Ezra 8 6

Ezra 8:6 kjv

Of the sons also of Adin; Ebed the son of Jonathan, and with him fifty males.

Ezra 8:6 nkjv

of the sons of Adin, Ebed the son of Jonathan, and with him fifty males;

Ezra 8:6 niv

of the descendants of Adin, Ebed son of Jonathan, and with him 50 men;

Ezra 8:6 esv

Of the sons of Adin, Ebed the son of Jonathan, and with him 50 men.

Ezra 8:6 nlt

From the family of Adin: Ebed son of Jonathan and 50 other men.

Ezra 8 verses

Ezra 8 6 Meaning

Ezra 8:6 records the specific detail of a returning group of exiles with Ezra. It states that from the family line of Adin, a man named Ebed, who was the son of Jonathan, joined the journey back to Jerusalem. He brought with him a contingent of fifty male individuals. This verse is part of a detailed list enumerating the leaders and the number of men accompanying Ezra from Babylon, emphasizing the organized and voluntary nature of this crucial second return to Judah.

Ezra 8 6 Context

This verse is situated in Ezra chapter 8, which meticulously details the second major wave of Jewish exiles returning from Babylon to Jerusalem under the leadership of Ezra the scribe. Occurring roughly thirteen years after the first return led by Zerubbabel, Ezra’s journey was specifically focused on spiritual and legal restoration rather than just physical rebuilding of the Temple. Ezra 8 begins by listing the heads of families who joined Ezra, along with the numbers of men they brought. This served as both a register of participants and a record of the community's commitment. Verse 6 specifically identifies Ebed from the family of Adin, highlighting the individual contributions and organized nature of the return. Historically, this event took place under the reign of Artaxerxes I of Persia, who allowed and supported the Jewish return and restoration efforts.

Ezra 8 6 Word analysis

• Of the sons of Adin (מִבְּנֵ֤י עָדִין֙ – mibbĕnê ‘āḏîn)

  • mibbĕnê: "from the sons of," emphasizing descent and lineage, vital for identity, tribal affiliation, and inheritance in ancient Israel.
  • ‘Āḏîn: A specific family or clan head. The family of Adin is also listed among those who returned with Zerubbabel in Ezra 2:15 and Neh 7:20, showing a continued connection to the restoration efforts across generations or different returning contingents. Their continuous participation highlights the ongoing commitment of specific families.
  • Significance: Confirms the identity and family background of those returning, linking them to their heritage as part of God's covenant people.

• Ebed (עֶ֖בֶד – ‘eḇeḏ)

  • Meaning: "servant" or "slave." A common biblical name, often connoting dedication or humility before God or a master.
  • Significance: While a common name, in the context of returning to serve God in Jerusalem, his name subtly resonates with the act of faithful service.

• the son of Jonathan (בֶּן־יוֹנָתָ֑ן – ben-yôwnāṯān)

  • ben: "son of," the standard patronymic structure in Hebrew, specifying paternal lineage.
  • Yôwnāṯān: "The LORD has given" or "Yahweh has given." Another widely used name.
  • Significance: Precisely identifies the individual, distinguishing him from others who might bear the same family name. It emphasizes the importance of accurate lineage in the register of those returning.

• and with him (וְעִמּ֥וֹ – wĕ‘immô)

  • wĕ: "and."
  • ‘immô: "with him." This phrase indicates that Ebed was a recognized leader or representative for this group, implying organization and delegation within Ezra's larger company.
  • Significance: Points to a structured leadership where specific individuals were responsible for a certain number of returnees, reflecting a deliberate and ordered movement.

• fifty males (חֲמִשִּׁ֥ים מַכְּזָרִֽים – ḥămiššîm makzkārîm)

  • ḥămiššîm: "fifty." A specific numerical count.
  • makzkārîm: "males" (masculine gender). This typically refers to adult men capable of work, defense, or fulfilling community obligations. Women and children, while undoubtedly present, are often excluded from such specific census numbers focused on those roles.
  • Significance: The precise number highlights meticulous record-keeping for the return journey, demonstrating a level of accountability and organization. It also signifies a significant contribution from this particular family contingent to the returning remnant, ready to undertake the demanding work of rebuilding and re-establishing the community.

Words-group Analysis

• "Of the sons of Adin, Ebed the son of Jonathan": This phrase highlights the importance of precise genealogy and individual identity within the broader community of the returning exiles. It underscores that this was not a chaotic migration but a structured return rooted in family and heritage, demonstrating the preservation of specific tribal and familial lines within God's people even through exile. This adherence to family records would be critical for land claims and future Messianic hopes.

• "and with him fifty males": This segment reveals the practical organization of Ezra's expedition. It indicates that Ebed was not alone, but a recognized leader or family head responsible for a group of fifty capable men. This speaks to the voluntary, disciplined nature of the return, where individuals pooled their resources and committed themselves to the arduous task ahead. The explicit mention of "males" highlights the strength and capacity brought by each group for the immense work of re-establishing a society, including potential defense.

Ezra 8 6 Bonus section

• The variations in the number of "sons of Adin" reported across Ezra 2, Neh 7, and Ezra 8 (454, 655, and 50 respectively) indicate different points of enumeration or different sub-groups from the same larger family. The fifty men with Ebed represent a specific contingent accompanying Ezra in this particular return journey, separate from the main body that came earlier with Zerubbabel.
• The emphasis on "males" (מַכְּזָרִֽים) in the biblical censuses for specific purposes, such as war or rebuilding efforts, focuses on those with strength and capacity for physical labor or defense, rather than diminishing the importance of women and children who were undoubtedly part of the broader migration.
• The detailed listings in Ezra serve not only as a historical record but also as a demonstration of the continuity of God's covenant with His people, highlighting His faithfulness in preserving a lineage through whom His ultimate redemptive plan would unfold. These returnees are active participants in a crucial phase of salvation history, bridging the exilic period with the rebuilding era.

Ezra 8 6 Commentary

Ezra 8:6 provides a seemingly simple line item within a longer list, yet it carries profound theological and historical weight. It encapsulates the meticulous divine oversight and human response characteristic of the post-exilic restoration. The naming of "Ebed the son of Jonathan, from the sons of Adin" emphasizes the divine preservation of a distinct people, whose lineage was meticulously maintained, fulfilling ancient promises. His bringing "fifty males" signifies not just a count, but a commitment – these were men dedicated to re-establishing their homeland and faith under Ezra's spiritual leadership. This small group, multiplied across many such entries, formed the willing remnant that returned, exemplifying faith and obedience in undertaking the challenging, God-ordained task of renewal in Judah. It illustrates that every individual and family group contributed meaningfully to God's larger redemptive plan.