Nehemiah 7:20
the descendants of Adin, 655;
The descendants of Adin
The phrase "The descendants of Adin" refers to a specific family lineage within the Israelite community. The name "Adin" is of Hebrew origin, meaning "delicate" or "slender." This family is listed among those who returned from the Babylonian exile, highlighting their commitment to restoring their ancestral homeland and faith. Historically, the return from exile was a significant event for the Jewish people, symbolizing a renewal of their covenant with God and a restoration of their identity as His chosen people. The mention of Adin's descendants underscores the importance of family heritage and continuity in the biblical narrative, reflecting the broader theme of God's faithfulness to His promises across generations.

655
The number "655" indicates the count of individuals from the family of Adin who participated in the return to Jerusalem. This specific enumeration emphasizes the meticulous record-keeping and organization that characterized the efforts to rebuild the community and the temple. In the context of Nehemiah's leadership, such detailed records were crucial for re-establishing the social and religious order in Jerusalem. The precision of this number also serves as a testament to the historical reliability of the biblical account, providing a tangible connection to the past. Spiritually, the inclusion of exact numbers in Scripture can remind believers of God's attention to detail and His care for each individual within the larger community of faith.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Nehemiah
A Jewish leader who played a crucial role in rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem after the Babylonian exile. He is known for his leadership, prayerfulness, and dedication to God's work.

2. Adin
A family or clan mentioned in the genealogical records of those who returned from the Babylonian exile. The descendants of Adin are listed among those who returned to Jerusalem.

3. Jerusalem
The city central to Jewish identity and worship, which Nehemiah helped to rebuild. It symbolizes God's presence and the restoration of His people.

4. The Return from Exile
The event where the Jewish people returned to Jerusalem from Babylonian captivity, fulfilling God's promise of restoration.

5. Genealogical Records
These records were crucial for establishing identity, inheritance, and fulfilling God's promises to His people.
Teaching Points
The Importance of Heritage and Identity
Understanding our spiritual heritage helps us recognize our place in God's plan. Just as the descendants of Adin were part of a larger account, so are we as believers.

Faithfulness in Small Details
The inclusion of specific family names and numbers in Scripture underscores the importance of every individual in God's eyes. Our contributions, no matter how small, are significant in His kingdom.

God's Faithfulness to His Promises
The return from exile and the rebuilding of Jerusalem demonstrate God's faithfulness to His promises. We can trust that God will fulfill His promises in our lives as well.

Community and Restoration
The rebuilding of Jerusalem required the collective effort of many families. Similarly, the church today is built through the contributions of each member, working together for God's glory.

The Role of Leadership in God's Work
Nehemiah's leadership was crucial in organizing the return and rebuilding efforts. Effective leadership in the church involves prayer, planning, and perseverance.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does understanding our spiritual heritage, like the descendants of Adin, impact our identity as Christians today?

2. In what ways can we be faithful in the "small details" of our lives, knowing that God values each contribution?

3. How can we see God's faithfulness in our personal lives, similar to His faithfulness in bringing the exiles back to Jerusalem?

4. What role does community play in the restoration and growth of the church, and how can we actively participate in it?

5. How can we apply Nehemiah's leadership qualities in our own roles within the church or community?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Ezra 2:15
This verse also lists the descendants of Adin among those who returned from exile, showing the continuity and faithfulness of God's people across different biblical accounts.

Nehemiah 11:1-2
These verses describe the repopulation of Jerusalem, highlighting the importance of community and the willingness of the people to resettle in the city.

