returnees as promised by God (cf. [Ezra 1:4](/ezra/1-4 "Ezra 1:4 - Provision for the Return")).
* **Key Themes:** This verse, embedded within the larger census, contributes to several overarching themes in Nehemiah. Firstly, it underscores **Divine Providence and Preservation**, demonstrating God's faithfulness in preserving a remnant of His people and providing them with the necessary resources to return and rebuild after decades of exile. The very existence of such a detailed record points to God's meticulous care for His covenant people. Secondly, it highlights the importance of **Order and Accountability**. The precise enumeration of individuals and assets emphasizes the need for careful organization and administration within the community, vital for the successful rebuilding of both the physical city and the spiritual life of the people. This attention to detail reflects God's own orderly character. Finally, the listing of horses and mules speaks to the theme of **Resources for Rebuilding**. These animals represent tangible wealth and practical utility, symbolizing the material means available for the immense task of re-establishing Jerusalem and the nation. Their presence signifies the practical steps taken by the community, empowered by divine provision, to fulfill God's purposes for their restoration (cf. [Philippians 4:19](/philippians/4-19 "God Will Supply All Your Needs")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Horses (Hebrew, _sûs'_):** In ancient Near Eastern societies, horses were prestigious animals, primarily associated with warfare, swift travel, and royal or elite status. Their presence in the returning community's inventory indicates a degree of material prosperity and the means for efficient movement and communication. While not explicitly for military use in this context, their inclusion signifies a robust and well-resourced return, capable of re-establishing a functional society.
* **Mules (Hebrew, _pered'_):** Mules are hybrid animals, offspring of a male donkey and a female horse, known for their strength, endurance, sure-footedness, and resistance to disease. They were highly valued for burden-bearing, agricultural work (plowing, threshing), and travel over difficult terrain. Their inclusion here highlights the practical, utilitarian resources available to the exiles for the demanding tasks of reconstruction, agriculture, and daily sustenance in a challenging environment.
* **Numbers (Hebrew, _mispar'_):** The specific numerical counts ("seven hundred thirty and six" and "two hundred forty and five") underscore the meticulous nature of the census. This precision reflects a diligent effort to document every asset, which was crucial for tribal identification, land allocation, taxation, and the overall organization of the re-emerging community. It speaks to a culture that valued order and accountability, essential for the stability and future prosperity of the nation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Their horses, seven hundred thirty and six":** This clause specifies the number of horses belonging to the returning exiles. The significant quantity indicates that the community, despite its recent captivity, possessed valuable assets for transport and possibly status. This detail contributes to the overall picture of a well-equipped, though still vulnerable, remnant embarking on the arduous task of rebuilding.
* **"their mules, two hundred forty and five":** This clause enumerates the mules, animals vital for heavy labor and enduring travel. Their presence, though fewer in number than horses, signifies the practical, work-oriented resources available. Mules were indispensable for the physical demands of clearing rubble, transporting building materials, and cultivating the land, underscoring the pragmatic provision for the community's immediate needs and long-term sustainability.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in Nehemiah 7:68, and indeed throughout much of Nehemiah 7, is **Catalog** or **List**. This meticulous enumeration of individuals, families, and their possessions serves several crucial functions. Firstly, it provides a historical and administrative **Record**, establishing the legitimate lineage and resources of the post-exilic community, which was vital for land claims and social order. Secondly, the sheer **Precision** of the numbers, down to individual animals, emphasizes the importance of order, accountability, and thoroughness in the rebuilding effort. It reflects a divine and human commitment to meticulous detail in the restoration process. The near-verbatim **Repetition** of this list from [Ezra 2](/ezra/2 "Ezra 2 - The List of Returnees") further underscores its significance and historical veracity, reinforcing its authoritative nature as a foundational document for the re-established nation.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Nehemiah 7:68, while seemingly a dry list of numbers, is profoundly theological. It testifies to God's faithfulness in preserving a remnant of His people and providing them with the necessary resources for their return and the monumental task of rebuilding. The meticulous accounting of horses and mules underscores that God's providence extends even to the practical, mundane details of life. It reminds us that God is a God of order and that He equips His people with tangible means to fulfill His purposes. This attention to detail in the ancient census encourages us to recognize and steward the resources—both material and spiritual—that God has entrusted to us today for the advancement of His kingdom. It speaks to the principle that God often works through human diligence and the wise use of available assets, even as He supernaturally provides.

