Their horses were seven hundred thirty and six; their mules, two hundred forty and five;

EZRA 2:66KJV
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Ezra 2:66 (KJV)

What does Ezra 2:66 mean?

Ezra 2:66 records the number of animals that returned with the Jewish exiles from Babylon: 736 horses and 245 mules. This verse is part of a detailed list showing what the returning community brought with them as they resettled Jerusalem.

The book of Ezra is recounting the return of the Israelites from exile, led by leaders like Zerubbabel. This verse comes in the middle of a census-like list, emphasizing not only the people but also their resources. Horses and mules were valuable for travel, farming, and rebuilding, so listing them highlights the community’s preparedness and the practical steps involved in starting over in their homeland.

The Hebrew behind Ezra 2:66

  • סוּס (sus, H5483): This word means "horse." Mentioning the exact number of horses underscores the importance of these animals for transportation and possibly military use during the return.
  • פֶּרֶד (pered, H6505): This word means "mule." Mules were prized for their strength and endurance, so their inclusion signals the community’s ability to handle heavy work and travel.
  • The numbers: Each number in Hebrew (שֶׁבַע sheva, מֵאָה me'ah, שְׁלוֹשִׁים sheloshim, שֵׁשׁ shesh, אַרְבָּעִים arba'im, חָמֵשׁ chamesh) is spelled out, reflecting the careful record-keeping and the significance of each resource.

Why Ezra 2:66 matters

  • This verse shows the practical side of the return from exile, reminding readers that rebuilding a nation involved not just people but also resources and planning.
  • The detailed listing of animals helps modern readers appreciate the challenges and logistics faced by the returning exiles, making the story more tangible and relatable.
  • By including animals in the census, the text highlights the community’s hope and readiness for a new beginning, not just spiritually but in everyday life.

Where else these words appear

“mules” Hebrew H6505 · used in 13 verses

  • 2 Samuel 13:29 And the servants of Absalom did unto Amnon as Absalom had commanded. Then all the king's sons arose, and every man gat him up upon his mule, and fled.
  • 2 Kings 5:17 And Naaman said, Shall there not then, I pray thee, be given to thy servant two mules' burden of earth? for thy servant will henceforth offer neither burnt offering nor sacrifice unto other gods, but unto the LORD.
  • Psalms 32:9 Be ye not as the horse, or as the mule, which have no understanding: whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle, lest they come near unto thee.

“forty” Hebrew H705 · used in 124 verses

  • Genesis 5:13 And Cainan lived after he begat Mahalaleel eight hundred and forty years, and begat sons and daughters:
  • Deuteronomy 8:2 And thou shalt remember all the way which the LORD thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no.
  • 1 Chronicles 5:18 The sons of Reuben, and the Gadites, and half the tribe of Manasseh, of valiant men, men able to bear buckler and sword, and to shoot with bow, and skilful in war, were four and forty thousand seven hundred and threescore, that went out to the war.

“horses” Hebrew H5483 · used in 131 verses

  • Genesis 47:17 And they brought their cattle unto Joseph: and Joseph gave them bread in exchange for horses, and for the flocks, and for the cattle of the herds, and for the asses: and he fed them with bread for all their cattle for that year.
  • 2 Kings 14:20 And they brought him on horses: and he was buried at Jerusalem with his fathers in the city of David.
  • Jeremiah 12:5 If thou hast run with the footmen, and they have wearied thee, then how canst thou contend with horses? and if in the land of peace, wherein thou trustedst, they wearied thee, then how wilt thou do in the swelling of Jordan?