Nehemiah 7:20
What does Nehemiah 7:20 mean?
A plain-English look at Nehemiah 7:20 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Nehemiah 7:20 means
The children of Adin, six hundred fifty and five, are recorded. This mid-sized total stands as another witness that many families embraced the hard road of return. Their inclusion ensures proper acknowledgment and helps guide equitable settlement. Such careful cataloging dignifies the ordinary faithfulness of families whose names are little known but whose presence was indispensable. By preserving their number, the register closes the door to later confusion and confirms their shared stake in Jerusalem’s recovery. These stable households would help populate towns, tend fields, and participate in the temple’s rhythms of sacrifice and song.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000The children of Adin, six hundred fifty and five.
KJV
King James Version · 1611The children of Adin, six hundred fifty and five.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901The children of Adin, six hundred fifty and five.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949The children of Adin, six hundred and fifty-five.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Sons of Adin: six hundred fifty and five.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752The children of Adin, six hundred fifty-five.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890The children of Adin, six hundred and fifty-five.
Context
Verse 20 continues the unbroken series of family counts (verses 8–25). The steady accumulation of data builds confidence that the community’s re-establishment is based on transparent, verifiable records. This will be crucial when the narrative turns to those without documentation (verses 61–65). Meanwhile, these totals provide the human capital needed to inhabit the rebuilt city and its surrounding towns, linking back to the issue raised in verse 4 about sparse population. The list will soon pivot to other families and then to town-based and religious categories, rounding out the picture of restored Israel.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Ezra 2:15
The children of Adin, four hundred fifty and four.
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