Ezra 2: The People Who Returned
A carefully recorded company of families, priests, and servants journeys home, each one named and counted as God's restored people.
Ezra 2 (WEB)
1 Now 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;
2 who came with Zerubbabel, Jeshua, Nehemiah, Seraiah, Reelaiah, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispar, Bigvai, Rehum, Baanah. The number of the men of the people of Israel:
3 The children of Parosh, two thousand one hundred seventy-two.
4 The children of Shephatiah, three hundred seventy-two.
5 The children of Arah, seven hundred seventy-five.
6 The children of Pahathmoab, of the children of Jeshua and Joab, two thousand eight hundred twelve.
7 The children of Elam, one thousand two hundred fifty-four.
8 The children of Zattu, nine hundred forty-five.
9 The children of Zaccai, seven hundred sixty.
10 The children of Bani, six hundred forty-two.
11 The children of Bebai, six hundred twenty-three.
12 The children of Azgad, one thousand two hundred twenty-two.
13 The children of Adonikam, six hundred sixty-six.
14 The children of Bigvai, two thousand fifty-six.
15 The children of Adin, four hundred fifty-four.
16 The children of Ater, of Hezekiah, ninety-eight.
17 The children of Bezai, three hundred twenty-three.
18 The children of Jorah, one hundred twelve.
19 The children of Hashum, two hundred twenty-three.
20 The children of Gibbar, ninety-five.
21 The children of Bethlehem, one hundred twenty-three.
22 The men of Netophah, fifty-six.
23 The men of Anathoth, one hundred twenty-eight.
24 The children of Azmaveth, forty-two.
25 The children of Kiriath Arim, Chephirah, and Beeroth, seven hundred forty-three.
26 The children 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 The children of Nebo, fifty-two.
30 The children of Magbish, one hundred fifty-six.
31 The children of the other Elam, one thousand two hundred fifty-four.
32 The children of Harim, three hundred twenty.
33 The children of Lod, Hadid, and Ono, seven hundred twenty-five.
34 The children of Jericho, three hundred forty-five.
35 The children of Senaah, three thousand six hundred thirty.
36 The priests: the children of Jedaiah, of the house of Jeshua, nine hundred seventy-three.
37 The children of Immer, one thousand fifty-two.
38 The children of Pashhur, one thousand two hundred forty-seven.
39 The children of Harim, one thousand seventeen.
40 The Levites: the children of Jeshua and Kadmiel, of the children of Hodaviah, seventy-four.
41 The singers: the children of Asaph, one hundred twenty-eight.
42 The children of the porters: 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.
43 The Nethinim: the children of Ziha, the children of Hasupha, the children of Tabbaoth,
44 the children of Keros, the children of Siaha, the children of Padon,
45 the children of Lebanah, the children of Hagabah, the children of Akkub,
46 the children of Hagab, the children of Shamlai, the children of Hanan,
47 the children of Giddel, the children of Gahar, the children of Reaiah,
48 the children of Rezin, the children of Nekoda, the children of Gazzam,
49 the children of Uzza, the children of Paseah, the children of Besai,
50 the children of Asnah, the children of Meunim, the children of Nephisim,
51 the children of Bakbuk, the children of Hakupha, the children of Harhur,
52 the children of Bazluth, the children of Mehida, the children of Harsha,
53 the children of Barkos, the children of Sisera, the children of Temah,
54 the children of Neziah, the children of Hatipha.
55 The children of Solomon’s servants: the children of Sotai, the children of Hassophereth, the children of Peruda,
56 the children of Jaalah, the children of Darkon, the children of Giddel,
57 the children of Shephatiah, the children of Hattil, the children of Pochereth Hazzebaim, the children of Ami.
58 All the Nethinim, and the children of Solomon’s servants, were three hundred ninety-two.
59 These were those who went up from Tel Melah, Tel Harsha, Cherub, Addan, and Immer; but they could not show their fathers’ houses, and their seed, whether they were of Israel:
60 the children of Delaiah, the children of Tobiah, the children of Nekoda, six hundred fifty-two.
