Ezra 2:29

KJV

The children of Nebo, fifty and two.

KJV (with Strong's)

The children {H1121} of Nebo {H5015}, fifty {H2572} and two {H8147}.

Complete Jewish Bible

descendants of N'vo

Berean Standard Bible

the descendants of Nebo, 52;

American Standard Version

The children of Nebo, fifty and two.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezra 2:29 is a concise entry within a comprehensive census, meticulously recording the "children of Nebo" as fifty-two individuals who returned from Babylonian exile to Judah. This verse, seemingly a minor detail, serves as a vital component of the larger historical and theological narrative in Ezra, underscoring the tangible fulfillment of God's promises of restoration, the re-establishment of the Israelite community, and the importance of lineage and identity in the post-exilic period. It highlights the careful record-keeping essential for rebuilding a nation and a people.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ezra 2:29 is situated within a lengthy and detailed register in [Ezra chapter 2](/ezra/2 "Ezra 2 - The List of Returning Exiles"), which enumerates the families and their numbers who returned to Judah under the leadership of Zerubbabel and Jeshua following Cyrus's decree. This chapter functions as a foundational document, establishing the legitimate community for the rebuilding of the temple and the re-inhabitation of the land. The preceding verses list other family groups (e.g., the children of Parosh, Shephatiah, Arah), and this verse continues that pattern, contributing to the comprehensive accounting of the first wave of returnees. The meticulous nature of this list sets the stage for the subsequent narratives of temple reconstruction in [Ezra chapter 3](/ezra/3 "Ezra 3 - Rebuilding the Altar and Temple Foundation") and the challenges faced by the nascent community.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The return described in Ezra occurs in the early post-exilic period, specifically after the decree of Cyrus the Great in 538 BC, which allowed the Jewish exiles to return to their homeland (as detailed in [Ezra 1:1-4](/ezra/1-1 "Ezra 1:1-4 - Cyrus's Decree")). For a people returning from seventy years of captivity, establishing identity and lineage was paramount. Tribal distinctions, land inheritance rights, and qualifications for priestly service were all dependent on verifiable ancestry. The meticulous census in Ezra 2, therefore, was not merely a demographic exercise but a crucial act of re-establishing social, religious, and legal order. The return itself was viewed as a direct fulfillment of prophetic promises, particularly those found in [Jeremiah 29:10-14](/jeremiah/29-10 "Jeremiah 29:10-14 - God's Plans for Restoration"), emphasizing God's faithfulness to His covenant despite Israel's disobedience.
* **Key Themes:** This verse, as part of the broader census in [Ezra chapter 2](/ezra/2 "Ezra 2 - The List of Returning Exiles"), contributes to several significant themes. Firstly, it underscores **Restoration and Homecoming**, highlighting the tangible reality of God gathering His scattered people back to their land after a period of divine judgment. Secondly, the emphasis on specific family groups like "the children of Nebo" reinforces the theme of **Identity and Lineage**, stressing the importance of knowing one's heritage for communal cohesion, land claims, and religious purity, especially for those qualified for temple service. Thirdly, the very existence of such a detailed and precise record speaks to **God's Faithfulness and Order**, demonstrating His meticulous involvement in the lives of His people and the organized, purposeful nature of His redemptive plan, even in the seemingly mundane act of counting. This meticulousness reflects the divine care for the remnant and the fulfillment of ancient promises.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Nebo (Hebrew, _Nəḇō_):** In this context, "Nebo" refers to a specific town or locality in Judah, from which these families originated. It is crucial to distinguish this geographical reference from the Babylonian deity of the same name (e.g., [Isaiah 46:1](/isaiah/46-1 "Isaiah 46:1 - Bel and Nebo")). Its inclusion here serves as a precise identifier for the ancestral home of this particular group of returnees, signifying their legitimate claim to the land and their place within the re-established community.
* **Fifty and two (Hebrew, _ḥamiššîm ūšənayim_):** This exact numerical count emphasizes the meticulous nature of the census. It is not an approximation but a precise tally of the male members from the "children of Nebo" who returned. This precision underscores the historical accuracy and administrative thoroughness of the record, validating the size and composition of the returning remnant and highlighting the tangible reality of the restoration.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The children of Nebo":** This phrase identifies a specific family or clan by their ancestral town. In ancient Israelite society, lineage and geographical origin were fundamental to one's identity, legal rights, and social standing. This designation confirms their Israelite heritage and their connection to a particular place within Judah, which would have implications for land allocation and community integration upon their return.
* **"fifty and two":** This provides the exact number of male individuals from the "children of Nebo" who were part of the first wave of returnees. The precise enumeration is characteristic of the entire census in Ezra 2, serving to validate the legitimacy of the returning community, quantify the scale of the restoration, and provide a clear record for administrative and historical purposes. It underscores the tangible reality of God's promise to bring His people back.

#### Literary Devices
Ezra 2:29, within the broader context of the chapter, primarily employs **Enumeration** and **Genealogy**. The entire chapter is a detailed list, meticulously counting individuals and families, which is a prime example of enumeration. This device serves to provide a comprehensive and verifiable record of those who returned, lending historical credibility to the narrative of restoration. Furthermore, the phrase "The children of Nebo" is an instance of **Genealogy** or **Ancestral Identification**, linking individuals to their family lines and ancestral towns. This is crucial in a post-exilic context where identity, land rights, and eligibility for sacred service were tied to one's lineage. The use of specific numbers, like "fifty and two," also highlights **Precision/Detailing**, emphasizing the thoroughness of the record-keeping and the tangible reality of the returned remnant. These devices collectively underscore the orderly and purposeful nature of the return, reflecting divine orchestration.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezra 2:29, though a brief entry in a long list, powerfully illustrates God's meticulous care for His people and His faithfulness to His covenant promises. The very act of counting and naming each family, no matter how small, demonstrates that God's grand plan of restoration is realized through the individual lives and specific identities of His people. This attention to detail in the historical record affirms that every person counted was part of a divine purpose, contributing to the rebuilding of the nation and the temple. It reflects a God who remembers His promises and orchestrates even the seemingly mundane details of human history to bring about His redemptive will, ensuring the preservation of His chosen remnant.

