New International VersionThe Levites: the descendants of Jeshua (through Kadmiel through the line of Hodaviah) 74
New Living TranslationThese are the Levites who returned from exile: The families of Jeshua and Kadmiel (descendants of Hodaviah) 74
English Standard VersionThe Levites: the sons of Jeshua, namely of Kadmiel of the sons of Hodevah, 74.
Berean Standard BibleThe Levites: the descendants of Jeshua (through Kadmiel, through the line of Hodevah), 74.
King James BibleThe Levites: the children of Jeshua, of Kadmiel, and of the children of Hodevah, seventy and four.
New King James VersionThe Levites: the sons of Jeshua, of Kadmiel, and of the sons of Hodevah, seventy-four.
New American Standard BibleThe Levites: the sons of Jeshua, of Kadmiel, of the sons of Hodevah, 74.
NASB 1995The Levites: the sons of Jeshua, of Kadmiel, of the sons of Hodevah, 74.
NASB 1977The Levites: the sons of Jeshua, of Kadmiel, of the sons of Hodevah, 74.
Legacy Standard BibleThe Levites: the sons of Jeshua, of Kadmiel, of the sons of Hodevah, 74.
Amplified BibleThese are the Levites: the sons of Jeshua, of Kadmiel, of the sons of Hodevah, 74.
Christian Standard BibleThe Levites included Jeshua’s descendants: of Kadmiel Hodevah’s descendants 74
Holman Christian Standard BibleThe Levites included: Jeshua’s descendants: of Kadmiel Hodevah’s descendants 74.
American Standard VersionThe Levites: the children of Jeshua, of Kadmiel, of the children of Hodevah, seventy and four.
English Revised VersionThe Levites: the children of Jeshua, of Kadmiel, of the children of Hodevah, seventy and four.
GOD'S WORD® TranslationThese Levites returned from exile: the descendants of Jeshua, that is, of Kadmiel [and] of Hodeiah 74
International Standard VersionThe Descendants of Levi: Jeshua of Kadmiel's descendants: that is, Hodevah's descendants: 74
NET BibleThe Levites: the descendants of Jeshua (through Kadmiel, through the line of Hodaviah), 74.
New Heart English BibleThe Levites: the descendants of Jeshua, of Kadmiel, of the descendants of Hodaviah, seventy-four.
Webster's Bible TranslationThe Levites: the children of Jeshua, of Kadmiel, and of the children of Hodevah, seventy four. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleThe Levites: the descendants of Jeshua (through Kadmiel, through the line of Hodevah), 74.
World English BibleThe Levites: the children of Jeshua, of Kadmiel, of the children of Hodevah: seventy-four. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionThe Levites: sons of Jeshua, of Kadmiel, of sons of Hodevah, seventy-four.
Young's Literal Translation The Levites: sons of Jeshua, of Kadmiel: of sons of Hodevah: seventy and four.
Smith's Literal TranslationThe Levites: the sons of Joshua to Kadmiel, to the sons to Hodevah, seventy and four. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleThe children of Josue and Cedmihel, the sons
Catholic Public Domain VersionThe Levites: the sons of Jeshua and Kadmiel, the sons
New American BibleThe Levites: descendants of Jeshua, Kadmiel of the descendants of Hodeviah, seventy-four.
New Revised Standard VersionThe Levites: the descendants of Jeshua, namely of Kadmiel of the descendants of Hodevah, seventy-four. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleThe Levites: the descendants of Joshua, of Kadmiel, and of the descendants of Hodiah, seventy-four.
Peshitta Holy Bible TranslatedThe Levites, the children of Yeshua of Qadmayel, of the children of Hudia, seventy and four. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917The Levites: the children of Jeshua, of Kadmiel, of the children of Hodeiah, seventy and four.
Brenton Septuagint TranslationThe Levites; the children of Jesus the son of Cadmiel, with the children of Uduia, seventy-four.
Additional Translations ... Audio Bible
Context The List of Returning Exiles… 42and the descendants of Harim, 1,017. 43The Levites:the descendantsof Jeshua(through Kadmiel,through the lineof Hodevah),7444The singers: the descendants of Asaph, 148.…
Cross References Ezra 2:40The Levites: the descendants of Jeshua and Kadmiel (through the line of Hodaviah), 74.