61 Of the children of the priests: the children of Habaiah, the children of Hakkoz, the children of Barzillai, who took a wife of the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite, and was called after their name.
62 These sought their place among those who were registered by genealogy, but they were not found: therefore were they deemed polluted and put from the priesthood.
63 The governor said to them, that they should not eat of the most holy things, until there stood up a priest with Urim and with Thummim.
64 The whole assembly together was forty-two thousand three hundred sixty,
65 besides 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.
66 Their horses were seven hundred thirty-six; their mules, two hundred forty-five;
67 their camels, four hundred thirty-five; their donkeys, six thousand seven hundred and twenty.
68 Some of the heads of fathers’ households, when they came to Yahweh’s house which is in Jerusalem, offered willingly for God’s house to set it up in its place:
69 they gave after their ability into the treasury of the work sixty-one thousand darics of gold, and five thousand minas of silver, and one hundred priests’ garments.
70 So the priests, and the Levites, and some of the people, and the singers, and the porters, and the Nethinim, lived in their cities, and all Israel in their cities.
Ezra 2 (KJV)
1 Now these are the children of the province that went up out of the captivity, of those which had been carried away, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away unto Babylon, and came again unto Jerusalem and Judah, every one unto his city;
2 Which came with Zerubbabel: Jeshua, Nehemiah, Seraiah, Reelaiah, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispar, Bigvai, Rehum, Baanah. The number of the men of the people of Israel:
