Ezra 2:15

KJV

The children of Adin, four hundred fifty and four.

KJV (with Strong's)

The children {H1121} of Adin {H5720}, four {H702} hundred {H3967} fifty {H2572} and four {H702}.

Complete Jewish Bible

descendants of 'Adin 454

Berean Standard Bible

the descendants of Adin, 454;

American Standard Version

The children of Adin, four hundred fifty and four.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezra 2:15 meticulously records the number of individuals from the family of Adin who returned to Judah from Babylonian exile, specifying four hundred fifty-four. This concise entry is part of a comprehensive census of the first wave of Jewish returnees, led by Zerubbabel and Jeshua, underscoring the divine orchestration of the post-exilic restoration and the vital importance of lineage and identity in the re-establishment of the covenant community in their ancestral land.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ezra 2:15 is situated within a detailed register of the Jewish exiles who returned to Jerusalem and Judah following King Cyrus's decree. This chapter serves as a foundational "who's who" before the "what" of rebuilding commences in subsequent chapters. It immediately follows the general introduction of the returnees (Ezra 2:1-2) and precedes lists of other families, priests, Levites, temple servants, and those unable to prove their lineage. The repetitive structure, listing family names and their respective numbers, emphasizes the comprehensive nature of the return and the meticulous record-keeping crucial for the re-establishment of a functional society and temple worship. This precise enumeration sets the stage for the physical and spiritual reconstruction efforts detailed from [Ezra 3](/ezra/3 "Ezra 3 - Rebuilding the Altar and Temple Foundation") onward.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The return from Babylonian exile, initiated by Cyrus's decree around 538 BC, marked a pivotal moment in Israelite history, fulfilling prophecies like that found in [Jeremiah 29:10](/jeremiah/29-10 "Jeremiah 29:10 - Prophecy of Seventy Years of Exile"). For ancient Israel, genealogy was not merely a historical record but a cornerstone of identity, land ownership, tribal affiliation, and eligibility for religious roles, especially for the priesthood and temple service. The meticulous census in Ezra 2, including the count for the "children of Adin," provided the legal and social legitimacy for the returnees to reclaim their ancestral lands, rebuild the temple, and re-establish their community. It was a practical necessity for organizing the population, allocating resources, and ensuring the purity of the priestly lines, which was paramount for proper worship.
* **Key Themes:** This verse, as part of the larger census in Ezra 2, contributes significantly to several overarching themes. It highlights **Restoration and Fulfillment**, demonstrating God's faithfulness in bringing His people back to their land after a period of judgment, precisely as prophesied. The emphasis on specific family units, such as "the children of Adin," underscores the theme of **Identity and Lineage**, stressing the importance of preserving Jewish heritage and tribal connections for the continuity of the covenant community. Furthermore, the very act of counting and listing these individuals serves as a tangible expression of **Divine Providence**, revealing God's meticulous care and orchestration of the return, ensuring that the foundational stones for the spiritual and physical rebuilding of Jerusalem and the Temple were firmly in place, anticipating the work described in [Ezra 3:8](/ezra/3-8 "Ezra 3:8 - Laying the Temple Foundation") and the later reconstruction of the city walls under [Nehemiah](/nehemiah/2-17 "Nehemiah 2:17 - Nehemiah's Call to Rebuild the Walls").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Adin (Hebrew, _'Adin'_):** This is a proper name, meaning "delicate" or "luxurious." In this context, it functions as the name of a family head or patriarch. Its significance here is not in its etymological meaning but in its role as an identifier for a specific lineage, indicating a distinct group among the returning exiles. The presence of Adin's "children" in this list signifies the continuity of his family line and their participation in the post-exilic community.
* **Children (Hebrew, _b'nei'_):** This term literally means "sons of" but is commonly used in Hebrew to refer to descendants, members of a family, or a clan. Here, "the children of Adin" denotes the collective body of individuals belonging to Adin's household or extended family who were counted among the returnees. It emphasizes the family unit as the fundamental building block of the returning community.
* **Four hundred fifty and four (Hebrew, _'arba' me'ot vachamishim v'arba'ah'_):** This precise number highlights the meticulous nature of the census. The exact enumeration of individuals from each family group was crucial for administrative purposes, including land allocation, taxation, and the organization of labor for the rebuilding projects. The specificity of the number underscores the historical accuracy and practical importance of this register.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The children of Adin,"**: This phrase identifies a specific family or clan unit that participated in the return from Babylonian exile. It signifies the preservation of distinct family lines and their commitment to re-establishing themselves in Judah. The inclusion of this family, among many others, emphasizes the widespread nature of the return and the diverse composition of the nascent community.
* **"four hundred fifty and four."**: This numerical entry provides the exact count of individuals from the family of Adin who made the journey. The precision of this number is characteristic of ancient censuses, serving not only as a record but also as a testament to the scale of the return and the detailed administrative efforts involved in organizing and settling the repatriated population. It speaks to the tangible reality of God's restoration work.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in Ezra 2:15, and indeed throughout the entire second chapter of Ezra, is **Census/Genealogy**. This meticulous listing of names and numbers serves several critical functions: it legitimizes the claims of the returnees to their ancestral lands and roles, provides a historical record of God's faithfulness in preserving a remnant, and establishes the foundational structure of the re-emerging nation. The **Repetition** of the formula "the children of [name], [number]" across the chapter reinforces the comprehensive nature of the return and the divine meticulousness in gathering His people. While seemingly dry, this detailed enumeration also carries **Symbolism**, representing the tangible fulfillment of prophecy, the rebirth of a nation, and the preciousness of each individual within God's redemptive plan, ensuring the continuity of the covenant line that would ultimately lead to the Messiah.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezra 2:15, though a simple numerical entry, is profoundly theological, testifying to God's unwavering faithfulness and meticulous care for His covenant people. It demonstrates that God's promises of restoration are not vague but are fulfilled with precision, down to the counting of each family and individual. This attention to detail underscores the value God places on every person within His plan, ensuring the continuity of the lineage through which His redemptive purposes would unfold. The return of these specific families, meticulously recorded, signifies the re-establishment of the community as the living embodiment of God's covenant, laying the groundwork for the spiritual and physical rebuilding of Jerusalem and the Temple. It is a testament to God's sovereign hand guiding history and fulfilling His word.

