Ezra 2:67 kjv
Their camels, four hundred thirty and five; their asses, six thousand seven hundred and twenty.
Ezra 2:67 nkjv
their camels four hundred and thirty-five, and their donkeys six thousand seven hundred and twenty.
Ezra 2:67 niv
435 camels and 6,720 donkeys.
Ezra 2:67 esv
their camels were 435, and their donkeys were 6,720.
Ezra 2:67 nlt
435 camels, and 6,720 donkeys.
Ezra 2 67 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Neh 7:69 | Their camels, four hundred thirty and five: their asses... six thousand seven hundred and twenty. | Parallel census data in Nehemiah, confirming the numbers for the returnees' animals. |
| Gen 12:16 | ...and he treated Abram well for her sake; and he had sheep, oxen, male donkeys, male servants, female servants, female donkeys, and camels. | Illustrates livestock as a sign of wealth and God's blessing in early Israelite history. |
| Gen 24:10 | ...Abraham's servant took ten camels...and he went. | Highlights camels as essential for long-distance journeys, suitable for the return from exile. |
| Gen 45:23 | ...Joseph sent donkeys loaded with the best things of Egypt...and ten female donkeys loaded with grain... | Shows donkeys used for transporting provisions and essential goods. |
| Ex 12:35-36 | The sons of Israel had done according to the word of Moses; and they had asked...silver, gold, and clothing... | God's provision of resources to His people as they depart from bondage, echoing the exile return. |
| Num 1:2 | "Take a census of all the congregation of the sons of Israel, by their families..." | Emphasizes the importance of meticulous numbering and record-keeping in Israel's history. |
| Deut 28:12 | "The LORD will open for you His good storehouse, the heavens, to give rain...and to bless all the work of your hand..." | Points to God as the ultimate source of blessing and provision, enabling the resources for return. |
| Isa 11:11-12 | ...the Lord will again recover the second time...from Assyria, from Egypt...from Babylonia...and gather the dispersed of Judah... | Prophetic promise of return from exile, to which Ezra's account serves as a partial fulfillment. |
| Jer 29:10 | "For thus says the LORD, 'When seventy years have been completed for Babylon, I will visit you and fulfill My good word to you, to bring you back to this place.'" | The prophecy fulfilled by the return from exile, supported by the detailed list of returnees and resources. |
| Eze 37:12-14 | "...I will open your graves and cause you to come up...and bring you into the land of Israel." | Metaphorical return from exile and restoration, which the historical event in Ezra embodies. |
| Zec 8:7-8 | "Thus says the LORD of hosts, 'Behold, I am going to save My people...and I will bring them back.'" | Prophetic affirmation of God's active role in restoring His people to their land. |
| Psa 126:1 | When the LORD brought back the captive ones of Zion, we were like those who dream. | Expresses the awe and wonder of the return from exile, made possible by such provisions. |
| Ezra 1:4 | "And every survivor, in whatever place he may sojourn, let the men of his place support him..." | Indicates the financial and material support gathered for the returnees, which would include animals. |
| Ezra 3:7 | Then they gave money to the masons and the carpenters, and food, drink, and oil... | Shows resources like those from Ezr 2:67 being applied directly to the work of rebuilding. |
| Hag 1:1-8 | Encouragement for the people to rise up and build the house of the LORD. | God's prompting and enabling His people, through resources like the animals, to rebuild. |
| Matt 21:7 | They brought the donkey and the colt, and laid their garments on them; and He sat on them. | Highlights the humble utility of donkeys, mirroring their vital role for the returning exiles. |
| 2 Ki 8:9 | ...Hazael went to meet him and took a present with him, even every good thing of Damascus, forty camels' load... | Illustrates camels as carriers of wealth and valuable goods. |
| 1 Ch 27:30 | Over the camels was Obil the Ishmaelite; over the donkeys was Jehdeiah the Meronothite. | Indicates the specialized care and importance given to camels and donkeys in Israel's logistics. |
| Job 1:3 | ...his possessions were seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred yoke of oxen, five hundred female donkeys... | Shows large animal herds as a significant indicator of prosperity. |
| Isa 30:6 | Through a land of trouble and distress...they carry their wealth on the backs of donkeys, and their treasures on the humps of camels... | Illustrates the use of donkeys and camels for carrying valuable goods, connecting to the exile return. |
Ezra 2 verses
Ezra 2 67 Meaning
Ezra 2:67 precisely itemizes a portion of the vast resources accompanying the initial wave of exiles returning from Babylon to Judah. It specifically states that the repatriating community possessed four hundred thirty-five camels and six thousand seven hundred and twenty donkeys. This meticulous count highlights the practical logistics and substantial wealth the returnees brought with them for the arduous journey and the subsequent task of rebuilding their homeland and the Temple.
