Nehemiah 7:64
New International Version
These searched for their family records, but they could not find them and so were excluded from the priesthood as unclean.

New Living Translation
They searched for their names in the genealogical records, but they were not found, so they were disqualified from serving as priests.

English Standard Version
These sought their registration among those enrolled in the genealogies, but it was not found there, so they were excluded from the priesthood as unclean.

Berean Standard Bible
These men searched for their family records, but they could not find them and so were excluded from the priesthood as unclean.

King James Bible
These sought their register among those that were reckoned by genealogy, but it was not found: therefore were they, as polluted, put from the priesthood.

New King James Version
These sought their listing among those who were registered by genealogy, but it was not found; therefore they were excluded from the priesthood as defiled.

New American Standard Bible
These searched among their ancestral registration, but it could not be located; therefore they were considered unclean and disqualified from the priesthood.

NASB 1995
These searched among their ancestral registration, but it could not be located; therefore they were considered unclean and excluded from the priesthood.

NASB 1977
These searched among their ancestral registration, but it could not be located; therefore they were considered unclean and excluded from the priesthood.

Legacy Standard Bible
These searched in their genealogical records, but it could not be found; therefore they were considered unclean and excluded from the priesthood.

Amplified Bible
These men searched for their ancestral registration among those recorded in the genealogies, but it was not located; so they were excluded from the priesthood as [ceremonially] unclean.

Christian Standard Bible
These searched for their entries in the genealogical records, but they could not be found, so they were disqualified from the priesthood.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
These searched for their entries in the genealogical records, but they could not be found, so they were disqualified from the priesthood.

American Standard Version
These sought their register among those that were reckoned by genealogy, but it was not found: therefore were they deemed polluted and put from the priesthood.

English Revised Version
These sought their register among those that were reckoned by genealogy, but it was not found: therefore were they deemed polluted and put from the priesthood.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
These people searched for their [family] names in the genealogical records, but their names couldn't be found there. For this reason they were considered contaminated and couldn't be priests.

International Standard Version
These people searched for their ancestral records, but they couldn't be located. Accordingly, they were considered disqualified from the priesthood.

Majority Standard Bible
These men searched for their family records, but they could not find them and so were excluded from the priesthood as unclean.

NET Bible
They searched for their records in the genealogical materials, but none were found. They were therefore excluded from the priesthood.

New Heart English Bible
These searched for their genealogical records, but couldn't find them. Therefore were they deemed polluted and put from the priesthood.

Webster's Bible Translation
These sought their register among those that were reckoned by genealogy, but it was not found: therefore were they, as polluted, put from the priesthood.

World English Bible
These searched for their genealogical records, but couldn’t find them. Therefore they were deemed disqualified and removed from the priesthood.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
These have sought their register among those reckoning themselves by genealogy, and it has not been found, and they are redeemed from the priesthood,

Young's Literal Translation
These have sought their register among those reckoning themselves by genealogy, and it hath not been found, and they are redeemed from the priesthood,

Smith's Literal Translation
These sought their writing of those being enrolled, and it was not found: and they will be defiled from the priesthood.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
These sought their writing in the re- cord, and found it not: and they were cast out of the priesthood.

Catholic Public Domain Version
These sought their writing in the census, and they did not find it, and so they were cast out of the priesthood.

New American Bible
These men searched their family records, but their names could not be found written there; hence they were disqualified from the priesthood,

New Revised Standard Version
These sought their registration among those enrolled in the genealogies, but it was not found there, so they were excluded from the priesthood as unclean;
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
These sought their register among those who were reckoned by genealogy, but it was not found; therefore they were barred from the priesthood.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
These looked in the scroll of their tribes, and they did not find them, and they removed them from the priesthood.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
These sought their register, that is, the genealogy, but it was not found; therefore were they deemed polluted and put from the priesthood.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
These sought the pedigree of their company, and it was not found, and they were removed as polluted from the priesthood.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The List of Returning Exiles
63And from among the priests: the descendants of Hobaiah, the descendants of Hakkoz, and the descendants of Barzillai (who had married a daughter of Barzillai the Gileadite and was called by their name). 64These men searched for their family records, but they could not find them and so were excluded from the priesthood as unclean. 65The governor ordered them not to eat the most holy things until there was a priest to consult the Urim and Thummim.…

Cross References
Ezra 2:62
These men searched for their family records, but they could not find them and so were excluded from the priesthood as unclean.

