Nehemiah 7:70-72
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While the verse lists generous gifts from leaders and Nehemiah himself, it subtly highlights that these were additional contributions to the work. This wasn't the initial setup, but rather a further infusion of resources sparked by the ongoing project, showing a sustained commitment beyond the first wave of donations.
Now some of the heads of fathers’ houses gave to the work. The governor gave to the treasury 1,000 darics of gold, 50 basins, 30 priests’ garments and 500 minas of silver. And some of the heads of fathers’ houses gave into the treasury of the work 20,000 darics of gold and 2,200 minas of silver. And what the rest of the people gave was 20,000 darics of gold, 2,000 minas of silver, and 67 priests’ garments.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse details significant contributions from the leaders to the rebuilding efforts, specifically mentioning a generous donation from "the Tirshatha," which refers to the governor, likely Nehemiah himself. This act of giving happens as part of a larger list of families returning to Jerusalem and rebuilding their city after exile, following the detailed census recorded in the preceding verses. The generosity shown here directly supports the community's spiritual and physical restoration.
When it comes to giving generously for God's work, who should lead the way? This verse shows us a powerful example of a leader setting the pace.
The verse highlights the 'governor' (Tirshatha), who was Nehemiah himself, as a primary contributor to the treasury for the work. This wasn't just a token amount; he gave a significant sum of gold, basins, and priestly garments. This demonstrates a crucial principle: leadership in service often means leading in sacrifice and generosity. Nehemiah didn't ask others to give what he himself wasn't willing to provide, setting a high standard for the 'chiefs of the fathers' houses who followed.
You might notice this passage sounds a bit like another one in Ezra. What's the difference, and why does it matter for understanding the rebuilding effort?
Scholars point out that the details in Nehemiah 7:70 differ from similar lists in Ezra. The key insight here is that these were likely different collections made at different times for the same overarching purpose. The collection in Ezra might have been from the initial return from exile under Zerubbabel, while this one in Nehemiah's time is a later, more detailed offering to support ongoing rebuilding and worship. This doesn't necessarily indicate errors, but rather distinct phases of the restoration project, each requiring renewed commitment and resources.
Ask a follow-up
Beyond money, what specific items were given? These aren't just random objects; they point to the practical needs of worship and service.
The list in Nehemiah 7:70 includes not only gold and silver but also 'basins' and 'priests’ garments.' These items are significant because they directly relate to the functioning of the Temple and the worship of God. The basins were likely used in sacrificial rituals, and the garments were essential for the priests to perform their sacred duties with dignity and holiness. This reminds us that giving to God's work often involves providing the practical resources needed for ministry to flourish and for His name to be honored.
Understand the original words
ro’sh beth ’ab · Hebrew Noun phrase
The recognized leaders, patriarchs, or ancestral heads of the various clans and family units within the tribes of Israel, responsible for governing their kin.
pechah · Hebrew Noun
A high-ranking official appointed by a foreign power (such as the Persian Empire) to oversee a province, responsible for administration, taxes, and maintaining order.
otsar · Hebrew Noun
The central place or chest where funds, valuables, and offerings dedicated to the Lord or the administration of the house of God were kept.
darkemon · Hebrew Noun
A Persian gold coin used during the time of the exile and the return, representing significant wealth and a standardized unit of currency.
ketoneth · Hebrew Noun
Sacred vestments worn by those serving in the priesthood, signifying their office and purity when performing duties before the Lord.
rosh avot · Hebrew Noun Phrase
Refers to the leaders of the ancestral family units or clans within the tribes of Israel, responsible for governing and representing their lineage.
otsar · Hebrew Noun
A place for storing valuables, offerings, or resources dedicated to the service of God and the maintenance of the sanctuary.
darkemon · Hebrew Noun
A gold coin of Persian origin, often associated with the era of the return from Babylonian exile, used as a standard of currency.
maneh · Hebrew Noun
A unit of weight or currency used in the ancient Near East, frequently associated with the weighing of precious metals like silver in biblical narratives.
kohen · Hebrew Noun
Individuals set apart from the tribe of Levi who served in the tabernacle or temple, officiating sacrifices and performing priestly duties before God.
lebush · Hebrew Noun
Clothing worn by those serving in the temple, representing holiness and the set-apart nature of priestly ministry.
