Ezra 2:34 (KJV)

What does Ezra 2:34 mean?

Ezra 2:34 records that 345 descendants from the town of Jericho returned to Judah after the Babylonian exile. This verse is part of a census listing the families and groups who came back to rebuild their lives in their ancestral land.

Ezra is recounting the names and numbers of those who returned from exile, and here he notes the group from Jericho. The verse highlights the careful record-keeping and the importance of each community in restoring the nation of Israel after years away from their homeland.

The Hebrew behind Ezra 2:34

• יְרִיחוֹ (Yericho): This is the Hebrew name for Jericho, a well-known city in Israel’s history. Its mention here connects the returnees to a specific place with deep roots in Israel’s story.
• בֵּן (ben): Translated as "children" or "descendants," this word emphasizes that the people listed are part of family lines, not just individuals, showing the restoration of whole communities.
• שָׁלוֹשׁ (shalosh), מֵאָה (me’ah), אַרְבָּעִים (arba’im), חָמֵשׁ (chamesh): These are the Hebrew words for "three," "hundred," "forty," and "five," making up the total count of 345. The precise number underlines the detailed nature of the record.

Why Ezra 2:34 matters

• This verse helps show that the return from exile was organized by families and hometowns, not just by individuals, which was important for reestablishing Israelite identity and inheritance.
• By naming Jericho, the verse connects the returnees to a significant city in Israel’s history, reminding readers of the continuity between past and present generations.
• The careful listing of numbers and names throughout Ezra 2 demonstrates the value placed on each group and the collective effort involved in rebuilding the nation.