Ezra 2:16

KJV

The children of Ater of Hezekiah, ninety and eight.

KJV (with Strong's)

The children {H1121} of Ater {H333} of Hezekiah {H3169}, ninety {H8673} and eight {H8083}.

Complete Jewish Bible

descendants of Ater, of Y'chizkiyah 98

Berean Standard Bible

the descendants of Ater (through Hezekiah), 98;

American Standard Version

The children of Ater, of Hezekiah, ninety and eight.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezra 2:16 is a concise entry within a meticulous census of Jewish exiles who returned from Babylonian captivity to Judah under the leadership of Zerubbabel and Jeshua. This verse specifically records "The children of Ater of Hezekiah, ninety and eight," indicating that 98 individuals from this particular family or clan were among those who made the arduous journey back to their ancestral land. It underscores the precise and orderly nature of the post-exilic community's re-establishment, highlighting the importance of lineage, identity, and the physical repopulation necessary for rebuilding Jerusalem and the Temple.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ezra 2:16 is situated within a lengthy and detailed register that spans from [Ezra 2:1](/ezra/2-1 "Ezra 2 - The List of Returnees") to [Ezra 2:67](/ezra/2-67 "Ezra 2:67 - Total Number of Returnees"). This chapter serves as a foundational document for the restored community, listing the families, clans, and individuals who returned from exile. Following the decree of King Cyrus, which permitted the Jews to return and rebuild the Temple (as detailed in [Ezra 1:1-4](/ezra/1-1 "Ezra 1:1-4 - Cyrus's Decree")), this list provides the concrete evidence of that return. The preceding verses (Ezra 2:1-15) introduce other family groups, establishing a pattern of naming the clan and then providing the exact number of returnees. The meticulous nature of this list emphasizes the importance of identity and legitimate claims within the newly forming society, particularly concerning land ownership and eligibility for priestly service, which is further elaborated upon in [Ezra 2:61-63](/ezra/2-61 "Ezra 2:61-63 - Priests with Disputed Genealogies").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The return from Babylonian exile, initiated by Cyrus's decree around 538 BC, marked a pivotal moment in Israelite history, fulfilling prophetic promises of restoration (e.g., [Jeremiah 29:10-14](/jeremiah/29-10 "Jeremiah 29:10-14 - God's Plans for Restoration")). For seventy years, a significant portion of the Jewish population had lived in a foreign land, and their return was not merely a geographical relocation but a theological act of re-covenanting with God in their homeland. In ancient Near Eastern societies, genealogical records were paramount. They served not only to establish social standing and inheritance rights but also to confirm religious eligibility, especially for priests and Levites. The act of counting and registering the people, reminiscent of the censuses in the Pentateuch (e.g., [Numbers 1](/numbers/1 "Numbers 1 - The First Census")), underscored the re-establishment of a divinely ordered community and prepared them for the monumental task of rebuilding the Temple and the city of Jerusalem.
* **Key Themes:** This verse, as part of the broader register, contributes to several significant themes. Firstly, **Restoration and Return** is central, illustrating the practical fulfillment of God's promise to bring His people back to their land after exile. Each number represents individuals participating in this divine act. Secondly, **Identity and Lineage** is crucial; the precise naming of families like "Ater of Hezekiah" highlights the enduring importance of tribal and family heritage in defining who belonged to the covenant community and held legitimate claims within it. Thirdly, the meticulous record-keeping reflects **Divine Order and Providence**, showing God's detailed attention to His people and His sovereign orchestration of their return and re-establishment. Finally, the collective numbers underscore the theme of **Community Rebuilding**, as each individual and family group contributed to the repopulation and reconstruction efforts, laying the groundwork for the future of the nation of Israel.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Ater (Hebrew, _ʾāṭēr_):** This name, meaning "bound" or "shut," likely refers to the ancestral head of a family or clan. In the context of a post-exilic return, it signifies a specific lineage that maintained its identity despite generations in exile. The inclusion of such family names emphasizes the continuity of Israelite identity and the importance of ancestral ties in re-establishing the community.
* **Hezekiah (Hebrew, _Ḥizqiyyāh_):** Meaning "Yahweh strengthens," this name indicates a connection to an ancestor named Hezekiah. While famously associated with the righteous king of Judah, it was a relatively common name. In this context, "of Hezekiah" likely denotes a specific branch or sub-lineage of the Ater family, distinguishing them from other possible Ater families or indicating a particular esteemed ancestor within that clan. This precision in naming further highlights the meticulous nature of the census and the importance of clear genealogical markers.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The children of Ater of Hezekiah":** This phrase identifies a specific family or clan group returning from exile. "The children of" indicates direct descendants or, more broadly, those belonging to the household or lineage of "Ater." The addition "of Hezekiah" further specifies this particular branch, suggesting a distinguishing ancestral connection or a sub-clan within the larger Ater family. This level of detail was crucial for establishing identity, land rights, and eligibility for various community roles in the re-established Judah.
* **"ninety and eight":** This is the precise numerical count of individuals from the specified family group who returned. This exact figure, consistent with the other entries in the chapter, underscores the meticulous record-keeping undertaken by the leaders of the returning exiles. It reflects an orderly process of accounting for every person who journeyed back, demonstrating the practical and administrative efforts involved in the restoration of the community.

