Nehemiah 7:61
Nehemiah 7:61 in Multiple Translations
The following came up from Tel-melah, Tel-harsha, Cherub, Addon, and Immer, but could not prove that their families were descended from Israel:
And 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.
And 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:
All 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:
Those who came from the towns of Tel-melah, Tel-harsha, Kerub, Addan, and Immer could not prove their family genealogy, or even that they were descendants of Israel.
And these came vp from Tel-melah, Tel-haresha, Cherub, Addon, and Immer: but they could not shewe their fathers house, nor their seede, or if they were of Israel.
And these [are] 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 [are] of Israel —
These were those who went up from Tel Melah, Tel Harsha, Cherub, Addon, and Immer; but they could not show their fathers’ houses, nor their offspring, whether they were of Israel:
And these were they who went up also from Tel-mela, Tel-haresha, Cherub, Addon, and Immer: but they could not show their fathers house, nor their seed, whether they were of Israel.
And 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.
Another group of 642 people from the clans of Delaiah, Tobiah, and Nekoda also returned. They came from the towns of Tel-Melah, Tel-Harsha, Kerub, Addan (which is also known as Addon), and Immer in Babylonia. But they could not prove that they were descendants of Israelis.
Berean Amplified Bible — Nehemiah 7:61
BAB
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Nehemiah 7:61 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וְ/אֵ֗לֶּה
הָֽ/עוֹלִים֙
מִ/תֵּ֥ל
מֶ֨לַח֙
תֵּ֣ל
חַרְשָׁ֔א
כְּר֥וּב
אַדּ֖וֹן
וְ/אִמֵּ֑ר
וְ/לֹ֣א
יָכְל֗וּ
לְ/הַגִּ֤יד
בֵּית
אֲבוֹתָ/ם֙
וְ/זַרְעָ֔/ם
אִ֥ם
מִ/יִּשְׂרָאֵ֖ל
הֵֽם
וְ/אֵ֗לֶּה
ʼêl-leh
H428
these
Conj | Pron
הָֽ/עוֹלִים֙
ʻâlâh
H5927
to ascend
Art | V-Qal
מִ/תֵּ֥ל
Têl Melach
H8528
Tel-melah
Prep | N-proper
מֶ֨לַח֙
Têl Melach
H8528
Tel-melah
N-proper
תֵּ֣ל
Têl Charshâʼ
H8521
Tel-harsha
N-proper
חַרְשָׁ֔א
Têl Charshâʼ
H8521
Tel-harsha
N-proper
כְּר֥וּב
Kᵉrûwb
H3743
Cherub
N-proper
אַדּ֖וֹן
ʼAddôwn
H114
Addon
N-proper
וְ/אִמֵּ֑ר
ʼImmêr
H564
Immer
Conj | N-proper
וְ/לֹ֣א
lôʼ
H3808
not
Conj | Part
יָכְל֗וּ
yâkôl
H3201
be able
V-Qal-Perf-3cp
לְ/הַגִּ֤יד
nâgad
H5046
to tell
Prep | V-Hiphil-Inf-a
בֵּית
bayith
H1004
place
N-ms
אֲבוֹתָ/ם֙
ʼâb
H1
father
N-mp | Suff
וְ/זַרְעָ֔/ם
zeraʻ
H2233
seed
Conj | N-ms | Suff
אִ֥ם
ʼim
H518
if
Conj
מִ/יִּשְׂרָאֵ֖ל
Yisrâʼêl
H3478
Israel
Prep | N-proper
הֵֽם
hêm
H1992
they(masc.)
Pron
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Nehemiah 7:61
וְ/אֵ֗לֶּה
ʼêl-leh
H428
"these"
Conj | Pron
This Hebrew word is used to point out specific people or things, like saying 'these' or 'those'. It appears in the book of Genesis, where God says 'let there be light' and separates the light from the darkness.
Definition: 1) these 1a) used before antecedent 1b) used following antecedent Aramaic equivalent: el.leh (אֵלֶּה "these" H0429)
Usage: Occurs in 697 OT verses. KJV: an-(the) other; one sort, so, some, such, them, these (same), they, this, those, thus, which, who(-m). See also: Genesis 2:4; Exodus 35:1; Deuteronomy 1:35.
הָֽ/עוֹלִים֙
ʻâlâh
H5927
"to ascend"
Art | V-Qal
To ascend means to go up or rise, like the smoke from an altar going up to God, as described in many Bible passages, including Leviticus and Psalms.
