Ezra 2:22

KJV

The men of Netophah, fifty and six.

KJV (with Strong's)

The men {H582} of Netophah {H5199}, fifty {H2572} and six {H8337}.

Complete Jewish Bible

people of N'tofah 56

Berean Standard Bible

the men of Netophah, 56;

American Standard Version

The men of Netophah, fifty and six.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezra 2:22 is a precise entry within a comprehensive census of Jewish exiles who returned to Judah from Babylonian captivity following King Cyrus's decree. This verse specifically records "The men of Netophah, fifty and six," detailing the number of adult males from the village of Netophah who participated in this pivotal first wave of repatriation. As part of a larger list, it underscores the meticulousness with which the post-exilic community documented its members, vital for re-establishing tribal identities, land claims, and the foundational structure of a restored nation under divine providence.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ezra 2:22 is situated within a lengthy and detailed register that comprises the entirety of [Ezra 2](/ezra/2 "Ezra 2 - The List of Returnees"). This chapter meticulously lists the families, groups, and individuals, along with their numbers, who returned to Jerusalem and Judah under the leadership of Zerubbabel and Jeshua. This census immediately follows the decree of King Cyrus mentioned in [Ezra 1](/ezra/1 "Ezra 1 - Cyrus's Decree"), which permitted the Jewish exiles to return and rebuild the Temple. The chapter functions as a foundational document, establishing the legitimate members of the returning community and setting the stage for the subsequent rebuilding efforts described in [Ezra 3](/ezra/3 "Ezra 3 - Rebuilding the Altar and Temple Foundation"). The list's parallel in [Nehemiah 7](/nehemiah/7 "Nehemiah 7 - A Parallel List of Returnees") further emphasizes its historical and administrative importance, serving as a vital record for the re-establishment of the Jewish commonwealth.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The return described in Ezra 2 occurred around 538 BC, marking the end of the 70-year Babylonian exile prophesied by Jeremiah ([Jeremiah 29:10](/jeremiah/29-10 "Jeremiah 29:10 - Prophecy of the 70-Year Exile")). The exiles, descendants of those deported by Nebuchadnezzar, were now permitted to return to their ancestral lands. This was a monumental undertaking, involving a long and arduous journey from Babylon to Judah. Culturally, the meticulous recording of names, families, and numbers was paramount in ancient Israel. Lineage determined tribal affiliation, land ownership, and eligibility for priestly or Levitical service. For a community emerging from exile, accurately documenting who returned was crucial for re-establishing social order, legitimate claims to property, and the purity of religious offices. Netophah was a known village located south of Bethlehem in the territory of Judah, and its mention here indicates the re-settlement of specific ancestral lands.

* **Key Themes:** This verse, as part of the larger census in [Ezra 2](/ezra/2 "Ezra 2 - The List of Returnees"), contributes to several overarching themes. Firstly, it powerfully illustrates **Divine Faithfulness and Restoration**. After decades of exile, God fulfills His promise to bring His people back to their land, demonstrating His unwavering covenant loyalty. Secondly, it highlights the profound importance of **Identity and Lineage**. The detailed enumeration of families and their origins underscores the significance of knowing one's heritage, not just for social structure but also for maintaining the distinct identity of God's chosen people. Thirdly, the meticulous nature of the record speaks to **Order and Meticulousness** in God's work and in the human response to it. Every individual and group is accounted for, signifying the careful planning and organization involved in the post-exilic restoration. Finally, the return of specific groups like "the men of Netophah" emphasizes the theme of **Community Rebuilding**, as these individuals formed the nucleus of the re-established society and contributed to the collective effort of restoring Jewish life and worship in Jerusalem and Judah.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Netophah (Hebrew, _Nəṭōp̱āh'_):** This specific place name refers to a village located south of Bethlehem, within the tribal territory of Judah. Its inclusion in the list signifies the granular detail of the census, indicating that the returnees were not just a general mass but specific individuals from identifiable ancestral towns. The mention of Netophah underscores the re-establishment of local communities and the re-population of specific geographical areas within Judah, vital for the reassertion of Israelite presence and claims to the land.
* **fifty and six (Hebrew, _ḥamiššîm wəšēš'_):** This precise numerical count of adult males (excluding women and children, who would have accompanied them) emphasizes the meticulous nature of the census. In ancient Near Eastern contexts, such detailed lists were crucial for administrative purposes, including taxation, military conscription, and the allocation of land. The exact number here provides a verifiable record, lending historical credibility to the account and highlighting the tangible, measurable scale of the repatriation and the foundational group from this specific locality.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The men of Netophah":** This phrase identifies a specific group of returnees by their geographical origin, linking them to a particular village or region within Judah. It signifies the importance of place and communal identity for the returning exiles, who were re-establishing their roots in the land. This indicates a return not just to the general land of Judah, but to specific ancestral towns and territories.
* **"fifty and six":** This numerical component provides the exact count of adult males from Netophah who participated in the return. It highlights the meticulous record-keeping of the scribes and leaders, emphasizing the verifiable and organized nature of the post-exilic community's re-establishment. The precision underscores the value placed on each individual and family in the process of rebuilding the nation.

