Nehemiah 7:35
the descendants of Harim, 320;
the sons of Harim
The phrase "the sons of Harim" refers to a specific family lineage within the Israelite community. In Hebrew, "Harim" means "dedicated" or "consecrated," suggesting a family set apart for a particular purpose or service to God. This lineage is mentioned several times in the context of the return from Babylonian exile, indicating their continued importance in the restoration of Jerusalem and the temple. Historically, the Harim family is listed among the priestly divisions, which underscores their role in religious leadership and temple service. This highlights the importance of maintaining spiritual heritage and the continuity of faith practices across generations.

320
The number "320" signifies the count of individuals from the family of Harim who returned to Jerusalem. Numerically, this reflects a substantial group, emphasizing the commitment and unity of this family in participating in the rebuilding efforts. In the broader context of Nehemiah, numbers like these are not just statistics; they represent the fulfillment of God's promises to restore His people. Each individual counted is a testament to God's faithfulness and the collective effort required to rebuild a community centered on worship and obedience to God. This serves as an inspiration for believers today to contribute to the spiritual and communal rebuilding in their own contexts, trusting in God's provision and guidance.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Nehemiah
A Jewish leader who played a crucial role in rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem after the Babylonian exile. He is known for his leadership, prayerfulness, and dedication to God's work.

2. Harim
A family or clan mentioned in the genealogical records. The name "Harim" appears several times in the Bible, often associated with priestly or Levitical lines.

3. Jerusalem
The city central to Jewish identity and worship, which Nehemiah helped to restore physically and spiritually.

4. The Return from Exile
The broader context of Nehemiah 7 is the return of the Jewish people from Babylonian captivity, a significant event in Jewish history that involved the restoration of their community and religious practices.

5. Genealogical Records
The listing of names and numbers in Nehemiah 7 serves to establish the continuity of the Jewish people and their rightful claim to the land and their heritage.
Teaching Points
The Importance of Heritage and Identity
Understanding our spiritual heritage helps us appreciate our place in God's plan. Just as the descendants of Harim were counted among the returnees, we too are part of a spiritual lineage through faith in Christ.

Faithfulness in Small Details
The meticulous recording of names and numbers in Nehemiah 7 reminds us that God values each individual and their contribution to His work. No task or person is too small in the Kingdom of God.

Community and Restoration
The rebuilding of Jerusalem was a communal effort. Similarly, the church today is called to work together in unity to build and restore lives through the gospel.

God's Faithfulness to His Promises
The return from exile and the restoration of Jerusalem demonstrate God's faithfulness to His covenant promises. We can trust God to fulfill His promises in our lives as well.
Bible Study Questions
1. What significance does the listing of genealogies, such as the descendants of Harim, have for understanding our spiritual identity today?

2. How can we apply the principle of faithfulness in small details to our daily walk with Christ?

3. In what ways can we contribute to the communal effort of building and restoring the church in our local context?

4. How does the account of the return from exile and the rebuilding of Jerusalem encourage us to trust in God's promises?

5. What lessons can we learn from the leadership of Nehemiah in terms of prayer, planning, and perseverance in the face of challenges?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Ezra 2
This chapter provides a parallel account of the returnees from exile, including the descendants of Harim, highlighting the consistency and importance of genealogical records in Jewish history.

1 Chronicles 24
This passage lists the divisions of the priests, including the house of Harim, emphasizing their role in temple service and worship.

Nehemiah 3
Describes the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem, where various families, including those of priestly descent, participated in the work, showing the communal effort in restoration.
The True Method of ProsperityR.A. Redford Nehemiah 7:6-73
People
Akkub, Amon, Asaph, Ater, Azariah, Azmaveth, Baanah, Bakbuk, Barkos, Barzillai, Bazlith, Besai, Bezai, Bigvai, Bilshan, Darkon, Delaiah, Gahar, Gazzam, Giddel, Habaiah, Hagaba, Hakkoz, Hakupha, Hanan, Hanani, Hananiah, Harhur, Harsha, Hashum, Hashupha, Hasupha, Hatipha, Hatita, Hattil, Hezekiah, Hodaviah, Hodevah, Immer, Israelites, Jaala, Jedaiah, Jeshua, Joab, Kadmiel, Keros, Koz, Lebana, Lebanah, Levites, Mehida, Meunim, Mispereth, Mordecai, Nahamani, Nebuchadnezzar, Nehemiah, Nehum, Nekoda, Nephishesim, Neziah, Padon, Pahathmoab, Parosh, Paseah, Pashur, Perida, Phaseah, Pochereth, Raamiah, Reaiah, Rezin, Shallum, Shalmai, Shephatiah, Shobai, Sia, Sisera, Solomon, Sophereth, Sotai, Tabbaoth, Talmon, Tamah, Thamah, Tobiah, Tobijah, Uzza, Zaccai, Zattu, Zerubbabel, Ziha
Places
Ai, Anathoth, Babylon, Beeroth, Beth-azmaveth, Bethel, Bethlehem, Cherub, Geba, Gibeon, Hadid, Immer, Jericho, Jerusalem, Kiriath-jearim, Lod, Michmas, Nebo, Netophah, Ono, Ramah, Tel-harsha, Tel-melah
Topics
320, Hundred, Sons, Twenty
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Nehemiah 7:5-69

     7230   genealogies

Nehemiah 7:6-67

     5249   census

Library
"Take My Yoke Upon You, and Learn of Me," &C.
Matt. xi. 20.--"Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me," &c. Self love is generally esteemed infamous and contemptible among men. It is of a bad report every where, and indeed as it is taken commonly, there is good reason for it, that it should be hissed out of all societies, if reproaching and speaking evil of it would do it. But to speak the truth, the name is not so fit to express the thing, for that which men call self love, may rather be called self hatred. Nothing is more pernicious to a man's
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

And thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, too little to be among the thousands of Judah
"And thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, too little to be among the thousands of Judah, out of thee shall come forth unto Me (one) [Pg 480] to be Ruler in Israel; and His goings forth are the times of old, the days of eternity." The close connection of this verse with what immediately precedes (Caspari is wrong in considering iv. 9-14 as an episode) is evident, not only from the [Hebrew: v] copulative, and from the analogy of the near relation of the announcement of salvation to the prophecy of disaster
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament

The Strait Gate;
OR, GREAT DIFFICULTY OF GOING TO HEAVEN: PLAINLY PROVING, BY THE SCRIPTURES, THAT NOT ONLY THE RUDE AND PROFANE, BUT MANY GREAT PROFESSORS, WILL COME SHORT OF THAT KINGDOM. "Enter ye in at the strait gate; for wide is the gate, and broad is the way that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it."--Matthew 7:13, 14 ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. If any uninspired writer has been
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

Influences that Gave Rise to the Priestly Laws and Histories
[Sidenote: Influences in the exile that produced written ceremonial laws] The Babylonian exile gave a great opportunity and incentive to the further development of written law. While the temple stood, the ceremonial rites and customs received constant illustration, and were transmitted directly from father to son in the priestly families. Hence, there was little need of writing them down. But when most of the priests were carried captive to Babylonia, as in 597 B.C., and ten years later the temple
Charles Foster Kent—The Origin & Permanent Value of the Old Testament

Ezra-Nehemiah
Some of the most complicated problems in Hebrew history as well as in the literary criticism of the Old Testament gather about the books of Ezra and Nehemiah. Apart from these books, all that we know of the origin and early history of Judaism is inferential. They are our only historical sources for that period; and if in them we have, as we seem to have, authentic memoirs, fragmentary though they be, written by the two men who, more than any other, gave permanent shape and direction to Judaism, then
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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