Nehemiah 7:9
the descendants of Shephatiah, 372;
the descendants of Shephatiah
Shephatiah is a name that appears several times in the Old Testament, often associated with different individuals. In this context, it refers to a family or clan that returned from the Babylonian exile. The name Shephatiah means "Yahweh has judged," which reflects the Hebrew tradition of naming that often includes a reference to God. This family is part of the larger group of Israelites who returned to Jerusalem under the leadership of Zerubbabel and later Nehemiah, as recorded in the books of Ezra and Nehemiah. The return from exile is a significant event in Jewish history, symbolizing restoration and the fulfillment of God's promises to His people.

372
The specific number of 372 descendants indicates the size of this family group that returned to Jerusalem. This precise number reflects the careful record-keeping and organization of the returning exiles, which was necessary for the re-establishment of the community and the allocation of land and resources. The listing of numbers in Nehemiah 7 parallels the account in Ezra 2, showing consistency in the records of those who returned. The detailed genealogies emphasize the importance of lineage and heritage in Jewish culture, as well as the fulfillment of God's covenant promises to the descendants of Abraham.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Nehemiah
A Jewish leader who played a crucial role in rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem after the Babylonian exile. He was a cupbearer to the Persian king Artaxerxes and was appointed as governor of Judah.

2. Shephatiah
A family or clan mentioned in the genealogical records of those who returned from the Babylonian exile. The name means "Yahweh has judged" in Hebrew, indicating a divine connection or judgment.

3. The Return from Exile
This event marks the return of the Jewish people from Babylonian captivity to Jerusalem, a significant moment in Jewish history that involved the restoration of the city and its religious practices.

4. Jerusalem
The central city of Jewish worship and identity, which was in ruins before Nehemiah's efforts to rebuild its walls and restore its significance.

5. The Census
Nehemiah 7 records a census of the people who returned from exile, emphasizing the importance of community and continuity of the Jewish people.
Teaching Points
The Importance of Heritage and Identity
Understanding our spiritual heritage helps us appreciate our identity in Christ. Just as the descendants of Shephatiah were counted among the returnees, we are counted among God's people through faith.

God's Faithfulness in Restoration
The return from exile demonstrates God's faithfulness to His promises. In our lives, we can trust God to restore and rebuild areas that have been broken or lost.

Community and Accountability
The census underscores the importance of community and accountability. As believers, we are called to be part of a community that supports and encourages one another in faith.

The Role of Leadership in God's Plan
Nehemiah's leadership was crucial in the restoration of Jerusalem. God often uses leaders to guide and direct His people, and we should pray for and support those in leadership positions.

The Significance of Names and Meaning
The name Shephatiah, meaning "Yahweh has judged," reminds us of the significance of names and their meanings in the Bible. They often reflect God's character and His work in our lives.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the inclusion of genealogies in the Bible, such as the descendants of Shephatiah, help us understand the importance of identity and heritage in our faith journey?

2. In what ways can we see God's faithfulness in the restoration of Jerusalem mirrored in our personal lives today?

3. How can we actively participate in and contribute to our faith community, drawing from the example of the returned exiles?

4. What qualities of Nehemiah's leadership can we apply to our own roles, whether in the church, family, or workplace?

5. Reflect on the meaning of your own name or a name significant to you. How does it relate to your identity in Christ or your spiritual journey?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Ezra 2
This chapter provides a parallel account of the returnees from exile, including the descendants of Shephatiah, highlighting the consistency and importance of genealogical records in Jewish history.

1 Chronicles 9
Chronicles also lists genealogies and the return from exile, emphasizing the restoration of the community and the reestablishment of religious practices.

Isaiah 11:11-12
This prophecy speaks of the gathering of the exiles, which connects to the theme of restoration and return found in Nehemiah.
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
372, Seventy, Seventy-two, Shephatiah, Shephati'ah, 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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