Ezra 2:19

KJV

The children of Hashum, two hundred twenty and three.

KJV (with Strong's)

The children {H1121} of Hashum {H2828}, two hundred {H3967} twenty {H6242} and three {H7969}.

Complete Jewish Bible

descendants of Hashum 223

Berean Standard Bible

the descendants of Hashum, 223;

American Standard Version

The children of Hashum, two hundred twenty and three.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezra 2:19 is a specific entry within a meticulous census of Jewish families and their numbers who returned to Judah from Babylonian exile. This verse, detailing "The children of Hashum, two hundred twenty and three," underscores the profound importance of genealogical identity, the meticulous organization of the returning community, and God's faithful orchestration of His people's restoration after decades of captivity, laying the groundwork for the rebuilding of the Temple and the re-establishment of covenant life in Jerusalem.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ezra 2 serves as a pivotal register, immediately following Cyrus's decree allowing the exiles to return (Ezra 1) and preceding the rebuilding of the altar and the laying of the Temple's foundation (Ezra 3). This chapter provides the essential "who" of the return, detailing the specific families and their numbers, including the "children of Hashum." It is a foundational document, establishing the legitimate composition of the post-exilic community. The list's remarkable similarity to the one found in [Nehemiah 7:6-65](/nehemiah/7-6 "Nehemiah 7:6-65 - List of Returnees") further highlights its administrative and historical significance, underscoring the careful record-keeping vital for the re-establishment of the nation.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The return described in Ezra 2 occurred around 538 BC, following King Cyrus of Persia's edict in 539 BC, which permitted the exiled Jews to return to their homeland and rebuild the Temple. This event marked a dramatic fulfillment of Jeremiah's prophecy of a 70-year Babylonian captivity (cf. [Jeremiah 29:10](/jeremiah/29-10 "Jeremiah 29:10 - Prophecy of 70 Years of Exile")). In ancient Israelite society, genealogies were not merely historical records; they were crucial for establishing land rights, tribal affiliations, and, most importantly, the purity of priestly and Levitical lines. The meticulous enumeration of families like Hashum's ensured that the returning community could properly re-establish its social, religious, and political structures in accordance with Mosaic law.
* **Key Themes:** The verse, as part of this comprehensive list, contributes significantly to several overarching themes in Ezra. Firstly, it emphasizes **Identity and Lineage**, highlighting the enduring importance of maintaining distinct Jewish heritage even after generations in exile. Secondly, it powerfully illustrates **Divine Providence and Restoration**, as each individual and family, including the 223 from Hashum, represents a living testament to God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises to His people and orchestrating their return. Lastly, the precision of the numbers underscores the theme of **Meticulous Record-Keeping and Divine Order**, demonstrating that God's work of restoration is not chaotic but is carefully planned and executed, ensuring the legitimacy and stability of the nascent community in Judah.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Hashum (Hebrew, _ḥāšûm'_):** This is a proper name, likely meaning "rich" or "wealthy." In the context of Ezra 2:19, "Hashum" refers to the head or progenitor of a family unit. Its inclusion, along with a precise count of his descendants, anchors the narrative in concrete historical reality. It signifies that the return was not a general migration but a carefully documented re-gathering of specific, identifiable family lines, each contributing to the collective identity of the restored community.
* **Children (Hebrew, _bənê'_):** The term "children" (Hebrew: בְּנֵי, _bənê_) here refers to the descendants or members of the household of Hashum. It emphasizes the family as the fundamental unit of the returning community. This collective designation highlights the importance of familial solidarity and shared lineage in the process of national restoration, indicating that the count was not just of individuals but of established family groups who maintained their identity throughout the exile.
* **Two hundred twenty and three (Hebrew, _māʾtayim wəʿeśrîm wəšālōš'_):** This precise numerical figure ("223") is characteristic of the entire chapter and underscores the meticulous nature of the census. It speaks to the diligence of the leaders in recording every returnee and every family unit. This exactitude was crucial for administrative purposes (e.g., land allocation, taxation) and, more profoundly, for establishing the legitimacy and purity of the new community, particularly concerning priestly and Levitical service. It signifies a divinely-guided order and accountability in the process of restoration.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The children of Hashum":** This phrase identifies a specific family unit or clan that was part of the first wave of returnees. It emphasizes the importance of lineage and family identity for the Jewish people, especially after generations in a foreign land. Their ability to trace their ancestry back to a named progenitor like Hashum was vital for their social standing, land claims, and participation in the re-established religious life.
* **"two hundred twenty and three":** This precise number signifies the exact count of individuals belonging to the family of Hashum who returned. It highlights the meticulous record-keeping undertaken by the leaders of the return. This precision was not merely administrative but carried theological weight, indicating God's careful oversight of His people and the orderly nature of His redemptive plan, where every individual and family was accounted for in the re-gathering of the remnant.

