Ezra 2:52

KJV

The children of Bazluth, the children of Mehida, the children of Harsha,

KJV (with Strong's)

The children {H1121} of Bazluth {H1213}, the children {H1121} of Mehida {H4240}, the children {H1121} of Harsha {H2797},

Complete Jewish Bible

descendants of Batzlut, descendants of M'chida, descendants of Harsha,

Berean Standard Bible

the descendants of Bazluth, the descendants of Mehida, the descendants of Harsha,

American Standard Version

the children of Bazluth, the children of Mehida, the children of Harsha,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezra 2:52 meticulously lists three family lines—"The children of Bazluth, the children of Mehida, the children of Harsha"—who were part of the Nethinim, a group dedicated to temple service. This verse, embedded within a comprehensive census of those returning from Babylonian exile, underscores the divine attention to detail in the restoration of Israel. It highlights the importance of every individual and family, regardless of their perceived prominence, in God's overarching plan for rebuilding the community, re-establishing worship, and affirming the identity of His covenant people in Jerusalem.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ezra 2 functions as a vital register within the book of Ezra, immediately following the decree of King Cyrus of Persia that permitted the Jewish exiles to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the temple ([Ezra 1:1-4](/ezra/1-1 "Ezra 1:1-4 - Cyrus's Decree")). This chapter provides a comprehensive list of the first wave of returnees under the leadership of Zerubbabel and Jeshua, meticulously detailing their numbers by family, occupation (priests, Levites, singers, gatekeepers), and service roles. Verses 43-54 specifically enumerate the Nethinim, followed by the children of Solomon's servants (verses 55-58), indicating their distinct yet essential place within the restored community. The inclusion of such a detailed census served to establish legitimate identity, lineage, and roles for the monumental task of rebuilding the temple and re-establishing the nation's religious and social fabric. This list is notably paralleled in [Nehemiah 7:6-60](/nehemiah/7-6 "Nehemiah 7:6-60 - The List of Returnees"), emphasizing its critical importance for both historical record and communal organization.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The return from the seventy-year Babylonian exile (as prophesied in [Jeremiah 29:10](/jeremiah/29-10 "Jeremiah 29:10 - Prophecy of Seventy Years of Exile")) was a pivotal moment in Israelite history, marking the fulfillment of divine promises and the re-establishment of a covenant people in their land. For a community emerging from generations of foreign captivity, the meticulous documentation of lineage was paramount. It was essential for reclaiming ancestral lands, verifying eligibility for priestly and Levitical service, and asserting Jewish identity in a post-exilic world. The Nethinim, a class of temple servants, were likely descendants of non-Israelites (such as the Gibeonites whom Joshua dedicated to temple service in [Joshua 9:27](/joshua/9-27 "Joshua 9:27 - The Gibeonites Become Servants")) who had been "given" or "dedicated" to the sanctuary. Their inclusion in this census highlights the diverse composition of the returning community and the necessity of all roles, even those considered supportive or subordinate, for the proper functioning of the temple and the re-established society.
* **Key Themes:** The meticulous record-keeping in Ezra 2, including the enumeration of families like those in Ezra 2:52, profoundly contributes to several key themes. Firstly, it underscores **Divine Providence and Restoration**, demonstrating God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises to bring His people back to their land and restore their worship, even down to the individual family level. Secondly, it emphasizes the **Importance of Identity and Lineage** for the post-exilic community, as clear records were crucial for establishing legitimacy, land claims, and participation in the sacred services, thereby rebuilding their national and religious life. Thirdly, the inclusion of the Nethinim highlights the **Value of Service** in God's kingdom. Every function, no matter how seemingly minor or behind-the-scenes, was essential for the proper operation of the temple and the community, illustrating that all who contribute faithfully are vital to God's work. This detailed list serves as a testament to God's meticulous care for His people and the ordered nature of His redemptive plan.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Children (Hebrew, _bənê_):** This term emphasizes lineage and family units rather than individual names. It signifies the continuity of distinct family lines returning from exile, highlighting the importance of tribal and familial identity in the re-establishment of the Jewish community. The focus is on the collective contribution of these established households.
* **Bazluth, Mehida, Harsha (Hebrew, _Baṣlûṯ, Məḥîḏā’, Ḥaršā’_):** These are proper nouns, representing the names of the heads or founders of the respective family lines of the Nethinim. While these names are obscure to modern readers and the specific roles of these families are not detailed, their inclusion signifies their recognized identity and legitimate place within the returning community. The very act of naming them, even in a long list, attests to their existence and their contribution to the post-exilic restoration.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The children of Bazluth,"**: This phrase introduces the first of three family groups of Nethinim specifically mentioned in this verse. It refers to the descendants or household of an individual named Bazluth, indicating a distinct lineage that was part of the temple servant class. Their inclusion signifies their recognized status and their dedication to the sanctuary's service.
* **"the children of Mehida,"**: This clause presents the second family group, the descendants of Mehida. Like Bazluth's family, they were part of the Nethinim and played a role in the support structure of the temple. Their presence in the list underscores the comprehensive nature of the census, ensuring that all who were to contribute to the rebuilding effort were accounted for.
* **"the children of Harsha,"**: The final clause in this verse names the family of Harsha. Together with the families of Bazluth and Mehida, they represent a small but integral part of the larger body of Nethinim. The repetition of "the children of" emphasizes the familial and hereditary nature of their service, highlighting the continuity of their dedication across generations.

