Ezra 2 29

Ezra 2:29 kjv

The children of Nebo, fifty and two.

Ezra 2:29 nkjv

the people of Nebo, fifty-two;

Ezra 2:29 niv

of Nebo ? 52

Ezra 2:29 esv

The sons of Nebo, 52.

Ezra 2:29 nlt

The citizens of Nebo ? 52

Ezra 2 verses

Ezra 2 29 Meaning

Ezra 2:29 records that one hundred fifty-two descendants of Nebo returned to Judah from the Babylonian exile with Zerubbabel. This verse is part of a comprehensive roster detailing the families, numbers of individuals, and regions from which the Israelites returned to Jerusalem, signifying a faithful remnant fulfilling God's promise of restoration. It highlights the meticulous record-keeping crucial for re-establishing communal identity, land claims, and temple service in the post-exilic period.

Ezra 2 29 Context

Ezra 2:29 is situated within a lengthy list in Ezra chapter 2, which provides a detailed record of those who returned to Judah and Jerusalem after the seventy-year Babylonian exile. This chapter immediately follows Cyrus the Great's decree in Ezra 1, allowing the Jewish exiles to return and rebuild the Temple. The list itself is meticulously organized, detailing families or clans by their heads, their numbers, and sometimes their origins. This specific verse concerns "the children of Nebo," referring either to a family name or, more likely given other entries, the inhabitants who came from the town of Nebo. This comprehensive enumeration serves to identify the rightful descendants of Israel who participated in this pivotal return, ensuring proper lineage for priestly roles, tribal allotments, and general communal organization, which was foundational for re-establishing the theocratic society.

Ezra 2 29 Word analysis

• The children of: Hebrew Běnê (בְּנֵי). This term denotes descendants, clan members, or a group associated with a progenitor or a specific place. It signifies a clear lineage or origin, which was paramount for the identity and organization of the returning community. In this context, it functions almost as "the people from."
• Nebo: Hebrew Nəḇō (נְבֹו).
  • Place Name: Most probably refers to the town of Nebo, a prominent city located east of the Jordan River in the territory of Moab (Num 32:3). This area had historical significance, notably Mount Nebo where Moses viewed the Promised Land (Deut 34:1). The people associated with this specific locale are returning to the land of promise.
  • Pagan Deity Allusion: The name Nebo is also the Hebrew equivalent of Nabu, a major Babylonian deity of writing, wisdom, and vegetation, and son of Marduk. While the verse refers to a geographical location or a family, the very existence of Israelites associated with a name tied to a pagan deity during the exile might subtly highlight the pagan influences they were returning from, emphasizing the return to the worship of Yahweh alone. This serves as an implicit polemic against the idolatry that characterized Babylon and some parts of Judah's history.
• one hundred fifty-two: Hebrew mê’āh ḥămiššîm ûšənáyim (מֵאָה חֲמִשִּׁים וּשְׁנַיִם).
  • Precision: The inclusion of precise numbers throughout the Ezra 2 list (and its parallel in Neh 7) emphasizes meticulous record-keeping. This suggests a careful count and organization by the returnees, indicative of their seriousness in re-establishing their national and religious identity. This level of detail validates the historical accuracy and importance placed on each individual's return.
  • Significance: Every person mattered in the eyes of God, and their return was a fulfillment of His promises. These specific numbers not only verified their claims to lineage and land but also represented a spiritual rebuilding—a faithful remnant committed to their covenant God.

Ezra 2 29 Bonus section

The duplication of this specific list in Ezra 2 and Nehemiah 7 (where Ezra 2:29 corresponds to Nehemiah 7:33 with the identical number) signifies its extreme importance as an official record. This double preservation suggests its foundational role in establishing who was part of the legitimate post-exilic community. Such precise documentation reinforced a clear distinction between those who maintained their lineage and covenant identity and those who did not, which was vital for preventing intermingling and preserving the purity of the Israelite community during its spiritual and physical reconstruction.

Ezra 2 29 Commentary

Ezra 2:29, though a brief enumeration within a lengthy register, carries profound theological and historical weight. It encapsulates the meticulous divine fulfillment of prophecy, demonstrating God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant people. The detailed list of families and numbers, including "the children of Nebo," underscored the Israelites' unique identity amidst their re-entry into Judah after generations in a foreign land. This exactitude was essential not just for administrative purposes like land redistribution or establishing Temple service, but it also functioned as a tangible manifestation of God's redemptive plan unfolding in history. The returnees, identified by name or place, collectively formed the nucleus of a restored nation, laying the groundwork for future generations and eventually the coming of the Messiah. It highlights that God cares about individuals and families, gathering them one by one according to His sovereign will.