What number verse is Ezra 2:17 in the Bible?

Ezra 2:17 is the 12,045th verse of the Bible. Counting straight through the King James canon — all 31,102 verses from Genesis 1:1 to Revelation 22:21 — Ezra 2:17 sits at position 12,045.

Translation

King James Version

The children of Bezai, three hundred twenty and three.

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KJV (with Strong's)

The children ^H1121 of Bezai ^H1209, three ^H7969 hundred ^H3967 twenty ^H6242 and three ^H7969.

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Complete Jewish Bible

descendants of Betzai 323

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Berean Standard Bible

the descendants of Bezai, 323;

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American Standard Version

The children of Bezai, three hundred twenty and three.

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World English Bible Messianic

The children of Bezai, three hundred twenty-three.

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Geneva Bible (1599)

The sonnes of Bezai, three hundreth and three and twentie:

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Young's Literal Translation

Sons of Bezai, three hundred twenty and three.

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Study This Verse

SUMMARY

Ezra 2:17 is a precise entry within the comprehensive register of Jewish families and individuals who returned to Judah from Babylonian captivity. This verse specifically enumerates the descendants of the family of Bezai, recording their significant contribution of three hundred twenty-three individuals to the initial wave of returnees. It underscores their active participation in the monumental journey back to their ancestral homeland and their collective commitment to re-establishing the community and rebuilding the Temple in Jerusalem, serving as a testament to God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises of restoration.

CONTEXT

Literary Context: Ezra 2 functions as a meticulous census, providing the foundational roster for the post-exilic community. It directly follows the pivotal decree of King Cyrus of Persia, which granted permission for the exiled Jews to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the House of the Lord (Ezra 1:1-4). This chapter is indispensable for establishing the legitimate identity and lineage of those who returned, particularly concerning their eligibility for priestly and Levitical service, and for quantifying the scale of this initial wave of restoration. Each entry, including that of the children of Bezai, contributes to a comprehensive and verifiable record, emphasizing the divine orchestration and the profound human commitment involved in the re-establishment of God's people in their land. The list culminates in a grand total, highlighting the collective nature of this historic return (Ezra 2:64-67).
Historical & Cultural Context: The return detailed in Ezra 2 transpired in the late 6th century BCE, approximately 70 years after the initial Babylonian exile, a period prophesied by Jeremiah (Jeremiah 29:10). This era marked a profound transition in Israelite history, moving from an independent kingdom to a provincial community under the vast Persian Empire. Genealogies held immense importance in ancient Israelite society, serving not merely as familial records but as crucial legal and social documents. They validated land rights, confirmed tribal affiliations, and, most critically, established eligibility for religious service, especially for priests and Levites. The precise numbering of individuals, servants, and animals in this list reflects the meticulous record-keeping essential for the organization, social cohesion, and re-establishment of a functional community in a land that had lain desolate for decades.
Key Themes: The inclusion of Ezra 2:17 within this detailed register powerfully illustrates several key themes central to the book of Ezra and the broader biblical narrative. Primarily, it speaks to Divine Faithfulness and Restoration, demonstrating God's unwavering commitment to His covenant promises despite Israel's disobedience and subsequent exile. The return of these families signifies a new beginning and the initial steps towards the rebuilding of the Temple (Ezra 3:8). Secondly, it highlights the Importance of Identity and Lineage, emphasizing how God works through specific families and individuals, meticulously preserving their heritage as an integral part of His larger redemptive plan. The careful enumeration underscores that each family, each person, mattered to God and to the community's re-establishment. Finally, the list underscores Corporate Identity and Community, showing that the restoration was not an individualistic endeavor but a collective one, with each family unit contributing to the strength, vitality, and spiritual renewal of the Jewish community in Judah.

EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

Key Word Analysis

children (Hebrew, bên', H1121): Derived from the root meaning "to build," this term signifies a son or descendant, emphasizing their role as "builders of the family name." In Ezra 2:17, "children" (H1121) refers to the collective descendants or members of the Bezai family, highlighting the corporate nature of the return. It indicates a lineage or clan rather than just individual offspring, underscoring the importance of family units in the re-establishment of the community.
Bezai (Hebrew, Bêtsay', H1209): This proper noun (H1209) functions as a specific family designation. While its etymological meaning is debated (possibly "my eggs" or "my stronghold"), its primary significance in this context is its role as a marker of a distinct lineage. The meticulous naming of families like Bezai within the census underscores the importance of individual family units and their unique contributions to the collective restoration of Israel. It serves to identify and validate a particular group of returnees.

Verse Breakdown

"The children of Bezai": This phrase precisely identifies a specific family unit or clan, "the children of Bezai," indicating a distinct lineage rather than merely a single individual. In ancient Israelite society, identity and social standing were profoundly tied to family and tribal affiliation. The inclusion of such family names in this register was crucial for establishing the legitimacy of the returnees, their ancestral land claims, and their designated roles within the re-forming community. It powerfully emphasizes the corporate nature of the return from exile, where entire households participated in this significant act of faith and obedience.
"three hundred twenty and three": This precise numerical figure quantifies the size of the Bezai family contingent that returned from Babylon. The exact figures meticulously recorded throughout Ezra 2 highlight the diligent record-keeping of the scribes and the profound importance placed on numerical accuracy in ancient Near Eastern censuses. Beyond mere statistics, these numbers represent the tangible fulfillment of God's promise to bring His people back to the land. Each number signifies individuals who chose to leave the relative comfort and stability of Babylon to participate in the arduous and faith-demanding task of rebuilding Jerusalem and the Temple, demonstrating their unwavering faith and commitment to the covenant.

Literary Devices

Ezra 2:17, as an integral part of a larger chapter, primarily employs Enumeration and Cataloguing. The entire chapter is a detailed list, systematically recording the names of families and their numerical strength. This literary technique serves to provide a comprehensive and verifiable account of the returning exiles, lending an air of historical authenticity, precision, and legal weight to the narrative. The consistent repetition of the format "The children of [Family Name], [Number]" creates a rhythmic pattern that emphasizes the sheer volume of people involved in this significant historical event and the meticulousness of the record-keeping. Furthermore, the meticulous detail reflects an underlying Emphasis on Detail and Accuracy, which was crucial for establishing legal, social, and religious legitimacy in the post-exilic community and for demonstrating the fulfillment of prophecy.

THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS

Ezra 2:17, though a simple numerical entry, is deeply embedded in the larger theological narrative of God's unwavering faithfulness and the miraculous restoration of His covenant people. It stands as a profound testament to God's meticulous care for every individual and family within His grand redemptive plan, demonstrating that even seemingly insignificant details are integral to His sovereign design. The return of the Bezai family, alongside hundreds of others, represents the tangible fulfillment of divine promises, showcasing God's power to bring His people back from desolation and re-establish them in their land for His glorious purposes. This act of restoration lays the crucial groundwork for the rebuilding of the Temple and the re-establishment of proper worship, emphasizing the ongoing, unbreakable covenant relationship between God and Israel.

REFLECTION AND APPLICATION

Even a seemingly mundane verse like Ezra 2:17 carries profound and enduring lessons for contemporary believers. It serves as a powerful reminder that God's grand redemptive plan is not abstract but meticulously detailed, encompassing every individual and family with divine precision. Just as the children of Bezai were known, counted, and integral to the restoration, so too are we known by God, not merely as a statistic but as cherished individuals within His vast and eternal family. This verse encourages us to recognize our indispensable place within the larger body of Christ, understanding that our unique contributions, no matter how small or hidden they may seem, are vital to the collective mission of the church. It calls us to embrace our spiritual lineage, to participate actively and faithfully in the ongoing work of God's kingdom, and to trust in His unwavering faithfulness to fulfill His promises across generations, even when the journey is arduous, the task of rebuilding seems overwhelming, or the world around us appears desolate.

Questions for Reflection

How does the meticulous record-keeping in Ezra 2:17 challenge or affirm your understanding of God's attention to detail and personal care in your own life?
In what specific ways do you see yourself as part of a larger "family" or community of faith, and how does your individual presence contribute to its collective strength and purpose?
What "return" or "rebuilding" project is God calling you to participate in today, and how does the faithfulness and commitment of the Bezai family inspire your own response?
How does the idea of being "counted" and known by God, as exemplified in this census, impact your sense of worth, belonging, and purpose within His kingdom?

