Nehemiah 7:21

The children of Ater of Hezekiah, ninetie and eight. Nehemiah 7:21 (KJV)

Nehemiah is set in the post‑exilic period of Israel’s history and forms part of the Old Testament. Nehemiah served as cupbearer to the Persian king Artaxerxes I, a position that gave him access to the royal court and the authority to request permission to return to Jerusalem. Driven by a deep desire to rebuild the city’s walls, which had been destroyed by the Babylonians, Nehemiah obtained the king’s support and led a group of Israelites back to the ruined capital.

After the walls were reconstructed, Nehemiah organized a census of the returning community (Nehemiah 7). The purpose of this census was to determine the population size and to record the genealogies of those who had come back, thereby re‑establishing proper order and organization among the inhabitants of Jerusalem. The census lists the families and the number of individuals associated with each settlement.

Verse 21 specifically mentions the children of Ater, numbering ninety‑eight. This brief entry records the presence and representation of the descendants of Ater among the returned exiles. By noting their number, the text emphasizes that the people of Ater were included in the collective effort to restore and rebuild Jerusalem.

The concise nature of the verse nevertheless testifies to Nehemiah’s meticulous attention to detail in preserving an accurate record of the community. Such careful documentation underscores the historical and genealogical significance of each family group within the broader narrative of Jerusalem’s restoration.

Overall, Nehemiah 7:21 illustrates the inclusion of the Ater families in the post‑exilic community and highlights their contribution to the rebuilding of the city. When studying this verse, it is helpful to consider the larger themes of restoration, leadership, and faithfulness to God’s calling that permeate Nehemiah’s story.