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Ezra 2

70 verses

TL;DR

Ezra 2 records the return of the Israelites from Babylon to Jerusalem, detailing the census of leaders, priests, Levites, and various servants, and their communal offerings for rebuilding the temple.

Summary

Ezra chapter 2 opens with a census of the people who returned from exile in Babylon, including key leaders such as Zerubbabel, Jeshua, and Nehemiah. The chapter lists numerous families and towns, providing exact numbers for each group. It then enumerates the religious groups—priests, Levites, singers, porters, and the Nethinims—again with precise counts. Additional details include the total population, the numbers of servants, women, animals, and the contributions made toward temple repairs. The narrative concludes with a statement that the returning families settled in their cities and began the reconstruction of Jerusalem’s sacred spaces.

Outline
  1. Listing of returnees and leaders
  2. Enumeration of religious and service groups
  3. Total population, animals, and offerings for temple rebuilding
Themes
Restoration after exileCommunity census and identityReligious duties and temple service
Keywords
returncensusJerusalemBabylonpriestsLevitessingersgiftsanimals
People
ZerubbabelJeshuaNehemiahSeraiahReelaiahMordecaiParoshShephatiahArahPahathmoabElamZattuZaccaiBaniBebaiAzgadAdonikamAdinAter of HezekiahBezaiJorahHashumGibbarBethlehemNetophahAnathothAzmavethKirjatharimChephirahBeerothRamahGabaMichmasBethelAiNeboMagbishHarimLodHadidOnoJerichoSenaahJedaiahImmerPashurKadamielHodaviahAsaphShallumTalmonAkkubHatitaShobaiZihaHasuphaTabbaothKerosSiahaPadonLebanahHagabahHananGiddelGaharReaiahRezinNekodaGazzamUzzaPaseahBesaiAsnahMehunimNephusimBakbukHakuphaHarhurBazluthMehidaHarshaBarkosSiseraThamahNeziahHatiphaSotaiSopherethPerudaJaalahDarkonPochereth of ZebaimAmiDelaiahTobiahHabaiahKozBarzillaiTirshatha
Places
JerusalemBabylonTelmelahTelharsaCherubAddanImmerNetophahAnathothBethlehemJerichoSenaah
Things
priesthoodLevitessingersportersNethinimsgoldsilverpriests' garmentshorsesmulescamelsasses
Key Verses
  • Ezra 2:1: Introduces the returning exiles and their leaders
  • Ezra 2:35: Shows the largest group, indicating a significant migration
  • Ezra 2:64: Provides the total population, underscoring the scale of the return
  • Ezra 2:69: Highlights the material contributions toward the temple reconstruction
Questions
  • What does the detailed census reveal about the priorities of the post-exilic community?
  • How did the distribution of families by town influence the organization of temple services?
  • In what ways do the listed offerings reflect the communal values of the Israelites?
  • Why are certain groups, such as the Nethinims, given specific mention?
  • How might the record of animal numbers inform our understanding of the economy of the returned community?
Sentiment

neutral
Factual census and list of contributions.