Ezra 2

Ezra 2 records the detailed list of Israelites who returned to Judah from Babylonian exile. Under the leadership of Zerubbabel, a large group of people, including priests, Levites, temple servants, and various families, journeyed back to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple and restore their community. The chapter meticulously documents the families, their numbers, and their roles, emphasizing the importance of preserving Israel’s heritage and reestablishing the worship of God in Jerusalem. This chapter showcases the organizational effort and dedication of the returnees to reclaim their ancestral land and restore their spiritual life.

Ezra 2:1-5 (NKJV)
1 Now these are the people of the province who came back from the captivity, of those who had been carried away, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away to Babylon, and who returned to Jerusalem and Judah, everyone to his own city.
2 Those who came with Zerubbabel were Jeshua, Nehemiah, Seraiah, Reelaiah, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispar, Bigvai, Rehum, and Baanah. The number of the men of the people of Israel:
3 the people of Parosh, two thousand one hundred and seventy-two;
4 the people of Shephatiah, three hundred and seventy-two;
5 the people of Arah, seven hundred and seventy-five.

These verses introduce the list of exiles who returned to Jerusalem and Judah after their Babylonian captivity, led by Zerubbabel. This first group includes leaders and significant families such as Parosh, Shephatiah, and Arah, with specific numbers provided for each family. The detailed records emphasize the restoration of Israel to their ancestral lands and their efforts to rebuild their communities after years of exile.

Ezra 2:6-10 (NKJV)
6 the people of Pahath-Moab, of the people of Jeshua and Joab, two thousand eight hundred and twelve;
7 the people of Elam, one thousand two hundred and fifty-four;
8 the people of Zattu, nine hundred and forty-five;
9 the people of Zaccai, seven hundred and sixty;
10 the people of Bani, six hundred and forty-two.

These verses continue the list of families returning to Jerusalem, with each clan’s population recorded. These details underscore the careful organization of the returnees and show the commitment of each family to reclaim their heritage in the Promised Land. This process reestablishes the community by restoring family lines to their rightful places.

Ezra 2:11-15 (NKJV)
11 the people of Bebai, six hundred and twenty-three;
12 the people of Azgad, one thousand two hundred and twenty-two;
13 the people of Adonikam, six hundred and sixty-six;
14 the people of Bigvai, two thousand and fifty-six;
15 the people of Adin, four hundred and fifty-four.

The next group of families mentioned includes Bebai, Azgad, Adonikam, Bigvai, and Adin. The returnees come from various clans, each playing a role in restoring Israel. The precision in these numbers highlights the structured approach to the repopulation of Judah, reinforcing a sense of continuity with the past.

Ezra 2:16-20 (NKJV)
16 the people of Ater of Hezekiah, ninety-eight;
17 the people of Bezai, three hundred and twenty-three;
18 the people of Jorah, one hundred and twelve;
19 the people of Hashum, two hundred and twenty-three;
20 the people of Gibbar, ninety-five.

These verses list more of the returning families, such as those from Ater, Bezai, Jorah, Hashum, and Gibbar. The careful record-keeping serves not only as a historical document but as a testimony to the faithfulness of God in preserving His people and returning them to their homeland after exile.

Ezra 2:21-25 (NKJV)
21 the people of Bethlehem, one hundred and twenty-three;
22 the men of Netophah, fifty-six;
23 the men of Anathoth, one hundred and twenty-eight;
24 the people of Azmaveth, forty-two;
25 the people of Kirjath Arim, Chephirah, and Beeroth, seven hundred and forty-three.

This section focuses on the people returning from specific towns such as Bethlehem, Netophah, and Anathoth. The record of each town’s population highlights how the returning exiles spread across the land to rebuild their homes and heritage in both rural and urban centers. It shows the geographic diversity of the returnees.

Ezra 2:26-30 (NKJV)
26 the people of Ramah and Geba, six hundred and twenty-one;
27 the men of Michmas, one hundred and twenty-two;
28 the men of Bethel and Ai, two hundred and twenty-three;
29 the people of Nebo, fifty-two;
30 the people of Magbish, one hundred and fifty-six.

These verses provide more town-specific populations, including those from Ramah, Geba, Michmas, Bethel, and Nebo. This reflects the broader restoration of the land, as different regions are resettled by those who had lived in captivity. Each family or group plays a part in the rebuilding of Israel's society.

Ezra 2:31-35 (NKJV)
31 the people of the other Elam, one thousand two hundred and fifty-four;
32 the people of Harim, three hundred and twenty;
33 the people of Lod, Hadid, and Ono, seven hundred and twenty-five;
34 the people of Jericho, three hundred and forty-five;
35 the people of Senaah, three thousand six hundred and thirty.

This passage mentions more groups returning to their lands, including those from Elam, Harim, and Jericho. The notable number of people from Senaah reflects the substantial efforts required to resettle their homes and restore religious, social, and economic structures. The collective effort underscores the unified mission to rebuild.

