Ezra 2 49

Ezra 2:49 kjv

The children of Uzza, the children of Paseah, the children of Besai,

Ezra 2:49 nkjv

the sons of Uzza, the sons of Paseah, the sons of Besai,

Ezra 2:49 niv

Uzza, Paseah, Besai,

Ezra 2:49 esv

the sons of Uzza, the sons of Paseah, the sons of Besai,

Ezra 2:49 nlt

Uzza, Paseah, Besai,

Ezra 2 verses

Ezra 2 49 Meaning

Ezra 2:49 lists specific families among the Nethinim who returned to Judah from Babylonian exile with Zerubbabel. This verse records three distinct family lines—those of Ziha, Hasupha, and Tabbaoth—underscoring their participation in the rebuilding of the community and temple service after the seventy-year captivity. Their inclusion highlights that every dedicated family, regardless of origin or traditional status, was considered vital for the re-establishment of proper worship and societal structure in post-exilic Israel.

Ezra 2 49 Context

Ezra chapter 2 is a crucial genealogical and numerical record of those who returned from the Babylonian captivity to Jerusalem and Judah under Zerubbabel and Jeshua, following King Cyrus’s decree. The chapter meticulously lists the different groups—from priestly families and Levites to singers, gatekeepers, and the Nethinim, as well as the descendants of Solomon's servants. This precise listing served multiple vital purposes: affirming identity, confirming hereditary claims to priestly and land ownership rights, and providing a verifiable record for the re-establishment of their national and religious life. Within this broader context, Ezra 2:49-54 specifically lists the Nethinim, who were a class of temple servants of non-Israelite origin, signifying their necessary and accepted role in the reorganized religious community, often performing tasks seen as mundane but essential for temple function.

Ezra 2 49 Word analysis

• The children of: (Hebrew: בְּנֵי - bᵊnê) This phrase consistently appears, emphasizing genealogical lineage and collective identity through families. It signifies a clear link to ancestors and membership within specific kinship groups, foundational for tribal and communal structure in ancient Israel. Its repetition throughout the lists reinforces the importance of ancestral ties for communal legitimacy.
• Nethinim: (Hebrew: הַנְּתִינִים - hanᵊttînim) The definite article "the" emphasizes them as a distinct, recognized class. The word literally means "the given ones" or "the dedicated ones." Traditionally, they were believed to be descendants of foreign peoples, notably the Gibeonites (Josh 9:27), whom Joshua made perpetual "hewers of wood and drawers of water for the congregation and for the altar of the LORD." Over time, their role evolved to encompass various temple service duties, typically the more manual or auxiliary tasks that were distinct from the sacred priestly and Levite functions. Their inclusion in this return list signifies their continued, divinely accepted role in post-exilic temple service.
• the children of Ziha: (Hebrew: בְנֵי צִיחָא - bᵊnê Ṣîḥā) Ziha means "brightness" or "dryness." This denotes a specific family line among the Nethinim. Their listing underscores the granular detail of Ezra's record and implies that even within this dedicated servant class, family identity and continuity were maintained and valued.
• the children of Hasupha: (Hebrew: בְנֵי חֲסוּפָא - bᵊnê Ḥasûfā) Hasupha means "stripped" or "exposed." Another named Nethinim family, reinforcing the structured nature of the return. The listing of individual families highlights their recognized status within the returning community, even if their overall role was one of humble service.
• the children of Tabbaoth: (Hebrew: בְנֵי טַבָּאוֹת - bᵊnê Ṭabbāʾôṯ) Tabbaoth means "rings" or "seals." This further family entry reinforces the pattern. The names themselves, while their specific meanings might not be directly theological in this context, emphasize the diverse origins and enduring lineages among the Nethinim who had remained faithful in their assigned temple duties across generations, even through the long exile.

• "The children of Nethinim: the children of Ziha, the children of Hasupha, the children of Tabbaoth": This phrase establishes a hierarchy or classification. First, it identifies the broad category of "Nethinim" and then proceeds to specify three distinct family units within that group. The precise naming of these families (and subsequent ones in the chapter) suggests a concern for validating every individual's and family's participation in the repatriation. It conveys a sense of thoroughness and legitimacy in the record, ensuring that all contributors to the rebuilding effort, including those performing seemingly humble duties, were recognized and included as part of the re-forming covenant community. This inclusive cataloging, regardless of status or origin, stands as a testament to God's acceptance of all who are "given" and dedicated to His service.

Ezra 2 49 Bonus section

The Nethinim represent a class of people whose status in Israelite society might have been considered low, as their origins were often tied to conquest or specific curses. However, their inclusion in this sacred genealogical list demonstrates God's persistent care for and utilization of all people dedicated to Him, even those from unexpected or marginalized backgrounds. Their continuity of service from the period of Joshua through the united and divided monarchies, and now into the post-exilic period, points to a remarkable legacy of commitment to the sacred institutions of Israel. They embodied humble, behind-the-scenes service, providing the vital practical support that allowed the priestly and Levitical ministries to function. Their faithfulness through centuries underscores a powerful biblical principle: all work done unto the Lord, no matter how menially perceived, is valuable and divinely recognized. Their story illustrates that service to God transcends social conventions, highlighting the truth that what truly matters is a heart given to Him.

Ezra 2 49 Commentary

Ezra 2:49 highlights the inclusion of specific families from the Nethinim in the register of those returning from Babylon. These Nethinim, whose name signifies "the given ones," were traditionally temple servants, often of foreign origin, historically linked to the Gibeonites. Their enduring presence and recognized lineage underscore a crucial theological point: God values all service offered in humility and dedication to His house, irrespective of perceived social standing or ethnic origin. The meticulous recording of their family names (Ziha, Hasupha, Tabbaoth, etc.) dignifies their contribution, signifying that every role, from the priest to the humble temple worker, was essential for the restoration of sacred worship and community life. Their inclusion serves as a testament to divine impartiality, affirming that faithfulness and dedication to God's purposes render one a cherished part of His people.