Ezra 2:33

KJV

The children of Lod, Hadid, and Ono, seven hundred twenty and five.

KJV (with Strong's)

The children {H1121} of Lod {H3850}, Hadid {H2307}, and Ono {H207}, seven {H7651} hundred {H3967} twenty {H6242} and five {H2568}.

Complete Jewish Bible

descendants of Lod, Hadid and Ono

Berean Standard Bible

the men of Lod, Hadid, and Ono, 725;

American Standard Version

The children of Lod, Hadid, and Ono, seven hundred twenty and five.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezra 2:33 is a precise entry within the extensive census of Jewish exiles returning to Judah from Babylonian captivity. It specifically records the number of individuals from the towns of Lod, Hadid, and Ono—a total of seven hundred twenty-five. This seemingly straightforward numerical detail underscores the meticulousness of the post-exilic community's record-keeping, highlighting themes of divine faithfulness in restoration, the re-establishment of communal identity, and the importance of every individual in God's unfolding plan for His people.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ezra 2:33 is part of a lengthy and detailed register (Ezra 2:1-70) that meticulously lists the families and individuals who returned to Judah with Zerubbabel and Jeshua following Cyrus's decree in [Ezra 1:1-4](/ezra/1-1 "Ezra 1:1-4 - Cyrus's Decree"). This chapter serves as a foundational document for the re-established community, detailing not only general populace but also specific groups like priests, Levites, temple servants, and those unable to prove their lineage. The verse falls within a series of entries that identify returnees by their ancestral towns, emphasizing the geographical and familial origins crucial for re-establishing land claims and social order in a devastated land. The precision of the numbers throughout this chapter, including the "seven hundred twenty and five," highlights the administrative and historical importance of this census for the nascent post-exilic community.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The return from Babylonian exile, initiated by King Cyrus's decree around 538 BC, marked a pivotal moment in Israelite history, fulfilling prophetic promises such as those found in [Jeremiah 29:10-14](/jeremiah/29-10 "Jeremiah 29:10-14 - Promise of Return from Exile"). The exiles, having spent seventy years in Babylon, were now returning to a land that had been largely desolate and occupied by other peoples. The towns of Lod (modern Lod), Hadid, and Ono were situated in the region of Benjamin, west of Jerusalem and near the coastal plain. These were historically significant Israelite towns, and the return of their "children" signifies the re-population and re-establishment of Jewish presence in these ancestral territories. Meticulous record-keeping, including censuses and genealogies, was a common practice in the ancient Near East, serving vital administrative, legal, and religious functions, especially for land allocation, taxation, and maintaining ritual purity, as seen in other biblical books like [Numbers](/numbers/1 "Numbers 1 - Census of Israel").
* **Key Themes:** The meticulous listing in Ezra 2, including [Ezra 2:33](/ezra/2-33 "Ezra 2:33 - Returnees from Lod, Hadid, and Ono"), powerfully articulates several key themes. Firstly, it underscores **Restoration and Fulfillment**, demonstrating God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promises to bring His people back to their land after exile, as prophesied by Jeremiah and Isaiah. Secondly, it highlights the crucial importance of **Identity and Community** for the returning exiles; knowing one's lineage, family, and hometown was foundational for re-establishing social structures, land ownership, and religious practices in Jerusalem and Judah. This re-formation of a distinct, covenantal community was essential for their spiritual and national survival. Lastly, the comprehensive nature of the census points to **Divine Providence and Order**, suggesting that every individual, no matter how seemingly small their group, was accounted for and played a specific role in God's sovereign plan for the rebuilding of His people and His temple.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Lod, Hadid, Ono (Hebrew, _Lōḏ, Ḥāḏîḏ, ’Ōnô'_):** These are the names of specific towns in the territory of Benjamin, west of Jerusalem. Their inclusion signifies the geographical scope of the return, indicating that families from these historically Israelite localities were part of the first wave of homecoming. The mention of specific towns emphasizes the concrete, tangible nature of the restoration, as people returned to re-inhabit and rebuild their ancestral lands, reinforcing their identity and connection to the land promised by God.
* **Children of (Hebrew, _bĕnê'_):** This phrase, literally "sons of," denotes not just individuals but family units or descendants associated with a particular place or patriarch. It emphasizes the communal and generational aspect of the return. The restoration was not merely of scattered individuals but of families and households, foundational units for rebuilding the social, economic, and religious fabric of the nation. It highlights the continuity of identity through lineage, crucial for land claims and tribal affiliations in ancient Israel.
* **Seven hundred twenty and five (Hebrew, _šĕba‘ mē’ôṯ wĕ‘eśrîm wāḥāmēš'_):** The precise numerical count is significant. It demonstrates meticulous record-keeping, which was vital for administrative purposes in the re-establishment of the community—for land distribution, taxation, and military organization. This precision also lends historical credibility to the account, underscoring the care taken by the scribes of Ezra's time to document the fulfillment of God's promises and the re-gathering of His people.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The children of Lod, Hadid, and Ono":** This clause identifies the specific group of returnees by their geographical origin and familial association. It signifies that the restoration was not a random gathering but an ordered return of distinct family units from particular ancestral towns, emphasizing the re-establishment of communal identity and territorial connection.
* **"seven hundred twenty and five":** This numerical statement provides the exact count of individuals from these three towns who returned. The precision highlights the meticulous nature of the census, which was critical for the administrative and social organization of the nascent post-exilic community, serving as a vital record for land allocation, tribal identity, and the overall re-population efforts.

