Nehemiah 7:71
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.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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This verse highlights that the rebuilding wasn't just about bricks and mortar, but also a profound spiritual commitment. The "chief of the fathers," the prominent leaders, voluntarily contributed immense wealth to the "work," demonstrating that for them, this wasn't just a civic project, but a sacred endeavor given by God.
The preceding verses list the families returning from exile and their numbers, establishing the people present for the dedication of Jerusalem's walls. This verse then highlights a massive voluntary contribution of gold and silver by some leaders, demonstrating their commitment to the ongoing work and service within the community and the temple. This act of generosity sets the stage for the people's collective dedication to God's law that immediately follows.
Nehemiah lists immense wealth given for the Temple's upkeep. But where did this generosity truly come from?
This verse isn't just about a large sum of money; it's about the heart behind the giving.
A Divine Initiative
Nehemiah himself reveals the source: "my God put into mine heart to gather together the nobles, and the rulers, and the people" (Nehemiah 7:5). The impulse to give, especially for God’s work, originates with Him. It’s a divine prompting that stirs willingness and action.
Noble Contribution
The "chief of the fathers" responded to this prompting with significant gifts. Their giving wasn't a reluctant obligation, but a willing contribution from their own wealth to the "treasure of the work." This highlights how God works through willing hearts to accomplish His purposes.
Twenty thousand darics of gold and over two thousand pounds of silver – what do these numbers even mean for us today?
The sheer quantity of gold and silver mentioned speaks volumes about the commitment and resources available for the Temple's upkeep.
Immense Wealth
Scholars estimate these amounts to be substantial, representing a significant portion of the wealth of the returning exiles. The gold and silver were intended for the "treasure of the work," meaning the ongoing maintenance, repairs, and service of the Temple.
Generosity in Action
This wasn't a small offering; it was a massive investment in the community's spiritual center. It shows that when God's people are stirred, they can contribute sacrificially to ensure the continuity of His worship and work.
Understand the original words
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.
This verse highlights the generous, voluntary offerings of the community's leaders towards the ongoing work of rebuilding and maintaining Jerusalem, occurring after the walls were completed and a census was taken.
c. 538 BC
First Return from Exile
Following Cyrus the Great's decree, the first major group of Jewish exiles returns from Babylon to Jerusalem to rebuild the Temple.
c. 516 BC
Second Temple Completed
The rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem is finally completed by Zerubbabel and Joshua, marking a significant spiritual and national milestone.
c. 458 BC
Ezra's Return to Jerusalem
Ezra leads another group of exiles back to Jerusalem, focusing on religious reforms and the re-establishment of the Law.
c. 445-433 BC— this verse
Nehemiah Rebuilds Jerusalem's Walls
Nehemiah, cupbearer to the Persian king, receives permission to return to Jerusalem and oversee the rebuilding of the city walls amidst opposition.
This passage describes a similar outpouring of voluntary offerings from the 'chief men' of Israel, contributing gold and silver for the temple, mirroring the spirit of generosity seen in Nehemiah's time.
2 Corinthians 8:3-5Paul highlights the 'extreme poverty' of the Macedonian churches, yet they gave generously 'beyond their means,' illustrating that true giving comes from a willing heart dedicated to God's work, much like these leaders in Nehemiah.
Matthew 6:21Jesus teaches that 'where your treasure is, there your heart shall also be,' connecting the act of giving significant wealth to the treasury with the deep devotion and commitment of these fathers' houses to the work of rebuilding and worship.
Haggai 2:8The Lord declares 'The silver is mine, and the gold is mine,' reminding us that all wealth originates from God, and offerings to Him are a recognition of His sovereignty and a partnership in His purposes, just as these donations were for the temple's restoration.
clarkeNehemiah 7:71: "And some of the chief of the fathers gave to the treasure of the work twenty thousand drams of gold, and two thousand and two hundred pound of silver."
Two thousand and two hundred pounds - The Septuagint has two thousand Three hundred minae of silver.
cambridgeNehemiah 7:71: "And some of the chief of the fathers gave to the treasure of the work twenty thousand drams of gold, and two thousand and two hundred pound of silver."
71 . to the treasure ] R.V. into the treasury. pound ] R.V. marg. ‘Heb. maneh ’.
This verse highlights that the rebuilding wasn't just about bricks and mortar, but also a profound spiritual commitment. The "chief of the fathers," the prominent leaders, voluntarily contributed immense wealth to the "work," demonstrating that for them, this wasn't just a civic project, but a sacred endeavor given by God.
The preceding verses list the families returning from exile and their numbers, establishing the people present for the dedication of Jerusalem's walls. This verse then highlights a massive voluntary contribution of gold and silver by some leaders, demonstrating their commitment to the ongoing work and service within the community and the temple. This act of generosity sets the stage for the people's collective dedication to God's law that immediately follows.
The preceding verses list the families returning from exile and their numbers, establishing the people present for the dedication of Jerusalem's walls. This verse then highlights a massive voluntary contribution of gold and silver by some leaders, demonstrating their commitment to the ongoing work and service within the community and the temple. This act of generosity sets the stage for the people's collective dedication to God's law that immediately follows.
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c. 430 BC
Completion of the Wall and Census
The walls of Jerusalem are finished, and a census is taken of the returned exiles, detailing families and their contributions, as recorded in Nehemiah 7.
"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." — This verse highlights that the rebuilding wasn't just about bricks and mortar, but also a profound spiritual commitment. The "chief of the fathers," the prominent leaders, voluntarily contributed imm…