3 The children of Parosh, two thousand an hundred seventy and two.
4 The children of Shephatiah, three hundred seventy and two.
5 The children of Arah, seven hundred seventy and five.
6 The children of Pahath–moab, of the children of Jeshua and Joab, two thousand eight hundred and twelve.
7 The children of Elam, a thousand two hundred fifty and four.
8 The children of Zattu, nine hundred forty and five.
9 The children of Zaccai, seven hundred and threescore.
10 The children of Bani, six hundred forty and two.
11 The children of Bebai, six hundred twenty and three.
12 The children of Azgad, a thousand two hundred twenty and two.
13 The children of Adonikam, six hundred sixty and six.
14 The children of Bigvai, two thousand fifty and six.
15 The children of Adin, four hundred fifty and four.
16 The children of Ater of Hezekiah, ninety and eight.
17 The children of Bezai, three hundred twenty and three.
18 The children of Jorah, an hundred and twelve.
19 The children of Hashum, two hundred twenty and three.
20 The children of Gibbar, ninety and five.
21 The children of Beth–lehem, an hundred twenty and three.
22 The men of Netophah, fifty and six.
23 The men of Anathoth, an hundred twenty and eight.
24 The children of Azmaveth, forty and two.
25 The children of Kirjath–arim, Chephirah, and Beeroth, seven hundred and forty and three.
26 The children of Ramah and Gaba, six hundred twenty and one.
27 The men of Michmas, an hundred twenty and two.
28 The men of Beth–el and Ai, two hundred twenty and three.
29 The children of Nebo, fifty and two.
30 The children of Magbish, an hundred fifty and six.
31 The children of the other Elam, a thousand two hundred fifty and four.
32 The children of Harim, three hundred and twenty.
33 The children of Lod, Hadid, and Ono, seven hundred twenty and five.
34 The children of Jericho, three hundred forty and five.
35 The children of Senaah, three thousand and six hundred and thirty.
36 The priests: the children of Jedaiah, of the house of Jeshua, nine hundred seventy and three.
37 The children of Immer, a thousand fifty and two.
38 The children of Pashur, a thousand two hundred forty and seven.
39 The children of Harim, a thousand and seventeen.
40 The Levites: the children of Jeshua and Kadmiel, of the children of Hodaviah, seventy and four.
41 The singers: the children of Asaph, an hundred twenty and eight.
42 The children of the porters: 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 an hundred thirty and nine.
43 The Nethinims: the children of Ziha, the children of Hasupha, the children of Tabbaoth,
44 The children of Keros, the children of Siaha, the children of Padon,
45 The children of Lebanah, the children of Hagabah, the children of Akkub,
46 The children of Hagab, the children of Shalmai, the children of Hanan,
47 The children of Giddel, the children of Gahar, the children of Reaiah,
48 The children of Rezin, the children of Nekoda, the children of Gazzam,
49 The children of Uzza, the children of Paseah, the children of Besai,
50 The children of Asnah, the children of Mehunim, the children of Nephusim,
51 The children of Bakbuk, the children of Hakupha, the children of Harhur,
52 The children of Bazluth, the children of Mehida, the children of Harsha,
53 The children of Barkos, the children of Sisera, the children of Thamah,
54 The children of Neziah, the children of Hatipha.
55 The children of Solomon’s servants: the children of Sotai, the children of Sophereth, the children of Peruda,
56 The children of Jaalah, the children of Darkon, the children of Giddel,
57 The children of Shephatiah, the children of Hattil, the children of Pochereth of Zebaim, the children of Ami.
58 All the Nethinims, and the children of Solomon’s servants, were three hundred ninety and two.
59 And these were they which went up from Tel–melah, Tel–harsa, Cherub, Addan, and Immer: but they could not shew their father’s house, and their seed, whether they were of Israel:
60 The children of Delaiah, the children of Tobiah, the children of Nekoda, six hundred fifty and two.
61 And of the children of the priests: the children of Habaiah, the children of Koz, the children of Barzillai; which took a wife of the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite, and was called after their name:
62 These sought their register among those that were reckoned by genealogy, but they were not found: therefore were they, as polluted, put from the priesthood.
63 And the Tirshatha said unto them, that they should not eat of the most holy things, till there stood up a priest with Urim and with Thummim.
64 The whole congregation together was forty and two thousand three hundred and threescore,
65 Beside their servants and their maids, of whom there were seven thousand three hundred thirty and seven: and there were among them two hundred singing men and singing women.
66 Their horses were seven hundred thirty and six; their mules, two hundred forty and five;
67 Their camels, four hundred thirty and five; their asses, six thousand seven hundred and twenty.
68 And some of the chief of the fathers, when they came to the house of the Lord which is at Jerusalem, offered freely for the house of God to set it up in his place:
69 They gave after their ability unto the treasure of the work threescore and one thousand drams of gold, and five thousand pound of silver, and one hundred priests’ garments.
70 So the priests, and the Levites, and some of the people, and the singers, and the porters, and the Nethinims, dwelt in their cities, and all Israel in their cities.
Ezra 2 (ASV)
1 Now these are the children of the province, that went up out of the captivity of those that had been carried away, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away unto Babylon, and that returned unto Jerusalem and Judah, every one unto his city;
2 who came with Zerubbabel, Jeshua, Nehemiah, Seraiah, Reelaiah, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispar, Bigvai, Rehum, Baanah. The number of the men of the people of Israel:
