What Does Nehemiah 7:55 Mean in the King James?
The children of Barkos, the children of Sisera, the children of Tamah,
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
The repeated “children of” is the verse’s quiet architecture of continuity: each name is carried forward by a living line.
THE MEANING
These names remain present through the people who carry them now; belonging reaches beyond one life. Even without deeds attached to these families, the verse gives each line a place in the shared record.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
A name matters only when it belongs to someone famous or individually celebrated.
THE ROOT
בְּנֵי
bĕnê
GROWS FROM
בנה
b-n-h
build, construct
The Hebrew בְּנֵי (bĕnê, “children of”) is often connected with בָּנָה (bānâ, “build”). That link lets the family list carry an image of continuity: each generation helps build what bears the name forward.
ALSO GROWS
bānâ: build
בָּנָה
It shares the consonants associated with “children,” making descendants part of the image of a family being built across generations.
bēn: son, child
בֵּן
This singular form underlies בְּנֵי (bĕnê), “children of”; the repeated phrase ties each family name to those who carry it forward.
THE PATTERN
Belonging takes shape as lives are joined into a people carried forward through generations.
Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.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 behind “obtain children” uses בָּנָה (bānâ, “build”), often linked with בֵּן (bēn, “son, child”), the word behind “children” here. Sarai speaks of being built through descendants; Nehemiah’s repeated family names show that continuity already standing in a people.
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