Nehemiah 7:55
New International Version
Barkos, Sisera, Temah,

New Living Translation
Barkos, Sisera, Temah,

English Standard Version
the sons of Barkos, the sons of Sisera, the sons of Temah,

Berean Standard Bible
the descendants of Barkos, the descendants of Sisera, the descendants of Temah,

Berean Literal Bible
the sons of Barkos, the sons of Sisera, the sons of Temah,

King James Bible
The children of Barkos, the children of Sisera, the children of Tamah,

New King James Version
the sons of Barkos, the sons of Sisera, the sons of Tamah,

New American Standard Bible
the sons of Barkos, the sons of Sisera, the sons of Temah,

NASB 1995
the sons of Barkos, the sons of Sisera, the sons of Temah,

NASB 1977
the sons of Barkos, the sons of Sisera, the sons of Temah,

Legacy Standard Bible
the sons of Barkos, the sons of Sisera, the sons of Temah,

Amplified Bible
the sons of Barkos, the sons of Sisera, the sons of Temah,

Berean Annotated Bible
the descendants of Barkos (the son cut off), the descendants of Sisera (battle array), the descendants of Temah (laughter),

Christian Standard Bible
Barkos’s descendants, Sisera’s descendants, Temah’s descendants,

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Barkos’s descendants, Sisera’s descendants, Temah’s descendants,

American Standard Version
the children of Barkos, the children of Sisera, the children of Temah,

English Revised Version
the children of Barkos, the children of Sisera, the children of Temah;

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Barkos, Sisera, Temah,

International Standard Version
Descendants of Barkos, Sisera, and Temah.

NET Bible
the descendants of Barkos, the descendants of Sisera, the descendants of Temah,

New Heart English Bible
the descendants of Barkos, the descendants of Sisera, the descendants of Temah,

Webster's Bible Translation
The children of Barkos, the children of Sisera, the children of Tamah,
Majority Text Translations
Majority Standard Bible
the descendants of Barkos, the descendants of Sisera, the descendants of Temah,

World English Bible
the children of Barkos, the children of Sisera, the children of Temah,
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
sons of Barkos, sons of Sisera, sons of Tamah,

Berean Literal Bible
the sons of Barkos, the sons of Sisera, the sons of Temah,

Young's Literal Translation
sons of Barkos, sons of Sisera, sons of Tamah,

Smith's Literal Translation
The sons of Barkos, the sons of Sisera, the sons of Thamah,
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
The children of Bercos, the children of Sisara, the children of Thema,

Catholic Public Domain Version
the sons of Barkos, the sons of Sisera, the sons of Temah,

New American Bible
descendants of Barkos, descendants of Sisera, descendants of Temah,

New Revised Standard Version
of Barkos, of Sisera, of Temah,
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
The descendants of Bezuk, the descendants of Sisera, the descendants of Tamah.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
The children of Bezuq, the children of Sisra, the children of Tamna
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
the children of Barkos, the children of Sisera, the children of Temah;

Brenton Septuagint Translation
the children of Barcue, the children of Sisarath, the children of Thema,

Additional Translations ...



Context
The List of Returning Exiles
54the descendants of Bazlith, the descendants of Mehida, the descendants of Harsha, 55the descendants of Barkos, the descendants of Sisera, the descendants of Temah, 56the descendants of Neziah, and the descendants of Hatipha.…

Cross References
the descendants of Barkos

Ezra 2:53
the descendants of Barkos, the descendants of Sisera, the descendants of Temah,

Ezra 8:20
They also brought 220 of the temple servants, all designated by name. David and the officials had appointed them to assist the Levites.

1 Chronicles 9:2
Now the first to resettle their own property in their cities were Israelites, priests, Levites, and temple servants.
the descendants of Sisera

Judges 4:2
So the LORD sold them into the hand of Jabin king of Canaan, who reigned in Hazor. The commander of his forces was Sisera, who lived in Harosheth-hagoyim.

Judges 4:15
And in front of him the LORD routed with the sword Sisera, all his charioteers, and all his army. Sisera abandoned his chariot and fled on foot.

Judges 5:20
From the heavens the stars fought; from their courses they fought against Sisera.
the descendants of Temah

Genesis 25:15
Hadad, Tema, Jetur, Naphish, and Kedemah.

