Nehemiah 7:72

“And that which the rest of the people gave was twenty thousand drams of gold, and two thousand pound of silver, and threescore and seven priests’ garments.”

Context:The book of Nehemiah is set in the historical backdrop of the Israelites’ return from exile in Babylon to Jerusalem. Nehemiah, a cupbearer to the Persian king Artaxerxes, was burdened by the news of Jerusalem’s ruined walls and gates. In response to this burden, Nehemiah received permission from the king to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem and restore its former glory.

Verse Analysis:Nehemiah 7:72 is part of a passage that lists the contributions made by the people of Israel toward the restoration of Jerusalem. The verse highlights the generous donations made by the people in terms of gold, silver, and priests’ garments. Let’s break it down further:

“And that which the rest of the people gave…”:This phrase indicates that the verse is referring to the contributions made by the people who were not explicitly mentioned earlier in the passage. It suggests that after the named contributors, there were others who willingly gave towards the rebuilding project.

“…was twenty thousand drams of gold…”:The people collectively donated twenty thousand drams of gold. A dram was a unit of weight used in ancient times, and its specific weight can vary depending the historical period and region. In this context, it signifies a significant amount of gold.

“…and two thousand pound of silver…”:The people also contributed two thousand pounds of silver. Pound refers to a weight measurement, indicating a substantial amount of silver given for the cause.

“…and threescore and seven priests’ garments.”:The people donated sixty‑seven garments specifically for the priests. These garments were likely used for their service in the rebuilt temple in Jerusalem.