Ezra 2:14

KJV

The children of Bigvai, two thousand fifty and six.

KJV (with Strong's)

The children {H1121} of Bigvai {H902}, two thousand {H505} fifty {H2572} and six {H8337}.

Complete Jewish Bible

descendants of Bigvai 2,056

Berean Standard Bible

the descendants of Bigvai, 2,056;

American Standard Version

The children of Bigvai, two thousand fifty and six.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezra 2:14 is a precise entry within a comprehensive register of families and individuals who returned to Judah from Babylonian exile, specifically detailing that two thousand fifty-six descendants of Bigvai participated in this pivotal restoration. Though seemingly a simple numerical record, this verse contributes significantly to the overarching narrative of God's meticulous faithfulness in fulfilling His covenant promises, re-establishing His people, and laying the groundwork for the rebuilding of Jerusalem and the Temple. It underscores the importance of lineage, identity, and community in God's redemptive plan for His chosen nation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ezra 2:14 is situated within a lengthy and detailed census that spans the entirety of [Ezra chapter 2](/ezra/2 "Ezra 2 - The List of Returnees"). This chapter meticulously lists the various families and their respective numbers who returned to Jerusalem and Judah under the decree of King Cyrus. The preceding verses (Ezra 2:1-13) introduce the general context of the return and begin the enumeration of the prominent families. The list continues after verse 14, culminating in a summary of the total number of returnees (Ezra 2:64-67). This precise record-keeping serves as a foundational document, establishing the identity and legitimacy of the returning community as the true inheritors of the land and the covenant promises, preparing them for the monumental task of [rebuilding the Temple](/ezra/3-8 "Ezra 3:8 - Laying the Foundation of the Temple") and the city.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The return documented in Ezra 2 occurred after seventy years of Babylonian captivity, a period of exile prophesied by Jeremiah (cf. [Jeremiah 29:10](/jeremiah/29-10 "Jeremiah 29:10 - Prophecy of Return")). In 538 BC, King Cyrus the Great of Persia issued a decree (recorded in [Ezra 1:1-4](/ezra/1-1 "Ezra 1:1-4 - Cyrus's Decree")) allowing the exiled Jews to return to their homeland and rebuild their Temple. For a people whose identity was deeply intertwined with their tribal and family lineage, a meticulous census was not merely administrative; it was crucial for re-establishing land claims, confirming priestly and Levitical descent, and ensuring the purity of the community. The careful enumeration of families like Bigvai’s highlights the cultural significance of genealogy in ancient Israel, serving as a vital link to their heritage, their covenant with God, and their future in the land.
* **Key Themes:** The meticulous listing of returnees in Ezra 2, including the children of Bigvai, contributes to several profound themes. Firstly, it powerfully illustrates **Divine Faithfulness and Restoration**. Despite Israel's disobedience leading to exile, God remained true to His covenant, orchestrating their return as promised. Secondly, the detailed record-keeping underscores **Order and Accountability** within God's redemptive plan. Every individual and family was accounted for, emphasizing that each played a vital role in the collective effort of rebuilding the nation and the Temple, reflecting God's sovereign and orderly hand. Lastly, this census reinforces the theme of **Identity and Community**. For a scattered people, knowing one's family and tribal affiliation was paramount for re-establishing their national and religious identity, fostering unity, and rebuilding a cohesive community dedicated to the worship of Yahweh and the re-establishment of the Mosaic Law in Judah (cf. [Nehemiah 8:1-8](/nehemiah/8-1 "Nehemiah 8:1-8 - The Reading of the Law")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Bigvai (Hebrew, _Bigvay'_):** This is the name of a family head, meaning "my body" or "my food" (though the etymology is debated). The significance here lies not in the name's meaning but in its function as a marker of a distinct family unit. The inclusion of Bigvai's name, alongside other family heads, underscores the importance of lineage and corporate identity in the post-exilic community. These family names served as foundational pillars for the re-establishment of Israelite society, ensuring continuity with their ancestral heritage and facilitating the orderly distribution of land and responsibilities.
* **two thousand fifty and six (Hebrew, _ʼeleph_ "thousand," _ḥamishim_ "fifty," _vashēsh_ "and six"):** The precise numerical count is central to this verse. While seemingly mundane, this exact figure highlights the meticulous nature of the census. It signifies not just a general return but a divinely organized and humanly recorded re-gathering of specific individuals, emphasizing the tangible reality of the restoration. The numerical detail underscores the value God places on each person and group within His covenant community, demonstrating His sovereign oversight even in the minute details of their return and resettlement.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The children of Bigvai":** This phrase identifies a specific family unit, indicating that the count refers to the descendants or members associated with the patriarch Bigvai. In ancient Israel, identity was often corporate, rooted in family and clan. The "children of Bigvai" represent a distinct, recognized group within the larger body of returning exiles, highlighting the preservation of family lines and the structured nature of the return. This emphasis on family units was crucial for re-establishing social order, land ownership, and communal responsibilities in the nascent post-exilic society.
* **"two thousand fifty and six":** This precise number provides the exact count of individuals belonging to the family of Bigvai. The specificity of the number underscores the administrative rigor and historical accuracy intended by the chronicler. It signifies a substantial contribution to the overall number of returnees, indicating the significant size and influence of this particular family. This numerical detail, when viewed alongside the other family counts in Ezra 2, paints a comprehensive picture of the scale of God's redemptive work in gathering His dispersed people back to their homeland.

