This verse, Nehemiah 11:6, is a census record. It means that within the specific group being documented (those who chose or were chosen to resettle in Jerusalem after the Babylonian exile), there were 468 men from the lineage of Perez (a son of Judah) who were considered "valiant."
Let's break it down:
"All the sons of Perez who lived in Jerusalem...": This identifies the specific group of people being counted. They are descendants of Perez, a key figure in the lineage of Judah and therefore of David and ultimately of Jesus. The phrase "who lived in Jerusalem" is crucial. This isn't a count of all Perezites everywhere; it's only those who were residing in Jerusalem at the time the census was taken. The preceding verses in Nehemiah 11 describe the process by which people were encouraged or selected to relocate to Jerusalem to repopulate the city and strengthen its defenses.
"...were four hundred sixty-eight...": This is the numerical count.
"...valiant men.": This is the key descriptor. The Hebrew word translated as "valiant" implies qualities of strength, courage, and ability, especially in the context of warfare or defending the city. These were men seen as fit and able to contribute to the safety and well-being of Jerusalem.
Significance in the Context of Nehemiah:
Rebuilding and Repopulating Jerusalem: The book of Nehemiah focuses on the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls and the revitalization of its community after the Babylonian exile. Repopulating the city was essential for security, religious practice, and the restoration of Jewish life.
Emphasis on Lineage: Genealogical records were very important in ancient Israel. Maintaining accurate family histories was crucial for land ownership, priestly duties, and maintaining the purity of the lineage. This verse connects these resettlers to the line of Perez, who had a prominent role in Israelite history.
Military Capability: The "valiant" descriptor highlights the importance of having a strong, capable population to defend the city from potential threats. This aligns with Nehemiah's concern for the city's security.
In essence, this verse is a snapshot of the population of Jerusalem at a specific time during its rebuilding. It highlights the contribution of a particular family (the descendants of Perez) to the city's strength and defense by noting the number of "valiant men" among them. It's part of a larger effort to document and organize the people who were committed to rebuilding and restoring Jerusalem after the exile.
This verse, Nehemiah 11:6, is a census record. It means that within the specific group being documented (those who chose or were chosen to resettle in Jerusalem after the Babylonian exile), there were 468 men from the lineage of Perez (a son of Judah) who were considered "valiant."
Let's break it down:
"All the sons of Perez who lived in Jerusalem...": This identifies the specific group of people being counted. They are descendants of Perez, a key figure in the lineage of Judah and therefore of David and ultimately of Jesus. The phrase "who lived in Jerusalem" is crucial. This isn't a count of all Perezites everywhere; it's only those who were residing in Jerusalem at the time the census was taken. The preceding verses in Nehemiah 11 describe the process by which people were encouraged or selected to relocate to Jerusalem to repopulate the city and strengthen its defenses.
"...were four hundred sixty-eight...": This is the numerical count.
"...valiant men.": This is the key descriptor. The Hebrew word translated as "valiant" implies qualities of strength, courage, and ability, especially in the context of warfare or defending the city. These were men seen as fit and able to contribute to the safety and well-being of Jerusalem.
Significance in the Context of Nehemiah:
Rebuilding and Repopulating Jerusalem: The book of Nehemiah focuses on the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls and the revitalization of its community after the Babylonian exile. Repopulating the city was essential for security, religious practice, and the restoration of Jewish life.
Emphasis on Lineage: Genealogical records were very important in ancient Israel. Maintaining accurate family histories was crucial for land ownership, priestly duties, and maintaining the purity of the lineage. This verse connects these resettlers to the line of Perez, who had a prominent role in Israelite history.
Military Capability: The "valiant" descriptor highlights the importance of having a strong, capable population to defend the city from potential threats. This aligns with Nehemiah's concern for the city's security.
In essence, this verse is a snapshot of the population of Jerusalem at a specific time during its rebuilding. It highlights the contribution of a particular family (the descendants of Perez) to the city's strength and defense by noting the number of "valiant men" among them. It's part of a larger effort to document and organize the people who were committed to rebuilding and restoring Jerusalem after the exile.
