Ezra 2 11

Ezra 2:11 kjv

The children of Bebai, six hundred twenty and three.

Ezra 2:11 nkjv

the people of Bebai, six hundred and twenty-three;

Ezra 2:11 niv

of Bebai ? 623

Ezra 2:11 esv

The sons of Bebai, 623.

Ezra 2:11 nlt

The family of Bebai ? 623

Ezra 2 verses

Ezra 2 11 Meaning

Ezra 2:11 records that 2,056 members of the clan or descendants of Bigvai were among the first group of exiles who returned from Babylonian captivity to Judah under the leadership of Zerubbabel. This precise number highlights the meticulous nature of the record-keeping and the significance of each returning family unit for the re-establishment of the post-exilic community.

Ezra 2 11 Context

Ezra chapter 2 functions as a detailed register of the Jewish exiles who returned to Judah from Babylon following King Cyrus's decree in 538 BC. This was the first major wave of returnees, led by Zerubbabel (the governor) and Jeshua (the high priest), some seventy years after the initial Babylonian deportation. The chapter meticulously lists the number of individuals from various family lines, priestly courses, Levitical clans, temple servants, and the general populace.

The significance of such a comprehensive list lies in its purpose: to establish the legitimate identity and heritage of the returning community. This was vital for reclaiming ancestral lands, determining eligibility for priestly or Levitical service in the soon-to-be-rebuilt temple, and ensuring the purity of Israelite lineage for the restoration of their covenant relationship with God. Ezra 2:11, specifically noting "the children of Bigvai" and their count, is an integral part of this foundational record, asserting the factual return and specific identity of a family unit crucial for the new life of the nation in their land.

Ezra 2 11 Word analysis

• the children of:

  • Hebrew: בְּנֵי (bəney), which literally means "sons of," but is broadly used to signify "descendants," "members of a clan or household," or "people belonging to."
  • This phrase emphasizes familial or tribal identity, underscoring the communal nature of the return rather than merely individual persons. It highlights that the restoration was about the re-establishment of family units and their collective lineage within the nation of Israel.

• Bigvai:

  • Hebrew: בִגְוַי (Bigvay). This is a personal or family name.
  • It is generally considered to be of Persian origin, possibly meaning "my gardener" or "from the garden," reflecting the cultural milieu of the Persian Empire under whose decree the exiles returned.
  • The mention of this specific family head by name ensures that their lineage and numerical contribution to the returning remnant are distinctly recognized and documented, affirming their legitimate participation in the renewed covenant community and their claim to a share in the restored land and heritage.

• two thousand fifty-six:

  • This is a specific numerical count, indicating 2,056 individuals.
  • The precision of this number highlights the meticulousness of the ancient record-keeping practices and the importance placed on accurately identifying and counting every returnee. Such detail was crucial for various administrative, social, and theological purposes, including land allocation, tribal enrollment, and determining eligibility for service within the sanctuary.
  • It is notable that a minor numerical difference (2,067) appears for this family in the parallel list in Neh 7:16. Scholars understand such minor variations as common scribal differences in ancient manuscripts, or possibly different enumeration methods (e.g., a count at departure versus arrival, or variations in who was included in a "household" count), rather than a fundamental contradiction. The essential truth conveyed is the significant and verifiable return of a large group of people.

Ezra 2 11 Bonus section

• The meticulous nature of the register in Ezra 2 (and its parallel in Nehemiah 7) served as legal and historical validation for the land claims of the returnees, establishing their legitimate rights within the re-established province of Yehud.
• The lists implicitly stand as a polemic against those who remained in exile or who had intermingled with the people of the land during the exile; they precisely define who belonged to the legitimate covenant community intended for the restoration.
• The appearance of foreign-sounding names like "Bigvai" among the prominent returnees indicates the extent of cultural assimilation within the Persian Empire, yet these individuals maintained their distinct Jewish identity and actively participated in the return and rebuilding of God's dwelling place.

Ezra 2 11 Commentary

Ezra 2:11, part of the extensive register of returnees, serves as a testament to God's faithfulness in bringing His exiled people back to their land. It underscores the practical realities of the post-exilic restoration: not just a spiritual promise, but a concrete gathering of named individuals and families. The specific count of the "children of Bigvai" signifies the careful, methodical process of community re-establishment, where every family lineage was important for legal and religious continuity. This meticulous record-keeping facilitated the rebuilding of the temple, the re-ordering of priestly duties, and the reclamation of ancestral lands. Ultimately, these lists provide historical proof of the fulfilled prophecy of return, laying the groundwork for Israel's renewed national identity and the continuation of the divine covenant through a purified remnant. It shows that God's work of restoration involves both broad movements and meticulous attention to individual families, ensuring that the covenant line and His purposes continue.