Ezra 2:1-70 Meaning Explained

Ezra 2:1-70

Now these were the people of the province who came up out of the captivity of those exiles whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried captive to Babylonia. They returned to Jerusalem and Judah, each to his own town. They came with Zerubbabel, Jeshua, Nehemiah, Seraiah, Reelaiah, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispar, Bigvai, Rehum, and Baanah. The number of the men of the people of Israel: the sons of Parosh, 2,172. The sons of Shephatiah, 372. The sons of Arah, 775. The sons of Pahath-moab, namely the sons of Jeshua and Joab, 2,812. The sons of Elam, 1,254. The sons of Zattu, 945. The sons of Zaccai, 760. The sons of Bani, 642. The sons of Bebai, 623. The sons of Azgad, 1,222. The sons of Adonikam, 666. The sons of Bigvai, 2,056. The sons of Adin, 454. The sons of Ater, namely of Hezekiah, 98. The sons of Bezai, 323. The sons of Jorah, 112. The sons of Hashum, 223. The sons of Gibbar, 95. The sons of Bethlehem, 123. The men of Netophah, 56. The men of Anathoth, 128. The sons of Azmaveth, 42. The sons of Kiriath-arim, Chephirah, and Beeroth, 743. The sons of Ramah and Geba, 621. The men of Michmas, 122. The men of Bethel and Ai, 223. The sons of Nebo, 52. The sons of Magbish, 156. The sons of the other Elam, 1,254. The sons of Harim, 320. The sons of Lod, Hadid, and Ono, 725. The sons of Jericho, 345. The sons of Senaah, 3,630. The priests: the sons of Jedaiah, of the house of Jeshua, 973. The sons of Immer, 1,052. The sons of Pashhur, 1,247. The sons of Harim, 1,017. The Levites: the sons of Jeshua and Kadmiel, of the sons of Hodaviah, 74. The singers: the sons of Asaph, 128. The sons of the gatekeepers: the sons of Shallum, the sons of Ater, the sons of Talmon, the sons of Akkub, the sons of Hatita, and the sons of Shobai, in all 139. The temple servants: the sons of Ziha, the sons of Hasupha, the sons of Tabbaoth, the sons of Keros, the sons of Siaha, the sons of Padon, the sons of Lebanah, the sons of Hagabah, the sons of Akkub, the sons of Hagab, the sons of Shamlai, the sons of Hanan, the sons of Giddel, the sons of Gahar, the sons of Reaiah, the sons of Rezin, the sons of Nekoda, the sons of Gazzam, the sons of Uzza, the sons of Paseah, the sons of Besai, the sons of Asnah, the sons of Meunim, the sons of Nephisim, the sons of Bakbuk, the sons of Hakupha, the sons of Harhur, the sons of Bazluth, the sons of Mehida, the sons of Harsha, the sons of Barkos, the sons of Sisera, the sons of Temah, the sons of Neziah, and the sons of Hatipha. The sons of Solomon’s servants: the sons of Sotai, the sons of Hassophereth, the sons of Peruda, the sons of Jaalah, the sons of Darkon, the sons of Giddel, the sons of Shephatiah, the sons of Hattil, the sons of Pochereth-hazzebaim, and the sons of Ami. All the temple servants and the sons of Solomon’s servants were 392. The following were those who came up from Tel-melah, Tel-harsha, Cherub, Addan, and Immer, though they could not prove their fathers’ houses or their descent, whether they belonged to Israel: the sons of Delaiah, the sons of Tobiah, and the sons of Nekoda, 652. Also, of the sons of the priests: the sons of Habaiah, the sons of Hakkoz, and the sons of Barzillai (who had taken a wife from the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite, and was called by their name). These sought their registration among those enrolled in the genealogies, but they were not found there, and so they were excluded from the priesthood as unclean. The governor told them that they were not to partake of the most holy food, until there should be a priest to consult Urim and Thummim. The whole assembly together was 42,360, besides their male and female servants, of whom there were 7,337, and they had 200 male and female singers. Their horses were 736, their mules were 245, their camels were 435, and their donkeys were 6,720. Some of the heads of families, when they came to the house of the LORD that is in Jerusalem, made freewill offerings for the house of God, to erect it on its site. According to their ability they gave to the treasury of the work 61,000 darics of gold, 5,000 minas of silver, and 100 priests’ garments. Now the priests, the Levites, some of the people, the singers, the gatekeepers, and the temple servants lived in their towns, and all the rest of Israel in their towns.

