Ezra 8 7

Ezra 8:7 kjv

And of the sons of Elam; Jeshaiah the son of Athaliah, and with him seventy males.

Ezra 8:7 nkjv

of the sons of Elam, Jeshaiah the son of Athaliah, and with him seventy males;

Ezra 8:7 niv

of the descendants of Elam, Jeshaiah son of Athaliah, and with him 70 men;

Ezra 8:7 esv

Of the sons of Elam, Jeshaiah the son of Athaliah, and with him 70 men.

Ezra 8:7 nlt

From the family of Elam: Jeshaiah son of Athaliah and 70 other men.

Ezra 8 verses

Ezra 8 7 Meaning

Ezra 8:7 details one specific contingent of Jewish exiles returning from Babylon to Jerusalem with Ezra during the second major wave of repatriation. It lists Jeshaiah, identified as a descendant from the family of Elam and son of Athaliah, as a leader accompanying seventy male individuals. This verse serves as a meticulous record of the people comprising the return, highlighting the organized nature of this spiritual and physical restoration.

Ezra 8 7 Context

Ezra chapter 8 provides a detailed account of the second major wave of Jewish exiles returning from Babylon to Jerusalem under the leadership of Ezra. This journey took place about 60 years after the first return led by Zerubbabel. Ezra, a scribe skilled in the Law of Moses, was commissioned by King Artaxerxes I of Persia to lead this contingent with the specific mission to enforce the Law of God and establish order in the land. Ezra 8:1-14 lists the family heads who accompanied him, along with the number of males they brought, serving as a meticulously recorded register of those committed to this vital repatriation. Verse 7 specifically notes one of these crucial contributing families. This return aimed not merely at physical reconstruction but at spiritual renewal and the re-establishment of the community under divine law, critical after generations of exile and assimilation threats.

Ezra 8 7 Word analysis

• וּמִבְּנֵי (u-mi-b'nê) - "And from the sons of": The prefix "and" connects this entry to the continuous list of returning families. "From the sons of" indicates direct descent, signifying tribal or clan identity. This was essential for identity and maintaining community structure.
• אֵלָם (ʾÊlām) - "Elam": Refers to a prominent ancestral family group among the exiles. The family of Elam is repeatedly mentioned in lists of post-exilic returnees, underscoring their enduring presence and contribution.
• יְשַׁעְיָה (Yəšaʿyā) - "Jeshaiah": A common Hebrew name meaning "Salvation of Yahweh." This individual is the designated leader or head of household for this particular contingent from the Elamite clan.
• בֶן־עֲתַלְיָה (ben-ʿAṯalyā) - "son of Athaliah": "Son of" clarifies patrilineal lineage, vital for ancient identity and record-keeping. "Athaliah" is Jeshaiah's father, further distinguishing this specific Jeshaiah amidst potentially other individuals with the same common first name.
• וְעִמּוֹ (wəʿimmô) - "and with him": This phrase signifies that the seventy males were under Jeshaiah's direct leadership, responsibility, or accompanied him on the journey. It highlights a structured migration under specific leadership.
• שִׁבְעִים (šivʿîm) - "seventy": The number seventy holds significant biblical weight, often denoting completeness or a representative assembly. Examples include Jacob's household entering Egypt and Moses appointing seventy elders. In this context, it indicates a substantial and perhaps divinely ordained number of men accompanying Jeshaiah.
• אִישׁ (ʾîš) - "males" / "men": Specifically refers to adult men. Ancient demographic records often focused on adult males as they constituted the primary labor force, warriors, and leaders. It excludes women and children from this specific count, though they were undoubtedly part of the returning groups.

• "from the sons of Elam, Jeshaiah son of Athaliah": This precise genealogical identification affirms the continuity of specific Israelite lineages post-exile. It reinforces the importance of ancestral connection for reclaiming their heritage and roles in Judah. This meticulous detail also authenticated their right to return and participate in the rebuilding efforts.
• "and with him seventy males": This phrase delineates the specific number of individuals for whom Jeshaiah bore responsibility. The mention of "seventy" might be numerically exact while also carrying symbolic resonance from other biblically significant groups of seventy, implying a divinely purposed contingent for the rebuilding and re-establishment of the Jewish community. The focus on "males" underscores their primary role in defense, labor, and spiritual leadership in the arduous task ahead.

Ezra 8 7 Bonus section

The meticulous recording of names and numbers throughout Ezra chapter 8 demonstrates the immense importance placed on accountability and continuity in post-exilic Israel. Such detailed lists ensured not only an accurate census for rebuilding but also preserved tribal identities and priestly lineages, vital for a community striving to reconstitute itself in accordance with God's covenant. This type of structured return served as a foundation for re-establishing national identity after years of dispersion and assimilation. The focus on named leaders and their specific contingents underscores a core principle of faithful action: individual commitment under a chosen head, united for a divinely ordained purpose. The physical perils of the journey from Babylon meant that collective organization, like the group led by Jeshaiah, was not just administrative but crucial for survival and mutual support against threats.

Ezra 8 7 Commentary

Ezra 8:7 offers more than just a name and a number; it is a profound testament to the intricate detail and divine orchestration involved in the post-exilic return. The naming of "Jeshaiah son of Athaliah, from the sons of Elam," powerfully emphasizes the critical importance of lineage and identity to the returning community. In a world where identity was often fractured by displacement, preserving these genealogical links was paramount for tribal integrity, land claims, and religious roles. The leadership demonstrated by Jeshaiah, taking responsibility for "seventy males," reflects the organized nature of this migration, emphasizing human agency guided by God. The recurring biblical motif of "seventy" (e.g., the original descent into Egypt, Moses' elders) suggests this was not a mere arbitrary count but potentially a unit of divine completeness or a substantial representation. These "males" were the core of the community, responsible for physical rebuilding, defense, and the re-establishment of societal structures based on the Law of God. The verse ultimately highlights faithful stewardship: specific individuals leading dedicated groups back to their homeland to participate in God's grand plan of restoration.