Ezra 2:23

KJV

The men of Anathoth, an hundred twenty and eight.

KJV (with Strong's)

The men {H582} of Anathoth {H6068}, an hundred {H3967} twenty {H6242} and eight {H8083}.

Complete Jewish Bible

people of 'Anatot 128

Berean Standard Bible

the men of Anathoth, 128;

American Standard Version

The men of Anathoth, a hundred twenty and eight.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezra 2:23 is a specific entry within a detailed census of Jewish exiles who returned to Judah from Babylonian captivity following the decree of King Cyrus. This verse precisely records that "an hundred twenty and eight" men returned from the historically significant priestly town of Anathoth, highlighting the meticulous nature of the post-exilic community's re-establishment and God's faithfulness in bringing His people back to their land.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ezra 2 is a meticulous register of the first wave of Jewish exiles returning from Babylon to Judah, led by Zerubbabel and Jeshua. This chapter immediately follows Cyrus's decree in [Ezra 1](/ezra/1 "Ezra 1 - Cyrus's Decree and the Return") allowing the Jews to return and rebuild the temple. The detailed list, which includes families, towns, priests, Levites, and temple servants, serves as a foundational document for the restored community. It establishes legitimacy for land claims, verifies priestly lineage, and provides a clear record of those committed to the rebuilding efforts of Jerusalem and the temple, setting the stage for the narrative of restoration that unfolds in subsequent chapters like the rebuilding of the altar in [Ezra 3:2](/ezra/3-2 "Ezra 3:2 - Rebuilding the Altar").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The return described in Ezra 2 occurred around 538 BC, marking the end of the 70-year Babylonian captivity, a period of profound national and spiritual crisis for Israel, as prophesied by [Jeremiah (Jeremiah 29:10)](/jeremiah/29-10 "Jeremiah 29:10 - Prophecy of 70 Years of Exile"). The meticulous census reflected a deep cultural need to re-establish identity, lineage, and social order after generations in exile. Anathoth, located a few miles northeast of Jerusalem in the territory of Benjamin, was a Levitical city (cf. [Joshua 21:18](/joshua/21-18 "Joshua 21:18 - Anathoth as a Levitical City")) and famously the hometown of the prophet Jeremiah ([Jeremiah 1:1](/jeremiah/1-1 "Jeremiah 1:1 - Jeremiah's Origins")). The return of a significant number of men from Anathoth underscores the widespread nature of the return, not just to Jerusalem, but to ancestral towns, symbolizing the re-population and re-establishment of communities across the land.
* **Key Themes:** This verse, as part of the larger census, powerfully contributes to several key themes in Ezra and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Restoration**, demonstrating God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promises to bring His people back to their land after judgment, fulfilling prophecies and initiating a new era for Israel. Secondly, the detailed record-keeping emphasizes the **Importance of Identity and Lineage**, which was crucial for re-establishing the religious and social order, especially concerning eligibility for priestly duties (cf. [Ezra 2:61-63](/ezra/2-61 "Ezra 2:61-63 - Exclusion from Priesthood Due to Unverified Lineage")) and land inheritance. Finally, it underscores the theme of **Community Rebuilding**, showing that the restoration was not merely spiritual but involved the physical re-population and reconstruction of cities and towns, laying the groundwork for the Second Temple period and the re-formation of the Israelite community in Judah.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Anathoth (Hebrew, _‘Anathoth'_):** This city, located northeast of Jerusalem, was a significant Levitical city and the hometown of the prophet Jeremiah. Its inclusion in the census is not merely geographical but carries historical and prophetic weight. The return of people from Anathoth symbolizes the re-establishment of communities in the ancestral land and the continuity of God's covenant with specific places and lineages, even after prolonged exile.
* **Men (Hebrew, _‘anshei'_):** The term "men" in this context typically refers to adult males, often implying heads of households or those capable of contributing to the rebuilding efforts. The number "one hundred twenty and eight" therefore represents not just individuals but families or units of contribution, signifying a substantial contingent from this particular town ready to participate in the restoration of Judah.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The men of Anathoth":** This phrase specifies the origin of the returning exiles, grounding the census in particular geographical and historical locations. It indicates that the return was not a random gathering but an organized re-population of specific towns by their former inhabitants or their descendants, emphasizing the re-establishment of historical communities.
* **"an hundred twenty and eight":** This precise number underscores the meticulous nature of the census. It highlights the administrative rigor and the importance placed on accountability and order in the post-exilic community. Every individual, every family, and every group was counted, reflecting God's attention to detail and the value placed on each participant in the grand work of restoration.