1 Chronicles 1:30
Mishma, Dumah, Massa, Hadad, Tema,
Ezra 2:57
the descendants of Shephatiah, the descendants of Hattil, the descendants of Pochereth-hazzebaim, and the descendants of Ami.

Nehemiah 11:3-4
These are the heads of the provinces who settled in Jerusalem. (In the villages of Judah, however, each lived on his own property in their towns—the Israelites, priests, Levites, temple servants, and descendants of Solomon’s servants— / while some of the descendants of Judah and Benjamin settled in Jerusalem.) From the descendants of Judah: Athaiah son of Uzziah, the son of Zechariah, the son of Amariah, the son of Shephatiah, the son of Mahalalel, a descendant of Perez;

Ezra 2:1-2
Now these are the people of the province who came up from the captivity of the exiles carried away to Babylon by Nebuchadnezzar its king. They returned to Jerusalem and Judah, each to his own town, / accompanied by Zerubbabel, Jeshua, Nehemiah, Seraiah, Reelaiah, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispar, Bigvai, Rehum, and Baanah. This is the count of the men of Israel:

Nehemiah 7:6-7
These are the people of the province who came up from the captivity of the exiles carried away to Babylon by Nebuchadnezzar its king. They returned to Jerusalem and Judah, each to his own town, / accompanied by Zerubbabel, Jeshua, Nehemiah, Azariah, Raamiah, Nahamani, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispereth, Bigvai, Nehum, and Baanah. This is the count of the men of Israel:

Nehemiah 12:1-7
Now these are the priests and Levites who went up with Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel and with Jeshua: Seraiah, Jeremiah, Ezra, / Amariah, Malluch, Hattush, / Shecaniah, Rehum, Meremoth, …

Nehemiah 10:28-29
“The rest of the people—the priests, Levites, gatekeepers, singers, temple servants, and all who had separated themselves from the people of the land to obey the Law of God—along with their wives and all their sons and daughters who are able to understand, / hereby join with their noble brothers and commit themselves with a sworn oath to follow the Law of God given through His servant Moses and to obey carefully all the commandments, ordinances, and statutes of the LORD our Lord.

Nehemiah 8:1-3
At that time all the people gathered together in the square before the Water Gate, and they asked Ezra the scribe to bring out the Book of the Law of Moses, which the LORD had commanded for Israel. / On the first day of the seventh month, Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly of men and women and all who could listen and understand. / So Ezra read it aloud from daybreak until noon as he faced the square before the Water Gate, in front of the men and women and those who could understand. And all the people listened attentively to the Book of the Law.

Nehemiah 9:1-3
On the twenty-fourth day of the same month, the Israelites gathered together, fasting and wearing sackcloth, with dust on their heads. / Those of Israelite descent separated themselves from all the foreigners, and they stood and confessed their sins and the iniquities of their fathers. / While they stood in their places, they read from the Book of the Law of the LORD their God for a quarter of the day, and they spent another quarter of the day in confession and worship of the LORD their God.


Treasury of Scripture

The children of Barkos, the children of Sisera, the children of Tamah,

Ezra 2:53
The children of Barkos, the children of Sisera, the children of Thamah,

Thamah

Jump to Previous
Barkos Children Sisera Sis'era Temah Thamah
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Barkos Children Sisera Sis'era Temah Thamah
Nehemiah 7
1. Nehemiah commits the charge of Jerusalem to Hanani and Hananiah
5. A register of the genealogy of them which came at the first out of Babylon
9. of the people
39. of the priests
43. of the Levites
46. of the Nethinims
57. of Solomon's servants
63. and of the priests which could not find their pedigree
66. The whole number of them, with their substance
70. Their offerings












the descendants of Barkos,

Barkos is a name that appears only in the genealogical lists of Nehemiah and Ezra. The mention of "descendants of Barkos" suggests a family or clan that returned from the Babylonian exile. This reflects the broader theme of restoration and rebuilding in the books of Ezra and Nehemiah, where the focus is on re-establishing the community of Israel in Jerusalem.