Definition: : rise/go 1) to go up, ascend, climb 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to go up, ascend 1a2) to meet, visit, follow, depart, withdraw, retreat 1a3) to go up, come up (of animals) 1a4) to spring up, grow, shoot forth (of vegetation) 1a5) to go up, go up over, rise (of natural phenomenon) 1a6) to come up (before God) 1a7) to go up, go up over, extend (of boundary) 1a8) to excel, be superior to 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be taken up, be brought up, be taken away 1b2) to take oneself away 1b3) to be exalted 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to bring up, cause to ascend or climb, cause to go up 1c2) to bring up, bring against, take away 1c3) to bring up, draw up, train 1c4) to cause to ascend 1c5) to rouse, stir up (mentally) 1c6) to offer, bring up (of gifts) 1c7) to exalt 1c8) to cause to ascend, offer 1d) (Hophal) 1d1) to be carried away, be led up 1d2) to be taken up into, be inserted in 1d3) to be offered 1e) (Hithpael) to lift oneself
Usage: Occurs in 817 OT verses. KJV: arise (up), (cause to) ascend up, at once, break (the day) (up), bring (up), (cause to) burn, carry up, cast up, [phrase] shew, climb (up), (cause to, make to) come (up), cut off, dawn, depart, exalt, excel, fall, fetch up, get up, (make to) go (away, up); grow (over) increase, lay, leap, levy, lift (self) up, light, (make) up, [idiom] mention, mount up, offer, make to pay, [phrase] perfect, prefer, put (on), raise, recover, restore, (make to) rise (up), scale, set (up), shoot forth (up), (begin to) spring (up), stir up, take away (up), work. See also: Genesis 2:6; Exodus 34:4; Joshua 7:6.
מִ/תֵּ֥ל
Têl Melach
H8528
"Tel-melah"
Prep | N-proper
Tel-melah was a place in Babylonia, meaning mound of salt, from which some exiles returned to Jerusalem with Zerubbabel. It appears in historical accounts of the Israelites' return.
Definition: § Tel-melah = "mound of salt" a place in Babylon from which some exiles of unknown parentage came; returned to Jerusalem with Zerubbabel
Usage: Occurs in 2 OT verses. KJV: Tel-melah. See also: Ezra 2:59; Nehemiah 7:61.
מֶ֨לַח֙
Têl Melach
H8528
"Tel-melah"
N-proper
Tel-melah was a place in Babylonia, meaning mound of salt, from which some exiles returned to Jerusalem with Zerubbabel. It appears in historical accounts of the Israelites' return.
Definition: § Tel-melah = "mound of salt" a place in Babylon from which some exiles of unknown parentage came; returned to Jerusalem with Zerubbabel
Usage: Occurs in 2 OT verses. KJV: Tel-melah. See also: Ezra 2:59; Nehemiah 7:61.
תֵּ֣ל
Têl Charshâʼ
H8521
"Tel-harsha"
N-proper
Tel-harsha was a town in ancient Babylonia, possibly near the sea, with a name meaning mound of the deaf mute. It is mentioned in the Bible as a place in the low country.
Definition: § Tel-harsa or Tel-haresha = "mound of the deaf mute" a town of Babylon probably located in the low country near the sea
Usage: Occurs in 2 OT verses. KJV: Tel-haresha, Tel-harsa. See also: Ezra 2:59; Nehemiah 7:61.
חַרְשָׁ֔א
Têl Charshâʼ
H8521
"Tel-harsha"
N-proper
Tel-harsha was a town in ancient Babylonia, possibly near the sea, with a name meaning mound of the deaf mute. It is mentioned in the Bible as a place in the low country.
Definition: § Tel-harsa or Tel-haresha = "mound of the deaf mute" a town of Babylon probably located in the low country near the sea
Usage: Occurs in 2 OT verses. KJV: Tel-haresha, Tel-harsa. See also: Ezra 2:59; Nehemiah 7:61.
כְּר֥וּב
Kᵉrûwb
H3743
"Cherub"
N-proper
Cherub is also the name of a place in Babylon where some Jewish people lived in exile. After the Babylonian captivity, some people returned to Jerusalem with Zerubbabel from this settlement. It's mentioned in historical accounts of the Israelites' return.
