besides their male and female servants, of whom there were 7,337, and they had 200 male and female singers.
English Standard Version (ESV)
What's easily missed here is that the "singing men and women" weren't necessarily part of the temple choir. Their inclusion, alongside a large number of servants, actually highlights the significant wealth and luxury some individuals brought back with them, suggesting that not everyone returning was simply impoverished. This detail hints at the diverse social strata within the returning exiles, with some being quite prosperous.
besides their male and female servants, of whom there were 7,337, and they had 200 male and female singers.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This passage concludes the list of those who returned from exile, detailing the number of servants and professional singers accompanying them. These aren't the Levitical temple singers, but rather hired individuals likely for celebrations and possibly even funerals, reflecting the wealth and varied needs of the returning community. Their inclusion highlights the completeness of the group's provisions for their journey and future life in Jerusalem.
Look closer at the list of those returning to Jerusalem. Beyond the main numbers, who else was part of this massive migration?
This verse highlights a significant group often overlooked: the servants and singers. It reveals that the returning exiles weren't just a homogenous mass of people.
A Layer of Society
Why would singers be explicitly mentioned in the list of returnees? What was their role?
The inclusion of 200 male and female singers is fascinating. It points to the importance of music and celebration in the lives of God's people, both in exile and in anticipation of rebuilding.
More Than Just Levites
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The extensive list of servants and specialized singers highlights that the returning exiles were not just a homogenous group of laborers but included individuals of various social strata and professions, some even indicative of wealth and luxury prior to exile.
c. 597 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
King Jehoiachin and a significant portion of the Judean elite, including priests and skilled craftsmen, are exiled to Babylon by Nebuchadnezzar II.
586 BC
Destruction of Jerusalem and Temple
Nebuchadnezzar II completely destroys Jerusalem and the First Temple, exiling most of the remaining population to Babylon.
c. 539 BC
Cyrus the Great Conquers Babylon
Cyrus the Great, founder of the Achaemenid Empire, conquers Babylon, opening the door for the exiled peoples to return to their homelands.
538 BC
Cyrus' Decree for Return
Cyrus issues a decree allowing the Jewish exiles to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the Temple, marking the beginning of the return.
c. 537-536 BC— this verse
First Return of Exiles
The first major group of Jewish exiles, led by Zerubbabel, returns to Jerusalem. This is the context for the list of returnees in Ezra 2.
c. 516 BC
Rebuilding of the Second Temple
After significant delays and opposition, the Second Temple in Jerusalem is finally completed and dedicated.
This passage directly describes David appointing Levites as singers in the temple, showing the importance of music and worship in ancient Israelite life.
Nehemiah 7:67This verse is nearly identical, providing a parallel account of the return from exile and including a similar (though slightly different) number of singers, highlighting the consistent role of music in post-exilic worship.
Psalm 150:1-6This psalm is a powerful call to worship God with all kinds of musical instruments and voices, reflecting the spirit behind having singers present for the return and rebuilding.
Ecclesiastes 2:8This verse mentions acquiring 'singing men and women' as a sign of luxury and pleasure, offering a contrast and context for understanding these individuals as possibly being employed for more than just religious services.
henryEzra 2:64-70: "The whole congregation together was forty and two thousand three hundred and threescore,"
2:64-70 Let none complain of the needful expenses of their religion. Seek first the kingdom of God, his favour and his glory, then will all other things be added unto them. Their offerings were nothing, compared with the offerings of the princes in David's time; yet, being according to their ability, were as acceptable to God. The Lord will carry us through all undertakings entered on accord…
pooleEzra 2:65: "Beside their servants and their maids, of whom there were seven thousand three hundred thirty and seven: and there were among them two hundred singing men and singing women."
For women as well as men were devoted to and employed in this exercise in the temple service, as appears from 1 Chronicles 25:5,6 . And the parents of these persons had taken care to instruct and exercise them as far as they could in this art, both for God’s service, and for their own benefit, when Jerusalem an…
What's easily missed here is that the "singing men and women" weren't necessarily part of the temple choir. Their inclusion, alongside a large number of servants, actually highlights the significant wealth and luxury some individuals brought back with them, suggesting that not everyone returning was simply impoverished. This detail hints at the diverse social strata within the returning exiles, with some being quite prosperous.
This passage concludes the list of those who returned from exile, detailing the number of servants and professional singers accompanying them. These aren't the Levitical temple singers, but rather hired individuals likely for celebrations and possibly even funerals, reflecting the wealth and varied needs of the returning community. Their inclusion highlights the completeness of the group's provisions for their journey and future life in Jerusalem.
This passage concludes the list of those who returned from exile, detailing the number of servants and professional singers accompanying them. These aren't the Levitical temple singers, but rather hired individuals likely for celebrations and possibly even funerals, reflecting the wealth and varied needs of the returning community. Their inclusion highlights the completeness of the group's provisions for their journey and future life in Jerusalem.
"besides their male and female servants, of whom there were 7,337, and they had 200 male and female singers." — What's easily missed here is that the "singing men and women" weren't necessarily part of the temple choir. Their inclusion, alongside a large number of servants, actually highlights the significant…
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Last reviewed October 2026