The Children of Delaiah, Tobiah and Nekoda - Nehemiah 7:62

In the book of Nehemiah, Nehemiah said, “These are the children of the province, that went up out of the captivity, of those that had been carried away, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away, and came again to Jerusalem and to Judah, every one unto his city.” Nehemiah included the children of many of the people of Israel in his census, and he added several of the men such as “the men of the other Nebo, the other Elam” and “the children of Harim, Jericho, Lod, Hadid, Ono and Senaah.” He also made record of, “the priests, the Levites: the children of Jeshua, of Kadmiel, and the children of Hodevah seventy and four” and he counted, “the singers, the porters, Nethinims” and “the children of Solomon's servants: the children of Sotai, the children of Sophereth, the children of Perida,the children of Barkos, Sisera, Tamah, Neziah, Jaala, Darkon, Giddel, Shephatiah, Hattil, Pochereth, Amon all the Nethinims, the children of Solomon's servants, And these were they which went up also from Telmelah, Telharesha, Cherub, Addon, and Immer: but they could not show their father's house, nor their seed, whether they were of Israel”, and in chapter seven and verse sixty-two of Nehemiah, Nehemiah shared about, “the children of Delaiah, Tobiah and Nekoda”, where we read,

The children of Delaiah, the children of Tobiah, the children of Nekoda, six hundred forty and two.

The verse reads, “The children of Delaiah, the children of Tobiah, the children of Nekoda, ...” Nehemiah began with the words, “the children” which means “the offspring and progeny” “of Delaiah” or “belonging to Delaiah whose name means Jehovah has drawn”, “the children” which means “the offspring and progeny” “of Tobiah” or “belonging to Tobiah whose name means Jehovah is good”, “the children” which means “the offspring and progeny” “of Nekoda” or “belonging to Nekoda whose name means distinguished ”. Nehemiah said the offspring of “Delaiah, Tobiah and Nekoda”were also among the people who returned to Jerusalem even though they could tell their heritage. 

The verse continues, “... six hundred forty and two.” Nehemiah added the words, “six hundred” or “six hundred offspring plus” “forty and two” which means “forty-two more””. Nehemiah said there were “six hundred and forty-two” offspring of “Delaiah, Tobiah and Nekoda” who returned to Jerusalem to the completion of the barrier wall. 

When we think through Nehemiah's words in this verse, we learn more of the names of the people who did not know their family genealogy, and although this was true, they were included in his census. God wants everyone everywhere to be a part of His Kingdom, however, sin has separated all of us from a personal relationship with Him. (See Romans 3:10,23) Those sins lead to death, (See Romans 6:23), and this is why God sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind. He raised Jesus from the dead three days later, and when we put our faith and trust in Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and include us in His Heavenly heritage forevermore. 

Next time Nehemiah shares about, “the children of the priests”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".