What Does Nehemiah 7:24 Mean in the King James?
The children of Hariph, an hundred and twelve.
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
“Children” carries the image of a household being built forward, and the exact count makes that continuity visible.
THE MEANING
This verse sees belonging as particular rather than anonymous: a household has a name and an exact number. Its place in the larger people is visible because it is counted. Even this brief line holds a family’s continuity in view.
THE ROOT
בְּנֵי
bənê
GROWS FROM
בנה
b-n-h
to build, establish
The Hebrew word for children is associated with the root for building: a family is pictured as something built forward through its members. The count gives that continuity a distinct place within the larger people.
ALSO GROWS
ben: son, child
בֵּן
This singular form for a child connects the household’s members with the image of what is built onward.
ʾibbāneh: I may be built up
אִבָּנֶה
In Genesis 16:2, the same root describes being built up through children, making the family-building image explicit.
THE PATTERN
A whole is preserved by keeping its particular members visible and countable.
So all Israel were reckoned by genealogies; and, behold, they were written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah, who were carried away to Babylon for their transgression.But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.THE THREAD
And Sarai said unto Abram, Behold now, the LORD hath restrained me from bearing: I pray thee, go in unto my maid; it may be that I may obtain children by her. And Abram hearkened to the voice of Sarai.The Hebrew phrase behind “obtain children” is אִבָּנֶה (ʾibbāneh, “I may be built up”), from בנה (banah, “to build”). That same root lies beneath “children” here, so the number names a household being built forward.
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