Ezra 2 44

Ezra 2:44 kjv

The children of Keros, the children of Siaha, the children of Padon,

Ezra 2:44 nkjv

the sons of Keros, the sons of Siaha, the sons of Padon,

Ezra 2:44 niv

Keros, Siaha, Padon,

Ezra 2:44 esv

the sons of Keros, the sons of Siaha, the sons of Padon,

Ezra 2:44 nlt

Keros, Siaha, Padon,

Ezra 2 verses

Ezra 2 44 Meaning

Ezra 2:44 lists three families, "the children of Keros, the children of Siaha, the children of Padon," who were among the Nethinim returning to Jerusalem from the Babylonian exile with Zerubbabel. These individuals were temple servants, critical for the restoration of temple worship and daily sacrificial duties after the return to the promised land. Their inclusion in this precise genealogy underscores the meticulous nature of God's work in reconstituting the Israelite community and sacred service.

Ezra 2 44 Context

Ezra chapter 2 meticulously lists those who returned from the Babylonian captivity to Judah under the leadership of Zerubbabel and Jeshua, by the decree of Cyrus the Persian king. This entire chapter functions as a critical register, establishing the identity and numbers of the returning community. It itemizes families, including priests, Levites, singers, doorkeepers, and specifically, the Nethinim. Ezra 2:44 falls within the section listing the Nethinim (Ezra 2:43-54), who were temple servants. The historical context is the immediate post-exilic period (c. 538 BC), when the returned exiles began the monumental task of rebuilding Jerusalem, its temple, and re-establishing Mosaic worship. The detailed nature of this list highlights the divine providential care in preserving the lineage of various groups essential for re-establishing the theocratic nation and its sacred duties. This record affirmed their right to inhabit the land and serve in the temple, directly connecting them to God's ongoing covenant plan.

Ezra 2 44 Word analysis

• the children of: Hebrew: בְּנֵי (Benei). This phrase consistently prefaces each family name in Ezra 2 and other genealogies, emphasizing patrilineal descent and family identity. In ancient Israelite society, one's identity and rights, especially regarding land ownership and temple service, were tied directly to their ancestry. It highlights the collective unit rather than mere individuals. The Nethinim, despite their non-Israelite origins (for many of them), were assimilated and recognized by family units within the community of God.
• Keros: Hebrew: כֵּרוֹס (Kerôs). A specific family name among the Nethinim. Like many ancient names, its exact etymology is not universally agreed upon or necessarily spiritually significant. Its inclusion simply designates a particular group assigned to temple service. The presence of this and other detailed family names testifies to the thorough record-keeping of the returning exiles, vital for ensuring the proper roles were filled and for authenticating claims of heritage.
• Siaha: Hebrew: סִ֫יעֲהָא (Sîahā'). Another family name. It appears as "Sia" (סִ֫יעָא, Sîā’) in the parallel list of Nehemiah 7:47, likely a slight scribal variation or a shortened form of the same name. This name, like Keros, belongs to the Nethinim, further illustrating the diverse groups comprising these temple servants. The consistency across parallel lists (Ezra 2 and Nehemiah 7) reinforces the historical reliability of these records.
• Padon: Hebrew: פָּדוֹן (Pâḏôn). Another family name of the Nethinim. Again, the significance lies primarily in its role as an identifying marker for one of the returning temple servant families. These names, though perhaps not as prominent as those of priests or Levites, collectively represent the numerous dedicated individuals and families vital for the logistical and manual operation of the re-established temple and its associated rituals.

Words-group by words-group analysis

• "the children of Keros, the children of Siaha, the children of Padon": This phrase functions as part of a longer enumeration of Nethinim families. Its repetition of "the children of" underscores the meticulous nature of the record, ensuring each family unit's distinct identity is maintained within the broader list of temple servants. This detailed enumeration points to the organizational structure necessary for rebuilding the temple and worship, where every role, even the seemingly mundane, was critical for the holistic functioning of God's house. It implies divine recognition and inclusion of these less-prominent servants within the restored covenant community, demonstrating that all roles contribute to the grand design of God's redemptive plan.

Ezra 2 44 Bonus section

The Nethinim (Hebrew for "the given ones" or "those who are appointed") were distinct from the Levites and priests. They were likely descendants of foreigners, such as the Gibeonites (Josh 9:27), who were put under a perpetual curse to be "hewers of wood and drawers of water for the house of my God." Over time, this evolved into a formalized group of temple servants. Their inclusion in the census of Ezra 2 alongside priests and Levites signifies their full acceptance back into the covenant community of Israel and their necessary role in the restored worship system. The near-identical nature of Ezra 2:44 with Nehemiah 7:47 demonstrates the remarkable preservation of records and underscores the historical accuracy and consistency of the post-exilic administrative documents regarding the returned exiles. It reflects God's faithfulness in bringing back His people and re-establishing all the necessary components for temple worship, preparing the ground for the coming of the Messiah.

Ezra 2 44 Commentary

Ezra 2:44, part of a lengthy genealogical register, might initially seem dry, but it carries profound significance within the biblical narrative of restoration. It highlights the meticulousness of God's provision for His worship by preserving and bringing back even the Nethinim, families whose primary duty was to serve the Levites and the temple in its more laborious or menial tasks (like cutting wood, drawing water, general upkeep). These names—Keros, Siaha, and Padon—though historically obscure to us, represent distinct family units who journeyed from Babylon back to Jerusalem. Their inclusion emphasizes that God's restoration was comprehensive, encompassing not only the prominent priests and Levites but also every humble servant vital to the functional life of the re-established sanctuary. This verse assures us that no work done for God's Kingdom, no matter how seemingly small or unassuming, is unnoticed or unrecorded in His divine registry. It speaks to the diversity of roles within the community of faith, each contributing indispensable value to the whole, akin to the many members in one body (Rom 12:4-5), where every part has a purpose in glorifying God and sustaining His work.

Examples for practical usage:

• Valuing humble service: Recognizing that vital roles are often behind-the-scenes and might not involve public acclaim.
• The importance of every member: Acknowledging that every believer, with their unique gifts and responsibilities, is essential for the flourishing of the church.