Ezra 2:56

KJV

The children of Jaalah, the children of Darkon, the children of Giddel,

KJV (with Strong's)

The children {H1121} of Jaalah {H3279}, the children {H1121} of Darkon {H1874}, the children {H1121} of Giddel {H1435},

Complete Jewish Bible

descendants of Ya'alah, descendants of Darkon, descendants of Giddel,

Berean Standard Bible

the descendants of Jaala, the descendants of Darkon, the descendants of Giddel,

American Standard Version

the children of Jaalah, the children of Darkon, the children of Giddel,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezra 2:56 meticulously lists three family groups—the children of Jaalah, Darkon, and Giddel—among the multitude who returned from Babylonian exile to Judah. This verse, part of a comprehensive census, highlights the divine meticulousness in recording every individual and family involved in the monumental task of rebuilding Jerusalem and restoring the Temple, specifically focusing on those dedicated to essential, though often overlooked, temple service.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ezra chapter 2 serves as a detailed roster of the first wave of Jewish exiles returning from Babylon to Judah, following King Cyrus's decree as recorded in [Ezra 1:1-4](/ezra/1-1 "Ezra 1:1-4 - Cyrus's Decree"). This extensive list meticulously categorizes the returnees by their ancestral houses, including priests, Levites, singers, gatekeepers, and crucially, temple servants. The specific verses [Ezra 2:55-58](/ezra/2-55 "Ezra 2:55-58 - Servants of Solomon and Nethinim") enumerate "the children of Solomon's servants" and "the Nethinims" (or Nethenims), who were designated for various duties within the Temple. The families of Jaalah, Darkon, and Giddel are identified within this latter category, underscoring their vital, albeit often behind-the-scenes, role in the restoration efforts. The inclusion of such detailed lists emphasizes the historical accuracy and divine oversight of the entire restoration process.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The return from Babylonian exile, initiated by Cyrus's decree around 538 BC, marked a pivotal moment in Israelite history, fulfilling prophecies such as those found in [Jeremiah 29:10](/jeremiah/29-10 "Jeremiah 29:10 - Prophecy of Seventy Years of Exile"). After seventy years of captivity, the Jewish people were granted permission to return to their homeland and rebuild their Temple. This was not merely a political migration but a spiritual pilgrimage, driven by a deep desire to re-establish their covenant relationship with God in the land He had promised them. The society was structured around family lineages, and the meticulous record-keeping of names and families was crucial for re-establishing land claims, priestly duties, and community identity. The Nethinim, a class of temple servants, likely originated from non-Israelite captives or those dedicated to temple service, performing essential but often menial tasks like drawing water and cutting wood, making them indispensable to the daily functioning of the sanctuary.
* **Key Themes:** The inclusion of Ezra 2:56 within this extensive register contributes to several profound themes. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Meticulousness and Inclusivity**, demonstrating God's precise care for every individual involved in His redemptive plan, regardless of their social standing or specific role. Every family, even those in supporting capacities like the temple servants, was significant in God's eyes and essential for the community's re-establishment. Secondly, it underscores **Faithfulness and Obedience**, as these individuals, though not prominent leaders, exhibited immense faith by leaving the relative comfort of Babylon to return to a desolate homeland, committing to God's covenant and the rebuilding of His sanctuary, as seen in the subsequent efforts to lay the Temple's foundation in [Ezra 3:8-13](/ezra/3-8 "Ezra 3:8-13 - Laying the Foundation of the Temple"). Lastly, the compilation of these names serves as a testament to **Restoration and Remembrance**, acting as a historical record of God's faithfulness in fulfilling His prophetic promises of return and ensuring that the contributions of all families, no matter how humble their service, were remembered and honored in the divine narrative of restoration.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Jaalah (Hebrew, _Ya'alah'_):** This name, meaning "ascending" or "going up," suggests a connection to the journey back to Jerusalem. While its specific etymology might not carry a direct theological weight in this context, its inclusion signifies a family line that participated in the "ascent" from exile, emphasizing their part in the great return.
* **Darkon (Hebrew, _Darkon'_):** The meaning of Darkon is less certain, possibly related to "dragon" or "spear." Regardless of its precise etymology, its presence here, alongside other names, reinforces the comprehensive nature of the census. It represents another distinct family unit that contributed to the collective effort of rebuilding.
* **Giddel (Hebrew, _Giddel'_):** Meaning "he has made great" or "greatness," this name could imply a family that experienced God's blessing or played a significant, perhaps unrecognized, role. Like the others, its inclusion underscores the importance of every individual and lineage in God's plan for restoration, highlighting that even those in support roles were part of God's "great" work.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The children of Jaalah,"**: This phrase introduces the first of three family lines mentioned in this verse. The term "children of" (Hebrew: בְּנֵי, _b'nei_) signifies a lineage or clan, emphasizing their collective identity and their descent from a common ancestor named Jaalah. Their inclusion in this list specifically places them among the Nethinim, those dedicated to temple service, indicating their vital role in the logistical and manual labor required for the rebuilt sanctuary.
* **"the children of Darkon,"**: Similarly, this clause introduces the second family line. The repetition of "the children of" reinforces the genealogical nature of the census, meticulously documenting each distinct family unit that participated in the return. The presence of the "children of Darkon" further underscores the comprehensive scope of the record, ensuring that no contributing group, however small or specialized, was overlooked by the chronicler or by God.
* **"the children of Giddel,"**: The final clause in this verse names the third family. The consistent structure across these three clauses emphasizes their shared status as distinct family units within the larger body of returnees. Their presence, alongside Jaalah and Darkon, highlights the diverse composition of the returning community and the fact that individuals from various backgrounds and roles were essential for the successful re-establishment of the Jewish nation and its worship.

