Ezra 2 55

Ezra 2:55 kjv

The children of Solomon's servants: the children of Sotai, the children of Sophereth, the children of Peruda,

Ezra 2:55 nkjv

The sons of Solomon's servants: the sons of Sotai, the sons of Sophereth, the sons of Peruda,

Ezra 2:55 niv

The descendants of the servants of Solomon: the descendants of Sotai, Hassophereth, Peruda,

Ezra 2:55 esv

The sons of Solomon's servants: the sons of Sotai, the sons of Hassophereth, the sons of Peruda,

Ezra 2:55 nlt

The descendants of these servants of King Solomon returned from exile: Sotai, Hassophereth, Peruda,

Ezra 2 verses

Ezra 2 55 Meaning

Ezra 2:55 lists specific families belonging to the "children of Solomon's servants" who returned from Babylonian exile with Zerubbabel. These were descendants of the foreign laborers and administrators King Solomon conscripted for his building projects, especially the Temple and his palace. Having become integrated into the broader community, they maintained a distinctive identity and a continued, albeit subordinate, role in the service of the rebuilt Temple, illustrating God's meticulous restoration of His people, including those who served Him through their unique heritage.

Ezra 2 55 Context

Ezra 2 is a crucial chapter documenting the first wave of exiles returning from Babylon to Judah under Zerubbabel after Cyrus the Great's decree. This chapter, paralleled in Nehemiah 7, serves as a meticulous registry, highlighting the returning individuals and families by their lineage, occupation, and former tribal or functional identities. The precise listing emphasizes the re-establishment of the community and the continuity of God's covenant with His people, underscoring who comprised the restored Israel. Verse 55 specifically identifies families from the "children of Solomon's servants," a distinct group immediately following the Nethinim, signifying their vital role in temple service, though historically of non-Israelite origin, now fully integrated into the post-exilic community structure that rebuilt Jerusalem and the Temple.

Ezra 2 55 Word analysis

• The children: בְּנֵי (benei), Hebrew for "sons" or "descendants of." This plural construct form signifies family or lineage heads. Its repeated use emphasizes the family units as the primary social and legal identifier for the returnees.

• of Solomon’s servants: עַבְדֵי שְׁלֹמֹה (avdei Shelomoh), meaning "servants of Solomon." These were non-Israelite captives whom King Solomon enslaved or pressed into forced labor for his vast building projects, particularly the Temple and his palaces (1 Ki 9:20-21). Over centuries, their descendants assimilated into Israelite society while retaining their distinct origin and often a role of temple service, akin to or grouped with the Nethinim.

• the children of Sotai: בְּנֵי סוֹטַי (benei Sotai). This family name is unique to this list (Ezra 2:55 and Neh 7:57). The root of "Sotai" in Hebrew could relate to "swerving" or "turning aside," though its specific significance as a proper noun is unclear. It denotes a specific family among Solomon's servants.

• the children of Sophereth: בְּנֵי סֹפֶרֶת (benei Soferet). The name "Sophereth" potentially links to the Hebrew סֹפֶר (sofer), meaning "scribe" or "secretary," or סָפַר (sapar), "to count" or "to number." This could suggest a function within the service—perhaps administrative, record-keeping, or census-related duties—indicating a literate and organized role within the temple retinue.

• the children of Peruda: בְּנֵי פְרוּדָה (benei Peruda). In Nehemiah 7:57, this name appears as בְּנֵי פְרִידָא (benei Perida). Both spellings likely refer to the same family. The root פָּרַד (parad) means "to divide," "to separate," or "to spread out." This name could signify their historical origin as a separated group, or perhaps relates to the distribution or management of resources within their service.

• "The children of Solomon’s servants: the children of Sotai, the children of Sophereth, the children of Peruda.": This complete phrase highlights the importance of precise family identification in the post-exilic community. These three families, despite their ancient, non-Israelite origins as servants of King Solomon, were recognized and accepted as part of the restored Israel. Their inclusion in this register underscores God's grace and the open-ended nature of His covenant community, which embraced not only descendants of Jacob but also those who, through generations, committed their lives to His service and the care of His sanctuary. It is a testament to the fact that identity in Israel could extend beyond pure lineal descent, especially for those dedicated to sacred duties.

Ezra 2 55 Bonus section

• The parallel list in Nehemiah 7:57 renders "Peruda" as "Perida," a minor orthographic difference likely due to transcription variations but referring to the same family. Such minor variations are common in ancient manuscripts and do not alter the core meaning.
• The "children of Solomon's servants" are consistently listed directly after the Nethinim (temple servants) in Ezra and Nehemiah, underscoring their closely related function in temple service and administration. Some scholars believe they may have largely assimilated into or formed a subgroup of the Nethinim over time.
• Their very presence among the returning exiles signifies not only the memory of their origins, going back to the first Temple era under Solomon, but also their faithful attachment to the Judean community during the long exile and their willingness to return to the challenging task of rebuilding. This faithfulness highlights God's sovereignty over diverse backgrounds being brought into His service.
• The names "Sotai," "Sophereth," and "Peruda/Perida" are more than just labels; they are remnants of specific, historical families who preserved their heritage and connection to the Temple service, showing deep dedication over centuries.

Ezra 2 55 Commentary

Ezra 2:55 encapsulates a critical aspect of the return from exile: the meticulous reconstitution of God's people, even down to the specialized servant classes. "The children of Solomon's servants" represents a distinct and fascinating group—descendants of non-Israelites who, centuries prior, were conscripted by King Solomon for the labor and upkeep of the Temple and royal establishments. While their ancestors were not ethnically Israelites, their generations had remained dedicated to temple service. Their inclusion in this precise genealogical list highlights that: 1) Identity in post-exilic Israel was based not solely on birthright, but also on established loyalty and function within the covenant community. 2) The rebuilt Temple required all hands on deck; every class of servant, no matter how humble their origin, was crucial for the restoration of sacred worship. These families (Sotai, Sophereth, Peruda) maintained their unique identity through generations of exile, underscoring a deep commitment to the faith and the sacred duties passed down through their lineages. Their names themselves might hint at their past roles—Sophereth possibly denoting a scribal or counting role. Their presence signifies the broad scope of God's restorative plan, valuing faithfulness and service beyond strict ethnic lines, incorporating even those once considered outsiders into the renewed fabric of His chosen people.