Ezra 2:60

KJV

The children of Delaiah, the children of Tobiah, the children of Nekoda, six hundred fifty and two.

KJV (with Strong's)

The children {H1121} of Delaiah {H1806}, the children {H1121} of Tobiah {H2900}, the children {H1121} of Nekoda {H5353}, six {H8337} hundred {H3967} fifty {H2572} and two {H8147}.

Complete Jewish Bible

descendants of D'layah, descendants of Toviyah, and descendants of N'koda 652

Berean Standard Bible

the descendants of Delaiah, the descendants of Tobiah, and the descendants of Nekoda, 652 in all.

American Standard Version

the children of Delaiah, the children of Tobiah, the children of Nekoda, six hundred fifty and two.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezra 2:60 is a concise entry within the comprehensive register of Jewish exiles who returned from Babylonian captivity to Judah under the leadership of Zerubbabel and Jeshua. This specific verse meticulously records the combined number of individuals belonging to the families of Delaiah, Tobiah, and Nekoda, totaling six hundred fifty-two, serving as a testament to the detailed record-keeping crucial for the re-establishment of the post-exilic community.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ezra 2:60 is embedded within a lengthy and meticulously detailed census spanning the entirety of [Ezra chapter 2](/ezra/2 "Ezra 2 - The Register of Returnees"). This chapter serves as a foundational document, listing the families, their leaders, and their numbers who made the initial journey back to Judah from Babylon following the decree of Cyrus. Preceding this verse, the chapter enumerates various groups, including priests, Levites, temple servants, and the "children of Solomon's servants," all contributing to the comprehensive picture of the returning community. The immediate verses, like [Ezra 2:59](/ezra/2-59 "Ezra 2:59 - Those who could not prove their lineage"), highlight those whose lineage was uncertain, contrasting with the clear identification of the families in verse 60 and underscoring the critical importance of verifiable ancestry for the re-establishment of social and religious order. This detailed register culminates in the grand total of returnees, setting the stage for the rebuilding efforts described in subsequent chapters.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The return from Babylonian exile, approximately 70 years after the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple (c. 586 BC), was a monumental event in Jewish history, marking the fulfillment of prophetic promises, notably those by [Jeremiah](/jeremiah/29-10 "Jeremiah 29:10 - Prophecy of 70 Years of Exile"). For the returning exiles, establishing their identity, tribal affiliation, and land claims was paramount. Lineage determined not only social standing and inheritance but also eligibility for sacred roles, particularly for priests and Levites. The meticulous record-keeping seen in Ezra 2 reflects a deep cultural value placed on ancestry and purity of descent, crucial for maintaining the distinctiveness of the covenant people and ensuring proper worship in the restored Temple. The Persian Empire's policy, under Cyrus the Great, allowed conquered peoples to return to their lands and rebuild their temples, providing the political backdrop for this significant repatriation.
* **Key Themes:** Ezra 2:60, though a small part of a larger list, contributes to several overarching themes in the book of Ezra and the post-exilic period. First, it underscores the theme of **Identity and Lineage**, emphasizing that the re-establishment of the community was rooted in a clear understanding of who belonged to the covenant people, particularly after generations in a foreign land. The repeated phrase "the children of" throughout the chapter highlights this familial and ancestral foundation. Second, the very act of return and the meticulous documentation of the returnees powerfully illustrate **Divine Faithfulness**. God had promised to restore His people, and this list serves as tangible evidence of His covenant promises being fulfilled, bringing a scattered remnant back to their land. Finally, these lists are foundational to the theme of **Community Rebuilding**. They were not mere statistics but the living components of a nation being reborn, providing the human resources necessary for rebuilding the Temple, re-establishing religious practices, and reorganizing society, as seen in the subsequent chapters detailing the construction of the altar and Temple foundation (e.g., [Ezra 3](/ezra/3 "Ezra 3 - Rebuilding the Altar and Temple Foundation")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Delaiah (דְּלָיָה֙, _dělāyāh_):** This Hebrew name means "Yahweh has drawn up" or "Yahweh has delivered." Its presence in the list, alongside other names, subtly reinforces the overarching theme of divine intervention and deliverance from exile that permeates the book of Ezra. The name itself serves as a quiet theological statement, acknowledging God's hand in bringing His people back.
* **Tobiah (טוֹבִיָּה֙, _ṭōwḇîyāh_):** Meaning "Yahweh is good," this name, like Delaiah, points to the character of God. In the context of the return from exile, it would have served as a powerful reminder to the original audience of God's benevolent nature and His faithfulness in fulfilling His promises, even after a period of judgment and scattering.
* **Nekoda (נְקוֹדָא֙, _nəqōwḏāʾ_):** This name means "distinguished" or "marked." While the specific reason for this family's distinction is not given, its inclusion in this vital register suggests a recognized status or importance within the returning community, perhaps related to their contributions or ancestry, further emphasizing the meticulous nature of the record.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The children of Delaiah, the children of Tobiah, the children of Nekoda":** This clause precisely identifies three distinct family units or clans. The repeated phrase "the children of" (בְּנֵי, _bənê_) emphasizes the importance of lineage and descent in defining identity within ancient Israelite society. These were not merely individuals but members of established families, whose collective return formed the nucleus of the re-established community.
* **"six hundred fifty and two":** This numerical datum provides the exact count of individuals from these three families combined. The precision of the number highlights the meticulous nature of the census. Such detailed record-keeping was vital for administrative purposes, including land allocation, taxation, and the organization of labor for the rebuilding projects, as well as for verifying eligibility for various social and religious roles. It underscores the practical, organizational effort involved in the return.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in Ezra 2:60, and indeed throughout the entire chapter, is **Enumeration** or **Listing**. The verse is a direct, factual entry in a comprehensive register, characterized by its straightforward presentation of names and numbers. This serves to establish the historical veracity of the return and the meticulous record-keeping practices of the ancient Israelites. The **Repetition** of the phrase "the children of" (found throughout the chapter, not just this verse) functions as a structural device that reinforces the emphasis on family lineage and the generational continuity of the Israelite people. Furthermore, the inclusion of precise numbers, such as "six hundred fifty and two," demonstrates a commitment to **Detail** and **Accuracy**, lending authority and credibility to the historical account. While not rich in metaphor or simile, the very nature of this precise listing conveys a sense of divine orchestration and human organization working in tandem to fulfill God's redemptive plan.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezra 2:60, as part of the larger census, powerfully illustrates God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promises, particularly His commitment to restore His people to their land after the seventy years of Babylonian exile. This seemingly dry list is a testament to the living God who remembers His people, even when they are scattered, and orchestrates their return to fulfill His redemptive purposes. It highlights the importance of identity within God's covenant community, emphasizing that belonging is rooted in both divine election and verifiable lineage, which was crucial for the re-establishment of proper worship and societal order. The meticulous record-keeping also reflects God's ordered nature and His sovereign hand in human affairs, ensuring that the right people are in the right place at the right time for His plan to unfold.

