Ezra 2:16 (KJV)

What does Ezra 2:16 mean?

Ezra 2:16 lists a group of people returning from exile, specifically “the children of Ater of Hezekiah,” numbering ninety-eight. This verse simply records part of a census, naming a family group and how many members came back to Jerusalem after the Babylonian captivity.

Ezra is recounting the families who returned to Judah under Zerubbabel’s leadership. The verse names “Ater of Hezekiah,” likely meaning descendants of a man named Ater, possibly connected to someone named Hezekiah. The focus is on documenting the restoration of the Jewish community by carefully listing those who came back to rebuild their homeland.

The Hebrew behind Ezra 2:16

• “children” (בְּנֵי, bənê) means “descendants” or “members of the family,” not just literal children. This shows the list includes all family members, not only the young.
• “Ater” (עָטֵר, ‘Ater) is a personal name, possibly meaning “leftover” or “remnant,” which fits the context of those returning from exile.
• “Hezekiah” (חִזְקִיָּה, Ḥizqiyyah) is another personal name, meaning “Yahweh strengthens.” The mention may indicate a respected ancestor or a way to distinguish this Ater from others.
• “ninety” (תִּשְׁעִים, tish‘im) and “eight” (שְׁמֹנֶה, shmoneh) are the Hebrew words for the number 98, showing the exact count of this family group.

Why Ezra 2:16 matters

• This verse helps clarify that the return from exile was organized and carefully recorded, underlining the importance of each family’s contribution to the restored community.
• Naming both Ater and Hezekiah may help distinguish between different families with similar names, showing attention to detail in the record.
• The verse connects to the larger list in Ezra 2, which emphasizes continuity with Israel’s past and the fulfillment of God’s promises to bring His people back to their land.