1 Chronicles 9:14-16From the Levites: Shemaiah son of Hasshub, the son of Azrikam, the son of Hashabiah, a descendant of Merari; / Bakbakkar, Heresh, Galal, and Mattaniah son of Mica, the son of Zichri, the son of Asaph; / Obadiah son of Shemaiah, the son of Galal, the son of Jeduthun; and Berechiah son of Asa, the son of Elkanah, who lived in the villages of the Netophathites.
Nehemiah 11:15-18From the Levites: Shemaiah son of Hasshub, the son of Azrikam, the son of Hashabiah, the son of Bunni; / Shabbethai and Jozabad, two leaders of the Levites, who supervised the work outside the house of God; / Mattaniah son of Mica, the son of Zabdi, the son of Asaph, who led in thanksgiving and prayer; Bakbukiah, second among his associates; and Abda son of Shammua, the son of Galal, the son of Jeduthun. ...
1 Chronicles 6:31-32These are the men David put in charge of the music in the house of the LORD after the ark rested there. / They ministered with song before the tabernacle, the Tent of Meeting, until Solomon built the house of the LORD in Jerusalem. And they performed their duties according to the regulations given them.
1 Chronicles 23:2-5Then he gathered all the leaders of Israel, as well as the priests and Levites. / The Levites thirty years of age or older were counted, and the total number of men was 38,000. / “Of these,” said David, “24,000 are to oversee the work of the house of the LORD, 6,000 are to be officers and judges, ...
1 Chronicles 25:1-7Additionally, David and the commanders of the army set apart some of the sons of Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun to prophesy with the accompaniment of lyres, harps, and cymbals. The following is the list of the men who performed this service: / From the sons of Asaph: Zaccur, Joseph, Nethaniah, and Asarelah. These sons of Asaph were under the direction of Asaph, who prophesied under the direction of the king. / From the sons of Jeduthun: Gedaliah, Zeri, Jeshaiah, Shimei, Hashabiah, and Mattithiah—six in all—under the direction of their father Jeduthun, who prophesied with the harp, giving thanks and praise to the LORD. ...
2 Chronicles 29:25-30Hezekiah stationed the Levites in the house of the LORD with cymbals, harps, and lyres according to the command of David, of Gad the king’s seer, and of Nathan the prophet. For the command had come from the LORD through His prophets. / The Levites stood with the instruments of David, and the priests with the trumpets. / And Hezekiah ordered that the burnt offering be sacrificed on the altar. When the burnt offering began, the song of the LORD and the trumpets began as well, accompanied by the instruments of David king of Israel. ...
2 Chronicles 31:2Hezekiah reestablished the divisions of the priests and Levites—each of them according to their duties as priests or Levites—for the burnt offerings and peace offerings, for ministry, for giving thanks, and for singing praises at the gates of the LORD’s dwelling.
2 Chronicles 35:15The singers, the descendants of Asaph, were at their stations according to the command of David, Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun the king’s seer. And the gatekeepers at each gate did not need to leave their posts, because their fellow Levites made preparations for them.
Ezra 3:10-11When the builders had laid the foundation of the temple of the LORD, the priests in their apparel with trumpets, and the Levites (the sons of Asaph) with cymbals, took their positions to praise the LORD, as David king of Israel had prescribed. / And they sang responsively with praise and thanksgiving to the LORD: “For He is good; for His loving devotion to Israel endures forever.” Then all the people gave a great shout of praise to the LORD, because the foundation of the house of the LORD had been laid.
Psalm 134:1-2A song of ascents. Come, bless the LORD, all you servants of the LORD who serve by night in the house of the LORD! / Lift up your hands to the sanctuary and bless the LORD!
Psalm 135:1-2Hallelujah! Praise the name of the LORD. Give praise, O servants of the LORD, / who stand in the house of the LORD, in the courts of the house of our God.
Matthew 26:30And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.
Luke 1:8-9One day while Zechariah’s division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God, / he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense.
Luke 1:23And when the days of his service were complete, he returned home.
