Ezra 8:10 (KJV)

What does Ezra 8:10 mean?

Ezra 8:10 lists one of the family groups returning from exile to Jerusalem with Ezra, specifically mentioning the descendants of Shelomith, the son of Josiphiah, and notes that 160 males from this family traveled with them. This verse is part of a record showing who joined Ezra on the journey back to Judah.

Ezra is recounting the names and numbers of those who returned from Babylonian exile with him. The verse highlights the careful documentation of families and their members, showing the importance of lineage and community among the returning exiles. This detailed list helps establish the legitimacy and organization of the group making the journey.

The Hebrew behind Ezra 8:10

• "sons" (בְּנֵי, bənê): This word means "descendants" or "members of a family," not just literal sons. It shows that the group included all male family members, not just direct children.
• "hundred" (מֵאָה, me'ah) and "threescore" (שִׁשִּׁים, shishim): These words combine to mean 160, using the ancient way of counting by hundreds and sixties. This precise number underlines the organized record-keeping of the returnees.
• "males" (זָכָר, zakhar): This word specifies that the count refers to male members, which was the common way of recording family groups in ancient Israel.

Why Ezra 8:10 matters

• This verse shows the careful attention to family heritage and numbers among the returning exiles, which was crucial for re-establishing the community in Jerusalem.
• By listing specific family heads and numbers, Ezra emphasizes the legitimacy and continuity of Israel’s people after the exile.
• The verse connects to the wider passage by showing that the return from exile was not random or disorganized, but a deliberate and well-documented movement of families committed to restoring their homeland.