Nehemiah 7:42
and the descendants of Harim, 1,017.
the descendants of Harim
The phrase "the descendants of Harim" refers to a specific family lineage within the Israelite community. The name "Harim" is of Hebrew origin, meaning "dedicated" or "consecrated." This suggests that the family may have been set apart for a particular purpose or role within the community. In the context of the post-exilic period, when Nehemiah was rebuilding Jerusalem, the mention of specific families underscores the importance of heritage and continuity. The descendants of Harim were part of the group returning from Babylonian exile, emphasizing the restoration of Israel's identity and the fulfillment of God's promises to His people.

1,017
The number "1,017" indicates the size of the family group that returned to Jerusalem. In the ancient world, numbers often held symbolic significance. While this number is primarily a historical record, it also reflects the faithfulness and commitment of a substantial group of people to return to their ancestral land. The precision of the number highlights the meticulous nature of the record-keeping during Nehemiah's time, ensuring that each family was accounted for in the restoration process. This attention to detail demonstrates the importance of community and the collective effort required to rebuild and restore the nation of Israel. The inclusion of such specific numbers in the biblical text serves as a reminder of God's care for each individual and family within His covenant community.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Nehemiah
A Jewish leader who played a crucial role in rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem after the Babylonian exile. He was a cupbearer to the Persian king Artaxerxes and was granted permission to return to Jerusalem to oversee the reconstruction efforts.

2. Harim
A family or clan within the tribe of Israel. The descendants of Harim are listed among those who returned from the Babylonian exile to help rebuild Jerusalem.

3. Jerusalem
The central city of Jewish worship and identity, which had been destroyed by the Babylonians. The rebuilding of its walls was a significant event in the restoration of the Jewish community.

4. Babylonian Exile
A period when the Israelites were taken captive by the Babylonians. The return from exile marked a new chapter in Jewish history, emphasizing restoration and renewal.

5. The Census
Nehemiah 7 includes a census of the people who returned from exile. This list underscores the importance of community and continuity in the Jewish faith.
Teaching Points
The Importance of Community
The listing of families, such as the descendants of Harim, underscores the value of community and collective identity in the faith journey. Each family played a role in the larger mission of rebuilding and restoring Jerusalem.

Faithfulness Across Generations
The mention of specific families highlights the faithfulness of God across generations. It encourages believers to consider their own family legacy in faith and service.

Restoration and Renewal
The return from exile and the rebuilding of Jerusalem symbolize spiritual renewal. This serves as a reminder that God is in the business of restoring what is broken in our lives.

The Role of Leadership
Nehemiah's leadership in organizing the census and rebuilding efforts demonstrates the importance of godly leadership in achieving community goals.

The Significance of Names and Numbers
The detailed records in Nehemiah 7, including the number of descendants, reflect the precision and care with which God regards His people. It reminds us that every individual is known and valued by God.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the listing of the descendants of Harim in Nehemiah 7:42 reflect the importance of community in the life of faith?

2. In what ways can we see the faithfulness of God across generations in our own families, similar to the descendants of Harim?

3. How does the return from exile and the rebuilding of Jerusalem serve as a metaphor for spiritual renewal in our lives today?

4. What qualities of Nehemiah's leadership can we apply to our own roles in our communities and churches?

5. How does understanding the significance of names and numbers in the Bible enhance our appreciation of God's attention to detail in our lives?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Ezra 2
This chapter provides a parallel list of the exiles who returned to Jerusalem, including the descendants of Harim. It highlights the continuity and consistency in the records of those who were part of the restoration efforts.

1 Chronicles 24
Harim is mentioned as one of the priestly divisions established by King David. This connection emphasizes the longstanding role of the Harim family in the religious life of Israel.

Isaiah 11:11-12
This prophecy speaks of the gathering of the exiles, which is fulfilled in part by the return of the Israelites to Jerusalem, as recorded in Nehemiah.
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
1, 17, Seventeen, Sons, Thousand
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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