Ezra 2:3

KJV

The children of Parosh, two thousand an hundred seventy and two.

KJV (with Strong's)

The children {H1121} of Parosh {H6551}, two thousand {H505} an hundred {H3967} seventy {H7657} and two {H8147}.

Complete Jewish Bible

descendants of Par'osh 2,172

Berean Standard Bible

the descendants of Parosh, 2,172;

American Standard Version

The children of Parosh, two thousand a hundred seventy and two.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezra 2:3 meticulously records the "children of Parosh" as one of the prominent families, numbering 2,172 individuals, who participated in the initial wave of Jewish exiles returning from Babylonian captivity to Jerusalem. This verse forms part of a crucial census in Ezra chapter 2, which documents the specific family groups and their precise numbers, serving as an indispensable historical and genealogical record of the post-exilic community's re-establishment in their ancestral homeland and a testament to God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises of restoration.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ezra 2:3 is embedded within a comprehensive list of returning exiles in [Ezra chapter 2](/ezra/2 "The List of Returning Exiles"). This chapter immediately follows the decree of King Cyrus permitting the Jews to return and rebuild the Temple, as detailed in [Ezra 1:1-4](/ezra/1-1-4 "Cyrus's Decree for Temple Rebuilding"). The preceding verses in [Ezra 2:1-2](/ezra/2-1-2 "Leaders of the First Return") introduce the overall purpose of the census and name the key leaders, Zerubbabel and Jeshua, who spearheaded this initial return. The meticulous enumeration of families and their numbers, which continues through [Ezra 2:60](/ezra/2-60 "Families Whose Lineage Was Uncertain"), underscores the administrative precision and historical significance of this event, setting the stage for the subsequent rebuilding efforts detailed in [Ezra chapter 3](/ezra/3 "Rebuilding the Altar and Temple Foundation").

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The return described in Ezra 2 occurred after approximately 70 years of Babylonian exile, as prophesied by Jeremiah in [Jeremiah 29:10](/jeremiah/29-10 "Jeremiah's Prophecy of 70 Years of Exile"). King Cyrus's decree in 538 BC, a Persian policy of allowing conquered peoples to return to their lands and worship their gods, facilitated this repatriation. For the Jewish people, this was not merely a political migration but a divinely orchestrated restoration, marking the end of a period of judgment and the beginning of renewed covenant faithfulness. Culturally, lineage and tribal identity were paramount in ancient Israel, determining land inheritance, priestly service, and social standing. This detailed census was thus vital for re-establishing social order, confirming legitimate claims to land, and ensuring the purity of priestly and Levitical lines for the restored Temple worship.

