Nehemiah 7:7-38

The Number Of The Men Of Israel (Nehemiah 7:7).

Nehemiah 7:7

‘The number of the men of the people of Israel,

This proud claim demonstrates that the returnees saw themselves as the foundation of the new Israel. They were the true Israelites, in contrast with the syncretists who had remained in the land, although any in the land who could demonstrate that the were genuine exclusive Yahwists were welcomed among their number (Ezra 6:21).

These are divided up between those who are enrolled by family association (Nehemiah 7:8, and those who are enrolled in terms of their cities (Nehemiah 7:25).