Question 1

What does Ezra 2:18 mean?

Accepted Answer

Ezra 2:18 lists a group of people called "the children of Jorah," numbering one hundred and twelve, as part of a census of those returning from exile to Jerusalem. This verse simply records the family name and the count of its members among the returning exiles. Ezra is recounting the names and numbers of families who came back from Babylonian captivity to rebuild their lives in Judah. The verse is part of a larger register that shows the careful documentation of each family group, emphasizing the importance of every returning household in the restoration of the community.

Question 2

The Hebrew behind Ezra 2:18

Accepted Answer

The word for "children" is בְּנֵי (bənê), which often means "descendants" or "members of the family of." Here, it signals that the list is organized by ancestral families rather than just immediate offspring. "Jorah" (יוֹרָה, Yorāh) is the family or clan name, identifying this specific group among the returnees. The numbers "hundred" (מֵאָה, mē’āh) and "twelve" (שְׁנֵים עָשָׂר, shenayim ʿāsār) are given precisely, showing the careful record-keeping and the significance of each family’s contribution to the restored community.

Question 3

Why Ezra 2:18 matters

Accepted Answer

This verse highlights the detailed care taken to record every family returning from exile, showing that each group was valued in the rebuilding of Israel. By naming even smaller family groups, Ezra 2:18 underscores the inclusiveness of the restoration effort—no group was too small to be counted. The verse connects to the broader theme of continuity and identity, as these records helped preserve family lines and tribal heritage after years of displacement.

Ezra 2:18 (KJV)