Ezr 2:53 the descendants of Barkos, the descendants of Sisera,…
Ezr 8:20 They also brought 220 of the temple servants,…
1Ch 9:2 Now the first to resettle their own property in their cities…

the descendants of Sisera,

Sisera is a name more famously associated with the Canaanite commander defeated by Deborah and Barak in Judges 4. However, the Sisera mentioned here is likely a different individual, as the context is post-exilic. The name's recurrence could indicate a family that had adopted the name, possibly due to its historical significance.

Jdg 4:2 So the LORD sold them into the hand of Jabin king of Canaan…
Jdg 4:15 And in front of him the LORD routed with the sword Sisera,…
Jdg 5:20 From the heavens the stars fought; from their courses…

the descendants of Temah,

These families were among the temple servants who returned from Babylonian exile. Though little is known of their individual histories, their inclusion records their recognized place within the restored community. Their service supported the worship of God as Jerusalem, its temple, and its covenant life were rebuilt.

Gen 25:15 Hadad, Tema, Jetur, Naphish, and Kedemah.
1Ch 1:30 Mishma, Dumah, Massa, Hadad, Tema,

Persons / Places / Events
1. Barkos
A family or clan mentioned among the temple servants who returned from the Babylonian exile. Their role was likely associated with assisting the Levites in temple duties.

2. Sisera
Not to be confused with the Canaanite commander defeated by Deborah and Barak in Judges, this Sisera is a different individual or family line, also listed among the temple servants.

3. Temah
Another family or group of temple servants. The name may suggest a connection to a place or a characteristic, as names often held significant meanings in Hebrew culture.
Teaching Points
Importance of Service in God's Kingdom
The mention of temple servants like the descendants of Barkos, Sisera, and Temah highlights the value of every role in the community of faith. No task is too small when it contributes to the worship and service of God.

Faithfulness Across Generations
These genealogies remind us of the faithfulness of families who served God across generations. It encourages us to consider how we can pass down a legacy of faith and service to future generations.

Restoration and Renewal
The return of these families to Jerusalem symbolizes spiritual renewal and the restoration of worship. It challenges us to seek personal and communal renewal in our spiritual lives.

God's Sovereignty in History
The detailed records of those who returned from exile demonstrate God's sovereign hand in preserving His people and fulfilling His promises. It reassures us of God's control over history and His faithfulness to His covenant.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1. What is the meaning of Nehemiah 7:55?

2. How does Nehemiah 7:55 emphasize the importance of genealogical records for God's people?

3. What can we learn about God's faithfulness from Nehemiah 7:55's detailed records?

4. How does Nehemiah 7:55 connect to God's covenant promises in Genesis?

5. How can we apply the principle of stewardship from Nehemiah 7:55 today?

6. What role does community identity play in Nehemiah 7:55 for believers today?

7. What is the significance of Solomon's servants in Nehemiah 7:55?

8. How does Nehemiah 7:55 contribute to understanding Israel's post-exilic community?

9. Why are genealogies important in the context of Nehemiah 7:55?

10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Nehemiah 7?


Nehemiah 7:55 is not a throwaway line; it affirms that God literally restored three specific clans of temple servants—Barkos, Sisera, and Temah—to their ordained roles. Their names teach that:

• God notices and records every faithful worker.

• Grace transforms former foes into trusted servants.

• No origin is too remote for inclusion in His plan.

Together these families encourage today’s believers to embrace humble, consistent service, confident that the Lord both sees and rewards it.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
the descendants
בְּנֵי־ (bə·nê-)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1121: A son

of Barkos,
בַרְק֥וֹס (ḇar·qō·ws)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1302: Barkos -- one of the Nethinim

the descendants
בְּֽנֵי־ (bə·nê-)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1121: A son

of Sisera,
סִֽיסְרָ֖א (sî·sə·rā)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 5516: Sisera -- a general of the king of Hazor, also the father of some returning exiles

the descendants
בְּנֵי־ (bə·nê-)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1121: A son

of Temah,
תָֽמַח׃ (ṯā·maḥ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 8547: Temach


Additonal Resources
Nehemiah 7:55 Blue Letter Bible
Nehemiah 7:55 Bible Gateway
Nehemiah 7:55 Bible.com

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Nehemiah 7:55 Study Bible
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Nehemiah 7:55 Catholic Bible

OT History: Nehemiah 7:55 The children of Barkos the children (Neh Ne)

Nehemiah 7:54
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