#### Literary Devices
Ezra 2:22, as part of a larger census, primarily employs **Enumeration**, a literary device characterized by the detailed listing of items, names, or numbers. This meticulous counting serves to provide a comprehensive and verifiable record of the returning exiles. The entire chapter functions as a form of **Documentation**, serving as an official historical record that legitimizes the claims and identities of the post-exilic community. The **Repetition** of the formula "The men of [place], [number]" throughout the chapter creates a rhythmic, authoritative tone, reinforcing the thoroughness of the census. Furthermore, while seemingly dry, the very act of listing and numbering carries **Symbolism** of re-establishment, order, and the divine act of gathering a scattered people. It symbolizes the tangible reality of God's promise of restoration taking concrete form, person by person, community by community.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezra 2:22, though a seemingly mundane statistical entry, carries profound theological weight. It is a testament to God's meticulous faithfulness in fulfilling His promises to His people, bringing them back from exile as prophesied. The careful counting of each group, including the "fifty and six" from Netophah, underscores that God's plan is not vague but precise, involving every individual. This detail reflects God's intimate knowledge and care for each person, valuing their identity and their place within His larger redemptive narrative. It speaks to the importance of belonging to a community, a people called by God, and the tangible reality of God's restoration at a communal and individual level.

* [Numbers 1:2](/numbers/1-2 "Numbers 1:2 - Command for a Census")
* [Psalm 139:16](/psalms/139-16 "Psalm 139:16 - God's Knowledge of Our Days")
* [Isaiah 43:1-2](/isaiah/43-1 "Isaiah 43:1-2 - God Calls His People by Name")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The detailed census in Ezra 2, including the specific mention of "the men of Netophah, fifty and six," offers a powerful reminder that God is a God of precision and purpose, who values every individual and every contribution, no matter how seemingly small. In a world that often feels chaotic or where individuals can feel lost in the crowd, this verse reassures us that God sees and knows each one of us by name. Just as these returnees were essential for rebuilding the physical nation and Temple, so too is every believer vital to the spiritual building of God's kingdom today. Our unique gifts, our specific callings, and our very presence are counted and valued by God. This passage encourages us to embrace our identity within the community of faith and to faithfully contribute to God's ongoing work of restoration and redemption in the world, trusting that He orchestrates every detail.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the meticulous detail of Ezra 2:22 encourage you about God's personal knowledge and care for you?**
* **In what ways can you identify with the returning exiles, seeking to re-establish your identity and purpose within God's community today?**
* **What "small" contributions are you making to God's kingdom, and how does this verse affirm their importance?**

### FAQ

**Why is such a detailed list, like Ezra 2:22, included in the biblical text?**

Answer: The inclusion of such a detailed list, specifying groups like "the men of Netophah, fifty and six," serves several crucial purposes. Historically, it provides a verifiable record of the first wave of returnees from Babylonian exile, underscoring the authenticity of the account. Culturally and administratively, these lists were vital for re-establishing tribal identities, confirming land ownership claims, and ensuring the purity of priestly and Levitical lineages upon their resettlement in Judah. Theologically, it demonstrates God's meticulous faithfulness in fulfilling His prophetic promises to restore His people, showing that His plan is precise and involves a tangible, countable remnant. It also highlights the importance of order and community in God's redemptive work.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Ezra 2:22 meticulously counts the physical descendants returning to a geographical land, it ultimately points forward to a greater, spiritual restoration centered in Christ. The "men of Netophah" were part of a remnant returning to rebuild a physical temple and nation, but Jesus Christ is the true [Temple](/john/2-19 "John 2:19 - Jesus, the Temple") and the head of a new, spiritual Israel. In Christ, the meticulous counting shifts from physical lineage and geographical origin to a spiritual census of all who are "counted" as righteous by faith, regardless of their earthly background. [Ephesians 2:19](/ephesians/2-19 "Ephesians 2:19 - Fellow Citizens with the Saints") declares that believers are no longer foreigners but "fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household." The ultimate restoration is not merely to a land but to a relationship with God through Christ, where all who believe are brought into one new humanity ([Ephesians 2:15](/ephesians/2-15 "Ephesians 2:15 - One New Humanity")). The precise number of returnees in Ezra foreshadows the countless multitude from every tribe, tongue, people, and nation who will stand before the throne of the [Lamb](/revelation/7-9 "Revelation 7:9 - A Great Multitude Before the Throne"), fulfilling God's ultimate purpose of gathering His people into His eternal kingdom, not by human enumeration, but by divine grace.

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.