Nehemiah 7:56
The children of Neziah, the children of Hatipha. Nehemiah 7:56 (KJV)
The book of Nehemiah belongs to the historical books of the Old Testament and records the rebuilding of Jerusalem’s walls after the Babylonian exile. Nehemiah, a cupbearer to the Persian king Artaxerxes I, received permission to return to Jerusalem and oversee the city’s restoration. Within this narrative, verses 7:55‑56 present a brief but significant portion of a longer register that lists the families and clans who returned from exile.
Verse 55 mentions “the children of Solomon’s servants,” indicating that these individuals were descendants of those who served during Solomon’s reign. Their inclusion signals an association with Jerusalem and participation in the return. Verse 56 adds three additional groups: “the children of Sotai,” “the children of Sophereth,” and “the children of Perida.” The biblical text provides no further details about these specific families, and they may have been more recognizable to the original audience than to modern readers.
The primary purpose of these verses is documentary. By recording the names of the returned exiles, the text preserves a historical record of those who contributed to the city’s restoration. It also highlights the diversity of the returning community, showing that many different families and clans were involved in rebuilding both the physical walls and the communal life of Jerusalem.
Although the passage does not contain explicit moral or theological instruction, it implicitly reminds readers of the value of acknowledging each individual’s contribution, even when the specifics are unknown. The verses underscore the importance of community and collective effort in times of adversity, pointing to unity and cooperation as essential elements of God’s work.
In sum, Nehemiah 7:55‑56, though brief, offer a snapshot of the varied group that returned under Nehemiah’s leadership. They encourage believers to appreciate the role each person plays in the larger story of God’s redemptive work, emphasizing unity, collective effort, and the lasting significance of documenting God’s people.
