Ezra 2 56

Ezra 2:56 kjv

The children of Jaalah, the children of Darkon, the children of Giddel,

Ezra 2:56 nkjv

the sons of Jaala, the sons of Darkon, the sons of Giddel,

Ezra 2:56 niv

Jaala, Darkon, Giddel,

Ezra 2:56 esv

the sons of Jaalah, the sons of Darkon, the sons of Giddel,

Ezra 2:56 nlt

Jaalah, Darkon, Giddel,

Ezra 2 verses

Ezra 2 56 Meaning

Ezra 2:56 continues the detailed list of families who returned from the Babylonian exile to Judah with Zerubbabel and Jeshua. Specifically, this verse enumerates three family lines: the children of Jaalah, the children of Darkon, and the children of Giddel. These families are identified among the "children of Solomon's servants" (Ezra 2:55) or potentially the Nethinim (temple servants), highlighting their specific, often hereditary, role in the maintenance and service of the rebuilt Temple.

Ezra 2 56 Context

Ezra 2:56 is part of a meticulous register in Ezra chapter 2, detailing the specific groups and numbers of individuals who returned from Babylonian exile to Jerusalem and Judah under the leadership of Zerubbabel and Jeshua. This chapter serves as a vital record, establishing the legitimacy and identity of the returning community. It meticulously lists heads of ancestral houses, priests, Levites, singers, gatekeepers, and critically for this verse, "the children of Solomon's servants" and the Nethinim. The inclusion of these family names, specifically "Jaalah," "Darkon," and "Giddel," underscores the comprehensive nature of the return, demonstrating that individuals from all walks of life, including those traditionally performing auxiliary and often menial temple service, faithfully responded to God's call to return and rebuild. This register was crucial for the organization of the re-established community, especially for matters pertaining to temple service, land allocation, and maintaining a pure lineage after the exile.

Ezra 2 56 Word analysis

• the children of (בְּנֵי, bənê): This common Hebrew construct literally means "sons of" but in this context signifies descendants, offspring, or family members. Its repeated use emphasizes a collective, corporate identity rooted in ancestral lineage. This was foundational to identity, social structure, and hereditary roles in ancient Israel, especially concerning temple service, where roles were often passed down through generations.
• Jaalah (יַעֲלָא, Ya'alâ): A specific family name. While the literal meaning of the name might relate to "ibex" or "ascending," its significance here is its designation as one of the family units belonging to the broader category of "Solomon's servants" or Nethinim. Its appearance in Ezra 2:56 and the parallel list in Nehemiah 7:58 confirms it as a distinct and recognized lineage among the returning temple functionaries.
• the children of (בְּנֵי, bənê): Repetition here serves to reinforce the genealogical emphasis. It underscores that it's not just individuals but entire households or lineages that are identified and accounted for, reflecting a societal value placed on familial continuity and heritage, particularly as it relates to communal responsibilities like temple service.
• Darkon (דַּרְקוֹן, Darqôn): Another specific family name. The precise meaning of "Darkon" is debated, potentially related to "red-blooded" or "darter," but its primary significance lies in its identity as another family within the category of temple servants. Like Jaalah, its consistent listing confirms its role in the re-established community dedicated to the temple.
• the children of (בְּנֵי, bənê): The third repetition of "the children of" maintains the consistent format and further highlights the generational aspect of their role. This listing is not random but deliberate, emphasizing the ordered return of groups rather than just isolated individuals.
• Giddel (גִּדֵּל, Giddēl): Another specific family name. The name "Giddel" means "made great" or "great one." Despite their often menial roles, the inclusion of their name in this esteemed register acknowledges their vital contribution to the sacred work. This name, like the others, reappears in Nehemiah 7:58, solidifying its place among the recognized temple servant families.
• Word-group analysis: "the children of Jaalah, the children of Darkon, the children of Giddel": This tripartite structure, utilizing the repeated phrase "the children of," clearly presents three distinct, but likely associated, family units. Their consistent mention alongside the "children of Solomon's servants" or Nethinim signifies their hereditary and enduring commitment to the temple. Their precise naming, even for those performing less prominent but essential roles, indicates a thorough and authoritative registration process. It highlights that God values and remembers every family dedicated to His service, affirming the meticulous care in rebuilding not just a physical structure but also the social and religious order of the community, where every member's place was known and recognized. These lists underscore divine faithfulness in bringing His people back to the land, restoring them in an ordered and identifiable fashion, and setting them up to resume the sacred worship system.

Ezra 2 56 Bonus section

The "children of Solomon's servants" (referenced in Ezra 2:55-58) are often identified with or considered a closely related group to the Nethinim (meaning "given ones"). The Nethinim were individuals or families who, from ancient times (possibly even predating Solomon, e.g., Gibeonites from Joshua 9), were "given" or dedicated to assisting the Levites in the general upkeep and maintenance of the Tabernacle and later the Temple (e.g., drawing water, cutting wood, menial labor). Their inclusion in the list of returnees, meticulously counted alongside priests and Levites, emphasizes that temple service required a wide range of tasks and that all who fulfilled them were valued by the community and by God. It speaks to the unity of purpose in re-establishing proper worship, involving diverse origins united by devotion to the sanctuary. These detailed lists, typical of post-exilic writings in Ezra-Nehemiah, reflect a strong emphasis on preserving the integrity of Israelite identity and a structured return to God's covenant way, ensuring that every position in the restored community was rightfully filled according to ancient custom and divine purpose.

Ezra 2 56 Commentary

Ezra 2:56, though seemingly just a short enumeration of names, holds significant theological and historical weight. It lists three specific family names—Jaalah, Darkon, and Giddel—who belonged to the category of "Solomon's servants" or Nethinim, hereditary temple servants. Their inclusion in this precise register of returning exiles underscores the meticulous care God’s people took to re-establish their identity and their temple functions after seventy years of captivity. These families, regardless of their ethnic origin (many Nethinim were not direct Israelites but were integrated into the temple system), demonstrated faithfulness in returning to a role of service. This verse, like the entire chapter, reflects God's faithfulness in fulfilling His prophetic promises of restoration, and the community's dedication to re-establishing orderly worship. It illustrates that every segment of God's people, even those with auxiliary roles, was considered vital for the community's spiritual and physical rebuilding, ensuring the Temple's comprehensive operation.