And of the sons of Bebai; Zechariah the son of Bebai, and with him twenty and eight males.

EZRA 8:11KJV
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Ezra 8:11 (KJV)

What does Ezra 8:11 mean?

Ezra 8:11 lists Zechariah, a descendant of Bebai, along with twenty-eight male relatives, as part of the group returning from exile to Jerusalem. This verse is part of a record showing who joined Ezra on the journey from Babylon back to Judah.

Ezra, a Jewish scribe and leader, is gathering families willing to return to Jerusalem to rebuild their community and worship. The verse specifically names Zechariah as the leader from the family of Bebai and counts the men traveling with him. This careful listing highlights the organized and communal nature of the return from exile.

The Hebrew behind Ezra 8:11

  • בְּנֵי (bənê, "sons"): This word often means "descendants" or "members of a family," not just literal sons. Here, it shows that Zechariah and his group represent the wider Bebai family line.
  • זְכַרְיָה (zəkharyāh, "Zechariah"): The name means "Yahweh remembers," which may have been meaningful for exiles returning to their homeland.
  • עֶשְׂרִים (esrim, "twenty") and שְׁמוֹנָה (shemoneh, "eight"): The exact numbers emphasize the careful record-keeping and the importance of each family’s contribution to the returning community.
  • זָכָר (zākār, "males"): This word specifies that the count refers to male members, which was typical for such lists in ancient records.

Why Ezra 8:11 matters

  • This verse helps clarify that the return from exile was not just a vague movement but was organized by families and clans, each with named leaders and members.
  • The careful listing of names and numbers underscores the value placed on community structure and continuity after years in exile.
  • By naming Zechariah and his group, the verse connects this family to the larger story of restoration and faithfulness in the book of Ezra.

Where else these words appear

“Bebai” Hebrew H893 · used in 5 verses

  • Ezra 2:11 The children of Bebai, six hundred twenty and three.
  • Ezra 10:28 Of the sons also of Bebai; Jehohanan, Hananiah, Zabbai, and Athlai.
  • Nehemiah 7:16 The children of Bebai, six hundred twenty and eight.

“Zechariah” Hebrew H2148 · used in 43 verses

  • 2 Kings 14:29 And Jeroboam slept with his fathers, even with the kings of Israel; and Zachariah his son reigned in his stead.
  • 1 Chronicles 26:14 And the lot eastward fell to Shelemiah. Then for Zechariah his son, a wise counsellor, they cast lots; and his lot came out northward.
  • Ezra 8:16 Then sent I for Eliezer, for Ariel, for Shemaiah, and for Elnathan, and for Jarib, and for Elnathan, and for Nathan, and for Zechariah, and for Meshullam, chief men; also for Joiarib, and for Elnathan, men of understanding.

“males” Hebrew H2145 · used in 80 verses

  • Genesis 1:27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.
  • Leviticus 12:2 Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, If a woman have conceived seed, and born a man child: then she shall be unclean seven days; according to the days of the separation for her infirmity shall she be unclean.
  • Numbers 31:35 And thirty and two thousand persons in all, of women that had not known man by lying with him.

“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.