Nehemiah 7:12
What does Nehemiah 7:12 mean?
A plain-English look at Nehemiah 7:12 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Nehemiah 7:12 means
The children of Elam, a thousand two hundred fifty and four, are counted among the returnees. Elam appears more than once in the register, indicating separate branches retaining the same ancestral name. Recording each branch’s number honors their distinct histories while affirming their shared identity. This mid-sized group would have provided both workers and worshipers vital to rebuilding. Their presence also reflects the wide reach of the exile and the determined breadth of the return. By preserving their total, the community ensures that Elam’s descendants receive their rightful place and share in the responsibilities and blessings of restored life.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000The children of Elam, a thousand two hundred fifty and four.
KJV
King James Version · 1611The children of Elam, a thousand two hundred fifty and four.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901The children of Elam, a thousand two hundred fifty and four.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949The children of Elam, a thousand, two hundred and fifty-four.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Sons of Elam: a thousand two hundred fifty and four.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752The children of Elam, one thousand two hundred fifty-four.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890The children of Elam, a thousand two hundred and fifty-four.
Context
Continuing the family-based enumeration, verse 12 contributes another substantial clan to the roster. The list’s calm repetition builds a foundation for the chapter’s later concerns about religious legitimacy (verses 63–65) and for the final totals (verses 66–69). Multiple entries related to similarly named ancestors (as with Elam later in verse 34) remind the reader that these designations can include distinct sub-groups. The steady accumulation underscores that the community is made up of many threads, all necessary for repopulating Jerusalem and re-establishing temple-centered society.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Ezra 2:7
The children of Elam, a thousand two hundred fifty and four.
- Ezra 8:7
And of the sons of Elam, Jeshaiah the son of Athaliah; and with him seventy males.
- Ezra 10:26
And of the sons of Elam: Mattaniah, Zechariah, and Jehiel, and Abdi, and Jeremoth, and Elijah.
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