This passage details a significant contribution made by Nehemiah himself ('the Tirshatha') during the period of rebuilding Jerusalem's infrastructure and community life after the exile. It highlights the personal commitment of leadership and the resources mobilized for the sacred work, distinct from earlier efforts under Zerubbabel.
c. 537 BC
First Return from Exile
Under Zerubbabel and Joshua, a large group of Jewish exiles returned to Jerusalem to rebuild the Temple and the city. This marked the beginning of the Second Temple period.
c. 515 BC
Completion of the Second Temple
The rebuilt Temple in Jerusalem was dedicated, a significant milestone in the restoration of Jewish religious life after the Babylonian exile.
c. 458 BC
Ezra's Commission and Return
Ezra, a scribe, led another group of exiles back to Jerusalem with a significant royal commission and treasures to support the Temple, focusing on religious and legal reform.
c. 445 BC— this verse
Nehemiah Appointed Governor
King Artaxerxes I appointed Nehemiah, his cupbearer, as governor of Judah, empowering him to rebuild Jerusalem's walls.
c. 444 BC
Rebuilding of Jerusalem's Walls
Nehemiah led the Jerusalemites in a remarkable feat of rebuilding the city walls in just 52 days, despite significant opposition.
c. 444 BC
Reforms and Re-dedication of the Law
Following the wall completion, Ezra and Nehemiah led a spiritual revival, re-establishing worship and leading the people in recommitting to God's law.
This passage describes a very similar, though not identical, collection of gifts for the rebuilding effort, highlighting the ongoing need for contributions from leaders and the community.
1 Chronicles 29:6-9These verses show the princes and leaders of Israel joyfully giving their wealth towards the building of the temple, mirroring the spirit of generous contribution seen in Nehemiah 7:70.
2 Corinthians 8:7Paul encourages the Corinthians to excel in generosity, implying that the ability and willingness to give are spiritual gifts, just as the leaders in Nehemiah were moved to contribute.
Mark 12:41-44This passage about the widow's mite contrasts the size of the gift with the spirit behind it, reminding us that even large contributions from leaders, like Nehemiah's, are valued by God in the context of their willing hearts.
clarkeNehemiah 7:70: "And some of the chief of the fathers gave unto the work. The Tirshatha gave to the treasure a thousand drams of gold, fifty basons, five hundred and thirty priests' garments."
The Tirshatha gave - The Septuagint, particularly the copy in the Codex Alexandrinus, intimates that this sum was given to the Tirshatha, or Nehemiah: Και τῳ Αθερσαθᾳ εδωκαν εις θησαυρον, And to the Athersatha they gave for the treasure, etc. For the meaning of the word Tirshatha, see on Ezra 2:63 (note)…
cambridgeNehemiah 7:70: "And some of the chief of the fathers gave unto the work. The Tirshatha gave to the treasure a thousand drams of gold, fifty basons, five hundred and thirty priests' garments."
70 . And some of the chief of the fathers ] R.V. And some from among the heads of fathers’ houses. So in Nehemiah 7:71 . The Tirshatha ] The contributions are here described in greater detail than in Ezra. the treasure ] R.V. the treasury. drams ] R.V. darics. So in Nehemiah 7:71-72 . five hundred and thir…
While the verse lists generous gifts from leaders and Nehemiah himself, it subtly highlights that these were additional contributions to the work. This wasn't the initial setup, but rather a further infusion of resources sparked by the ongoing project, showing a sustained commitment beyond the first wave of donations.
This verse details significant contributions from the leaders to the rebuilding efforts, specifically mentioning a generous donation from "the Tirshatha," which refers to the governor, likely Nehemiah himself. This act of giving happens as part of a larger list of families returning to Jerusalem and rebuilding their city after exile, following the detailed census recorded in the preceding verses. The generosity shown here directly supports the community's spiritual and physical restoration.
This verse details significant contributions from the leaders to the rebuilding efforts, specifically mentioning a generous donation from "the Tirshatha," which refers to the governor, likely Nehemiah himself. This act of giving happens as part of a larger list of families returning to Jerusalem and rebuilding their city after exile, following the detailed census recorded in the preceding verses. The generosity shown here directly supports the community's spiritual and physical restoration.
"Now some of the heads of fathers’ houses gave to the work. The governor gave to the treasury 1,000 darics of gold, 50 basins, 30 priests’ garments and 500 minas of silver. And some of the heads of fathers’ houses gave into the treasury of…" — While the verse lists generous gifts from leaders and Nehemiah himself, it subtly highlights that these were additional contributions to the work. This wasn't the initial setup, but rather a furthe…
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Last reviewed October 2026
