Ezra 2 22

Ezra 2:22 kjv

The men of Netophah, fifty and six.

Ezra 2:22 nkjv

the men of Netophah, fifty-six;

Ezra 2:22 niv

of Netophah ? 56

Ezra 2:22 esv

The men of Netophah, 56.

Ezra 2:22 nlt

The people of Netophah ? 56

Ezra 2 verses

Ezra 2 22 Meaning

Ezra 2:22 records the precise number of descendants from the family head Hashum who returned to Jerusalem from the Babylonian exile. This verse is part of a detailed census, vital for re-establishing the community, validating lineage, confirming claims to land and status, and organizing the temple and civic life of the repatriated Judeans under Persian rule. It underscores the meticulous divine and human accounting of God's returning remnant.

Ezra 2 22 Context

Ezra 2:22 is found within a meticulously detailed roster of individuals and family groups who returned from Babylonian exile to Judah. Chapter 2 itself is a crucial census list that accounts for those who willingly joined Zerubbabel in the first wave of repatriation following King Cyrus' decree (Ezra 1). The broader historical context is the post-exilic period (539 BC onwards), a time of national rebuilding under Persian sovereignty. These records were essential not just for administrative purposes like land redistribution and temple service assignment, but also for affirming national and tribal identity after generations of dispersion, underscoring the continuity of God’s covenant people despite their seventy years in Babylon.

Ezra 2 22 Word analysis

• The children of: (Hebrew: bne, בְּנֵי). Signifies direct lineage or descendants. It establishes familial identity and continuity. In biblical society, family lines determined social standing, rights, and responsibilities, especially concerning land inheritance and eligibility for priestly service or participation in the rebuilt community.
• Hashum: (Hebrew: Chashum, חָשֻׁם). A proper name, identifying a specific family or clan leader. Its presence here highlights the individuality of the returning families. While the name itself might derive from roots implying "silent" or "hasty," its primary significance in this context is as a distinct, identifiable lineage contributing to the returned remnant.
• three hundred twenty-eight: (Hebrew: shelosh me'ot ushetim ushemonah, שְׁלֹשׁ מֵאוֹת וְעֶשְׂרִים וּשְׁמֹנָה). A precise numerical count. This exact figure underscores the meticulous nature of the record-keeping and reflects the divine and human care in accounting for the remnant. It emphasizes that each returning individual, though part of a larger group, was known and counted. The exact numbers reinforced the legitimacy of claims regarding lineage and contributions to the rebuilding efforts.
• "The children of Hashum": This phrase precisely identifies the family unit returning. It highlights the importance of clan identity and the preservation of distinct lineages amidst the larger group of returning exiles, crucial for societal and religious order.
• "three hundred twenty-eight": The specific number points to the precise record-keeping vital for establishing legitimate claims to land, defining contributions, and ensuring communal organization. It underlines that this was not a general estimate but a careful, exact accounting of God's covenant people.

Ezra 2 22 Bonus section

The consistency of the figure for the "children of Hashum" (328) between Ezra 2:22 and Nehemiah 7:27 indicates precise record-keeping across different copies or purposes of the lists. This numerical accuracy points to the care with which these genealogies were preserved. Such detailed registers were fundamental not merely for historical purposes but critically for ensuring adherence to Mosaic Law concerning land inheritance (Num 26) and especially for validating claims to priestly and Levitical service (Ezra 2:61-63). The very act of naming and counting emphasizes God’s personal knowledge and involvement with His people, reminding the audience that God is intimately aware of His children, even down to specific family units. The act of gathering and meticulously counting served as a physical manifestation of God's redemptive work.

Ezra 2 22 Commentary

Ezra 2:22, a single line within a long list, reveals profound theological and historical significance. It speaks to God’s faithfulness in preserving a remnant of His people, fulfilling prophecies of restoration after judgment (Jer 29:10-14). The meticulous count of "the children of Hashum" signifies God’s attention to detail, recognizing each family unit returning to their land. It underscores the importance of identity and lineage for the renewed covenant community in Jerusalem, as this defined roles in temple service, land rights, and communal participation. The detailed records attest to the diligence of the exiles in re-establishing order and upholding purity within the covenant people, demonstrating their commitment to God's continued plan for Israel. It showcases the foundational step of accounting for the physical presence of the chosen people before the spiritual and physical rebuilding could fully commence.