Nehemiah 11:8

What does Nehemiah 11:8 mean?

A plain-English look at Nehemiah 11:8 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Nehemiah 11:8 means

The verse continues the Benjamin roster, adding Gabbai and Sallai, and then provides a total of 928. This sizable number indicates a strong Benjaminite presence in Jerusalem, complementing Judah’s earlier total. The inclusion of names followed by a precise count shows administrative care and accountability. It also implies the city needed a significant civilian base for defense, commerce, and daily life. These were not only names on a list; they were families committing to dwell in a strategic and sometimes dangerous place so that God’s city would be truly inhabited and functional again.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And after him Gabbai, Sallai, nine hundred twenty and eight.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And after him Gabbai, Sallai, nine hundred twenty and eight.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And after him Gabbai, Sallai, nine hundred twenty and eight.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And after him Gabbai, Sallai, nine hundred and twenty-eight.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and after him Gabbai, Sallai, nine hundred twenty and eight.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And after him Gebbai, Sellai, nine hundred twenty-eight.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

and after him, Gabbai, Sallai, nine hundred and twenty-eight:

Context

Following Sallu’s genealogy (v. 7), verse 8 expands Benjamin’s representation and offers a numerical summary of 928. The flow mirrors the Judah section: named leaders, then totals. In the next verse, leadership structure within the city will be clarified by naming an overseer and a second-in-command for the city. After that, the text will transition to the priests (vv. 10–14), indicating that both tribal laity and spiritual officials were being organized in tandem for the city’s renewed life.

v.7And these are the sons of Benjamin: Sallu the son of Meshullam, the son of Joed, the son of Pedaiah, the son of Kolaiah, the son of Maaseiah, the son of Ithiel, the son of Jeshaiah.

v.8This passage

v.9And Joel the son of Zichri was their overseer; and Judah the son of Hassenuah was second over the city.

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