Nehemiah 7:64
Nehemiah 7:64 in Multiple Translations
These men searched for their family records, but they could not find them and so were excluded from the priesthood as unclean.
These sought their register among those that were reckoned by genealogy, but it was not found: therefore were they, as polluted, put from the priesthood.
These sought their register among those that were reckoned by genealogy, but it was not found: therefore were they deemed polluted and put from the priesthood.
They made search for their record among the lists of families, but their names were nowhere to be seen, so they were looked on as unclean and no longer priests.
They searched for a record of them in the genealogies, but their names weren't found, so they were barred from serving as priests.
These sought their writing of the genealogies, but it was not founde: therefore they were put from the Priesthood.
These have sought their register among those reckoning themselves by genealogy, and it hath not been found, and they are redeemed from the priesthood,
These searched for their genealogical records, but couldn’t find them. Therefore they were deemed disqualified and removed from the priesthood.
These sought their register among those that were reckoned by genealogy, but it was not found: therefore were they, as polluted, put from the priesthood.
These sought their writing in the record, and found it not: and they were cast out of the priesthood.
They searched in the records that contained the names of people’s ancestors, but they could not find the names of those clans, so they were not allowed to have the rights and duties that priests have right away.
Berean Amplified Bible — Nehemiah 7:64
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Nehemiah 7:64 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
אֵ֗לֶּה
בִּקְשׁ֧וּ
כְתָבָ֛/ם
הַ/מִּתְיַחְשִׂ֖ים
וְ/לֹ֣א
נִמְצָ֑א
וַ/יְגֹֽאֲל֖וּ
מִן
הַ/כְּהֻנָּֽה
אֵ֗לֶּה
ʼêl-leh
H428
these
Pron
בִּקְשׁ֧וּ
bâqash
H1245
to seek
V-Piel-Perf-3cp
כְתָבָ֛/ם
kâthâb
H3791
writing
N-ms | Suff
הַ/מִּתְיַחְשִׂ֖ים
yâchas
H3187
to enroll
Art | V-Hithpael
וְ/לֹ֣א
lôʼ
H3808
not
Conj | Part
נִמְצָ֑א
mâtsâʼ
H4672
to find
V-Niphal-Perf-3ms
וַ/יְגֹֽאֲל֖וּ
gâʼal
H1351
to defile
Conj | V-Pual-ConsecImperf-3mp
מִן
min
H4480
from
Prep
הַ/כְּהֻנָּֽה
kᵉhunnâh
H3550
priesthood
Art | N-fs
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Nehemiah 7:64
אֵ֗לֶּה
ʼêl-leh
H428
"these"
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.
בִּקְשׁ֧וּ
bâqash
H1245
"to seek"
V-Piel-Perf-3cp
This Hebrew verb means to seek or search for something. In Psalm 105:4, it's used to encourage seeking God's face. It's also used in 1 Samuel 28:8 where Saul seeks a medium.
Definition: 1) to seek, require, desire, exact, request 1a) (Piel) 1a1) to seek to find 1a2) to seek to secure 1a3) to seek the face 1a4) to desire, demand 1a5) to require, exact 1a6) to ask, request 1b) (Pual) to be sought
Usage: Occurs in 215 OT verses. KJV: ask, beg, beseech, desire, enquire, get, make inquisition, procure, (make) request, require, seek (for). See also: Genesis 31:39; Esther 7:7; Psalms 4:3.
כְתָבָ֛/ם
kâthâb
H3791
"writing"
N-ms | Suff
This Hebrew word refers to something written, like a book or document, and is used in the Bible to describe important records or scriptures. It appears in the book of Ezra and Nehemiah to describe official documents. In English, it is often translated as 'register' or 'scripture'.
Definition: 1) a writing, document, edict 1a) register, enrolment, roll 1b) mode of writing, character, letter 1c) letter, document, a writing 1d) a written edict 1d1) of royal enactment 1d2) of divine authority Aramaic equivalent: ke.tav (כְּתָב "inscription" H3792)
Usage: Occurs in 16 OT verses. KJV: register, scripture, writing. See also: 1 Chronicles 28:19; Esther 3:14; Daniel 10:21.
הַ/מִּתְיַחְשִׂ֖ים
yâchas
H3187
"to enroll"
Art | V-Hithpael
To enroll means to officially record or list someone's name, often for genealogical purposes. This word is used to describe the process of reckoning or numbering people in a family tree or genealogy.
Definition: (Hithpael) to reckon genealogically, enrol on a genealogy, enrol, be enrolled
Usage: Occurs in 20 OT verses. KJV: (number after, number throughout the) genealogy (to be reckoned), be reckoned by genealogies. See also: 1 Chronicles 4:33; 2 Chronicles 12:15; Nehemiah 7:64.
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.