Definition: § Cherub = "blessing" an apparent exilic settlement in Babylonia from which some persons of doubtful extraction returned with Zerubbabel
Usage: Occurs in 2 OT verses. KJV: Cherub. See also: Ezra 2:59; Nehemiah 7:61.
אַדּ֖וֹן
ʼAddôwn
H114
"Addon"
N-proper
Addon means powerful and is the name of an Israelite, possibly another name for Addan. It appears in the Bible as a personal name. Addon is a man in the Bible.
Definition: Addon = "powerful" an Israelite? Another name of ad.dan (אַדָּן "Addan" H0135)
Usage: Occurs in 1 OT verses. KJV: Addon. See also: Nehemiah 7:61.
וְ/אִמֵּ֑ר
ʼImmêr
H564
"Immer"
Conj | N-proper
Immer was the name of several Israelites, including a priest during David's time and the father of a priest named Zadok, as mentioned in the Bible.
Definition: A man living at the time of Exile and Return, only mentioned at Neh.3.29; father of: Zadok (H6659K) § Immer = "he hath said" 1) a priest in David's time 2) a priest in Jeremiah's time 3) the father of Zadok the priest 4) an ancestor of a priest
Usage: Occurs in 10 OT verses. KJV: Immer. See also: 1 Chronicles 9:12; Nehemiah 3:29; Jeremiah 20:1.
וְ/לֹ֣א
lôʼ
H3808
"not"
Conj | Part
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.
יָכְל֗וּ
yâkôl
H3201
"be able"
V-Qal-Perf-3cp
This Hebrew word means to be able or have power, used in various contexts, such as overcoming or enduring, and is translated as 'be able' or 'have power' in the KJV.
Definition: 1) to prevail, overcome, endure, have power, be able 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to be able, be able to gain or accomplish, be able to endure, be able to reach 1a2) to prevail, prevail over or against, overcome, be victor 1a3) to have ability, have strength Aramaic equivalent: ye.khel (יְכִל "be able" H3202)
Usage: Occurs in 182 OT verses. KJV: be able, any at all (ways), attain, can (away with, (-not)), could, endure, might, overcome, have power, prevail, still, suffer. See also: Genesis 13:6; 1 Kings 14:4; Psalms 13:5.
לְ/הַגִּ֤יד
nâgad
H5046
"to tell"
Prep | V-Hiphil-Inf-a
To tell or declare something openly, as in Genesis 3:11 where God asks Adam to tell the truth. It means to stand boldly and announce something to someone present. In Exodus 32:27, Moses tells the Levites to declare their actions to the people.
Definition: 1) to be conspicuous, tell, make known 1a) (Hiphil) to tell, declare 1a1) to tell, announce, report 1a2) to declare, make known, expound 1a3) to inform of 1a4) to publish, declare, proclaim 1a5) to avow, acknowledge, confess 1a5a) messenger (participle) 1b) (Hophal) to be told, be announced, be reported
Usage: Occurs in 344 OT verses. KJV: bewray, [idiom] certainly, certify, declare(-ing), denounce, expound, [idiom] fully, messenger, plainly, profess, rehearse, report, shew (forth), speak, [idiom] surely, tell, utter. See also: Genesis 3:11; 1 Samuel 14:33; 2 Kings 9:15.
בֵּית
bayith
H1004
"place"
N-ms
The Hebrew word for house refers to a dwelling place, including a family home, temple, or even the human body. It appears in various contexts, such as the temple in Jerusalem or the household of a family. In the Bible, it is often used to describe a place of worship or a family's living space.
Definition: nm place, origin, between
Usage: Occurs in 1712 OT verses. KJV: court, daughter, door, [phrase] dungeon, family, [phrase] forth of, [idiom] great as would contain, hangings, home(born), (winter) house(-hold), inside(-ward), palace, place, [phrase] prison, [phrase] steward, [phrase] tablet, temple, web, [phrase] within(-out). See also: Genesis 6:14; Exodus 8:5; Numbers 1:45.
אֲבוֹתָ/ם֙
ʼâb
H1
"father"
N-mp | Suff
In Hebrew, this word means father, whether literal or figurative. It is used to describe God as the father of his people, as well as human fathers like Abraham. The word is about a paternal relationship or authority.
