Ezra 8 9

Ezra 8:9 kjv

Of the sons of Joab; Obadiah the son of Jehiel, and with him two hundred and eighteen males.

Ezra 8:9 nkjv

of the sons of Joab, Obadiah the son of Jehiel, and with him two hundred and eighteen males;

Ezra 8:9 niv

of the descendants of Joab, Obadiah son of Jehiel, and with him 218 men;

Ezra 8:9 esv

Of the sons of Joab, Obadiah the son of Jehiel, and with him 218 men.

Ezra 8:9 nlt

From the family of Joab: Obadiah son of Jehiel and 218 other men.

Ezra 8 verses

Ezra 8 9 Meaning

Ezra 8:9 continues the meticulous enumeration of leading families and their numbers who joined Ezra on the second major return journey from Babylonian exile to Jerusalem. This verse specifically lists Jedidiah, from the sons of Binnui, and Shemaiah, from the sons of Kadmiel. It further states that accompanying Shemaiah were Jehonathan and his sons and his brethren, totaling eighty individuals. The passage emphasizes the careful, divinely organized nature of this return, highlighting the restoration of the community by specific family units.

Ezra 8 9 Context

Ezra chapter 8 documents Ezra’s personal journey from Babylon to Jerusalem in the seventh year of King Artaxerxes’ reign, along with a second wave of exiles. This journey occurred approximately 13 years after the completion of the temple rebuilding under Zerubbabel. Unlike the initial return that prioritized temple construction, Ezra's primary mission was to re-establish the Law of God and spiritual purity among the returnees. Chapters 7 and 8 meticulously list the returning families and the leading men among them, detailing the provisions and the divine protection granted for their perilous journey. Verse 9 is part of this careful inventory, indicating the family heads, their specific affiliations, and the number of individuals under their charge. This detailed listing not only provided a record for the returning community but also emphasized the orderly nature of their departure and their collective commitment to God’s plan of restoration. The presence of Levites, such as those associated with Kadmiel, underscores the aim of revitalizing proper worship and temple service in Jerusalem.

Ezra 8 9 Word analysis

• Of the sons of Binnui: This phrase indicates a lineage. "Binnui" (Hebrew: בִּנּוּי֙, Binnûy) means "built" or "my building," suggesting a connection to rebuilding or foundation. It designates a family or clan from which Jedidiah originates, signifying their tribal identity and heritage crucial in post-exilic Israel.
• Jedediah: (Hebrew: יְדִידְיָה֙, Yəḏîḏəyāh). This name literally means "beloved of Yah" or "beloved of the LORD." While the famous Jedidiah in the Bible refers to Solomon (2 Sam 12:25), this is a different individual and a distinct family head. Its presence here signifies a valued member or a person blessed by God, contributing to the community's re-establishment.
• of the sons of Kadmiel: Identifies another prominent lineage. "Kadmiel" (Hebrew: קַדְמִיאֵ֔ל, Qaḏmî’ēl) means "God is ancient" or "God of old." The Kadmielites were a notable family among the Levites, frequently mentioned in lists of returnees (Ezra 2:40, 3:9; Neh 7:43, 9:4, 12:8), often alongside the Jeshua family, in charge of overseeing temple work, music, and various liturgical duties. Their inclusion highlights the spiritual aspect and re-establishment of the Mosaic order.
• Shemaiah: (Hebrew: שְׁמַעְיָ֖ה, Šəma‘yāh). This name means "Yahweh has heard." It is a common name in the Bible, appearing for various individuals. Here, it signifies the specific head of the Kadmielite group joining Ezra, indicating that God heard their prayers and brought them back.
• and with him Jehonathan: (Hebrew: יְהוֹנָתָ֣ן, Yəhôwnāṯān). This name means "Yahweh has given" or "gift of Yahweh." Importantly, while some older English translations (e.g., KJV) read "Jeduthun" here, the consistent Hebrew Masoretic Text and most modern critical translations render it "Jehonathan." Jeduthun was a prominent chief musician in David's time; Jehonathan in Ezra's time is simply another accompanying leader. This name suggests divine provision for the journey and the task of rebuilding.
• and his sons and his brethren: This phrase highlights that the group was composed of Jehonathan’s immediate family (sons) and his extended kin (brethren). This denotes a cohesive familial and tribal unit. It signifies not merely individuals but family solidarity, reflecting the patriarchal structure of ancient Israelite society and the importance of kinship ties in resettlement. This emphasizes the organic growth of the community, building families by families.
• eighty: This number specifies the size of the contingent led by Jehonathan within Shemaiah's broader group from Kadmiel's sons. The precise numbers for each listed family unit (as seen throughout Ezra 8:1-14) underscore the meticulous census-taking by Ezra, reflecting careful organization and accountability crucial for the rebuilding efforts in Jerusalem. This precision would have also been important for managing provisions for the long and dangerous journey.

Ezra 8 9 Bonus section

The precise counting of groups, as seen in Ezra 8:9, echoes a consistent theme in the biblical narrative, from the censuses in the Book of Numbers for military readiness and tribal organization to the genealogies linking Christ to David and Abraham. This biblical pattern highlights the importance of individual identity within the larger collective, emphasizing that each person and family group mattered in God's eyes and for His plans. The journey itself was fraught with danger (bandits, hunger), so listing numbers likely served practical purposes like logistical planning and demonstrating divine protection, where not a single person was lost (Ezra 8:31). This attention to detail reflects God's ordered nature and His care for the vulnerable during the challenging post-exilic period, ensuring the re-establishment of a functioning theocracy. The consistent naming of "sons" (as in "sons of Binnui" or "sons of Kadmiel") also underscores the patriarchal and patrilineal nature of Israelite society, where identity, status, and responsibilities passed through the father's line, maintaining historical continuity for future generations.

Ezra 8 9 Commentary

Ezra 8:9 offers a granular look into the return from Babylonian exile, showcasing the orderly and intentional nature of this significant event. The detailed listing of families, like those of Binnui and Kadmiel, underscores the continuity of Israel's lineage and the divine preservation of God's covenant people. The emphasis on Levites (sons of Kadmiel) joining the journey reveals the primary focus of Ezra's mission: not merely physical rebuilding, but spiritual renewal, centering on the proper functioning of the temple and the Law. Each name—Jedidiah ("beloved of Yah"), Shemaiah ("Yahweh has heard"), and Jehonathan ("Yahweh has given")—implicitly proclaims God's character and providence, from His love for His people to His listening ear and His abundant provision. The counting of "eighty" individuals among "his sons and his brethren" signifies meticulous record-keeping, essential for identity, land inheritance, and maintaining the purity of the community. This attention to detail speaks to God's careful orchestration of history and His concern for every individual and family in His redemptive plan, ensuring a vibrant and pure Israel was restored for His purposes. It teaches us the importance of recognizing the unseen hand of God in what may seem like mere statistics or historical records.