Ezra 2:25

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

The children {H1121} of Kirjatharim {H7157}, Chephirah {H3716}, and Beeroth {H881}, seven {H7651} hundred {H3967} and forty {H705} and three {H7969}.

Complete Jewish Bible

descendants of Kiryat-'Arim, K'firah and Be'erot

Berean Standard Bible

the men of Kiriath-jearim, Chephirah, and Beeroth, 743;

American Standard Version

The children of Kiriath-arim, Chephirah, and Beeroth, seven hundred and forty and three.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezra 2:25 is a specific entry within the comprehensive census of Jewish exiles who returned to Judah from Babylonian captivity under the leadership of Zerubbabel and Jeshua. This verse meticulously records the "children" or descendants associated with the towns of Kirjatharim, Chephirah, and Beeroth, totaling seven hundred and forty-three individuals. Far from being a mere dry list of names and numbers, this detailed enumeration serves as a profound testament to God's unwavering faithfulness in fulfilling His promises of restoration, meticulously re-establishing His covenant people in their ancestral land, and laying the groundwork for the rebuilding of the temple and the community.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ezra 2:25 is situated within a lengthy and detailed register (Ezra 2:2-67) that lists the families, cities, and numbers of the first wave of Jewish exiles who returned from Babylon to Judah. This chapter immediately follows the decree of King Cyrus, recorded in [Ezra 1:1-4](/ezra/1-1 "Ezra 1:1-4 - Cyrus's Decree for Return"), which permitted and even encouraged the Jews to return and rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem. The meticulous nature of this list underscores the importance of identity, lineage, and tribal affiliation for the re-establishment of the community, the allocation of land, and the verification of priestly and Levitical service. It serves as a foundational document for the restored nation, demonstrating the continuity of God's covenant people despite the seventy-year exile. This list has a significant parallel in [Nehemiah 7:6-69](/nehemiah/7-6 "Nehemiah 7:6-69 - List of Returnees"), indicating its critical importance for both historical and administrative purposes in the post-exilic community.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The return described in Ezra 2 occurred in the early Persian period, following the fall of the Neo-Babylonian Empire to Cyrus the Great in 539 BC. After seventy years of exile, a period prophesied by Jeremiah (cf. [Jeremiah 29:10](/jeremiah/29-10 "Jeremiah 29:10 - Prophecy of Return")), Cyrus issued a decree (538 BC) allowing captive peoples to return to their homelands and worship their gods, a policy designed to foster goodwill and stability within his vast empire. For the Jews, this was a divinely orchestrated moment of liberation and restoration. In ancient Israelite society, genealogical records were paramount. They established claims to tribal land inheritances, verified eligibility for priestly and Levitical service (ensuring ritual purity and proper worship), and maintained national and familial identity. The towns mentioned in Ezra 2:25—Kirjatharim (a variant of Kirjath-jearim), Chephirah, and Beeroth—were historically associated with the Gibeonites, a people who had made a covenant with Joshua (cf. [Joshua 9:17](/joshua/9-17 "Joshua 9:17 - The Gibeonites' Deception")). Their inclusion in this list suggests that descendants or inhabitants of these areas, who had integrated into the broader Jewish community over centuries, were also part of the return.

