Ezra 8 5

Ezra 8:5 kjv

Of the sons of Shechaniah; the son of Jahaziel, and with him three hundred males.

Ezra 8:5 nkjv

of the sons of Shechaniah, Ben-Jahaziel, and with him three hundred males;

Ezra 8:5 niv

of the descendants of Zattu, Shekaniah son of Jahaziel, and with him 300 men;

Ezra 8:5 esv

Of the sons of Zattu, Shecaniah the son of Jahaziel, and with him 300 men.

Ezra 8:5 nlt

From the family of Zattu : Shecaniah son of Jahaziel and 300 other men.

Ezra 8 verses

Ezra 8 5 Meaning

Ezra 8:5 records a portion of the comprehensive list of families and their appointed leaders, along with the number of men accompanying them, who assembled with Ezra to return from Babylonian exile to Jerusalem. This verse specifically identifies Shecaniah, a leader from the family of Zattu, and Zechariah, a leader from the family of Arah, noting that 150 men were officially registered with Zechariah for the journey. It is part of a meticulous accounting of those joining this significant spiritual and physical return.

Ezra 8 5 Context

Ezra chapter 8 details the second major group of exiles returning from Babylon to Jerusalem, led by the scribe Ezra. This specific journey takes place after Zerubbabel's initial return, nearly 80 years later. Ezra, empowered by Persian King Artaxerxes, is focused on re-establishing the Law of God and priestly functions in Judah. Verses 1-14 list the heads of the family groups that gathered with Ezra at the river Ahava before their arduous and dangerous trek. Each entry identifies a family name, a specific leader from that family, and the number of males accompanying them. This meticulous registration was vital for verifying the identity, lineage, and roles of the returnees in rebuilding their community, claiming ancestral lands, and reinstating proper worship. The historical backdrop is the post-exilic period under the tolerant yet controlling rule of the Persian Empire, where a remnant of Israel was divinely stirred to return to their ancestral land and faith.

Ezra 8 5 Word analysis

• and of the sons of Zattu (בְּנֵי זַתּוּא - b'nei Zattu): "B'nei" means "sons of," denoting descendants or a clan belonging to Zattu. This family was prominent, having been among the first returnees with Zerubbabel (Ezra 2:8; Neh 7:13). Their inclusion underscores the continuity and faithfulness of established Israelite families returning generations later.
• Shecaniah the son of Jahaziel (שְׁכַנְיָה בֶּן־יַחֲזִיאֵל - Shekanyah ben Yahaziel): "Shecaniah" (שׁכַנְיָה) means "Yahweh has dwelt" or "Yahweh has abode." "Jahaziel" (יַחֲזִיאֵל) means "God sees." These names often conveyed a family's theological understanding or hope. Shecaniah serves as the representative leader for the Zattu family, indicating an assigned or recognized role in marshalling and guiding his family's contingent.
• and of the sons of Arah (בְּנֵי אָרַח - b'nei Arach): Again, "sons of" points to the family lineage of Arah, another family also noted in the first return (Ezra 2:5; Neh 7:10). This confirms their ongoing presence and commitment among the returnees.
• Zechariah the son of Zechariah (זְכַרְיָה בֶּן־זְכַרְיָה - Zekaryah ben Zekaryah): "Zechariah" (זְכַרְיָה) means "Yahweh remembers." It is a common name, and the repetition (son of same-named father) is notable. This likely clarifies identity within potentially numerous individuals named Zechariah from the Arah family, suggesting a direct, perhaps notable, paternal lineage or a customary family naming pattern for distinction in records.
• and with him were registered (וְעִמּוֹ הִתְיַחֵשׁ - v'immo hityachesh): "Hityachesh" is a key verb, meaning "to be enrolled by genealogy," "to register oneself," or "to trace oneself genealogically." It implies a formal and deliberate process, highlighting that these individuals were not simply counted, but officially listed with verified family origins. This was critical for affirming their tribal rights, roles (especially priestly), and ensuring their place in the restored community of Israel.
• 150 men (מֵאָה וַחֲמִשִּׁים אִישׁ - me'ah va-chamishim ish): This specific number typically refers to adult males capable of travel, defense, and labor. The meticulous counting signifies organization, planning, and accountability for the dangerous journey ahead.

Words-group analysis:

• "sons of Zattu... Shecaniah... sons of Arah... Zechariah": This structure emphasizes the importance of both corporate family identity ("sons of") and individual leadership within those family units ("Shecaniah... Zechariah"). It reflects an organized gathering where distinct ancestral lines were preserved and represented by recognized figures. The emphasis on lineage was foundational to Israel's identity and inheritance.
• "and with him were registered 150 men": This phrase underlines the highly organized and systematic nature of this return journey. The verb "registered" (hityachesh) underscores a formal process rooted in ancestral records, critical for legitimacy in the returning community. The specific numerical count provides clear accountability and a pragmatic sense of the scale and resources required for their undertaking. This detail-orientation reflects the practical logistics overseen by Ezra and the providential order of God in orchestrating their return.

Ezra 8 5 Bonus section

The repetitive listing of "sons of [Family Name]" followed by "X the son of Y" reveals the customary method of maintaining records and lineage in ancient Israel. This wasn't merely a roll call but a documentation of specific, traceable family units ensuring purity of bloodline, which was paramount for validating claims to the priesthood and tribal inheritances in the rebuilt Judah. The individuals named, though perhaps not the absolute patriarchs of their families, were undoubtedly key representatives entrusted with the responsibility of marshalling their kinsmen for this significant pilgrimage, demonstrating delegated leadership within broader family structures. While women and children were certainly part of the migrating population, the explicit counting of "men" signifies those fit for active duty—travel, defense, labor, and re-establishing the community, highlighting the practical challenges and male-centric societal roles of the time in such enterprises.

Ezra 8 5 Commentary

Ezra 8:5 serves as a testament to the profound importance of continuity, lineage, and order in the post-exilic Jewish community. Far from being a mere dry list, this verse illustrates how specific families, through their chosen leaders, actively participated in God's unfolding plan of restoration. The act of "registration" based on genealogy was not just bureaucratic; it was deeply theological, reaffirming the identity and legitimacy of God's chosen people, crucial for land inheritance, temple service, and national purity after generations in exile. The precise number of men, led by appointed figures like Shecaniah and Zechariah, reveals the deliberate organization and dedication required for this perilous but faith-filled journey back to Jerusalem, setting an example of commitment to God's calling through structured community action.