The children of Pahathmoab, of the children of Jeshua and Joab, two thousand eight hundred and twelve.

EZRA 2:6KJV
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Ezra 2:6 (KJV)

What does Ezra 2:6 mean?

Ezra 2:6 lists a group of people returning from exile: the descendants of Pahathmoab, specifically those connected to Jeshua and Joab, numbering 2,812. This verse is part of a census recording the families and numbers of Israelites who came back to Jerusalem and Judah after being held captive in Babylon.

Ezra is recounting the names and sizes of family groups who returned to their homeland under Persian rule. The mention of "children" refers to descendants or members of these family lines, not just literal children. The verse highlights the careful record-keeping and the importance of lineage as the Israelites re-established their community.

The Hebrew behind Ezra 2:6

  • בְּנֵי (bənê, H1121): This word means "children" or "descendants." It emphasizes that the list is about family groups or clans, not just immediate offspring.
  • פַּחַת־מוֹאָב (Pahathmoab, H6355): This is a family name meaning "governor of Moab." It identifies a specific ancestral group among the returnees.
  • יֵשׁוּעַ (Yeshua, H3442) and יוֹאָב (Yoav, H3097): These are personal names, showing subgroups within the larger Pahathmoab family. Their mention helps clarify which branches of the family are being counted.
  • The numbers (אֶלֶף, eleph for "thousand"; שְׁמֹנֶה, shmoneh for "eight"; מֵאָה, me'ah for "hundred"; שְׁנַיִם, shnayim for "two"; עֶשֶׂר, eser for "ten"): The detailed breakdown shows the precision in the census and the importance of each family’s contribution to the community.

Why Ezra 2:6 matters

  • This verse helps clarify that the return from exile was organized by family groups, showing the importance of heritage and identity in rebuilding the nation.
  • The specific mention of subgroups within a larger family (Jeshua and Joab) shows how records preserved distinctions between different lines, which mattered for property, leadership, and temple service.
  • By listing exact numbers, Ezra underlines the seriousness and accountability of the return, connecting each family’s presence to the broader restoration of Israel.