TRV
Translation
King James Version
Their horses were seven hundred thirty and six; their mules, two hundred forty and five;
American Standard Version
Their horses were seven hundred thirty and six; their mules, two hundred forty and five;
World English Bible Messianic
Their horses were seven hundred thirty-six; their mules, two hundred forty-five;
Geneva Bible (1599)
Their horses were seuen hundreth, and sixe and thirtie: their mules, two hundreth and fiue and fourtie:
Young's Literal Translation
Their horses are seven hundred thirty and six, their mules, two hundred forty and five,
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Commentary on Ezra 2 verses 64–70
64 ¶ The whole congregation together was forty and two thousand three hundred and threescore,
65 Beside their servants and their maids, of whom there were seven thousand three hundred thirty and seven: and there were among them two hundred singing men and singing women.
66 Their horses were seven hundred thirty and six; their mules, two hundred forty and five;
67 Their camels, four hundred thirty and five; their asses, six thousand seven hundred and twenty.
68 And some of the chief of the fathers, when they came to the house of the LORD which is at Jerusalem, offered freely for the house of God to set it up in his place:
69 They gave after their ability unto the treasure of the work threescore and one thousand drams of gold, and five thousand pound of silver, and one hundred priests' garments.
70 So the priests, and the Levites, and some of the people, and the singers, and the porters, and the Nethinims, dwelt in their cities, and all Israel in their cities.
Here is, I. The sum total of the company that returned out of Babylon. The particular sums before mentioned amount not quite to 30,000 (29,818), so that there were above 12,000 that come out into any of those accounts, who, it is probable, were of the rest of the tribes of Israel, besides Judah and Benjamin, that could not tell of what particular family or city they were, but that they were Israelites, and of what tribe. Now, 1. This was more than double the number that were carried captive into Babylon by Nebuchadnezzar, so that, as in Egypt, the time of their affliction was the time of their increase. 2. These were but few to begin a nation with, and yet, by virtue of the old promise made to their fathers, they multiplied so as before their last destruction by the Romans, about 500 years after, to be a very numerous people. When God says, "Increase and multiply," a little one shall become a thousand.
II. Their retinue. They were themselves little better than servants, and therefore no wonder that their servants were comparatively but few (Ezr 2:65) and their beasts of burden about as many, Ezr 2:66, Ezr 2:67. It was not with them now as in days past. But notice is taken of 200 singing-men and women whom they had among them, who, we will suppose, were intended (as those Ch2 35:25) to excite their mourning, for it was foretold that they should, upon this occasion, go weeping (Jer 50:4), with ditties of lamentation.
III. Their oblations. It is said (Ezr 2:68, Ezr 2:69), 1. That they came to the house of the Lord at Jerusalem; and yet that house, that holy and beautiful house, was now in ruins, a heap of rubbish. But, like their father Abraham, when the altar was gone they came with devotion to the place of the altar (Gen 13:4); and it is the character of the genuine sons of Zion that they favour even the dust thereof, Psa 102:14. 2. That they offered freely towards the setting of it up in its place. That, it seems, was the first house they talked of setting up; and though they came off a journey, and were beginning the world (two chargeable things), yet they offered, and offered freely, towards the building of the temple. Let none complain of the necessary expenses of their religion, but believe that when they come to balance the account they will find that it clears the cost. Their offering was nothing in comparison with the offerings of the princes in David's time; then they offered by talents (Ch1 29:7), now by drams, yet these drams, being after their ability, were as acceptable to God as those talents, like the widow's two mites. The 61,000 drams of gold amount, by Cumberland's calculation, to so many pounds of our money and so many groats. Every maneh, or pound of silver, he reckons to be sixty shekels (that is, thirty ounces), which we may reckon 7l. 10s. of our money, so that this 5000 pounds of silver will be above 37,000l. of our money. It seems, God had blessed them with an increase of their wealth, as well as of their numbers, in Babylon; and, as God had prospered them, they gave cheerfully to the service of his house. 3. That they dwelt in their cities, Ezr 2:70. Though their cities were out of repair, yet, because they were their cities, such as God had assigned them, they were content to dwell in them, and were thankful for liberty and property, though they had little of pomp, plenty, or power. Their poverty was a bad cause, but their unity and unanimity were a good effect of it. Here was room enough for them all and all their substance, so that there was no strife among them, but perfect harmony, a blessed presage of their settlement, as their discords in the latter times of that state were of their ruin.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 64–70. Public domain.
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CassiodorusAD 585
EXPLANATION OF THE PSALMS 95.1
“A canticle of David, when the house was built after the captivity.” So far as the literal sense is concerned, the heading points to the time when the temple at Jerusalem is known to have been refurbished by Zerubbabel, son of Salathiel, after it had been leveled to the ground by a hostile band of Chaldeans. But since he says nothing of this kind in what follows, and since the headings of psalms are never at variance with their content, it remains for us to investigate it in the spiritual sense. A destroyed house is built up when a soul following the captivity of sin begins to return to an understanding of the truth through the generosity of the Lord. This house, which is the universal church in which Christ dwells, is always raised up on living stones, because every day it gains increase in building from its confessors and does not cease to be built up until the number of the predestined is attained at the end of the world. We must store this psalm in our minds as the second of those proclaiming the first and the second coming of the Lord.