3 The children of Parosh, two thousand a hundred seventy and two.
4 The children of Shephatiah, three hundred seventy and two.
5 The children of Arah, seven hundred seventy and five.
6 The children of Pahath-moab, of the children of JeshuaandJoab, two thousand eight hundred and twelve.
7 The children of Elam, a thousand two hundred fifty and four.
8 The children of Zattu, nine hundred forty and five.
9 The children of Zaccai, seven hundred and threescore.
10 The children of Bani, six hundred forty and two.
11 The children of Bebai, six hundred twenty and three.
12 The children of Azgad, a thousand two hundred twenty and two.
13 The children of Adonikam, six hundred sixty and six.
14 The children of Bigvai, two thousand fifty and six.
15 The children of Adin, four hundred fifty and four.
16 The children of Ater, of Hezekiah, ninety and eight.
17 The children of Bezai, three hundred twenty and three.
18 The children of Jorah, a hundred and twelve.
19 The children of Hashum, two hundred twenty and three.
20 The children of Gibbar, ninety and five.
21 The children of Beth-lehem, a hundred twenty and three.
22 The men of Netophah, fifty and six.
23 The men of Anathoth, a hundred twenty and eight.
24 The children of Azmaveth, forty and two.
25 The children of Kiriath-arim, Chephirah, and Beeroth, seven hundred and forty and three.
26 The children of Ramah and Geba, six hundred twenty and one.
27 The men of Michmas, a hundred twenty and two.
28 The men of Beth-el and Ai, two hundred twenty and three.
29 The children of Nebo, fifty and two.
30 The children of Magbish, a hundred fifty and six.
31 The children of the other Elam, a thousand two hundred fifty and four.
32 The children of Harim, three hundred and twenty.
33 The children of Lod, Hadid, and Ono, seven hundred twenty and five.
34 The children of Jericho, three hundred forty and five.
35 The children of Senaah, three thousand and six hundred and thirty.
36 The priests: the children of Jedaiah, of the house of Jeshua, nine hundred seventy and three.
37 The children of Immer, a thousand fifty and two.
38 The children of Pashhur, a thousand two hundred forty and seven.
39 The children of Harim, a thousand and seventeen.
40 The Levites: the children of Jeshua and Kadmiel, of the children of Hodaviah, seventy and four.
41 The singers: the children of Asaph, a hundred twenty and eight.
42 The children of the porters: 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 a hundred thirty and nine.
43 The Nethinim: the children of Ziha, the children of Hasupha, the children of Tabbaoth,
44 the children of Keros, the children of Siaha, the children of Padon,
45 the children of Lebanah, the children of Hagabah, the children of Akkub,
46 the children of Hagab, the children of Shamlai, the children of Hanan,
47 the children of Giddel, the children of Gahar, the children of Reaiah,
48 the children of Rezin, the children of Nekoda, the children of Gazzam,
49 the children of Uzza, the children of Paseah, the children of Besai,
50 the children of Asnah, the children of Meunim, the children of Nephisim,
51 the children of Bakbuk, the children of Hakupha, the children of Harhur,
52 the children of Bazluth, the children of Mehida, the children of Harsha,
53 the children of Barkos, the children of Sisera, the children of Temah,
54 the children of Neziah, the children of Hatipha.
55 The children of Solomon’s servants: the children of Sotai, the children of Hassophereth, the children of Peruda,
56 the children of Jaalah, the children of Darkon, the children of Giddel,
57 the children of Shephatiah, the children of Hattil, the children of Pochereth-hazzebaim, the children of Ami.
58 All the Nethinim, and the children of Solomon’s servants, were three hundred ninety and two.
59 And these were they that went up from Tel-melah, Tel-harsha, Cherub, Addan, andImmer; but they could not show their fathers’ houses, and their seed, whether they were of Israel:
60 the children of Delaiah, the children of Tobiah, the children of Nekoda, six hundred fifty and two.
61 And of the children of the priests: the children of Habaiah, the children of Hakkoz, the children of Barzillai, who took a wife of the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite, and was called after their name.
62 These sought their registeramongthose that were reckoned by genealogy, but they were not found: therefore were they deemed polluted and put from the priesthood.
63 And the governor said unto them, that they should not eat of the most holy things, till there stood up a priest with Urim and with Thummim.
64 The whole assembly together was forty and two thousand three hundred and threescore,
65 besides their men-servants and their maid-servants, of whom there were seven thousand three hundred thirty and seven: and they had two hundred singing men and singing women.
66 Their horses were seven hundred thirty and six; their mules, two hundred forty and five;
67 their camels, four hundred thirty and five; their asses, six thousand seven hundred and twenty.
68 And some of the heads of fathers’ houses, when they came to the house of Jehovah which is in Jerusalem, offered willingly for the house of God to set it up in its place:
69 they gave after their ability into the treasury of the work threescore and one thousand darics of gold, and five thousand pounds of silver, and one hundred priests’ garments.
