Nehemiah 7:63
What does Nehemiah 7:63 mean?
A plain-English look at Nehemiah 7:63 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Nehemiah 7:63 means
Among the priests, children of Hobaiah, Hakkoz, and Barzillai (who had taken a wife from the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite and was called by their name) are noted. Their priestly status was in question because their lineage could not be substantiated. The detail about Barzillai shows how names could change through marriage, complicating records. Since priesthood required verified descent, this presented a serious concern. The verse signals that even respected associations could not substitute for documented credentials when it came to sacred duties.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And of the priests: the children of Hobaiah, the children of Hakkoz, the children of Barzillai, who took a wife of the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite, and was called after their name.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And of the priests: the children of Habaiah, the children of Koz, the children of Barzillai, which took one of the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite to wife, and was called after their name.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And of the priests: the children of Hobaiah, the children of Hakkoz, the children of Barzillai, who took a wife of the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite, and was called after their name.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And of the priests: the children of Hobaiah, the children of Hakkoz, the children of Barzillai, who was married to one of the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite, and took their name.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And of the priests: sons of Habaiah sons of Koz, sons of Barzillai, who hath taken from the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite a wife, and is called by their name.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And of the priests, the children of Habia, the children of Accos, the children of Berzellai, who took a wife of the daughters of Berzellai the Galaadite, and he was called by their name.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And of the priests: the children of Hobaiah, the children of Koz, the children of Barzillai, who took a wife of the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite and was called after their name.
Context
Following the list of those without proof (verses 61–62), verse 63 escalates the issue by focusing on priests with uncertain lineage. This is a pivotal moment: the community must decide how to handle claims to the most sensitive roles. The narrative provides specific names to underline the seriousness and the need for fairness. Verse 64 will describe the outcome for these claimants, and verse 65 will give the governor’s directive, showing how leadership sought to preserve holiness without arbitrary decisions.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Ezra 2:61
And of the children of the priests: the children of Habaiah, the children of Hakkoz, the children of Barzillai, who took a wife of the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite, and was called after their name.
- 1 Kings 2:7
But show kindness unto the sons of Barzillai the Gileadite, and let them be of those that eat at thy table; for so they came to me when I fled from Absalom thy brother.
- 2 Samuel 19:31
And Barzillai the Gileadite came down from Rogelim; and he went over the Jordan with the king, to conduct him over the Jordan.
- 2 Samuel 17:27
And it came to pass, when David was come to Mahanaim, that Shobi the son of Nahash of Rabbah of the children of Ammon, and Machir the son of Ammiel of Lo-debar, and Barzillai the Gileadite of Rogelim,
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