#### Literary Devices
Ezra 2:23, as part of a larger list, primarily employs the literary device of **Catalog** or **Register**. This technique involves the systematic enumeration of items, in this case, groups of returning exiles by their town of origin and number. The purpose of such a catalog is not merely to provide information but to convey the comprehensive scope of the return, emphasizing the scale of God's restorative work. The precise numerical detail also highlights **Precision** and **Verisimilitude**, lending an air of historical accuracy and authenticity to the account. This meticulous record-keeping underscores the divine hand in orchestrating the return, suggesting that every individual and group was known and accounted for in God's sovereign plan.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezra 2:23, though a simple statistic, is profoundly theological. It testifies to God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promises, demonstrating that despite Israel's disobedience and subsequent exile, God remembered His people and orchestrated their return. This meticulous accounting of the returnees underscores God's personal care for each individual and family, showing that no one is overlooked in His grand redemptive plan. It also highlights the importance of identity and lineage within God's covenant people, a theme that resonates throughout biblical history, from the genealogies in Genesis to the meticulous records in Numbers, all pointing to God's orderly and purposeful work in history. The return from exile is a powerful testament to God's power to restore what was lost and to gather His scattered flock.

* [Jeremiah 29:10](/jeremiah/29-10 "Prophecy of Return from Exile")
* [Isaiah 43:5-6](/isaiah/43-5 "God Gathers His People")
* [Nehemiah 7:6](/nehemiah/7-6 "Parallel Census in Nehemiah")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The seemingly dry list in Ezra 2:23 offers rich lessons for contemporary believers. It reminds us that God is a God of meticulous detail and sovereign providence. Just as He knew and numbered every returning exile, He knows each of us intimately, valuing our individual lives and contributions within His larger plan. This verse encourages us to recognize our place within the ongoing story of God's redemptive work, understanding that even seemingly small acts of faithfulness contribute to the grand tapestry of His kingdom. It calls us to appreciate our spiritual heritage and the legacy of faith passed down through generations, recognizing that we are part of a continuous narrative of God's people. Furthermore, it emphasizes the importance of community and the collective effort required to build up God's kingdom, reminding us that every member, like the 128 men of Anathoth, plays a vital role in the body of Christ.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the meticulous detail of this census, including the specific number from Anathoth, speak to God's character and His attention to individual lives?**
* **In what ways can we, as modern believers, recognize and value our "spiritual heritage" and the legacy of faith that has been passed down to us?**
* **How does knowing that every returning exile was counted encourage you about your own significance and contribution to God's work today?**
* **What does the re-establishment of communities like Anathoth teach us about the importance of local church bodies and collective participation in God's mission?**

### FAQ

**Why are these detailed lists of names and numbers so important in the Bible, especially in books like Ezra?**

Answer: These detailed lists, like Ezra 2:23, are crucial for several reasons. Historically, they served as official records to establish legitimate claims to land, verify tribal and family lineages (especially for priestly service, as seen in [Ezra 2:61-63](/ezra/2-61 "Priestly Lineage Verification")), and ensure the purity of the community after the exile. Theologically, they underscore God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises to bring His people back to the land, demonstrating His meticulous care for each individual within His covenant people. They also highlight the orderly and purposeful nature of God's redemptive plan, showing that His work is not chaotic but precisely orchestrated, down to the number of people from each town.

**What was the significance of Anathoth, and why is its mention important here?**

Answer: Anathoth was a historically significant city, primarily known as a Levitical city (cf. [Joshua 21:18](/joshua/21-18 "Anathoth as a Levitical City")) and, most notably, as the hometown of the prophet Jeremiah ([Jeremiah 1:1](/jeremiah/1-1 "Jeremiah's Origins")). Its mention in Ezra 2:23 is important because it signifies the widespread nature of the return from exile, with people re-populating not just Jerusalem but also their ancestral towns. It connects the present restoration back to the historical and prophetic roots of Israel, demonstrating the continuity of God's work across generations and the re-establishment of specific communities as part of the broader national restoration.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Ezra 2:23 is a historical record of a physical return, it profoundly foreshadows the spiritual gathering of God's people in Christ. The meticulous counting of the returning exiles, each known and accounted for, points to the ultimate Shepherd, Jesus Christ, who knows His sheep by name ([John 10:3](/john/10-3 "The Good Shepherd Knows His Sheep")). Just as the men of Anathoth were part of a physical restoration to a land, Christ inaugurates a new covenant, gathering a people from every tribe and nation into His spiritual kingdom, the Church ([Revelation 7:9](/revelation/7-9 "A Multitude from Every Nation")). The precision of the census reflects God's sovereign plan for salvation, where every believer is chosen and precious in His sight, their names written in the Lamb's Book of Life ([Revelation 21:27](/revelation/21-27 "Names in the Book of Life")). The return from exile, facilitated by Cyrus, points to Christ, the true Liberator, who sets His people free from the bondage of sin and death, leading them into an eternal inheritance far greater than any earthly land ([Hebrews 9:15](/hebrews/9-15 "Christ, Mediator of a New Covenant")).

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

Isaiah 10:30

Lift up thy voice, O daughter of Gallim: cause it to be heard unto Laish, O poor Anathoth.

Jeremiah 1:1

¶ The words of Jeremiah the son of Hilkiah, of the priests that [were] in Anathoth in the land of Benjamin:

Jeremiah 11:21

Therefore thus saith the LORD of the men of Anathoth, that seek thy life, saying, Prophesy not in the name of the LORD, that thou die not by our hand:

Nehemiah 7:27

The men of Anathoth, an hundred twenty and eight.

Joshua 21:18

Anathoth with her suburbs, and Almon with her suburbs; four cities.