Ezra 2 53

Ezra 2:53 kjv

The children of Barkos, the children of Sisera, the children of Thamah,

Ezra 2:53 nkjv

the sons of Barkos, the sons of Sisera, the sons of Tamah,

Ezra 2:53 niv

Barkos, Sisera, Temah,

Ezra 2:53 esv

the sons of Barkos, the sons of Sisera, the sons of Temah,

Ezra 2:53 nlt

Barkos, Sisera, Temah,

Ezra 2 verses

Ezra 2 53 Meaning

Ezra 2:53 records specific families among the Nethinim who returned from Babylonian exile to Jerusalem. The verse enumerates the "children of Bakbuk, the children of Hakupha, the children of Harhur," highlighting their role as temple servants essential for the restoration of worship and the structured re-establishment of the post-exilic Israelite community.

Ezra 2 53 Context

Ezra Chapter 2 lists the comprehensive census of individuals and families who first returned from Babylonian exile to Jerusalem under the leadership of Zerubbabel and Jeshua, by the decree of King Cyrus of Persia. This chapter meticulously itemizes the returnees by categories such as priests, Levites, singers, gatekeepers, and critically, the Nethinim and the children of Solomon's servants.

Historically, this return was a momentous fulfillment of God's seventy-year prophecy of exile. The detailed listing, down to specific families like those in verse 53, underscored the re-establishment of Israel's identity and communal structure. It provided the necessary order and legitimacy for allocating roles in society and, crucially, for resuming the Temple worship, for which the Nethinim played an indispensable part. These precise records served to distinguish those genuinely of the covenant community, ensuring the purity of lineage for the priesthood and clarifying responsibilities for all participants in the rebuilding effort.

Ezra 2 53 Word analysis

• the children of (Hebrew: בְּנֵי, b'nei): This phrase, consistently preceding each name, signifies a collective identity as a family unit or clan, indicating descent from a common ancestor. In this context, it marks families whose lineage was recognized and whose members inherited roles, specifically within the Nethinim. This emphasizes the organized and communal nature of the return.

• Bakbuk (Hebrew: בַּקְבּוּק, Baḵbūq): The name means "bottle" or "flask." While possibly an ancestral personal name, it could hint at a function or characteristic of this family line. Some scholars suggest a connection to water carrying or storage for temple use, though this is speculative. More importantly, its listing confirms that this distinct family was recognized among the Nethinim for their role in the temple service.

• Hakupha (Hebrew: חֲקוּפָא, Ḥăqūp̄ā’): Meaning "bent" or "shrivelled" or "pertaining to a cloak." Like Bakbuk, it is an ancestral name identifying a specific Nethinim family. The uniqueness of such names, not typical Israelite tribal names, reinforces their historical origins as distinct "given" servants for the temple. Their precise documentation signifies their recognized and essential status in the post-exilic community.

• Harhur (Hebrew: חַרְחוּר, Ḥarḥūr): Meaning "inflammation" or "fever" or "burning heat." This is another ancestral name that identifies a specific family belonging to the Nethinim. The precise naming of such diverse families underscores the comprehensive nature of the record-keeping, essential for properly organizing the returned exiles for all aspects of worship and community life, no matter how humble or obscure their ancestral origins.

• Words-group analysis: "the children of Bakbuk, the children of Hakupha, the children of Harhur": The repetitive phrasing ("the children of") underscores the meticulous detail of the census. It signifies that identity and role were strongly tied to familial lineage during the restoration period. These names, representing Nethinim families, reveal the breadth of those God brought back to serve Him. These were not primary Israelite tribes or prominent Levitical clans, but devoted servants dedicated to supporting the physical operations of the Tabernacle and Temple, highlighting that various types of individuals and families, even those from diverse or subservient backgrounds, were integral to God's restored covenant community and the functioning of His house.

Ezra 2 53 Bonus section

• The term "Nethinim" (Hebrew: נְתִינִים, Netiynim) means "the given ones," or "those dedicated/given" (often implying 'given to the Temple service'). This designation distinguishes them from the Levites and priests. They were likely descendants of foreigners (e.g., Gibeonites in Joshua 9, or captives from war) whom early Israelite leaders, such as Joshua and David, assigned to serve the tabernacle and later the temple in menial roles like fetching water, hewing wood, and cleaning.
• The meticulous genealogical records in Ezra and Nehemiah served not only to define the identity and roles of the returnees but also to establish claims for land and validate priestly and Levitical purity. Their exactitude counters the potential loss of identity during the exile and emphasizes the restoration of covenant faithfulness.
• While these names—Bakbuk ("bottle"), Hakupha ("bent"), and Harhur ("fever")—are literal meanings, their primary function in this text is to denote distinct ancestral lines within the Nethinim who had preserved their identity and dedicated service through generations of exile. They were known by their family names, essential for the census.

Ezra 2 53 Commentary

Ezra 2:53 is a concise yet significant entry within a meticulously compiled roster of families returning from Babylonian captivity. This verse, like others in the Nethinim list, testifies to God's providential care in gathering His people for restoration, including those who were not direct descendants of the Israelite tribes but were dedicated temple servants. The precise enumeration underscores the divine emphasis on order and the importance of every participant in God's redemptive plan. The inclusion of these Nethinim families, often perceived as ancillary or lower-status temple workers, highlights the holistic nature of divine service; every "hand" contributed to rebuilding the temple and re-establishing communal worship. Their presence was indispensable for the daily operations of the sanctuary, affirming that God calls and uses a wide array of individuals and groups for His purposes, even those whose ancestral origins or family names seem obscure or bear unusual meanings. It exemplifies that God is not partial, and every task dedicated to Him contributes to the greater whole of His Kingdom.