70 So the priests, and the Levites, and some of the people, and the singers, and the porters, and the Nethinim, dwelt in their cities, and all Israel in their cities.
Summary
This chapter records the great list of those who returned from captivity to Jerusalem and Judah, each one going back to his own city. They came with Zerubbabel, Jeshua, and other named leaders. The register counts the men of Israel family by family, then the priests, the Levites, the singers, the gatekeepers, the temple servants, and the descendants of Solomon's servants. Some could not prove their genealogy or priestly descent and were set aside from the most holy things until a priest could consult the Urim and Thummim. The whole assembly numbered forty-two thousand three hundred sixty, besides their servants, singers, and animals. When they came to the house of the Lord in Jerusalem, some of the family heads gave freely toward rebuilding God's house, contributing gold, silver, and priestly garments according to their ability. Then the priests, the Levites, the singers, the gatekeepers, the temple servants, and the rest of the people settled in their towns, and all Israel lived in their cities. The careful naming shows that God knows and treasures each of his people.
Key Figures
- Zerubbabel — The prince of David's line who heads the returning company and will lead the rebuilding of the temple.
- Jeshua — The high priest who returns with Zerubbabel to restore the priesthood and the worship of God's house.
- The returned exiles — The forty-two thousand and more, counted family by family, who leave Babylon to resettle their ancestral cities in Judah.
- The priests, Levites, and temple servants — Those set apart for worship and service, carefully registered so that the house of God might be rightly staffed and served.
Key Verse
Ezra 2:1 (WEB)
Now 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;
Lessons Learned
- God knows his people individually; the long list shows that no one returning home is overlooked.
- Restoration is communal, gathering families, leaders, and servants into one worshiping people.
- Faithful worship requires order and integrity, even careful attention to priestly qualification.
- Generous, freewill giving toward God's house flows naturally from grateful, restored hearts.
- God numbers his people by name. The register names "the children of the province, who went up out of the captivity" (Ezra 2:1, WEB). Each returning family matters to God.
- Worship calls for integrity. Those who could not prove their descent were kept from the most holy things "until there stood up a priest with Urim and with Thummim" (Ezra 2:63, WEB). God's service is to be approached carefully.
- Restored hearts give freely. The family heads "offered willingly for God’s house to set it up in its place" (Ezra 2:68, WEB). Gratitude for grace overflows in generosity.
- God settles his people in their place. "All Israel" lived "in their cities" (Ezra 2:70, WEB). The Lord brings his scattered people home and gives them rest.
- Why do you think Scripture preserves such a detailed list of names and numbers?
- What does the careful sorting of priests and Levites teach about how God's worship is to be conducted?
- Why were some kept from the priesthood until their genealogy could be verified, and what does this guard against?
- What motivates the freewill offerings given when the people arrive at the house of God?
- How does it encourage you to know that God records and remembers each of his people by name?
- The list honors real people who answered God's call and risked the long journey home (2:1-2). It declares that the restoration was no vague movement but a gathering of named, known individuals. Help the group see that God's redemptive work is always personal, not merely statistical.
- The careful ordering of priests, Levites, singers, gatekeepers, and servants (2:36-58) shows that worship is to be done thoughtfully and reverently. God cares about how he is served, not only that he is served. Order here is an expression of love and respect, not mere bureaucracy.
- Those who could not establish their priestly line were temporarily set aside (2:62-63) to protect the holiness and integrity of worship. The concern is faithfulness, not exclusion for its own sake. It reminds us that approaching God is a serious privilege to be received humbly.
- Having experienced God's deliverance, the leaders give generously "after their ability" (2:69) toward rebuilding his house. Grace received tends to become grace given. Invite the group to reflect on how gratitude shapes generosity.
- This is a personal-application question. The God who recorded every returning family knows each member of the group by name as well (compare Luke 12:7). As leader, let this truth comfort anyone who feels overlooked or insignificant, and ground the discussion in God's personal care.