Of the sons of Shechaniah; the son of Jahaziel, and with him three hundred males.

EZRA 8:5KJV
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Ezra 8:5 (KJV)

What does Ezra 8:5 mean?

Ezra 8:5 lists one of the family groups returning from Babylon to Jerusalem with Ezra, specifically mentioning the descendants of Shechaniah, through Jahaziel, and counting three hundred males in this group. This verse is part of a detailed record of those who joined Ezra’s journey back to Judah.

Ezra, a priest and scribe, is gathering people for the return from exile. The verse names a family leader (Shechaniah), his ancestor (Jahaziel), and the number of men traveling with him. This careful listing shows the organized way the return was managed and highlights the importance of family lines and community structure in this restoration period.

The Hebrew behind Ezra 8:5

  • בְּנֵי (bənê, "sons"): This word often means male descendants or members of a family group, not just literal sons. Here, it signals a clan or extended family unit, emphasizing the communal nature of the return.
  • זְכָרִים (zəḵārîm, "males"): This word specifically counts men, which in this context usually means adult males able to travel and represent their families. The focus on males was typical for census and migration records in ancient Israel.

Why Ezra 8:5 matters

  • This verse helps clarify the careful organization and record-keeping that went into the return from exile, showing that the journey was not random but planned and structured.
  • By naming specific families and numbers, Ezra 8:5 connects the returning exiles to their heritage, reinforcing their identity as descendants of Israel even after years in Babylon.
  • The listing of males highlights the way ancient Israelite society structured community responsibilities and leadership, which is important for understanding the social and religious rebuilding that follows in Ezra.

Where else these words appear

“Jahaziel” Hebrew H3166 · used in 6 verses

  • 1 Chronicles 12:4 And Ismaiah the Gibeonite, a mighty man among the thirty, and over the thirty; and Jeremiah, and Jahaziel, and Johanan, and Josabad the Gederathite,
  • 1 Chronicles 16:6 Benaiah also and Jahaziel the priests with trumpets continually before the ark of the covenant of God.
  • 1 Chronicles 24:23 And the sons of Hebron; Jeriah the first, Amariah the second, Jahaziel the third, Jekameam the fourth.

“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.

“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.