Ezra 2:37

KJV

The children of Immer, a thousand fifty and two.

KJV (with Strong's)

The children {H1121} of Immer {H564}, a thousand {H505} fifty {H2572} and two {H8147}.

Complete Jewish Bible

descendants of Immer

Berean Standard Bible

the descendants of Immer, 1,052;

American Standard Version

The children of Immer, a thousand fifty and two.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezra 2:37 is a precise entry within a comprehensive census detailing the Jewish exiles who returned to Judah from Babylon following King Cyrus's decree. This verse specifically enumerates the "children of Immer," recording their number as one thousand fifty and two individuals. This meticulous record-keeping underscores the historical authenticity of the return, establishes the lineage and identity of the returning community, and sets the foundational stage for the spiritual and physical rebuilding of Jerusalem and the Temple, reflecting God's faithfulness in fulfilling His prophetic promises of restoration.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ezra 2 functions as a crucial genealogical register, meticulously listing the families and individuals who comprised the first wave of returnees from Babylonian exile. Positioned immediately after Cyrus's decree allowing the Jews to return and rebuild their Temple (Ezra 1), this chapter precedes the actual commencement of the rebuilding efforts (Ezra 3). Its primary literary purpose is to establish the legitimate identity and numbers of those who participated in this foundational act of restoration. The detailed enumeration, including specific family heads and their respective counts, serves as a historical and administrative document, validating the claims of the returnees to their ancestral lands and roles within the re-established community. The inclusion of specific priestly and Levitical families, like Immer, highlights the importance of maintaining religious purity and order for future Temple service.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical backdrop is the post-exilic period, specifically around 538 BC, following the seventy-year Babylonian captivity prophesied by Jeremiah. King Cyrus of Persia, having conquered Babylon, issued a decree permitting the exiled Jews to return to their homeland and rebuild their Temple. This was an arduous journey for thousands, requiring immense faith and organization. In the ancient Near East, meticulous censuses and genealogical records were vital for administrative purposes, taxation, military conscription, and establishing land ownership and social status. For the returning Jewish community, such records were even more critical for re-establishing tribal boundaries, verifying claims to inherited lands, and, most importantly, ensuring the purity of priestly and Levitical lines, which were essential for legitimate worship in the soon-to-be-rebuilt Temple. The return marked a pivotal moment of national and religious re-identity.
* **Key Themes:** This verse, embedded within Ezra 2, contributes significantly to several overarching themes. Firstly, it powerfully illustrates **Restoration and Return**, showcasing God's faithfulness in bringing His people back from exile, thereby fulfilling the prophecies of a return, such as those found in [Jeremiah 29:10](/jeremiah/29-10 "Jeremiah 29:10 - Prophecy of Return from Exile"). Secondly, it emphasizes **Identity and Lineage**, highlighting the critical importance of preserving tribal and familial distinctions, which was paramount for maintaining the integrity of Israel's covenant identity, for land inheritance, and especially for verifying priestly and Levitical descent (as seen in [1 Chronicles 9:12](/1_chronicles/9-12 "1 Chronicles 9:12 - Priestly Genealogies")), ensuring who could legitimately serve in the Temple. Thirdly, the meticulous nature of the list points to **Divine Providence and Order**, revealing God's sovereign hand at work even in seemingly mundane details, orchestrating the organized return and careful record-keeping as part of His larger plan for the re-establishment of His people and worship in Jerusalem, setting the stage for the rebuilding of the altar and Temple, as detailed in [Ezra 3:1](/ezra/3-1 "Ezra 3:1 - Rebuilding the Altar").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Immer (Hebrew, _’Immer'_):** This name, meaning "lamb" or "speaking," identifies a significant family among the returning exiles. In the Old Testament, "Immer" is notably associated with a prominent priestly family (cf. [1 Chronicles 9:12](/1_chronicles/9-12 "1 Chronicles 9:12 - Priestly Families") and [Nehemiah 11:13](/nehemiah/11-13 "Nehemiah 11:13 - Priestly Settlements in Jerusalem")). Their inclusion in this census underscores the importance of the priestly class in the re-establishment of the Jewish community and Temple worship. The return of priestly families was crucial for resuming the sacrificial system and maintaining religious purity.
* **Children (Hebrew, _b’nê'_):** The term "children" (often rendered "sons of") emphasizes the familial and communal nature of the return. This was not merely a collection of individuals but a re-gathering of established family units and lineages, reinforcing the continuity of Israel's tribal and clan structure. It highlights the collective identity and shared heritage of those participating in the restoration.
* **A thousand fifty and two (Hebrew, _’elep ḥamishim ushnayim'_):** This precise numerical figure (1,052) signifies the meticulous record-keeping characteristic of ancient Near Eastern censuses. The exactitude of the number not only lends historical credibility to the account but also underscores the administrative importance of these records for the re-allocation of land, the organization of the community, and the establishment of a new socio-religious order in Judah. It speaks to the scale of the return and the careful planning involved.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The children of Immer":** This phrase identifies a specific family or clan group that returned from Babylonian exile. The emphasis on "children" highlights the continuity of the family line and its collective participation in the return, rather than just individual members. This family's presence was significant, especially given the priestly associations of the name Immer elsewhere in Scripture, suggesting their potential role in the re-establishment of Temple service.
* **"a thousand fifty and two":** This exact numerical count provides the precise number of individuals belonging to the Immer family who made the journey back to Judah. The specificity of the number underscores the administrative and historical accuracy of the census, serving as a vital record for the re-population of the land, the re-establishment of community structures, and the verification of lineage and rights in post-exilic Judah. It reflects the meticulous nature of divine providence working through human record-keeping.

