Ezra 2 32

Ezra 2:32 kjv

The children of Harim, three hundred and twenty.

Ezra 2:32 nkjv

the people of Harim, three hundred and twenty;

Ezra 2:32 niv

of Harim ? 320

Ezra 2:32 esv

The sons of Harim, 320.

Ezra 2:32 nlt

The citizens of Harim ? 320

Ezra 2 verses

Ezra 2 32 Meaning

Ezra 2:32 lists the number of descendants from Anathoth who returned to Judah from the Babylonian exile. It signifies the meticulous record-keeping and the ordered nature of the post-exilic community, highlighting the restoration of the covenant people to their land and heritage as a fulfillment of God's promises. Each family and community, including those from Anathoth, contributed to the re-establishment of the nation.

Ezra 2 32 Context

This verse is part of a detailed census in Ezra chapter 2, which meticulously records the families, clans, and locations of Jewish exiles who returned from Babylon to Judah under the leadership of Zerubbabel and Jeshua following Cyrus's decree in 538 BC. The purpose of this extensive list was to authenticate the identity of those returning, establish their rightful claims to land and property, and delineate their roles in the re-established community, especially for those involved in priestly duties. Ezra 2 highlights that this return was not a mass exodus but a precisely documented gathering of a faithful remnant. The inclusion of specific numbers, even for smaller communities like Anathoth, underscores God's precise and faithful fulfillment of His promises to restore His people.

Ezra 2 32 Word analysis

• The children of: Hebrew: בני (bənî). This phrase emphasizes lineage and descent, signifying a family or clan originating from a specific ancestor or, in this context, a place of origin that defines a group's identity. It signifies the continuity of family lines even after generations in exile, crucial for establishing tribal and familial claims in Israel.
• Anathoth: Hebrew: ענתות (ʿĂnāthōṯ). This refers to a priestly city located in the territory of Benjamin, famously the hometown of the prophet Jeremiah (Jer 1:1). Its significance here lies in identifying a specific geographic and ancestral group of returnees. Being a priestly city, it implies that among the 128 individuals, there might have been priests or Levites by heritage, highlighting the return of individuals connected to the sacred offices and their rightful place within the reconstructed community.
• one hundred twenty and eight: Hebrew: מאה עשרים ושמונה (māʾâ ʿiśrîm wə-šəmōna). This precise numerical figure highlights the meticulous record-keeping during the return from exile. It shows an exact count of individuals affiliated with the Anathoth community who participated in the repatriation. Such precision underscores the reality of God's redemptive work, not merely as a general movement but as an ordered, detailed process where each group and, by extension, each individual was accounted for. This numeric specificity also illustrates that the return was indeed of a "remnant," not the entirety of Israel.
• Words-group analysis:
  • "The children of Anathoth": This grouping identifies the returning party by their ancestral city, establishing their geographical and communal identity within the restored Israel. It connects the present returnees directly to their past heritage and land. This linkage was essential for reaffirming their legitimate claim to the land and their place in the covenant community post-exile.

Ezra 2 32 Bonus section

• The parallel lists in Ezra 2 and Nehemiah 7, while having slight numerical discrepancies, serve to powerfully underscore the importance of genealogy and territorial claims for the re-established Israel. These records provided the legal basis for land ownership and legitimate participation in the temple worship and civil society.
• The fact that Anathoth was a priestly city from which Jeremiah purchased land as a sign of future hope during the Babylonian siege (Jer 32:6-15) adds a rich layer of theological significance. The return of the "children of Anathoth" literally brings hope to that once-cursed, yet prophetically significant, parcel of land and community. It illustrates God's faithfulness to His word and to His covenant even in unlikely places.
• The emphasis on accurate lineage was crucial to prevent intermarriage with non-Israelites (which becomes a major theme later in Ezra), ensuring the purity of the covenant people and preparing the way for the coming Messiah.

Ezra 2 32 Commentary

Ezra 2:32, within the larger list of returning exiles, is more than just a numerical record; it is a profound testament to God's faithfulness and meticulous care for His covenant people. The detailed accounting, even for smaller groups like the 128 from Anathoth, signifies that God's restoration was ordered, intentional, and complete down to specific families and towns. This level of detail validated the identity of the returnees as the true descendants of Israel, essential for their legal and religious claims in a rebuilt Judah. The return of people from Anathoth, despite its historical association with rejecting the prophet Jeremiah, showcases God's enduring grace, providing a new beginning. It speaks to the fulfillment of prophecies about the return from captivity, demonstrating God’s exact fulfillment of His promises (e.g., Jer 29:10). This verse, therefore, reminds us of God's perfect memory and attention to every individual within His plan, meticulously preserving His chosen line through generations of hardship to accomplish His redemptive purposes.