Nehemiah 7:10
the descendants of Arah, 652;
the descendants of Arah,
The mention of "the descendants of Arah" refers to one of the families or clans that returned from the Babylonian exile to Jerusalem. Arah is listed among the leaders who returned with Zerubbabel in the earlier return, as seen in Ezra 2:5. This indicates a continuity of family lines and the importance of maintaining genealogical records for the restoration of Israel. The name Arah means "wayfarer" or "traveler," which could symbolize the journey of faith and return to the Promised Land. This reflects the broader biblical theme of restoration and return, as seen in the exodus from Egypt and the return from Babylonian captivity.

652;
The number 652 represents the count of individuals from the family of Arah who returned to Jerusalem. This specific number highlights the detailed record-keeping and the importance of each family in the rebuilding of the community. The precision of such numbers underscores the historical reliability of the biblical text and the organized nature of the return. It also reflects the fulfillment of God's promise to bring His people back to their land, as prophesied in Jeremiah 29:10-14. The returnees played a crucial role in the restoration of Jerusalem and the reestablishment of worship, which is a type of the ultimate restoration and redemption found in Jesus Christ.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Nehemiah
A Jewish leader and cupbearer to the Persian king Artaxerxes, who led the effort to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem and restore the community.

2. Arah
A family head whose descendants returned to Jerusalem from Babylonian exile. The mention of Arah highlights the importance of family lineage and the fulfillment of God's promise to restore His people.

3. Jerusalem
The city central to Jewish identity and worship, which was in ruins and needed restoration after the Babylonian exile.

4. Babylonian Exile
A period when the Israelites were taken captive to Babylon, which ended with the decree of Cyrus allowing them to return and rebuild Jerusalem.

5. The Returnees
The group of Israelites who returned to Jerusalem, representing the fulfillment of God's promise and the hope of restoration.
Teaching Points
Faithfulness in Small Details
The listing of names and numbers, such as the descendants of Arah, underscores the importance of each individual in God's plan. God values every person and their contribution to His work.

Heritage and Legacy
The mention of family lines reminds us of the importance of spiritual heritage. We are called to pass down faith and values to future generations.

God's Faithfulness to His Promises
The return of the exiles, including Arah's descendants, is a testament to God's faithfulness. We can trust God to fulfill His promises in our lives.

Community Restoration
The rebuilding of Jerusalem required the collective effort of many families. Similarly, the restoration of our communities and churches requires unity and cooperation.

Hope and Renewal
The return from exile symbolizes hope and new beginnings. In Christ, we have the promise of renewal and restoration in our lives.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the inclusion of specific family names, like the descendants of Arah, in Nehemiah 7:10, reflect God's attention to detail and care for individuals?

2. In what ways can we ensure that we are passing down a strong spiritual heritage to the next generation, as seen in the lineage of Arah?

3. How does the return of the exiles, including the descendants of Arah, demonstrate God's faithfulness to His promises, and how can this encourage us in our personal faith journey?

4. What lessons can we learn from the collective effort of the returnees in rebuilding Jerusalem that can be applied to our efforts in community and church restoration today?

5. How can the theme of hope and renewal in the return from exile inspire us to seek God's restoration in areas of our lives that feel broken or desolate?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Ezra 2:5
This verse lists the descendants of Arah among those who returned, showing consistency in the records of returnees and emphasizing the importance of family heritage in God's plan.

Nehemiah 11:4
This passage mentions the descendants of Judah and Benjamin, including those from the family of Arah, highlighting their role in repopulating Jerusalem.

Isaiah 11:11-12
This prophecy speaks of God gathering His people from exile, which is fulfilled in the return of families like Arah's.