* [Jeremiah 29:10](/jeremiah/29-10 "Jeremiah 29:10 - Promise of Restoration")
* [Isaiah 43:5](/isaiah/43-5 "Isaiah 43:5-6 - God Gathers His People")
* [Nehemiah 7:33](/nehemiah/7-33 "Nehemiah 7:33 - Census of Returning Exiles")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The inclusion of seemingly insignificant details like "the children of Nebo, fifty and two" in the biblical record offers profound insights for believers today. It reminds us that God, in His vast and sovereign plan, pays attention to the individual and the seemingly small. Just as each family was vital to the rebuilding of ancient Israel, so too is every believer a crucial part of God's ongoing work in the world. This verse encourages us to appreciate our own place within God's larger redemptive narrative, recognizing that our identity in Christ is of ultimate significance, far surpassing any earthly lineage. It also serves as a powerful testament to God's capacity for restoration, assuring us that even after periods of spiritual wandering, brokenness, or communal decline, God is faithful to bring about renewal and rebuild what was lost. We are called to participate actively in His restorative work, trusting that our contributions, however small, are meticulously noted and valued by Him.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does God's attention to seemingly small details in Ezra 2:29 encourage you in your own life and faith journey?**
* **In what ways does understanding your spiritual heritage in Christ parallel the importance of lineage for the returning exiles?**
* **Where in your life, or in your community, do you see a need for God's restorative work, and how might this verse inspire hope?**

### FAQ
**Why is such a detailed list, including specific family names and numbers, important in the book of Ezra?**

Answer: The detailed list in Ezra, including entries like "the children of Nebo, fifty and two," was critically important for several reasons. Firstly, it established the **legitimacy** of the returning community, proving their Israelite heritage and their right to inhabit the land and rebuild the temple. Secondly, it was essential for **re-establishing social and religious order**, as land inheritance, tribal affiliations, and qualifications for priestly service (e.g., [Ezra 2:61-63](/ezra/2-61 "Ezra 2:61-63 - Priests Excluded from Service")) were all based on verifiable lineage. Thirdly, it served as a tangible record of 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 - God's Promise of Return")), demonstrating the precise and orderly nature of His redemptive plan.

**Is the "Nebo" mentioned in Ezra 2:29 the same as the Babylonian god Nebo?**

Answer: No, the "Nebo" in Ezra 2:29 refers to a **town or locality** in Judah, from which these specific families originated. It is distinct from the Babylonian deity Nebo, who was a god of wisdom and writing, often mentioned in conjunction with Marduk (e.g., [Isaiah 46:1](/isaiah/46-1 "Isaiah 46:1 - Bel and Nebo")). The context of Ezra 2 is a census of returning Jewish families, and "Nebo" here functions as an ancestral place-name, not a reference to a foreign god. This distinction is crucial for accurate interpretation.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The meticulous counting of the returning exiles in Ezra 2:29, and indeed throughout the chapter, points forward to a greater spiritual restoration and a more profound identity found in Christ. While the physical return to Jerusalem and the re-establishment of a physical lineage were crucial for the Old Testament people of God, they ultimately foreshadowed the spiritual ingathering of God's elect into the new covenant community. Jesus Christ is the true "Nebo," the ultimate source of our spiritual origin and identity, for in Him, we are "children of God" (e.g., [John 1:12](/john/1-12 "John 1:12 - Children of God")) by faith, not by earthly lineage. The precise numbers in Ezra remind us that God knows each of His own, whose names are "written in the Lamb's Book of Life" (e.g., [Revelation 21:27](/revelation/21-27 "Revelation 21:27 - Book of Life")). The physical journey back to a homeland prefigures the Christian's longing for a "better country, that is, a heavenly one" (e.g., [Hebrews 11:16](/hebrews/11-16 "Hebrews 11:16 - Longing for a Heavenly Homeland")), where God's dwelling is finally with humanity (e.g., [Revelation 21:3](/revelation/21-3 "Revelation 21:3 - God's Dwelling with Man")). In Christ, the scattered are gathered, the lost are found, and a new, eternal community is established, fulfilling the deepest longings for belonging and restoration that the exiles experienced.

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 7:33

The men of the other Nebo, fifty and two.

Numbers 32:3

Ataroth, and Dibon, and Jazer, and Nimrah, and Heshbon, and Elealeh, and Shebam, and Nebo, and Beon,

Deuteronomy 32:49

Get thee up into this mountain Abarim, [unto] mount Nebo, which [is] in the land of Moab, that [is] over against Jericho; and behold the land of Canaan, which I give unto the children of Israel for a possession:

Jeremiah 48:22

And upon Dibon, and upon Nebo, and upon Bethdiblathaim,

Jeremiah 48:1

¶ Against Moab thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Woe unto Nebo! for it is spoiled: Kiriathaim is confounded [and] taken: Misgab is confounded and dismayed.

Isaiah 15:2

He is gone up to Bajith, and to Dibon, the high places, to weep: Moab shall howl over Nebo, and over Medeba: on all their heads [shall be] baldness, [and] every beard cut off.