* [Nehemiah 7:62](/nehemiah/7-62 "Nehemiah 7:62 - Parallel Account of Returnees")
* [Isaiah 43:5-6](/isaiah/43-5-6 "Isaiah 43:5-6 - God Gathers His Scattered People")
* [Ezekiel 37:12-14](/ezekiel/37-12-14 "Ezekiel 37:12-14 - The Resurrection of Israel")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While Ezra 2:60 might appear to be a mere historical record, it carries profound implications for contemporary believers. It reminds us that God is a God of detail and precision, who knows each of His children by name and orchestrates even the seemingly mundane aspects of history to fulfill His grand purposes. Just as the returning exiles found their identity and purpose in their lineage and their place within the restored community, so too do believers today find their truest identity and belonging within the family of God, the Church. This verse encourages us to value our spiritual heritage, to understand our place within God's ongoing story, and to recognize that every individual, no matter how seemingly insignificant, plays a vital role in the larger tapestry of God's redemptive plan. It calls us to consider how we contribute to the rebuilding and flourishing of God's community in our own time, whether through our gifts, resources, or faithful presence.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the meticulous record-keeping in Ezra 2, including verse 60, affirm God's sovereign control over history and individual lives?**
* **In what ways does finding our identity in Christ parallel or differ from the importance of lineage for the returning exiles?**
* **What practical steps can we take to contribute to the "rebuilding" of God's community (the Church) in our own context today?**

