Nehemiah 7:61

Verse

The following came up from Tel-melah, Tel-harsha, Cherub, Addon, and Immer, but could not prove that their families were descended from Israel:

American Standard Version (1901)

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:

Bible in Basic English

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:

Douay-Rheims 1899

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.

Free Bible Version

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.

Geneva Bible 1599

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.

King James (Authorized) Version

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.

Translation for Translators

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.

Unlocked Literal Bible

These were the people who went up from Tel Melah, Tel Harsha, Kerub, Addon, and Immer. But they could not prove that they or their ancestors' families were descendants from Israel:

Noah Webster Bible

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.

World English Bible

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:

Young's Literal Translation

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 —

Context

The List of Returning Exiles

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 could not prove that their families were descended from Israel:

Summary

This verse lists the descendants of the priests who could not prove their ancestry to show their exclusion from the priesthood until a priest consulted the Urim and Thummim, which were tools used for seeking God's guidance. It highlights the importance of maintaining the purity and integrity of the priesthood, emphasizing the significance of proper lineage and divine confirmation in serving God. The meticulous record-keeping in Nehemiah reflects the attention to detail and reverence for God's laws in preserving the priestly lineage and roles within the community. This verse underscores the accountability and reverence required in fulfilling sacred duties and seeking God's guidance in decision-making.

Commentary

Tyndale

Tyndale Open Study Notes

7:61-62 they could not prove that they . . . were descendants of Israel: They had no genealogical records.