#### Literary Devices
Ezra 2:52, as part of a larger genealogical record, primarily employs the literary device of **Catalog** or **List**. This technique is used to provide a comprehensive and systematic enumeration of the returning exiles, emphasizing order, thoroughness, and the meticulous nature of the record-keeping. The inclusion of specific family names, even obscure ones, lends an air of historical authenticity and precision to the narrative. Furthermore, the **Repetition** of the phrase "The children of..." serves to underscore the importance of lineage and family units as the fundamental building blocks of the restored community. This repetition reinforces the idea that the return was not merely a collection of individuals but a re-establishment of a divinely ordered society founded on established family lines. The entire list, including this verse, functions as a **Symbolism** of divine faithfulness and the re-establishment of covenant identity, demonstrating God's meticulous care for every detail of His people's restoration.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezra 2:52, though seemingly a simple list of names, carries profound theological weight, underscoring God's meticulous care and the inherent value of every individual within His redemptive plan. The inclusion of these obscure families of Nethinim, servants "given" to the temple, highlights that God's restoration is comprehensive, encompassing all who are called to serve, regardless of their perceived status or prominence. It teaches us that in God's kingdom, every role is vital, and every person is known and valued. This meticulous record-keeping reflects a divine attention to detail, assuring us that God oversees every aspect of His work and remembers those who faithfully contribute, even in the background. It challenges the human tendency to value only the prominent, reminding us that true significance lies in faithfulness to God's call, no matter how humble.

* [Isaiah 43:1](/isaiah/43-1 "Isaiah 43:1 - God's Personal Knowledge"): "But now, thus says the Lord, who created you, O Jacob, and He who formed you, O Israel: 'Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are Mine.'"
* [1 Corinthians 12:22-24](/1_corinthians/12-22 "1 Corinthians 12:22-24 - The Body of Christ"): "No, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary; and those members of the body which we think to be less honorable, on these we bestow greater honor; and our unpresentable parts have greater modesty, but our presentable parts have no need. But God composed the body, having given greater honor to that part which lacks it."
* [Ephesians 2:10](/ephesians/2-10 "Ephesians 2:10 - God's Workmanship"): "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them."