English Standard Version (ESV)

What Ezra 2:1-70 means

After the decree from King Cyrus allowing the exiled Jews to return, this chapter begins a detailed census of those who made the journey back from Babylon to their ancestral homeland. It lists the families and individuals returning to Jerusalem and the surrounding region of Judah, emphasizing their lineage and their specific towns of origin. This return marks a pivotal moment, signifying the end of the Babylonian exile and the beginning of rebuilding their community and their temple.

Ask Sola about this verse

Ask Sola things like:

“What does "province" mean in the original Hebrew?”
“Why did Traditionally attributed to Ezra, though some scholars suggest a later compilation. write Ezra 2:1-70?”
“How does captivity and return show up in Ezra 2:1-70?”

Ask in the Sola app Get the app

Live chat about Ezra 2:1-70 is available in the Sola app.

What Ezra 2:1-70 means

Ask Sola about this verse

Ask Sola things like:

“What does "province" mean in the original Hebrew?”
“Why did Traditionally attributed to Ezra, though some scholars suggest a later compilation. write Ezra 2:1-70?”
“How does captivity and return show up in Ezra 2:1-70?”

Ask in the Sola app Get the app

Live chat about Ezra 2:1-70 is available in the Sola app.

Original language

provinceמְדִינָה

medinah · Hebrew Noun

A geographical or political territory; in this context, it refers to the former kingdom of Judah, now organized as a province under the Persian Empire.

captivityשְׁבִי

shebi · Hebrew Noun

The state of being held prisoner or in exile, often used to describe the divine judgment of Israel for their disobedience, resulting in removal from their land.

exilesגּוֹלָה

golah · Hebrew Noun

Those who have been forcibly removed from their homeland and settled in a foreign territory, a central theme of judgment and eventual restoration in the Old Testament.

carried captiveגָּלָה

galah · Hebrew Verb

The practice of taking people captive in war, involving forced relocation; biblically, it highlights the vulnerability of God's people under the power of foreign rulers.

Zerubbabelזְרֻבָּבֶל

Zerubbabel · Hebrew Proper Noun

A name meaning "sown in Babylon," he was a governor of Judah who led the first major wave of returnees from the Babylonian exile, symbolizing God’s faithfulness in preserving a remnant.

sons ofבֵּן

ben · Hebrew Noun

A term used to describe the descendants or the collective people group tracing their lineage to a specific ancestor or clan head, emphasizing covenant identity and tribal belonging.

sons ofבְּנֵי

beney · Hebrew Noun (plural construct)

A phrase referring to descendants of a specific patriarch, ancestor, or family head. In the post-exilic context of Ezra, these designations were essential for establishing tribal identity, inheritance rights, and eligibility for service in the rebuilt community and temple.

Pahath-moabפַּחַת מוֹאָב

Pahath-Moab · Hebrew Proper Noun

The name of a Jewish family or clan that returned from Babylonian exile. The name literally means 'governor of Moab' or 'pit of Moab,' and identifies a specific ancestral line within the tribe of Judah.

Jeshuaיֵשׁוּעַ

Yeshua · Hebrew Proper Noun

A name derived from the Hebrew 'Yehoshua,' meaning 'Yahweh is salvation.' It was a prominent name given to various figures, including the successor of Moses and a post-exilic leader.

Joabיוֹאָב

Yo'ab · Hebrew Proper Noun

A Hebrew name meaning 'Yahweh is father.' It was borne by several biblical figures, most notably the commander of King David's army.

Elamעֵילָם

'Elam · Hebrew Proper Noun

The name of an ancestral head and his descendants among the returning exiles. The name likely means 'hidden' or 'eternity.'