Ezra 2 67 Context
Ezra chapter 2 is a precise register of the first group of Israelites who returned from Babylonian captivity to Judah under the leadership of Zerubbabel and Jeshua, following King Cyrus's decree. This chapter, mirrored in Nehemiah 7, serves as an official census, listing the various families, priestly and Levitical lines, temple servants, and the general populace who committed to the repatriation. It culminates with a detailed inventory of their servants, musicians, and, significantly, their transport animals and precious metals. Verse 67 specifically fits within this detailed listing, providing the numbers for the crucial beasts of burden, highlighting the logistical magnitude of their journey and their resources available for re-establishment in a desolated land. The inclusion of such specific figures underscores the historical accuracy and importance placed on this divinely orchestrated return as a new beginning for God's covenant people.
Ezra 2 67 Word analysis
- their camels: (Heb. g'mallayhem, גמליהם).
- Meaning: Specifically referring to a group of hump-backed ruminants domesticated for carrying heavy loads over long distances, particularly in arid regions. "Their" signifies ownership by the returning exiles.
- Significance: Camels were premium beasts of burden, invaluable for the long and arduous journey from Babylonia across the desert terrain back to Judah. Their ability to carry substantial weight and travel for extended periods without water made them indispensable for large-scale migrations like this one. They also represented a considerable financial asset, indicating the wealth the exiles either retained or had been given.
- four hundred thirty and five: (Heb. arba' me'ot sh'loshim vachamishah, ארבע מאות שלשים וחמשה).
- Meaning: The exact numerical quantity of camels, 435.
- Significance: The precise figure underscores the meticulous record-keeping of the ancient Near East and the administrative order of the returning community. It confirms a sizable, though not overwhelming, number for long-haul transport.
- their donkeys: (Heb. chamorayhem, חמוריהם).
- Meaning: Referring to "their male asses," domesticated animals typically used for burden, riding, and agricultural work, known for their strength relative to size and endurance. "Their" denotes ownership.
- Significance: Donkeys were the most common and versatile pack animals. While camels handled the heaviest, long-distance loads, donkeys were vital for everyday transport, local hauling of supplies and building materials, and potentially some personal travel for the vast majority of the returning community. Their numerical superiority reflects their common use and adaptability for a variety of tasks crucial to rebuilding life in Judah.
- six thousand seven hundred and twenty: (Heb. sheshet alafim v'sheva me'ot v'esrim, ששת אלפים ושבע מאות ועשרים).
- Meaning: The exact numerical quantity of donkeys, 6,720.
- Significance: This significantly higher number (approximately 15 times that of camels) indicates the primary reliance on donkeys for general transport and daily needs among the returned exiles. It reflects the scale of the human population being moved and settled, demonstrating their capacity to re-establish an agricultural and settled society, given the resources for plowing, transport, and other tasks essential for daily life.
Ezra 2 67 Bonus section
The numbers recorded for the animals in Ezra 2:67, when compared to the parallel list in Neh 7:69, are identical, demonstrating a consistent record for these specific categories. While some minor numerical discrepancies appear in other sections between the two lists (e.g., in the number of returning individuals), the agreement on animals underscores the reliability and careful transcription of this critical census data related to the material wealth supporting the return. These animals represented not only a means of transport but also a source of sustained labor for agriculture, drawing water, and construction in their re-established homeland, vital for the early years of rebuilding and settlement in the desolated land. Their substantial numbers indicated the resilience and foresight of the returning community, reflecting their readiness to reclaim their heritage and serve God once again in His land.
Ezra 2 67 Commentary
Ezra 2:67 is a testament to the practicalities and scale of the return from Babylonian exile, detailing the significant assets of camels and donkeys. These animals were far more than mere inventory items; they were fundamental enablers of God's redemptive plan. The presence of such a large number of transport animals, particularly the indispensable donkeys, illustrates the community's logistical capability to undertake the lengthy journey and then sustain itself and commence the daunting task of rebuilding the Temple and the city of Jerusalem. The precision of the numbers reflects God's meticulous care for His covenant people and highlights the miraculous nature of the return – a massive undertaking made possible by His divine provision and prompting. It points to an ordered, not haphazard, restoration, laying a solid foundation for the new era of Judah's history. This detail reminds us that God's great redemptive acts often involve the diligent efforts and practical resources of His people.