Ezra 2:31

KJV

The children of the other Elam, a thousand two hundred fifty and four.

KJV (with Strong's)

The children {H1121} of the other {H312} Elam {H5867}, a thousand {H505} two hundred {H3967} fifty {H2572} and four {H702}.

Complete Jewish Bible

descendants of the other 'Eilam

Berean Standard Bible

the descendants of the other Elam, 1,254;

American Standard Version

The children of the other Elam, a thousand two hundred fifty and four.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezra 2:31 meticulously records the return of "the children of the other Elam," a substantial family group numbering one thousand two hundred fifty and four, as part of the post-exilic Jewish community journeying back to Judah from Babylonian captivity. This seemingly simple numerical entry underscores the profound importance of lineage, identity, and the meticulous divine orchestration of Israel's restoration, highlighting the individual and collective contributions essential for the rebuilding of the nation and the Temple.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ezra 2:31 is situated within a comprehensive genealogical register (Ezra 2:1-70) that lists the families and individuals who returned to Judah with Zerubbabel and Jeshua following Cyrus the Great's decree in 538 BC. This chapter serves as a foundational document, establishing the legitimate identity of the returning exiles, their ancestral claims to land, and their organizational structure for the monumental task of rebuilding Jerusalem and the Temple. The meticulous detail, including the precise numbers for each family, underscores the historical accuracy and administrative importance of this census, which finds a parallel in [Nehemiah 7](/nehemiah/7 "Nehemiah 7 - The List of Returnees"). The repetition of certain family names, like Elam, with identical numbers, suggests either distinct branches or a scribal emphasis on the size of significant groups.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The return described in Ezra 2 marks a pivotal moment in Israelite history, concluding the 70-year Babylonian exile prophesied by Jeremiah (cf. [Jeremiah 29:10-14](/jeremiah/29-10 "Jeremiah 29:10-14 - Prophecy of Return from Exile")). Cyrus's decree, a remarkable act of religious tolerance for its time, allowed the Jews to return and rebuild their Temple. For the returning exiles, establishing their identity and lineage was paramount. In ancient Near Eastern societies, one's family and tribal affiliation determined social status, rights to land, and eligibility for religious service. Without these detailed records, the community would have struggled to re-establish its social and religious order, claim ancestral properties, or even determine who was qualified to serve as priests or Levites (cf. [Ezra 2:61-63](/ezra/2-61 "Ezra 2:61-63 - Exclusion of those without clear lineage")). The return was not merely a physical relocation but a spiritual and national re-founding.
* **Key Themes:** The meticulous enumeration in Ezra 2, including the entry for "the children of the other Elam," contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book of Ezra and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Divine Faithfulness and Fulfillment of Prophecy**, as God orchestrates the return of His people to their land, demonstrating His unwavering commitment to His covenant promises despite Israel's disobedience (cf. [Isaiah 43:5-7](/isaiah/43-5 "Isaiah 43:5-7 - God Gathers His People")). Secondly, it highlights the critical importance of **Identity and Continuity** for the post-exilic community, ensuring the preservation of the covenant people and their heritage. These lists were vital for maintaining tribal distinctions and priestly lines, which were essential for the future of Israel and the coming Messiah. Thirdly, the chapter emphasizes **Community and Collective Action** in the arduous task of **Rebuilding and Restoration**. Each number represents individuals who chose to participate in the difficult work of reconstructing the Temple (cf. [Ezra 3:8-13](/ezra/3-8 "Ezra 3:8-13 - Rebuilding the Temple Foundation")) and re-establishing national life, demonstrating that God's grand plans are often accomplished through the willing participation of His people.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Elam (Hebrew, _'Eylam'_):** This name refers to a prominent family or clan among the returning exiles. Historically, Elam was also the name of an ancient kingdom east of Mesopotamia, but in the context of Ezra 2, it denotes a specific Jewish lineage. The fact that two groups of "Elam" are listed (Ezra 2:7 and Ezra 2:31), both with the identical number of 1,254, suggests either two distinct branches of a very large family or a scribal emphasis on the prominence and size of this particular clan. The repetition underscores the meticulous nature of the record-keeping and the significant contribution of this family to the returning community.
* **Children (Hebrew, _b'nei'_):** The term "children of" (בְּנֵי, _b'nei_) emphasizes the familial and lineage-based identity of the returning groups. It's not just a collection of individuals, but a community organized by ancestral ties, reinforcing the continuity of Israel's identity through generations, even after a long period of exile. This familial structure was fundamental to their social, religious, and land-ownership systems.
* **Thousand two hundred fifty and four (Hebrew, _'eleph matayim ḥamishim w'arba'_):** This precise numerical figure highlights the meticulousness of the census and the substantial size of this particular family group. A group of over 1,200 individuals would have represented a significant contribution in terms of manpower, resources, and influence within the nascent post-exilic community, playing a vital role in the daunting task of rebuilding.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The children of the other Elam":** This phrase distinguishes this group from the "children of Elam" mentioned earlier in [Ezra 2:7](/ezra/2-7 "Ezra 2:7 - The First Mention of Elam"). The addition of "the other" (אֲחֵר, _'aḥer_) suggests a need to differentiate, possibly indicating a second branch of the same large family, a different Elamite family, or perhaps a scribal note to confirm the inclusion of a distinct, yet similarly sized, contingent. The identical number for both "Elam" entries (Ezra 2:7 and Ezra 2:31) has led to scholarly discussion, with some suggesting it might be a scribal error, a deliberate repetition for emphasis, or a reflection of distinct groups that happened to have the same number of returnees. Regardless, it underscores the importance of the Elamite lineage among the returnees.
* **"a thousand two hundred fifty and four":** This specific numerical count provides concrete evidence of the scale of the return. It is not a vague approximation but a precise figure, reflecting the careful record-keeping of the time. This large number signifies a significant influx of people who would contribute to the repopulation of Judah, the workforce for rebuilding efforts, and the re-establishment of the social and religious fabric of the community. Each number represents a life, a family, and a commitment to the restoration of Israel.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in Ezra 2:31, and indeed throughout Ezra 2, is **Enumeration** or **Census**. This meticulous listing of names and numbers serves several crucial functions: it provides a historical record, establishes legitimacy for the returning exiles, and outlines the human resources available for the rebuilding project. The precise numbers lend an air of **Verisimilitude** and historical accuracy to the narrative, emphasizing that this was a real, tangible event involving specific individuals and families. The **Repetition** of "Elam" with the identical number (found in [Ezra 2:7](/ezra/2-7 "Ezra 2:7 - The First Elam")) is also a notable literary feature. While potentially a scribal phenomenon, it can also be interpreted as a form of **Emphasis**, highlighting the significant presence and contribution of this particular family or clan, or as a meticulous accounting practice to ensure no group was overlooked. This detailed record-keeping underscores the divine hand in gathering and organizing His people for their renewed purpose.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezra 2:31, along with the entire census in Ezra 2, is a profound testament to God's meticulous care for His people and His unwavering commitment to His covenant promises. The very act of counting and listing each family, no matter how seemingly small or numerically insignificant, reflects God's attention to detail and His personal knowledge of those He calls. This record-keeping affirms the enduring identity of Israel, demonstrating that even after generations in exile, God preserved a remnant to fulfill His redemptive purposes. It underscores that every individual and family played a vital, counted role in God's grand narrative of restoration, foreshadowing the inclusion of all who are called by His name into His spiritual family.

