Verse:
Nehemiah 7:15 · "the descendants of Binnui, 648;"

Context and Background:
The Book of Nehemiah is a historical account focusing on the period of the Jewish return from Babylonian exile and the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls. Nehemiah, a cupbearer to the Persian king Artaxerxes, is granted permission to lead this effort. Nehemiah 7 is a continuation of the narrative where Nehemiah takes measures to ensure the security and repopulation of Jerusalem. This chapter lists the genealogies of those who returned from exile, reflecting the importance of heritage and continuity for the Jewish people.

Analysis:
Nehemiah 7:15 specifically mentions the descendants of Binnui, numbering 648. This enumeration is part of a larger census that Nehemiah conducts to organize the community and ensure that those who returned were indeed of Israelite descent. The listing of families and their numbers serves several purposes:

1. Validation of Heritage: The genealogical records were crucial for validating the Jewish identity of the returnees. This was important for maintaining the purity of the Israelite community and ensuring that the religious and cultural practices were preserved.

2. Community Organization: By documenting the families and their numbers, Nehemiah could effectively organize the community for the tasks of rebuilding and governance. It provided a structured approach to repopulating Jerusalem and distributing responsibilities.

3. Fulfillment of Prophecy: The return from exile and the restoration of Jerusalem were seen as fulfillments of prophetic promises. The detailed records underscore the faithfulness of God in preserving His people and fulfilling His covenant promises.

4. Spiritual Renewal: The act of recording and acknowledging each family highlights the collective and individual roles in the spiritual renewal of the nation. It emphasizes the importance of each member in the community's spiritual and physical restoration.

Theological Significance:
The mention of the descendants of Binnui, along with other families, underscores the theme of restoration and faithfulness. It reflects God's providence in preserving a remnant and His commitment to His covenant people. The detailed genealogies serve as a testament to God's ongoing relationship with Israel and His plans for their future.

Conclusion:
Nehemiah 7:15, while seemingly a simple record of numbers, is rich with implications for understanding the post-exilic community's identity, organization, and spiritual renewal. It highlights the importance of heritage, the fulfillment of divine promises, and the collective effort required in the restoration of God's people. Through these genealogies, the faithfulness of God and the resilience of His people are vividly portrayed.648 (1 Occurrence)

Nehemiah 7:15
The children of Binnui, six hundred forty-eight.
(See NAS NIV)

648 (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance 648 (1 Occurrence). Nehemiah 7:15 The children
of Binnui, six hundred forty-eight. (See NAS NIV). ...
/num/648.htm - 6k

650 (1 Occurrence)

/num/650.htm - 6k

642 (1 Occurrence)

/num/642.htm - 6k

Nahum (3 Occurrences)
... threatened three times: (1) The Revolt of Shamash-shumukin: The revolt of
Shamash-shumukin of Babylon against his brother, the king of Assyria, 650-648 BC ( ...
/n/nahum.htm - 21k

According (7613 Occurrences)
... Alexandria, and others, is strenuously affirmed by Professor Harnack (Altchristliche
Literatur, I, 6) and as strenuously denied by Professor Zahn (GK, II, 648...
/a/according.htm - 62k

Gospel (108 Occurrences)
... Alexandria, and others, is strenuously affirmed by Professor Harnack (Altchristliche
Literatur, I, 6) and as strenuously denied by Professor Zahn (GK, II, 648...
/g/gospel.htm - 101k

Hebrews (24 Occurrences)
... Alexandria, and others, is strenuously affirmed by Professor Harnack (Altchristliche
Literatur, I, 6) and as strenuously denied by Professor Zahn (GK, II, 648...
/h/hebrews.htm - 70k

Anem (1 Occurrence)
... threatened three times: (1) The Revolt of Shamash-shumukin: The revolt of
Shamash-shumukin of Babylon against his brother, the king of Assyria, 650-648 BC ( ...
/a/anem.htm - 101k

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