נחמיה, פרק י״א, פסוק י״ב

The return to Jerusalem prompted a careful accounting of the priestly families who dedicated themselves to the daily operations of the Temple. This detailed record fills in historical gaps, providing precise figures to clarify the broader summaries found in the Book of Chronicles. Among the returning families were the colleagues of previously established priests, such as Jedaiah. These men were specifically appointed to manage the inner duties of the Temple, focusing primarily on the sacred work of the altar and the offering of sacrifices [רש״י, מצודת דוד, מלבי״ם, ביאור שטיינזלץ].

This initial group of dedicated Temple workers numbered eight hundred and twenty-two men. Following their tally, the record introduces Adaiah, another prominent priest who took up residence in the city [מצודת דוד]. The extensive listing of his family lineage serves a specific historical purpose. By tracing his ancestry through figures like Pelaliah, the record restores three generations of forefathers that were left out of the parallel family trees in the Book of Chronicles [מלבי״ם].

The careful counting of these men offers a mathematical breakdown of the broader priestly population. While the Book of Chronicles records a total of one thousand seven hundred and sixty returning priests, the current record deconstructs that general sum into specific subgroups. Starting with the first group of eight hundred and twenty-two, the tally begins to build. Adaiah's family and other factions will subsequently be added to this initial group, eventually completing the missing data and reaching the exact final number [מלבי״ם].