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.

Where else these words appear

“Pahathmoab” Hebrew H6355 · used in 6 verses

  • Ezra 8:4 Of the sons of Pahathmoab; Elihoenai the son of Zerahiah, and with him two hundred males.
  • Ezra 10:30 And of the sons of Pahathmoab; Adna, and Chelal, Benaiah, Maaseiah, Mattaniah, Bezaleel, and Binnui, and Manasseh.
  • Nehemiah 7:11 The children of Pahathmoab, of the children of Jeshua and Joab, two thousand and eight hundred and eighteen.

“Jeshua” Hebrew H3442 · used in 29 verses

  • 1 Chronicles 24:11 The ninth to Jeshua, the tenth to Shecaniah,
  • Ezra 8:33 Now on the fourth day was the silver and the gold and the vessels weighed in the house of our God by the hand of Meremoth the son of Uriah the priest; and with him was Eleazar the son of Phinehas; and with them was Jozabad the son of Jeshua, and Noadiah the son of Binnui, Levites;
  • Nehemiah 9:4 Then stood up upon the stairs, of the Levites, Jeshua, and Bani, Kadmiel, Shebaniah, Bunni, Sherebiah, Bani, and Chenani, and cried with a loud voice unto the LORD their God.

“eight” Hebrew H8083 · used in 105 verses

  • Genesis 5:4 And the days of Adam after he had begotten Seth were eight hundred years: and he begat sons and daughters:
  • 1 Kings 7:10 And the foundation was of costly stones, even great stones, stones of ten cubits, and stones of eight cubits.
  • 2 Chronicles 34:8 Now in the eighteenth year of his reign, when he had purged the land, and the house, he sent Shaphan the son of Azaliah, and Maaseiah the governor of the city, and Joah the son of Joahaz the recorder, to repair the house of the LORD his God.

“Joab” Hebrew H3097 · used in 124 verses

  • 1 Samuel 26:6 Then answered David and said to Ahimelech the Hittite, and to Abishai the son of Zeruiah, brother to Joab, saying, Who will go down with me to Saul to the camp? And Abishai said, I will go down with thee.
  • 2 Samuel 14:21 And the king said unto Joab, Behold now, I have done this thing: go therefore, bring the young man Absalom again.
  • 2 Samuel 24:3 And Joab said unto the king, Now the LORD thy God add unto the people, how many soever they be, an hundredfold, and that the eyes of my lord the king may see it: but why doth my lord the king delight in this thing?