Ezra 2 34

Ezra 2:34 kjv

The children of Jericho, three hundred forty and five.

Ezra 2:34 nkjv

the people of Jericho, three hundred and forty-five;

Ezra 2:34 niv

of Jericho ? 345

Ezra 2:34 esv

The sons of Jericho, 345.

Ezra 2:34 nlt

The citizens of Jericho ? 345

Ezra 2 verses

Ezra 2 34 Meaning

Ezra 2:34 meticulously records that three hundred and forty-five descendants of Jericho returned from Babylonian exile with the first group led by Zerubbabel and Jeshua. This verse, part of a comprehensive roster of returning families, emphasizes the specific numerical count of those who could trace their lineage back to the ancient Israelite city of Jericho, signifying their identity and participation in the post-exilic community and the restoration of Judah.

Ezra 2 34 Context

Ezra chapter 2 provides a detailed list, a "register," of the Jewish individuals and families who returned to Judah from Babylonian exile in the first wave under the leadership of Zerubbabel and Jeshua, following Cyrus's decree (Ezra 1). This meticulous census served to establish the identity, tribal affiliation, and legitimate standing of the returnees within the community, especially regarding claims to ancestral land and qualifications for priestly and temple service. Verse 34 specifically lists "the children of Jericho," signifying a group who could trace their ancestry back to this historic city. Historically, Jericho, the first city conquered by Joshua, carried a legacy of both divine judgment (Joshua 6) and prophetic curse upon its rebuilding (1 Kings 16:34). Its inclusion in this list of returnees underscores the comprehensive nature of God's redemptive plan and restoration, embracing even the descendants connected to a place previously marked by severe divine decree.

Ezra 2 34 Word analysis

• the children of Jericho:
  • Original Hebrew: בְּנֵי יְרֵחוֹ (bə·nê Yərēḥō). "בְּנֵי" (bə·nê) literally means "sons of," but contextually, and very commonly in biblical Hebrew, it denotes "descendants" or "members of a lineage/clan/place." So, this refers to those individuals who could trace their ancestral roots to the territory or former inhabitants of Jericho, rather than merely children born literally in Jericho after the exile.
  • Significance: This highlights the emphasis on genealogical continuity and historical identity among the returning exiles. It ties the post-exilic community directly to their pre-exilic, Israelite heritage and their divinely allotted lands. The presence of Jericho's descendants is noteworthy given the city's infamous history of conquest and curse (Joshua 6, 1 Kings 16:34), showing God's mercy extends to re-establishing connections even to such places within His redemptive plan.
• three hundred forty and five:
  • Original Hebrew: שְׁלֹשׁ מֵאוֹת אַרְבָּעִים וַחֲמִשָּׁה (šəlōš mê’ōṯ ’arbā‘îm wa·ḥămiššāh), explicitly "three hundred and forty and five."
  • Significance: The specificity of this number is crucial. It underscores the meticulous record-keeping of the biblical chronicler, suggesting accuracy and precision in this census. This attention to detail implies divine providence in gathering a specific remnant and validates the individual and familial contributions to the returning community. It also emphasizes the importance placed on individual identity within the larger collective. The precise count validates the fulfillment of God's promise to bring a specific people back to their land.

• "the children of Jericho, three hundred forty and five":
  • This phrase encapsulates God's faithfulness in restoring His scattered people, even those connected to places historically significant for their destruction rather than glory. It speaks to a comprehensive, numerically precise, and divinely ordained gathering of the remnant. Despite generations of exile, identity, lineage, and connection to specific ancestral towns like Jericho remained intact, testifying to the enduring nature of the covenant people and God's plan for them. The precise enumeration signifies that God knows each of His own and orchestrated this detailed return.

Ezra 2 34 Bonus section

• The exact agreement of this number (345) for the children of Jericho between Ezra 2:34 and Nehemiah 7:36 validates the accuracy and shared source material for these historical records, reinforcing their reliability.
• The purpose of such detailed genealogical lists extended beyond mere record-keeping. It served as a vital tool for proper land redistribution upon return, ensuring each family received its ancestral inheritance. It also distinguished legitimate priesthood claims from those without proper lineage, safeguarding the purity of Temple service.
• The return of this specific number from Jericho symbolically signifies a turning point from a place marked by ancient judgment to one now embraced by God's redemptive plan, foreshadowing broader restoration and mercy.

Ezra 2 34 Commentary

Ezra 2:34 is a small, precise detail within a comprehensive list, yet it holds profound significance. It is not just a statistical entry but a testament to God's enduring covenant faithfulness and meticulous care for His people. The inclusion of the "children of Jericho," a place of ancient curse and judgment (Joshua 6:26), among those returning for the temple's rebuilding illustrates that God's restoration is complete and comprehensive, embracing all who are His by lineage and faith. The exact number, 345, demonstrates the divine precision in gathering the remnant, highlighting that each individual's return was purposed by God. This detail reaffirms the identity of the returned exiles as the true Israel, chosen to participate in the spiritual and national renewal of Judah after decades of desolation, thereby serving as a foundational pillar for the re-establishment of worship and the community in Jerusalem.