Ezra 2

List of Returning Exiles by Families

¹Now these are the children of the province who went up out of the captivity of those who had been carried away, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away to Babylon, and who returned to Jerusalem and Judah, everyone to his city;

²who came with Zerubbabel, Jeshua, Nehemiah, Seraiah, Reelaiah, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispar, Bigvai, Rehum, and Baanah. The number of the men of the people of Israel:

³The children of Parosh, two thousand one hundred seventy-two.

⁴The children of Shephatiah, three hundred seventy-two.

⁵The children of Arah, seven hundred seventy-five.

⁶The children of Pahathmoab, of the children of Jeshua and Joab, two thousand eight hundred twelve.

⁷The children of Elam, one thousand two hundred fifty-four.

⁸The children of Zattu, nine hundred forty-five.

⁹The children of Zaccai, seven hundred sixty.

¹⁰The children of Bani, six hundred forty-two.

¹¹The children of Bebai, six hundred twenty-three.

¹²The children of Azgad, one thousand two hundred twenty-two.

¹³The children of Adonikam, six hundred sixty-six.

¹⁴The children of Bigvai, two thousand fifty-six.

¹⁵The children of Adin, four hundred fifty-four.

¹⁶The children of Ater, of Hezekiah, ninety-eight.

¹⁷The children of Bezai, three hundred twenty-three.

¹⁸The children of Jorah, one hundred twelve.

¹⁹The children of Hashum, two hundred twenty-three.

²⁰The children of Gibbar, ninety-five.

²¹The children of Bethlehem, one hundred twenty-three.

²²The men of Netophah, fifty-six.

²³The men of Anathoth, one hundred twenty-eight.

²⁴The children of Azmaveth, forty-two.

²⁵The children of Kiriath Arim, Chephirah, and Beeroth, seven hundred forty-three.

²⁶The children of Ramah and Geba, six hundred twenty-one.

²⁷The men of Michmas, one hundred twenty-two.

²⁸The men of Bethel and Ai, two hundred twenty-three.

²⁹The children of Nebo, fifty-two.

³⁰The children of Magbish, one hundred fifty-six.

³¹The children of the other Elam, one thousand two hundred fifty-four.

³²The children of Harim, three hundred twenty.

³³The children of Lod, Hadid, and Ono, seven hundred twenty-five.

³⁴The children of Jericho, three hundred forty-five.

³⁵The children of Senaah, three thousand six hundred thirty.

List of Priests, Levites, and Temple Servants

³⁶The priests: the children of Jedaiah, of the house of Jeshua, nine hundred seventy-three.

³⁷The children of Immer, one thousand fifty-two.

³⁸The children of Pashhur, one thousand two hundred forty-seven.

³⁹The children of Harim, one thousand seventeen.

⁴⁰The Levites: the children of Jeshua and Kadmiel, of the children of Hodaviah, seventy-four.

⁴¹The singers: the children of Asaph, one hundred twenty-eight.

⁴²The children of the gatekeepers: the children of Shallum, the children of Ater, the children of Talmon, the children of Akkub, the children of Hatita, the children of Shobai, in all one hundred thirty-nine.

⁴³The temple servants: the children of Ziha, the children of Hasupha, the children of Tabbaoth,

⁴⁴the children of Keros, the children of Siaha, the children of Padon,

⁴⁵the children of Lebanah, the children of Hagabah, the children of Akkub,

⁴⁶the children of Hagab, the children of Shamlai, the children of Hanan,

⁴⁷the children of Giddel, the children of Gahar, the children of Reaiah,

⁴⁸the children of Rezin, the children of Nekoda, the children of Gazzam,

⁴⁹the children of Uzza, the children of Paseah, the children of Besai,

⁵⁰the children of Asnah, the children of Meunim, the children of Nephisim,

⁵¹the children of Bakbuk, the children of Hakupha, the children of Harhur,

⁵²the children of Bazluth, the children of Mehida, the children of Harsha,

⁵³the children of Barkos, the children of Sisera, the children of Temah,

⁵⁴the children of Neziah, the children of Hatipha.

⁵⁵The children of Solomon’s servants: the children of Sotai, the children of Hassophereth, the children of Peruda,

⁵⁶the children of Jaalah, the children of Darkon, the children of Giddel,

⁵⁷the children of Shephatiah, the children of Hattil, the children of Pochereth Hazzebaim, the children of Ami.

⁵⁸All the temple servants, and the children of Solomon’s servants, were three hundred ninety-two.

Those Without Genealogies and Contributions

⁵⁹These were those who went up from Tel Melah, Tel Harsha, Cherub, Addan, and Immer; but they could not show their fathers’ houses and their offspring, whether they were of Israel:

⁶⁰the children of Delaiah, the children of Tobiah, the children of Nekoda, six hundred fifty-two.

⁶¹Of the children of the priests: the children of Habaiah, the children of Hakkoz, and the children of Barzillai, who took a wife of the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite, and was called after their name.

⁶²These sought their place among those who were registered by genealogy, but they were not found; therefore they were deemed disqualified and removed from the priesthood.

⁶³The governor told them that they should not eat of the most holy things until a priest stood up to serve with Urim and with Thummim.

