Ezra 2 5

Ezra 2:5 kjv

The children of Arah, seven hundred seventy and five.

Ezra 2:5 nkjv

the people of Arah, seven hundred and seventy-five;

Ezra 2:5 niv

of Arah ? 775

Ezra 2:5 esv

The sons of Arah, 775.

Ezra 2:5 nlt

The family of Arah ? 775

Ezra 2 verses

Ezra 2 5 Meaning

Ezra 2:5 lists the "children of Arah, seven hundred seventy-five" among the community of exiles who returned from Babylonian captivity to Judah under the leadership of Zerubbabel. This verse signifies the restoration of a specific family group, emphasizing their identity, lineage, and their numerical contribution to the returned remnant, which was essential for the rebuilding of the community and the Temple in Jerusalem.

Ezra 2 5 Context

Ezra chapter 2 provides a detailed list of the families and individuals who returned to Judah from Babylonian exile. This comprehensive roster establishes the identity, legitimacy, and lineage of the returning community. It functions as a foundational document, defining who rightfully belonged to the restored Israelite populace and who was eligible for land possession and participation in the temple rebuilding project. Verse 5 specifically notes one such family group. This meticulous accounting reflects the deep concern for maintaining tribal identity and communal order after decades of displacement, signifying a deliberate and structured re-establishment of the nation under divine providence.

Ezra 2 5 Word analysis

• The children of: (בְּנֵי - b’nê) - This Hebrew word emphasizes lineage and family identity. It highlights that the returned individuals were not isolated persons but part of a continuous family line. The concept of "children of" implies not just biological descendants but also those who belonged to, or were identified with, that family unit, possibly including retainers or household members associated with the named patriarchal head. In the post-exilic context, family and clan identity were crucial for establishing claims to ancestral lands and participation in the covenant community.
• Arah: (אָרַח - ’Arach) - The name "Arah" (pronounced approximately 'ah-rakh') literally means "traveler," "wanderer," or "to journey." In this context, it takes on symbolic significance. The family of Arah were literally travelers and wanderers returning from exile, reflecting the meaning of their ancestor's name. This name serves as a poignant reminder of Israel's journey through exile and their subsequent return to their homeland, fulfilling prophecies of restoration. While not a prominent figure in other biblical narratives, the inclusion of this family in the register underscores that the return was a broad movement, involving many families, some of whose names ironically captured their recent experiences.
• seven hundred seventy-five: (שֶׁבַע מֵאוֹת חֲמִשִּׁים וַחֲמִשָּׁה - sheva‘ mē’ôṯ ḥamiššîm waḥamiššāh) - This precise numerical entry highlights the meticulous nature of the census. Such exact numbers were vital for several reasons: to confirm identity, for the allocation of land and resources, to assess manpower for rebuilding the temple and walls, and to legitimize their claim as the true remnant of Israel. The act of counting, particularly after a traumatic period of exile, signified God's preservation of His people and their organized re-establishment as a functional community. This precise tally provides concrete evidence of God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promise to bring a remnant back to the land.
• Word-group Analysis: "The children of Arah, seven hundred seventy-five": This phrase combines the elements of lineage, specific identity, and precise numbers. It collectively represents the detail-oriented approach to reconstructing the community. It's not just "people" who returned, but named family units, whose strength in numbers was recorded. This emphasizes the tangible reality of the return from exile, underscoring that God's work of restoration involved a literal, physical gathering of specific families and individuals, not merely a theological concept. The emphasis on specific family names and numbers legitimizes the returnees and provides a foundation for the rebuilding of Judah and Jerusalem.

Ezra 2 5 Bonus section

The seemingly tedious nature of Ezra chapter 2, including verses like Ezra 2:5, actually communicates a powerful theological truth: God's concern for His people extends to their most granular details – their family names, their lineages, and their exact numbers. This contrasts sharply with the depersonalizing experience of exile, where Israel might have felt forgotten or absorbed into pagan cultures. The detailed register is, in essence, an act of God's re-collection and re-naming of His scattered flock. It speaks to a divine economy that values every individual within the community, knowing their precise place and contribution. This careful enumeration provides the necessary demographic and genealogical data that validates claims to ancestral lands and rights, which were foundational for the physical restoration and spiritual renewal of the nation in the Promised Land. It signifies a profound transition from being a disorganized, conquered people to a meticulously reformed, re-covenanted community under God's guidance.

Ezra 2 5 Commentary

Ezra 2:5, nestled within a detailed register of returning exiles, might seem like a mere numerical entry. However, its brevity belies profound significance. It underscores God's meticulous care in preserving His covenant people and His faithfulness in orchestrating their physical return from captivity. Each listed family, including "the children of Arah," represented a segment of the promised remnant, signifying the triumph of divine grace over judgment. The precise numbers were crucial for establishing a structured, legitimate community, serving practical purposes like land distribution and contributing to the workforce for the Temple's reconstruction. Beyond mere statistics, this verse is a testament to the fulfillment of prophetic declarations concerning Israel's restoration, emphasizing that God remembered His people by name and knew their count. It highlights the importance of individual identity and collective community in God's redemptive plan, ensuring continuity from the old covenant to the new, setting the stage for future divine actions. The act of returning and being counted served as a powerful testimony against the notion that pagan deities or empires could truly eradicate God's chosen nation.