#### Literary Devices
Ezra 2:33, like the entire chapter, primarily employs **Census** and **Genealogy** as its overarching literary forms. The meticulous listing of names, places, and numbers serves as a detailed record, emphasizing the historical veracity and administrative order of the return from exile. The **Repetition** of the formula "the children of [place/person], [number]" throughout the chapter reinforces the thoroughness of the accounting and the comprehensive nature of the re-gathering. The **Specificity** of the numbers, down to the exact digit, provides a sense of authenticity and precision, grounding the narrative in concrete historical detail rather than vague generalization. This precise enumeration also functions as a form of **Verification**, confirming the fulfillment of prophetic promises regarding the return and the re-establishment of the Israelite community.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezra 2:33, though a simple numerical entry, profoundly contributes to the overarching biblical narrative of God's faithfulness and redemptive purpose. It is a testament to the fulfillment of divine promises, demonstrating that God remembers His covenant people even in exile and orchestrates their return with meticulous care. The inclusion of specific towns and numbers underscores the tangible reality of this restoration, emphasizing that God's plan involves real people in real places. It highlights the importance of identity—both individual and communal—in God's economy, showing how the re-establishment of the physical community was foundational for the spiritual renewal of Israel and the continuation of the covenant line leading to the Messiah. This meticulous accounting reflects a divine order and providence, where every person, every family, and every detail matters in the grand tapestry of salvation history.

* [Jeremiah 29:10](/jeremiah/29-10 "Jeremiah 29:10 - Promise of Return from Exile")
* [Isaiah 43:5-7](/isaiah/43-5 "Isaiah 43:5-7 - God Gathers His People")
* [Nehemiah 7:37](/nehemiah/7-37 "Nehemiah 7:37 - Parallel Census Entry")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The seemingly dry list in Ezra 2:33, and indeed the entire chapter, offers profound spiritual insights for contemporary believers. It serves as a powerful reminder that God is a God of faithfulness and detail, meticulously orchestrating history to fulfill His promises. Just as He remembered and restored the exiles, He is actively involved in our lives, remembering His promises to us and working all things for our good and His glory. This passage also underscores the value God places on every individual and every community. No group, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant, is overlooked in His grand design. We are called to recognize our place within the larger body of Christ, understanding that our unique contributions, like those of the "children of Lod, Hadid, and Ono," are vital for the building up of His kingdom. The diligent record-keeping also models the importance of order, accountability, and the careful stewardship of resources—both human and material—in pursuing God's purposes.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the meticulous detail of Ezra 2:33 encourage your faith in God's faithfulness and attention to detail in your own life?**
* **In what ways does this passage challenge you to recognize the value of every individual within your community or church, even those whose contributions may seem small?**
* **What "rebuilding" or "restoration" work is God calling you to participate in today, and how can the principles of order and accountability from this passage apply?**

