Ezra — Chapter 2
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1Now these are the children of the province that went up out of the captivity, of those which had been carried away, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away unto Babylon, and came again unto Jerusalem and Judah, every one unto his city;
2Which came with Zerubbabel: Jeshua, Nehemiah, Seraiah, Reelaiah, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mizpar, Bigvai, Rehum, Baanah. The number of the men of the people of Israel:
3The children of Parosh, two thousand an hundred seventy and two.
4The children of Shephatiah, three hundred seventy and two.
5The children of Arah, seven hundred seventy and five.
6The children of Pahath-moab, of the children of Jeshua and Joab, two thousand eight hundred and twelve.
7The children of Elam, a thousand two hundred fifty and four.
8The children of Zattu, nine hundred forty and five.
9The children of Zaccai, seven hundred and threescore.
10The children of Bani, six hundred forty and two.
11The children of Bebai, six hundred twenty and three.
12The children of Azgad, a thousand two hundred twenty and two.
13The children of Adonikam, six hundred sixty and six.
14The children of Bigvai, two thousand fifty and six.
15The children of Adin, four hundred fifty and four.
16The children of Ater of Hezekiah, ninety and eight.
17The children of Bezai, three hundred twenty and three.
18The children of Jorah, an hundred and twelve.
19The children of Hashum, two hundred twenty and three.
20The children of Gibbar, ninety and five.
21The children of Bethlehem, an hundred twenty and three.
22The men of Netophah, fifty and six.
23The men of Anathoth, an hundred twenty and eight.
24The children of Azmaveth, forty and two.
25The children of Kirjath-arim, Chephirah, and Beeroth, seven hundred and forty and three.
26The children of Ramah and Gaba, six hundred twenty and one.
27The men of Michmas, an hundred twenty and two.
28The men of Bethel and Ai, two hundred twenty and three.
29The children of Nebo, fifty and two.
30The children of Magbish, an hundred fifty and six.
31The children of the other Elam, a thousand two hundred fifty and four.
32The children of Harim, three hundred and twenty.
33The children of Lod, Hadid, and Ono, seven hundred twenty and five.
34The children of Jericho, three hundred forty and five.
35The children of Senaah, three thousand and six hundred and thirty.
36The priests: the children of Jedaiah, of the house of Jeshua, nine hundred seventy and three.
37The children of Immer, a thousand fifty and two.
38The children of Pashur, a thousand two hundred forty and seven.
39The children of Harim, a thousand and seventeen.
40The Levites: the children of Jeshua and Kadmiel, of the children of Hodaviah, seventy and four.
41The singers: the children of Asaph, an hundred twenty and eight.
42The children of the porters: the children of Shallum, the children of Ater, the children of Talmon, the children of Akkub, the children of Hatita, the children of Shobai, in all an hundred thirty and nine.
43The Nethinims: the children of Ziha, the children of Hasupha, the children of Tabbaoth,
44The children of Keros, the children of Siaha, the children of Padon,
45The children of Lebanah, the children of Hagabah, the children of Akkub,
46The children of Hagab, the children of Shalmai, the children of Hanan,
47The children of Giddel, the children of Gahar, the children of Reaiah,
48The children of Rezin, the children of Nekoda, the children of Gazzam,
49The children of Uzza, the children of Paseah, the children of Besai,
50The children of Asnah, the children of Mehunim, the children of Nephusim,
51The children of Bakbuk, the children of Hakupha, the children of Harhur,
52The children of Bazluth, the children of Mehida, the children of Harsha,
53The children of Barkos, the children of Sisera, the children of Thamah,
54The children of Neziah, the children of Hatipha.
55The children of Solomon’s servants: the children of Sotai, the children of Sophereth, the children of Peruda,
56The children of Jaalah, the children of Darkon, the children of Giddel,
57The children of Shephatiah, the children of Hattil, the children of Pochereth of Zebaim, the children of Ami.
