Ezra 2:24 (KJV)

What does Ezra 2:24 mean?

Ezra 2:24 records that forty-two descendants from the family or place of Azmaveth returned from exile. This verse is part of a detailed list naming groups who came back to Judah after the Babylonian captivity.

Ezra, likely the compiler of this list, is documenting for the returning Jewish community who came back to their homeland. Each group or family mentioned, like the children of Azmaveth, represents a piece of the nation’s restoration. The verse is brief, but it marks the inclusion of even small groups in the rebuilding of Israel’s identity and community.

The Hebrew behind Ezra 2:24

• בְּנֵי (benê, H1121): This word means "children" or "descendants." Here, it refers to the members or offspring of a particular family or clan, emphasizing lineage and belonging.
• עַזְמָוֶת (Azmaveth, H5820): This is a proper name, likely referring to either a person or a place. Its mention highlights the importance of both family heritage and geographic roots in the returning community.
• אַרְבָּעִים (arba‘im, H705): This word means "forty." It is used here as part of the count of people, showing the careful record-keeping of those who returned.
• שְׁנַיִם (shenayim, H8147): This word means "two." Combined with "forty," it gives the total number—forty-two—showing that even small numbers mattered in the restoration.

Why Ezra 2:24 matters

• Ezra 2:24 shows that every group, even those with only a few members like the children of Azmaveth, was counted and valued in the return from exile.
• The verse highlights the careful documentation and organization of the returning exiles, which was important for reestablishing community identity and property rights.
• By listing each family or group, Ezra 2:24 connects individual stories to the larger narrative of Israel’s restoration, showing that the rebuilding involved everyone, not just the prominent or numerous families.