נִמְצָ֑א
mâtsâʼ
H4672
"to find"
V-Niphal-Perf-3ms
Matsa means to find or attain something, whether it is a physical object, a person, or a condition, as seen in various KJV translations.
Definition: 1) to find, attain to 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to find 1a1a) to find, secure, acquire, get (thing sought) 1a1b) to find (what is lost) 1a1c) to meet, encounter 1a1d) to find (a condition) 1a1e) to learn, devise 1a2) to find out 1a2a) to find out 1a2b) to detect 1a2c) to guess 1a3) to come upon, light upon 1a3a) to happen upon, meet, fall in with 1a3b) to hit 1a3c) to befall 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be found 1b1a) to be encountered, be lighted upon, be discovered 1b1b) to appear, be recognised 1b1c) to be discovered, be detected 1b1d) to be gained, be secured 1b2) to be, be found 1b2a) to be found in 1b2b) to be in the possession of 1b2c) to be found in (a place), happen to be 1b2d) to be left (after war) 1b2e) to be present 1b2f) to prove to be 1b2g) to be found sufficient, be enough 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to cause to find, attain 1c2) to cause to light upon, come upon, come 1c3) to cause to encounter 1c4) to present (offering)
Usage: Occurs in 425 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] be able, befall, being, catch, [idiom] certainly, (cause to) come (on, to, to hand), deliver, be enough (cause to) find(-ing, occasion, out), get (hold upon), [idiom] have (here), be here, hit, be left, light (up-) on, meet (with), [idiom] occasion serve, (be) present, ready, speed, suffice, take hold on. See also: Genesis 2:20; Deuteronomy 22:3; 2 Kings 9:35.
וַ/יְגֹֽאֲל֖וּ
gâʼal
H1351
"to defile"
Conj | V-Pual-ConsecImperf-3mp
This Hebrew word means to make something unclean or impure, often used in Leviticus to describe defiling the temple or oneself. It can also mean to stain or desecrate something, like in Ezekiel 20:16. The concept is about ruining something's purity or holiness.
Definition: 1) to defile, pollute, desecrate 1a) (Niphal) to be defiled, be polluted 1b) (Piel) to pollute, desecrate 1c)(Pual) to be desecrated (of removal from priesthood) 1d) (Hiphil) to pollute, stain 1e) (Hithpael) to defile oneself
Usage: Occurs in 9 OT verses. KJV: defile, pollute, stain. See also: Ezra 2:62; Lamentations 4:14; Isaiah 59:3.
מִן
min
H4480
"from"
Prep
This Hebrew word means a portion or part of something, and is often used to show the relationship between things, like from or out of something.
Definition: prep 1) from, out of, on account of, off, on the side of, since, above, than, so that not, more than 1a) from (expressing separation), off, on the side of 1b) out of 1b1) (with verbs of proceeding, removing, expelling) 1b2) (of material from which something is made) 1b3) (of source or origin) 1c) out of, some of, from (partitively) 1d) from, since, after (of time) 1e) than, more than (in comparison) 1f) from...even to, both...and, either...or 1g) than, more than, too much for (in comparisons) 1h) from, on account of, through, because (with infinitive) conj 2) that Aramaic equivalent: min (מִן־ "from" H4481)
Usage: Occurs in 1094 OT verses. KJV: above, after, among, at, because of, by (reason of), from (among), in, [idiom] neither, [idiom] nor, (out) of, over, since, [idiom] then, through, [idiom] whether, with. See also: Genesis 2:6; Exodus 16:32; Leviticus 14:26.
הַ/כְּהֻנָּֽה
kᵉhunnâh
H3550
"priesthood"
Art | N-fs
The priesthood refers to the office or position of a priest, like the Levitical priesthood in the Old Testament. It involves serving God and leading others in worship. The Bible describes the responsibilities and duties of the priesthood in the book of Leviticus.
Definition: priesthood
Usage: Occurs in 12 OT verses. KJV: priesthood, priest's office. See also: Exodus 29:9; Numbers 25:13; Nehemiah 13:29.
Study Notes — Nehemiah 7:64
Show Verse Quote Highlights
Context — The List of Returning Exiles
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).
64These men searched for their family records, but they could not find them and so were excluded from the priesthood as unclean.
