Ezra 2 20

Ezra 2:20 kjv

The children of Gibbar, ninety and five.

Ezra 2:20 nkjv

the people of Gibbar, ninety-five;

Ezra 2:20 niv

of Gibbar ? 95

Ezra 2:20 esv

The sons of Gibbar, 95.

Ezra 2:20 nlt

The family of Gibbar ? 95

Ezra 2 verses

Ezra 2 20 Meaning

Ezra chapter 2, verse 20 states that "the children of Gibbar" numbered ninety and five among those who returned from Babylonian captivity to Judah. This verse is part of a detailed roster enumerating the various family lines and towns that journeyed back to their ancestral land under the leadership of Zerubbabel and Jeshua, signifying the initial fulfillment of prophetic promises concerning Israel's restoration. The inclusion of precise numbers underscores the meticulous record-keeping and the re-establishment of the community on the basis of familial and territorial identity.

Ezra 2 20 Context

Ezra chapter 2 functions as a detailed census of the first group of exiles who returned from Babylon to Jerusalem and Judah under the decree of Cyrus, approximately 538 BC. This chapter immediately follows Cyrus's edict (Ezra 1), which allowed the Jewish people to return and rebuild the temple. The list systematically records families, heads of houses, or individuals identified by their ancestral towns, along with their specific numbers. This meticulous accounting was vital for several reasons: re-establishing their claims to land, identifying eligibility for priestly and Levitical service, ensuring purity of lineage, and facilitating the re-organization of the community for the rebuilding effort. Each entry, including the ninety-five "children of Gibbar," represents a specific family unit or local contingent that contributed to the initial, precious remnant of Israel's restoration. The inclusion of numbers emphasizes the divine order and provident care over each part of His returning people, irrespective of how small their individual group might be.

Ezra 2 20 Word analysis

• the children of (בְּנֵי - bᵊnê): This Hebrew term, literally "sons of," signifies not only direct progeny but also descendants, members of a particular family group, or inhabitants of a certain place, who trace their lineage to a common patriarch or town. In this context, it identifies a specific clan or family that returned from exile, emphasizing their established identity and heritage within the broader Israelite community.
• Gibbar (גִבָּר - Gibbar): This is a proper noun, likely indicating the name of the patriarch of this particular family group. The Hebrew word גִּבָּר (gibbor) generally means "strong," "mighty," or "hero." If the name is derived from this root, it could imply the stature or character of the ancestral head. However, it is significant to note the textual variant found in Nehemiah 7:25, where the parallel passage lists "Gibeon" (גִּבְעוֹן - Gibʿon) with the identical number (ninety and five). Many scholars propose that "Gibbar" in Ezra 2:20 is a scribal error or an alternative, less common name/variant for "Gibeon." If this family is indeed from Gibeon, it links them to a historically significant Israelite city, known from the book of Joshua (Joshua 9) for its unique covenant with Israel and its later role. This suggests a continuation of lineage connected to a specific geographical and historical heritage, contributing to the re-establishment of communities in designated areas.
• ninety (תִּשְׁעִים - tišʿîm): A cardinal number specifying the tens place, indicating a count of ninety units. This numerical detail contributes to the precision and factual nature of the record, validating the thoroughness of the census.
• and five (וַחֲמִשָּׁה - waḥᵃmiššâ): The conjunction "and" (וַ - wa) followed by the cardinal number "five" (ḥamiššâ). This adds the unit value, completing the precise total of the group. The exact enumeration reinforces the administrative rigor of the return, highlighting that each returning individual was accounted for, demonstrating God's meticulous care over His covenant people.

• "the children of Gibbar, ninety and five": This entire phrase presents a compact record of a specific group that returned from exile. It lists the familial identity ("children of Gibbar") and their exact numerical strength ("ninety and five"). This concise reporting reflects the ancient practice of maintaining genealogical and population records, which was vital for tribal identification, inheritance, land distribution, and religious roles. It underscores the communal identity being re-established after a generation of displacement, demonstrating God's fulfillment of His promise to gather His scattered people and meticulously rebuild His covenant community. The specificity of the number suggests a complete and deliberate accounting of the returnees, emphasizing that God did not forget any of His remnant.

Ezra 2 20 Bonus section

The discrepancy between "Gibbar" in Ezra 2:20 and "Gibeon" in Nehemiah 7:25 is a notable point of scholarly discussion. While some attribute it to a scribal variation, the proposed identity as "Gibeon" (the prominent city) carries theological weight. The Gibeonites, despite their deceptive entry into a covenant with Israel (Josh 9), were ultimately bound to the Israelites, often serving in roles connected to the Tabernacle and later the Temple (Josh 9:23, 27). If "the children of Gibbar" are indeed the "children of Gibeon," their return from exile reinforces the continuation of ancient Israelite institutions and the inclusion of various groups, some with unique historical origins, within the reconstituted post-exilic community. Their presence indicates God's redemptive work spanning generations and transcending even historical missteps. The very detail of the specific number (ninety-five) amidst hundreds of thousands, speaks to God's attention to every part of His body, no matter how small, as each is crucial for the collective restoration and the fulfillment of His larger purpose. This reflects a principle found in the New Testament concerning the body of Christ, where every member, great or small, is essential (1 Cor 12:22).

Ezra 2 20 Commentary

Ezra 2:20, like the rest of the chapter, is more than a mere historical ledger; it is a theological statement. It underscores God's meticulous care for His people, even down to the precise number of returning families. The "children of Gibbar," representing ninety-five individuals, are part of the faithful remnant, preserved by divine providence through a long and arduous exile. This specific enumeration signifies identity, legitimacy, and the structured re-formation of the covenant community in their land. It subtly highlights God's faithfulness in bringing each person back, reflecting His promise of restoration not as an abstract concept but as a tangible reality involving distinct individuals and families. The very act of naming and numbering testifies to the living God who keeps His word, orchestrating the return of His chosen ones to rebuild His dwelling place and their communal life according to His divine plan.