Nehemiah 7:59

“The children of Shephatiah, the children of Hattil, the children of Pochereth of Zebaim, the children of Amon.”

Literary Context

The preceding line reads “The children of Jaala, the children of Darkon, the children of Giddel,” The titled verse reads “The children of Shephatiah, the children of Hattil, the children of Pochereth of Zebaim, the children of Amon.” The following line reads “All the Nethinims, and the children of Solomon's servants, were three hundred ninety and two.” Together, these lines place Nehemiah 7:59 within its immediate canonical and literary sequence.

Close Reading

The verse preserves names, relationships, or group identities within a genealogical or census record. It should be read for the precise people and connections it actually names; the text does not supply motives or character judgments beyond those details.

The sentence centres on “The children of Shephatiah, the children of Hattil, the children of Pochereth of Zebaim, the children of Amon.” The wording sets the subject and the limits of interpretation.

Place in Scripture

Such records establish continuity across generations and locate individuals and families within Israel’s history. Their brevity does not make them dispensable: their value lies in the accuracy of the relationships, names, and numbers preserved.

A Faithful Response

A faithful response is careful attention. Readers should receive the record as written, avoid inventing details beyond it, and allow the surrounding genealogy or census to explain each person’s place.

Accordingly, the meaning of Nehemiah 7:59 should be drawn from the verse itself and the lines around it, keeping explanation and application faithful to the text.