Keraia
Ezra 2

Ezra 2:28

The List of Returning Exiles · Ezra 2:1–67
Read Ezra 2

Translations

Modern
…the men of Bethel and Ai, 223;
Traditional
The men of Beth–el and Ai, two hundred twenty and three.
Literal
The men of Bethel and Ai, two hundred twenty-three.
Latin
Viri Bethel et Hai, ducenti viginti tres.

Original

Hebrew
English
…the men of Bethel and Ai, 223;

Notes

Ezra 2:21–35

the men of...the descendants of: Some returnees were identified by their hometowns. Not everyone knew their family history or had famous ancestors. Most cities mentioned were near Jerusalem.

Ezra 2:1–70

This chapter is Ezra's first major digression from the main story. The returning exiles needed to identify true Jews to maintain their community identity and theological purity. This helped them know whom they could marry and who could worship at the temple. This list is not the initial list of all Jews who returned to Jerusalem (compare Nehemiah 7:6–73). Instead, it is a slightly later list, created after Sheshbazzar died, of people who had settled in their towns.

Theme notes and profiles

Esther Zerubbabel

Parallels

Nehemiah 7:4–69

Places

Ai: A Canaanite city conquered by Joshua after initial defeat Bethel: Important city in Israel, associated with Abraham and Jacob

Glossary

Bethel (Place), Bethelite Book of Ezra Census First Book of Esdras Genealogy

Topics

Ai: A Royal City of the Canaanites: Rebuilt Beth-El: A City North of Jerusalem: People of, Return from Babylon