#### Literary Devices
Ezra 2:16, as part of a larger list, primarily employs the literary device of **Catalogue** or **Register**. This is a detailed, itemized list of people, places, or things, serving here as a **Historical Record** and **Genealogy**. The repetitive structure of "The children of [Family Name], [Number]" creates a **Litany**, emphasizing the sheer volume and diversity of the returning population. The meticulous **Precision** of the numbers and names highlights the importance of **Order** and **Identity** within the re-forming community. While not a narrative in itself, this precise enumeration serves as a foundational **Documentary Evidence**, validating the claims and legitimacy of the returning exiles and providing a tangible record of God's faithfulness in bringing His people home.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezra 2:16, though a simple numerical entry, speaks volumes about God's faithfulness and the meticulous nature of His redemptive plan. The very act of counting and registering every family underscores the divine value placed on each individual and group within the covenant community. It demonstrates that God's promises of restoration are not vague generalities but are fulfilled with precise attention to detail, down to the specific number of returnees from each lineage. This attention to detail reflects God's sovereign hand guiding His people back to their land, preparing them for the rebuilding of the Temple and the re-establishment of their national identity. It reminds us that even in seemingly mundane administrative details, God's overarching purpose is at work, orchestrating the restoration of His people.

* [Nehemiah 7:21](/nehemiah/7-21 "Nehemiah 7:21 - Parallel List of Returnees")
* [Numbers 1:18](/numbers/1-18 "Numbers 1:18 - Census of Israel's Tribes")
* [Jeremiah 29:10](/jeremiah/29-10 "Jeremiah 29:10 - Prophecy of Return from Exile")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezra 2:16, often overlooked as a mere statistic, offers profound lessons for contemporary believers. It reminds us that every individual, no matter how seemingly insignificant, is known by God and has a vital part to play in His grand redemptive narrative. Just as the 98 individuals from the family of Ater of Hezekiah were essential for the physical rebuilding of Israel, so too are each of us crucial to God's ongoing work in the world today. This verse encourages us to embrace our unique identity within the body of Christ, recognizing that our contributions, whether large or small, are part of a divine tapestry. It calls us to value spiritual heritage, to diligently pass on faith to future generations, and to participate actively in the rebuilding and strengthening of the church, God's spiritual temple, in our own time.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the meticulous record-keeping in Ezra 2 challenge our perception of God's attention to detail in our own lives?**
* **In what ways does knowing our spiritual lineage or heritage strengthen our identity and purpose in the Christian community?**
* **What "rebuilding" work is God calling you to participate in today, whether in your family, church, or community?**

### FAQ

**Why is such a detailed list of names and numbers included in the Bible?**

Answer: The inclusion of such detailed lists, like Ezra 2:16, serves several crucial purposes. Firstly, it provides a **historical record** and **validation** of the return from Babylonian exile, demonstrating the fulfillment of God's prophetic promises (e.g., [Jeremiah 29:10](/jeremiah/29-10 "Jeremiah 29:10 - Prophecy of Return from Exile")). Secondly, it was essential for **re-establishing identity and order** within the post-exilic community. Knowing one's lineage was vital for land claims, social standing, and, critically, for determining eligibility for priestly and Levitical service (as seen in [Ezra 2:61-63](/ezra/2-61 "Ezra 2:61-63 - Priests with Disputed Genealogies")). Thirdly, it underscores the **meticulous nature of God's providence**, showing that every individual and family was known and accounted for in His plan of restoration, emphasizing the value of each person in the covenant community.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Ezra 2:16 is a historical record of physical return and rebuilding, it finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the spiritual restoration accomplished through Jesus. The meticulous accounting of lineages in Ezra foreshadows the equally precise genealogies of Jesus in [Matthew 1:1-17](/matthew/1-1 "Matthew 1:1-17 - Genealogy of Jesus") and [Luke 3:23-38](/luke/3-23 "Luke 3:23-38 - Genealogy of Jesus"), which establish His legitimate claim as the Messiah, the Son of David, and the true heir to God's promises. Just as the exiles returned to rebuild a physical temple, Christ Himself is the true Temple, and through His sacrifice, He rebuilds humanity, bringing us into a spiritual kingdom and making us living stones in His church (as described in [1 Peter 2:5](/1_peter/2-5 "1 Peter 2:5 - Living Stones in God's Spiritual House")). The emphasis on identity and belonging in Ezra points to our new identity in Christ, where through faith, we are adopted as children of God (as proclaimed in [John 1:12](/john/1-12 "John 1:12 - Children of God")) and are no longer foreigners but fellow citizens with the saints (as articulated in [Ephesians 2:19](/ephesians/2-19 "Ephesians 2:19 - Fellow Citizens with the Saints")). Thus, the return of the "children of Ater of Hezekiah" is a microcosm of God's grand plan to gather His people, not just to a physical land, but into an eternal relationship with Himself through Jesus Christ.

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.