* **Key Themes:** This seemingly administrative verse contributes significantly to several overarching themes within Ezra and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it powerfully illustrates the theme of **Restoration and Return**, serving as tangible proof of God's faithfulness to His covenant promises to bring His people back from exile and re-establish them in the land. Secondly, the meticulous record-keeping highlights the critical importance of **Identity and Lineage**. For a people whose identity had been threatened by exile, knowing one's family, tribal affiliation, and ancestral town was vital for rebuilding society, re-establishing land claims, and ensuring the purity of the priesthood, thereby reinforcing their unique covenant identity as God's chosen people. Thirdly, the very existence of this list, and the successful return it documents, points to **Divine Providence**. It underscores God's sovereign hand at work, orchestrating geopolitical events (like Cyrus's decree) and guiding individuals and families, even in the minute details of their return, to fulfill His overarching redemptive plan. Finally, it speaks to the theme of the **Faithful Remnant**, a core concept in prophetic literature, demonstrating that despite widespread apostasy and exile, God preserved a group of individuals committed to returning and rebuilding, ensuring the continuity of His people and the lineage leading to the Messiah.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **children (Hebrew, _b'nei_):** The Hebrew term בְּנֵי (*b'nei*), meaning "sons of" or "children of," is used here not strictly to denote direct offspring but rather "descendants of," "inhabitants of," or "those associated with" a particular place or family. In this context, it signifies the contingent of people who identified with or originated from the towns of Kirjatharim, Chephirah, and Beeroth, emphasizing their collective identity and connection to these specific locations rather than a literal familial relationship to a single progenitor. This usage is common in biblical genealogies and census lists, where "sons of X" often refers to the community or clan associated with X.
* **Kirjatharim (Hebrew, _Qiryat Ye'arim_ - variant):** This name, a variant of Kirjath-jearim (קִרְיַת יְעָרִים), means "city of forests." It was a significant city in Judah, known for being the place where the Ark of the Covenant resided for many years after its return from the Philistines (cf. [1 Samuel 7:1-2](/1_samuel/7-1 "1 Samuel 7:1-2 - The Ark at Kirjath-jearim")). Its inclusion in this list, alongside Chephirah and Beeroth, points to a historical connection with the Gibeonite cities mentioned in [Joshua 9:17](/joshua/9-17 "Joshua 9:17 - Gibeonite Cities"), indicating that the returnees included those whose ancestors had settled in or near these historically significant, non-Israelite towns that had been absorbed into the Israelite territory.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The children of Kirjatharim, Chephirah, and Beeroth":** This phrase identifies a specific group of returnees by their ancestral or associated towns. "The children of" (Hebrew *b'nei*) indicates those who belonged to or originated from these places. Kirjatharim (or Kirjath-jearim), Chephirah, and Beeroth were towns in the territory of Benjamin, historically linked to the Gibeonites who made a covenant with Joshua. Their inclusion signifies that the return from exile was comprehensive, encompassing various segments of the Israelite population, including those from areas with complex historical backgrounds. It underscores the meticulous nature of the census, ensuring that all who returned were properly accounted for and could re-establish their claims and identities within the restored community.
* **"seven hundred and forty and three":** This precise number provides the total count for the individuals associated with these three towns. The exactness of the figures throughout Ezra 2 highlights the administrative precision and importance of this census. It was not a rough estimate but a careful tally, reflecting the seriousness with which the returnees and their leaders approached the re-establishment of their community. This detail also serves to emphasize the scale of the return, even for seemingly small contingents, and the divine hand in preserving a remnant and bringing them back to their land.

#### Literary Devices
Ezra 2:25, as part of a larger list, employs several literary devices. The primary device is **Census/Genealogy**, which is not merely a historical record but serves theological purposes. By meticulously listing families and their numbers, the text emphasizes the continuity of God's covenant people and the fulfillment of His promises of restoration. This detailed enumeration also functions as a form of **Validation**, confirming the legitimacy and identity of those returning to claim their heritage and participate in the rebuilding of the Temple and the nation. The repetition of similar numerical entries throughout Ezra 2 creates a sense of **Rhythm and Accumulation**, building a comprehensive picture of the returning remnant and underscoring the magnitude of this divinely orchestrated event. Furthermore, the use of town names like "Kirjatharim" to represent their inhabitants is a form of **Metonymy**, where the place stands for the people associated with it, highlighting the strong connection between identity, heritage, and geographical origin in ancient Israelite society.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezra 2:25, though a single line in a lengthy list, is rich with theological significance. It speaks to the meticulousness of God's care for His people, demonstrating that His plans for restoration are not abstract but involve every individual and family. The very act of counting and recording each group of returnees highlights God's faithfulness to His covenant promises, bringing a remnant back from exile precisely as prophesied. This seemingly mundane detail underscores the divine orchestration of history, where even the specific numbers of those returning are part of God's sovereign design to re-establish His people, rebuild His temple, and prepare the way for future redemptive acts. It reminds us that God's work often unfolds through the patient, detailed, and sometimes seemingly unglamorous work of His people.

* [Jeremiah 29:10](/jeremiah/29-10 "Jeremiah 29:10 - Prophecy of Return from Exile")
* [Isaiah 43:5-7](/isaiah/43-5 "Isaiah 43:5-7 - God Gathers His People")
* [Nehemiah 7:6-69](/nehemiah/7-6 "Nehemiah 7:6-69 - Parallel List of Returnees")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
In a world that often values grand narratives and dramatic events, Ezra 2:25 reminds us that God's work is often accomplished through meticulous detail, patient endurance, and the faithful participation of seemingly ordinary people. This verse, part of a long list, assures us that every individual and every family has a place in God's overarching plan. Just as God meticulously accounted for each returning group, He knows each of us intimately, valuing our unique contributions to His kingdom. It challenges us to consider our own "return" – whether from spiritual exile, apathy, or a sense of displacement – and to actively participate in the rebuilding of God's spiritual house, the Church. Our contributions, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant, are vital and recorded in God's eternal ledger. This passage also underscores the importance of community, shared identity, and collective effort in fulfilling God's purposes, reminding us that we are called to build together, valuing our heritage while looking forward to God's future work.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does God's meticulous attention to detail in this census encourage or challenge your understanding of His care for you personally?**
* **In what ways are you called to "return" or "rebuild" in your own life or community, and how does this passage inspire perseverance in that work?**
* **How does the emphasis on collective identity and community in Ezra 2 inform your view of the Church and your role within it?**