Treasury of Scripture The Levites: the children of Jeshua, of Kadmiel, and of the children of Hodevah, seventy and four. Hodevah Ezra 2:40 The Levites: the children of Jeshua and Kadmiel, of the children of Hodaviah, seventy and four. Hodaviah Nehemiah 3:9 And next unto them repaired Rephaiah the son of Hur, the ruler of the half part of Jerusalem. Judah Jump to Previous ChildrenDescendantsFourHodaviahJeshuaKadmielKad'mi-ElLevitesNamelySeventySeventy-FourJump to Next ChildrenDescendantsFourHodaviahJeshuaKadmielKad'mi-ElLevitesNamelySeventySeventy-FourNehemiah 7 1.Nehemiah commits the charge of Jerusalem to Hanani and Hananiah5.A register of the genealogy of them which came at the first out of Babylon9.of the people39.of the priests43.of the Levites46.of the Nethinims57.of Solomon's servants63.and of the priests which could not find their pedigree66.The whole number of them, with their substance70.Their offeringsThe Levites:The Levites were a distinct tribe in Israel, set apart for religious duties and service in the temple. They were not given a territorial inheritance like the other tribes but were instead distributed among the other tribes to perform their duties. Their role was crucial in maintaining the spiritual life of Israel, as they assisted the priests, taught the law, and led worship. This reflects the importance of spiritual leadership and service in the community of faith. the descendants of Jeshua:
Jeshua, also known as Joshua, was a common name in Israel, but in this context, it refers to a specific Levite lineage. Jeshua was a significant figure during the return from Babylonian exile, serving as a high priest alongside Zerubbabel in the rebuilding of the temple (Ezra 3:2). This highlights the continuity of spiritual leadership from the time of the exile to the restoration period. (through Kadmiel, through the line of Hodevah),
Kadmiel and Hodevah are lesser-known figures, but their mention signifies the importance of genealogical records in maintaining the purity and legitimacy of the Levitical line. This lineage underscores the faithfulness of God in preserving His chosen servants through generations. It also emphasizes the importance of heritage and legacy in the biblical narrative. 74
The specific number of 74 Levites indicates the careful record-keeping and organization of the returning exiles. This number, though small, represents a remnant of those dedicated to temple service, reflecting the theme of a faithful remnant throughout Scripture. It also points to the rebuilding and restoration efforts in Jerusalem, where every individual played a vital role in the community's spiritual and physical renewal. Persons / Places / Events 1. NehemiahA Jewish leader who played a crucial role in rebuilding Jerusalem's walls after the Babylonian exile. He was a cupbearer to the Persian king and later became the governor of Judah. 2. LevitesA tribe of Israel set apart for religious duties and temple service. They were descendants of Levi, one of Jacob's twelve sons. 3. JeshuaA prominent priestly figure during the time of the return from exile. He was instrumental in the rebuilding of the temple and re-establishing worship in Jerusalem. 4. KadmielA leader among the Levites who returned from Babylonian exile. He played a role in the spiritual and physical restoration of Jerusalem. 5. HodaviahAn ancestor in the lineage of the Levites mentioned in this passage, highlighting the importance of genealogical records in maintaining the purity and continuity of the Levitical line. Teaching Points The Importance of GenealogyThe detailed genealogical records in Nehemiah highlight the importance of heritage and identity in God's plan. Understanding our spiritual heritage can strengthen our faith and commitment to God's purposes. Faithfulness in ServiceThe Levites' dedication to their roles, despite the challenges of returning from exile, serves as a model for faithfulness in our own service to God. We are called to serve diligently in whatever capacity God has placed us. Community and WorshipThe Levites' role in re-establishing worship in Jerusalem underscores the importance of community in our spiritual lives. We are encouraged to actively participate in and contribute to our faith communities. Restoration and RenewalThe return of the Levites and their involvement in rebuilding efforts symbolize God's work of restoration and renewal. We can trust God to restore and renew our lives, even after periods of exile or hardship. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1.What is the meaning of Nehemiah 7:43?
2.How does Nehemiah 7:43 emphasize the importance of organized worship in our lives?
3.What role do the Levites play in Nehemiah 7:43, and why is it significant?
4.How can we apply the Levites' dedication to service in our church today?
5.What other biblical passages highlight the importance of spiritual leadership like in Nehemiah 7:43?
6.How does Nehemiah 7:43 inspire us to support our church's spiritual leaders?
7.What is the significance of the Levites in Nehemiah 7:43 for understanding Israel's religious structure?
8.How does Nehemiah 7:43 reflect the historical context of post-exilic Jerusalem?
9.Why are the Levites specifically mentioned in Nehemiah 7:43, and what role did they play?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Nehemiah 7?
11.How many were the children of Adin? Four hundred and fifty-four (Ezra 2:15) Six hundred and fifty-five (Nehemiah 7:20)
12.Why do some priestly and Levitical genealogies in Ezra 2:36-42 appear inconsistent with other biblical records?
13.(Ezra 3:8-9) Why would Levites, rather than skilled foremen or Persian officials, be in charge of supervising construction under Persian rule?