#### Literary Devices
Ezra 2:37, as part of the broader chapter, primarily employs the literary device of a **Genealogical Register** or **List**. This technique is common in biblical literature (e.g., Genesis, Numbers, Chronicles) and serves multiple purposes. Firstly, it provides **Historical Documentation**, meticulously recording the individuals and families who participated in a pivotal historical event—the return from exile. This lends credibility and authenticity to the narrative. Secondly, it functions as a means of establishing **Legitimacy and Identity**, particularly crucial for the returning exiles who needed to re-establish their claims to land, tribal affiliations, and, most importantly, their roles within the priestly and Levitical orders for the rebuilt Temple. The **Repetition** of the format (family name, numerical count) throughout the chapter reinforces the comprehensive and systematic nature of the census, emphasizing the order and divine orchestration behind the return. While seemingly dry, this detailed listing subtly conveys God's meticulous care for His people and His faithfulness in fulfilling His promises, ensuring that every individual and family counted was part of His grand redemptive plan.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezra 2:37, though a single line in a long list, profoundly illustrates God's meticulous faithfulness and His commitment to His covenant people. The very act of counting and recording each family, down to the precise number, speaks volumes about God's attention to detail and His sovereign orchestration of history. It is a testament to the fulfillment of prophetic promises regarding the return from exile, demonstrating that God remembers His people even in their dispersion and meticulously brings them back to fulfill His purposes. This meticulousness extends beyond mere historical record-keeping; it underscores the divine value placed on each individual and family within the larger community, essential for the re-establishment of a holy nation. The return of the "children of Immer" and other families was not random but a divinely organized movement to rebuild not just a physical Temple, but a community centered on God's law and worship.

* [Nehemiah 7:40](/nehemiah/7-40 "Nehemiah 7:40 - The Children of Immer in Nehemiah's List")
* [Numbers 1:2](/numbers/1-2 "Numbers 1:2 - Moses' Census of Israel")
* [Isaiah 43:5](/isaiah/43-5 "Isaiah 43:5-7 - God Gathers His Scattered People")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezra 2:37, a seemingly mundane numerical entry, offers profound insights for our lives today. It reminds us that God is a God of detail, who knows and cares for every individual within His vast plan. Just as He meticulously accounted for each returning family, He knows each of us by name, valuing our unique place in His spiritual household. This verse calls us to recognize the significance of every person in the community of faith, understanding that each "number" contributes to the collective strength and purpose of God's people. It challenges us to embrace our identity within God's family, knowing that our lineage is now defined by faith in Christ, and our purpose is to participate in His ongoing work of building His kingdom. The faithfulness of God in fulfilling His ancient promises to restore His people should ignite our trust in His promises for our own lives, assuring us that He is at work even in the seemingly small or overlooked details, orchestrating our paths for His glory and our good.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the meticulous nature of this census challenge or affirm your understanding of God's attention to detail in your own life?**
* **In what ways can you contribute to the "rebuilding" of God's community (the church) today, recognizing the value and unique role of every individual within it?**
* **How does the fulfillment of God's promise to restore His people, as seen in Ezra, strengthen your faith in His faithfulness to fulfill His promises for your future and for the world?**