58All the Nethinims, and the children of Solomon’s servants, were three hundred ninety and two.
59And these were they which went up from Tel-melah, Tel-harsa, Cherub, Addan, and Immer: but they could not shew their father’s house, and their seed, whether they were of Israel:
60The children of Delaiah, the children of Tobiah, the children of Nekoda, six hundred fifty and two.
61And of the children of the priests: the children of Habaiah, the children of Koz, the children of Barzillai; which took a wife of the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite, and was called after their name:
62These sought their register among those that were reckoned by genealogy, but they were not found: therefore were they, as polluted, put from the priesthood.
63And the Tirshatha said unto them, that they should not eat of the most holy things, till there stood up a priest with Urim and with Thummim.
64The whole congregation together was forty and two thousand three hundred and threescore,
65Beside 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.
66Their horses were seven hundred thirty and six; their mules, two hundred forty and five;
67Their camels, four hundred thirty and five; their asses, six thousand seven hundred and twenty.
68And some of the chief of the fathers, when they came to the house of the LORD which is at Jerusalem, offered freely for the house of God to set it up in his place:
69They gave after their ability unto the treasure of the work threescore and one thousand drams of gold, and five thousand pound of silver, and one hundred priests garments.
70So the priests, and the Levites, and some of the people, and the singers, and the porters, and the Nethinims, dwelt in their cities, and all Israel in their cities.
1Now these are the children of the province, that went up out of the captivity of those that had been carried away, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away unto Babylon, and that returned unto Jerusalem and Judah, every one unto his city;
2who came with Zerubbabel, Jeshua, Nehemiah, Seraiah, Reelaiah, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispar, Bigvai, Rehum, Baanah. The number of the men of the people of Israel:
3The children of Parosh, two thousand a hundred seventy and two.
4The children of Shephatiah, three hundred seventy and two.
5The children of Arah, seven hundred seventy and five.
6The children of Pahath-moab, of the children of Jeshua [and] Joab, two thousand eight hundred and twelve.
7The children of Elam, a thousand two hundred fifty and four.
8The children of Zattu, nine hundred forty and five.
9The children of Zaccai, seven hundred and threescore.
10The children of Bani, six hundred forty and two.
11The children of Bebai, six hundred twenty and three.
12The children of Azgad, a thousand two hundred twenty and two.
13The children of Adonikam, six hundred sixty and six.
14The children of Bigvai, two thousand fifty and six.
15The children of Adin, four hundred fifty and four.
16The children of Ater, of Hezekiah, ninety and eight.
17The children of Bezai, three hundred twenty and three.
18The children of Jorah, a hundred and twelve.
19The children of Hashum, two hundred twenty and three.
20The children of Gibbar, ninety and five.
21The children of Beth-lehem, a hundred twenty and three.
22The men of Netophah, fifty and six.
23The men of Anathoth, a hundred twenty and eight.
24The children of Azmaveth, forty and two.
25The children of Kiriath-arim, Chephirah, and Beeroth, seven hundred and forty and three.
26The children of Ramah and Geba, six hundred twenty and one.
27The men of Michmas, a hundred twenty and two.
28The men of Beth-el and Ai, two hundred twenty and three.
29The children of Nebo, fifty and two.
30The children of Magbish, a hundred fifty and six.
31The children of the other Elam, a thousand two hundred fifty and four.
32The children of Harim, three hundred and twenty.
33The children of Lod, Hadid, and Ono, seven hundred twenty and five.
34The children of Jericho, three hundred forty and five.
35The children of Senaah, three thousand and six hundred and thirty.
36The priests: the children of Jedaiah, of the house of Jeshua, nine hundred seventy and three.
37The children of Immer, a thousand fifty and two.
38The children of Pashhur, a thousand two hundred forty and seven.
39The children of Harim, a thousand and seventeen.
40The Levites: the children of Jeshua and Kadmiel, of the children of Hodaviah, seventy and four.
