1
These are the people of the province of Judah who came up from the captivity, the exiles whom Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon had carried away to Babylon, and who returned to Jerusalem and Judah, each to his own town.
2
They came with Zerubbabel, Jeshua, Nehemiah, Seraiah, Reelaiah, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispar, Bigvai, Rehum, and Baanah.
This is the list of the people of Israel:
3
the descendants of Parosh: two thousand one hundred seventy-two;
4
the descendants of Shephatiah: three hundred seventy-two;
5
the descendants of Arah: seven hundred seventy-five;
6
the descendants of Pahath-Moab, that is, the descendants of Jeshua and Joab: two thousand eight hundred twelve;
7
the descendants of Elam: one thousand two hundred fifty-four;
8
the descendants of Zattu: nine hundred forty-five;
9
the descendants of Zaccai: seven hundred sixty;
10
the descendants of Bani: six hundred forty-two;
11
the descendants of Bebai: six hundred twenty-three;
12
the descendants of Azgad: one thousand two hundred twenty-two;
13
the descendants of Adonikam: six hundred sixty-six;
14
the descendants of Bigvai: two thousand fifty-six;
15
the descendants of Adin: four hundred fifty-four;
16
the descendants of Ater, that is, of Hezekiah: ninety-eight;
17
the descendants of Bezai: three hundred twenty-three;
18
the descendants of Jorah: one hundred twelve;
19
the descendants of Hashum: two hundred twenty-three;
20
the descendants of Gibbar: ninety-five;
21
of Bethlehem: one hundred twenty-three;
22
the men of Netophah: fifty-six;
23
the men of Anathoth: one hundred twenty-eight;
24
of Azmaveth: forty-two;
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of Kiriath-arim, Chephirah, and Beeroth: seven hundred forty-three;
26
of Ramah and Geba: six hundred twenty-one;
27
the men of Michmas: one hundred twenty-two;
28
the men of Bethel and Ai: two hundred twenty-three;
29
of Nebo: fifty-two;
30
the descendants of Magbish: one hundred fifty-six;
31
the descendants of the other Elam: one thousand two hundred fifty-four;
32
the descendants of Harim: three hundred twenty;
33
the men of Lod, Hadid, and Ono: seven hundred twenty-five;
34
of Jericho: three hundred forty-five;
35
the descendants of Senaah: three thousand six hundred thirty.
36
These are the priests: the descendants of Jedaiah, of the house of Jeshua: nine hundred seventy-three;
37
the descendants of Immer: one thousand fifty-two;
38
the descendants of Pashhur: one thousand two hundred forty-seven;
39
the descendants of Harim: one thousand seventeen.
40
These are the Levites: the descendants of Jeshua and Kadmiel, of the descendants of Hodaviah: seventy-four.
41
These are the singers: the descendants of Asaph: one hundred twenty-eight.
42
These were the gatekeepers: the sons of Shallum, the sons of Ater, the sons of Talmon, the sons of Akkub, the sons of Hatita, the sons of Shobai, in all one hundred thirty-nine.
43
These were the temple servants: the sons of Ziha, the sons of Hasupha, the sons of Tabbaoth;
44
the sons of Keros, the sons of Siaha, the sons of Padon;
45
the sons of Lebanah, the sons of Hagaba, the sons of Akkub;
46
the sons of Hagab, the sons of Shamlai, the sons of Hanan;
47
the sons of Giddel, the sons of Gahar, the sons of Reaiah;
48
the sons of Rezin, the sons of Nekoda, the sons of Gazzam;
49
the sons of Uzza, the sons of Paseah, the sons of Besai;
50
the sons of Asnah, the sons of Meunim, the sons of Nephusim;
51
the sons of Bakbuk, the sons of Hakupha, the sons of Harhur;
52
the sons of Bazluth, the sons of Mehida, the sons of Harsha;
53
the sons of Barkos, the sons of Sisera, the sons of Temah;
54
the sons of Neziah, the sons of Hatipha.
55
These were the descendants of Solomon’s servants: the sons of Sotai, the sons of Sophereth, the sons of Peruda;
56
the sons of Jaala, the sons of Darkon, the sons of Giddel;
57
the sons of Shephatiah, the sons of Hattil, the sons of Pochereth-Hazzebaim, the sons of Ami.
58
All the temple servants and the descendants of Solomon’s servants were three hundred ninety-two.
59
These were the ones who came up from Tel Melah, Tel Harsha, Cherub, Addan, and Immer, but they could not show whether their families and their ancestry were of Israel:
60
the sons of Delaiah, the sons of Tobiah, the sons of Nekoda, six hundred fifty-two.
