Nehemiah 7:28
the men of Beth-azmaveth, 42;
the men of Bethel and Ai
This phrase refers to the inhabitants of two ancient cities, Bethel and Ai, which are significant in biblical history. Bethel, meaning "House of God" in Hebrew, was a major religious center and is frequently mentioned in the Old Testament. It was a place where patriarchs like Abraham and Jacob had significant encounters with God (Genesis 12:8, 28:19). Ai, meaning "heap of ruins," was the site of an important battle during the Israelite conquest of Canaan (Joshua 7-8). The mention of these cities in Nehemiah highlights the continuity of Israel's history and the restoration of its people. The return of the men from these cities signifies a re-establishment of their heritage and a renewal of their covenant relationship with God.

123
This number represents the count of the men from Bethel and Ai who returned to Jerusalem. In the context of Nehemiah, numbers are significant as they reflect the remnant of Israel that God preserved and brought back to their homeland. The specific mention of "123" underscores the precision and care with which the genealogies and records were kept, emphasizing the importance of each individual in God's plan. It also serves as a reminder of God's faithfulness in preserving His people, even when they were scattered and in exile. The return of these men is a testament to the fulfillment of God's promises and the hope of restoration for the nation of Israel.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Nehemiah
- The central figure in the book, Nehemiah was a Jewish leader who played a crucial role in rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem after the Babylonian exile. His leadership and dedication to God's work are central themes in the book.

2. Beth-Zur
- A town mentioned in Nehemiah 7:28, located in the hill country of Judah. It was an important strategic location during the time of Nehemiah.

3. The Exiles
- The people returning from Babylonian captivity to Jerusalem and surrounding areas. Nehemiah 7 lists the genealogies of these returnees, emphasizing the restoration of the community.
Teaching Points
The Importance of Community
Nehemiah 7:28 highlights the significance of each individual and family in the community. Every person has a role in God's plan, and their contributions are vital to the collective mission.

Faithfulness in Small Details
The detailed genealogies remind us that God values faithfulness in the small details of life. Our names and actions are known to Him, and He honors our commitment to His work.

Restoration and Hope
The return of the exiles and the rebuilding of Jerusalem symbolize God's faithfulness in restoring His people. This gives us hope that God can restore and rebuild areas of our lives that are broken.

Strategic Planning in God's Work
The mention of specific towns like Beth-Zur indicates the strategic planning involved in God's work. We are called to be wise and intentional in our efforts to serve Him.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the inclusion of specific towns and families in Nehemiah 7:28 emphasize the importance of community in God's plan?

2. In what ways can we be faithful in the small details of our lives, as seen in the detailed genealogies of Nehemiah 7?

3. How does the theme of restoration in Nehemiah 7 encourage us in our personal journeys of faith and renewal?

4. What strategic steps can we take in our own lives to align with God's work, as demonstrated by Nehemiah's planning and leadership?

5. How can we draw parallels between the return of the exiles in Nehemiah and our own experiences of returning to God after times of spiritual exile?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Ezra 2
This chapter parallels Nehemiah 7, as both contain lists of the exiles returning to Jerusalem. The consistency between these lists underscores the importance of community restoration and continuity.

Psalm 147:2
This verse speaks of the Lord gathering the exiles of Israel, which connects to the theme of restoration and rebuilding found in Nehemiah.

Isaiah 58:12
This passage speaks of rebuilding ancient ruins and restoring paths, which aligns with Nehemiah's mission to rebuild Jerusalem's walls and restore the community.
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
Azmaveth, Beth, Bethazmaveth, Beth-azmaveth, Beth-az'maveth, Forty, Forty-two
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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