Ezra 2 65

Ezra 2:65 kjv

Beside their servants and their maids, of whom there were seven thousand three hundred thirty and seven: and there were among them two hundred singing men and singing women.

Ezra 2:65 nkjv

besides their male and female servants, of whom there were seven thousand three hundred and thirty-seven; and they had two hundred men and women singers.

Ezra 2:65 niv

besides their 7,337 male and female slaves; and they also had 200 male and female singers.

Ezra 2:65 esv

besides their male and female servants, of whom there were 7,337, and they had 200 male and female singers.

Ezra 2:65 nlt

in addition to 7,337 servants and 200 singers, both men and women.

Ezra 2 verses

Ezra 2 65 Meaning

Ezra 2:65 details a specific count of two distinct groups who returned from the Babylonian exile with Zerubbabel: their general servants, both male and female, and specialized temple singers, also both male and female. This verse, therefore, itemizes part of the larger group who embarked on the journey back to Jerusalem, highlighting the structured and diverse composition of the returning community and their resources.

Ezra 2 65 Context

Ezra chapter 2 forms a critical part of the historical record of the first wave of Israelites returning from seventy years of Babylonian exile, under the leadership of Zerubbabel and Jeshua. The chapter is essentially a meticulous roster, listing by family and community, all those who journeyed back to Judea. This precise enumeration served multiple purposes: establishing legitimate lineage (especially for priests to ensure purity of worship), confirming tribal land claims, and documenting the overall strength and resources of the nascent returning community. Verse 65, nestled within this detailed list, specifies two particular groups "besides" the main enumerated populace, highlighting their particular status or function within the community. The overall historical context is the beginning of the post-exilic period, marked by a rebuilding effort—primarily of the temple and the community life—signaling God's faithfulness to His covenant promises of restoration.

Ezra 2 65 Word analysis

• besides: The Hebrew phrase lebhad (לְבַד) means "apart from," "alone," "except." Here, it signifies that the listed servants and singers were additional to the 42,360 "assembly" counted in verse 64. While part of the overall retinue, they were specified separately, likely indicating a distinct category from the main body of free citizens or family heads, yet essential to the returning group's structure and resources.
• their male and female servants:
  • male: Hebrew ‘eḇed (עֶבֶד), referring to a bondservant, servant, or slave.
  • female: Hebrew shifḥah (שִׁפְחָה), referring to a maidservant or female slave.
  • This phrase indicates household or acquired laborers, often integral to ancient Near Eastern societies for various tasks, reflecting economic status and the labor force available to the returning exiles. These would not typically be land-owning citizens or heads of households. Their inclusion points to the comprehensive nature of the community's return, bringing all their dependents and assets.
• of whom there were 7,337: This precise numerical figure demonstrates the meticulous record-keeping during the return. The high number shows the significant amount of human labor resources the returning community possessed, which would be crucial for the rebuilding efforts in a depopulated and neglected land.
• and they had 200 singing men and women:
  • singing men: Hebrew shārīm (שָׁרִים), male singers.
  • singing women: Hebrew shārōt (שָׁרוֹת), female singers.
  • This group highlights a specific, skilled profession dedicated to music and worship. In ancient Israel, music played a vital role in temple worship, communal celebrations, and even prophetic activity (as seen in the Levites and their musical assignments). Their distinct mention indicates the importance placed on re-establishing orderly worship and praise as soon as the community returned. This small, yet specialized, contingent reflects the priority of spiritual and cultural restoration alongside physical rebuilding.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "besides their male and female servants, of whom there were 7,337": This phrase details the number of bondservants who were not considered "citizens" in the main census but were nevertheless integral to the household units returning. Their presence underscores the social hierarchy and economic means of the repatriating community, showing a return of substance and organized structure, rather than just isolated individuals. It represents the broader retinue and logistical support accompanying the returning Jewish populace.
• "and they had 200 singing men and women": The specific enumeration of male and female singers points to the high priority given to re-establishing sacred worship and temple ministry upon the return to Judah. In a culture where music was central to corporate worship, their dedicated presence signified the spiritual health and renewed commitment to God's prescribed service. This group represents the functional specialists who would aid in the revival of praise and liturgy, preparing for the rebuilding of the temple.

Ezra 2 65 Bonus section

• The meticulous numbering throughout Ezra 2 and its parallel in Nehemiah 7 served as a vital record for maintaining tribal identities, family lineages, and legitimate claims to property and, most importantly, qualifications for priestly service (see Ezra 2:62-63). The precise count reinforced divine order and oversight in the restoration process.
• The role of singers, particularly Levitical singers, was fundamental to the elaborate temple liturgy prescribed in the Mosaic Law and later organized by King David (1 Chron 25). They were not just entertainers but essential components of the communal expression of praise, often participating in and leading moments of deep spiritual significance and revelation.
• The presence of "male and female" for both servants and singers indicates that both genders played active, recognized roles in the post-exilic community's restoration, within the established societal norms.
• The exact figures for servants (7,337) and singers (200) highlight the concrete and historical nature of the account, underscoring the accuracy of the biblical narrative as a reliable historical record of God's people.

Ezra 2 65 Commentary

Ezra 2:65 offers a nuanced detail within a broader census, emphasizing the composition and resources of the repatriated community from Babylon. The explicit separation of "servants" and "singers" from the main count (verse 64) is noteworthy. The numerous servants—7,337 of them—reflect the economic standing of many who returned; they brought with them not just people but an established household and workforce, crucial for re-establishing life and agricultural output in a desolate land. Far from being merely numerical fillers, they represented the logistical backbone of the returning society. The inclusion of 200 singing men and women holds particular spiritual significance. Unlike servants who filled a functional need, these musicians indicate an immediate priority on restoring temple worship and the sacred music that accompanied it. Their dedicated presence signals the community's intent to honor God through organized praise, demonstrating that the return was not just about physical reconstruction but a spiritual rebuilding—a renewed commitment to the ordinances of God's house and the joyous expression of His faithfulness through worship. This verse portrays a community poised not just to exist, but to thrive with a restored social fabric and, crucially, a revitalized spiritual focus.