Ezra 2 15

Ezra 2:15 kjv

The children of Adin, four hundred fifty and four.

Ezra 2:15 nkjv

the people of Adin, four hundred and fifty-four;

Ezra 2:15 niv

of Adin ? 454

Ezra 2:15 esv

The sons of Adin, 454.

Ezra 2:15 nlt

The family of Adin ? 454

Ezra 2 verses

Ezra 2 15 Meaning

This verse details the specific contribution of the descendants of Bigvai, enumerating two thousand and fifty-six individuals among the first wave of Israelite exiles returning to Judah from Babylonian captivity. It serves as a precise record within a broader list of families and their numbers who participated in the initial repatriation under the leadership of Zerubbabel and Jeshua.

Ezra 2 15 Context

Ezra chapter 2 forms a crucial part of the biblical narrative concerning the post-exilic return of the Jewish people from Babylon to Jerusalem. After seventy years of captivity, as prophesied by Jeremiah, King Cyrus of Persia issued a decree permitting the Jews to return to their homeland and rebuild the Temple. This chapter meticulously lists the various families and leaders who chose to leave the relative comfort and stability of their lives in Babylon to embark on a difficult journey back to their devastated ancestral land. The entire chapter serves as a register, not merely for historical record, but to confirm the legitimate heritage and lineage of those returning, thereby validating their claims to land, priestly duties, and national identity in the restored community. Each family entry, like that of Bigvai, underscores the specific contributions to the overall population that set out for Judah.

Ezra 2 15 Word analysis

• The children of Bigvai:

  • The children of: This refers to the descendants or family members under the headship of Bigvai, emphasizing the communal and familial nature of the return. It highlights tribal and family identity as a foundational aspect of Israelite society. The Hebrew word is benê (בְּנֵי), meaning "sons of" or "descendants of," indicating the collective group originating from a specific family patriarch.
  • Bigvai: Transliterated from Hebrew as Bigvay (בִּגְוַי), this is a Persian name, possibly meaning "my countryman" or "my gardener." The presence of such a name among Jewish leaders in this context might indicate a level of assimilation during exile, though their commitment to Jewish identity remained strong, as evidenced by their return. Bigvai is also noted among those who sealed the covenant with Nehemiah (Neh 10:16), suggesting his ongoing significance. His prominence here, indicated by the large number of his "children," suggests he was a significant figure among the returnees.

• two thousand fifty-six:

  • two thousand fifty-six: Transliterated from Hebrew as 'alpayim chamishim veshishshah (אַלְפַּיִם חֲמִשִּׁים וְשִׁשָּׁה). This precise numerical count signifies the meticulous record-keeping undertaken by the scribes. It speaks to the historical accuracy and careful administration of the Jewish community even in the challenging post-exilic period. The large number also represents a substantial portion of the entire returning population, affirming the Lord's preservation of His people even through extended captivity. The specific count ensures that the identity and strength of each family are documented for the future rebuilding of the nation.
  • Words-group significance: This entire phrase, "The children of Bigvai, two thousand fifty-six," highlights several key themes: the preservation of a substantial remnant of Israel, the importance of genealogy and family lineage in Jewish identity and societal structure, and the meticulous divine and human record-keeping that validates the historical fulfillment of God's promises of restoration. It paints a picture of God orchestrating a significant return, carefully gathering His people by their ancestral families, proving His faithfulness to His covenant promises.

Ezra 2 15 Bonus section

While Ezra 2 and Nehemiah 7 largely parallel each other in their lists of returning exiles, there are slight discrepancies in the numbers assigned to some families. For "the children of Bigvai," Nehemiah 7:19 lists two thousand sixty-seven (2,067), compared to two thousand fifty-six (2,056) in Ezra 2:15. These minor variations are common in ancient textual traditions and are generally attributed by scholars to different stages of registration, variations in census methods, or even scribal nuances. Despite these small differences, the overall purpose and message—the return of a substantial and identifiable remnant under divine guidance—remains entirely consistent and valid across both accounts, affirming the historicity of the event and the providential care of God for His covenant people. These precise, yet slightly varying, records emphasize the administrative complexity and human involvement in managing such a large-scale return, all undergirded by God's unchanging faithfulness to restore His people.

Ezra 2 15 Commentary

Ezra 2:15, though seemingly a mere statistical entry, encapsulates profound theological and historical significance. It records the return of a significant contingent from the household of Bigvai, highlighting the tangible reality of God's faithfulness in fulfilling His prophetic promises to bring His people back from exile. This specific count, along with others in the chapter, underscores the meticulousness with which the returned community was formed, emphasizing legitimate lineage and participation in the divinely orchestrated restoration. The large number associated with Bigvai's family indicates not only their societal influence but also the extent to which God preserved and multiplied His people even during captivity. It's a testament to the preservation of God's covenant community and the beginning of the re-establishment of the Jewish nation as they journeyed to rebuild both the Temple and their communal life. The verse, therefore, is not just a statistic, but a small brushstroke in the larger masterpiece of divine restoration.