Nehemiah 7:21
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What Does This Mean?
Nehemiah 7:21 lists the number of people from the family of Ater, descendants of Hezekiah, who returned to Jerusalem after the Babylonian exile. The verse states that there were ninety-eight of them. This is part of a larger list of people who returned and were accounted for.
Explained for Children
Imagine a big family reunion. In this case, Nehemiah is counting how many cousins, aunts, and uncles came back home after being away for a long time. The family of Ater, who came from Hezekiah's family, had ninety-eight people come back home.
Historical Background
Nehemiah, a Jewish leader, compiled this list of people returning to Jerusalem around 445 BC. The book of Nehemiah was written during the time when the Jews were rebuilding their city and temple after being exiled in Babylon. The audience was the returning Jewish community who needed to organize and rebuild their society.
Living It Out Today
In today's context, this verse reminds us of the importance of community and keeping track of those who are part of our group, especially when rebuilding or starting anew. For example, a community leader organizing a neighborhood rebuild after a disaster might find this practice useful.