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The seemingly mundane listing of names in Ezra 2:52 offers a powerful spiritual mirror for contemporary believers. It reminds us that in God's grand narrative of redemption, there are no "insignificant" parts. Just as the children of Bazluth, Mehida, and Harsha were essential to the physical and spiritual rebuilding of Jerusalem and its temple, so too is every individual's contribution vital to the ongoing work of God's kingdom today. This verse encourages us to embrace our unique roles, however humble or unseen they may seem, with diligence and faithfulness. It challenges us to look beyond human recognition and find our validation in God's meticulous awareness and appreciation of our service. In a world that often celebrates only the prominent, Ezra 2:52 calls us to value the quiet, consistent faithfulness that lays foundational groundwork, trusting that God sees, knows, and uses every detail for His glory and the flourishing of His people.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the meticulous nature of Ezra 2 challenge our perception of "insignificant" roles in God's kingdom?**
* **In what ways can we faithfully serve God in areas that may not receive public recognition or accolades?**
* **How does knowing God values every detail of His plan and every individual's contribution encourage us in our personal walk and service?**

### FAQ
**Who were the Nethinim, and why are they listed here?**

Answer: The Nethinim (Hebrew: *nətînîm*, meaning "given ones" or "dedicated ones") were a class of temple servants who were not of Levitical descent. They were likely descendants of non-Israelites who had been assigned to perform various support tasks for the sanctuary, such as gathering wood, drawing water, and other manual labor. A prominent example often associated with their origin is the Gibeonites, whom Joshua made "hewers of wood and drawers of water for the congregation and for the altar of the Lord" ([Joshua 9:27](/joshua/9-27 "Joshua 9:27 - The Gibeonites Become Servants")). They are listed in Ezra 2 because, despite their non-Israelite origin and their supportive roles, they were considered an integral part of the returning community. Their inclusion was crucial for establishing their legitimate place and function in the re-established temple service and ensuring that all necessary personnel for the proper operation of the sanctuary were accounted for.

**Why does the Bible include such detailed lists of names?**

Answer: The inclusion of detailed lists of names and genealogies, like the one in Ezra 2, serves several critical purposes in the biblical narrative. Firstly, it provides **historical accuracy and verification**, demonstrating the real, tangible nature of God's interaction with specific people and communities. Secondly, for the post-exilic community, these lists were vital for **legal and genealogical purposes**, allowing individuals to prove their lineage for land claims, inheritance rights, and, most importantly, eligibility for priestly or Levitical service ([Ezra 2:61-63](/ezra/2-61 "Ezra 2:61-63 - Those Whose Lineage Was Unclear")). Thirdly, and most profoundly, these meticulous records underscore **God's meticulous care and sovereignty** over His people's history. They show that God knows His people by name, orchestrates their movements, and remembers every individual who plays a part in His redemptive plan, even those in seemingly minor roles. It emphasizes that God is a God of order, precision, and personal involvement in the lives of His covenant people.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The meticulous census in Ezra 2, including the seemingly obscure families of Nethinim like Bazluth, Mehida, and Harsha, finds its ultimate fulfillment in the all-encompassing and inclusive kingdom established by Jesus Christ. Just as these families were vital, albeit behind-the-scenes, servants in the earthly temple's restoration, so too does Christ's new covenant establish a spiritual temple where every believer, regardless of their background or perceived status, has a crucial role. Jesus, as the ultimate [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), fulfills the sacrificial system that the Nethinim served. Through His perfect sacrifice, He inaugurates a new covenant where all who believe are made "a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people" ([1 Peter 2:9](/1_peter/2-9 "1 Peter 2:9 - A Royal Priesthood")). The detailed lists of Ezra foreshadow the ultimate "census" of God's people—those whose names are written in the [Lamb's Book of Life](/revelation/21-27 "Revelation 21:27 - Names in the Book of Life"). In Christ, the distinctions between "priest," "Levite," and "Nethinim" are transcended, as all are called to serve Him, the [Son of Man who came not to be served but to serve](/matthew/20-28 "Matthew 20:28 - The Son of Man Came to Serve"), and to give their lives as a living sacrifice. The precise accounting of the returning exiles points to the divine intention that no one is forgotten in God's plan, culminating in the perfect and complete redemption found in Christ, who gathers all His people into His eternal kingdom.

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 7:54

The children of Bazlith, the children of Mehida, the children of Harsha,