Ezra 2 26

Ezra 2:26 kjv

The children of Ramah and Gaba, six hundred twenty and one.

Ezra 2:26 nkjv

the people of Ramah and Geba, six hundred and twenty-one;

Ezra 2:26 niv

of Ramah and Geba ? 621

Ezra 2:26 esv

The sons of Ramah and Geba, 621.

Ezra 2:26 nlt

The people of Ramah and Geba ? 621

Ezra 2 verses

Ezra 2 26 Meaning

Ezra 2:26 states, "the men of Netophah, ninety-five." This verse is part of a detailed record enumerating the families and individuals who returned from the Babylonian exile to Judah under the leadership of Zerubbabel and Jeshua, as decreed by King Cyrus of Persia. It specifically identifies a group originating from Netophah and precisely records their number as ninety-five, signifying their part in the post-exilic community.

Ezra 2 26 Context

Ezra chapter 2 provides a meticulously detailed census of those who returned from Babylonian captivity to Judah under Zerubbabel. This chapter serves as a crucial document, affirming the identity, lineage, and right of the returning exiles to occupy their land, rebuild Jerusalem, and specifically the Temple. The list includes heads of families, residents of various towns, priests, Levites, temple servants, and the descendants of Solomon’s servants, along with their precise numbers. Ezra 2:26, "the men of Netophah, ninety-five," specifically identifies one such group based on their former dwelling place or ancestral village. This systematic record-keeping was vital for re-establishing the social, religious, and political structures of post-exilic Judah, distinguishing the legitimate community from those who might claim false identity or lineage.

Ezra 2 26 Word analysis

• the men of Netophah:
  • Original Language: The Hebrew is b'nei Netophah (בְּנֵי נְטֹפָה), which literally translates to "sons of Netophah." This idiom in Hebrew often denotes people originating from a specific place, a tribal affiliation, or a family association, rather than literal sons of a single person. It emphasizes communal identity linked to a geographic location or lineage.
  • Netophah (נטֹפָה - Netofah): Meaning "a dropping" or "distillation," likely referring to spring water or possibly grape juice, indicating a fertile area. It was a village near Bethlehem in Judah (south-east). Its historical significance is rooted in it being the home of valiant men in David's army (2 Sam 23:28, 1 Chr 27:13-15) and potentially a priestly settlement (1 Chr 9:16 mentions "the villages of the Netophathites"). The mention here signifies the re-establishment of communities, drawing from pre-exilic Israelite presence.
  • Significance: The inclusion of specific villages like Netophah underlines the widespread impact of the return, gathering people from various towns and restoring local identities within the broader community of Judah. It speaks to the geographical dimension of the restoration.
• ninety-five:
  • Original Language: ḥamishshīm wətišʿâ (חֲמִשִּׁים וְתִשְׁעָה), meaning "fifty and nine," hence ninety-five.
  • Significance: The precise numerical figure for each returning group highlights the meticulous nature of the record-keeping during the post-exilic period. This wasn't merely a vague count; it was an exact enumeration. Such precision served several purposes: to affirm legitimate lineage for priestly and Levitical service, to re-establish land claims based on tribal and family rights, to organize the workforce for rebuilding the Temple and walls, and to ascertain the numerical strength of the restored community. This attention to detail reflects divine providence and an orderly restoration, contrasting with the chaotic experience of exile. The numbers, though sometimes small, indicate the tangible fulfillment of God's promise to preserve a remnant.

Ezra 2 26 Bonus section

The seemingly mundane nature of this list reveals a powerful theological truth: God’s grand plans often involve very specific, human-level details. The number "ninety-five" from Netophah might appear small in the grand scheme, yet it was a distinct group known to God, part of His covenant family. This particular detail showcases the divine act of collecting dispersed fragments to reconstruct His chosen people, embodying the theme of "small beginnings" being mighty in God's hands. The return from exile and the careful recording of who came back was crucial for ensuring the religious purity and national identity that would be preserved until the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ, through whom all God's promises find their ultimate fulfillment.

Ezra 2 26 Commentary

Ezra 2:26, like the rest of the second chapter, is not merely a dry list of names and numbers. It is a profound testimony to God's covenant faithfulness and the fulfillment of His prophetic word to His people. After seventy years of exile, the God who scattered them now graciously gathers a remnant. The precise listing of "the men of Netophah, ninety-five," among others, underscores the historical reality and tangible nature of this divine work. Each listed family and town represents individuals deeply rooted in their heritage, yet now called to participate in a new work of restoration. This meticulous record established the foundational identity for the new community in Judah, emphasizing lineage for legitimate leadership (especially priestly) and providing order for the monumental tasks of rebuilding the Temple and the city of Jerusalem. It demonstrates God's intricate care for His people, knowing and numbering even the small groups returning, thereby ensuring the continuity of the covenant line that would eventually lead to the Messiah. This census signifies divine foresight in preserving a righteous remnant for His greater redemptive purposes.