The List of Those who Returned from Exile

(Neh 7.4–73)

1Many of the exiles left the province of Babylon and returned to Jerusalem and Judah, all to their own cities. Their families had been living in exile in Babylonia ever since King Nebuchadnezzar had taken them there as prisoners. 2Their leaders were Zerubbabel, Joshua, Nehemiah, Seraiah, Reelaiah, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispar, Bigvai, Rehum, and Baanah.

This is the list of the clans of Israel, with the number of those from each clan who returned from exile:

3-20Parosh — 2,172

Shephatiah — 372

Arah — 775

Pahath Moab (descendants of Jeshua and Joab) — 2,812

Elam — 1,254

Zattu — 945

Zaccai — 760

Bani — 642

Bebai — 623

Azgad — 1,222

Adonikam — 666

Bigvai — 2,056

Adin — 454

Ater (also called Hezekiah) — 98

Bezai — 323

Jorah — 112

Hashum — 223

Gibbar — 95

21-35People whose ancestors had lived in the following towns also returned:

Bethlehem — 123

Netophah — 56

Anathoth — 128

Azmaveth — 42

Kiriath Jearim, Chephirah, and Beeroth — 743

Ramah and Geba — 621

Michmash — 122

Bethel and Ai — 223

Nebo — 52

Magbish — 156

The other Elam — 1,254

Harim — 320

Lod, Hadid, and Ono — 725

Jericho — 345

Senaah — 3,630

36-39This is the list of the priestly clans that returned from exile:

Jedaiah (descendants of Jeshua) — 973

Immer — 1,052

Pashhur — 1,247

Harim — 1,017

40-42Clans of Levites who returned from exile:

Jeshua and Kadmiel (descendants of Hodaviah) — 74

Temple musicians (descendants of Asaph) — 128

Temple guards (descendants of Shallum, Ater, Talmon, Akkub, Hatita, and Shobai) — 139

43-54Clans of temple workmen who returned from exile:

Ziha, Hasupha, Tabbaoth,

Keros, Siaha, Padon,

Lebanah, Hagabah, Akkub,

Hagab, Shamlai, Hanan,

Giddel, Gahar, Reaiah,

Rezin, Nekoda, Gazzam,

Uzza, Paseah, Besai,

Asnah, Meunim, Nephisim,

Bakbuk, Hakupha, Harhur,

Bazluth, Mehida, Harsha,

Barkos, Sisera, Temah,

Neziah, and Hatipha.

55-57Clans of Solomon's servants who returned from exile:

Sotai, Hassophereth, Peruda,

Jaalah, Darkon, Giddel,

Shephatiah, Hattil, Pochereth Hazzebaim, and Ami.

58The total number of descendants of the temple workmen and of Solomon's servants who returned from exile was 392.

59-60There were 652 belonging to the clans of Delaiah, Tobiah, and Nekoda who returned from the towns of Tel Melah, Tel Harsha, Cherub, Addan, and Immer; but they could not prove that they were descendants of Israelites.

61-62The following priestly clans could find no record to prove their ancestry: Habaiah, Hakkoz, and Barzillai. (The ancestor of the priestly clan of Barzillai had married a woman from the clan of Barzillai of Gilead and had taken the name of his father-in-law's clan.) Since they were unable to prove who their ancestors were, they were not accepted as priests. 632.63: Num 27.21The Jewish governor told them that they could not eat the food offered to God until there was a priest who could use the Urim and Thummim.2.63 Urim and Thummim: Two objects used by the priest to determine God's will; it is not known precisely how they were used.

64-67Total number of exiles who returned — 42,360

Their male and female servants — 7,337

Male and female musicians — 200

Horses — 736

Mules — 245

Camels — 435

Donkeys — 6,720

68When the exiles arrived at the LORD's Temple in Jerusalem, some of the leaders of the clans gave freewill offerings to help rebuild the Temple on its old site. 69They gave as much as they could for this work, and the total came to 500 kilogrammes of gold, 2.8 tonnes of silver, and 100 robes for priests.

702.70: 1 Chr 9.2; Neh 11.3The priests, the Levites, and some of the people settled in or near Jerusalem;2.70 One ancient translation in or near Jerusalem; Hebrew does not have these words. the musicians, the temple guards, and the temple workmen settled in nearby towns; and the rest of the Israelites settled in the towns where their ancestors had lived.