1 Chronicles 9:1
Chronicles the genealogies of the Israelites, emphasizing the importance of lineage and God's faithfulness to His covenant people.
The True Method of ProsperityR.A. Redford Nehemiah 7:6-73
People
Akkub, Amon, Asaph, Ater, Azariah, Azmaveth, Baanah, Bakbuk, Barkos, Barzillai, Bazlith, Besai, Bezai, Bigvai, Bilshan, Darkon, Delaiah, Gahar, Gazzam, Giddel, Habaiah, Hagaba, Hakkoz, Hakupha, Hanan, Hanani, Hananiah, Harhur, Harsha, Hashum, Hashupha, Hasupha, Hatipha, Hatita, Hattil, Hezekiah, Hodaviah, Hodevah, Immer, Israelites, Jaala, Jedaiah, Jeshua, Joab, Kadmiel, Keros, Koz, Lebana, Lebanah, Levites, Mehida, Meunim, Mispereth, Mordecai, Nahamani, Nebuchadnezzar, Nehemiah, Nehum, Nekoda, Nephishesim, Neziah, Padon, Pahathmoab, Parosh, Paseah, Pashur, Perida, Phaseah, Pochereth, Raamiah, Reaiah, Rezin, Shallum, Shalmai, Shephatiah, Shobai, Sia, Sisera, Solomon, Sophereth, Sotai, Tabbaoth, Talmon, Tamah, Thamah, Tobiah, Tobijah, Uzza, Zaccai, Zattu, Zerubbabel, Ziha
Places
Ai, Anathoth, Babylon, Beeroth, Beth-azmaveth, Bethel, Bethlehem, Cherub, Geba, Gibeon, Hadid, Immer, Jericho, Jerusalem, Kiriath-jearim, Lod, Michmas, Nebo, Netophah, Ono, Ramah, Tel-harsha, Tel-melah
Topics
655, Fifty, Fifty-five, Hundred, Six, Sons
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Nehemiah 7:5-69

     7230   genealogies

Nehemiah 7:6-67

     5249   census

Library
"Take My Yoke Upon You, and Learn of Me," &C.
Matt. xi. 20.--"Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me," &c. Self love is generally esteemed infamous and contemptible among men. It is of a bad report every where, and indeed as it is taken commonly, there is good reason for it, that it should be hissed out of all societies, if reproaching and speaking evil of it would do it. But to speak the truth, the name is not so fit to express the thing, for that which men call self love, may rather be called self hatred. Nothing is more pernicious to a man's
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

And thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, too little to be among the thousands of Judah
"And thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, too little to be among the thousands of Judah, out of thee shall come forth unto Me (one) [Pg 480] to be Ruler in Israel; and His goings forth are the times of old, the days of eternity." The close connection of this verse with what immediately precedes (Caspari is wrong in considering iv. 9-14 as an episode) is evident, not only from the [Hebrew: v] copulative, and from the analogy of the near relation of the announcement of salvation to the prophecy of disaster
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament

The Strait Gate;
OR, GREAT DIFFICULTY OF GOING TO HEAVEN: PLAINLY PROVING, BY THE SCRIPTURES, THAT NOT ONLY THE RUDE AND PROFANE, BUT MANY GREAT PROFESSORS, WILL COME SHORT OF THAT KINGDOM. "Enter ye in at the strait gate; for wide is the gate, and broad is the way that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it."--Matthew 7:13, 14 ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. If any uninspired writer has been
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

Influences that Gave Rise to the Priestly Laws and Histories
[Sidenote: Influences in the exile that produced written ceremonial laws] The Babylonian exile gave a great opportunity and incentive to the further development of written law. While the temple stood, the ceremonial rites and customs received constant illustration, and were transmitted directly from father to son in the priestly families. Hence, there was little need of writing them down. But when most of the priests were carried captive to Babylonia, as in 597 B.C., and ten years later the temple
Charles Foster Kent—The Origin & Permanent Value of the Old Testament

Ezra-Nehemiah
Some of the most complicated problems in Hebrew history as well as in the literary criticism of the Old Testament gather about the books of Ezra and Nehemiah. Apart from these books, all that we know of the origin and early history of Judaism is inferential. They are our only historical sources for that period; and if in them we have, as we seem to have, authentic memoirs, fragmentary though they be, written by the two men who, more than any other, gave permanent shape and direction to Judaism, then
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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