Ezra 2:29

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

Translations

Modern
…the descendants of Nebo, 52;
Traditional
The children of Nebo, fifty and two.
Literal
The sons of Nebo, fifty-two.
Latin
Filii Nebo, quinquaginta duo.

Original

Hebrew
English
…the descendants of Nebo, 52;

Notes

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.

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

Nebo: A town in Judah, possibly named after a person

Glossary

Book of Ezra Census First Book of Esdras Genealogy Nebo (Person)

Topics

Nebo: A City in Territory of the Tribe of Judah