Ezra 2:12

KJV

The children of Azgad, a thousand two hundred twenty and two.

KJV (with Strong's)

The children {H1121} of Azgad {H5803}, a thousand {H505} two {H8147} hundred {H3967} twenty {H6242} and two {H8147}.

Complete Jewish Bible

descendants of 'Azgad 1,222

Berean Standard Bible

the descendants of Azgad, 1,222;

American Standard Version

The children of Azgad, a thousand two hundred twenty and two.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezra 2:12 is a precise entry within the meticulous post-exilic census, detailing the number of individuals belonging to the family of Azgad—specifically, "a thousand two hundred twenty and two"—who returned from Babylonian captivity to Judah. This seemingly simple statistic is a foundational element of the comprehensive roster in Ezra chapter 2, which served to authenticate the identity, lineage, and communal structure of the returning Jewish exiles, thereby laying the groundwork for the spiritual and physical restoration of Jerusalem and the temple.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ezra 2:12 is situated within a lengthy and detailed register of the first wave of Jewish exiles returning to Judah under the leadership of Zerubbabel and Jeshua, following King Cyrus's decree in 538 BC. This chapter immediately follows the initial account of Cyrus's proclamation and the preparations for the return (Ezra 1). The list, which spans from Ezra 2:2 to Ezra 2:67, meticulously enumerates the heads of families, the number of their returning descendants, and even the number of their servants and livestock. This comprehensive catalog serves a crucial administrative and theological purpose, establishing the legitimate members of the restored covenant community and providing the human resources necessary for the monumental task of rebuilding the temple and the city of Jerusalem. The inclusion of specific family groups like "the children of Azgad" underscores the granular detail and the importance placed on individual and familial identity in this foundational moment of national re-establishment.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The return from Babylonian exile, prophesied by figures like Jeremiah (e.g., [Jeremiah 29:10](/jeremiah/29-10 "Jeremiah 29:10 - Prophecy of Seventy Years of Exile")), marked a pivotal moment in Israelite history. After seventy years of captivity, the Persian Empire, under Cyrus the Great, adopted a policy of allowing conquered peoples to return to their homelands and rebuild their religious centers, a stark contrast to the Assyrian and Babylonian policies of forced assimilation. For the Jews, this decree was seen as divine intervention, fulfilling God's promises. The meticulous record-keeping evident in Ezra 2, including the precise count of the "children of Azgad," was culturally significant. Genealogies and family registers were vital in ancient Israel for establishing tribal and familial identity, land inheritance, and particularly for verifying priestly and Levitical lineage (as seen later in Ezra 2:61-63). This detailed census ensured the purity of the community, the proper allocation of resources, and the legitimate participation in the temple service and the re-establishment of the nation.
* **Key Themes:** Ezra 2:12, as part of this larger register, contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Ezra and the broader post-exilic narrative. Firstly, it highlights **God's Faithfulness and Restoration**, demonstrating His unwavering commitment to His covenant promises by orchestrating the return of His people to the land He had given them, even after a period of judgment and exile. The very act of return, detailed family by family, is a testament to divine providence. Secondly, the emphasis on specific family units like Azgad's underscores the theme of **Identity and Continuity**. The detailed genealogies were essential for affirming who belonged to the covenant community, ensuring the preservation of Israel's unique identity despite generations in a foreign land. This continuity was crucial for the re-establishment of the nation and the temple, which begins in earnest in [Ezra 3](/ezra/3 "Ezra 3 - Rebuilding the Altar and Laying the Temple Foundation"). Finally, the meticulous counting points to **Divine Order and Human Responsibility**. While God initiated the return, the people were called to respond, to organize, and to participate in the rebuilding. Each family, including the "children of Azgad," represented a vital component of the human capital necessary for the immense task of reconstructing Jerusalem's walls, the temple, and the social and religious life of the community, demonstrating that God uses human structures and efforts to accomplish His redemptive purposes.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Azgad (Hebrew, _‘Azgad'_):** This is the name of a family head, meaning "strong in fortune" or "fortress of Gad." The name itself, while not directly tied to theological significance, represents a specific lineage that was important enough to be meticulously recorded. The inclusion of Azgad's descendants alongside other prominent families underscores the comprehensive nature of the census and the importance of each family unit in the re-establishment of the community.
* **Children (Hebrew, _b'nei'_):** The Hebrew term בְּנֵי (_b'nei_), literally "sons of," is a common biblical idiom used to denote descendants, a clan, or a family unit. In this context, "the children of Azgad" refers to the entire lineage or clan that traced its ancestry back to Azgad, emphasizing the collective identity and familial solidarity that characterized ancient Israelite society and was crucial for the re-population and re-organization of Judah.
* **A thousand two hundred twenty and two (Hebrew, _’elep̱ matayim wᵉ‘eśriym wᵉšᵉnayim'_):** The precise numerical count is significant. It indicates a meticulous census-taking process, reflecting administrative rigor and the importance of accountability in the post-exilic community. This specificity not only served practical purposes (e.g., resource allocation, land distribution) but also underscored the divine ordering of the return, where every individual was accounted for in God's plan for His people.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The children of Azgad":** This phrase identifies a specific family or clan among the multitude of returning exiles. It highlights the importance of lineage and familial identity within ancient Israelite society, especially in the context of re-establishing a national and religious community after a period of dispersion. The very mention of their name signifies their legitimate claim to being part of the covenant people.
* **"a thousand two hundred twenty and two":** This precise number quantifies the size of Azgad's family unit that participated in the return. It serves as a testament to the meticulous record-keeping employed by the leaders of the return, emphasizing the administrative order and the careful accounting of every individual who was part of this foundational migration. This detail underscores the comprehensive nature of the census, where no family, regardless of size, was overlooked.