65The governor ordered them not to eat the most holy things until there was a priest to consult the Urim and Thummim. 66The whole assembly numbered 42,360,Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 Chronicles 9:1 | So all Israel was recorded in the genealogies written in the Book of the Kings of Israel. But Judah was exiled to Babylon because of their unfaithfulness. |
| 2 | Nehemiah 7:5 | Then my God put it into my heart to assemble the nobles, the officials, and the people to be enrolled by genealogy. I found the genealogical register of those who had first returned, and I found the following written in it: |
| 3 | Nehemiah 13:29 | Remember them, O my God, because they have defiled the priesthood and the covenant of the priesthood and of the Levites. |
| 4 | Matthew 22:11–13 | But when the king came in to see the guests, he spotted a man who was not dressed in wedding clothes. ‘Friend,’ he asked, ‘how did you get in here without wedding clothes?’ But the man was speechless. Then the king told the servants, ‘Tie him hand and foot, and throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ |
| 5 | Matthew 25:11–12 | Later the other virgins arrived and said, ‘Lord, lord, open the door for us!’ But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I do not know you.’ |
| 6 | Leviticus 4:3 | If the anointed priest sins, bringing guilt on the people, he must bring to the LORD a young bull without blemish as a sin offering for the sin he has committed. |
Nehemiah 7:64 Summary
This verse is talking about a group of men who wanted to be priests, but they couldn't find their family records, which were necessary to prove they were from the right tribe. Because they couldn't find these records, they were not allowed to be priests, as they were considered 'unclean'. This teaches us that God is a holy God who desires purity and righteousness in those who serve Him, as seen in Leviticus 11:44-45. We can learn from this verse the importance of seeking to be pure and righteous in our own lives, just as these men were required to be pure in order to serve as priests, and as Jesus taught in Matthew 5:8, 'Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.'
Frequently Asked Questions
Why were these men excluded from the priesthood?
These men were excluded from the priesthood because they could not find their family records, which were necessary to prove their lineage and purity, as seen in Ezra 2:62 and Nehemiah 7:64. This was important because God had commanded that only those from the tribe of Levi could serve as priests, as stated in Numbers 3:10.
What does it mean to be 'unclean' in this context?
To be 'unclean' in this context means that these men were not considered ritually pure and were therefore not qualified to serve as priests, as they could not prove their lineage and adherence to God's commands, as seen in Leviticus 21:1-6.
How does this verse relate to the concept of purity in the Bible?
This verse highlights the importance of purity in the Bible, as seen in Psalm 24:3-4, where it is written that only those with clean hands and a pure heart can ascend to the hill of the Lord. This concept of purity is also seen in 2 Corinthians 7:1, where believers are called to purify themselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit.
What can we learn from the experience of these men?
We can learn from the experience of these men the importance of being prepared and having a clear understanding of our spiritual heritage, as seen in 1 Timothy 4:16, where it is written that we must watch our life and doctrine closely, and 2 Timothy 2:15, where it is written that we must be workers who do not need to be ashamed, correctly handling the word of truth.
Reflection Questions
- What are some areas in my life where I may be 'unclean' or lacking in purity, and how can I seek to purify myself?
- How can I ensure that I am prepared to serve the Lord, just as these men were required to be prepared to serve as priests?
- What does it mean for me to have a 'clean heart' and 'clean hands' before the Lord, as described in Psalm 24:3-4?
- In what ways can I apply the concept of purity to my daily life, as seen in 2 Corinthians 7:1?
Gill's Exposition on Nehemiah 7:64
[See comments on Ne 7:6].
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Nehemiah 7:64
The children of Immer, a thousand fifty and two. No JFB commentary on these verses.
Ellicott's Commentary on Nehemiah 7:64
(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 7:64
64. were they, as polluted, put from the priesthood] R.V. were they deemed polluted and put, &c. Marg. Heb. they were polluted from, &c.
Sermons on Nehemiah 7:64
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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It Was Not Found. by F.B. Meyer | F.B. Meyer discusses the importance of maintaining one's identity and calling as a priest of God, using the example of individuals whose names were not found in the priestly regist |
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Jabez by Douglas Crossman | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the story of God's people being brought out of Egypt and into the land of Canaan. God made a covenant with them, promising to be with them and |
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Called to Build God's House by Stephen Kaung | In this sermon, the speaker reflects on the importance of how our lives will be recorded by the Spirit of God. He shares a personal experience of walking through a cemetery and rea |
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The Message of Malachi by G. Campbell Morgan | G. Campbell Morgan delivers a profound sermon on 'The Message of Malachi,' emphasizing God's unfailing love and the human tendency to fail in maintaining true relationships with Hi |
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Everything Outside of Christ Is Rubbish by Zac Poonen | This sermon emphasizes the importance of valuing the righteousness of Christ above all earthly achievements or goodness. It highlights the need to count everything else as rubbish |
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Revival Stories: John Wesley by E.A. Johnston | In this sermon transcript, John Wesley recounts a powerful experience he had while preaching in May 1739. As he was preaching on the words "be still and know that I am God," God be |
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Studies in Song of Solomon 02 His Eyes as of Doves by Svend Christensen | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on Luke Chapter 5, where Jesus is surrounded by people who are eager to hear the word of God. He notices two empty fishing boats and decides to |