41The singers: the children of Asaph, a hundred twenty and eight.
42The children of the porters: the children of Shallum, the children of Ater, the children of Talmon, the children of Akkub, the children of Hatita, the children of Shobai, in all a hundred thirty and nine.
43The Nethinim: the children of Ziha, the children of Hasupha, the children of Tabbaoth,
44the children of Keros, the children of Siaha, the children of Padon,
45the children of Lebanah, the children of Hagabah, the children of Akkub,
46the children of Hagab, the children of Shamlai, the children of Hanan,
47the children of Giddel, the children of Gahar, the children of Reaiah,
48the children of Rezin, the children of Nekoda, the children of Gazzam,
49the children of Uzza, the children of Paseah, the children of Besai,
50the children of Asnah, the children of Meunim, the children of Nephisim,
51the children of Bakbuk, the children of Hakupha, the children of Harhur,
52the children of Bazluth, the children of Mehida, the children of Harsha,
53the children of Barkos, the children of Sisera, the children of Temah,
54the children of Neziah, the children of Hatipha.
55The children of Solomon`s servants: the children of Sotai, the children of Hassophereth, the children of Peruda,
56the children of Jaalah, the children of Darkon, the children of Giddel,
57the children of Shephatiah, the children of Hattil, the children of Pochereth-hazzebaim, the children of Ami.
58All the Nethinim, and the children of Solomon`s servants, were three hundred ninety and two.
59And these were they that went up from Tel-melah, Tel-harsha, Cherub, Addan, [and] Immer; but they could not show their fathers` houses, and their seed, whether they were of Israel:
60the children of Delaiah, the children of Tobiah, the children of Nekoda, six hundred fifty and two.
61And of the children of the priests: the children of Habaiah, the children of Hakkoz, the children of Barzillai, who took a wife of the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite, and was called after their name.
62These sought their register [among] those that were reckoned by genealogy, but they were not found: therefore were they deemed polluted and put from the priesthood.
63And the governor said unto them, that they should not eat of the most holy things, till there stood up a priest with Urim and with Thummim.
64The whole assembly together was forty and two thousand three hundred and threescore,
65besides their men-servants and their maid-servants, of whom there were seven thousand three hundred thirty and seven: and they had two hundred singing men and singing women.
66Their horses were seven hundred thirty and six; their mules, two hundred forty and five;
67their camels, four hundred thirty and five; [their] asses, six thousand seven hundred and twenty.
68And some of the heads of fathers` [houses], when they came to the house of Jehovah which is in Jerusalem, offered willingly for the house of God to set it up in its place:
69they gave after their ability into the treasury of the work threescore and one thousand darics of gold, and five thousand pounds of silver, and one hundred priests` garments.
70So the priests, and the Levites, and some of the people, and the singers, and the porters, and the Nethinim, dwelt in their cities, and all Israel in their cities.
1These are the people of the province who were going up, from the captives of the exile whom King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon had forced into exile in Babylon. They returned to Jerusalem and Judah, each to his own city.
2They came with Zerubbabel, Jeshua, Nehemiah, Seraiah, Reelaiah, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispar, Bigvai, Rehum, and Baanah. The number of Israelites was as follows:
3the descendants of Parosh: 2,172;
4the descendants of Shephatiah: 372;
5the descendants of Arah: 775;
6the descendants of Pahath Moab (from the line of Jeshua and Joab): 2,812;
7the descendants of Elam: 1,254;
8the descendants of Zattu: 945;
9the descendants of Zaccai: 760;
10the descendants of Bani: 642;
11the descendants of Bebai: 623;
12the descendants of Azgad: 1,222;
13the descendants of Adonikam: 666;
14the descendants of Bigvai: 2,056;
15the descendants of Adin: 454;
16the descendants of Ater (through Hezekiah): 98;
17the descendants of Bezai: 323;
18the descendants of Jorah: 112;
19the descendants of Hashum: 223;
20the descendants of Gibbar: 95.
