Nehemiah 7:66

What does Nehemiah 7:66 mean?

A plain-English look at Nehemiah 7:66 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Nehemiah 7:66 means

The whole assembly totals forty and two thousand three hundred and threescore (42,360). This grand sum gathers the many family and town entries into a single picture of a restored nation. Though not vast, it is substantial enough to repopulate towns and sustain temple life. This number testifies to God’s preserving mercy through exile and His faithfulness in return. It also gives administrators a benchmark for planning settlements, defense, and worship. The community is not what it once was, but it is real, counted, and ready to live again in the land.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

The whole assembly together was forty and two thousand three hundred and threescore,

KJV

King James Version · 1611

The whole congregation together was forty and two thousand three hundred and threescore,

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

The whole assembly together was forty and two thousand three hundred and threescore,

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

The number of all the people together was forty-two thousand, three hundred and sixty;

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

All the assembly together <FI>is<Fi> four myriads two thousand three hundred and sixty,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

All the multitude as it were one man, forty-two thousand three hundred sixty,

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

The whole congregation together was forty-two thousand three hundred and sixty,

Context

After resolving issues of uncertain lineage (verses 61–65), verse 66 provides a comprehensive total of the returnees. This summarizing move helps the reader grasp the scale of restoration and sets the context for the additional counts of servants and singers (verse 67) and animals (verses 68–69). These statistics prepare the way for the concluding notes on contributions for the work (verses 70–72). The chapter is shifting from careful verification to consolidated identity and shared provision for the renewed community.

v.65And the governor said unto them, that they should not eat of the most holy things, till there stood up a priest with Urim and Thummim.

v.66This passage

v.67besides their men-servants and their maid-servants, of whom there were seven thousand three hundred thirty and seven: and they had two hundred forty and five singing men and singing women.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Ezra 2:64

    The whole assembly together was forty and two thousand three hundred and threescore,

Related questions readers ask