Ezra 2 30

Ezra 2:30 kjv

The children of Magbish, an hundred fifty and six.

Ezra 2:30 nkjv

the people of Magbish, one hundred and fifty-six;

Ezra 2:30 niv

of Magbish ? 156

Ezra 2:30 esv

The sons of Magbish, 156.

Ezra 2:30 nlt

The citizens of Magbish ? 156

Ezra 2 verses

Ezra 2 30 Meaning

Ezra 2:30 states that "The children of Mikmas, a hundred fifty and six," detailing one of the specific family groups and their exact number who returned from the Babylonian exile to Judah with Zerubbabel. This verse is part of a comprehensive roster, highlighting the meticulous record-keeping essential for the re-establishment of the community and nation after seventy years in captivity. It signifies the physical manifestation of God's covenant faithfulness in restoring His people to their promised land.

Ezra 2 30 Context

Ezra chapter 2 meticulously lists the individuals and family groups who returned from the Babylonian exile under the leadership of Zerubbabel, marking the initial wave of repatriation. This return fulfilled God's prophetic promises of restoring His people to their land after seventy years of captivity (e.g., Jer 29:10). The historical setting is around 538 BC, following King Cyrus's decree allowing the Jewish people to return and rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem.

Verse 30, specifically "The children of Mikmas, a hundred fifty and six," identifies a particular lineage associated with a historical town and provides the precise count of its members. The entire chapter serves a crucial purpose: to establish the legitimate Israelite identity of the returnees, particularly for reassigning land, rebuilding the community, and discerning who was qualified for priestly or Levitical service. These lists provided a clear framework for reorganizing the community of faith, ensuring the integrity of the genealogies and thus, the identity of the remnant of Israel. The inclusion of numbers underscored the tangibility and scale of this divine work of restoration. Mikmas (Michmash) was a significant Benjamite town, notably connected to events in King Saul's time (1 Sam 13-14), further emphasizing the historical and geographical connection of these returnees to their ancestral land.

Ezra 2 30 Word analysis

• The children of: Hebrew: בְּנֵי (Benei), derived from בֵּן (ben), meaning "son" or "children of."
  • Significance: This phrase emphasizes lineage and family unit, foundational to Israelite identity and communal structure. It highlights ancestral continuity and the preservation of distinct tribal or clan affiliations, crucial for land inheritance and proving legitimacy for various roles (e.g., priestly service) in post-exilic Judah. It speaks to God's preservation of families even through severe judgment like exile.
• Mikmas: Hebrew: מִכְמָס (Mikmas).
  • Significance: This is a specific geographical location, a prominent town in the territory of Benjamin. Naming a particular town, rather than just a generic family, anchors the returnees to a concrete ancestral dwelling place. The restoration was not just of people but of their land and former towns. This name carries historical weight, known from accounts like Saul's victory over the Philistines. It underscores that specific families from specific localities were part of God's redemptive plan to bring His people back to their land.
• a hundred fifty and six: Hebrew: מֵאָה וַחֲמִשִּׁים וְשִׁשָּׁה (me'ah vachamishim veshishah).
  • Significance: The precision in numbering is a notable feature throughout Ezra 2. This exact figure underscores the careful and meticulous nature of the record-keeping by the exiles and the divine providence in bringing a specific number of people back. It served as proof of legitimate lineage, provided data for logistical planning (e.g., resettlement, temple contributions), and demonstrated the literal fulfillment of prophecy regarding the remnant's return. This specificity attests to the historical reliability of the record and the tangible scale of the return from exile, every soul being accounted for by God.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "The children of Mikmas": This grouping identifies the specific group of returnees by their familial descent and their ancestral or traditional dwelling place. It reinforces their distinct identity and their geographical connection to the promised land. This was vital for reclaiming property rights and tribal inheritance upon return. It underscores that the return was a restoration of both a people and a place, tied to their historical roots.
• "a hundred fifty and six": This phrase provides the exact numerical count for this specific group. The precise number conveys the organized and purposeful nature of the return. It highlights the tangible reality of the restoration, showing that specific individuals from known families returned, forming the core of the reborn nation. This exact accounting also served as an administrative record, fundamental for the repopulation and reconstruction efforts in Jerusalem and the surrounding regions.

Ezra 2 30 Bonus section

The detailed lists in Ezra 2 and its parallel in Nehemiah 7, while containing slight numerical variations (e.g., Mikmas has 156 in Ezra 2:30 vs. 122 in Neh 7:32), underscore the supreme importance of lineage and identity in the biblical tradition. These differences are generally understood by scholars not as contradictions, but possibly as counts taken at different times (e.g., some moving later, different counting methods, or categories included), yet they reinforce the underlying truth that a rigorous effort was made to record exactly who constituted the covenant community. These extensive genealogies and lists provided legal and historical validation for tribal assignments, land inheritance, and most importantly, priestly service, where purity of lineage was paramount (Ezra 2:61-63). Such detailed records ultimately pointed towards the coming of the Messiah, whose own genealogy would confirm His rightful claim as the Son of David. Thus, the apparent simplicity of a single line like Ezra 2:30 contributes to a much larger narrative of God's precise, faithful, and systematic working to preserve His people and fulfill His promises across generations.

Ezra 2 30 Commentary

Ezra 2:30, part of a crucial genealogical register, speaks volumes about the faithfulness of God and the significance of identity to His covenant people. It details the return of 156 "children of Mikmas" from Babylonian exile, underscoring that God orchestrates even the precise number of individuals who form His restored community. The meticulous accounting validates their lineage, crucial for re-establishing land claims and fulfilling responsibilities within the rebuilt nation. This wasn't merely a demographic tally; it was a foundational record establishing who belonged to the legitimate remnant, distinguishing them from others and solidifying their place in God's ongoing redemptive narrative. It shows God's profound attention to detail, numbering His people for their restoration and their continued service to Him in the land.