Nehemiah 7:8

KJV

The children of Parosh, two thousand an hundred seventy and two.

KJV (with Strong's)

The children {H1121} of Parosh {H6551}, two {H8147} thousand {H505} an hundred {H3967} seventy {H7657} and two {H8147}.

Complete Jewish Bible

descendants of Par'osh 2,172

Berean Standard Bible

the descendants of Parosh, 2,172;

American Standard Version

The children of Parosh, two thousand a hundred and seventy and two.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Nehemiah 7:8 is a precise entry within the comprehensive census recorded by Nehemiah, detailing the returning exiles to Jerusalem after the completion of the city wall. This verse specifically identifies the descendants of Parosh, a prominent family, numbering two thousand one hundred seventy-two individuals. This meticulous record served to establish the identity and lineage of the post-exilic community, affirming their place within God's covenant people and providing a foundation for the city's repopulation and reorganization.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Nehemiah 7:8 is situated within a critical transition in the book of Nehemiah. Following the triumphant completion of Jerusalem's walls in [Nehemiah 6](/nehemiah/6 "Nehemiah 6 - Completion of the Wall"), Nehemiah's focus shifts from physical rebuilding to the spiritual and social restoration of the community. Chapter 7 commences with Nehemiah's appointment of gatekeepers, singers, and Levites, indicating a move towards establishing order and worship. Immediately thereafter, Nehemiah receives a divine prompting to gather the nobles, officials, and the people to register their genealogies. The census, which spans [Nehemiah 7:6-69](/nehemiah/7 "Nehemiah 7 - The List of Returnees"), is a meticulous record of those who returned from the Babylonian exile. This list is nearly identical to the one found in [Ezra 2](/ezra/2 "Ezra 2 - The First Returnees"), underscoring its historical accuracy and importance as a foundational document for the re-established community. Nehemiah 7:8, therefore, is not merely a dry statistic but a vital component of this larger effort to define and organize the covenant people.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical backdrop for Nehemiah 7 is the post-exilic period, specifically after the first and second waves of return from Babylonian captivity (538 BC and 458 BC, respectively). For ancient Israel, lineage and tribal identity were paramount, serving as the basis for land inheritance, civic responsibilities, and, crucially, eligibility for priestly and Levitical service. The seventy-year Babylonian exile had disrupted these traditional structures, scattering the people and blurring family lines. Upon their return, re-establishing these genealogies was essential for restoring the social, religious, and political fabric of the nation. This census aimed to distinguish true Israelites from those who had intermarried or assimilated, ensuring the purity of the covenant community and the proper allocation of roles within the re-emerging society. The meticulous counting reflects a broader ancient Near Eastern practice of census-taking for administrative, military, and taxation purposes, but here it carries profound theological significance for the re-establishment of God's people in their land.

* **Key Themes:** Nehemiah 7:8, as part of the broader census, contributes to several overarching themes in the book of Nehemiah and the post-exilic narrative. Firstly, it powerfully illustrates **Divine Faithfulness and Restoration**. The very existence of these thousands of returnees, meticulously counted, testifies to God's unwavering commitment to His covenant promises to bring His people back to the land (e.g., [Jeremiah 29:10](/jeremiah/29-10 "Jeremiah 29:10 - Promise of Return")). Secondly, it highlights the theme of **Identity and Lineage**. For a people whose identity had been threatened by exile, these genealogies reaffirmed who they were as the chosen people of God, emphasizing their heritage and continuity with their ancestors. This was crucial for establishing legal and religious legitimacy. Thirdly, the detailed record-keeping underscores the importance of **Order, Diligence, and Administration** in God's work. Nehemiah’s carefulness in compiling this list demonstrates that spiritual and community affairs require meticulous planning and organization, reflecting a commitment to accountability and structure in the re-establishment of the nation. The census also implicitly speaks to the theme of **Community and Belonging**, as each person counted was a vital part of the collective body of Israel, contributing to its strength and future.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Parosh (Hebrew, _Par'osh_):** The name "Parosh" means "flea" or "a worm." While the literal meaning of the name itself is not the primary focus here, its significance lies in its identification of a specific, recognized family head. The "children of Parosh" refer to the descendants of this individual, indicating a distinct clan or family unit that formed a substantial contingent among the returning exiles. Their inclusion by name underscores the personal and familial nature of the census, emphasizing that the return was not a faceless migration but a re-gathering of specific, identifiable households.
* **two thousand an hundred seventy and two (Hebrew, _'alpayim me'ah shib'im ushnayim_):** This precise numerical count is highly significant. It reflects the meticulous nature of ancient Near Eastern record-keeping, particularly for census purposes, but also highlights the importance placed on accurate demographic data within the biblical narrative. The specificity of the number validates the size and composition of this particular family group, contributing to the overall reliability and authority of the entire census list. It also implicitly speaks to the scale of the return and the tangible fulfillment of God's promise to regather His scattered people.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The children of Parosh,"**: This phrase identifies a specific family or clan as a distinct unit within the larger group of returnees. It emphasizes the importance of family lineage and identity in post-exilic Israel. The fact that this family is listed first in the detailed census (after the general introduction) suggests their prominence or the significant number of their descendants who returned. It highlights the re-establishment of familial structures as a foundational element of the restored community.
* **"two thousand an hundred seventy and two."**: This provides the exact number of individuals from the family of Parosh who returned from exile. The precision of the number underscores the meticulous nature of the census and the value placed on each individual within the covenant community. It signifies a substantial contribution to the repopulation effort and speaks to the tangible reality of God's work in bringing His people back to their land, not as a vague multitude, but as specific, counted individuals.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in Nehemiah 7:8 and the surrounding census is **Genealogy and Census Listing**. This is not merely a historical record but a deliberate literary choice to establish legitimacy, continuity, and divine oversight. By meticulously listing family heads and their numbers, the text authenticates the identity of the returning community as the true descendants of Israel, heirs to the covenant promises. The **Repetition** of this list, almost verbatim, in [Ezra 2](/ezra/2 "Ezra 2 - The List of Returnees") further serves as a literary device to emphasize its importance and validate its accuracy, reinforcing the unity and shared history of the returnees. Furthermore, the precise numerical data can be seen as a form of **Verisimilitude**, lending an air of historical accuracy and reliability to the narrative, grounding the theological claims in tangible, verifiable details.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Nehemiah 7:8, as part of the detailed census, speaks profoundly to God's meticulous care for His people and His unwavering commitment to His covenant promises. The very act of counting and recording each family and individual demonstrates that God's plan for restoration is not abstract but deeply personal and specific. It underscores the divine faithfulness in bringing the exiles back, fulfilling prophecies and re-establishing a tangible, identifiable community in the promised land. This census served as the foundational roster for the re-establishment of Israel's identity, ensuring proper lineage for religious service and civic responsibilities, and laying the groundwork for a renewed covenant relationship with God. It reminds us that every person within God's community is known, valued, and has a place in His overarching redemptive narrative.