#### Literary Devices
Ezra 2:56, as part of a larger genealogical list, primarily employs **Census** or **Register** as its overarching literary device. This meticulous enumeration of names and families serves to establish the legitimacy and continuity of the returning community, demonstrating their rightful claim to the land and their ancestral roles. The **Repetition** of "the children of" throughout the verse and the broader chapter emphasizes the familial structure and the importance of lineage in ancient Israelite society. Furthermore, the inclusion of these seemingly minor names highlights **Meticulous Detail**, reflecting not only the human effort in record-keeping but also a theological statement about God's comprehensive knowledge and care for every individual involved in His redemptive plan. It signifies **Inclusivity**, showing that the restoration was a collective effort involving all segments of the community, from prominent leaders to the humble temple servants.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezra 2:56, though a simple list of names, carries profound theological weight by underscoring God's meticulous attention to every individual involved in His redemptive purposes. It reveals that in God's economy, there are no insignificant roles; every person, from the most visible leader to the humblest servant, plays a crucial part in the unfolding of His plan. The inclusion of these families of temple servants highlights the divine value placed on service, particularly those tasks that might be considered menial or behind-the-scenes. This meticulous record-keeping serves as a testament to God's faithfulness in remembering His covenant people and orchestrating their return, ensuring that the contributions of all are acknowledged and preserved in the sacred narrative.

* [1 Corinthians 12:12-27](/1_corinthians/12-12 "The Body of Christ")
* [Romans 12:4-8](/romans/12-4 "Gifts for Service")
* [Matthew 10:42](/matthew/10-42 "Reward for a Cup of Cold Water")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The seemingly mundane list of names in Ezra 2:56 offers powerful lessons for contemporary believers. It reminds us that our value in God's kingdom is not determined by the prominence of our roles, but by our faithful participation in His work. Just as God meticulously recorded the names of Jaalah, Darkon, and Giddel, He sees and remembers every act of service, every hidden sacrifice, and every quiet contribution we make to His church and His purposes. This verse challenges us to embrace our unique place within the body of Christ, understanding that every gift and every effort, no matter how small or unseen, is vital for the collective flourishing of the community. It encourages a spirit of humility and dedication, knowing that our service is not for human recognition but for divine approval.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "behind-the-scenes" roles in your community or church do you tend to overlook, and how might you better appreciate them?**
* **How does the meticulousness of God in remembering these names encourage you in your own service, especially in areas that feel unnoticed?**
* **In what ways can you contribute faithfully to your spiritual community, recognizing that every contribution, no matter how small, is valued by God?**

### FAQ

**Who were the children of Jaalah, Darkon, and Giddel, and why are their names listed in Ezra?**

Answer: The children of Jaalah, Darkon, and Giddel were family groups among the "Nethinim" (or Nethenims), a class of temple servants who returned from Babylonian exile to Judah. Their names are listed in Ezra 2 as part of a comprehensive census of all the individuals and families who made the journey back to Jerusalem under Zerubbabel and Jeshua. This detailed record was crucial for re-establishing the community's identity, land claims, and roles in the rebuilt Temple. Their inclusion, though they were not prominent leaders or priests, underscores the meticulousness of the record-keeping and highlights the vital role played by all segments of the community, including those performing essential, often manual, labor for the sanctuary, as detailed in [Ezra 2:58](/ezra/2-58 "Ezra 2:58 - The Nethinim and Servants of Solomon").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ezra 2:56, with its meticulous listing of seemingly ordinary names, finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the New Covenant. The meticulous record of those returning to rebuild the earthly temple foreshadows Christ's own meticulous gathering of His people to build His spiritual temple, the Church. Just as Jaalah, Darkon, and Giddel were known and valued by God for their service in the old covenant temple, so too does Christ personally know and value every single member of His body, regardless of their perceived prominence or role. He is the ultimate High Priest, fulfilling and superseding all temple service, and through Him, every believer becomes a "living stone" in a spiritual house, a holy priesthood offering spiritual sacrifices ([1 Peter 2:5](/1_peter/2-5 "Living Stones in a Spiritual House")). The return from exile and the rebuilding of the physical temple point to the greater spiritual restoration accomplished by Christ, who gathers His scattered sheep, brings them out of the exile of sin, and builds them into a new community where every name is written in the Lamb's Book of Life ([Revelation 21:27](/revelation/21-27 "Book of Life")). In Christ, the value of every individual is not based on their lineage or earthly service, but on their redemption through His blood, ensuring that no one who belongs to Him is forgotten, for He knows His own and His own know Him ([John 10:14](/john/10-14 "Jesus the Good Shepherd")).

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 7:58

The children of Jaala, the children of Darkon, the children of Giddel,