Ezra 2:36-39 (NKJV)
36 The priests: the sons of Jedaiah, of the house of Jeshua, nine hundred and seventy-three;
37 the sons of Immer, one thousand and fifty-two;
38 the sons of Pashhur, one thousand two hundred and forty-seven;
39 the sons of Harim, one thousand and seventeen.

Here, the focus shifts to the priests returning to Jerusalem. The descendants of key priestly families, such as Jedaiah, Immer, Pashhur, and Harim, are listed, showing the restoration of the religious leadership. Reestablishing the priesthood was crucial for the spiritual life of the community and the temple's service.

Ezra 2:40-42 (NKJV)
40 The Levites: the sons of Jeshua and Kadmiel, of the sons of Hodaviah, seventy-four.
41 The singers: the sons of Asaph, one hundred and twenty-eight.
42 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, the sons of Shobai, one hundred and thirty-nine in all.

The Levites, singers, and gatekeepers are listed next, representing those responsible for the temple's worship and daily operations. The inclusion of these groups demonstrates the organized plan to restore proper worship in the temple, which was central to the life of Israel as a covenant community.

Ezra 2:43-58 (NKJV)
43 The Nethinim: the sons of Ziha, the sons of Hasupha, the sons of Tabbaoth,
44 the sons of Keros, the sons of Siaha, the sons of Padon,
45 the sons of Lebanah, the sons of Hagabah, the sons of Akkub,
46 the sons of Hagab, the sons of Shalmai, the sons of Hanan,
47 the sons of Giddel, the sons of Gahar, the sons of Reaiah,
48 the sons of Rezin, the sons of Nekoda, the sons of Gazzam,
49 the sons of Uzza, the sons of Paseah, the sons of Besai,
50 the sons of Asnah, the sons of Meunim, the sons of Nephusim,
51 the sons of Bakbuk, the sons of Hakupha, the sons of Harhur,
52 the sons of Bazluth, the sons of Mehida, the sons of Harsha,
53 the sons of Barkos, the sons of Sisera, the sons of Tamah,
54 the sons of Neziah, and the sons of Hatipha.
55 The sons of Solomon’s servants: the sons of Sotai, the sons of Sophereth, the sons of Peruda,
56 the sons of Jaala, the sons of Darkon, the sons of Giddel,
57 the sons of Shephatiah, the sons of Hattil, the sons of Pochereth of Zebaim, and the sons of Ami.
58 All the Nethinim and the children of Solomon’s servants were three hundred and ninety-two.

The Nethinim, temple servants dedicated to assisting the Levites, and the descendants of Solomon’s servants are listed. These groups played an essential role in the daily functioning of the temple, highlighting how every level of service was being restored to ensure the temple's proper functioning.

Ezra 2:59-63 (NKJV)
59 And these were the ones who came up from Tel Melah, Tel Harsha, Cherub, Addan, and Immer; but they could not identify their father’s house or their genealogy, whether they were of Israel:
60 the sons of Delaiah, the sons of Tobiah, and the sons of Nekoda, six hundred and fifty-two;
61 and of the sons of the priests: the sons of Habaiah, the sons of Koz, and the sons of Barzillai, who took a wife of the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite, and was called by their name.
62 These sought their listing among those who were registered by genealogy, but they were not found; therefore they were excluded from the priesthood as defiled.
63 And the governor said to them that they should not eat of the most holy things till a priest could consult with the Urim and Thummim.

Some returnees could not prove their lineage, particularly among the priests, leading to their exclusion from priestly service until verification through the Urim and Thummim, a divine method for determining God’s will. This emphasizes the importance of maintaining purity in the priesthood and temple service.

Ezra 2:64-67 (NKJV)
64 The whole assembly together was forty-two thousand three hundred and sixty,
65 besides their male and female servants, of whom there were seven thousand three hundred and thirty-seven; and they had two hundred men and women singers.
66 Their horses were seven hundred and thirty-six, their mules two hundred and forty-five,
67 their camels four hundred and thirty-five, and their donkeys six thousand seven hundred and twenty.

The total number of returnees, along with their servants and livestock, is recorded. This reflects the scope of the restoration effort, showing that a significant number of people and resources were dedicated to rebuilding Jerusalem and its temple. The detailed numbers show the importance placed on orderly documentation.

Ezra 2:68-69 (NKJV)
68 Some of the heads of the fathers’ houses, when they came to the house of the Lord which is in Jerusalem, offered freely for the house of God, to erect it in its place:
69 According to their ability, they gave to the treasury for the work sixty-one thousand gold drachmas, five thousand minas of silver, and one hundred priestly garments.

Upon returning to Jerusalem, some of the leaders offered gifts for the temple's reconstruction. These voluntary contributions reflect the people’s dedication to restoring the house of the Lord and their collective responsibility in funding this sacred project.

Ezra 2:70 (NKJV)
70 So the priests and the Levites, some of the people, the singers, the gatekeepers, and the Nethinim dwelt in their cities, and all Israel in their cities.

After the return, the various groups, including priests, Levites, singers, and others, settled in their respective towns across Israel. This final verse emphasizes the resettlement of the land, as each group reclaims its place in the rebuilt society, laying the foundation for future spiritual renewal.