Zattuזַתּוּא

Zattu' · Hebrew Proper Noun

The name of a clan among the returned exiles. The meaning of the name is obscure but is traditionally associated with a family line recorded in post-exilic genealogies.

Zaccaiזַכַּי

Zakkai · Hebrew Proper Noun

The name of an ancestral head of a family returning from exile. The name likely means 'pure' or 'innocent.'

Baniבָּנִי

Bani · Hebrew Proper Noun

The name of a clan among the returned exiles. The name likely means 'built' or 'my builder,' often associated with the restoration of the covenant community.

sons ofבֵּן

ben · Hebrew Noun

A term used to identify the descendants or members of a specific clan, tribe, or family unit, highlighting the importance of genealogy and heritage in biblical history. In this context, it designates the groups of returning exiles who trace their ancestry to a common ancestor or patriarch.

Bebaiבֵּבַי

Bebay · Hebrew Noun (Proper)

A Hebrew name meaning 'father of Bel' or perhaps 'my father is Bel,' referring to an ancestor of one of the returning families from the Babylonian exile.

Azgadעַזְגָּד

Azgad · Hebrew Noun (Proper)

A Hebrew name meaning 'gad is mighty' or 'fortune is mighty,' referring to an ancestor of one of the returning families of the post-exilic community.

Adonikamאֲדֹנִיקָם

Adonikam · Hebrew Noun (Proper)

A Hebrew name meaning 'my lord has arisen,' 'the Lord has stood up,' or 'the Lord has risen,' referring to an ancestor of one of the returning families.

Bigvaiבִּגְוַי

Bigvay · Hebrew Noun (Proper)

A name likely of Persian or Babylonian origin, referring to an ancestor of one of the returning clans in the post-exilic records of Ezra.

Adinעָדִין

Adin · Hebrew Noun (Proper)

A Hebrew name meaning 'delicate,' 'slender,' or 'soft,' referring to an ancestor of one of the families returning from the Babylonian captivity to Jerusalem.

sons ofבֵּן

ben · Hebrew Noun

A term used in genealogical records to denote descendants, members of a family clan, or those belonging to a specific ancestral lineage within the nation of Israel. It emphasizes identity, inheritance, and covenantal continuity.

Hezekiahחִזְקִיָּה

Chizqiyah · Hebrew Proper Noun

A personal name meaning 'the Lord is my strength' or 'God strengthens.' It is a common name in the Old Testament, most notably borne by the righteous King Hezekiah of Judah.

Bezaiבֵּצַי

Betstsay · Hebrew Proper Noun

A personal name (meaning 'shining' or 'bright') of a head of a family who returned from the Babylonian exile; it appears in the lists of those who rebuilt the community in Jerusalem.

Jorahיֹרָה

Yorah · Hebrew Proper Noun

A personal name, likely meaning 'the early rain' or 'teacher,' identifying one of the families that returned to the land of Israel after the exile.

Hashumחָשֻׁם

Chashum · Hebrew Proper Noun

A personal name (meaning 'wealthy' or 'rich') identifying a prominent family lineage among the returning exiles in the books of Ezra and Nehemiah.

Gibbarגִּבָּר

Gibbar · Hebrew Proper Noun

A personal name (meaning 'valiant man' or 'hero') used here to identify a specific family group that returned from Babylonian captivity to the province of Judah.

sons ofבְּנֵי

benei · Hebrew Noun

A term used to identify the descendants or inhabitants of a specific geographic location or tribe, often emphasizing their ancestral connection to the people of Israel. In an evangelical context, this underscores the preservation of the covenant community's identity and genealogy.

Bethlehemבֵּית לָחֶם

Bet Lechem · Hebrew Proper Noun

A town in Judah, historically significant as the birthplace of King David and the prophesied birthplace of the Messiah. It represents the royal lineage and the promise of God's redemptive work through the house of David.

men ofאֲנָשִׁים

anashim · Hebrew Noun

Refers to the collective assembly of adult males or the inhabitants of a specific region, emphasizing their role as part of the restored remnant of Israel returning from exile.

