Ezra 2 14

Ezra 2:14 kjv

The children of Bigvai, two thousand fifty and six.

Ezra 2:14 nkjv

the people of Bigvai, two thousand and fifty-six;

Ezra 2:14 niv

of Bigvai ? 2,056

Ezra 2:14 esv

The sons of Bigvai, 2,056.

Ezra 2:14 nlt

The family of Bigvai ? 2,056

Ezra 2 verses

Ezra 2 14 Meaning

This verse details one specific group among the exiles who returned from Babylon to Judah: the descendants associated with "Bigvai." It records that two thousand fifty-six individuals belonging to this ancestral household journeyed back to their homeland under the leadership of Zerubbabel. This specific count forms a part of the meticulous census, validating the identity and heritage of those rebuilding the post-exilic community and the Temple in Jerusalem.

Ezra 2 14 Context

Ezra 2:14 is situated within a vital historical register that documents the initial wave of Jewish exiles returning from Babylonian captivity to Judah. Chapter 2 serves as a comprehensive "Who's Who" list, enumerating the clans, families, and individuals—both laypeople and those of priestly and Levitical descent—who responded to King Cyrus’s decree to return and rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem (Ezra 1:1-4). This detailed census underscores the legitimacy and divine mandate of this nascent community. For the original audience, understanding their lineage was paramount for re-establishing land claims, maintaining tribal and priestly purity, and reconstituting the religious and social fabric of the nation after generations in exile. This particular verse, identifying the "children of Bigvai," is one line item in a list emphasizing the breadth of participation and the substantial numbers that comprised this initial, faith-driven movement to restore Israel. The accurate numerical accounting provided crucial foundational data for future administrative, religious, and economic activities of the community.

Ezra 2 14 Word analysis

• The children of (וּבְנֵי - u-bnei): This phrase indicates a genealogical lineage or family clan rather than direct offspring only. In biblical culture, identifying as "children of" a prominent ancestor established one's tribal identity, social standing, and often rights to inheritance or participation in specific roles (e.g., priesthood). It highlights the collective nature of the return, not just isolated individuals, but entire family units with their roots in Israel's history.
• Bigvai (בִגְוַי - Bigway): This is a personal name, likely of Persian origin, meaning "gardener" or "fortunate." Its inclusion here signifies the ancestral head or prominent figure through whom this large group traces their lineage back to Israel. The name's foreign origin hints at the influence of Babylonian/Persian culture during the exile, yet the people associated with it firmly reassert their Israelite identity by returning. It indicates the prominence or numerical strength of this particular family clan among the returnees, making it worthy of specific mention.
• two thousand fifty-six (אַלְפַּיִם חֲמִשִּׁים וְשִׁשָּׁה - alpaim chamishim ve-shishah): The precision of this numerical count (2,056) is significant. It demonstrates the meticulous record-keeping during this crucial post-exilic period, essential for re-establishing the community, allocating resources, and defining membership. The specific large number underlines the magnitude of God's preservation and the human response to His call, indicating a substantial contributing force for the demanding task of rebuilding Jerusalem and the Temple. This specificity affirms the historical veracity and orderly nature of the return.

Ezra 2 14 Bonus section

• The number of Bigvai's descendants (2,056) is quite significant, making them one of the larger family groups mentioned in the list (e.g., Children of Parosh had 2,172; Children of Shephatiah had 372). Their substantial contribution underscores the collective effort required for the monumental task of rebuilding.
• The exact duplication of this entry in Nehemiah 7:19 reinforces the consistency and importance of these genealogical lists, serving as a permanent record of the post-exilic community's origins and composition for future generations. These lists ensured tribal purity, hereditary claims to land, and the proper selection of priests and Levites for Temple service.
• While in exile, many Israelites would have become assimilated into Babylonian culture, forgotten their heritage, or found comfort in their new lives. The willingness of 2,056 people associated with Bigvai to leave Babylon speaks volumes about a deep spiritual desire to return to the land and to God's house, showcasing faith and commitment over convenience.
• The inclusion of such precise numbers highlights the administrative order that characterized the Persian Empire's policies regarding returned populations and the Israelite leaders' diligent efforts to organize the community under divine direction.

Ezra 2 14 Commentary

Ezra 2:14, a concise numerical entry in a longer register, encapsulates profound theological and historical significance. It is not merely a dry statistic but a testament to God's unwavering faithfulness in fulfilling His prophetic promises (Jer 29:10, Isa 11:11). After generations in a foreign land, a significant number of people chose obedience to God's call over the comforts of Babylonian life. The listing of "the children of Bigvai" by specific number underscores the meticulous nature of divine providence and human record-keeping. Every individual was known and accounted for, essential for the future restoration of Israelite society and its worship life in the land. This register provided the foundational framework for reconstituting families, reclaiming inheritances, and organizing the community for the enormous tasks of rebuilding the Temple and the city walls. It represents the concrete manifestation of the divine remnant, setting the stage for all subsequent events in Ezra-Nehemiah, a small but divinely preserved people committed to their ancestral heritage and the restoration of their covenant relationship with God.