BedeAD 735
Commentary on Ezra and Nehemiah
Their horses were six hundred and thirty-six, etc. A mule is born from a donkey and a mare, a she-mule from a horse and a she-donkey. Hence, among the people who ascended from captivity, the animals, which facilitated their journey, are also listed; both their number and that of the people are indicated in the prophetic book. For certainly there are many in the Church who are either slower in understanding or even carnal in mind, who nevertheless humbly submit to the spiritual teachers and diligently support the burdens of fraternal necessity. These, along with the other elect, are delivered from the confusion of diabolic captivity and strive towards the walls of the celestial city. Their number, as well as that of the more perfect ones, is preserved intact in the eternal memory of the inner witness. Thus, from the perspective of the holy universal Church, it is said to God: "Your eyes saw my imperfection, and all were written in Your book" (Psalm 139). And in another psalm: "You will save both men and animals, Lord; as You have multiplied Your mercies, O God" (Psalm 36). But immediately concerning the more perfect ones: "The sons of men shall hope under the shadow of Your wings" (Ibid.), etc.
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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SUMMARY
Ezra 2:66 provides a meticulous entry within the comprehensive census of the first wave of Jewish exiles returning to Jerusalem from Babylonian captivity. This verse precisely enumerates the horses and mules accompanying the returnees, highlighting the significant material resources and practical provisions available to the community. It underscores the meticulous record-keeping inherent in God's providential care for His people's restoration as they embarked on the monumental task of re-establishing themselves in their homeland and rebuilding the Temple.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in Ezra 2:66, and indeed throughout much of Ezra 2, is Enumeration. The meticulous listing of specific numbers for people, families, and animals creates a strong sense of verisimilitude, lending credibility and historical accuracy to the account. This detailed census serves as a form of documentation, emphasizing the thoroughness of the record-keeping and the profound historical and theological importance of this event for the Israelite community. The numerical precision also highlights the concreteness of the resources available, underscoring the tangible means by which God's plan for restoration was being executed and affirming His meticulous oversight of His people's return.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezra 2:66, with its precise enumeration of animals, might seem like a mere historical detail, yet it carries profound theological weight. It demonstrates God's meticulous attention to every aspect of His redemptive plan, even the seemingly mundane details of logistical provision. The fact that the returning exiles possessed such resources—horses for travel and mules for heavy labor—speaks volumes about God's enabling grace and His commitment to equipping His people for the mission He has set before them. This divine provision ensures that His purposes are not hindered by lack, but are brought to fruition through the tangible means He supplies. It underscores that God cares not only about the spiritual aspects of His work but also the practical necessities that facilitate it, reflecting His comprehensive and faithful care for His covenant people.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The detailed accounting in Ezra 2:66 reminds us that God is intimately involved in the practicalities of our lives and ministries. Just as the returning exiles required tangible resources to fulfill God's call to rebuild, we too need various forms of provision—time, talent, financial means, physical strength, and spiritual gifts—to accomplish the tasks He sets before us. This verse encourages us to trust in God's providence, knowing that He meticulously orchestrates even the smallest details to ensure His purposes are achieved. It also calls us to consider how we steward the resources God has entrusted to us for the advancement of His kingdom, recognizing that every provision, no matter how seemingly ordinary, can be instrumental in His grand design. The journey of faith, like the return from exile, often requires sustained effort and practical support, all enabled by God's sustaining grace and meticulous care, empowering us to participate in His ongoing work in the world.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why are these numbers so specific and detailed in Ezra?
Answer: The meticulous detail in Ezra's census, including the precise numbers of animals, serves several crucial purposes. First, it ensures historical accuracy and provides a reliable record for future generations, validating the return. Second, it helped legitimize the returning families and their claims to ancestral lands and priestly lineages, which was vital for re-establishing the social and religious order in post-exilic Judah. Third, it underscores the scale of God's provision and the orderly nature of His work, demonstrating that the return was not a chaotic flight but a well-organized movement under divine orchestration. Finally, such precise record-keeping was a common administrative practice in ancient Near Eastern empires, lending credibility and authority to the biblical narrative as a reliable historical document.
What was the practical significance of horses and mules for the returning exiles?
Answer: Horses and mules were indispensable for the returning exiles, serving vital practical functions. Horses provided faster transport for individuals and lighter loads, and could also be used for agricultural work like plowing, or even for defense and communication in the newly re-established communities. Mules, on the other hand, were renowned for their strength, endurance, and sure-footedness, making them ideal for carrying heavy loads over the rugged terrain between Babylon and Jerusalem. They were crucial for transporting building materials (timber, stones) for the Temple and city walls, as well as provisions and personal belongings for the thousands of returnees. Their presence in significant numbers indicates the practical foresight and abundant resources available for the monumental task of rebuilding the city and re-establishing life in the land, illustrating God's tangible provision for His people's needs as they fulfilled His command to return and rebuild (Haggai 1:8).
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The meticulous accounting of resources like horses and mules in Ezra 2:66, facilitating the physical return and rebuilding of Jerusalem, beautifully foreshadows the ultimate spiritual restoration and provision found in Jesus Christ. Just as these animals were tangible means for the exiles to return to their homeland and rebuild the earthly Temple, Christ Himself is the ultimate "resource" and living foundation for the spiritual temple, His Church (Ephesians 2:20-22). The detailed census points to God's sovereign and meticulous plan throughout history, culminating in Christ, who perfectly fulfills all God's promises of gathering His scattered people (Matthew 23:37) and providing all that is needed for spiritual life and growth (Philippians 4:19). The journey back to Jerusalem, enabled by these animals, points to the greater journey of salvation and the new creation in Christ, where believers are brought into God's presence and equipped for His service, not by their own strength or earthly resources, but by the incomparable grace and power of the Holy Spirit, purchased by the sacrifice of the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.