### FAQ
**Why are these detailed lists of names and numbers so important in the Bible?**

Answer: These detailed lists, like the one in Ezra 2, are crucial for several reasons. Historically, they provide verifiable records, authenticating the narratives and demonstrating the fulfillment of prophecy. Theologically, they underscore God's meticulous nature and His sovereign control over history, showing that He remembers and acts on behalf of every individual and family within His covenant people. For the returning exiles, these lists were vital for establishing legitimate claims to ancestral lands, verifying tribal identity, and, most importantly, confirming the purity of priestly and Levitical lineages, which was essential for resuming proper Temple worship. Such registers also served administrative purposes for taxation and community organization. From a broader biblical perspective, these genealogies ultimately point towards the meticulous preservation of the lineage through which the Messiah would come, as seen in [Matthew 1](/matthew/1 "Matthew 1 - Genealogy of Jesus").

**Is this "Immer" family the same as the priestly family mentioned elsewhere in the Old Testament?**

Answer: Yes, it is highly probable that the "children of Immer" mentioned in Ezra 2:37 refer to the well-known priestly family of Immer. The name Immer appears in other biblical texts, such as [1 Chronicles 9:12](/1_chronicles/9-12 "1 Chronicles 9:12 - Priestly Families") and [Nehemiah 11:13](/nehemiah/11-13 "Nehemiah 11:13 - Priestly Settlements in Jerusalem"), consistently associated with priestly duties. The return of priestly families was of paramount importance for the re-establishment of Temple worship in Jerusalem. Their presence ensured the continuity of legitimate religious service and the proper administration of sacrifices and offerings, which were central to the spiritual life of the restored community. The inclusion of their specific number highlights their significant contribution to the returning population.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The meticulous census in Ezra 2, including the enumeration of the "children of Immer," finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the spiritual restoration and gathering of God's people through Jesus Christ. The physical return from Babylonian exile foreshadows the spiritual liberation from the bondage of sin accomplished by Christ. Just as the "children of Immer" (a name potentially signifying "lamb") were counted among those returning to rebuild the earthly Temple, so too are believers in Christ counted among the spiritual Israel, gathered by the ultimate [Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"). Jesus is the true Temple, the living sanctuary where God dwells among His people, rendering the physical Temple rebuilt in Ezra's time a temporary shadow of His eternal reality. Through His sacrifice, Christ establishes a new covenant, making all who believe in Him part of a "royal priesthood" ([1 Peter 2:9](/1_peter/2-9 "1 Peter 2:9 - A Royal Priesthood")), fulfilling the priestly lineage of Immer in a spiritual sense. The detailed counting of returnees in Ezra anticipates the vast, innumerable multitude from every nation, tribe, people, and language who will stand before the throne of God, redeemed by Christ, as depicted in [Revelation 7:9](/revelation/7-9 "Revelation 7:9 - Multitude from Every Nation"). We, too, are now "fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone" ([Ephesians 2:19-20](/ephesians/2-19 "Ephesians 2:19-20 - Fellow Citizens with the Saints")), demonstrating God's meticulous and eternal plan to gather His people 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.

Cross-References

1 Chronicles 24:14

The fifteenth to Bilgah, the sixteenth to Immer,

Ezra 10:20

And of the sons of Immer; Hanani, and Zebadiah.

Nehemiah 7:40

The children of Immer, a thousand fifty and two.