Study Desk

So my God put it into my heart to assemble the nobles, the officials and the common people for registration by families. I found the genealogical record of those who had been the first to return. This is what I found written there:

These are the people of the province who came up from the captivity of the exiles^(j) whom Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon had taken captive (they returned to Jerusalem and Judah, each to his own town,

in company with Zerubbabel,^(k) Joshua, Nehemiah, Azariah, Raamiah, Nahamani, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispereth, Bigvai, Nehum and Baanah): The list of the men of Israel:

the descendants of Parosh	2,172 Nehemiah 7:9 [ Read Chapter | Listen to Audio | View Context | Multi-Translations | Study Tools ]
of Shephatiah	372 Nehemiah 7:10 [ Read Chapter | Listen to Audio | View Context | Multi-Translations | Study Tools ]
of Arah	652 Nehemiah 7:11 [ Read Chapter | Listen to Audio | View Context | Multi-Translations | Study Tools ]
of Pahath-Moab (through the line of Jeshua and Joab)	2,818 Nehemiah 7:12 [ Read Chapter | Listen to Audio | View Context | Multi-Translations | Study Tools ]
of Elam	1,254 Nehemiah 7:13 [ Read Chapter | Listen to Audio | View Context | Multi-Translations | Study Tools ]
of Zattu	845 Nehemiah 7:14 [ Read Chapter | Listen to Audio | View Context | Multi-Translations | Study Tools ]
of Zakkai	760 Nehemiah 7:15 [ Read Chapter | Listen to Audio | View Context | Multi-Translations | Study Tools ]
of Binnui	648 Nehemiah 7:16 [ Read Chapter | Listen to Audio | View Context | Multi-Translations | Study Tools ]
of Bebai	628 Nehemiah 7:17 [ Read Chapter | Listen to Audio | View Context | Multi-Translations | Study Tools ]
of Azgad	2,322 Nehemiah 7:18 [ Read Chapter | Listen to Audio | View Context | Multi-Translations | Study Tools ]
of Adonikam	667 Nehemiah 7:19 [ Read Chapter | Listen to Audio | View Context | Multi-Translations | Study Tools ]
of Bigvai	2,067 Nehemiah 7:20 [ Read Chapter | Listen to Audio | View Context | Multi-Translations | Study Tools ]
of Adin(l)	655 Footnotes:   Cross References:   Nehemiah 7:21 [ Read Chapter | Listen to Audio | View Context | Multi-Translations | Study Tools ]
of Ater (through Hezekiah)	98 Nehemiah 7:22 [ Read Chapter | Listen to Audio | View Context | Multi-Translations | Study Tools ]
of Hashum	328 Nehemiah 7:23 [ Read Chapter | Listen to Audio | View Context | Multi-Translations | Study Tools ]
of Bezai	324 Nehemiah 7:24 [ Read Chapter | Listen to Audio | View Context | Multi-Translations | Study Tools ]
of Hariph	112 Nehemiah 7:25 [ Read Chapter | Listen to Audio | View Context | Multi-Translations | Study Tools ]
of Gibeon	95 Nehemiah 7:26 [ Read Chapter | Listen to Audio | View Context | Multi-Translations | Study Tools ]

