Ezra 8 8

Ezra 8:8 kjv

And of the sons of Shephatiah; Zebadiah the son of Michael, and with him fourscore males.

Ezra 8:8 nkjv

of the sons of Shephatiah, Zebadiah the son of Michael, and with him eighty males;

Ezra 8:8 niv

of the descendants of Shephatiah, Zebadiah son of Michael, and with him 80 men;

Ezra 8:8 esv

Of the sons of Shephatiah, Zebadiah the son of Michael, and with him 80 men.

Ezra 8:8 nlt

From the family of Shephatiah: Zebadiah son of Michael and 80 other men.

Ezra 8 verses

Ezra 8 8 Meaning

Ezra chapter 8 verse 8 details specific individuals and their families who returned to Jerusalem from Babylonian exile with Ezra. It records that Hattush, along with Sebaniah and their associates, came from the family of Bigvai, and Jeduthun with his associates came from the family of Binnui. This verse, part of a longer genealogical list, highlights the structured and organized return of the Jewish community, emphasizing the importance of lineage and communal participation in the restoration efforts.

Ezra 8 8 Context

Ezra 8 provides a detailed account of the second major return of Jewish exiles from Babylon to Jerusalem, led by Ezra during the reign of King Artaxerxes I (circa 458 BC). Having secured a royal decree for this journey, Ezra's primary task was to re-establish proper worship and adherence to the Law of Moses among the Jewish community in Judah.

The immediate context of Ezra 8:8 is a census that Ezra undertakes at the river Ahava (Ezra 8:15). Before embarking on the dangerous journey, Ezra meticulously lists the male heads of families (vv. 1-14) who committed to accompany him. This list served several critical purposes: to ensure the presence of a substantial and representative Jewish contingent, to affirm their legitimate lineage (important for inheritance and temple service), and to account for all who chose to make the pilgrimage. Verse 8 is part of this enumeration, specifically identifying members of the families of Bigvai and Binnui. Later in the chapter, Ezra recognizes a lack of Levites among the returnees (v. 15), leading him to recruit more, emphasizing the crucial role of spiritual leaders. The chapter culminates with Ezra's decision to fast and pray for God's protection for their journey, rather than requesting a royal escort, demonstrating their trust in divine providence for the treasures and their lives.

The broader context of the Book of Ezra centers on God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises of restoring His people to their land after the seventy-year Babylonian captivity. It highlights the rebuilding of the temple (chapters 1-6) and the spiritual restoration of the community under Ezra's leadership (chapters 7-10), with emphasis on purity of worship, adherence to the Mosaic Law, and the careful separation of the Israelite community from surrounding peoples.

Historically, this period falls within the Achaemenid Persian Empire. The return was sanctioned by Persian kings, indicating a unique window of opportunity for the exiled Jews to reconstitute their religious and communal life under their own laws within the larger empire. The journey itself was perilous, fraught with dangers from bandits and wilderness, underscoring the faith and dedication of those who chose to return.

Ezra 8 8 Word analysis

• וּמִבְּנֵי (ū-mi-bbənēy): "And from the sons of..."

  • וּ (ū): "And" – Connective conjunction, linking this entry to previous family listings. Indicates continuation of the organized list.
  • מִ (mi): "from" – Preposition indicating origin or association with a group. Signifies membership or lineage.
  • בְּנֵי (bənēy): "sons of" (construct state of bānīm, "sons") – Refers to descendants, family, or members of a lineage/clan. In biblical genealogies, "sons of" often denotes a patriarchal lineage rather than literal offspring only. It highlights the communal and familial identity of the returnees, crucial for the re-establishment of the nation.

• בִגְוַי (biḡway): "Bigvai"

  • This is a personal name, also indicating a family or clan name. The family of Bigvai was notably large among the post-exilic returnees (Ezra 2:14 lists 2,056 or 2,067, and Neh 7:19 lists 2,067 under this family in the first return). Its inclusion here signifies its continued prominence and commitment to the second wave of returnees. The name likely means "my clothing" or "gardener."

• חַטּוּשׁ (ḥaṭṭūš): "Hattush"

  • A proper noun, identifying a specific individual as a leader or prominent member within the family of Bigvai. The name might mean "he bows down." It's important to distinguish this Hattush (of Bigvai) from Hattush son of Shecaniah mentioned in Ezra 8:2, who was a descendant of David. This particular Hattush likely led a segment of the Bigvai family.

• וּשְׁכַנְיָה (ū-šḵanyāh): "And Sebaniah" (or Shecaniah)

  • וּ (ū): "And" – Connective, indicating another person alongside Hattush.
  • שְׁכַנְיָה (šḵanyāh): A proper noun. The name means "Jehovah has dwelt" or "Jehovah is indwelling." This name appears in various contexts in Ezra-Nehemiah, sometimes as a priest or Levite. Here, he is explicitly associated "with him" (Hattush), suggesting he was a close associate, a prominent kinsman, or part of Hattush's retinue.