#### Literary Devices
Ezra 2:14, as part of a larger list, primarily employs **Enumeration** and **Census** as key literary devices. The meticulous **enumeration** of individuals by family unit serves to establish a clear and verifiable record of the returning exiles, lending historical credibility and administrative weight to the narrative. This detailed listing functions as a **census**, which in biblical literature often signifies divine ordering, covenant fulfillment, and the establishment of a new phase in God's redemptive history. By providing specific numbers for each family, the text emphasizes the tangible reality of the restoration and the re-constitution of the community. The **repetition** of this pattern (family name + number) throughout Ezra 2 creates a sense of comprehensive coverage and divine oversight, reinforcing the idea that every returning individual was part of God's grand plan. While seemingly dry, this precise numerical accounting also carries a symbolic weight, representing the fulfillment of God's promise to gather His scattered people and rebuild His nation.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezra 2:14, though a simple numerical entry, speaks volumes about God's character and His ongoing work in history. It underscores God's meticulous care for His people, demonstrating that His covenant promises are not vague but are fulfilled with precise attention to detail, even down to the individual family units. This verse is a testament to God's faithfulness in remembering His scattered flock and orchestrating their return, fulfilling prophecies of restoration. It highlights the divine order in the process of rebuilding, where every family, regardless of size, plays a vital role in the corporate body. The return of the exiles, meticulously documented, serves as a powerful reminder that God is sovereign over nations and history, working through human decrees and individual choices to accomplish His redemptive purposes.

* [Jeremiah 29:10](/jeremiah/29-10 "Jeremiah 29:10 - Prophecy of Return from Exile")
* [Isaiah 43:5-7](/isaiah/43-5 "Isaiah 43:5-7 - God Gathers His People from Exile")
* [Nehemiah 7:19](/nehemiah/7-19 "Nehemiah 7:19 - Parallel List of Bigvai's Descendants")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The seemingly dry statistics of Ezra 2:14 offer a profound spiritual lesson: God's faithfulness extends to the minutiae of our lives and His grand plan. Just as He meticulously accounted for every family and individual returning from exile, He knows and cares for each one of us, valuing our unique place in His story. This verse reminds us that even when we feel like a mere number in a vast world, we are known and cherished by God. It encourages us to recognize that our individual contributions, no matter how small they seem, are significant in the collective work of God's kingdom. The rebuilding of the Temple and the community in Ezra's time required the participation of every family, emphasizing the power of unity and collective action in spiritual endeavors. We are called to contribute our unique gifts and presence to the body of Christ, working together to build up His church and advance His purposes in the world, trusting that God sees and values every detail of our obedience and service.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does God's meticulous attention to detail in the census of Ezra 2:14 encourage you in your personal walk with Him?**
* **In what ways can you see the importance of "community" and "collective action" in your own spiritual journey or in your local church?**
* **How does understanding God's faithfulness in restoring His people from exile strengthen your trust in His ability to restore areas of your own life?**

### FAQ

**Why are there slight numerical discrepancies between Ezra 2 and Nehemiah 7 for families like Bigvai?**

Answer: The slight numerical discrepancies (e.g., Bigvai's descendants are 2,056 in Ezra 2:14 and 2,067 in [Nehemiah 7:19](/nehemiah/7-19 "Nehemiah 7:19 - Nehemiah's Parallel List")) are common in ancient manuscripts and do not undermine the overall historical accuracy or divine inspiration of the texts. Scholars propose several explanations:
1. **Different Censuses:** The lists might represent slightly different points in time or different stages of the return, with some individuals joining or leaving.
2. **Scribal Variations:** Copying ancient texts by hand inevitably led to minor numerical variations, especially with large numbers. Such variations are common across ancient literature and do not impact the core theological message.
3. **Inclusion Criteria:** The criteria for inclusion in each list might have differed slightly (e.g., including only heads of households versus all individuals, or those who actually settled versus those who initially registered).
Regardless of the precise reason, the consistency in the family names and the overall magnitude of the return across both lists strongly affirms the historical event of the post-exilic restoration.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ezra 2:14, with its focus on the meticulous gathering and enumeration of God's people for restoration, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate and perfect gathering accomplished in Jesus Christ. Just as the physical return from Babylon was a testament to God's covenant faithfulness, Christ's coming marks the definitive fulfillment of all God's promises to His people. He is the true Shepherd who gathers the scattered sheep of Israel and, indeed, all nations into His fold (cf. [John 10:16](/john/10-16 "John 10:16 - Jesus, the Good Shepherd")). The specific numbers in Ezra speak to God's precise knowledge of His people; similarly, Jesus declares that He knows His sheep by name (cf. [John 10:3](/john/10-3 "John 10:3 - Jesus Calls His Own Sheep by Name")) and that not one of them will be lost (cf. [John 6:39](/john/6-39 "John 6:39 - Jesus Will Lose None of Those Given to Him")). The rebuilding of the physical Temple in Ezra's day points to Christ as the ultimate Temple, the dwelling place of God among humanity (cf. [John 2:19-21](/john/2-19 "John 2:19-21 - Jesus Predicts the Destruction and Resurrection of the Temple")). Furthermore, the "children of Bigvai" and other families represent the corporate body of Israel being re-established; this finds its ultimate fulfillment in the Church, the new Israel, a spiritual house built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the cornerstone (cf. [Ephesians 2:19-22](/ephesians/2-19 "Ephesians 2:19-22 - Believers as God's Dwelling")). Thus, the meticulous historical record in Ezra anticipates the comprehensive and redemptive work of Christ, who gathers, restores, and builds His eternal kingdom with every one of His redeemed.

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.