The Levites: the sons of Jeshua, namely of Kadmiel of the sons of Hodevah, 74.
English Standard Version (ESV)
It's easy to just see a list of names and a number here, but notice how this verse connects different family lines under "Jeshua." The subtle phrasing suggests that while Jeshua is a key figure, the Levites listed here descend through Kadmiel, and then through Hodevah, revealing a layered lineage rather than a simple group. This detailed tracing shows how much importance was placed on knowing exactly where someone fit within God's people.
The Levites: the sons of Jeshua, namely of Kadmiel of the sons of Hodevah, 74.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse is part of a lengthy genealogy listing those who returned from exile in Babylon. Immediately before and after, Nehemiah meticulously records the families of priests and other Levites who resettled in Jerusalem, a crucial step in restoring the city's spiritual life and community order. This detailed cataloging emphasizes the importance of lineage and service to God in the post-exilic community.
Genealogies in the Bible aren't just dry lists of names! They reveal the continuity of God's people and the specific roles individuals played.
This verse names a specific family of Levites contributing to the community after the exile:
These genealogies highlight the importance of recognizing and valuing each group within Israel, including the Levites, who had specific responsibilities in worship and community support.
Why are these names and numbers so important? Because a people's identity and their ability to serve are deeply rooted in their lineage and God's promises.
The book of Nehemiah is deeply concerned with re-establishing order and identity for the returned exiles. This verse, nested within a larger genealogical census (Nehemiah 7:5-73), serves a crucial purpose:
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Understand the original words
Leviy · Hebrew Noun
A tribe set apart by God from the other tribes of Israel to serve in the tabernacle and later the temple, responsible for religious duties, teaching the Law, and maintaining the sanctuary.
This verse is part of a detailed genealogical list that Nehemiah used to organize the returning exiles. Understanding this context highlights the importance placed on lineage and roles within the community as they re-established themselves in Jerusalem after the Babylonian exile.
c. 538 BC
First Return from Exile
Following Cyrus the Great's decree, many Jewish exiles in Babylon returned to Judah to rebuild the Temple and Jerusalem.
c. 516 BC
Second Temple Rededication
The rebuilt Second Temple was completed and rededicated, marking a significant moment in the restoration of Jewish religious life.
c. 458 BC
Ezra's Return to Jerusalem
Ezra the scribe led a second large group of exiles back to Judah, focusing on religious reform and the strict observance of the Law.
c. 445-433 BC— this verse
Nehemiah's Rebuilding of Jerusalem
Nehemiah, cupbearer to the Persian king, gained permission to return to Jerusalem and oversee the rebuilding of its walls, facing significant opposition.
This passage provides the parallel list from the earlier return from exile, showing the same grouping of Levites under Jeshua and Kadmiel, though with a slightly different spelling of the ancestor's name (Hodaviah).
Ezra 3:9This verse also refers to the same group of Levites led by Jeshua and Kadmiel during the rebuilding of the temple, highlighting their role in the sacred service.
1 Chronicles 24:20This chapter details the divisions of the Levites appointed by David, providing the foundational structure for the Levitical families mentioned in Nehemiah's list.
Nehemiah 7:5This verse immediately precedes the detailed lists of returnees, explaining Nehemiah's initiative to compile the genealogy, underscoring the importance of lineage and identity for the community.
pooleNehemiah 7:43: "The Levites: the children of Jeshua, of Kadmiel, and of the children of Hodevah, seventy and four."
No text from Poole on this verse.
cambridgeNehemiah 7:43: "The Levites: the children of Jeshua, of Kadmiel, and of the children of Hodevah, seventy and four."
43 . and of the children of Hodevah ] R.V. of the children of Hodevah. Marg. ‘Another reading is Hodeiah .’ See on Ezra 2:40 ; Ezra 3:9 .
It's easy to just see a list of names and a number here, but notice how this verse connects different family lines under "Jeshua." The subtle phrasing suggests that while Jeshua is a key figure, the Levites listed here descend through Kadmiel, and then through Hodevah, revealing a layered lineage rather than a simple group. This detailed tracing shows how much importance was placed on knowing exactly where someone fit within God's people.
This verse is part of a lengthy genealogy listing those who returned from exile in Babylon. Immediately before and after, Nehemiah meticulously records the families of priests and other Levites who resettled in Jerusalem, a crucial step in restoring the city's spiritual life and community order. This detailed cataloging emphasizes the importance of lineage and service to God in the post-exilic community.
This verse is part of a lengthy genealogy listing those who returned from exile in Babylon. Immediately before and after, Nehemiah meticulously records the families of priests and other Levites who resettled in Jerusalem, a crucial step in restoring the city's spiritual life and community order. This detailed cataloging emphasizes the importance of lineage and service to God in the post-exilic community.
"The Levites: the sons of Jeshua, namely of Kadmiel of the sons of Hodevah, 74." — It's easy to just see a list of names and a number here, but notice how this verse connects different family lines under "Jeshua." The subtle phrasing suggests that while Jeshua is a key figure, the…
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Last reviewed October 2026