Ezra 2:48 kjv
The children of Rezin, the children of Nekoda, the children of Gazzam,
Ezra 2:48 nkjv
the sons of Rezin, the sons of Nekoda, the sons of Gazzam,
Ezra 2:48 niv
Rezin, Nekoda, Gazzam,
Ezra 2:48 esv
the sons of Rezin, the sons of Nekoda, the sons of Gazzam,
Ezra 2:48 nlt
Rezin, Nekoda, Gazzam,
Ezra 2 48 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Neh 7:51 | the children of Rephaiah, the children of Rezin, the children of Nekoda, | Parallel record of the same Nethinim families returning from exile. |
| Ezra 2:43 | The Nethinim: the children of Ziha, the children of Hasupha... | Introduces the category of Nethinim listed as returning. |
| Ezra 7:7 | And there went up also... the Nethinim, to Jerusalem... | Highlights the Nethinim's participation in Ezra's later return. |
| Ezra 7:24 | Also we notify you that... no tribute, custom, or toll is to be imposed on any of the priests, Levites, singers, doorkeepers, Nethinim, or temple servants... | Exemption for Nethinim indicating their dedicated status. |
| Neh 10:28 | and the rest of the people, the priests, the Levites, the gatekeepers, the singers, the Nethinim... | Nethinim identified as part of the covenant community renewing their commitment. |
| Neh 11:3 | These are the chiefs of the province who lived in Jerusalem; but in the towns of Judah everyone lived on his own property... among them, the Nethinim. | Acknowledgement of Nethinim residency and contribution in Judah. |
| 1 Chr 9:2 | Now the first inhabitants who lived in their possessions in their cities were Israel, the priests, the Levites, and the temple servants. | Earlier reference to temple servants (Nethinim) in historical records. |
| Ezra 2:1 | These are the people of the province who came up out of the captivity... | General heading for the list of returnees, contextualizing v. 48. |
| Neh 7:6 | These are the people of the province who came up out of the captivity... | Parallel heading in Nehemiah's account. |
| 1 Chr 9:1 | So all Israel was enrolled by genealogies, and these are written in the Book of the Kings of Israel. | Significance of detailed genealogical records for identity and purpose. |
| Psa 126:1 | When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream. | Poetic reflection on the joyous and miraculous nature of the return from exile. |
| Jer 29:10 | For thus says the Lord: When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will visit you, and I will fulfill my good word to you, in bringing you back to this place. | Prophetic promise of restoration and return, fulfilled by events in Ezra. |
| Isa 43:5-7 | Fear not, for I am with you... bring my sons from afar... | God's promise to gather His scattered people, fulfilling His covenant. |
| Ezek 36:24 | For I will take you from the nations and gather you from all the countries and bring you into your own land. | Prophecy of Israel's physical return to their land, highlighting divine action. |
| Psa 147:4 | He determines the number of the stars; he gives to all of them their names. | Illustrates God's meticulous care and knowledge, reflecting in detailed biblical genealogies. |
| Mt 10:30 | But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. | New Testament affirmation of God's intimate knowledge and care for individuals. |
| 1 Cor 12:20-22 | As it is, there are many parts, yet one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, "I have no need of you," nor again the head to the feet, "I have no need of you." On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable... | Emphasizes the vital role of all members, including those seemingly less prominent, in God's body/house. |
| Phil 2:7 | but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. | Example of humility and service, aligning with the dedicated role of the Nethinim. |
| Mk 10:45 | For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. | Christ's model of service and humility, a principle underpinning all roles in God's kingdom. |
| Josh 9:27 | But Joshua made them that day cutters of wood and drawers of water for the congregation and for the altar of the Lord, to this day, in the place that he should choose. | The possible historical origin of some Nethinim as descendants of Gibeonites dedicated to temple service. |
Ezra 2 verses
Ezra 2 48 Meaning
Ezra 2:48 lists three families of the Nethinim, a distinct group of temple servants, who returned from the Babylonian exile with Zerubbabel: the children of Rephaiah, the children of Rezin, and the children of Nekoda. This verse forms part of a meticulous record emphasizing God's faithfulness in restoring His covenant people, including all who were dedicated to His service, even those in more humble but essential roles in the re-established temple worship.