#### Literary Devices
Ezra 2:12, as part of the broader chapter, primarily employs a **List** or **Census** as its dominant literary device. This is not merely a dry enumeration but a purposeful and theologically charged register. The repetitive structure, with each verse listing a family head and their returning numbers, creates a sense of **Accumulation** and **Completeness**, emphasizing the comprehensive nature of the return and the multitude of God's people participating in His redemptive plan. The consistent use of precise numbers, as seen in "a thousand two hundred twenty and two," highlights **Precision** and **Detail**, underscoring the meticulousness with which the community was re-established and the divine care that accounts for every individual. This detailed listing also serves as a form of **Verification**, authenticating the identity and lineage of those who would rebuild the temple and the nation.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezra 2:12, though a single line in a list, powerfully contributes to the overarching biblical narrative of God's faithfulness to His covenant promises and His meticulous care for His people. It is a tangible demonstration of God's sovereign hand orchestrating the return of the exiles, fulfilling prophecies of restoration after judgment. The emphasis on specific family units and their precise numbers underscores the importance of identity within the covenant community and the divine valuing of each individual and family in God's grand plan. This return from exile foreshadows the ultimate spiritual liberation and restoration found in Christ, where individuals from all nations are brought into God's family.

* [Nehemiah 7:17](/nehemiah/7-17 "Nehemiah 7:17 - The Children of Azgad in Nehemiah's Census")
* [Isaiah 43:5-7](/isaiah/43-5 "Isaiah 43:5-7 - God Gathers His People from Exile")
* [Jeremiah 29:10-14](/jeremiah/29-10 "Jeremiah 29:10-14 - Prophecy of Return from Exile")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezra 2:12, a seemingly obscure statistical detail, offers profound insights for contemporary believers. It reminds us that God is a God of details, who knows and cares for every individual within His vast redemptive plan. Just as the "children of Azgad" were meticulously counted and their return recorded, so too are we, as members of God's spiritual family, known and valued by Him. This verse encourages us to embrace our spiritual heritage within the lineage of faith, recognizing that we are part of a continuous story of God's faithfulness across generations. It calls us to active participation in God's ongoing work of restoration and kingdom building, understanding that every person and every contribution, no matter how seemingly small, is vital to the collective mission. We are not just nameless statistics but cherished individuals called to contribute to the divine purpose.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the meticulous record-keeping in Ezra 2, including the counting of the "children of Azgad," speak to God's personal knowledge and care for each individual in His family today?**
* **In what ways can understanding our spiritual heritage and our place within God's covenant people empower our faith and sense of identity?**
* **What "rebuilding" tasks, spiritual or practical, is God calling you to participate in within your community or the broader church, and how might you contribute?**

### FAQ
**Why is such a detailed list of names and numbers important in the Bible?**

Answer: Such detailed lists, like the one in Ezra 2, are profoundly important for several reasons. Historically, they served as vital administrative documents, establishing legitimate claims to land, verifying tribal and priestly lineages, and ensuring the purity and identity of the returning community after the Babylonian exile. Theologically, these lists underscore God's meticulous care and faithfulness. They demonstrate that God's covenant promises are not abstract but are fulfilled through specific individuals and families. Every name and number represents a life touched by God's providence, a testament to His commitment to preserve and restore His people. It shows that God works through concrete human structures and that He values every individual's place in His grand redemptive narrative.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The meticulous accounting of the "children of Azgad" and other families returning from exile in Ezra 2, while rooted in the historical restoration of Israel, profoundly points to the Christ-centered fulfillment of God's ultimate plan of redemption. The physical return to Jerusalem foreshadows the greater spiritual return to God made possible through Jesus Christ. Just as the exiles were brought back to their homeland to rebuild the temple, so too does Christ gather a new people, His church, to be a spiritual temple (as seen in [Ephesians 2:19-22](/ephesians/2-19 "Ephesians 2:19-22 - Fellow Citizens with the Saints")). The emphasis on lineage and identity in Ezra 2 finds its ultimate meaning in Christ, who is the promised Seed of Abraham and David, through whom all the families of the earth are blessed ([Galatians 3:16](/galatians/3-16 "Galatians 3:16 - The Promises Were Made to Abraham and to His Seed")). The precise counting of the returning exiles anticipates God's careful accounting of His redeemed people in the new covenant, where those who believe in Christ are registered in the "book of life" ([Revelation 20:12](/revelation/20-12 "Revelation 20:12 - The Book of Life")). We, as believers, are not merely descendants of physical lineage but are "a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession" ([1 Peter 2:9-10](/1_peter/2-9 "1 Peter 2:9-10 - A Chosen Race, a Royal Priesthood")), brought near to God through the blood of the Lamb, far surpassing any earthly census.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Nehemiah 7:17

The children of Azgad, two thousand three hundred twenty and two.

Ezra 8:12

And of the sons of Azgad; Johanan the son of Hakkatan, and with him an hundred and ten males.