* **Key Themes:** This verse, as part of the broader census, powerfully illustrates several key themes within the book of Ezra and the overarching biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Faithfulness and Restoration**, demonstrating God's unwavering commitment to His covenant promises by bringing His people back to the land He swore to their ancestors, even after a period of severe discipline, as promised in [Deuteronomy 30:1-5](/deuteronomy/30-1-5 "Promise of Restoration After Exile"). Secondly, it emphasizes **Identity and Lineage**, showcasing the profound importance of family and tribal affiliation in ancient Israelite society. The meticulous record-keeping served to preserve the distinct identity of God's people and their connection to their heritage and the promised land, reminiscent of the census in [Numbers 1:1-46](/numbers/1 "Census of Israel's Tribes"). Finally, the detailed enumeration speaks to **Order and Accountability** in the re-establishment of the community. This census provided the foundational data for organizing the new society, allocating resources, and assigning responsibilities for the monumental task of rebuilding the Temple and the city of Jerusalem, a practice also seen in [Nehemiah 7:4-66](/nehemiah/7-4-66 "Nehemiah's Census of Returnees").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Parosh (Hebrew, _Parʻôsh'_):** (H6551) This name, the same as פַּרְעֹשׁ, refers to the progenitor of a prominent Israelite family or clan. While the root might suggest "flea," its significance here is purely as a proper noun identifying a distinct lineage. The family of Parosh was notably large, indicating its historical and social importance within the post-exilic community and among the first wave of returnees.
* **Children (Hebrew, _bên'_):** (H1121) Derived from a root meaning "to build," this word (בֵּן) literally means "son" but is used in a broad sense to denote descendants, members of a family, or an entire clan. In this context, "the children of Parosh" emphasizes the genealogical continuity and the collective identity of this family line, highlighting their shared heritage and their unified return from exile.
* **Thousand (Hebrew, _ʼeleph'_):** (H505) This numeral (אֶלֶף) is used here as part of the precise count of individuals returning. Its inclusion, alongside "hundred," "seventy," and "two," underscores the meticulous nature of the census recorded in Ezra. The use of specific numbers, even for large groups, lends credibility to the historical account and highlights the administrative precision involved in re-establishing the community in Judah.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The children of Parosh":** This phrase identifies a specific family or clan, tracing their lineage back to a patriarch named Parosh. The emphasis on "children" highlights the generational continuity and the collective identity of this group, distinguishing them as a distinct unit within the returning exiles. This familial designation was crucial for establishing social order and confirming ancestral claims in the re-settled land.
* **"two thousand an hundred seventy and two":** This precise numerical count provides the exact number of individuals from the "children of Parosh" who returned. The specificity of the number underscores the meticulous nature of the census, which was vital for administrative purposes, resource allocation, and understanding the demographic composition of the new community. It also serves as a historical testament to the scale of the return.

#### Literary Devices
While Ezra 2:3 is primarily a factual, historical record, its inclusion within a larger list of names and numbers employs **Enumeration** and **Repetition**. The consistent listing of family names followed by their numerical totals throughout [Ezra chapter 2](/ezra/2 "The List of Returning Exiles") creates a cumulative effect, emphasizing the sheer scale and organized nature of the return. This meticulous **Record-Keeping** serves as a literary device to underscore the divine faithfulness in fulfilling prophecy and the human effort involved in rebuilding. The dry, census-like structure itself functions as a form of **Verisimilitude**, lending an air of authenticity and historical accuracy to the narrative, reinforcing the reality of God's work in restoring His people. The focus on family units rather than individuals also highlights the **Communal Identity** of Israel, a recurring theme throughout the Old Testament.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezra 2:3, though a single line in a genealogical list, profoundly contributes to the overarching biblical narrative of God's faithfulness and the restoration of His covenant people. It is a tangible manifestation of God's promise to bring His exiles home, demonstrating His meticulous care for every family and individual within His redemptive plan. The emphasis on lineage and numbers speaks to God's orderly nature and His preservation of a remnant through whom His purposes would be fulfilled, culminating in the coming of the Messiah. It underscores that even in seemingly mundane details, God is actively working to establish His kingdom and fulfill His word, bringing order out of chaos and hope out of despair. This act of return and re-establishment laid the groundwork for the continued unfolding of salvation history.

* [Deuteronomy 30:3-5](/deuteronomy/30-3-5 "God's Promise to Gather Israel")
* [Jeremiah 29:10-14](/jeremiah/29-10-14 "God's Plans for Hope and a Future")
* [Nehemiah 7:6-65](/nehemiah/7-6-65 "The List of Returnees in Nehemiah")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While a simple numerical entry, Ezra 2:3 invites us to reflect on the profound implications of God's detailed involvement in the lives of His people, then and now. It reminds us that God's grand redemptive narrative is built upon countless individual stories and the faithful participation of ordinary families. Just as the "children of Parosh" were essential to the physical rebuilding of Jerusalem and the Temple, so too are we, as members of God's spiritual house, vital to His ongoing work in the world. Our individual identities and contributions, however seemingly small, are meticulously known and valued by God. This verse encourages us to embrace our place within the larger body of Christ, recognizing that our collective efforts, guided by God's faithfulness, contribute to His kingdom's advancement. It calls us to trust in God's sovereign plan, knowing that He is meticulously bringing all things to their promised fulfillment.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the meticulous detail of this census encourage your faith in God's care for individuals and communities?**
* **In what ways does your personal story or family history connect to the larger narrative of God's redemptive work?**
* **What role do you believe God is calling you to play in the collective "rebuilding" of His church or community today?**

