Nehemiah 7:22
the descendants of Hashum, 328;
the descendants of Hashum
The phrase "the descendants of Hashum" refers to the lineage or family group that traces its ancestry back to an individual named Hashum. In the context of Nehemiah, this listing is part of a genealogical record of those who returned from the Babylonian exile to Jerusalem. The name Hashum is of Hebrew origin, meaning "rich" or "wealthy." This could imply that the family was once prosperous or held a significant status. The inclusion of Hashum's descendants in this list underscores the importance of family heritage and continuity in Jewish culture, especially in the post-exilic period when re-establishing identity and community was crucial.

328
The number "328" indicates the count of individuals from the family of Hashum who returned to Jerusalem. This specific enumeration highlights the meticulous record-keeping and organizational efforts of Nehemiah and his contemporaries. It reflects the broader biblical theme of God's faithfulness in preserving His people, even through exile and dispersion. The precision of this number also serves as a testament to the historical reliability of the biblical narrative, providing a tangible connection to the past. In a spiritual sense, it reminds believers of the importance of each individual within the community of faith, as every person is counted and valued in God's eyes.

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. Hashum
An ancestor of one of the families listed in the genealogical record of those who returned from exile. The descendants of Hashum numbered 328.

3. Jerusalem
The city central to Jewish identity and worship, which Nehemiah helped to restore both physically and spiritually.

4. The Exile
The period when the Israelites were taken captive to Babylon, which led to a significant loss of identity and heritage for the Jewish people.

5. The Return
The event of the Jewish people returning to Jerusalem from Babylonian exile, which is a fulfillment of God's promise and a time of restoration and rebuilding.
Teaching Points
Faithfulness in Small Details
The listing of names and numbers, such as the descendants of Hashum, reminds us that God values each individual and their contribution to His work. We should be faithful in our roles, no matter how small they may seem.

The Importance of Heritage
Understanding our spiritual heritage helps us appreciate our identity in Christ. Just as the Israelites valued their genealogies, we should value our spiritual lineage and the legacy of faith passed down to us.

Community and Cooperation
The rebuilding of Jerusalem required the cooperation of many families and individuals. In the same way, the church today is built up through the collective efforts of its members working together in unity.

God's Faithfulness to His Promises
The return from exile and the rebuilding of Jerusalem are testimonies to God's faithfulness. We can trust that God will fulfill His promises in our lives as well.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the listing of genealogies in Nehemiah 7, including the descendants of Hashum, reflect the importance of community and identity in God's plan?

2. In what ways can we contribute to the "rebuilding" of our own communities or churches, drawing inspiration from the efforts of the returned exiles?

3. How does understanding our spiritual heritage influence our daily walk with Christ, and how can we pass this heritage on to future generations?

4. What are some promises of God that you are holding onto, and how does the account of the return from exile encourage you to trust in His faithfulness?

5. How can we ensure that we are working in unity with others in our church or community, and what steps can we take to foster cooperation and collaboration?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Ezra 2:19
This verse also lists the descendants of Hashum, providing a parallel account of the returnees, emphasizing the continuity and faithfulness of God's people across different biblical accounts.

Nehemiah 3:11
Mentions the repair work done by Malchijah, son of Harim, and Hashub, son of Pahath-Moab, on the wall, showing the active participation of the returned exiles in rebuilding Jerusalem.

Isaiah 11:11-12
Speaks of the Lord gathering the remnant of His people from various lands, which connects to the theme of return and restoration seen 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
328, Hashum, Hundred, Sons, Twenty, Twenty-eight
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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