Definition: 1) father of an individual 2) of God as father of his people 3) head or founder of a household, group, family, or clan 4) ancestor 4a) grandfather, forefathers - of person 4b) of people 5) originator or patron of a class, profession, or art 6) of producer, generator (fig.) 7) of benevolence and protection (fig.) 8) term of respect and honour 9) ruler or chief (spec.) Also means: av (אַב "father" H0002)
Usage: Occurs in 1060 OT verses. KJV: chief, (fore-) father(-less), [idiom] patrimony, principal. Compare names in 'Abi-'. See also: Genesis 2:24; Genesis 42:37; Leviticus 19:3.
וְ/זַרְעָ֔/ם
zeraʻ
H2233
"seed"
Conj | N-ms | Suff
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means seed or offspring, like in Genesis where God promises Abraham many descendants. It can also mean a plant or sowing time, as in Isaiah 55:10. This concept is central to God's plan for humanity.
Definition: : seed/sowing 1) seed, sowing, offspring 1a) a sowing 1b) seed 1c) semen virile 1d) offspring, descendants, posterity, children 1e) of moral quality 1e1) a practitioner of righteousness (fig.) 1f) sowing time (by meton)
Usage: Occurs in 205 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] carnally, child, fruitful, seed(-time), sowing-time. See also: Genesis 1:11; 1 Samuel 1:11; Psalms 18:51.
אִ֥ם
ʼim
H518
"if"
Conj
This Hebrew word is used to express conditions or questions, like if or whether. It can also be used to make oaths or express wishes, as in Oh that! It appears in various forms in the KJV, including if, though, and when.
Definition: : if/whether_or/though 1) if 1a) conditional clauses 1a1) of possible situations 1a2) of impossible situations 1b) oath contexts 1b1) no, not 1c) if...if, whether...or, whether...or...or 1d) when, whenever 1e) since 1f) interrogative particle 1g) but rather
Usage: Occurs in 931 OT verses. KJV: (and, can-, doubtless, if, that) (not), [phrase] but, either, [phrase] except, [phrase] more(-over if, than), neither, nevertheless, nor, oh that, or, [phrase] save (only, -ing), seeing, since, sith, [phrase] surely (no more, none, not), though, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] unless, [phrase] verily, when, whereas, whether, while, [phrase] yet. See also: Genesis 4:7; Exodus 22:3; Leviticus 27:27.
מִ/יִּשְׂרָאֵ֖ל
Yisrâʼêl
H3478
"Israel"
Prep | N-proper
Israel is the symbolic name of Jacob, also referring to his descendants. Jacob, son of Isaac and Rebekah, had 12 sons who became the tribes of Israel, as told in Genesis 25:26. His story is crucial to the Bible's narrative.
Definition: A man living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.25.26; son of: Isaac (H3327) and Rebekah (H7259); brother of: Esau (H6215); married to Rachel (H7354), Leah (H3812), Zilpah (H2153) and Bilhah (H1090A); father of: Reuben (H7205), Simeon (H8095), Levi (H3878), Judah (H3063), Dan (H1835H), Naphtali (H5321), Gad (H1410), Asher (H0836), Issachar (H3485), Zebulun (H2074), Dinah (H1783), Joseph (H3130) and Benjamin (H1144); also called Jacob frequently § Israel = "God prevails" 1) the second name for Jacob given to him by God after his wrestling with the angel at Peniel 2) the name of the descendants and the nation of the descendants of Jacob 2a) the name of the nation until the death of Solomon and the split 2b) the name used and given to the northern kingdom consisting of the 10 tribes under Jeroboam; the southern kingdom was known as Judah 2c) the name of the nation after the return from exile
Usage: Occurs in 2231 OT verses. KJV: Israel. See also: Genesis 32:29; Exodus 13:18; Exodus 40:38.
הֵֽם
hêm
H1992
"they(masc.)"
Pron
This Hebrew word is used to refer to a group of men, emphasizing that it is specifically them. It is often translated as 'they' or 'them' in the Bible, and appears in books like Exodus and Isaiah.
Definition: they, these, the same, who
Usage: Occurs in 524 OT verses. KJV: it, like, [idiom] (how, so) many (soever, more as) they (be), (the) same, [idiom] so, [idiom] such, their, them, these, they, those, which, who, whom, withal, ye. See also: Genesis 3:7; Deuteronomy 19:17; 2 Kings 1:18.
Study Notes — Nehemiah 7:61
Show Verse Quote Highlights
Context — The List of Returning Exiles
59the descendants of Shephatiah, the descendants of Hattil, the descendants of Pochereth-hazzebaim, and the descendants of Amon.