the men of Bethlehem and Netophah(m)	188 Footnotes:   Cross References:   Nehemiah 7:27 [ Read Chapter | Listen to Audio | View Context | Multi-Translations | Study Tools ]
of Anathoth(n)	128 Footnotes:   Cross References:   Nehemiah 7:28 [ Read Chapter | Listen to Audio | View Context | Multi-Translations | Study Tools ]
of Beth Azmaveth	42 Nehemiah 7:29 [ Read Chapter | Listen to Audio | View Context | Multi-Translations | Study Tools ]
of Kiriath Jearim, Kephirah(o) and Beeroth(p)	743 Footnotes:   Cross References:   Nehemiah 7:30 [ Read Chapter | Listen to Audio | View Context | Multi-Translations | Study Tools ]
of Ramah and Geba	621 Nehemiah 7:31 [ Read Chapter | Listen to Audio | View Context | Multi-Translations | Study Tools ]
of Mikmash	122 Nehemiah 7:32 [ Read Chapter | Listen to Audio | View Context | Multi-Translations | Study Tools ]
of Bethel and Ai(q)	123 Footnotes:   Cross References:   Nehemiah 7:33 [ Read Chapter | Listen to Audio | View Context | Multi-Translations | Study Tools ]
of the other Nebo	52 Nehemiah 7:34 [ Read Chapter | Listen to Audio | View Context | Multi-Translations | Study Tools ]
of the other Elam	1,254 Nehemiah 7:35 [ Read Chapter | Listen to Audio | View Context | Multi-Translations | Study Tools ]
of Harim	320 Nehemiah 7:36 [ Read Chapter | Listen to Audio | View Context | Multi-Translations | Study Tools ]
of Jericho(r)	345 Footnotes:   Cross References:   Nehemiah 7:37 [ Read Chapter | Listen to Audio | View Context | Multi-Translations | Study Tools ]
of Lod, Hadid and Ono(s)	721 Footnotes:   Cross References:   Nehemiah 7:38 [ Read Chapter | Listen to Audio | View Context | Multi-Translations | Study Tools ]
of Senaah	3,930 Nehemiah 7:39 [ Read Chapter | Listen to Audio | View Context | Multi-Translations | Study Tools ]

The priests:

the descendants of Jedaiah (through the family of Jeshua)	973 Nehemiah 7:40 [ Read Chapter | Listen to Audio | View Context | Multi-Translations | Study Tools ]
of Immer	1,052 Nehemiah 7:41 [ Read Chapter | Listen to Audio | View Context | Multi-Translations | Study Tools ]
of Pashhur	1,247 Nehemiah 7:42 [ Read Chapter | Listen to Audio | View Context | Multi-Translations | Study Tools ]
of Harim	1,017 Nehemiah 7:43 [ Read Chapter | Listen to Audio | View Context | Multi-Translations | Study Tools ]

The Levites:

the descendants of Jeshua (through Kadmiel through the line of Hodaviah)

74 Nehemiah 7:44 [ Read Chapter | Listen to Audio | View Context | Multi-Translations | Study Tools ]

The musicians:^(t)

the descendants of Asaph

148 Footnotes:   Cross References:   Nehemiah 7:45 [ Read Chapter | Listen to Audio | View Context | Multi-Translations | Study Tools ]

The gatekeepers:^(u)

the descendants of
Shallum, Ater, Talmon, Akkub, Hatita and Shobai	138 Footnotes:   Cross References:   Nehemiah 7:46 [ Read Chapter | Listen to Audio | View Context | Multi-Translations | Study Tools ]

The temple servants:^(v)

the descendants of

Ziha, Hasupha, Tabbaoth, Footnotes:   Cross References:   Nehemiah 7:47 [ Read Chapter | Listen to Audio | View Context | Multi-Translations | Study Tools ]

Keros, Sia, Padon, Nehemiah 7:48 [ Read Chapter | Listen to Audio | View Context | Multi-Translations | Study Tools ]

Lebana, Hagaba, Shalmai, Nehemiah 7:49 [ Read Chapter | Listen to Audio | View Context | Multi-Translations | Study Tools ]

Hanan, Giddel, Gahar, Nehemiah 7:50 [ Read Chapter | Listen to Audio | View Context | Multi-Translations | Study Tools ]

Reaiah, Rezin, Nekoda, Nehemiah 7:51 [ Read Chapter | Listen to Audio | View Context | Multi-Translations | Study Tools ]

Gazzam, Uzza, Paseah, Nehemiah 7:52 [ Read Chapter | Listen to Audio | View Context | Multi-Translations | Study Tools ]

Besai, Meunim, Nephusim, Nehemiah 7:53 [ Read Chapter | Listen to Audio | View Context | Multi-Translations | Study Tools ]

Bakbuk, Hakupha, Harhur, Nehemiah 7:54 [ Read Chapter | Listen to Audio | View Context | Multi-Translations | Study Tools ]

Bazluth, Mehida, Harsha, Nehemiah 7:55 [ Read Chapter | Listen to Audio | View Context | Multi-Translations | Study Tools ]

Barkos, Sisera, Temah, Nehemiah 7:56 [ Read Chapter | Listen to Audio | View Context | Multi-Translations | Study Tools ]

Neziah and Hatipha Nehemiah 7:57 [ Read Chapter | Listen to Audio | View Context | Multi-Translations | Study Tools ]