* [Numbers 1:2-3](/numbers/1-2 "Numbers 1:2-3 - Census for Organization")
* [Jeremiah 29:10-14](/jeremiah/29-10 "Jeremiah 29:10-14 - Prophecy of Return from Exile")
* [Isaiah 43:5-7](/isaiah/43-5 "Isaiah 43:5-7 - God Gathers His People")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While Ezra 2:31 might appear to be a dry statistical entry, it carries profound spiritual weight for contemporary believers. It reminds us that God is intimately involved in the details of His people's lives and that every individual, every family, and every seemingly small contribution is counted and valued in His divine plan. Just as the "children of Elam" were essential to the physical rebuilding of Jerusalem and the Temple, so too are believers called to participate actively in the spiritual "rebuilding" and expansion of God's kingdom today. Our identity in Christ connects us to a rich spiritual heritage, and our individual gifts and callings, whether prominent or behind-the-scenes, are indispensable to the functioning and flourishing of the body of Christ. This verse encourages us to embrace our unique place within God's family, knowing that our participation, no matter how humble, is part of a grand narrative of divine restoration and purpose.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the meticulous record-keeping in Ezra 2, including the listing of "the children of Elam," affirm God's personal care and knowledge of each individual within His people?**
* **In what ways does understanding our spiritual lineage and identity in Christ empower us to participate in God's ongoing work of "rebuilding" and restoration in the world today?**
* **How can we, like the returning exiles, embrace our unique roles and contributions within the community of faith, even if they seem numerically small or unglamorous?**

