Question 1

What does Ezra 2:38 mean?

Accepted Answer

Ezra 2:38 lists a group returning from exile: “The children of Pashur, a thousand two hundred forty and seven.” This means that 1,247 descendants or members of the family of Pashur came back to Jerusalem after the Babylonian captivity. This verse is part of a census in the book of Ezra, where the writer records the families and groups who returned to Judah from Babylon. The “children of Pashur” refers to a priestly family, and the specific number shows careful record-keeping and the importance of each group in rebuilding the Jewish community.

Question 2

Why Ezra 2:38 matters

Accepted Answer

Ezra 2:38 shows that the return from exile was organized by family groups, highlighting the importance of heritage and identity in restoring the nation. The verse emphasizes that priestly families, like the descendants of Pashur, were included, which was crucial for reestablishing worship and religious life in Jerusalem. Seeing the exact numbers helps readers understand the scale of the return and the care taken to document each group, which reflects the seriousness of rebuilding both the city and its spiritual life.

Ezra 2:38 (KJV)