61
And from among the priests: the sons of Habaiah, the sons of Hakkoz, the sons of Barzillai. Barzillai had taken a wife from the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite, and he was called by their family name.
62
These searched for their names in the genealogical records, but they were not found there; therefore they were considered unclean for the priesthood.
63
The governor told them that they were not to eat of the most holy food until a priest should arise with Urim and Thummim.
64
The whole assembly together was forty-two thousand three hundred sixty,
65
besides their male and female servants, who numbered seven thousand three hundred thirty-seven. And they had two hundred male and female singers.
66
They had seven hundred thirty-six horses, two hundred forty-five mules,
67
four hundred thirty-five camels, and six thousand seven hundred twenty donkeys.
68
Some of the heads of families, when they came to the house of the LORD in Jerusalem, offered freewill gifts for the house of God, to set it up in its place.
69
According to their ability they gave to the treasury for the work sixty-one thousand darics of gold, five thousand minas of silver, and one hundred priestly garments.
70
So the priests, the Levites, some of the people, the singers, the gatekeepers, and the temple servants lived in their own towns, and all Israel in their own towns.
📜👣🛤️ Summary of Ezra 2 – List of Those Who Returned from Exile to Jerusalem
Ezra 2 records the complete list of the Israelites who returned from exile in Babylon to Jerusalem and Judah, under the leadership of Sheshbazzar and Zerubbabel. This is a very important historical record, because it shows that restoration began with earnest people who responded to God’s call. Their names and numbers were carefully recorded, showing that God cares for every individual who returns to Him, whether great or small, priest or common people.
📌 1. The Leaders and the People Who Returned from Exile (verses 1–35)
➡️ The people of Judah who returned from Babylon came from various families, towns, and tribes, led by Zerubbabel, Jeshua, Nehemiah, and others
➡️ The total number who returned was about 42,360 people, not including servants and singers
➡️ They came from various towns in Judah and Benjamin, including Bethlehem, Anathoth, Netophah, and others
➡️ Each name and family count is mentioned one by one, showing the importance of their identity and heritage of faith
🎯 God cares for every person who is willing to return — their names are not forgotten.
📌 2. The Priests, Levites, and Temple Servants (verses 36–58)
➡️ The groups of priests, Levites, singers, gatekeepers, and temple servants (Nethinim) are recorded
➡️ The number of each group is noted, including the descendants of Solomon’s servants
➡️ This shows that the structure of worship was restored together with the return of the people
🎯 Service to God cannot be done carelessly — God restores the roles of His servants.
📌 3. Those Who Could Not Prove Their Genealogy (verses 59–63)
➡️ Some people claimed to be from Israel or from priestly families, but could not show genealogical records
➡️ Priests whose lineage was unclear were forbidden to serve until a decision came from God through Urim and Thummim
🎯 The Lord desires purity and clarity in service — spiritual identity cannot be counterfeited.
📌 4. Total Number and Freewill Offerings (verses 64–70)
➡️ The total number who returned:
- 42,360 Israelites
- 7,337 servants, 200 singers
➡️ They gave offerings of gold, silver, and priestly garments to support the building of the house of the LORD
➡️ All the people stayed in their own towns while waiting for the building work to begin
🎯 Restoration is not only about returning to the land, but also giving and building together.
📖 Main Teaching
- God records and values every person who returns to Him
- Restoration begins with a small group of people willing to sacrifice
- Proper structure in ministry and worship is important in the life of God’s people
- Offerings are part of the people’s commitment to God’s work
- Spiritual identity and the lineage of faith are precious in God’s sight
✨ Spiritual Meaning (New Testament)
“Rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”
➡️ As with the names recorded in Ezra 2, God also records His people
“You are the body of Christ, and each one is a part of it.”
➡️ Every person who returns has a role in the spiritual body — none is too small
“If your gift is serving, then serve…”
➡️ The priests, singers, gatekeepers — all had specific functions appointed by God
“The Lord knows those who are His…”
➡️ Only those who truly belong to the Lord can serve rightly
🕊️ “These are the people of the province who returned from the captivity…” – Ezra 2:1
🕊️ “They came to Jerusalem and Judah, each to his own town.” – Ezra 2:1
🕊️ “They gave freewill offerings for the building of the house of God…” – Ezra 2:68
🕊️ “The Lord knows those who are His.” – Ezra 2:62 (parallel with 2 Tim 2:19)