Netophahנְטֹפָה

Netophah · Hebrew Proper Noun

A town in Judah associated with the singers and levitical interests, symbolizing the local habitation and distinct identity of returning exiles as they resettled the land.

Anathothעֲנָתוֹת

Anathoth · Hebrew Proper Noun

A town in the territory of Benjamin, famously the home of the prophet Jeremiah. It signifies the preservation of prophetic witness and the restoration of ancestral lands within the tribal allotments.

Azmavethעַזְמָוֶת

Azmaveth · Hebrew Proper Noun

A location likely named after a person, serving as an ancestral designation for the inhabitants returning to their specific heritage, highlighting the importance of family lineage in the post-exilic reconstitution of the nation.

Kiriath-arimקִרְיַת עֲרִים

Qiryat Arim · Hebrew Proper Noun

An ancient Gibeonite city (also known as Kiriath-jearim). Its inclusion in the census lists the recovery and resettlement of cities that were once significant in Israel's history, reflecting God's faithfulness in restoring the inheritance of His people.

Chephirahכְּפִירָה

Kephirah · Hebrew Proper Noun

A town associated with the Gibeonites, symbolizing the expansion of the returned remnant into diverse areas of the land, demonstrating the breadth of the restoration after the Babylonian captivity.

Beerothבְּאֵרוֹת

Beeroth · Hebrew Proper Noun

A city also associated with the Gibeonite league, marking the boundaries of the resettled area and illustrating the organized, systematic return of the Israelites to their respective ancestral towns.

sons ofבֵּן

ben · Hebrew Noun

A term often used in genealogical registers to describe the descendants or the male population associated with a specific patriarch, clan, or geographical location. It signifies belonging to a corporate entity or kinship group.

Ramahרָמָה

Ramah · Hebrew Noun (Proper)

A Hebrew term referring to a city associated with the tribe of Benjamin. It is often linked with the prophet Samuel and signifies a site of historical and theological significance in the northern kingdom territory.

Gebaגֶּבַע

Geba · Hebrew Noun (Proper)

A Levitical city situated in the territory of Benjamin, known for its strategic position and role in the history of the divided kingdom. It is frequently mentioned alongside Ramah in geographical and tribal contexts.

men ofאִישׁ

ish · Hebrew Noun

A term designating the male inhabitants or adult members of a specific locality. In census contexts, it emphasizes the strength or the accountable population of a region returning from exile.

Michmasמִכְמָשׂ

Mikmash · Hebrew Noun (Proper)

A town in the territory of Benjamin, historically significant as the site of a major battle during the time of Saul and Jonathan. It serves as a marker of the territorial integrity of the returning remnant.

Bethelבֵּית־אֵל

Bethel · Hebrew Noun (Proper)

A site of profound religious history where Jacob encountered God and renamed the place 'House of God.' It became a significant, though later compromised, religious center in Israel's history.

Aiעַי

Ai · Hebrew Noun (Proper)

A city near Bethel, famously destroyed by Joshua and the Israelites as part of their conquest of Canaan. Its mention highlights the return of the people to their ancestral heritage.

Neboנְבוֹ

Nebo · Hebrew Noun (Proper)

A location whose name means 'high place' or 'proclamation.' It is often associated with the Babylonian deity Nabu, reflecting the complexities of the exilic environment from which the people were returning.

Magbishמַגְבִּישׁ

Magbish · Hebrew Noun (Proper)

A place name appearing in the post-exilic list of returning families. It denotes a specific group of people re-establishing their identity within the restored community of Israel.

sons ofבְּנֵי

beney · Hebrew Noun (plural construct)

A designation often used for the descendants or members of a specific clan, family line, or tribal group within the covenant community of Israel. It emphasizes lineage, identity, and the preservation of God's people throughout generations.

Elamעֵילָם

Eylam · Hebrew Proper Noun

A personal name that appears in various contexts in the Old Testament, often designating a patriarch of a specific family clan that returned from the Babylonian exile. The name literally means 'hidden' or 'everlasting' and is used here to identify a distinct group within the post-exilic community.