### FAQ

**Why is there a second "Elam" with the exact same number in Ezra 2:7 and Ezra 2:31?**

Answer: The repetition of "the children of Elam" with the identical number of "a thousand two hundred fifty and four" in both [Ezra 2:7](/ezra/2-7 "Ezra 2:7 - The First Elam") and [Ezra 2:31](/ezra/2-31 "Ezra 2:31 - The Other Elam") has been a point of discussion among scholars. Several theories exist: It's possible that "the other Elam" refers to a separate branch or sub-clan of the larger Elamite family, which, by coincidence or divine arrangement, had the exact same number of returnees. This would highlight the meticulous nature of the census. Some scholars suggest it could be a scribal error or a textual duplication, where the same entry was inadvertently copied twice. However, the consistent repetition in both Ezra 2 and its parallel in [Nehemiah 7:12](/nehemiah/7-12 "Nehemiah 7:12 - Elam in Nehemiah's List") makes a simple error less likely. The repetition might serve a literary or administrative purpose, emphasizing the significant size and importance of this particular family group among the returnees, or acting as a form of double-check to confirm the accuracy of the large number. Regardless of the precise reason, it underscores the detailed and careful record-keeping that characterized the post-exilic community's efforts to re-establish themselves.

**What was the practical significance of these detailed lists for the returning exiles?**

Answer: The detailed lists in Ezra 2, including the entry for "the children of the other Elam," were of paramount practical significance for the returning exiles: They established the legitimate identity of those who returned as true descendants of Israel, crucial for maintaining their religious and national continuity after generations in exile. The lists were vital for reclaiming ancestral lands that had been abandoned during the exile. Knowing one's family and tribal affiliation was the basis for re-establishing property rights. They provided a framework for organizing the nascent community, assigning roles, and distributing resources for the daunting task of rebuilding Jerusalem and the Temple. Specific lineages were required for priestly and Levitical service. The lists helped identify those qualified for sacred duties and, conversely, those who could not prove their lineage (cf. [Ezra 2:61-63](/ezra/2-61 "Ezra 2:61-63 - Exclusion from Priesthood")). In essence, these lists were the foundation upon which the new, post-exilic Jewish society was rebuilt, ensuring order, continuity, and adherence to Mosaic law.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The meticulous census in Ezra 2, including the entry for "the children of the other Elam," finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus. Just as God meticulously preserved a remnant of Israel and orchestrated their return to the land, ensuring the continuity of the covenant line, so too did He meticulously prepare the way for the Incarnation of His Son, Jesus, through the very lineage recorded in these books (cf. [Matthew 1:1-17](/matthew/1-1 "Matthew 1:1-17 - Genealogy of Jesus")). Jesus is the ultimate "returnee" who comes to restore not just a physical nation, but humanity's broken relationship with God. He gathers a new "Israel," not based on physical lineage or a census of earthly tribes, but on faith in His name, forming a spiritual family drawn from every tribe, tongue, people, and nation (cf. [Revelation 7:9-10](/revelation/7-9 "Revelation 7:9-10 - Multitude from Every Nation")). The rebuilding of the physical Temple by the returning exiles foreshadows Christ as the true Temple (cf. [John 2:19-21](/john/2-19 "John 2:19-21 - Jesus, the True Temple")), and the church as His body, built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the cornerstone (cf. [Ephesians 2:19-22](/ephesians/2-19 "Ephesians 2:19-22 - The Church as God's Dwelling")). Every individual "counted" in Christ's spiritual census is a valued member of His eternal kingdom, participating in a restoration far greater than any physical return.

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.