The priests: the children of Jedaiah, of the house of Jeshua, nine hundred seventy and three.
The priests: the descendants of Jedaiah from the family of Jeshua numbered 973.
This verse records that 973 priests from Jedaiah's family line returned from exile to help rebuild Jerusalem.
📚 Historical Context
In the book of Nehemiah, this verse is part of a detailed census of the Jewish exiles who returned from Babylon to Jerusalem after the Babylonian captivity, as they sought to rebuild the city and reestablish their religious and social order. It specifically lists the descendants of priests, such as those from the house of Jedaiah under Jeshua, to verify their lineage and ensure only qualified individuals served in the temple, reflecting the emphasis on purity and proper heritage in post-exilic Jewish society. This occurred around the 5th century BC during the Persian Empire's rule.
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