FAQ

Why does the book of Ezra include such detailed lists of names and numbers, like the one for the children of Bezai?

Answer: The inclusion of detailed lists of names and numbers in Ezra, such as the one for the children of Bezai in Ezra 2:17, served several critical and multifaceted purposes for the returning Jewish community. Firstly, these lists provided validation of identity and lineage, which was of paramount importance in ancient Israelite society. For priests and Levites, it confirmed their rightful claim to serve in the rebuilt Temple. For all returnees, it meticulously established their tribal and family affiliations, which was crucial for re-establishing land ownership, social order, and communal cohesion in a devastated land. Secondly, the lists functioned as a record for accountability and organization, enabling the leaders like Zerubbabel and Jeshua to know precisely who had returned, how many people were available for the immense rebuilding efforts (especially for the Temple and city walls), and how resources should be allocated efficiently. Thirdly, from a profound theological perspective, these meticulous records underscore God's faithfulness in fulfilling His prophetic promises to bring His people back to their land after the seventy-year exile (Jeremiah 29:10). Each name and number represents a tangible, undeniable demonstration of God's covenant loyalty and His active, providential involvement in the restoration of His people, proving that His word does not return void.

CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT

While Ezra 2:17 is a historical record of a physical return and a demographic census, it profoundly foreshadows the greater spiritual return and comprehensive restoration found ultimately in Jesus Christ. The meticulous accounting of families like Bezai highlights God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant people, a faithfulness that culminates in the person and redemptive work of Jesus. Just as the returning exiles formed the nucleus of a renewed physical community in Judah, Christ establishes a new covenant community, the Church, composed of those who are spiritually "returned" to God through faith in Him, reconciled and redeemed. The emphasis on lineage in Ezra points forward to the ultimate, divinely ordained lineage of the Messiah, traced through Abraham and David, demonstrating God's sovereign plan unfolding precisely through history to bring forth His Son (Matthew 1:1). Moreover, while Ezra's list is exclusive to a specific ethnic group, Christ's work transcends such earthly boundaries, bringing all who believe, Jew and Gentile alike, into the glorious family of God, making them "fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God" (Ephesians 2:19). The rebuilding of the physical Temple by the returnees points prophetically to Christ as the true and ultimate Temple, the dwelling place of God among humanity (John 2:19-21), and to believers as living stones being built into a spiritual house, a holy priesthood (1 Peter 2:5), where God's presence truly dwells by His Spirit. Thus, the humble entry of the children of Bezai in a list of returnees is a testament to God's unwavering commitment to His people, a commitment fully and eternally realized in the redemptive work of Jesus Christ, who gathers a far greater multitude from every tribe and nation into His eternal kingdom.

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Commentary on Ezra 2 verses 1–35

1 ¶ Now these are the children of the province that went up out of the captivity, of those which had been carried away, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away unto Babylon, and came again unto Jerusalem and Judah, every one unto his city;

2 Which came with Zerubbabel: Jeshua, Nehemiah, Seraiah, Reelaiah, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispar, Bigvai, Rehum, Baanah. The number of the men of the people of Israel:

