Nehemiah 7:6
These are the people of the province who came up from the captivity of the exiles carried away to Babylon by Nebuchadnezzar its king. They returned to Jerusalem and Judah, each to his own town,
These are the people of the province
This phrase identifies the group of individuals as belonging to a specific region or administrative district, which in this context is the province of Judah. The term "province" reflects the Persian administrative system, under which Judah was a small province within the larger empire. Historically, this highlights the diminished status of Judah after the Babylonian exile, yet it also signifies a new beginning for the Jewish people as they re-establish their identity and community in their ancestral land.

who came up from the captivity of the exiles
The phrase "came up" is significant, as it often denotes a journey to a place of higher spiritual significance, such as Jerusalem. The "captivity of the exiles" refers to the Babylonian Exile, a pivotal event in Jewish history where many Israelites were forcibly taken to Babylon. This return marks a fulfillment of God's promises through the prophets, such as Jeremiah, who foretold the return of the exiles. It is a testament to God's faithfulness and the resilience of His people.

carried away to Babylon by Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon
This part of the verse provides historical context, naming Nebuchadnezzar, the Babylonian king responsible for the conquest of Jerusalem and the subsequent exile. The mention of Babylon serves as a reminder of the judgment that fell upon Judah due to their disobedience to God. Yet, it also underscores the sovereignty of God over nations and kings, as He uses even foreign rulers to accomplish His divine purposes.

They returned to Jerusalem and Judah
The return to Jerusalem and Judah is not merely a physical relocation but a spiritual restoration. Jerusalem, the city of God, and Judah, the land of promise, symbolize the re-establishment of the covenant relationship between God and His people. This return is a fulfillment of divine prophecy and a renewal of hope, as the exiles reclaim their heritage and rebuild their lives in accordance with God's will.

each to his own town
This phrase emphasizes the restoration of personal and familial identity. Returning "each to his own town" signifies the re-establishment of ancestral lands and the rebuilding of community structures. It reflects the importance of land and lineage in Jewish culture and the fulfillment of God's promise to restore His people to their inheritance. This return to their towns is a powerful symbol of God's redemptive plan and His commitment to His covenant people.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Nehemiah
A Jewish leader and cupbearer to the Persian king Artaxerxes, who led the third return to Jerusalem and oversaw the rebuilding of the city walls.

2. The Exiles
The Jewish people who were taken captive to Babylon by Nebuchadnezzar and later returned to their homeland.

3. Babylon
The empire that conquered Judah and took the Israelites into captivity.

4. Nebuchadnezzar
The Babylonian king responsible for the destruction of Jerusalem and the exile of the Jewish people.

5. Jerusalem and Judah
The homeland to which the exiles returned, representing the restoration of the Jewish community and worship.
Teaching Points
God's Faithfulness to His Promises
The return of the exiles fulfills God's promise to restore His people after 70 years of captivity, demonstrating His unwavering faithfulness.

The Importance of Community Restoration
The return to Jerusalem and Judah signifies not just a physical return but a spiritual and communal restoration, emphasizing the importance of rebuilding community and worship.

Obedience and Trust in God's Timing
The exiles' return required trust in God's timing and obedience to His call, reminding us to wait patiently and act faithfully in His timing.

The Role of Leadership in God's Plan
Nehemiah's leadership was crucial in organizing the return and rebuilding efforts, illustrating the importance of godly leadership in fulfilling God's purposes.

The Significance of Heritage and Identity
Returning to their own towns highlights the importance of heritage and identity in God's plan, encouraging us to value our spiritual heritage and identity in Christ.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does Nehemiah 7:6 demonstrate God's faithfulness to His promises, and how can we apply this understanding to our personal lives today?

2. In what ways does the return of the exiles to Jerusalem and Judah reflect the importance of community and worship in our own spiritual journeys?

3. How can we learn to trust in God's timing and remain obedient to His call, as demonstrated by the exiles' return?

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

5. How does understanding our spiritual heritage and identity in Christ influence our daily walk with God?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Ezra 2
This chapter provides a parallel account of the return of the exiles, listing the families and numbers of those who returned, emphasizing the continuity and fulfillment of God's promises.

Jeremiah 29:10-14
Jeremiah prophesied the return of the exiles after 70 years, highlighting God's faithfulness to His covenant and His plans for restoration.

Isaiah 44:28-45:1
Isaiah prophesied about Cyrus, the Persian king who would allow the Jews to return and rebuild Jerusalem, demonstrating God's sovereignty over nations.
The Guardian of the Holy CityW. Ritchie.Nehemiah 7:1-7
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
Babylon, Captive, Captives, Captivity, Carried, Divisions, Exile, Exiles, Jerusalem, Judah, Kingdom, Nebuchadnezzar, Nebuchadnez'zar, Prisoners, Province, Removal, Removed, Returned, Sons, Town, Turn
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Nehemiah 7:6

     5305   empires
     7217   exile, in Babylon

Nehemiah 7:5-69

     7230   genealogies

Nehemiah 7:6-7

     4215   Babylon

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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