Jeremiah 29:10-14
God's promise to bring His people back from captivity, which is seen in the return of the exiles, including the descendants of Arah.
The True Method of ProsperityR.A. Redford Nehemiah 7:6-73
People
Akkub, Amon, Asaph, Ater, Azariah, Azmaveth, Baanah, Bakbuk, Barkos, Barzillai, Bazlith, Besai, Bezai, Bigvai, Bilshan, Darkon, Delaiah, Gahar, Gazzam, Giddel, Habaiah, Hagaba, Hakkoz, Hakupha, Hanan, Hanani, Hananiah, Harhur, Harsha, Hashum, Hashupha, Hasupha, Hatipha, Hatita, Hattil, Hezekiah, Hodaviah, Hodevah, Immer, Israelites, Jaala, Jedaiah, Jeshua, Joab, Kadmiel, Keros, Koz, Lebana, Lebanah, Levites, Mehida, Meunim, Mispereth, Mordecai, Nahamani, Nebuchadnezzar, Nehemiah, Nehum, Nekoda, Nephishesim, Neziah, Padon, Pahathmoab, Parosh, Paseah, Pashur, Perida, Phaseah, Pochereth, Raamiah, Reaiah, Rezin, Shallum, Shalmai, Shephatiah, Shobai, Sia, Sisera, Solomon, Sophereth, Sotai, Tabbaoth, Talmon, Tamah, Thamah, Tobiah, Tobijah, Uzza, Zaccai, Zattu, Zerubbabel, Ziha
Places
Ai, Anathoth, Babylon, Beeroth, Beth-azmaveth, Bethel, Bethlehem, Cherub, Geba, Gibeon, Hadid, Immer, Jericho, Jerusalem, Kiriath-jearim, Lod, Michmas, Nebo, Netophah, Ono, Ramah, Tel-harsha, Tel-melah
Topics
652, Fifty, Fifty-two, Hundred, Six, Sons
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Nehemiah 7:5-69

     7230   genealogies

Nehemiah 7:6-67

     5249   census

Library
"Take My Yoke Upon You, and Learn of Me," &C.
Matt. xi. 20.--"Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me," &c. Self love is generally esteemed infamous and contemptible among men. It is of a bad report every where, and indeed as it is taken commonly, there is good reason for it, that it should be hissed out of all societies, if reproaching and speaking evil of it would do it. But to speak the truth, the name is not so fit to express the thing, for that which men call self love, may rather be called self hatred. Nothing is more pernicious to a man's
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

And thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, too little to be among the thousands of Judah
"And thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, too little to be among the thousands of Judah, out of thee shall come forth unto Me (one) [Pg 480] to be Ruler in Israel; and His goings forth are the times of old, the days of eternity." The close connection of this verse with what immediately precedes (Caspari is wrong in considering iv. 9-14 as an episode) is evident, not only from the [Hebrew: v] copulative, and from the analogy of the near relation of the announcement of salvation to the prophecy of disaster
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament

The Strait Gate;
OR, GREAT DIFFICULTY OF GOING TO HEAVEN: PLAINLY PROVING, BY THE SCRIPTURES, THAT NOT ONLY THE RUDE AND PROFANE, BUT MANY GREAT PROFESSORS, WILL COME SHORT OF THAT KINGDOM. "Enter ye in at the strait gate; for wide is the gate, and broad is the way that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it."--Matthew 7:13, 14 ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. If any uninspired writer has been
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

Influences that Gave Rise to the Priestly Laws and Histories
[Sidenote: Influences in the exile that produced written ceremonial laws] The Babylonian exile gave a great opportunity and incentive to the further development of written law. While the temple stood, the ceremonial rites and customs received constant illustration, and were transmitted directly from father to son in the priestly families. Hence, there was little need of writing them down. But when most of the priests were carried captive to Babylonia, as in 597 B.C., and ten years later the temple
Charles Foster Kent—The Origin & Permanent Value of the Old Testament

Ezra-Nehemiah
Some of the most complicated problems in Hebrew history as well as in the literary criticism of the Old Testament gather about the books of Ezra and Nehemiah. Apart from these books, all that we know of the origin and early history of Judaism is inferential. They are our only historical sources for that period; and if in them we have, as we seem to have, authentic memoirs, fragmentary though they be, written by the two men who, more than any other, gave permanent shape and direction to Judaism, then
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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