Nehemiah 7:20: “the descendants of Adin 655”

Extended Explanation of the Verse

Nehemiah 7:20 records the descendants of Adin, numbering 655, as part of the group that returned to Jerusalem after the Babylonian exile. This family, like many others mentioned in the chapter, played a role in the restoration of the city and the rebuilding of the Jewish community. By recording their names and numbers, the verse highlights the collective effort of many families working together to rebuild Jerusalem. The descendants of Adin, despite their relatively small number, made a meaningful contribution to this restoration effort. Their willingness to leave behind the life they had in Babylon to return to their homeland shows their faith and commitment to God’s plan for their people.

Historical Context

The historical background of Nehemiah 7:20 is the return of the Jewish people from Babylonian exile. After the destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonians, many Jews were taken into exile, where they lived for about 70 years. During this time, Jerusalem lay in ruins, and the temple, the center of Jewish worship, had been destroyed. When the Persian king Cyrus allowed the Jews to return to Jerusalem to rebuild, several waves of exiles made the journey back. Their goal was not only to reconstruct the physical city but to restore their spiritual identity as God’s chosen people.

The descendants of Adin were among those who returned during this significant period of restoration. The returnees faced many challenges, including opposition from neighboring peoples, the ruined condition of the city, and the task of reestablishing their religious practices. Despite these difficulties, families like the descendants of Adin played a vital role in rebuilding the city and reestablishing the nation.

Theological Implications

Theologically, Nehemiah 7:20 highlights the faithfulness of God and His people. The return of the descendants of Adin is part of the fulfillment of God’s promise to bring His people back from exile, as foretold by the prophets. This verse shows that God’s promises are sure, and even after a period of judgment and exile, He remained faithful to His covenant with Israel.

The verse also emphasizes the importance of community and shared responsibility in God’s work. The descendants of Adin were just one of many families who contributed to the rebuilding of Jerusalem. This reflects the biblical principle that God’s work is often carried out through the collective efforts of His people. Each family had a role to play in the restoration of Jerusalem, just as every believer has a role to play in the work of the church today.

Literary Analysis

Nehemiah 7:20 is part of a genealogical list that serves to document the families who returned from exile. In biblical literature, genealogies often serve to establish identity and continuity with the past. By listing the descendants of Adin, along with their specific number (655), Nehemiah is showing that each family mattered in the rebuilding process. The precision in these records emphasizes that the return from exile was not just a national event but involved real people and real families who took part in the restoration of their city.

The structure of this list also highlights the theme of restoration. The families who returned to Jerusalem were not just rebuilding a city; they were reclaiming their identity as God’s covenant people. The mention of specific family names, like Adin, reflects the importance of each individual family in the overall narrative of God’s redemptive work.

Relevant Biblical Cross-References

• Ezra 2:15: This verse also lists the descendants of Adin as part of those who returned from exile, showing consistency between Ezra’s and Nehemiah’s records.
• Jeremiah 29:10-14: In this passage, God promises to bring His people back from exile after 70 years, a promise fulfilled in part through the return of families like the descendants of Adin.
• Isaiah 11:11-12: This prophecy speaks of God gathering His people from various lands, reflecting the return of the exiles, including the descendants of Adin.
• Psalm 126:1-3: This psalm celebrates the return of the exiles and the joy of restoration, a joy that would have been felt by families like the descendants of Adin as they returned to Jerusalem.

What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian

For Christians today, Nehemiah 7:20 serves as a reminder of the importance of faithfulness and community in the work of God. Just as the descendants of Adin played a role in rebuilding Jerusalem, each of us is called to contribute to the building of God’s kingdom. This verse encourages us to see the value of working together with others in the church, recognizing that every person’s contribution matters.

The verse also speaks to the importance of stepping out in faith. The descendants of Adin left behind their lives in Babylon to return to a city in ruins because they trusted in God’s promise of restoration. Their example challenges us to step out in faith when God calls us to participate in His work, even when the task seems difficult or uncertain.

How This Verse Relates to a Loving God

Nehemiah 7:20 reflects God’s love and faithfulness. Even after the people of Israel were exiled because of their disobedience, God did not abandon them. Instead, He worked to restore them and bring them back to their land. The return of the descendants of Adin is part of this larger story of God’s redemptive plan. God’s love is shown in His desire to restore His people, even after a time of judgment and exile.

This verse also shows that God’s love extends to families and communities. The descendants of Adin were part of God’s plan to restore Jerusalem, and their inclusion in this list reflects God’s care for each family involved in the restoration process. God’s love is personal—He knows and cares for each individual and family, and He invites them to participate in His redemptive work.

How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ

Nehemiah 7:20 connects to Jesus Christ in the theme of restoration. Just as the descendants of Adin returned to help rebuild Jerusalem, Jesus came to restore our broken relationship with God. In Luke 19:10, Jesus says that He came “to seek and to save the lost,” a mission of restoration that reflects the return of the exiles to their homeland.

Additionally, the rebuilding of Jerusalem in Nehemiah’s time points forward to the spiritual restoration that Jesus brings through His life, death, and resurrection. In Matthew 16:18, Jesus promises to build His church, and the restoration efforts in Nehemiah’s time serve as a foreshadowing of that greater work. Just as the descendants of Adin played a role in the physical rebuilding of Jerusalem, Christians today are called to participate in the spiritual restoration that Jesus is accomplishing in the world today.

Questions for Reflection and Discussion

1. How does Nehemiah 7:20 encourage you to see your role in God’s kingdom work, both individually and as part of a community?
2. What does this verse teach you about the importance of faithfulness and obedience, even when following God’s call requires sacrifice?
3. How can you contribute to the restoration work that God is doing in your church or community, just as the descendants of Adin contributed to the rebuilding of Jerusalem?
4. How does this verse remind you of God’s faithfulness to His promises, even after difficult times or seasons of discipline?
5. How does the restoration work in Nehemiah’s time point you toward the greater restoration that Jesus brings into our lives?

Nehemiah 7:20 reminds us that God’s work is often carried out through the faithfulness of individuals and families who respond to His call. Just as the descendants of Adin played a role in the restoration of Jerusalem, we are called to be part of God’s ongoing work of restoration in the world through Jesus Christ. God’s love and faithfulness are evident in how He includes each of us in His redemptive plan, restoring what has been broken and calling us to be part of His family.