### FAQ

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

Answer: Such detailed lists, like Ezra 2:60, are crucial for several reasons. Historically, they validate the authenticity of the biblical narrative, demonstrating meticulous record-keeping and providing tangible evidence of the return from exile. Theologically, they underscore God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises to gather His scattered people. Culturally, they highlight the paramount importance of lineage for identity, inheritance, and eligibility for religious service in ancient Israel. These lists also serve practical purposes, providing the basis for community organization, land allocation, and the rebuilding efforts, ensuring that the right people were available for the right tasks in the re-establishment of the nation and the Temple.

**What is the significance of the names "Delaiah," "Tobiah," and "Nekoda" in this context?**

Answer: The names themselves carry meaning and often reflect the theological beliefs or hopes of the parents. "Delaiah" means "Yahweh has drawn up" or "Yahweh has delivered," and "Tobiah" means "Yahweh is good." These names subtly reinforce the message of God's active involvement and benevolent character in orchestrating the return from exile. "Nekoda" means "distinguished" or "marked," suggesting a family of some recognized standing. While not explicitly stated, the inclusion of these names, each with its own subtle implication, adds to the rich tapestry of the returning community, each family a testament to God's hand in their history.

**Are there discrepancies in the numbers listed in Ezra 2 compared to Nehemiah 7?**

Answer: Yes, there are minor numerical discrepancies between the list of returnees in [Ezra 2](/ezra/2 "Ezra 2 - The Register of Returnees") and its parallel in [Nehemiah 7](/nehemiah/7 "Nehemiah 7 - The Register of Returnees"). For example, while Ezra 2:60 lists 652 individuals for these three families, Nehemiah 7:62 lists 642 for the same groups. Scholars offer various explanations for these differences, including possible scribal errors in copying, different methods of counting (e.g., counting heads vs. counting households), or that the lists represent slightly different stages or groups of returnees. Despite these minor variations, the overall message and historical integrity of the accounts remain intact, demonstrating the general scale and composition of the post-exilic community.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Ezra 2:60 is a historical record of specific families returning from exile, it finds a profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the greater spiritual return and re-gathering orchestrated by God through Jesus Christ. The meticulous accounting of lineages in Ezra foreshadows the even more precise divine accounting that ensured Jesus's arrival through the promised Davidic line, as detailed in the genealogies of [Matthew 1](/matthew/1 "Matthew 1 - The Genealogy of Jesus Christ") and [Luke 3](/luke/3 "Luke 3 - The Genealogy of Jesus Christ"). Just as God faithfully brought a physical remnant back to Jerusalem to rebuild the Temple, so too does Christ gather a spiritual remnant—His Church—from every tribe and nation, to be living stones in a new, spiritual temple ([1 Peter 2:5](/1_peter/2-5 "1 Peter 2:5 - Living Stones in a Spiritual House")). The return from Babylon was a liberation from physical captivity, but Christ offers liberation from the bondage of sin and death ([John 8:36](/john/8-36 "John 8:36 - Freedom in Christ")). The re-establishment of a physical community in Ezra points to the new covenant community, the body of Christ, where identity is no longer primarily defined by earthly lineage but by spiritual birth and adoption into God's family through faith in Jesus ([Galatians 3:28](/galatians/3-28 "Galatians 3:28 - No Jew or Gentile in Christ")). Thus, this seemingly dry list ultimately points to God's unwavering commitment to His people, culminating in the ultimate gathering and restoration found in the person and work of our Lord Jesus Christ, the true builder of His Church ([Matthew 16:18](/matthew/16-18 "Matthew 16:18 - Christ Builds His Church")).

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 7:62

The children of Delaiah, the children of Tobiah, the children of Nekoda, six hundred forty and two.