Numbers 3:10
So you shall appoint Aaron and his sons to carry out the duties of the priesthood; but any outsider who approaches the tabernacle must be put to death.”

Numbers 16:39-40
So Eleazar the priest took the bronze censers brought by those who had been burned up, and he had them hammered out to overlay the altar, / just as the LORD commanded him through Moses. This was to be a reminder to the Israelites that no outsider who is not a descendant of Aaron should approach to offer incense before the LORD, lest he become like Korah and his followers.

Numbers 18:7
But only you and your sons shall attend to your priesthood for everything concerning the altar and what is inside the veil, and you are to perform that service. I am giving you the work of the priesthood as a gift, but any outsider who comes near the sanctuary must be put to death.”

1 Chronicles 9:1
So all Israel was recorded in the genealogies written in the Book of the Kings of Israel. But Judah was exiled to Babylon because of their unfaithfulness.

1 Chronicles 23:13
The sons of Amram: Aaron and Moses. Aaron and his descendants were set apart forever to consecrate the most holy things, to burn incense before the LORD, to minister before Him, and to pronounce blessings in His name forever.

2 Chronicles 26:18
They took their stand against King Uzziah and said, “Uzziah, you have no right to offer incense to the LORD. Only the priests, the descendants of Aaron, are consecrated to burn incense. Leave the sanctuary, for you have acted unfaithfully; you will not receive honor from the LORD God.”

Ezra 2:59-63
The following came up from Tel-melah, Tel-harsha, Cherub, Addan, and Immer, but they could not prove that their families were descended from Israel: / the descendants of Delaiah, the descendants of Tobiah, and the descendants of Nekoda, 652 in all. / And from among the priests: the descendants of Hobaiah, the descendants of Hakkoz, and the descendants of Barzillai (who had married a daughter of Barzillai the Gileadite and was called by their name). ...

Leviticus 21:21-23
No descendant of Aaron the priest who has a defect shall approach to present the food offerings to the LORD. Since he has a defect, he is not to come near to offer the food of his God. / He may eat the most holy food of his God as well as the holy food, / but because he has a defect, he must not go near the veil or approach the altar, so as not to desecrate My sanctuaries. For I am the LORD who sanctifies them.’”

Deuteronomy 18:5
For the LORD your God has chosen Levi and his sons out of all your tribes to stand and minister in His name for all time.

Matthew 7:21-23
Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of My Father in heaven. / Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ / Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you workers of lawlessness!’

Matthew 22:11-14
But when the king came in to see the guests, he spotted a man who was not dressed in wedding clothes. / ‘Friend,’ he asked, ‘how did you get in here without wedding clothes?’ But the man was speechless. / Then the king told the servants, ‘Tie him hand and foot, and throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ ...

Luke 13:25-27
After the master of the house gets up and shuts the door, you will stand outside knocking and saying, ‘Lord, open the door for us.’ But he will reply, ‘I do not know where you are from.’ / Then you will say, ‘We ate and drank with you, and you taught in our streets.’ / And he will answer, ‘I tell you, I do not know where you are from. Depart from me, all you evildoers.’

John 10:14
I am the good shepherd. I know My sheep and My sheep know Me,

Romans 9:6-8
It is not as though God’s word has failed. For not all who are descended from Israel are Israel. / Nor because they are Abraham’s descendants are they all his children. On the contrary, “Through Isaac your offspring will be reckoned.” / So it is not the children of the flesh who are God’s children, but it is the children of the promise who are regarded as offspring.


Treasury of Scripture

These sought their register among those that were reckoned by genealogy, but it was not found: therefore were they, as polluted, put from the priesthood.

These sought

Matthew 22:11-13
And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: …

those that were

Nehemiah 7:5
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,

1 Chronicles 9:1
So all Israel were reckoned by genealogies; and, behold, they were written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah, who were carried away to Babylon for their transgression.

but it was

Matthew 25:11,12
Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us…

as polluted

Nehemiah 13:29
Remember them, O my God, because they have defiled the priesthood, and the covenant of the priesthood, and of the Levites.