### FAQ

**Why is this list of names and numbers so detailed and seemingly repetitive in the book of Ezra?**

Answer: The detailed and seemingly repetitive nature of the list in Ezra 2, including Ezra 2:25, serves several crucial purposes beyond mere historical record-keeping. Firstly, it is a **theological statement** affirming God's faithfulness in fulfilling His prophetic promises to bring His people back from exile (e.g., [Jeremiah 29:10](/jeremiah/29-10 "Jeremiah 29:10 - Prophecy of Return")). Every name and number is a testament to God's sovereign hand at work. Secondly, it was a **vital administrative document** for the re-establishment of the community. Knowing one's family, tribal affiliation, and ancestral town was essential for land distribution, verifying claims to property, and ensuring proper lineage for priestly and Levitical service (cf. Ezra 2:61-63). This meticulous record-keeping underscored the importance of purity and order in the restored community, which was foundational for rebuilding the Temple and re-instituting proper worship. Finally, it served as a **public declaration of identity and continuity**, demonstrating that despite the seventy-year exile, a distinct people, a faithful remnant, had returned to carry on the covenant heritage.

**What is the significance of the specific towns mentioned in Ezra 2:25: Kirjatharim, Chephirah, and Beeroth?**

Answer: The mention of Kirjatharim (a variant of Kirjath-jearim), Chephirah, and Beeroth is significant because these towns were historically associated with the Gibeonites, a non-Israelite people who had made a deceptive covenant with Joshua and the Israelites (cf. [Joshua 9:17](/joshua/9-17 "Joshua 9:17 - The Gibeonites' Deception")). Over centuries, these Gibeonite cities had become integrated into the territory of Benjamin and Judah. The inclusion of "the children of Kirjatharim, Chephirah, and Beeroth" in the list of returning exiles suggests that descendants or inhabitants of these areas, who had likely assimilated into the broader Jewish community over generations, were also part of the post-exilic return. This highlights the comprehensive nature of the return, indicating that God's restoration encompassed not only those from traditionally "pure" Israelite lineages but also those who had become part of the covenant community through historical integration. It underscores the idea that God's people are not solely defined by strict biological purity but by their association with and commitment to the covenant.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Ezra 2:25 appears to be a dry statistical entry, it profoundly foreshadows the grander spiritual restoration found in Jesus Christ. The meticulous accounting of those returning from physical exile points to God's precise knowledge of His spiritual elect, whose names are eternally recorded in the [Lamb's Book of Life](/revelation/21-27 "Revelation 21:27 - Book of Life"). The return of the scattered remnant to their promised land prefigures the spiritual ingathering of all believers from every nation, tribe, and tongue into the one body of Christ, the Church, where our true citizenship is in heaven (cf. [Philippians 3:20](/philippians/3-20 "Philippians 3:20 - Our Citizenship is in Heaven")). Just as Zerubbabel and Jeshua led the physical return and rebuilding, Christ is the ultimate leader who brings His people out of spiritual bondage to sin and death, into the freedom of His kingdom (cf. [Colossians 1:13-14](/colossians/1-13 "Colossians 1:13-14 - Delivered from Darkness")). The rebuilding of the physical temple in Jerusalem, which the returnees were tasked with, finds its ultimate fulfillment in Christ Himself, who declared His body to be the true temple (cf. [John 2:19-21](/john/2-19 "John 2:19-21 - Jesus and the Temple")), and in the Church, which is built upon Him as the cornerstone, becoming a spiritual dwelling place for God (cf. [Ephesians 2:19-22](/ephesians/2-19 "Ephesians 2:19-22 - Fellow Citizens with the Saints")). Thus, the seemingly mundane details of Ezra 2:25 speak to God's unwavering commitment to His covenant, culminating in the comprehensive and eternal restoration offered through His Son, Jesus, who knows His sheep by name and leads them to everlasting life (cf. [John 10:27-28](/john/10-27 "John 10:27-28 - Jesus Knows His Sheep")).

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

Joshua 9:17

And the children of Israel journeyed, and came unto their cities on the third day. Now their cities [were] Gibeon, and Chephirah, and Beeroth, and Kirjathjearim.

Nehemiah 7:29

The men of Kirjathjearim, Chephirah, and Beeroth, seven hundred forty and three.