* [Ezra 2:3](/ezra/2-3 "Ezra 2:3 - The Children of Parosh in Ezra's Census")
* [Numbers 1:2-3](/numbers/1-2 "Numbers 1:2-3 - God's Command for a Census")
* [Isaiah 43:5-6](/isaiah/43-5 "Isaiah 43:5-6 - God Gathers His People from Exile")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While Nehemiah 7:8 might appear to be a dry statistical entry, it carries profound implications for our understanding of God's character and our place within His ongoing work. This meticulous record-keeping reminds us that God is a God of order, precision, and personal knowledge. He sees and values every individual within His vast plan, ensuring that no one is overlooked or forgotten. For us today, this can be a powerful affirmation of our own worth and belonging within the spiritual family of God. It encourages us to embrace our spiritual heritage, understanding that we are part of a continuous lineage of faith, connected to those who have gone before us. Furthermore, Nehemiah's diligence in organizing the community serves as a model for our own efforts in ministry and community building. It teaches us the importance of careful planning, accountability, and the recognition that every person contributes to the health and vitality of the collective body. Just as the returnees were counted and assigned their roles, we too are called to find our place and contribute faithfully to the mission of God's kingdom.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the meticulous record-keeping in Nehemiah 7:8 affirm God's attentiveness to individuals within His covenant community, and what does this mean for your personal faith?**
* **In what ways does understanding our spiritual heritage and the lineage of faith that precedes us strengthen our identity and purpose as believers today?**
* **What lessons can we draw from Nehemiah's diligence in organizing the returned exiles for our own involvement in our local church or Christian community?**

### FAQ
**Why is this specific number for the children of Parosh recorded in such detail?**

Answer: The detailed recording of the number of "children of Parosh" (and other families) serves multiple crucial purposes. First, it established the legitimate identity and lineage of the returnees, ensuring they were indeed descendants of Israel and rightful heirs to the land and its covenant promises. This was vital for re-establishing the social and religious order after the exile, particularly for determining eligibility for priestly and Levitical service. Second, it provided a practical basis for the repopulation and reorganization of Jerusalem and the surrounding towns, allowing Nehemiah to allocate resources, assign responsibilities, and manage the community effectively. Third, the precision of the numbers underscores the historical accuracy and reliability of the biblical narrative, confirming the scale of the return and the tangible fulfillment of God's prophetic promises to bring His people back from exile, as seen in [Jeremiah 29:10](/jeremiah/29-10 "Jeremiah 29:10 - Promise of Return").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The meticulous census in Nehemiah 7, including the counting of the children of Parosh, finds its ultimate and glorious fulfillment in the new covenant community established by Jesus Christ. Just as Nehemiah meticulously recorded those who returned to the physical Jerusalem, Christ, the greater Nehemiah, gathers and knows every single one of His redeemed people, bringing them out of spiritual exile and into His eternal kingdom. The emphasis on lineage and identity in Nehemiah foreshadows the new identity found in Christ, where believers are no longer defined by earthly genealogies but by their spiritual birth into God's family through faith. In Christ, the distinctions of earthly heritage fade, and all who believe become "fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God" ([Ephesians 2:19](/ephesians/2-19 "Ephesians 2:19 - Fellow Citizens with the Saints")). The re-establishment of physical Israel points to the spiritual Israel—the Church—which is built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the cornerstone ([Ephesians 2:20](/ephesians/2-20 "Ephesians 2:20 - Built on the Apostles and Prophets")). Every believer, regardless of their earthly background, is "counted" and known by God, a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession ([1 Peter 2:9](/1_peter/2-9 "1 Peter 2:9 - A Chosen Race, a Royal Priesthood")). Thus, the careful counting of exiles in Nehemiah anticipates the perfect and complete knowledge Christ has of His bride, the Church, whose names are written in the Lamb's Book of Life, a far more significant and eternal census.

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 2:3

The children of Parosh, two thousand an hundred seventy and two.

Nehemiah 10:25

Rehum, Hashabnah, Maaseiah,

Nehemiah 10:14

The chief of the people; Parosh, Pahathmoab, Elam, Zatthu, Bani,

Ezra 8:3

Of the sons of Shechaniah, of the sons of Pharosh; Zechariah: and with him were reckoned by genealogy of the males an hundred and fifty.