Ezra 2 47

Ezra 2:47 kjv

The children of Giddel, the children of Gahar, the children of Reaiah,

Ezra 2:47 nkjv

the sons of Giddel, the sons of Gahar, the sons of Reaiah,

Ezra 2:47 niv

Giddel, Gahar, Reaiah,

Ezra 2:47 esv

the sons of Giddel, the sons of Gahar, the sons of Reaiah,

Ezra 2:47 nlt

Giddel, Gahar, Reaiah,

Ezra 2 verses

Ezra 2 47 Meaning

Ezra 2:47 lists three more families from the Nethinim, the temple servants, who returned from Babylonian exile with Zerubbabel to Judah. These families—the children of Hatita, the children of Akkub, and the children of Hatib—represent individuals dedicated to supporting the Tabernacle and later the Temple, performing essential tasks such as woodcutting and water carrying. Their inclusion in this precise genealogy underscores God's remembrance of all who contribute to His service, affirming their rightful place within the returned community and the restored religious life of Israel.

Ezra 2 47 Context

Ezra chapter 2 is a crucial record detailing the initial waves of returnees from Babylonian exile to Jerusalem under Zerubbabel. This chapter serves as a fulfillment of prophecies regarding the restoration of God's people to their land after the seventy-year captivity. The meticulous list of families, occupational groups, and their numbers demonstrates the legal and spiritual continuity of the Israelite community.

The verse in question (Ezra 2:47) specifically falls within the section enumerating the Nethinim, or temple servants (verses 43-54). These were distinct from priests and Levites, yet played an indispensable role in maintaining the operations of the Tabernacle and Temple through various manual labors such as carrying water and cutting wood for offerings. Historically, some traditions connect their origin to the Gibeonites (Josh 9:27) who were made perpetual servants for the house of God. By meticulously recording their names alongside priests, Levites, and other Israelites, the biblical writer emphasizes that every single person, regardless of their role or social standing, who faithfully returned to serve God and rebuild His house, was significant in God's eyes and essential to the renewed covenant community. The list confirms the legitimate standing of these individuals, differentiating them from other peoples and establishing the purity of the returning congregation dedicated to the reconstruction of the Temple and the reestablishment of Mosaic Law.

Ezra 2 47 Word analysis

• בְּנֵי־ (Bənê-) : Translates as "children of" or "sons of".
  • Significance: This common Hebrew construct denotes familial lineage and tribal affiliation. In the context of the exile and return, it emphasizes continuity of identity, establishing one's ancestral connection to Israel. For the Nethinim, it highlights that even groups of a traditionally lower social status within the religious hierarchy possessed recognized family lines, essential for validating their inclusion in the sacred returning community. It is a formulaic opening used throughout the lists of Ezra 2.
• חֲטִיטָא (Ḥăṭîṭā) : Hatita.
  • Meaning: An ancestral family name. While its precise etymology is debated and its meaning obscure, some suggest links to words implying "to dig" or "to make an impression," though this is not definitive.
  • Significance: As a Nethinim family, their inclusion is not based on their numerical contribution (as no numbers are provided for these families in Ezra 2:47), but on their existence and designated role in supporting the temple. The family's return solidifies the re-establishment of diverse roles necessary for sacred worship.
• עַקּוּב (‘Aqqûḇ) : Akkub.
  • Meaning: An ancestral family name. Its root can be linked to "to seize by the heel," "to supplant," a concept tied to the name Jacob. Interestingly, a notable individual named Akkub appears as a gatekeeper in 1 Chronicles 9:17 and Nehemiah 11:19, fulfilling a direct temple function.
  • Significance: The recurrence of the name Akkub associated with specific temple service, particularly doorkeeping, within various post-exilic lists, strongly suggests that this family, if not directly serving as gatekeepers, belonged to a group traditionally involved in tangible support functions critical for the Temple's security and order.
• חָטִיב (Ḥāṭîḇ) : Hatib.
  • Meaning: An ancestral family name. The root chatab (חָטַב) means "to cut," "to hew" (especially wood).
  • Significance: This name holds particular relevance for the Nethinim, whose traditional duties included "hewers of wood" and "drawers of water" (Josh 9:27) for the Tabernacle and later the Temple. The name "Hatib" thus beautifully and potentially literally connects this family to the very essence of Nethinim's dedicated service in preparing materials for sacrifices and temple maintenance. This linguistic tie underscores their crucial yet humble contribution.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "the children of Hatita, the children of Akkub, the children of Hatib": The repeated "the children of" before each name signifies the consistent genealogical format used for the Nethinim. This repetition underscores that these are distinct family lines returning, not just random individuals. Their very mention legitimizes their status and contributions within the reconstructed community. Despite their role being manual and often unglamorous, their faithful return and essential service were meticulously recorded. This reflects a divine recognition that all who serve in God's house, regardless of task, are equally valued. It is a demonstration that God does not overlook the humble, yet vital, functions performed by His servants in the overall edifice of His spiritual kingdom and earthly Temple.

Ezra 2 47 Bonus section

The precise naming of the Nethinim families, often viewed as non-Israelite in origin or certainly of lesser status compared to the priestly lines, offers a subtle but strong polemic. By incorporating them fully into the national registry of returnees, Ezra's account powerfully affirms their rightful place within the newly reconstituted Israel. This inclusion stands in contrast to the later exclusion of those with dubious lineage, as seen in Ezra 2:59-62, highlighting that true acceptance was based not just on birth but on faithful dedication to God and His house, regardless of ancestral background or role type. It subtly elevates the dignity of labor performed for God's glory. The inclusion of these 'service' groups also prefigures the diverse roles within the New Testament church, where every believer, through their spiritual gifts, contributes uniquely to the body of Christ (Rom 12, 1 Cor 12). God's concern for a functional and unified worship community thus extends to recognizing every participant, regardless of their role's public prominence.

Ezra 2 47 Commentary

Ezra 2:47, nestled within the long roster of returnees, presents what might initially seem like an ordinary list of names. Yet, its inclusion is profound. These are not priests or Levites, but Nethinim – literally "given ones" – servants consecrated to the manual, often laborious, tasks of the Temple. Their roles, though foundational to the proper functioning of the worship system (e.g., preparing wood for the altar, fetching water, assisting in cleaning), were generally considered low-status. However, the meticulous recording of these families, specifically "the children of Hatita, the children of Akkub, the children of Hatib," underscores several key theological and historical truths.

First, it highlights the comprehensiveness of God's restorative work. The return from exile was not exclusive to the priestly elite or the numerically strong tribes. God's plan included all His people, even those engaged in humble, unseen labor. This emphasizes that every part of the community is vital and precious in His sight. Second, it serves as a powerful reminder of divine recognition for faithful service, irrespective of perceived status. While we may often focus on prominent leaders, the divine record meticulously remembers those who performed the vital "behind-the-scenes" work. Their names, perhaps linked to their ancient family roles (like "Hatib" possibly relating to "hewing wood"), underscore the dignity of their dedicated service. Third, the listing confirms their legitimacy within the covenant community. In a time requiring purity of lineage for temple service and land claims, the Nethinim's families were formally recognized as part of restored Israel, entitled to live within the holy land and serve in the re-established worship. This inclusivity challenges any potential social or spiritual elitism, revealing God's care for every functioning member of His body. This act of remembering and listing those in humble positions prefigures the New Testament emphasis on every member of the body of Christ being important and gifted for service (1 Cor 12).