Ezra 2 21

Ezra 2:21 kjv

The children of Bethlehem, an hundred twenty and three.

Ezra 2:21 nkjv

the people of Bethlehem, one hundred and twenty-three;

Ezra 2:21 niv

the men of Bethlehem ? 123

Ezra 2:21 esv

The sons of Bethlehem, 123.

Ezra 2:21 nlt

The people of Bethlehem ? 123

Ezra 2 verses

Ezra 2 21 Meaning

Ezra 2:21 states that "the children of Bethlehem, 123" were among those who returned from the Babylonian exile with Zerubbabel. This verse is part of a comprehensive roster detailing the families, their places of origin, and the exact number of individuals who first returned to Judah. It signifies the re-establishment of the community of God's people in their land, marking the fulfillment of prophecy and the continuity of the covenant line. The mention of specific places and precise numbers underscores the meticulous record-keeping important for tribal and family identity, land claims, and religious roles in the post-exilic period.

Ezra 2 21 Context

Ezra chapter 2 serves as a critical document, meticulously listing the families and the numbers of people who comprised the first wave of Jewish exiles to return from Babylon to Judah, following Cyrus the Great's decree in 538 BC. This group was led by Zerubbabel, a descendant of the Davidic line, and Jeshua the high priest. The chapter enumerates the various family lines, specific towns they hailed from, and also includes groups like priests, Levites, temple servants, and the general populace, culminating in a grand total of over 42,000 people, along with their livestock.

Verse 21, specifically mentioning "the children of Bethlehem," slots into this detailed record, confirming that descendants of this particular Judean town were among those eager to re-establish their lives and inheritance in the land of their forefathers. This painstaking record-keeping was crucial for validating ancestral claims to land, property, and eligibility for certain priestly or community roles, thereby reconstructing the Israelite identity after decades of displacement. Historically, the return was a momentous event, fulfilling prophecies of restoration and marking a new phase in Israel's post-exilic history, laying the groundwork for the rebuilding of the Temple and the re-establishment of a functional community.

Ezra 2 21 Word analysis

• the children of: (Hebrew: בְּנֵי, benê) – Literally "sons of." In biblical usage, benê frequently extends beyond direct progeny to denote descendants, members of a particular family, clan, or even residents of a certain place, indicating collective identity and lineage. This term highlights that these individuals are recognized as belonging to the ancestral group associated with Bethlehem, emphasizing their identity and rightful claim to their homeland and heritage. It underscores the communal and familial nature of the return.
• Bethlehem: (Hebrew: בֵּית לָ֑חֶם, Bēṯ Lāḥem) – Translates to "House of Bread." Bethlehem was a significant Judean town, south of Jerusalem. It is famously known as the birthplace of King David (1 Sam 16:1, 4) and, prophetically, the birthplace of the Messiah (Mic 5:2; Matt 2:5-6). Its inclusion here signifies the continuity of historical and theological links for the returning community. The returning families re-inhabited a location steeped in the sacred history of Israel, foreshadowing its ultimate prophetic fulfillment.
• 123: (Hebrew: מֵאָה וְעֶשְׂרִים וּשְׁלֹשָׁה, mēʾâ wᵉʿeśrîm ûšlōšâ) – A precise, relatively small number within the larger returning populace. The specific enumeration, characteristic of census lists throughout the Bible (e.g., Num 1, 26), emphasizes the meticulous nature of the record and the tangible reality of the return. This precision likely served practical purposes for resettlement, resource allocation, and maintaining communal order and identity within the reconstructed society.

Words-group analysis:

• "the children of Bethlehem": This phrase functions as a significant identifier. It points not just to a group of people, but to people tied to a specific ancestral hometown. This connection was vital for maintaining their identity, ensuring the proper distribution of tribal land according to historical inheritance, and for the integrity of their genealogies. The continuation of this specific family unit within a known biblical location is critical for the continuity of God's redemptive narrative, particularly in light of Bethlehem's prophetic importance.

Ezra 2 21 Bonus section

• The parallel list in Nehemiah 7, which is almost identical to Ezra 2, underscores the critical importance of these records for the post-exilic community. Such lists served as vital documents for legitimizing identity, hereditary rights, and communal participation, ensuring purity of lineage for the priesthood, and for claims to the land based on ancestral inheritance. This meticulous recording reflects a concern for establishing proper order and boundaries within the restored nation.
• The modest number of returnees from Bethlehem (123 individuals) contrasts sharply with the thousands from larger regions but emphasizes that God's great redemptive plan often uses small, seemingly insignificant groups to accomplish His purposes. This resonates with the "House of Bread" theme—a seemingly small town producing the "Bread of Life" (John 6:35).
• The entire list in Ezra 2 provides a tangible demonstration of God gathering His scattered people, meticulously calling them back by their familial and regional ties. It’s a historical testament to divine sovereignty in reassembling His covenant people, piece by piece, setting the stage for the full establishment of their worship life in the land and laying foundational steps for the ultimate coming of the Messiah from Bethlehem.

Ezra 2 21 Commentary

Ezra 2:21 is a succinct verse embedded in a crucial historical registry, yet it carries profound theological weight. It speaks to the faithfulness of God in bringing His exiled people back to their land, a direct fulfillment of promises made through prophets like Jeremiah and Isaiah. The painstaking listing of the "children of Bethlehem" among the returnees highlights the divine attention to detail in the restoration process. Each numbered family represents a thread in the continuous tapestry of God's covenant with Israel. Bethlehem's historical significance as David's birthplace and its future prophetic role as the birthplace of the Messiah infuse this seemingly mundane census entry with divine purpose, demonstrating that God’s redemptive plan moves forward even through small, initial acts of obedience and re-establishment. It’s a testament to identity, belonging, and the steady, certain advance of God's promises despite the devastations of exile. The small number signifies that restoration often begins humbly, yet powerfully.