• עִמּוֹ (ʿim-mōw): "with him"

  • עִם (ʿim): "with" – Preposition denoting companionship, association, or being alongside.
  • וֹ (ōw): Third person masculine singular suffix, "him" – Refers back to Hattush. This phrase indicates that Hattush was not traveling alone, but accompanied by Sebaniah and likely others under his authority or as his fellow travelers from the Bigvai clan. It emphasizes the communal nature of the journey rather than just a list of individual heads.

• וּמִבְּנֵי (ū-mi-bbənēy): "And from the sons of..." (repeated for the next family)

  • Functionally identical to its previous occurrence, indicating the start of another familial group in the list.

• בִנּוּי (binnūy): "Binnui"

  • A proper name, indicating another family or clan. The name means "my building" or "built." Members of the Binnui family, including some identifiable as Levites or temple servants, appear in Ezra-Nehemiah (e.g., Ezra 10:30; Neh 7:15, 10:9). Their presence here, especially linked to Jeduthun, hints at their potential role in temple service or music.

• יְדוּתוּן (yəḏūṯūn): "Jeduthun"

  • A prominent proper name. The name means "Praiser" or "Praise-giver." Most notably, Jeduthun was a chief musician or choirmaster from the Levites during David's time (1 Chr 16:41; 25:1, 3, 6; 2 Chr 5:12). Psalms 39, 62, and 77 are specifically addressed "to the choirmaster: to Jeduthun." His inclusion among the returnees signifies the re-establishment of organized temple worship and musical liturgy. This Jeduthun might be a direct descendant or simply a notable person continuing the name and likely the musical/temple role associated with it.

• עִמּוֹ (ʿim-mōw): "with him" (repeated for the second group)

  • Identical to its previous occurrence, this time referring to Jeduthun. It similarly indicates that Jeduthun was accompanied by others from the Binnui family, reinforcing the concept of communal movement and the full involvement of family units.

• Words-group by words-group analysis:

  • "And of the sons of Bigvai, Hattush, and Sebaniah with him;": This phrase highlights the organized recruitment of distinct family units. The detailed enumeration of individuals ("Hattush," "Sebaniah") within a major clan ("Bigvai") shows a meticulous approach to documenting who participated in this pivotal return. The repeated phrase "with him" is crucial; it means more than just listing an individual. It implies a leader or primary figure (Hattush) coming with a recognized subordinate or fellow traveler (Sebaniah) and likely other members of their family/group, indicating a structured contingent and mutual support.
  • "and of the sons of Binnui, Jeduthun with him;": This phrase continues the same pattern of meticulous accounting, identifying another prominent family ("Binnui") and a key individual ("Jeduthun") leading their segment. The inclusion of Jeduthun, a name strongly associated with Levitical temple music, is significant. It implies the strategic intention to bring back not just people, but individuals with specialized skills and roles necessary for the proper functioning of the restored temple and its worship, such as the restoration of temple liturgy and praise.

Ezra 8 8 Bonus section

• The very act of keeping such detailed genealogical records, like the one Ezra provides here, underscores a significant aspect of Israelite society and religious practice: identity, land inheritance, and qualification for priestly or Levitical service were inextricably linked to one's lineage. This attention to detail ensured that the returning community could legitimately re-establish its legal and religious framework in the Promised Land.
• The prominence of names found in earlier return lists (Ezra 2, Nehemiah 7) reinforces the continuity of the community's commitment over several decades to the post-exilic restoration project, showing a long-term dedication spanning generations.
• While Ezra 8:8 doesn't explicitly state the individuals' specific roles beyond family heads, the mention of "Jeduthun" strongly suggests the return of specialized temple functionaries. This foreshadows Ezra's later concern (Ezra 8:15-20) for gathering more Levites, as a comprehensive group of priests, Levites, singers, and temple servants was essential for full spiritual restoration.

Ezra 8 8 Commentary

Ezra 8:8, while appearing as a simple genealogical record, holds profound significance in the biblical narrative of the restoration. It showcases Ezra's meticulousness and the divinely guided organization of the return. Every name listed signifies a commitment to rebuild not just structures, but the very fabric of Israelite identity, community, and covenant faithfulness. The specific naming of individuals like Hattush and Jeduthun within larger family units (Bigvai, Binnui) emphasizes the collective yet individually accountable nature of this return. The presence of a "Jeduthun" strongly suggests the vital restoration of temple worship, particularly the sacred music and praise, which were central to Israelite religious life. The repeated "with him" illustrates that this was a communal endeavor; leaders brought their families and associates, embodying the unity and solidarity essential for overcoming the dangers of the journey and the challenges of rebuilding. This seemingly mundane list is therefore a testament to God's hand in gathering His scattered people, raising up leaders, and orchestrating every detail for the renewal of His covenant people. It reflects God's meticulous care for His people and the careful planning undertaken by Ezra, reflecting God's nature as a God of order and purpose.