Ezra 2 48 Context
Ezra chapter 2 provides a detailed register of the Jewish exiles who returned from Babylon to Judah under the leadership of Zerubbabel and Jeshua following Cyrus's decree. This chapter meticulously enumerates the various families and their numbers, organized by tribe, clan, city, or professional group, including priests, Levites, singers, gatekeepers, and finally, the Nethinim and the descendants of Solomon's servants. Ezra 2:48 specifically lists three families of the Nethinim, emphasizing their participation in this crucial first wave of returnees dedicated to rebuilding the temple and the community in Jerusalem. The exhaustive nature of the list underscores the importance of identity, lineage, and order in the post-exilic restoration of Israel's spiritual life and national identity.
Ezra 2 48 Word analysis
- the children of (בְּנֵי - b'nei): This common Hebrew phrase means "sons of" or "descendants of," indicating familial lineage or a specific clan. In ancient Israelite society, lineage was paramount, determining identity, inheritance, and eligibility for roles, including those related to temple service. Here, it signifies the continuity of specific families dedicated to the sacred duties, even after generations in exile.
- Rephaiah (רְפָיָה - Rephayah): This Hebrew name means "Yah has healed" or "Yahweh is a healer." The significance of this name in the context of the return from exile is noteworthy. It echoes the divine healing and restoration that God brought upon His people, delivering them from captivity and restoring them to their land and purpose.
- Rezin (רְצִין - Retzin): This Hebrew name means "favorable" or "pleasing." While a more famous "Rezin" was a king of Aram, here it is a common name. Its meaning might suggest the pleasing or favorable dedication of this family to the service of God in His temple, a service viewed as acceptable and desired by Him.
- Nekoda (נְקוֹדָא - Neqoda): The meaning of this Hebrew name is debated, possibly "distinguished," "spotted," or "shepherd." "Distinguished" might suggest a clan known for a particular trait or standing among the Nethinim. "Spotted" could refer to some distinguishing mark, though less likely in this context. "Shepherd" is also a possibility, though its connection to temple service is less direct.
- "the children of Rephaiah, the children of Rezin, the children of Nekoda": This collective phrasing emphasizes that entire families or clans of Nethinim were committed to returning and resuming their vital, though often humble, roles in the temple service. Their corporate return highlights the holistic nature of God's restoration, which encompassed all necessary components for a functioning worship community, demonstrating the significance of even these dedicated servants to God's house.
Ezra 2 48 Bonus section
The precise naming of these Nethinim families, often alongside other Israelite families, demonstrates their formal inclusion and legitimized role within the returning community. Despite their likely non-Israelite origins and "servant" status, their dedicated presence was seen as essential for the operations of the Second Temple, highlighting the practical necessity of all roles in supporting divine worship. Their inclusion serves as a testament to the idea that service to God transcends ethnic and social boundaries, underscoring the inclusive nature of God's redemptive work which sought to restore a complete, functioning, and diverse community dedicated to Him. Their commitment to returning also illustrates their faith and loyalty to the God of Israel, further integrating them into the fabric of the renewed nation.
Ezra 2 48 Commentary
Ezra 2:48, along with the other lists of Nethinim, is more than just a dry enumeration; it underscores profound theological and historical truths. The Nethinim, likely descendants of non-Israelite temple servants (like the Gibeonites, Josh 9:27), were an integral part of the temple's function. Their faithful return from exile demonstrates their enduring dedication to the worship of Yahweh and their essential contribution to the restoration of Israel. This verse signifies God's meticulous care for all members of His covenant people, validating the importance of every individual and group, regardless of their perceived social standing or origin, in His grand redemptive plan. It emphasizes that humble service is indispensable and honored by God, crucial for the holistic restoration of community and worship. This comprehensive registration provides legitimate identity for each group within the newly re-established post-exilic community.