Ezra 2:5

KJV

The children of Arah, seven hundred seventy and five.

KJV (with Strong's)

The children {H1121} of Arah {H733}, seven {H7651} hundred {H3967} seventy {H7657} and five {H2568}.

Complete Jewish Bible

descendants of Arach 775

Berean Standard Bible

the descendants of Arah, 775;

American Standard Version

The children of Arah, seven hundred seventy and five.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezra 2:5 is a precise entry within the comprehensive register of Jewish exiles who returned to Judah from Babylon following King Cyrus's decree. This verse specifically identifies "The children of Arah, seven hundred seventy and five" as one of the many families or clans that undertook the arduous journey back to their ancestral homeland. This meticulous enumeration underscores the foundational importance of lineage, identity, and the re-establishment of the covenant community in the post-exilic period, highlighting God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises of restoration.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ezra 2 is a detailed genealogical register that immediately follows King Cyrus's decree in [Ezra 1](/ezra/1 "Ezra 1 - Cyrus's Decree and the Return"). It meticulously lists the families and individuals who chose to return from Babylonian exile to Judah. This chapter serves as a foundational document for the restored community, establishing their identity and legitimacy. The precise numbering of each family, including the children of Arah in [Ezra 2:5](/ezra/2-5 "Ezra 2:5 - The Children of Arah"), emphasizes the organized nature of the return and the importance of tribal and familial identity for re-establishing land claims, social order, and religious purity in Jerusalem and Judah. This list precedes the actual work of rebuilding the altar and laying the temple's foundation, as described in [Ezra 3](/ezra/3 "Ezra 3 - Rebuilding the Altar and Temple Foundation"), demonstrating that the people themselves were the primary resource for the restoration.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The return described in Ezra 2 occurred in 538 BC, at the beginning of the Persian Empire's dominion over the former Babylonian territories. King Cyrus's decree was a remarkable act of religious tolerance and political pragmatism, allowing various exiled peoples to return to their homelands. For the Jews, this return marked the end of the 70-year Babylonian captivity, a period foretold by prophets like Jeremiah (e.g., [Jeremiah 29:10](/jeremiah/29-10 "Jeremiah 29:10 - Seventy Years of Exile")). In ancient Israelite society, genealogy was paramount. It determined tribal affiliation, inheritance rights, land ownership, and eligibility for priestly service. The meticulous record-keeping in Ezra 2, including the specific number for the children of Arah, was thus not merely bureaucratic; it was crucial for re-establishing the social, economic, and religious fabric of a nation that had been uprooted for decades. It affirmed their continuity as God's covenant people.
* **Key Themes:** The meticulous listing in Ezra 2, including the children of Arah, contributes to several overarching themes in the book of Ezra and the broader post-exilic narrative. Firstly, it powerfully illustrates **Divine Faithfulness and Fulfillment** as God orchestrates the return of His people precisely as prophesied. Secondly, the emphasis on **Identity and Heritage** through detailed genealogies underscores the enduring importance of lineage for the Israelites, crucial for their self-understanding as God's chosen people and for their claims to the land. This meticulous record-keeping also speaks to the theme of **Restoration and Rebuilding**, as these returning families are the human capital necessary for the physical and spiritual renewal of Jerusalem and the Temple, as seen in subsequent chapters like [Ezra 3](/ezra/3 "Ezra 3 - Rebuilding the Altar and Temple Foundation") and [Ezra 6](/ezra/6 "Ezra 6 - Completion of the Temple"). Finally, the precise numbering highlights the **Value of Every Individual** within God's larger redemptive plan, demonstrating that God remembers and cares for each person and family involved in His work.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Arah (Hebrew, _'Ârach'_):** The name "Arah" itself is of uncertain etymology, though some suggestions include "traveler" or "lion." More significantly, its appearance here signifies a specific family or clan. In the context of Ezra 2, the importance lies not in the meaning of the name but in its function as an identifier of a distinct lineage that maintained its identity through generations of exile and chose to participate in the return. This highlights the enduring nature of family identity within ancient Israel and their commitment to their heritage.
* **Children (Hebrew, _bənê_):** The term "children" (בְּנֵי, _bənê_) here refers to the descendants or clan members of Arah. It signifies a collective family unit rather than literal offspring. The use of "children of [name]" is a common biblical idiom for a clan or tribal subdivision. This emphasizes the communal nature of the return, as entire family units, not just isolated individuals, made the journey, underscoring the preservation of their social and familial structures despite the exile.
* **Seven hundred seventy and five (Hebrew, _šəba‘-mē’ôt šib‘îm wāḥāmēš_):** This precise number is crucial. It reflects the meticulous record-keeping of the ancient Near East and, more importantly, the Israelite commitment to documenting their people, especially those involved in such a significant national and religious event. The exactitude of the number (775) suggests an actual census or registration, indicating the care taken to account for every individual and family participating in the restoration. It speaks to the tangible reality of God's faithfulness, as a specific number of people from a specific clan returned.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The children of Arah,"**: This phrase identifies a specific family or clan unit that maintained its distinct identity throughout the Babylonian exile. It signifies a lineage that was recognized and recorded among the returning exiles, underscoring the importance of genealogical continuity for the re-establishment of the Israelite community.
* **"seven hundred seventy and five."**: This precise numerical figure indicates the exact count of individuals belonging to the "children of Arah" who participated in the return. The specificity of the number highlights the meticulous nature of the census recorded in Ezra 2, emphasizing the orderliness of the divine plan and the tangible reality of the returned remnant. It also implicitly conveys the significant commitment of a substantial number of people from this particular clan to the restoration effort.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in Ezra 2:5, and indeed throughout the entire chapter, is **Cataloging** or **Enumeration**. This device involves the systematic listing of names, numbers, and categories, which serves to provide a comprehensive and authoritative record. In this context, it underscores the historical veracity and meticulousness of the return from exile. The sheer volume of names and numbers creates a sense of **Verisimilitude**, lending credibility to the narrative by presenting it as a factual account of a historical event. Furthermore, the detailed listing, including the specific number for the children of Arah, functions as a form of **Emphasis**, highlighting the importance of each individual and family in the collective act of national and spiritual restoration. It conveys that every participant was known, counted, and valued in God's plan.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezra 2:5, as part of the larger census, powerfully illustrates God's meticulous care and faithfulness in fulfilling His covenant promises. The return of these specific families, with their exact numbers, is a tangible demonstration that God remembers His people and orchestrates events to bring about His purposes, even after long periods of judgment and exile. It underscores the theme of divine sovereignty over history and the precision with which God works to restore His people, not just as an amorphous group, but as distinct individuals and families. This detail also emphasizes the importance of human participation and commitment in God's redemptive plan, as these individuals actively chose to return and rebuild.

