Ezra 2:22

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

The men of Netophah, fifty and six.

Complete Jewish Bible:

people of N'tofah 56

Berean Standard Bible:

the men of Netophah, 56;

American Standard Version:

The men of Netophah, fifty and six.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

The men^{H582} of Netophah^{H5199}, fifty^{H2572} and six^{H8337}.

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for Ezra 2:22

Ezra 2:22 is a verse from a section of the book that lists the returnees from Babylon to Jerusalem after the decree of King Cyrus of Persia, which allowed the Jewish exiles to return to their homeland. This decree, which occurred around 538 BCE, marked the end of the Babylonian Exile that began in 586 BCE when the Neo-Babylonian Empire destroyed Jerusalem and the First Temple.

The verse specifically mentions "the men of Netophah, fifty and six," indicating that 56 men from the town of Netophah were part of the group that returned to Jerusalem. Netophah was a town in Judah, and its inhabitants were among those who were taken into exile by the Babylonians. The mention of these men in this context serves to highlight the communal aspect of the return, emphasizing that the restoration of Jerusalem and the Jewish community was not just the work of individuals but of families and towns coming back together.

The themes present in this verse include restoration, the importance of community, and the fulfillment of God's promises. The return from exile was seen as a fulfillment of prophecies that foretold the restoration of Israel after a period of punishment and dispersion. The detailed listing of returnees also serves as a record for the genealogical and social reconstruction of the Jewish community in the land of Israel. It reflects the care taken to preserve the identity and heritage of the people of Judah during this critical period of their history.

In summary, Ezra 2:22 is part of a historical record in the Bible that documents the specific number of men from Netophah who participated in the return to Jerusalem after the Babylonian Exile. It underscores the theme of communal restoration and the fulfillment of divine promises, while also serving as a testament to the meticulous record-keeping that was important for the reestablishment of the Jewish community in their ancestral land.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H582
   There are 648 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אֱנוֹשׁ
   Transliteration: ʼĕnôwsh
   Pronunciation: en-oshe'
   Description: from אָנַשׁ; properly, a mortal (and thus differing from the more dignified אָדָם); hence,; a man in general (singly or collectively); another, [idiom] (blood-) thirsty, certain, chap(-man); divers, fellow, [idiom] in the flower of their age, husband, (certain, mortal) man, people, person, servant, some ([idiom] of them), [phrase] stranger, those, [phrase] their trade. It is often unexpressed in the English versions, especially when used in apposition with another word. Compare אִישׁ.
   
2. Strong's Number: H5199
   There are 2 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: נְטֹפָה
   Transliteration: Nᵉṭôphâh
   Pronunciation: net-o-faw'
   Description: from נָטַף; distillation; Netophah, a place in Palestine; Netophah.
   
3. Strong's Number: H2572
   There are 141 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: חֲמִשִּׁים
   Transliteration: chămishshîym
   Pronunciation: kham-ish-sheem'
   Description: multiple of חָמֵשׁ; fifty; fifty.
   
4. Strong's Number: H8337
   There are 203 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שֵׁשׁ
   Transliteration: shêsh
   Pronunciation: shaysh
   Description: masculine שִׁשָּׁה; a primitive number; compare שׂוּשׂ; six (as an overplus beyond five or the fingers of the hand); as ord. sixth; six(-teen, -teenth), sixth.