### FAQ

**Why is so much of Ezra 2 dedicated to lists of names and numbers?**

Answer: The extensive lists in Ezra 2, including [Ezra 2:33](/ezra/2-33 "Ezra 2:33 - Returnees from Lod, Hadid, and Ono"), serve several crucial purposes. Historically, they provide a meticulous record of the first wave of returnees, verifying the fulfillment of prophetic promises regarding the end of the Babylonian exile. Theologically, they underscore God's faithfulness in gathering His scattered people. Practically, these lists were vital for the re-establishment of the community: they identified who belonged to which family or town, which was essential for re-establishing land claims, tribal inheritances, and social order. For priests and Levites, it was critical for verifying their lineage to ensure ritual purity and eligibility for temple service, as seen in [Ezra 2:61-63](/ezra/2-61 "Ezra 2:61-63 - Those Unable to Prove Lineage"). It demonstrates the importance of identity and order in God's plan for His people.

**What is the significance of "Lod, Hadid, and Ono" specifically?**

Answer: Lod, Hadid, and Ono were towns located in the territory of Benjamin, west of Jerusalem. Their specific mention in [Ezra 2:33](/ezra/2-33 "Ezra 2:33 - Returnees from Lod, Hadid, and Ono") highlights the geographical scope of the return, indicating that people from various parts of Judah's ancestral lands were participating in the homecoming. It signifies the re-population of these specific areas, crucial for re-establishing the physical presence of Israel in the promised land. The inclusion of these particular towns, alongside others, demonstrates the comprehensive nature of the census and the widespread participation in the restoration effort, fulfilling the vision of a re-gathered Israel.

**Does this seemingly mundane list have any relevance for Christian theology today?**

Answer: Absolutely. While seemingly mundane, Ezra 2:33 and the surrounding census are highly relevant. They powerfully illustrate God's meticulous care for His people and His faithfulness in fulfilling His promises, even over long periods of time. This reinforces the trustworthiness of God's Word and His active involvement in human history. Furthermore, the emphasis on every individual and family being accounted for speaks to the value God places on each person within His community. Just as every "child of Lod, Hadid, and Ono" was important to the physical restoration of Israel, every believer is a vital part of the spiritual body of Christ, contributing to the building of His kingdom (see [1 Corinthians 12:27](/1_corinthians/12-27 "1 Corinthians 12:27 - You are the body of Christ")). It reminds us that God's great plans are often accomplished through the faithful participation of ordinary people in specific places.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The meticulous census in Ezra 2:33, detailing the return of specific families from specific towns, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the establishment of the new covenant community, the Church. Just as the physical re-gathering of Israel was a testament to God's faithfulness to His promises, so the spiritual gathering of believers from "every tribe and language and people and nation" (as described in [Revelation 5:9](/revelation/5-9 "Revelation 5:9 - Worthy is the Lamb")) is the ultimate fulfillment of God's redemptive plan. The emphasis on lineage and identity in Ezra foreshadows the perfect lineage of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, through whom all God's promises find their "Yes" and "Amen" ([2 Corinthians 1:20](/2_corinthians/1-20 "2 Corinthians 1:20 - God's Promises are Yes in Christ")). Moreover, the meticulous counting of the returnees highlights God's sovereign care for every individual. In Christ, this care is perfected, as He knows His sheep by name ([John 10:3](/john/10-3 "John 10:3 - The Good Shepherd Knows His Sheep")) and ensures that none are lost ([John 6:39](/john/6-39 "John 6:39 - None Shall Be Lost")). The re-establishment of a physical community in Ezra points forward to the spiritual temple built of living stones, with Christ as the cornerstone ([1 Peter 2:4-5](/1_peter/2-4 "1 Peter 2:4-5 - Living Stones and Cornerstone")), where all who believe, regardless of their earthly origin, are united into one body, fulfilling God's ultimate purpose to gather all things in Him ([Ephesians 1:10](/ephesians/1-10 "Ephesians 1:10 - Summing Up All Things in Christ")).

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.