Of the sons of Shechaniah, of the sons of Pharosh; Zechariah: and with him were reckoned by genealogy of the males an hundred and fifty.

EZRA 8:3KJV
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Ezra 8:3 (KJV)

What does Ezra 8:3 mean?

Ezra 8:3 lists Zechariah as a leader from the family of Shechaniah, who was descended from the sons of Pharosh, and notes that 150 male family members were counted with him by genealogy. This verse is part of a record showing which families returned with Ezra from Babylon to Jerusalem.

Ezra is recounting the names and numbers of those who joined him for the journey back to Jerusalem after the exile. The verse highlights the careful documentation of family lines and the importance of genealogy for the returning exiles, showing the organized and communal nature of this return.

The Hebrew behind Ezra 8:3

  • בְּנֵי (benei, "sons"): This word points to male descendants or members of a family group, emphasizing the family-based organization of the returnees.
  • הִתְיַחֵשׂ (hityachēs, "genealogy"): This verb means to be enrolled or registered by genealogy, showing that the group was officially counted and their lineage was verified, which was important for reestablishing identity in Jerusalem.
  • זְכָרִים (zekharim, "males"): This term clarifies that the count included only male members, which was typical in ancient records for official or military purposes.

Why Ezra 8:3 matters

  • This verse shows the importance of family heritage and accurate records for the Jewish people returning from exile, as these lists determined property rights and temple service eligibility.
  • By naming specific leaders and numbers, Ezra emphasizes the organized and communal effort involved in the return, not just individual journeys.
  • The verse connects to the larger theme of restoration in Ezra, showing that the return from exile was not random but carefully planned and rooted in tradition.

Where else these words appear

“Pharosh” Hebrew H6551 · used in 6 verses

  • Ezra 2:3 The children of Parosh, two thousand an hundred seventy and two.
  • Ezra 10:25 Moreover of Israel: of the sons of Parosh; Ramiah, and Jeziah, and Malchiah, and Miamin, and Eleazar, and Malchijah, and Benaiah.
  • Nehemiah 7:8 The children of Parosh, two thousand an hundred seventy and two.

“Shechaniah” Hebrew H7935 · used in 10 verses

  • 1 Chronicles 3:21 And the sons of Hananiah; Pelatiah, and Jesaiah: the sons of Rephaiah, the sons of Arnan, the sons of Obadiah, the sons of Shechaniah.
  • 2 Chronicles 31:15 And next him were Eden, and Miniamin, and Jeshua, and Shemaiah, Amariah, and Shecaniah, in the cities of the priests, in their set office, to give to their brethren by courses, as well to the great as to the small:
  • Nehemiah 3:29 After them repaired Zadok the son of Immer over against his house. After him repaired also Shemaiah the son of Shechaniah, the keeper of the east gate.

“genealogy” Hebrew H3187 · used in 20 verses

  • 1 Chronicles 4:33 And all their villages that were round about the same cities, unto Baal. These were their habitations, and their genealogy.
  • 1 Chronicles 7:9 And the number of them, after their genealogy by their generations, heads of the house of their fathers, mighty men of valour, was twenty thousand and two hundred.
  • 2 Chronicles 31:17 Both to the genealogy of the priests by the house of their fathers, and the Levites from twenty years old and upward, in their charges by their courses;

“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.