Leviticus 4:3
If the priest that is anointed do sin according to the sin of the people; then let him bring for his sin, which he hath sinned, a young bullock without blemish unto the LORD for a sin offering.

Jump to Previous
Ancestral Considered Deemed Enrolled Excluded Families Family Found Genealogical Genealogies Genealogy Located Names Nowhere Polluted Priesthood Priests Reckoned Reckoning Record Records Redeemed Register Registration Search Searched Sought Unclean
Jump to Next
Ancestral Considered Deemed Enrolled Excluded Families Family Found Genealogical Genealogies Genealogy Located Names Nowhere Polluted Priesthood Priests Reckoned Reckoning Record Records Redeemed Register Registration Search Searched Sought Unclean
Nehemiah 7
1. Nehemiah commits the charge of Jerusalem to Hanani and Hananiah
5. A register of the genealogy of them which came at the first out of Babylon
9. of the people
39. of the priests
43. of the Levites
46. of the Nethinims
57. of Solomon's servants
63. and of the priests which could not find their pedigree
66. The whole number of them, with their substance
70. Their offerings














These men searched for their family records
This phrase highlights the importance of genealogy and lineage in ancient Israelite society, particularly for those serving in the priesthood. The Hebrew root for "searched" (בָּקַשׁ, baqash) implies a diligent and earnest seeking, reflecting the seriousness with which these men approached their quest for validation. In the historical context, maintaining accurate family records was crucial for establishing one's identity and rights within the community, especially for roles that required a specific lineage, such as the priesthood.

but they could not find them
The inability to find their family records signifies a significant obstacle. The Hebrew culture placed immense value on ancestry, and the absence of such records could lead to exclusion from certain societal roles. This phrase underscores the fragility of human records and the potential for loss over generations, which could have been due to exile, destruction, or neglect. It serves as a reminder of the importance of preserving one's heritage and the potential consequences of failing to do so.

and so were excluded from the priesthood
The exclusion from the priesthood was a serious matter, as the priesthood was not only a religious role but also a position of social standing and influence. The Hebrew word for "excluded" (גָּרַשׁ, garash) conveys a sense of being driven out or cast away, indicating the severity of the action. This exclusion was necessary to maintain the purity and sanctity of the priestly line, as prescribed in the Mosaic Law, which required priests to be descendants of Aaron.

as unclean
The term "unclean" (טָמֵא, tamei) in Hebrew carries a strong connotation of ritual impurity, which in this context, is not necessarily a moral judgment but a legal and ceremonial status. Being deemed "unclean" meant that these men were not permitted to perform priestly duties, as purity was essential for those serving in the temple. This reflects the broader biblical theme of holiness and the need for those who serve God to be set apart and undefiled, both physically and spiritually.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
These [men]
אֵ֗לֶּה (’êl·leh)
Pronoun - common plural
Strong's 428: These, those

searched for
בִּקְשׁ֧וּ (biq·šū)
Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 1245: To search out, to strive after

their family records,
כְתָבָ֛ם (ḵə·ṯā·ḇām)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 3791: Something written, a writing, record, book

but they could not
וְלֹ֣א (wə·lō)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

find them
נִמְצָ֑א (nim·ṣā)
Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 4672: To come forth to, appear, exist, to attain, find, acquire, to occur, meet, be present

and so were excluded
וַיְגֹֽאֲל֖וּ (way·ḡō·’ă·lū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Pual - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 1351: To soil, desecrate

from
מִן־ (min-)
Preposition
Strong's 4480: A part of, from, out of

the priesthood {as unclean}.
הַכְּהֻנָּֽה׃ (hak·kə·hun·nāh)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 3550: Priesthood


Links
Nehemiah 7:64 NIV
Nehemiah 7:64 NLT
Nehemiah 7:64 ESV
Nehemiah 7:64 NASB
Nehemiah 7:64 KJV

Nehemiah 7:64 BibleApps.com
Nehemiah 7:64 Biblia Paralela
Nehemiah 7:64 Chinese Bible
Nehemiah 7:64 French Bible
Nehemiah 7:64 Catholic Bible

OT History: Nehemiah 7:64 These sought their register among those who (Neh Ne)
Nehemiah 7:63
Top of Page
Top of Page