14.What explains the differences between the genealogies in Ezra 2:2 and Nehemiah 7:7 if they reference the same returnees?What Does Nehemiah 7:43 Mean The LevitesNehemiah 7:43 begins by reminding us of the specific tribe entrusted with temple service: “The Levites.” From the days of Moses, the LORD set this tribe apart “to carry the ark of the covenant… to stand before the LORD to minister and to pronounce blessings in His name” (Deuteronomy 10:8). After the exile, those who returned to Jerusalem had to re-establish proper worship (Nehemiah 8:7; 12:27-30). Listing the Levites first highlights God’s unchanging order for worship and the priority of faithful service in His house (Numbers 1:50-53).
the descendants of JeshuaNext, Scripture narrows the focus to “the descendants of Jeshua.” Jeshua (also called Joshua) served as a leading priest during the first return under Zerubbabel (Ezra 3:2; 5:2). His descendants carried forward that spiritual legacy, echoing the promise that faithful ministry can influence generations (2 Timothy 1:5). Their presence confirms God’s faithfulness to preserve a priestly line despite captivity (Jeremiah 33:17-18).
through KadmielThe phrase “through Kadmiel” identifies a key family head who assisted Jeshua when rebuilding the temple foundations (Ezra 3:9). Kadmiel’s name surfaces repeatedly in post-exilic records (Nehemiah 9:4-5; 12:8), showing how God often raises specific individuals to rally others in revival. Their partnership pictures the New-Testament pattern of co-laborers in ministry (Philippians 1:27;1 Corinthians 3:9).
through the line of Hodevah“Through the line of Hodevah” (also written Hodaviah) points to a still smaller subdivision within Kadmiel’s clan. Such careful genealogies safeguarded authenticity in temple service (Ezra 2:62) and underscore that God knows every servant by name (John 10:3). Even lesser-known families mattered for maintaining purity and order in worship (1 Chronicles 9:2-3).
74Finally, the verse records the number: “74.” Compared with the 4,289 priests in the same census (Nehemiah 7:39-42), seventy-four Levites seems tiny. Yet God values quality over quantity, “for the eyes of the LORD roam to and fro… to show Himself strong for those whose hearts are fully devoted to Him” (2 Chronicles 16:9). The small tally also highlights the harvest-field principle: “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few” (Luke 10:2). In every age, God calls His people to step forward and serve, even when workers appear scarce.
summaryNehemiah 7:43 spotlights God’s meticulous care in rebuilding worship after exile. By tracing Levites from Jeshua, through Kadmiel, to Hodevah, and numbering them at seventy-four, Scripture shows that every servant, family, and role matters. The verse invites us to cherish our spiritual lineage, step into faithful ministry, and trust that God will accomplish His purposes—even with a small but devoted band of workers. Verse 43. - The children of Jeshua, of Kadmiel, and of the children of Hodevah may be corrected from Ezra 2:40 and Ezra 3:9. It should be "Jeshua and Kadmiel, of the children of Hodevah." This ancestor of Joshua and Kadmiel appears under the three forms of Hodevah, Hodaviah ( Ezra 2:40), and Judah ( Ezra 3:9).
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew The Levites:הַלְוִיִּ֑ם(hal·wî·yim)Article | Noun - proper - masculine plural
Strong's 3881:Levites -- descendant of Levithe descendantsבְּנֵֽי־(bə·nê-)Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1121:A sonof Jeshuaיֵשׁ֧וּעַ(yê·šū·a‘)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3442:Jeshua(through Kadmiel,לְקַדְמִיאֵ֛ל(lə·qaḏ·mî·’êl)Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 6934:Kadmiel -- 'God is the ancient one', a Levite namethrough the lineלִבְנֵ֥י(liḇ·nê)Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1121:A sonof Hodevah),לְהוֹדְוָ֖ה(lə·hō·wḏ·wāh)Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1937:Hodevah -- a Levitical family74שִׁבְעִ֥ים(šiḇ·‘îm)Number - common plural
Strong's 7657:Seventy (a cardinal number)
Links Nehemiah 7:43 NIVNehemiah 7:43 NLTNehemiah 7:43 ESVNehemiah 7:43 NASBNehemiah 7:43 KJV
Nehemiah 7:43 BibleApps.comNehemiah 7:43 Biblia ParalelaNehemiah 7:43 Chinese BibleNehemiah 7:43 French BibleNehemiah 7:43 Catholic Bible
OT History: Nehemiah 7:43 The Levites: the children of Jeshua (Neh Ne) |
