Nehemiah 7:8
the sons of Parosh, 2,172.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Nehemiah 7:8
the sons of Parosh, 2,172.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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This list of names and numbers isn't just a headcount; it's a testament to God's faithfulness in bringing His people back. The specific number for each family, like Parosh's 2,172, highlights how Nehemiah meticulously documented each returning exile, showing God cares about every individual in His restored community.
Nehemiah, inspired by God, decides to create a census of the returned exiles to understand who makes up the community and their responsibilities. He discovers an old register from the first group of returnees under Zerubbabel, which he then transcribes and updates. This chapter lists families, and the mention of the sons of Parosh is part of that detailed genealogical record, establishing the population of Jerusalem.
Why would God care about a list of names and numbers? Discover how Nehemiah's act of taking a census was a profound spiritual move, not just administrative.
The book of Nehemiah often highlights Nehemiah's practical leadership. Yet, even these seemingly mundane tasks are shown to be divinely inspired.
God's Initiative
Nehemiah states, 'my God put into mine heart to gather together the nobles, and the rulers, and the people, that they might be reckoned by genealogy' (Nehemiah 7:5). This wasn't just Nehemiah's idea; it was a prompting from God. This reminds us that God works through our minds and plans, guiding us even in matters of organization and record-keeping.
Purpose Beyond Numbers
This genealogical record served crucial purposes:
This shows that God is concerned with the details of His people's lives and the proper functioning of His community.
In a list of thousands, does one name or number truly matter? See how this specific detail connects to identity, community, and divine purpose.
The listing of specific families and their headcounts, like the 2,172 individuals from the house of Parosh, wasn't just for administrative convenience. It carried immense weight in the ancient Near East.
Identity in Lineage
Understand the original words
ben · Hebrew Noun
A designation identifying lineage or ancestral house; in biblical usage, it signifies belonging to a specific covenantal family or tribe, maintaining the integrity of God's promises through generations.
The detailed genealogies in Nehemiah chapter 7, including the listing of Parosh's descendants, were vital for re-establishing civil and religious order after the return from Babylonian exile, ensuring correct temple service and land inheritance.
c. 538 BC
First Return from Exile
Under the decree of Cyrus the Great, the first major group of Jewish exiles returns from Babylon to Jerusalem led by Zerubbabel. They begin to rebuild the Temple.
c. 537-516 BC
Rebuilding of the Temple
The returned exiles work to restore the Second Temple in Jerusalem, facing significant opposition and delays. The Temple is eventually completed and rededicated.
c. 480-470 BC
Esther's Influence
Esther, a Jewish queen in Persia, averts a genocidal plot against her people, demonstrating the continued presence and vulnerability of Jews throughout the Persian Empire.
c. 458 BC
Ezra's Return to Jerusalem
Ezra leads a second significant group of exiles from Babylon to Jerusalem, focusing on religious reform and adherence to the Law.
This passage directly parallels Nehemiah 7:8, listing the same number of 'sons of Parosh' who returned from exile, highlighting the continuity of these family lines.
1 Chronicles 5:24This verse demonstrates the importance of genealogies in ancient Israel for understanding tribal identity and responsibility, mirroring the purpose of the lists in Nehemiah.
Hebrews 12:1The immense 'cloud of witnesses' mentioned here speaks to the legacy of faith carried by generations, underscoring why tracing lineage, as in Nehemiah 7, was significant for understanding God's ongoing work through His people.
Matthew 1:1-17Jesus' genealogy is meticulously traced, showing God's deliberate work in bringing His promises to fruition through specific family lines, a principle reflected in the detailed records of the returned exiles.
clarkeNehemiah 7:8: "The children of Parosh, two thousand an hundred seventy and two."
The children of Parosh - As this chapter is almost entirely the same with the second chapter of the book of Ezra, it is not necessary to add any thing to what is said there; and to that chapter, and the accompanying notes, the reader is requested to refer.
henryNehemiah 7:5-73: "And my God put into mine heart to gather together the nobles, and the rulers, and the people, that they might be reckoned by genealogy. And I found a register of the genealogy of them which came up at the first, and found written therein,"
7:5-73 Nehemiah knew that the safety of a city, under God, depends more upon the inhabitants than upon its walls. Every good gift and every good work are from above. God gives knowledge, he gives grace; all is of him, and therefore all must…
This list of names and numbers isn't just a headcount; it's a testament to God's faithfulness in bringing His people back. The specific number for each family, like Parosh's 2,172, highlights how Nehemiah meticulously documented each returning exile, showing God cares about every individual in His restored community.
Nehemiah, inspired by God, decides to create a census of the returned exiles to understand who makes up the community and their responsibilities. He discovers an old register from the first group of returnees under Zerubbabel, which he then transcribes and updates. This chapter lists families, and the mention of the sons of Parosh is part of that detailed genealogical record, establishing the population of Jerusalem.
Nehemiah, inspired by God, decides to create a census of the returned exiles to understand who makes up the community and their responsibilities. He discovers an old register from the first group of returnees under Zerubbabel, which he then transcribes and updates. This chapter lists families, and the mention of the sons of Parosh is part of that detailed genealogical record, establishing the population of Jerusalem.
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Genealogy was fundamental to ancient Israelite society. It established one's place within the covenant community, their rights, and their responsibilities. To be listed meant you belonged; to be unlisted could mean exclusion.
Collective Strength and Service
The number '2,172' for the sons of Parosh represents a significant portion of the returning exiles. This group, and all the others listed, formed the human fabric of the restored community. Their collective strength was essential for rebuilding Jerusalem's walls and its spiritual life. The precise numbers allowed Nehemiah to understand the available manpower for all aspects of community life, from labor to leadership.
God Remembers His People
Even though this verse is a small detail in a long list, it points to God's remembrance of His people. He knows each individual and each family group, and He cares about their place within His plan.
c. 445-444 BC— this verse
Nehemiah Arrives in Jerusalem
Nehemiah, cupbearer to the Persian king, receives permission to travel to Jerusalem and rebuild its walls, facing opposition from surrounding peoples.
c. 444 BC
Rebuilding of Jerusalem's Walls
Nehemiah and the people of Jerusalem, organized and vigilant, work to rebuild the city walls in a remarkably short time, despite threats.
"the sons of Parosh, 2,172." — This list of names and numbers isn't just a headcount; it's a testament to God's faithfulness in bringing His people back. The specific number for each family, like Parosh's 2,172, highlights how Ne…