Bible Glide

Ezra 2 Summary, Context, and Full Chapter

Ezra 2 lists the people who returned from Babylon to Judah under the leadership of Zerubbabel and others. The chapter shows a restored community taking shape, with families, priests, Levites, singers, gatekeepers, and temple servants accounted for by name and number.

What happens in Ezra 2?

This chapter gives a detailed record of the exiles who came back to Jerusalem and Judah after captivity in Babylon. It names family groups, priests, Levites, singers, gatekeepers, temple servants, and others who joined the return. Some could not prove their ancestry and were temporarily set aside from priestly duties until proper confirmation could be found. The chapter closes with the total number of returnees, their animals, and the freewill gifts offered for rebuilding the house of the LORD.

Ezra 2 follows the decree that allowed the exiles to return and rebuild in their land. After the first chapter focuses on the start of the return, this chapter gives the official list of those who came back and organized themselves for life and worship in Jerusalem and nearby towns.

  • Restored identityThe careful lists show that the returning people are being gathered back as a covenant community with real history and belonging.
  • Ordered worshipPriests, Levites, singers, and gatekeepers are named to show that temple life will be rebuilt with structure and care.
  • Generous givingThe freewill offerings point to willing support for the rebuilding of God's house, not just a return to the land.
  • Why does Ezra include such a detailed list of names and numbers?
  • What do the priestly and temple roles tell us about the priorities of the returning exiles?
  • How does the chapter show both restoration and unfinished work at the same time?

Read the full text of Ezra 2 below, then open it in the reader to highlight, take notes, or ask follow-up Bible questions. No account is required to read.

Ezra 2

The List of Returning Exiles

1Now these are the people of the province who came up from the captivity of the exiles carried away to Babylon by Nebuchadnezzar its king. They returned to Jerusalem and Judah, each to his own town,2accompanied by Zerubbabel, Jeshua, Nehemiah, Seraiah, Reelaiah, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispar, Bigvai, Rehum, and Baanah. This is the count of the men of Israel:

3the descendants of Parosh, 2,172;

4the descendants of Shephatiah, 372;

5the descendants of Arah, 775;

6the descendants of Pahath-moab (through the line of Jeshua and Joab), 2,812;

7the descendants of Elam, 1,254;

8the descendants of Zattu, 945;

9the descendants of Zaccai, 760;

10the descendants of Bani, 642;

11the descendants of Bebai, 623;

12the descendants of Azgad, 1,222;

13the descendants of Adonikam, 666;

14the descendants of Bigvai, 2,056;

15the descendants of Adin, 454;

16the descendants of Ater (through Hezekiah), 98;

17the descendants of Bezai, 323;

18the descendants of Jorah, 112;

19the descendants of Hashum, 223;

20the descendants of Gibbar, 95;

21the men of Bethlehem, 123;

22the men of Netophah, 56;

23the men of Anathoth, 128;

24the descendants of Azmaveth, 42;

25the men of Kiriath-jearim, Chephirah, and Beeroth, 743;

26the men of Ramah and Geba, 621;

27the men of Michmash, 122;

28the men of Bethel and Ai, 223;

29the descendants of Nebo, 52;

30the descendants of Magbish, 156;

31the descendants of the other Elam, 1,254;

32the descendants of Harim, 320;

33the men of Lod, Hadid, and Ono, 725;

34the men of Jericho, 345;

35and the descendants of Senaah, 3,630.

36The priests:

The descendants of Jedaiah (through the house of Jeshua), 973;

37the descendants of Immer, 1,052;

38the descendants of Pashhur, 1,247;

39and the descendants of Harim, 1,017.

40The Levites:

the descendants of Jeshua and Kadmiel (through the line of Hodaviah), 74.

41The singers:

the descendants of Asaph, 128.

42The gatekeepers:

the descendants of Shallum,

the descendants of Ater,

the descendants of Talmon,

the descendants of Akkub,

the descendants of Hatita,

and the descendants of Shobai,

139 in all.

43The temple servants:

the descendants of Ziha,

the descendants of Hasupha,

the descendants of Tabbaoth,

44the descendants of Keros,

the descendants of Siaha,

the descendants of Padon,

45the descendants of Lebanah,

the descendants of Hagabah,

the descendants of Akkub,

46the descendants of Hagab,

the descendants of Shalmai,

the descendants of Hanan,

47the descendants of Giddel,

the descendants of Gahar,

the descendants of Reaiah,

48the descendants of Rezin,

the descendants of Nekoda,

the descendants of Gazzam,

49the descendants of Uzza,

the descendants of Paseah,

the descendants of Besai,

50the descendants of Asnah,

the descendants of Meunim,

the descendants of Nephusim,

51the descendants of Bakbuk,

the descendants of Hakupha,

the descendants of Harhur,

52the descendants of Bazluth,

the descendants of Mehida,

the descendants of Harsha,

53the descendants of Barkos,

the descendants of Sisera,

the descendants of Temah,

54the descendants of Neziah,

and the descendants of Hatipha.

55The descendants of the servants of Solomon:

the descendants of Sotai,

the descendants of Sophereth,

the descendants of Peruda,

56the descendants of Jaala,

the descendants of Darkon,

the descendants of Giddel,

57the descendants of Shephatiah,

the descendants of Hattil,

the descendants of Pochereth-hazzebaim,

and the descendants of Ami.

58The temple servants and descendants of the servants of Solomon numbered 392 in all.

59The following came up from Tel-melah, Tel-harsha, Cherub, Addan, and Immer, but could not prove that their families were descended from Israel:

60the descendants of Delaiah,

the descendants of Tobiah,

and the descendants of Nekoda,

652 in all.

61And from among the priests: the descendants of Hobaiah,

the descendants of Hakkoz,

and the descendants of Barzillai (who had married a daughter of Barzillai the Gileadite and was called by their name).

62These men searched for their family records, but they could not find them and so were excluded from the priesthood as unclean.

63The governor ordered them not to eat the most holy things until there was a priest to consult the Urim and Thummim.

64The whole assembly numbered 42,360,65in addition to their 7,337 menservants and maidservants, as well as their 200 male and female singers.66They had 736 horses, 245 mules,67435 camels, and 6,720 donkeys.

Offerings by the Exiles

68When they arrived at the house of the LORD in Jerusalem, some of the heads of the families gave freewill offerings to rebuild the house of God on its original site.69According to their ability, they gave to the treasury for this work 61,000 darics of gold, 5,000 minas of silver, and 100 priestly garments.

70So the priests, the Levites, the singers, the gatekeepers, and the temple servants, along with some of the people, settled in their own towns; and the rest of the Israelites settled in their towns.

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