⁶⁴The whole assembly together was forty-two thousand three hundred sixty,

⁶⁵in addition to their male servants and their female servants, of whom there were seven thousand three hundred thirty-seven; and they had two hundred singing men and singing women.

⁶⁶Their horses were seven hundred thirty-six; their mules, two hundred forty-five;

⁶⁷their camels, four hundred thirty-five; their donkeys, six thousand seven hundred twenty.

⁶⁸Some of the heads of fathers’ households, when they came to the LORD’s house which is in Jerusalem, offered willingly for God’s house to set it up in its place.

⁶⁹They gave according to their ability into the treasury of the work sixty-one thousand darics of gold, five thousand minas of silver, and one hundred priests’ garments.

⁷⁰So the priests and the Levites, with some of the people, the singers, the gatekeepers, and the temple servants, lived in their cities, and all Israel in their cities.

Previous Ezra 1

Next Ezra 3

Ezra 2 presents a detailed census of the Jewish exiles who returned from Babylonian captivity under Zerubbabel's leadership, organized by family lineages and geographic origins. The chapter meticulously records nearly 50,000 returnees, including laypeople, priests, Levites, temple singers, gatekeepers, and servants, demonstrating God's faithfulness in preserving His people's identity during exile. The chapter concludes with generous financial contributions toward rebuilding the temple, showing the returnees' commitment to restoring proper worship in Jerusalem.

Context

This census follows Cyrus's decree in chapter 1 and establishes the community that will rebuild the temple in chapters 3-6.

Key Themes

Outline

1-2
Introduction to the Returnees Sets the historical context of exiles returning under Zerubbabel's leadership from Babylonian captivity.
3-35
Census of Lay Families Lists families and towns of ordinary Israelites who returned, totaling over 24,000 people.
36-39
Priestly Families Records four priestly families totaling over 4,000 men qualified for temple service.
40-42
Levites and Temple Personnel Catalogs Levites, singers, and gatekeepers essential for temple worship and maintenance.
43-58
Temple Servants and Solomon's Servants Lists additional temple workers and descendants of Solomon's servants who returned.
59-63
Those Without Proven Genealogies Addresses families unable to verify their Israelite ancestry, including some priests temporarily excluded from service.
64-67
Total Census and Possessions Provides the grand total of returnees (42,360) plus their servants, animals, and possessions.
68-70
Contributions for Temple Rebuilding Records generous donations of gold, silver, and priestly garments for the temple reconstruction project.

List of Returning Exiles by Families

2:1–2:35

genealogy narration solemn

A detailed census of the Jewish families returning from Babylonian exile, organized by ancestral houses and cities. This genealogical record establishes the continuity of God's covenant people and their rightful inheritance in the promised land.

person_contrast

Nebuchadnezzar, typically portrayed as God's instrument of judgment, here becomes paradoxically linked to Israel's restoration as the very exile he imposed enables their prophetically-ordained return.

List of Priests, Levites, and Temple Servants

2:36–2:58

genealogy narration solemn

A census of the religious personnel returning from exile, including priests, Levites, singers, gatekeepers, and temple servants. This list emphasizes the restoration of proper temple worship and the various roles needed for religious service.

person_contrast

Solomon's servants appear among temple personnel in verse 55, uniquely linking Israel's wisest king to humble servanthood rather than his typical associations with royal authority and divine wisdom.

Those Without Genealogies and Contributions

2:59–2:70

narrative narration solemn

The final census details include those without clear genealogies and the generous contributions made for rebuilding the temple. The passage concludes with the returned exiles settling in their ancestral cities, marking the beginning of restoration.

theme_rarity

Ezra uniquely interweaves genealogical uncertainty with sacrificial generosity, as those without proven lineage contribute alongside verified priests to restore temple worship.

Insight Character Study

Solomon's servants appear among temple personnel in verse 55, uniquely linking Israel's wisest king to humble servanthood rather than his typical associations with royal authority and divine wisdom.

Insight Rare Theme

Ezra uniquely interweaves genealogical uncertainty with sacrificial generosity, as those without proven lineage contribute alongside verified priests to restore temple worship.

Cross-References

Connected passages across Scripture

Ezra 2:1 5 references

Lexicals 5

Nehemiah 7:6 Lexical

These are the children of the province who went up out of the captivity of those who had been carried away, whom Nebucha…

5 shared words

Jeremiah 29:1 Lexical

Now these are the words of the letter that Jeremiah the prophet sent from Jerusalem to the residue of the elders of the…

Ezra 2

List of Returning Exiles by Families

List of Priests, Levites, and Temple Servants

Those Without Genealogies and Contributions

List of Returning Exiles by Families

List of Priests, Levites, and Temple Servants

Those Without Genealogies and Contributions

Insights

Cross-References

Ezra 2:1 5 references

Ezra 2:2 4 references

Ezra 2:3 1 reference

Ezra 2:4 1 reference

Ezra 2:6 3 references

Ezra 2:7 2 references

Ezra 2:8 1 reference

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Ezra 2:16 1 reference

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Ezra 2:61 3 references

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Ezra 2:64 5 references

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Ezra 2:70 5 references

Interlinear

Historical Context

Timeline

Return From Exile

Babylonian Exile

Return From Exile

Return From Exile