Ezra 2:47 (KJV)

What does Ezra 2:47 mean?

Ezra 2:47 lists three groups—“the children of Giddel, the children of Gahar, the children of Reaiah”—as part of a census of people returning from exile to Jerusalem. This verse records the names of family groups or clans who were counted among the returnees.

Ezra is recounting the families who came back from Babylonian exile to rebuild Jerusalem and the temple. The verse is part of a longer list, showing the careful record-keeping of those who returned. These names represent real families whose return was significant for restoring the community’s identity and heritage.

The Hebrew behind Ezra 2:47

• The word “children” (בְּנֵי, bənê) is used for each group, meaning “descendants” or “members of the family of.” This highlights that the list is organized by family lines, not just individuals.
• The names Giddel (גִּדֵּל, Giddel), Gahar (גָּחַר, Gahar), and Reaiah (רֵעָיָה, Reaiah) are preserved as family or clan names, showing the importance of lineage in the returning community.

Why Ezra 2:47 matters

• This verse helps clarify that the return from exile was not just about individuals, but about restoring whole families and lineages to their ancestral land.
• By listing these names, Ezra emphasizes the continuity of Israel’s community and the fulfillment of God’s promise to bring His people back.
• The verse also connects to the broader passage by showing the inclusiveness of the return—every family, even those with less prominent names, was counted and valued.