21The men of Bethlehem: 123;
22the men of Netophah: 56;
23the men of Anathoth: 128;
24the men of the family of Azmaveth: 42;
25the men of Kiriath Jearim, Kephirah and Beeroth: 743;
26the men of Ramah and Geba: 621;
27the men of Micmash: 122;
28the men of Bethel and Ai: 223;
29the descendants of Nebo: 52;
30the descendants of Magbish: 156;
31the descendants of the other Elam: 1,254;
32the descendants of Harim: 320;
33the men of Lod, Hadid, and Ono: 725;
34the men of Jericho: 345;
35the descendants of Senaah: 3,630.
36The priests: the descendants of Jedaiah (through the family of Jeshua): 973;
37the descendants of Immer: 1,052;
38the descendants of Pashhur: 1,247;
39the descendants of Harim: 1,017.
40The Levites: the descendants of Jeshua and Kadmiel (through the line of Hodaviah): 74.
41The singers: the descendants of Asaph: 128.
42The gatekeepers: the descendants of Shallum, the descendants of Ater, the descendants of Talmon, the descendants of Akkub, the descendants of Hatita, and the descendants of Shobai: 139.
43The temple servants: the descendants of Ziha, the descendants of Hasupha, the descendants of Tabbaoth,
44the descendants of Keros, the descendants of Siaha, the descendants of Padon,
45the descendants of Lebanah, the descendants of Hagabah, the descendants of Akkub,
46the descendants of Hagab, the descendants of Shalmai, the descendants of Hanan,
47the descendants of Giddel, the descendants of Gahar, the descendants of Reaiah,
48the descendants of Rezin, the descendants of Nekoda, the descendants of Gazzam,
49the descendants of Uzzah, the descendants of Paseah, the descendants of Besai,
50the descendants of Asnah, the descendants of Meunim, the descendants of Nephussim,
51the descendants of Bakbuk, the descendants of Hakupha, the descendants of Harhur,
52the descendants of Bazluth, the descendants of Mehida, the descendants of Harsha,
53the descendants of Barkos, the descendants of Sisera, the descendants of Temah,
54the descendants of Neziah, and the descendants of Hatipha.
55The descendants of the servants of Solomon: the descendants of Sotai, the descendants of Hassophereth, the descendants of Peruda,
56the descendants of Jaala, the descendants of Darkon, the descendants of Giddel,
57the descendants of Shephatiah, the descendants of Hattil, the descendants of Pokereth Hazzebaim, and the descendants of Ami.
58All the temple servants and the descendants of the servants of Solomon: 392.
59These are the ones that came up from Tel Melah, Tel Harsha, Kerub, Addon, and Immer (although they were unable to certify their family connection or their ancestry, as to whether they really were from Israel):
60the descendants of Delaiah, the descendants of Tobiah, and the descendants of Nekoda: 652.
61And from among the priests: the descendants of Hobaiah, the descendants of Hakkoz, and the descendants of Barzillai (who had taken a wife from the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite and was called by that name).
62They searched for their records in the genealogical materials, but did not find them. They were therefore excluded from the priesthood.
63The governor instructed them not to eat any of the sacred food until there was a priest who could consult the Urim and Thummim.
64The entire group numbered 42,360,
65not counting their male and female servants, who numbered 7,337. They also had 200 male and female singers
66and 736 horses, 245 mules,
67435 camels, and 6,720 donkeys.
68When they came to the Lord’s temple in Jerusalem, some of the family leadersoffered voluntary offerings for the temple of God in order to rebuild it on its site.
69As they were able, they gave to the treasury for this work 61,000 drachmas of gold, 5,000 minas of silver, and 100 priestly robes.
70The 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 lived in their towns.
1Now these are the children of the province, who went up out of 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 city;
2who came with Zerubbabel, Jeshua, Nehemiah, Seraiah, Reelaiah, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispar, Bigvai, Rehum, and Baanah. The number of the men of the people of Israel:
3The children of Parosh, two thousand one hundred seventy-two.
