King James Version

What Does Nehemiah 7:6 Mean?

Nehemiah 7:6 in the King James Version says “These are the children of the province, that went up out of the captivity, of those that had been carried away, whom Neb...” — study this verse from Nehemiah chapter 7 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“These are the children of the province, that went up out of the captivity, of those that had been carried away, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away, and came again to Jerusalem and to Judah, every one unto his city;”

Nehemiah 7:6 · KJV

Context

4

Now the city was large and great: but the people were few therein, and the houses were not builded. large: Heb. broad in spaces

5

And my God put into mine heart to gather together the nobles, and the rulers, and the people, that they might be reckoned by genealogy. And I found a register of the genealogy of them which came up at the first, and found written therein,

6

These are the children of the province, that went up out of the captivity, of those that had been carried away, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away, and came again to Jerusalem and to Judah, every one unto his city;

7

Who came with Zerubbabel, Jeshua, Nehemiah, Azariah, Raamiah, Nahamani, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispereth, Bigvai, Nehum, Baanah. The number, I say, of the men of the people of Israel was this; Azariah: or, Seraiah

8

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

Read Nehemiah 7 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
These are the children of the province, that went up out of the captivity, of those that had been carried away, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away, and came again to Jerusalem and to Judah, every one unto his city;

This verse within Nehemiah 7 addresses themes of organization, genealogy, remembrance, continuity. With physical security established, Nehemiah organizes administration and records genealogies, showing continuity with God's promises. This passage demonstrates biblical principles applicable across both testaments—God's sovereignty combined with human responsibility, faith expressed through obedient action, and the necessity of both individual and corporate commitment to covenant faithfulness. Nehemiah models leadership that combines vision, prayer, courage, integrity, and perseverance amid sustained opposition.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Nehemiah's account occurs during Persian imperial dominance (539-331 BC), specifically 445-433 BC under Artaxerxes I. The spiritual reforms under Ezra and Nehemiah shaped Judaism for centuries, establishing Scripture's centrality and patterns of worship continuing into the intertestamental period and beyond. The Persian period was crucial transitional time when Jewish identity shifted from monarchical nationalism to Torah-centered covenantal community. Without political independence, the people's cohesion depended on shared scripture, temple worship, and covenant obedience. This established patterns persisting through the Second Temple period into New Testament times. Understanding this context illuminates Jesus's ministry among a people shaped by these reforms and challenges.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Nehemiah 7:6 deepen your understanding of God's character and His work in human history?
  2. What specific action or attitude change does this verse call you to make in your walk with God?
  3. How can the principles demonstrated in this passage inform your response to current challenges in your life or church?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words
אֵ֣לֶּה׀1 of 16
H428

these or those

בְּנֵ֣י2 of 16

“These are the children”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

הַמְּדִינָ֗ה3 of 16

“of the province”

H4082

properly, a judgeship, i.e., jurisdiction; by implication, a district (as ruled by a judge); generally, a region

הָֽעֹלִים֙4 of 16

“that went up”

H5927

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

מִשְּׁבִ֣י5 of 16

“out of the captivity”

H7628

exiled; captured; as noun, exile (abstractly or concretely and collectively); by extension, booty

הַגּוֹלָ֔ה6 of 16

“of those that had been carried away”

H1473

exile; concretely and collectively exiles

אֲשֶׁ֣ר7 of 16
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

הֶגְלָ֔ה8 of 16

“had carried away”

H1540

to denude (especially in a disgraceful sense); by implication, to exile (captives being usually stripped); figuratively, to reveal

נְבֽוּכַדְנֶצַּ֖ר9 of 16

“whom Nebuchadnezzar”

H5019

nebukadnetstsar (or nebukadretsts(-ar, or)), king of babylon

מֶ֣לֶךְ10 of 16

“the king”

H4428

a king

בָּבֶ֑ל11 of 16

“of Babylon”

H894

babel (i.e., babylon), including babylonia and the babylonian empire

וַיָּשׁ֧וּבוּ12 of 16

“and came again”

H7725

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

לִֽירוּשָׁלִַ֛ם13 of 16

“to Jerusalem”

H3389

jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine

וְלִֽיהוּדָ֖ה14 of 16

“and to Judah”

H3063

jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory

אִ֥ישׁ15 of 16

“every one”

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

לְעִירֽוֹ׃16 of 16

“unto his city”

H5892

a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Nehemiah. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Nehemiah 7:6 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Nehemiah 7:6 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Ezra 2:1-70Ezra 5:8Jeremiah 52:1-34Jeremiah 39:1-18Ezra 6:22 Chronicles 36:1-23

Places in This Verse

Babylon 1Settlement · Modern: Babylon · 32.54°N, 44.42°E296 verses across 15 books
JerusalemSettlement · Modern: Jerusalem · 31.78°N, 35.23°E955 verses across 37 books
View all places in Nehemiah 7 →

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