60The temple servants and descendants of the servants of Solomon numbered 392 in all.
61The following came up from Tel-melah, Tel-harsha, Cherub, Addon, and Immer, but they could not prove that their families were descended from Israel:
62the descendants of Delaiah, the descendants of Tobiah, and the descendants of Nekoda, 642 in all. 63And from among the priests: the descendants of Hobaiah, the descendants of Hakkoz, and the descendants of Barzillai (who had married a daughter of Barzillai the Gileadite and was called by their name).Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ezra 2:59 | The following came up from Tel-melah, Tel-harsha, Cherub, Addan, and Immer, but could not prove that their families were descended from Israel: |
Nehemiah 7:61 Summary
This verse talks about a group of people who couldn't prove that they were descended from Israel, which was important for determining their roles and privileges within the community. It highlights the importance of maintaining accurate records and demonstrating a legitimate connection to the community of faith, as seen in Ezra 2:59-63 and Nehemiah 7:59-63. In simple terms, it's like trying to prove that you're part of a certain family or group - you need to have the right records and connections to show that you belong. This verse reminds us that our sense of identity and belonging is deeply connected to our heritage and community, as discussed in Psalm 107:1-3 and Romans 11:1-6.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why were the people from Tel-melah, Tel-harsha, Cherub, Addon, and Immer unable to prove their families were descended from Israel?
The reason for this is not explicitly stated in Nehemiah 7:61, but it may be due to a lack of genealogical records, as seen in Ezra 2:59-63 and Nehemiah 7:59-63, where similar issues are discussed. This highlights the importance of maintaining accurate genealogical records, as emphasized in Genesis 5:1 and 1 Chronicles 4:33.
What does it mean to 'prove that their families were descended from Israel'?
In the context of Nehemiah 7:61, proving descent from Israel meant demonstrating a legitimate connection to the tribes of Israel, which was crucial for determining priestly and Levitical roles, as well as inheritance and other privileges, as seen in Numbers 1:2-3 and Deuteronomy 33:1-29. This process likely involved verifying family records and lineage.
How did the inability to prove their descent affect these individuals?
Although the specific consequences are not stated in Nehemiah 7:61, it is likely that these individuals were excluded from certain privileges and roles within the community, such as priestly duties or land inheritance, as seen in Ezekiel 44:10 and Ezra 2:62. This highlights the importance of maintaining accurate records and demonstrating a legitimate connection to the community of faith.
What can we learn from this verse about the importance of identity and community?
Nehemiah 7:61 teaches us that our identity and sense of belonging are deeply connected to our heritage and community, as seen in Psalm 107:1-3 and Romans 11:1-6. It also emphasizes the importance of maintaining accurate records and being able to demonstrate our connection to the community of faith, which is essential for our spiritual identity and participation in the community.
Reflection Questions
- What does this verse reveal about the importance of maintaining accurate records and demonstrating a legitimate connection to the community of faith?
- How does this verse relate to our own sense of identity and belonging within the body of Christ, as discussed in 1 Corinthians 12:12-27 and Ephesians 4:1-16?
- What role do genealogical records play in the Bible, and what can we learn from the emphasis on these records in the Old Testament, such as in Genesis 5:1 and 1 Chronicles 4:33?
- How does this verse speak to the idea of spiritual heritage and our connection to the people of God, as seen in Hebrews 11:1-40 and Galatians 3:6-9?
Gill's Exposition on Nehemiah 7:61
[See comments on Ne 7:6].
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Nehemiah 7:61
The children of Immer, a thousand fifty and two. No JFB commentary on these verses.
Ellicott's Commentary on Nehemiah 7:61
(5-73) The genealogical reckoning of the people, as the first step towards increasing the population of the metropolis, is determined on, not without express Divine suggestion; the allusion to this inspiration from God, is, as in Nehemiah 2:12, very emphatic. The original register of Zerubbabelis found and copied. The express language of both Ezra and Nehemiah makes it plain that this is no other than the list of those who came up with Zerubbabel and Joshua after the decree of Cyrus, in B.C. 538. Nehemiah’s own census follows, in Nehemiah 11. The exposition, especially as compared with Ezra 2, has been given on that chapter.
Cambridge Bible on Nehemiah 7:61
61. also] R.V. omits. Tel-haresha] R.V. Tel-harsha.fathers’ house] R.V. fathers’ houses.