4The children of Shephatiah, three hundred seventy-two.
5The children of Arah, seven hundred seventy-five.
6The children of Pahathmoab, of the children of Jeshua and Joab, two thousand eight hundred twelve.
7The children of Elam, one thousand two hundred fifty-four.
8The children of Zattu, nine hundred forty-five.
9The children of Zaccai, seven hundred sixty.
10The children of Bani, six hundred forty-two.
11The children of Bebai, six hundred twenty-three.
12The children of Azgad, one thousand two hundred twenty-two.
13The children of Adonikam, six hundred sixty-six.
14The children of Bigvai, two thousand fifty-six.
15The children of Adin, four hundred fifty-four.
16The children of Ater, of Hezekiah, ninety-eight.
17The children of Bezai, three hundred twenty-three.
18The children of Jorah, one hundred twelve.
19The children of Hashum, two hundred twenty-three.
20The children of Gibbar, ninety-five.
21The children of Bethlehem, one hundred twenty-three.
22The men of Netophah, fifty-six.
23The men of Anathoth, one hundred twenty-eight.
24The children of Azmaveth, forty-two.
25The children of Kiriath Arim, Chephirah, and Beeroth, seven hundred forty-three.
26The children of Ramah and Geba, six hundred twenty-one.
27The men of Michmas, one hundred twenty-two.
28The men of Bethel and Ai, two hundred twenty-three.
29The children of Nebo, fifty-two.
30The children of Magbish, one hundred fifty-six.
31The children of the other Elam, one thousand two hundred fifty-four.
32The children of Harim, three hundred twenty.
33The children of Lod, Hadid, and Ono, seven hundred twenty-five.
34The children of Jericho, three hundred forty-five.
35The children of Senaah, three thousand six hundred thirty.
36The priests: the children of Jedaiah, of the house of Jeshua, nine hundred seventy-three.
37The children of Immer, one thousand fifty-two.
38The children of Pashhur, one thousand two hundred forty-seven.
39The children of Harim, one thousand seventeen.
40The Levites: the children of Jeshua and Kadmiel, of the children of Hodaviah, seventy-four.
41The singers: the children of Asaph, one hundred twenty-eight.
42The children of the gatekeepers: the children of Shallum, the children of Ater, the children of Talmon, the children of Akkub, the children of Hatita, the children of Shobai, in all one hundred thirty-nine.
43The temple servants: the children of Ziha, the children of Hasupha, the children of Tabbaoth,
44the children of Keros, the children of Siaha, the children of Padon,
45the children of Lebanah, the children of Hagabah, the children of Akkub,
46the children of Hagab, the children of Shamlai, the children of Hanan,
47the children of Giddel, the children of Gahar, the children of Reaiah,
48the children of Rezin, the children of Nekoda, the children of Gazzam,
49the children of Uzza, the children of Paseah, the children of Besai,
50the children of Asnah, the children of Meunim, the children of Nephisim,
51the children of Bakbuk, the children of Hakupha, the children of Harhur,
52the children of Bazluth, the children of Mehida, the children of Harsha,
53the children of Barkos, the children of Sisera, the children of Temah,
54the children of Neziah, the children of Hatipha.
55The children of Solomon’s servants: the children of Sotai, the children of Hassophereth, the children of Peruda,
56the children of Jaalah, the children of Darkon, the children of Giddel,
57the children of Shephatiah, the children of Hattil, the children of Pochereth Hazzebaim, the children of Ami.
58All the temple servants, and the children of Solomon’s servants, were three hundred ninety-two.
59These were those who went up from Tel Melah, Tel Harsha, Cherub, Addan, and Immer; but they could not show their fathers’ houses, and their offspring, whether they were of Israel:
60the children of Delaiah, the children of Tobiah, the children of Nekoda, six hundred fifty-two.
