Ezra 2:24

KJV

The children of Azmaveth, forty and two.

KJV (with Strong's)

The children {H1121} of Azmaveth {H5820}, forty {H705} and two {H8147}.

Complete Jewish Bible

descendants of 'Azmavet 42

Berean Standard Bible

the descendants of Azmaveth, 42;

American Standard Version

The children of Azmaveth, forty and two.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezra 2:24, "The children of Azmaveth, forty and two," is a single entry within the detailed register of Jewish exiles who returned from Babylonian captivity to Judah and Jerusalem. This verse, part of a comprehensive census in Ezra chapter 2, meticulously records the number of individuals from a specific family or locality, underscoring the importance of identity, lineage, and the precise fulfillment of God's promise to restore His people to their homeland after generations in exile.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ezra 2 is a crucial chapter that provides a precise and extensive roster of the first wave of Jewish returnees from Babylonian exile. This list begins in [Ezra 2:1](/ezra/2-1 "Ezra 2:1 - Beginning of the List of Returnees") and continues through verse 67, meticulously enumerating families, towns of origin, and the exact number of individuals who made the arduous journey back to Judah. Ezra 2:24 is one specific line item within this larger catalog, detailing the "children of Azmaveth." The purpose of this detailed census is foundational to the book's narrative, establishing the legitimate identity of the returnees, confirming their tribal and family affiliations, and preparing for the monumental tasks of rebuilding the Temple and the community, which are then described in subsequent chapters like [Ezra 3](/ezra/3 "Ezra 3 - Rebuilding the Altar and Temple Foundation"). The chapter concludes with a summary of the total number of returnees and their possessions, emphasizing the scale of this divine restoration.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The return from Babylonian captivity, initiated by King Cyrus's decree in 538 BC (as recorded in [Ezra 1:1-4](/ezra/1-1 "Ezra 1:1-4 - Cyrus's Decree")), marked a pivotal moment in Israelite history. After approximately 70 years of exile, as prophesied by [Jeremiah](/jeremiah/29-10 "Jeremiah 29:10 - Prophecy of Return from Exile"), the meticulous record-keeping seen in Ezra 2 was culturally and historically vital. Such censuses served multiple functions in the ancient Near East: they validated claims to land, ensured proper allocation of resources, and, critically for the Jewish community, confirmed tribal and family purity, especially for those aspiring to priestly roles (e.g., [Ezra 2:61-63](/ezra/2-61 "Ezra 2:61-63 - Priests Excluded from the Register")). The reference to "Azmaveth" could denote either descendants of a specific individual named Azmaveth or, more likely, inhabitants of a town known by that name, which was located near Jerusalem (e.g., [Nehemiah 12:29](/nehemiah/12-29 "Nehemiah 12:29 - Azmaveth as a Town")). This level of detail underscores the profound importance of lineage and geographical origin in re-establishing a cohesive and religiously pure community.

* **Key Themes:** The detailed census in Ezra 2, including the entry for "the children of Azmaveth," contributes to several overarching themes in the book of Ezra and the broader post-exilic narrative. Firstly, it powerfully illustrates **Divine Faithfulness and the Fulfillment of Prophecy**, demonstrating God's unwavering commitment to His covenant promises to restore His people to their land, even after severe judgment. Every name and number in the list is a testament to God's redemptive plan unfolding. Secondly, the emphasis on **Identity and Lineage** is paramount; after generations in exile, maintaining a clear record of who belonged to the covenant community was crucial for continuity, re-establishing national identity, and ensuring the purity of worship. Thirdly, the census highlights **Order and Re-establishment**, providing the necessary structure and accountability for the monumental task of rebuilding Jerusalem and the Temple. It ensured that the community was organized and that each family's contribution and rightful place were recognized in the grand project of restoration.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Azmaveth (Hebrew, _‘Azmaveth_):** This name literally means "strong unto death" or "death's strength." It appears in other biblical contexts as both a personal name (e.g., one of David's mighty men in [2 Samuel 23:31](/2_samuel/23-31 "2 Samuel 23:31 - Azmaveth, one of David's Mighty Men")) and a place name, a town near Jerusalem (e.g., [Nehemiah 12:29](/nehemiah/12-29 "Nehemiah 12:29 - Priests and Levites in Azmaveth")). In Ezra 2:24, "the children of Azmaveth" most likely refers to the descendants associated with this particular individual or, more plausibly given the context of a census of returnees by family and place, those who originated from the town of Azmaveth. This indicates their specific origin or family group among the returning exiles.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The children of Azmaveth":** This phrase identifies a specific family unit or a group of descendants, or possibly those originating from the town of Azmaveth, who were part of the first wave of returnees from Babylonian exile. The use of "children of" (Hebrew: _bĕnê_) typically denotes descendants or members of a particular household/clan, emphasizing their lineage and collective identity within the larger community of Israel.
* **"forty and two":** This specifies the exact numerical count of individuals belonging to the "children of Azmaveth" who made the journey back to Judah. The precision of this number, repeated throughout the chapter for various groups, highlights the meticulous nature of the census and the importance placed on accurate record-keeping for administrative, social, and religious purposes in the re-establishment of the community.

