Nehemiah 7:61
What does Nehemiah 7:61 mean?
A plain-English look at Nehemiah 7:61 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Nehemiah 7:61 means
Some who came from Tel-melah, Tel-harsha, Cherub, Addon, and Immer could not prove their fathers’ houses or whether they were of Israel. This raises a serious issue: identity in the restored community rested on verifiable lineage. Without proof, claims to settlement or sacred service were uncertain. The verse does not impugn motives but insists on documented belonging. In a fragile moment, such caution protected the community from confusion and potential corruption. Mercy and inclusion were real, but so were standards needed to preserve the covenant community’s integrity.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And these were they that went up from Tel-melah, Tel-harsha, Cherub, Addon, and Immer; but they could not show their fathers’ houses, nor their seed, whether they were of Israel:
KJV
King James Version · 1611And these were they which went up also from Tel–melah, Tel–haresha, Cherub, Addon, and Immer: but they could not shew their father’s house, nor their seed, whether they were of Israel.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And these were they that went up from Tel-melah, Tel-harsha, Cherub, Addon, and Immer; but they could not show their fathers’ houses, nor their seed, whether they were of Israel:
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949All these were the people who went up from Tel-melah, Tel-harsha, Cherub, Addon, and Immer; but because they had no knowledge of their fathers' families or offspring, it was not certain if they were Israelites:
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And these <FI>are<Fi> those coming up from Tel-Melah, Tel-Harsha, Cherub, Addon, and Immer--and they have not been able to declare the house of their fathers, and their seed, whether they <FI>are<Fi> of Israel--
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And these are they that came up from Telmela, Thelharsa, Cherub, Addon, and Emmer: and could not shew the house of their fathers, nor their seed, whether they were of Israel.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And these are they that went up from Tel-melah, Tel-harsha, Cherub-Addon and Immer; but they could not shew their father's house, nor their seed, whether they were of Israel.
Context
After thoroughly listing verified groups (verses 6–60), verse 61 introduces a contrasting category: returnees without genealogical proof. This begins a small section (verses 61–65) dealing with uncertain claims, setting up a critical decision about priestly participation. The shift shows why the earlier precision mattered. As the narrative moves forward, the stakes will heighten when priests lacking documentation are found (verses 63–64). The resolution (verse 65) will defer certain privileges until God’s guidance can be sought, maintaining order while avoiding rash exclusion.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Ezra 2:59
And these were they that went up from Tel-melah, Tel-harsha, Cherub, Addan, andImmer; but they could not show their fathers’ houses, and their seed, whether they were of Israel:
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