Nehemiah 7:70
What does Nehemiah 7:70 mean?
A plain-English look at Nehemiah 7:70 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Nehemiah 7:70 means
Some heads of fathers’ houses give to the work. The governor contributes a thousand darics of gold, fifty basins, and five hundred and thirty priests’ garments. Leadership models generosity, supplying what is needed for temple service and administration. The items suggest concern for both worship (garments, basins) and the ongoing financial base (gold). Recording the gifts honors the donors and encourages shared responsibility. This verse shows that rebuilding requires sacrificial giving as well as physical labor, and that those in authority should set the pace in supporting God’s house and the community’s welfare.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And some from among the heads of fathers’ houses gave unto the work. The governor gave to the treasury a thousand darics of gold, fifty basins, five hundred and thirty priests’ garments.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And some of the chief of the fathers gave unto the work. The Tirshatha gave to the treasure a thousand drams of gold, fifty basons, five hundred and thirty priests’ garments.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And some from among the heads of fathers’ houses gave unto the work. The governor gave to the treasury a thousand darics of gold, fifty basins, five hundred and thirty priests’ garments.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And some of the heads of families gave money for the work. The Tirshatha gave into the store a thousand darics of gold, fifty basins, five hundred and thirty priests' robes.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And from the extremity of the heads of the fathers they have given to the work; the Tirshatha hath given to the treasure, of gold, drams a thousand, bowls fifty, priests' coats thirty and five hundred.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And some of the heads of the families gave unto the work. Athersatha gave into the treasure a thousand drams of gold, fifty bowls, and five hundred and thirty garments for priests.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And some of the chief fathers gave to the work. The Tirshatha gave to the treasure a thousand darics of gold, fifty basons, five hundred and thirty priests' coats.
Context
After documenting people and resources (verses 66–69), verse 70 begins a section on contributions. The governor’s substantial gift leads by example, followed by gifts from other heads of households (verse 71) and then from the rest of the people (verse 72). This crescendo of generosity demonstrates communal buy-in and capacity to sustain temple life. The offerings prepare the way for the chapter’s final statement (verse 73), where the people settle in their cities and await the liturgical events of the seventh month, signaling a new chapter in their restored life.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 1 Kings 7:45
and the pots, and the shovels, and the basins: even all these vessels, which Hiram made for king Solomon, in the house of Jehovah, were of burnished brass.
- Nehemiah 8:9
And Nehemiah, who was the governor, and Ezra the priest the scribe, and the Levites that taught the people, said unto all the people, This day is holy unto Jehovah your God; mourn not, nor weep. For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the law.
- 2 Chronicles 4:11
And Huram made the pots, and the shovels, and the basins. So Huram made an end of doing the work that he wrought for king Solomon in the house of God:
- Nehemiah 10:1
Now those that sealed were: Nehemiah the governor, the son of Hacaliah, and Zedekiah,
- 1 Chronicles 28:17
and the flesh-hooks, and the basins, and the cups, of pure gold; and for the golden bowls by weight for every bowl; and for the silver bowls by weight for every bowl;
- 1 Chronicles 29:3
Moreover also, because I have set my affection on the house of my God, seeing that I have a treasure of mine own of gold and silver, I give it unto the house of my God, over and above all that I have prepared for the holy house,
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