61Of the children of the priests: the children of Habaiah, the children of Hakkoz, and the children of Barzillai, who took a wife of the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite, and was called after their name.
62These sought their place among those who were registered by genealogy, but they were not found: therefore were they deemed disqualified and removed from the priesthood.
63The governor told them that they should not eat of the most holy things until a priest stood up to serve with Urim and with Thummim.
64The whole assembly together was forty-two thousand three hundred sixty,
65besides their male servants and their female servants, of whom there were seven thousand three hundred thirty-seven; and they had two hundred singing men and singing women.
66Their horses were seven hundred thirty-six; their mules, two hundred forty-five;
67their camels, four hundred thirty-five; their donkeys, six thousand seven hundred twenty.
68Some of the heads of fathers’ households, when they came to Yahweh’s house which is in Jerusalem, offered willingly for God’s house to set it up in its place.
69They gave according to their ability into the treasury of the work sixty-one thousand darics of gold, and five thousand minas of silver, and one hundred priests’ garments.
70So the priests, and the Levites, and some of the people, the singers, the gatekeepers, and the temple servants, lived in their cities, and all Israel in their cities.
Summary
A detailed registry of the exiles who returned to Jerusalem and Judah under Zerubbabel is recorded by family, totaling about 42,360 plus servants. Some who could not prove their genealogy are excluded from the priesthood until a priest with Urim and Thummim arises.
Authorship & Background
Map & Geography
- The geographic arc: Babylon → Jerusalem (~900-mile journey through the Fertile Crescent). Two returns: 538 BC under Zerubbabel and 458 BC under Ezra.
- Jerusalem is the destination — the Temple is rebuilt (516 BC) and worship restored.
- The journey followed major trade routes along the Euphrates River, through Syria, then south into Judah — a 4-month trek (Ezra 7:9).
Commentary
- Enduring Word (David Guzik): enduringword.com Guzik notes that God records names — every family that returned is documented, emphasizing God's personal knowledge of each individual who responded in faith. He also highlights the disproportion between priests (4,289) and Levites (74), noting it as an early warning sign of spiritual imbalance in the restored community.
- Charles Spurgeon: "Here is God's register of the faithful — every name recorded, every family counted, every servant noted. God does not save in masses; He saves individuals whose names He knows. This long list of names and numbers may seem tedious to the casual reader, but to God every name is precious. He who numbers the stars also numbers His returning exiles. Take heart, believer: your name is in God's book, your service is recorded, your journey home is tracked. Not one of the forty-two thousand was lost between Babylon and Jerusalem."
Reflection
- 1. God keeps records (vv.1-63). Every name in this chapter matters to God. In a world that treats people as statistics, God knows individuals and families by name. Your faithfulness — however small it seems — is recorded. The obscure names in this list represent real people who made the costly decision to leave Babylon and follow God home. Their faithfulness is eternally documented.
- 2. Legitimate calling requires verification (vv.61-63). Those who claimed priestly status but couldn't prove it were not rejected but suspended — put on hold until divine confirmation could come. This principle protects both the individual and the community. Don't rush to claim a role you haven't been verified for; equally, don't permanently reject those whose calling is uncertain — wait for God's confirmation.
- 3. A remnant is enough for God (v.64). Out of perhaps millions who went into exile, only 42,360 returned. God's purposes are not hindered by small numbers. Quality of commitment matters more than quantity of participants. If you find yourself in a faithful minority, take courage — God has always worked through remnants.
- 4. Give according to your ability (vv.68-69). The returnees gave generously but proportionally — "after their ability." Biblical giving is not about equal amounts but equal sacrifice. Some gave gold; others gave garments. What matters is willing hearts and proportional faithfulness, not the size of the gift.
- 5. Everyone has a role in God's community (vv.36-58). Priests, Levites, singers, gatekeepers, Temple servants — the returning community included every type of service. No one was merely a spectator. If you belong to God's community, you have a function within it. Discover your role and fill it faithfully.