the descendants of Harim,The name "Harim" appears multiple times in the Old Testament, often associated with priestly or Levitical families. In the context of Nehemiah, Harim is listed among those who returned from the Babylonian exile. This indicates a restoration of the community and religious practices in Jerusalem. The mention of Harim here connects to earlier references in Ezra, where Harim is also listed among the families returning from exile (
Ezra 2:32). This continuity underscores the importance of maintaining genealogical records for the reestablishment of Israel's religious and social order.
320;
The specific number, 320, signifies the count of individuals from the family of Harim who returned. This precise enumeration reflects the meticulous record-keeping of the post-exilic community, emphasizing the importance of each family in the rebuilding process. The number also highlights the collective effort required to restore Jerusalem and its temple, as each family contributed to the larger goal of national and spiritual renewal. This attention to detail in genealogical records is consistent with other biblical passages that stress the importance of lineage, such as the genealogies in 1 Chronicles and the Gospels.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
NehemiahA 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.
HarimA 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.
JerusalemThe city central to Jewish identity and worship, which Nehemiah helped to restore physically and spiritually.
4.
The Return from ExileThe 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 RecordsThe 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 IdentityUnderstanding 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 DetailsThe 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 RestorationThe 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 PromisesThe 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 and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Nehemiah 7:35?
2.How does Nehemiah 7:35 emphasize the importance of genealogies in God's plan?
3.What can we learn about God's faithfulness from Nehemiah 7:35?
4.How does Nehemiah 7:35 connect to God's covenant with Israel?
5.Why is it important to preserve family lineage as seen in Nehemiah 7:35?
6.How can we apply the principle of stewardship from Nehemiah 7:35 today?
7.What is the significance of the Gibeonites in Nehemiah 7:35?
8.How does Nehemiah 7:35 contribute to understanding Israel's post-exilic community?
9.Why are genealogies important in the context of Nehemiah 7:35?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Nehemiah 7?
11.How do we reconcile varying family names in Ezra 2:21-35 with their supposed lineage elsewhere in Scripture?
12.How many were the children of Zattu? Nine hundred and forty-five (Ezra 2:8) Eight hundred and forty-five (Nehemiah 7:13)
13.How many were the children of Azgad? One thousand two hundred and twenty-two (Ezra 2:12) Two thousand three hundred and twenty-two (Nehemiah 7:17)
14.How many children of Pahrath-Moab were freed from Babylonian captivity? 2,812 (Ezra 2:6) or 2,818 (Nehemiah 7:11)?What Does Nehemiah 7:35 Mean
Immediate SettingNehemiah 7:35 nests inside a census that Nehemiah recorded after the wall was rebuilt: “the descendants of Harim, 320”. This list, parallelingEzra 2:32, serves several purposes:
• It verifies who genuinely belonged to the restored community, echoingNehemiah 7:5–7.
• It echoes God’s faithfulness in returning His people to the land, fulfilling promises likeJeremiah 29:10–14.
• It underscores order and accountability, much likeNumbers 1 cataloged Israel in the wilderness.
Why “Descendants” Matters• Scripture repeatedly traces godly lineage—think ofGenesis 5 orMatthew 1—to display continuity of covenant blessing.
• By naming “descendants,” Nehemiah highlights that God’s covenant did not end in exile; He preserved families, just as He promised inIsaiah 44:3–5.
• This genealogy also guards purity in worship (Nehemiah 7:64), ensuring those who served at the altar were truly Israel.
Harim’s Legacy• Harim appears earlier among priestly families (1 Chronicles 24:8;Ezra 10:18–20). Their inclusion here affirms the restoration of temple service.
• Some members of Harim had intermarried with foreigners and had to repent (Ezra 10:31). Their presence again inNehemiah 7 declares repentance accepted and ministry restored, in line withJoel 2:12–14.
The Number 320• Specific numbers validate authenticity.Luke 1:1–4 mirrors this precision for confidence in God’s acts.
• 320 individuals may seem small, yet God consistently works through remnants (Romans 11:5).
• This tally, when combined with other families, demonstrates the corporate strength God rebuilds out of seemingly insignificant groups (Haggai 2:4–9).
Takeaways for Today• God knows and records every name (Malachi 3:16;Revelation 20:12). No believer is overlooked.
• Repentance restores usefulness. Harim’s family moved from compromise to inclusion, echoing1 John 1:9.
• Community faithfulness matters. The descendants stayed together through exile, modeling perseverance likeHebrews 10:23–25 urges.
summaryNehemiah 7:35, though brief, showcases covenant continuity, the power of repentance, and the meticulous care God invests in His people. The descendants of Harim—just 320 souls—stand as proof that every obedient life is counted, every repentant family restored, and every promise of God fulfilled.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
the descendantsבְּנֵ֣י(bə·nê)Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1121:A sonof Harim,חָרִ֔ם(ḥā·rim)Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 2766:Harim -- 'consecrated', the name of several Israelites320;שְׁלֹ֥שׁ(šə·lōš)Number - feminine singular construct
Strong's 7969:Three, third, thrice
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OT History: Nehemiah 7:35 The children of Harim three hundred twenty (Neh Ne) 
