Which came with Zerubbabel: Jeshua, Nehemiah, Seraiah, Reelaiah, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispar, Bigvai, Rehum, Baanah. The number of the men of the people of Israel:

EZRA 2:2KJV
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Ezra 2:2 (KJV)

What does Ezra 2:2 mean?

Ezra 2:2 lists the leaders who returned from Babylon to Jerusalem with Zerubbabel, including Jeshua, Nehemiah, Seraiah, and others, and introduces the count of the people of Israel who came with them. This verse marks the beginning of a detailed record of those who returned from exile to rebuild their community.

Ezra 2:2 is part of a historical account written to document the return of Jewish exiles from Babylon to Judah after King Cyrus of Persia allowed them to go home. The verse names key leaders, showing the organized and communal nature of this return. The rest of the chapter will list the families and numbers of people who made this journey, emphasizing the restoration of Israel’s identity and community.

The Hebrew behind Ezra 2:2

  • "came" (בָּאוּ, ba'u): This word is used to describe the act of returning or arriving, highlighting that these leaders physically led the people back to their homeland.
  • "number" (מִסְפָּר, mispar): This word introduces the census that follows, showing the importance of recording and preserving the identity and continuity of the people.
  • "men" (אֲנָשִׁים, anashim): This term often refers specifically to adult males, which was typical in ancient census records, but it also represents the heads of households or family groups.
  • "people" (עָם, am): This word refers to the larger community or nation, emphasizing that this was a collective return, not just a few individuals.

Why Ezra 2:2 matters

  • Ezra 2:2 clarifies that the return from exile was not random but was led by recognized leaders, giving the event structure and legitimacy.
  • The verse sets up the detailed census that follows, underlining the importance of community identity and continuity after years of displacement.
  • By naming both leaders and the people, Ezra 2:2 connects personal leadership with the collective story of Israel, showing how both individuals and the community played a role in the restoration.

Where else these words appear

“Bilshan” Hebrew H1114 · used in 2 verses

  • Nehemiah 7:7 Who came with Zerubbabel, Jeshua, Nehemiah, Azariah, Raamiah, Nahamani, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispereth, Bigvai, Nehum, Baanah. The number, I say, of the men of the people of Israel was this;

“Bigvai” Hebrew H902 · used in 6 verses

  • Ezra 2:14 The children of Bigvai, two thousand fifty and six.
  • Ezra 8:14 Of the sons also of Bigvai; Uthai, and Zabbud, and with them seventy males.
  • Nehemiah 7:19 The children of Bigvai, two thousand threescore and seven.

“Nehemiah” Hebrew H5166 · used in 8 verses

  • Nehemiah 1:1 The words of Nehemiah the son of Hachaliah. And it came to pass in the month Chisleu, in the twentieth year, as I was in Shushan the palace,
  • Nehemiah 7:7 Who came with Zerubbabel, Jeshua, Nehemiah, Azariah, Raamiah, Nahamani, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispereth, Bigvai, Nehum, Baanah. The number, I say, of the men of the people of Israel was this;
  • Nehemiah 10:1 Now those that sealed were, Nehemiah, the Tirshatha, the son of Hachaliah, and Zidkijah,

“Rehum” Hebrew H7348 · used in 8 verses

  • Ezra 4:8 Rehum the chancellor and Shimshai the scribe wrote a letter against Jerusalem to Artaxerxes the king in this sort:
  • Ezra 4:17 Then sent the king an answer unto Rehum the chancellor, and to Shimshai the scribe, and to the rest of their companions that dwell in Samaria, and unto the rest beyond the river, Peace, and at such a time.
  • Nehemiah 3:17 After him repaired the Levites, Rehum the son of Bani. Next unto him repaired Hashabiah, the ruler of the half part of Keilah, in his part.