3 The children of Parosh, two thousand an hundred seventy and two.

4 The children of Shephatiah, three hundred seventy and two.

5 The children of Arah, seven hundred seventy and five.

6 The children of Pahathmoab, of the children of Jeshua and Joab, two thousand eight hundred and twelve.

7 The children of Elam, a thousand two hundred fifty and four.

8 The children of Zattu, nine hundred forty and five.

9 The children of Zaccai, seven hundred and threescore.

10 The children of Bani, six hundred forty and two.

11 The children of Bebai, six hundred twenty and three.

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

13 The children of Adonikam, six hundred sixty and six.

14 The children of Bigvai, two thousand fifty and six.

15 The children of Adin, four hundred fifty and four.

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

17 The children of Bezai, three hundred twenty and three.

18 The children of Jorah, an hundred and twelve.

19 The children of Hashum, two hundred twenty and three.

20 The children of Gibbar, ninety and five.

21 The children of Bethlehem, an hundred twenty and three.

22 The men of Netophah, fifty and six.

23 The men of Anathoth, an hundred twenty and eight.

24 The children of Azmaveth, forty and two.

25 The children of Kirjatharim, Chephirah, and Beeroth, seven hundred and forty and three.

26 The children of Ramah and Gaba, six hundred twenty and one.

27 The men of Michmas, an hundred twenty and two.

28 The men of Bethel and Ai, two hundred twenty and three.

29 The children of Nebo, fifty and two.

30 The children of Magbish, an hundred fifty and six.

31 The children of the other Elam, a thousand two hundred fifty and four.

32 The children of Harim, three hundred and twenty.

33 The children of Lod, Hadid, and Ono, seven hundred twenty and five.

34 The children of Jericho, three hundred forty and five.

35 The children of Senaah, three thousand and six hundred and thirty.

We may observe here, 1. That an account was kept in writing of the families that came up out of captivity, and the numbers of each family. This was done for their honour, as part of their recompence for their faith and courage, their confidence in God and their affection to their own land, and to stir up others to follow their good example. Those that honour God he will thus honour. The names of all those Israelites indeed that accept the offer of deliverance by Christ shall be found, to their honour, in a more sacred record than this, even in the Lamb's book of life. The account that was kept of the families that came up from the captivity was intended also for the benefit of posterity, that they might know from whom they descended and to whom they were allied. 2. That they are called children of the province. Judah, which had been an illustrious kingdom, to which other kingdoms had been made provinces, subject to it and dependent on it, was now itself made a province, to receive laws and commissions from the king of Persia and to be accountable to him. See how sin diminishes and debases a nation, which righteousness would exalt. But by thus being made servants (as the patriarchs by being sojourners in a country which was theirs by promise) they were reminded of the better country, that is, the heavenly (Heb 11:16), a kingdom which cannot be moved, or changed into a province. 3. That they are said to come every one to his city, that is, the city appointed them, in which appointment an eye, no doubt, was had to their former settlement by Joshua; and to that, as near as might be, they returned: for it does not appear that any others, at least any that were able to oppose them, had possessed them in their absence. 4. That the leaders are first mentioned, v. 2. Zerubbabel and Jeshua were their Moses and Aaron, the former their chief prince, the latter their chief priest. Nehemiah and Mordecai are mentioned here; some think not the same with the famous men we afterwards meet with of those names: probably they were the same, but afterwards returned to court for the service of their country. 5. Some of these several families are named from the persons that were their ancestors, others from the places in which they had formerly resided; as with us many surnames are the proper names of persons, others of places. 6. Some little difference there is between the numbers of some of the families here and in Neh. 7, where this catalogue is repeated, which might arise from this, that some who had given in their names at first to come afterwards drew back - said, I go, Sir, but went not, which would lessen the number of the families they belonged to; others that declined, at first, afterwards repented and went, and so increased the number. 7. Here are two families that are called the children of Elam (one Ezr 2:7, another Ezr 2:31), and, which is strange, the number of both is the same, 1254. 8. The children of Adonikam, which signifies a high lord, were 666, just the number of the beast (Rev 13:18), which is there said to be the number of a man, which, Mr. Hugh Broughton thinks, has reference to this man. 9. The children of Bethlehem (Ezr 2:21) were but 123, though it was David's city; for Bethlehem was little among the thousands of Judah, yet there must the Messiah arise, Mic 5:2. 10. Anathoth had been a famous place in the tribe of Benjamin and yet here it numbered but 128 (v. 23), which is to be imputed to the divine curse which the men of Anathoth brought upon themselves by persecuting Jeremiah, who was of their city. Jer 11:21, Jer 11:23, There shall be no remnant of them, for I will bring evil upon the men of Anathoth. And see Isa 10:30, O poor Anathoth! Nothing brings ruin on a people sooner than persecution.

Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 1–35. Public domain.

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Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.

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