#### Literary Devices
Ezra 2:19, as part of a larger list, primarily employs **Enumeration** and **Catalog** as its central literary devices. The entire chapter is a detailed list of names and numbers, serving to establish the historical veracity and legitimacy of the return from exile. This meticulous listing reinforces the idea of a divinely ordered and carefully managed restoration, rather than a haphazard migration. The **Repetition** of the formula "The children of [Name], [Number]" throughout the chapter creates a rhythmic and authoritative tone, emphasizing the completeness and thoroughness of the census. While not overtly symbolic, the very act of counting and listing can be seen as a subtle form of **Symbolism**, representing God's careful re-gathering of His scattered flock, His attention to every individual, and the foundation of a new, purified community in the promised land. The precision of the numbers also lends an air of **Verisimilitude**, enhancing the narrative's credibility as a historical record.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezra 2:19, though a simple numerical entry, profoundly connects to the broader theological narrative of God's covenant faithfulness and His sovereign work in history. The meticulous counting of the "children of Hashum" and other families underscores that God's promises are not vague but are fulfilled with precision and attention to detail. This re-gathering of a remnant from exile is a powerful demonstration of God's commitment to His covenant people, even after their disobedience. It speaks to the divine principle that God remembers His own, and that His plans for restoration are always orderly and purposeful, establishing a legitimate and identifiable community for His ongoing redemptive work.

* [Isaiah 43:5-6](/isaiah/43-5 "Isaiah 43:5-6 - God Gathers His People")
* [Ezekiel 37:12-14](/ezekiel/37-12 "Ezekiel 37:12-14 - Resurrection of Israel")
* [Malachi 3:16](/malachi/3-16 "Malachi 3:16 - Book of Remembrance")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezra 2:19, seemingly a dry statistical record, offers profound insights for contemporary faith. It reminds us that God's grand redemptive narrative is woven through the lives of countless individuals and families, each one seen and valued by Him. Just as the "children of Hashum" were meticulously counted and brought back, we are assured that God knows each of us intimately and has a place for us within His larger plan. This verse encourages us to appreciate our own spiritual heritage, recognizing that we stand on the shoulders of generations of faithful believers who have contributed to the ongoing story of God's kingdom. Furthermore, the meticulousness of the record-keeping highlights God's preference for order and intentionality in His work of restoration, inviting us to approach our own lives and ministries with similar diligence and faithfulness, trusting that even the smallest details contribute to His sovereign purposes.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Ezra 2:19, as part of a detailed list, reveal God's care for individuals within His larger redemptive plan?**
* **In what ways does understanding our spiritual heritage and the historical faithfulness of God strengthen our faith today?**
* **What aspects of your own life or community might benefit from a more "meticulous" approach, trusting that God works through order and intentionality?**

### FAQ
**Why are these detailed lists of names and numbers included in the Bible?**

Answer: These lists, like the one in Ezra 2, serve multiple crucial purposes. Historically, they provide verifiable records of the return from exile, authenticating the narrative and demonstrating the legitimate composition of the re-established community. Theologically, they underscore God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises to gather His scattered people and restore His covenant. Culturally, they were vital for establishing tribal identities, land inheritance, and ensuring the purity of priestly lines for temple service, as seen in [Numbers 1](/numbers/1 "Numbers 1 - Census of Israel"), where a similar census is taken. Administratively, they provided the basis for organizing the community, allocating resources, and rebuilding efforts.

**Are there any discrepancies between the list in Ezra 2 and the one in Nehemiah 7?**

Answer: Yes, there are minor numerical differences between the list in [Ezra 2](/ezra/2 "Ezra 2 - The Returnees") and its parallel in [Nehemiah 7:6-65](/nehemiah/7-6 "Nehemiah 7:6-65 - List of Returnees"). Scholars offer various explanations for these discrepancies, including possible scribal variations over time, the lists perhaps representing different stages of the return, or serving slightly different administrative purposes. For instance, one list might represent those who initially registered, while another might reflect those who actually arrived or settled. Despite these minor variations, the overall message of a significant and divinely orchestrated return of a substantial number of exiles remains consistent across both accounts, reinforcing the historical reality of the event.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ezra 2:19, a seemingly mundane detail in a post-exilic census, finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the New Testament narrative of redemption and the formation of the Church. The meticulous counting of the "children of Hashum" and other families, gathered from exile to re-establish a physical community in Judah, foreshadows the ultimate spiritual re-gathering of God's people from the exile of sin and death through Jesus Christ. Just as the returnees were known by name and lineage, Christ's own perfect genealogy (as recorded 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")) establishes His legitimacy as the promised Messiah, the true Son of David. Moreover, the re-establishment of the physical temple community in Ezra points to the spiritual temple, the Church, which Christ builds with Himself as the cornerstone, gathering believers from every nation, tribe, and tongue into one new humanity ([Ephesians 2:19-22](/ephesians/2-19 "Ephesians 2:19-22 - Fellow Citizens with the Saints")). The "children of Hashum" were part of a restored earthly inheritance; in Christ, believers receive a far greater, imperishable spiritual inheritance as "children of God" ([John 1:12](/john/1-12 "John 1:12 - Children of God")) and co-heirs with Him ([Romans 8:17](/romans/8-17 "Romans 8:17 - Heirs with Christ")), becoming part of the "one flock" under the "one shepherd" ([John 10:16](/john/10-16 "John 10:16 - One Flock, One Shepherd")). Thus, this ancient census subtly points to the ultimate gathering and new identity found in 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.

Cross-References

Nehemiah 7:22

The children of Hashum, three hundred twenty and eight.

Ezra 10:33

Of the sons of Hashum; Mattenai, Mattathah, Zabad, Eliphelet, Jeremai, Manasseh, [and] Shimei.