* [Jeremiah 29:10](/jeremiah/29-10 "Jeremiah 29:10 - God's Plans for Restoration After Exile")
* [Isaiah 43:5-6](/isaiah/43-5-6 "Isaiah 43:5-6 - God Gathers His People from the Ends of the Earth")
* [Nehemiah 7:10](/nehemiah/7-10 "Nehemiah 7:10 - The Children of Arah in Nehemiah's Census")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The precise enumeration of the children of Arah in Ezra 2:5 offers profound insights for contemporary believers. It reminds us that God's plans are not vague or generic; they are specific, detailed, and involve real people. Just as He meticulously accounted for every returning exile, He knows each of us intimately, down to the number of hairs on our head ([Luke 12:7](/luke/12-7 "Luke 12:7 - God's Intimate Knowledge of Us")). This level of divine attention should inspire both comfort and confidence, assuring us that we are never overlooked or forgotten in His grand narrative. Furthermore, the willingness of these families to leave the relative comfort of Babylon for the arduous task of rebuilding Jerusalem challenges us to consider our own commitment to God's work. Are we willing to step out in faith, even when the task seems daunting, trusting that our individual contribution, however small it may seem, is vital to God's larger purposes for His kingdom? Our participation matters, and God remembers those who faithfully respond to His call to build and restore.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the meticulous detail of Ezra 2:5 affirm God's faithfulness in your own life?**
* **In what ways might you be called to "return" or "rebuild" in your community or personal walk with God today?**
* **How does knowing that God counts and remembers every individual, including the children of Arah, impact your sense of personal value and purpose in His kingdom?**

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

Answer: The detailed lists, like the one in Ezra 2 including the children of Arah, are profoundly important for several reasons. Historically, they authenticate the narrative, demonstrating that the return from exile was a real, organized event involving specific individuals and families, not merely a theological concept. Theologically, they underscore God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises, showing that He remembers His covenant people and orchestrates their return precisely as foretold (e.g., [Jeremiah 29:10](/jeremiah/29-10 "Jeremiah 29:10 - God's Promise of Restoration")). Culturally, these genealogies were vital for establishing identity, land claims, tribal affiliations, and eligibility for priestly service in ancient Israelite society. Spiritually, they remind us that every individual matters to God; He knows and values each person involved in His redemptive plan, ensuring that no one is overlooked in the grand story of salvation.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Ezra 2:5 is a historical record of a physical return, it points forward to a greater spiritual restoration found in Christ. The meticulous counting of the children of Arah foreshadows the precision of God's redemptive plan, where every individual chosen by God is known and accounted for in the "book of life" ([Revelation 20:15](/revelation/20-15 "Revelation 20:15 - The Book of Life")). Just as the returning exiles formed the nucleus of a restored physical community in Jerusalem, Christ gathers His own people—those from every tribe and nation—into a new, spiritual community, the Church ([Revelation 7:9](/revelation/7-9 "Revelation 7:9 - A Multitude from Every Nation")). The rebuilding of the temple in Ezra's day points to the ultimate temple, which is Christ Himself ([John 2:19-21](/john/2-19-21 "John 2:19-21 - Jesus Predicts His Resurrection as the True Temple")), and the Church as His body ([Ephesians 2:19-22](/ephesians/2-19-22 "Ephesians 2:19-22 - Believers as a Holy Temple")). The specific numbers in Ezra highlight that God's salvation is not a vague concept but involves a definite people, precisely redeemed by the sacrifice of the [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"). Ultimately, the restoration of Israel through the children of Arah and others finds its most profound and eternal fulfillment in the spiritual restoration and new creation accomplished through Jesus Christ, who gathers His people from all corners of the earth to be part of His everlasting kingdom ([Matthew 24:31](/matthew/24-31 "Matthew 24:31 - Gathering the Elect")).

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 7:10

The children of Arah, six hundred fifty and two.

Nehemiah 6:18

For [there were] many in Judah sworn unto him, because he [was] the son in law of Shechaniah the son of Arah; and his son Johanan had taken the daughter of Meshullam the son of Berechiah.