* [Ezra 2:66](/ezra/2-66 "Parallel Census of Animals")
* [Philippians 4:19](/philippians/4-19 "God Will Supply All Your Needs")
* [Matthew 6:33](/matthew/6-33 "Seek First the Kingdom of God")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The detailed enumeration of resources in Nehemiah 7:68, though seemingly distant, offers profound lessons for contemporary believers. It highlights the divine value placed on order, accountability, and the diligent stewardship of resources. Just as the returning exiles carefully accounted for their horses and mules, we are called to be meticulous in managing all that God has entrusted to us—our time, talents, material possessions, and spiritual gifts. This verse reminds us that even in the midst of grand spiritual undertakings, the practical details matter. It encourages us to trust in God's provision, recognizing that He equips us not only with spiritual strength but also with tangible means to carry out His will. Our faithful use of these resources contributes to the larger work of building His kingdom, just as the animals contributed to the rebuilding of Jerusalem.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the meticulous record-keeping in Nehemiah 7:68 challenge or affirm our approach to detail and organization in our own lives or ministries?**
* **In what ways can we better steward the resources (time, talent, material possessions) God has entrusted to us for His kingdom purposes?**
* **How does this seemingly "dry" list of numbers speak to God's faithfulness and provision for His people, and how can we apply this truth to our own anxieties about provision?**

### FAQ
**Why is this detailed list of animals included in a biblical book?**

Answer: This detailed list, including the number of horses and mules, is included for several crucial reasons. Firstly, it serves as a historical record, authenticating the identity and lineage of the returning exiles, which was vital for re-establishing tribal boundaries and land ownership in post-exilic Judah. Secondly, it highlights the tangible resources available to the community for the immense task of rebuilding Jerusalem and re-establishing their lives. Horses and mules were essential for transport, agriculture, and labor. Thirdly, it underscores the meticulousness and order with which the community was organized, reflecting the importance of good administration in God's work. Finally, it subtly points to God's faithfulness in preserving a remnant and providing them with the necessary means to fulfill His purposes, even down to the practical details of their journey and settlement, as seen in the parallel account in [Ezra 2](/ezra/2 "Ezra 2 - The List of Returnees").

**Are there discrepancies between the numbers in Nehemiah 7 and Ezra 2?**

Answer: Yes, while the overall structure and most categories are nearly identical, there are slight numerical discrepancies between the census lists in Nehemiah 7 and [Ezra 2](/ezra/2 "Ezra 2 - The First Returnees"). For example, while the numbers for horses (736) and mules (245) are consistent in both accounts (Nehemiah 7:68 and [Ezra 2:66](/ezra/2-66 "Ezra 2:66 - Parallel Census of Animals")), the total number of people listed differs slightly between the two books (42,360 in both, but the sum of individual family groups varies). These minor differences are generally attributed to various factors such as different stages of compilation, scribal variations, or perhaps different methods of counting (e.g., counting heads vs. counting households, or including/excluding certain groups). Despite these minor variations, the overall consistency confirms the historical reliability and importance of the census as a foundational document for the returning community.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Nehemiah 7:68 directly details the material resources for the physical rebuilding of Jerusalem, it subtly foreshadows the ultimate provision and meticulous care God exercises in building His spiritual kingdom through Christ. The horses and mules, essential for the physical restoration, point to Christ as the ultimate and all-sufficient resource for the spiritual restoration of humanity. Just as the returning exiles were equipped to rebuild a physical city, believers are equipped by Christ to be living stones in a spiritual temple, the Church (cf. [1 Peter 2:5](/1_peter/2-5 "1 Peter 2:5 - Living Stones")). Jesus declared, "[I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it](/matthew/16-18 "Matthew 16:18 - Christ Builds His Church")," indicating His active role as the master builder and the ultimate provision. The meticulous accounting in Nehemiah reflects God's divine order and attention to every detail in His redemptive plan, a plan perfectly executed in Christ. Through His sacrifice and resurrection, Christ provides not merely physical means but spiritual life, eternal sustenance, and the power to live abundantly (cf. [John 10:10](/john/10-10 "John 10:10 - Abundant Life in Christ")). The meticulous census of the physical remnant thus serves as a type for God's precise and purposeful work in gathering and equipping His spiritual remnant, the body of Christ, for the ultimate work of building His eternal kingdom (cf. [Ephesians 2:19-22](/ephesians/2-19 "Ephesians 2:19-22 - Christ as the Cornerstone of the Church")).

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.