#### Literary Devices
Ezra 2:24 is an integral part of a larger **catalog** or **register**, which is a prominent literary device employed throughout Ezra 2. This detailed listing of names and numbers serves several critical functions beyond mere enumeration. It lends **veracity** and **historical accuracy** to the account, demonstrating the tangible reality of the return from exile and the fulfillment of God's prophecies. The repetitive nature of the entries, while seemingly monotonous, creates a cumulative effect that underscores the sheer scale of the restoration and God's meticulous care for each individual and family unit within His covenant people. The inclusion of seemingly minor groups like "the children of Azmaveth" highlights the **inclusivity** of God's remnant and His sovereign attention to every part of His people, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant, in the grand narrative of His redemptive plan.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezra 2:24, though a seemingly minor detail in a long list, is profoundly significant as part of a larger testimony to God's covenant faithfulness and meticulous care. It illustrates His commitment to preserving a remnant of His people and fulfilling His promises to bring them back to their land after generations of exile. This precise record-keeping reflects a divine attention to individual identity within the larger community, emphasizing that every person, every family unit, no matter how small, matters in God's overarching redemptive plan. The returnees, including the "children of Azmaveth," were the physical embodiment of God's promise, laying the foundation for the rebuilding of the Temple and the re-establishment of corporate worship, demonstrating God's orderly and purposeful work in history.

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

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezra 2:24, though a simple line in a long list of returning exiles, carries profound implications for our understanding of God's character and our place in His story. It serves as a powerful reminder of God's meticulous care for individuals within His grand narrative. Just as He knew each family and their precise number returning from exile, He knows each of us by name and has a specific place for us in His kingdom. This verse encourages us to value our spiritual heritage, recognizing that we are part of a continuous story of faith, connected to a lineage of believers who have faithfully followed God throughout history. It also challenges us to embrace our unique role within the body of Christ, understanding that even seemingly small contributions are vital for the collective flourishing and the advancement of God's purposes. Our individual identity, like that of the "children of Azmaveth," is not lost in the larger community but is precisely known and valued by God.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the meticulous detail of Ezra 2:24, and the entire census, speak to God's care for individuals within His larger plan for humanity?**
* **What does it mean for you to be part of God's "remnant" or His people today, and how does your individual identity contribute to the collective body of Christ?**
* **In what ways can we honor our spiritual heritage and the legacy of faith passed down through generations, recognizing our place in God's ongoing story?**

### FAQ
**Why is such a detailed list, including seemingly minor entries like Ezra 2:24, important in the book of Ezra?**

Answer: The detailed list in Ezra 2, including Ezra 2:24, served several crucial purposes for the returning exiles and for the biblical narrative. Firstly, it provided a legitimate and authoritative record of those who had returned from Babylonian captivity, establishing their identity, tribal affiliation, and right to inherit land in Judah. This was vital for re-establishing the social and religious order after generations in exile, particularly for validating claims to priestly roles, as seen in [Ezra 2:61-63](/ezra/2-61 "Ezra 2:61-63 - Priests Excluded from the Register"). Secondly, it demonstrated the fulfillment of God's prophecies regarding the return of His people, highlighting His faithfulness in preserving a remnant and bringing them back to their land. The precision of the numbers underscored the tangible reality of this divine act. Finally, the census provided a practical basis for the allocation of resources, the organization of the community, and the division of labor for the monumental task of rebuilding Jerusalem and the Temple, which is the central focus of the narrative in subsequent chapters like [Ezra 3](/ezra/3 "Ezra 3 - Rebuilding the Altar and Temple Foundation").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Ezra 2:24 is a historical record of a physical return to a physical land, it powerfully foreshadows the spiritual restoration and gathering of God's people found in Christ. Just as God meticulously gathered His scattered people from exile, Christ, the true Shepherd, gathers His elect from every tribe, tongue, and nation, bringing them into His spiritual kingdom. The emphasis on lineage and identity in Ezra finds its ultimate fulfillment not in earthly heritage but in our new identity in Christ, where believers are adopted into God's family, transcending all previous distinctions ([Galatians 3:28](/galatians/3-28 "Galatians 3:28 - No Jew or Gentile in Christ")). The "children of Azmaveth" were part of a physical remnant returning to a physical land; similarly, believers today are part of a spiritual remnant, the Church, being gathered by Christ to inherit a new heaven and new earth ([Revelation 21:1-4](/revelation/21-1 "Revelation 21:1-4 - New Heaven and New Earth")). The meticulous accounting of returnees in Ezra points to God's sovereign knowledge and care for each individual who is called into His redemptive plan, culminating in the perfect and eternal record of every name in the Lamb's Book of Life ([Revelation 20:12](/revelation/20-12 "Revelation 20:12 - The Books Were Opened")). Thus, this seemingly obscure verse echoes the grand narrative of God's gathering of His people, culminating in the perfect and eternal restoration accomplished through Jesus Christ, who is the true temple and the ultimate fulfillment of all God's promises.

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 7:28

The men of Bethazmaveth, forty and two.