The descendants of the servants of Solomon:

the descendants of

Sotai, Sophereth, Perida, Nehemiah 7:58 [ Read Chapter | Listen to Audio | View Context | Multi-Translations | Study Tools ]

Jaala, Darkon, Giddel, Nehemiah 7:59 [ Read Chapter | Listen to Audio | View Context | Multi-Translations | Study Tools ]

Shephatiah, Hattil,

Pokereth-Hazzebaim and Amon Nehemiah 7:60 [ Read Chapter | Listen to Audio | View Context | Multi-Translations | Study Tools ]

The temple servants and the descendants of the servants of Solomon(w)

392 Footnotes:   Cross References:   Nehemiah 7:61 [ Read Chapter | Listen to Audio | View Context | Multi-Translations | Study Tools ]

The following came up from the towns of Tel Melah, Tel Harsha, Kerub, Addon and Immer, but they could not show that their families were descended from Israel:

the descendants of
Delaiah, Tobiah and Nekoda	642 Nehemiah 7:63 [ Read Chapter | Listen to Audio | View Context | Multi-Translations | Study Tools ]

And from among the priests:

the descendants of

Hobaiah, Hakkoz and Barzillai (a man who had married a daughter of Barzillai the Gileadite and was called by that name). Nehemiah 7:64 [ Read Chapter | Listen to Audio | View Context | Multi-Translations | Study Tools ]

These searched for their family records, but they could not find them and so were excluded from the priesthood as unclean.

The governor, therefore, ordered them not to eat any of the most sacred food until there should be a priest ministering with the Urim and Thummim.^(x)

The whole company numbered 42,360,

besides their 7,337 male and female slaves; and they also had 245 male and female singers.

There were 736 horses, 245 mules,^[a]

435 camels and 6,720 donkeys.

Some of the heads of the families contributed to the work. The governor gave to the treasury 1,000 darics^[b] of gold, 50 bowls and 530 garments for priests.

Some of the heads of the families^(y) gave to the treasury for the work 20,000 darics^[c] of gold and 2,200 minas^[d] of silver.

The total given by the rest of the people was 20,000 darics of gold, 2,000 minas^[e] of silver and 67 garments for priests.^(z)

The priests, the Levites, the gatekeepers, the musicians and the temple servants,^(aa) along with certain of the people and the rest of the Israelites, settled in their own towns.^(ab)

Ezra Reads the Law

When the seventh month came and the Israelites had settled in their towns,^(ac)

¹all the people came together as one in the square before the Water Gate.^(a) They told Ezra the teacher of the Law to bring out the Book of the Law of Moses,^(b) which the Lord had commanded for Israel.

So on the first day of the seventh month^(c) Ezra the priest brought the Law^(d) before the assembly, which was made up of men and women and all who were able to understand.

He read it aloud from daybreak till noon as he faced the square before the Water Gate^(e) in the presence of the men, women and others who could understand. And all the people listened attentively to the Book of the Law.

Ezra the teacher of the Law stood on a high wooden platform^(f) built for the occasion. Beside him on his right stood Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Uriah, Hilkiah and Maaseiah; and on his left were Pedaiah, Mishael, Malkijah, Hashum, Hashbaddanah, Zechariah and Meshullam.

Ezra opened the book. All the people could see him because he was standing^(g) above them; and as he opened it, the people all stood up.

Ezra praised the Lord , the great God; and all the people lifted their hands^(h) and responded, "Amen! Amen!" Then they bowed down and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground.

The Levites⁽ⁱ⁾—Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan and Pelaiah—instructed^(j) the people in the Law while the people were standing there.

They read from the Book of the Law of God, making it clear^[a] and giving the meaning so that the people understood what was being read.

Then Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and teacher of the Law, and the Levites^(k) who were instructing the people said to them all, "This day is holy to the Lord your God. Do not mourn or weep."^(l) For all the people had been weeping as they listened to the words of the Law.

Nehemiah said, "Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing^(m) prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy⁽ⁿ⁾ of the Lord is your strength."

The Levites calmed all the people, saying, "Be still, for this is a holy day. Do not grieve."

Then all the people went away to eat and drink, to send portions of food and to celebrate with great joy,^(o) because they now understood the words that had been made known to them.