Harimחָרִם

Charim · Hebrew Proper Noun

A proper name referring to a specific ancestral head or family clan. In the context of the return from exile, it denotes a group associated with this individual who were identified by their ancestral connection to the pre-exilic period.

Lodלֹד

Lod · Hebrew Proper Noun

A geographical location (city) in the territory of Benjamin. Mentioning these cities indicates the re-settlement of specific ancestral lands by families returning from the Babylonian captivity, showing the restoration of Israel's presence in the Promised Land.

Hadidחָדִיד

Chadid · Hebrew Proper Noun

A geographical location (city) in the territory of Benjamin. Like other listed towns, this signifies the reclamation of historic land holdings by families who returned under the covenant promises.

Onoאוֹנוֹ

Ono · Hebrew Proper Noun

A geographical location (city) in the territory of Benjamin. Its inclusion underscores the geographical restructuring and repopulation of the land following the return from exile.

Jerichoיְרִיחוֹ

Yeriicho · Hebrew Proper Noun

A city famous for its history in the conquest of Canaan and its location in the Jordan Valley. Identifying 'sons of Jericho' highlights the continuity of the people of God with the significant sites of Israel's salvation history.

Senaahסְנָאָה

Sena'ah · Hebrew Proper Noun

A location identified as the home of a specific returning clan. In the context of these genealogies, it functions to anchor returning families to specific, named locales, confirming the restoration of the covenant people to their heritage.

priestsכֹּהֵן

koh-hane · Hebrew Noun

A mediator between God and man, authorized to offer sacrifices and perform sacred duties in the temple or tabernacle on behalf of the people. They were descendants of Aaron and held a set-apart position of holiness.

Levitesלֵוִי

lay-vee · Hebrew Noun

A member of the tribe of Levi, set apart by God for specialized service in the tabernacle and later the temple. They assisted the priests in the maintenance of the sanctuary, transport of sacred items, and ministry of music and teaching.

sons ofבֵּן

bane · Hebrew Noun

A term used to denote ancestral descent or membership in a specific family group, emphasizing the historical identity and covenantal continuity of the Israelites as a people belonging to God.

singersמְשֹׁרְרִים

meshōrerim · Hebrew Noun (Participle)

Individuals set apart for the ministry of singing and musical praise, particularly in the context of the temple liturgy and the service of the Lord. They were often Levites who led the congregation in worship, reflecting the biblical priority of offering praise and thanksgiving to God.

gatekeepersשֹׁעֲרִים

shō‘arim · Hebrew Noun

Individuals appointed to guard the thresholds and entryways of the temple to ensure holiness and order. Biblically, this role emphasizes the sacredness of God's dwelling place and the necessity of guarding against defilement.

temple servantsנְתִינִים

netinim · Hebrew Noun

Non-Israelite laborers or individuals of servile status dedicated to the service of the temple. They represent the inclusion of various peoples in the periphery of God's house to assist in its maintenance and the performance of holy tasks.

the sons ofבְּנֵי

bene · Hebrew Noun (plural)

A term used in genealogy and census records to denote descendants of a specific ancestor or member of a social or professional group; it indicates lineage, heritage, and membership in the covenant community or a specialized guild.

Hagabחֲגָב

Hagab · Hebrew Proper Noun

A proper noun referring to an ancestor of one of the families (Nethinim) who returned from the Babylonian exile; the name likely signifies a specific genealogical line.

Shamlaiשַׁלְמַי

Salmay · Hebrew Proper Noun

A proper noun referring to an ancestor of one of the families of temple servants.

Hananחָנָן

Hanan · Hebrew Proper Noun

A proper noun meaning 'gracious' or 'favored,' identifying an ancestor of one of the returned families.

Giddelגִּדֵּל

Giddel · Hebrew Proper Noun

A proper noun referring to an ancestor of a family included among the temple servants (Nethinim).

Gaharגַּחַר

Gahar · Hebrew Proper Noun

A proper noun identifying an ancestor of one of the families that returned from exile.

Reaiahרְעָיָה

Reayah · Hebrew Proper Noun

A proper noun meaning 'Yahweh has seen,' identifying a returned family line.

Rezinרְצִין

Resin · Hebrew Proper Noun