### FAQ
**Why is such a detailed list of names and numbers included in the Bible?**

Answer: The inclusion of detailed lists like the one in Ezra 2, which includes the "children of Parosh," serves several crucial purposes. Historically, it provides an authentic record of the Jewish people's return from Babylonian exile, confirming the fulfillment of prophecy (e.g., [Jeremiah 29:10](/jeremiah/29-10 "Jeremiah's Prophecy of 70 Years")). Genealogically, it was essential for establishing legitimate lineage, particularly for those claiming land inheritance or priestly service ([Nehemiah 7:64-65](/nehemiah/7-64-65 "Those Excluded from the Priesthood")). Theologically, it demonstrates God's meticulous care for His covenant people, showing His faithfulness in preserving a remnant and bringing them back to their land, even down to the individual family level. It underscores the orderly nature of God's work and the importance of identity within His plan.

**What was the significance of the family of Parosh?**

Answer: The family of Parosh was one of the most prominent and numerous groups among the first wave of returnees from Babylonian exile, numbering 2,172 individuals as recorded in [Ezra 2:3](/ezra/2-3 "The Children of Parosh"). Their large size suggests they were a significant and influential clan within the post-exilic community. They are mentioned again in [Ezra 8:3](/ezra/8-3 "Descendants of Parosh with Ezra") as having members return with Ezra, and in [Nehemiah 10:14](/nehemiah/10-14 "Leaders Who Sealed the Covenant") as having a leader who sealed the covenant with Nehemiah. Their consistent presence indicates their ongoing importance in the re-establishment of Jewish life in Judah, playing a vital role in the rebuilding efforts and the spiritual renewal of the nation.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ezra 2:3, with its focus on the return of a specific family, the "children of Parosh," from exile, foreshadows the ultimate and greater return and restoration found in Jesus Christ. The physical return to Jerusalem after 70 years of captivity was a partial and temporary restoration, pointing to a deeper spiritual reality. Just as God meticulously gathered His scattered people in Ezra's day, so too does Christ gather all who are spiritually exiled by sin into His new covenant community, the Church ([Ephesians 2:13](/ephesians/2-13 "Brought Near by the Blood of Christ")). He is the true leader of the ultimate exodus, bringing His people out of the bondage of sin and death into the promised land of eternal life and fellowship with God ([Colossians 1:13-14](/colossians/1-13-14 "Delivered from Darkness and Transferred to the Kingdom")). The meticulous accounting of families in Ezra highlights God's personal knowledge and care for each individual within His plan, a truth supremely revealed in Christ, who knows His sheep by name ([John 10:3](/john/10-3 "The Shepherd Calls His Own Sheep by Name")). Through His atoning sacrifice, Jesus provides the means for all believers, regardless of earthly lineage, to be "children of God" ([John 1:12](/john/1-12 "Children of God by Faith")) and rightful heirs to the spiritual blessings and eternal inheritance promised to Abraham's true offspring ([Galatians 3:29](/galatians/3-29 "Heirs According to the Promise")). The rebuilding of the physical temple in Ezra prefigures Christ as the true Temple, in whom God dwells and through whom all believers are built into a spiritual house ([1_peter/2-5](/1-peter/2-5 "1 Peter 2:5 - Living Stones, a Spiritual House")).

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

Ezra 8:3

Of the sons of Shechaniah, of the sons of Pharosh; Zechariah: and with him were reckoned by genealogy of the males an hundred and fifty.

Ezra 10:25

Moreover of Israel: of the sons of Parosh; Ramiah, and Jeziah, and Malchiah, and Miamin, and Eleazar, and Malchijah, and Benaiah.

Nehemiah 7:8

The children of Parosh, two thousand an hundred seventy and two.