Ezra 2 19

Ezra 2:19 kjv

The children of Hashum, two hundred twenty and three.

Ezra 2:19 nkjv

the people of Hashum, two hundred and twenty-three;

Ezra 2:19 niv

of Hashum ? 223

Ezra 2:19 esv

The sons of Hashum, 223.

Ezra 2:19 nlt

The family of Hashum ? 223

Ezra 2 verses

Ezra 2 19 Meaning

Ezra 2:19 records the number of the descendants of Bigvai, a family or clan, who returned to Judah from Babylonian exile. This verse is part of a crucial register of those who came back under Zerubbabel, establishing the identity and numbers of the restored community foundational for the rebuilding of the temple and the nation. It highlights the importance of lineage and accurate record-keeping in the re-establishment of the post-exilic Israelite community, affirming their right to their heritage and land.

Ezra 2 19 Context

Ezra chapter 2 is a detailed roster of the individuals and families who returned to Judah from Babylonian exile following Cyrus the Great's decree (Ezra 1). This initial wave of returnees, often called the "children of the province" (verse 1), constituted the foundational group for the re-establishment of the Jewish community in their homeland. The chapter meticulously lists the numbers for various family lines, priests, Levites, temple servants, and others. Each entry, like verse 19, provides the name of a patriarchal figure or family head and the exact count of his descendants who made the journey back. The entire chapter serves as a critical historical record, authenticating the returning community's identity, tribal affiliations, and their right to reclaim their ancestral lands and resume worship and nation-building activities in Jerusalem and Judah.

Ezra 2 19 Word analysis

• The children of (בְּנֵי, Benei):
  • Word: בְּנֵי (Benei), construct form of בָּנִים (banim), meaning "sons," "children," or "descendants."
  • Analysis: This term highlights lineal descent and collective identity. It signifies not merely biological offspring but a family unit or clan associated with a progenitor. In the ancient Israelite context, family and tribal lineage were paramount for land inheritance, civic rights, and religious roles. It underscores the communal nature of the return, as entire households and clans were accounted for, not just individuals.
• Bigvai (בִגְוַי, Bigvai):
  • Word: בִגְוַי (Bigvai).
  • Analysis: This is a personal name, functioning here as the eponym for a specific family or clan among the returning exiles. While the name itself may be of Persian origin (which is fitting given the Persian period), its inclusion in this meticulously recorded list attests to the family's established identity and their integration into the Israelite community during and after the exile. Bigvai is a significant figure as his "children" represent one of the largest contingents among the returnees, indicating their prominence and potential contribution to the rebuilding efforts.
• two thousand (אַלְפַּיִם, alpayim) fifty-six (וְשִׁשָּׁה וַחֲמִשִּׁים, wəšiššâ waḥamiššîm):
  • Words: אַלְפַּיִם (alpayim, "two thousand"); וְשִׁשָּׁה (wəšiššâ, "and six"); וַחֲמִשִּׁים (waḥamiššîm, "and fifty").
  • Analysis: This precise numerical notation (2,056) emphasizes the administrative rigor and meticulousness with which the returned exiles were cataloged. The number format is typical Hebrew: stating thousands, then tens, then units (e.g., two thousand, and fifty, and six). The emphasis on specific numbers indicates the gravity of the return for re-establishing a census and administrative control for the nascent community, necessary for land allocation, taxation, and military service. The detailed count signifies God's faithfulness in preserving a substantial remnant.
• Words-group Analysis: "The children of Bigvai":
  • This phrase emphasizes the collective identity and hereditary nature of the returning groups. The focus is on families and clans, which served as the foundational social units in ancient Israel. This demonstrates the preservation of genealogical lines despite the 70 years of exile, underscoring God's work in maintaining a distinct people group.

Ezra 2 19 Bonus section

The number given for "The children of Bigvai" in Ezra 2:19 (2,056) differs slightly from its parallel account in Nehemiah 7:19 (2,067). This slight variation is common in ancient Near Eastern biblical lists and does not undermine their historical veracity. Explanations range from differing methods of census taking at various points in time (e.g., initial return vs. a later registration), scribal variances in transmission, or the inclusion/exclusion of individuals due to specific circumstances. The significant point remains the overall consistency of a substantial group returning. The existence of such lists underscores the value placed on accurate genealogical records, particularly for validating claims to priesthood, tribal inheritance, and temple service, reinforcing the ordered nature of God's work in restoring His people.

Ezra 2 19 Commentary

Ezra 2:19, by listing "The children of Bigvai, two thousand fifty-six," contributes to a meticulously compiled register that is more than just a dry census. It stands as a testament to the preservation of identity and lineage during and after the Babylonian exile, affirming God's faithfulness to His covenant promises. The precision of the numbers highlights the administrative seriousness of the return, vital for re-establishing land claims, organizing communal life, and providing a workforce for the temple's reconstruction. Each named family, like Bigvai, represented a living thread connecting the returned remnant to their ancestors and the historical covenant. This seemingly simple entry powerfully reinforces the theological truth that God was actively at work in restoring His people and their land, validating their existence as a distinct, divinely-chosen community for future generations.