* [Jeremiah 29:10](/jeremiah/29-10 "Jeremiah 29:10 - Prophecy of Seventy Years of Exile")
* [Isaiah 10:20-22](/isaiah/10-20 "Isaiah 10:20-22 - The Remnant Shall Return")
* [Nehemiah 7:6-65](/nehemiah/7 "Nehemiah 7 - The List of Returnees")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezra 2:15, a seemingly mundane record of names and numbers, offers profound insights for our spiritual journey. It reminds us that God is a God of meticulous detail, who knows and cares for each individual within His grand redemptive narrative. Just as He precisely counted the "children of Adin" to ensure the continuity of His covenant people, so too does He know each one of us by name, valuing our unique place in His kingdom. This verse encourages us to appreciate the importance of our spiritual heritage—the legacy of faith passed down through generations—and to understand that our identity is deeply rooted in God's ongoing story of salvation. It also challenges us to recognize the significance of foundational work, often unseen and unglamorous, which is essential for building up God's church and advancing His purposes in the world. Like the returning exiles who laid the groundwork for a renewed nation, we are called to contribute faithfully to the quiet, vital tasks that establish and strengthen the spiritual house of God today.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does God's meticulous care for the returnees in Ezra 2:15 encourage your faith in His attention to detail in your own life?**
* **In what ways does understanding your "spiritual lineage" as a part of God's people shape your identity and purpose today?**
* **What "foundational" or "unseen" work might God be calling you to contribute to in your community or church that, though not glamorous, is vital for His kingdom?**

### FAQ
**Why is this detailed list of names and numbers, like Ezra 2:15, so important in the Bible?**

Answer: This detailed list is crucial for several reasons. First, it serves as a historical and legal record, authenticating the identity and claims of the returning exiles to their ancestral lands and tribal affiliations. In ancient Israel, genealogy was paramount for establishing one's right to property and, crucially, for determining eligibility for roles in the priesthood and temple service. Second, it signifies the fulfillment of God's prophetic promises, particularly the seventy-year exile foretold by Jeremiah (e.g., [Jeremiah 29:10](/jeremiah/29-10 "Jeremiah 29:10 - Prophecy of Seventy Years of Exile")). The precise enumeration demonstrates God's faithfulness in bringing a remnant back. Finally, these individuals formed the foundational community for the rebuilding of Jerusalem and the Temple, making their verifiable presence essential for the future of the nation and the continuation of God's redemptive plan.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The meticulous counting of the "children of Adin" and other families in Ezra 2, though a historical record of physical return, finds its ultimate and spiritual fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The return from Babylonian exile foreshadows the greater spiritual exodus from the bondage of sin that Christ accomplishes. Just as God meticulously preserved a physical remnant to ensure the continuity of the covenant line, culminating in the birth of the Messiah, so too does Christ gather a spiritual remnant—His church—from every nation, tribe, and tongue. He is the true Head of this new, spiritual family, the "children of God" by faith, not merely by physical descent (as seen in [John 1:12-13](/john/1-12 "John 1:12-13 - Children of God")). The genealogies in the New Testament, such as [Matthew 1:1-17](/matthew/1-1 "Matthew 1:1-17 - The Genealogy of Jesus Christ"), meticulously trace Christ's lineage, demonstrating His legitimacy as the promised Messiah who fulfills all the Old Testament promises. Through Christ, we are brought into a new and living spiritual house, built not of stones but of living stones, becoming "fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God" ([Ephesians 2:19-22](/ephesians/2-19 "Ephesians 2:19-22 - Fellow Citizens with the Saints")). The precision of Ezra 2:15, therefore, points forward to the divine precision of God's plan of salvation, perfectly executed in Christ, who gathers His people into an eternal kingdom where every individual is known and valued.

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 7:20

The children of Adin, six hundred fifty and five.

Ezra 8:6

Of the sons also of Adin; Ebed the son of Jonathan, and with him fifty males.