Ezra 2:67

KJV

Their camels, four hundred thirty and five; [their] asses, six thousand seven hundred and twenty.

KJV (with Strong's)

Their camels {H1581}, four {H702} hundred {H3967} thirty {H7970} and five {H2568}; their asses {H2543}, six {H8337} thousand {H505} seven {H7651} hundred {H3967} and twenty {H6242}.

Complete Jewish Bible

their camels, 435; and their donkeys, 6,720.

Berean Standard Bible

435 camels, and 6,720 donkeys.

American Standard Version

their camels, four hundred thirty and five; their asses, six thousand seven hundred and twenty.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezra 2:67 concludes a detailed census of the Jewish exiles who returned to Judah from Babylonian captivity, specifically enumerating the significant animal resources that accompanied them on their arduous journey. This verse, alongside the broader chapter, underscores the meticulous nature of the post-exilic community's record-keeping and highlights the practical provisions necessary for the monumental task of re-establishing the nation and rebuilding the Temple in Jerusalem. It serves as a testament to the scale of the return and the divine orchestration of resources for God's redemptive purposes.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ezra 2:67 stands as the final entry in a comprehensive roster (Ezra 2:1-67) detailing the families, individuals, and possessions of the Jewish exiles who returned from Babylon to Judah. This meticulous list follows King Cyrus's decree permitting the Jews to return and rebuild the Temple ([Ezra 1:1-4](/ezra/1-1 "Ezra 1:1-4 - Cyrus's Decree")). The chapter's primary function is to establish the legitimacy and scope of the returning community, particularly emphasizing the lineage of priests, Levites, and other temple servants, as well as the general populace. The inclusion of animals and other material possessions at the end of the list (Ezra 2:66-67) provides a complete picture of the resources accompanying this significant movement, setting the stage for the subsequent rebuilding efforts described in [Ezra 3](/ezra/3 "Ezra 3 - Rebuilding the Altar and Temple Foundation")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The return described in Ezra takes place after approximately 70 years of Babylonian exile, a period prophesied by Jeremiah ([Jeremiah 29:10](/jeremiah/29-10 "Jeremiah 29:10 - Jeremiah's Prophecy of 70 Years of Exile")). The journey from Babylon to Jerusalem was long and arduous, spanning hundreds of miles across diverse terrain, including deserts. In the ancient Near East, camels and asses (donkeys) were indispensable beasts of burden. Camels were prized for their ability to carry heavy loads over long distances and through arid regions, while asses were versatile, robust, and commonly used for transport, agricultural work, and personal travel. The large numbers recorded in Ezra 2:67 reflect the practical necessities of such a mass migration, indicating the considerable logistical planning and the substantial material wealth the returnees possessed or were provided with for their journey and the subsequent rebuilding of their homeland.
* **Key Themes:** This verse, within its broader context, contributes to several key themes. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Providence and Faithfulness**, demonstrating God's meticulous care in fulfilling His promises to bring His people back to the land, even down to the practical provisions needed for their journey and resettlement. The detailed enumeration suggests that no aspect of this divine plan was left to chance. Secondly, it emphasizes **Order and Organization**, showcasing the careful record-keeping and structured approach taken by the returning community, which was crucial for re-establishing a functional society and orderly worship in Jerusalem. This precision would be vital for allocating resources and assigning responsibilities for the immense task ahead. Lastly, the verse underscores the theme of **Resources for Restoration**. The significant number of animals represents the tangible means by which the exiles could transport building materials, food, and personal belongings, essential for the physical and spiritual rebuilding of the Temple and the city, as seen in the immediate efforts to build the altar and lay the Temple's foundation ([Ezra 3:2-13](/ezra/3-2 "Ezra 3:2-13 - Rebuilding the Altar and Temple Foundation")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Camels (Hebrew, _gəmallim'_):** These large, domesticated pack animals were crucial for long-distance travel, especially across desert terrain. Their ability to carry heavy loads and survive for extended periods without water made them invaluable for the journey from Babylon to Judah. The presence of 435 camels signifies a substantial capacity for transporting goods, building materials, and personal possessions, indicating the scale and practical resources of the returning community.
* **Asses (Hebrew, _ḥamorim'_):** More commonly known as donkeys, these animals were the primary beasts of burden in ancient Israel and the Near East. They were versatile, hardy, and used for a wide range of tasks, including carrying lighter loads, plowing, and personal transport. The significantly higher number of 6,720 asses reflects their ubiquity and indispensable role in daily life and in the massive logistical undertaking of resettling and rebuilding. They would have been vital for local transport of building materials for the Temple and city walls.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Their camels, four hundred thirty and five":** This clause specifies the number of camels accompanying the returnees. The precise figure underscores the meticulous nature of the census, highlighting the value and strategic importance of these animals for the long and arduous journey from Babylon and for the subsequent large-scale construction efforts in Judah. It speaks to the substantial resources at the disposal of the returning community.
* **"[their] asses, six thousand seven hundred and twenty":** This clause enumerates the much larger number of asses (donkeys). The sheer quantity emphasizes the foundational role these animals played in the ancient economy and in the practical logistics of the return. They would have been essential for carrying supplies, tools, and building materials, underscoring the practical, tangible means God provided for His people to accomplish the task of rebuilding the Temple and re-establishing their lives in the land.

#### Literary Devices
Ezra 2:67 primarily employs **Enumeration**, a literary device characterized by a detailed list or counting of items. In this context, it serves to provide a precise inventory of the animal resources accompanying the returning exiles. This meticulous listing emphasizes the comprehensive nature of the census and the importance of every detail in the divine plan for restoration. Beyond simple counting, the enumeration of these specific animals also functions as **Symbolism**, where the camels and asses represent the practical provisions, wealth, and means available to the community for their journey and the monumental task of rebuilding. The inclusion of these seemingly mundane details highlights God's meticulous care and provision for His people, demonstrating that even the logistical challenges of their return were accounted for. Furthermore, one could see an element of **Metonymy**, where the animals stand in for the broader concept of "transportation resources" or "economic assets" that were vital for the re-establishment of the nation.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This seemingly simple enumeration of animals in Ezra 2:67 carries profound theological weight. It speaks to God's meticulous providence and faithfulness, demonstrating that His plan for His people's restoration was not only grand in scope but also precise in its practical details. The provision of these vast resources—animals essential for transport, labor, and sustenance—underscores that God equips those He calls, providing the necessary means for His purposes to be fulfilled. Just as He brought His people out of Egypt with great possessions, He brings them back from Babylon with the practical means to rebuild. This attention to detail reinforces the biblical theme that God is intimately involved in the lives of His people, caring for their physical needs as much as their spiritual ones, and ensuring they have what is required to carry out His will. The return from exile was a fulfillment of prophecy, and these animals were tangible evidence of God's enabling grace for that fulfillment.

* [Deuteronomy 8:3](/deuteronomy/8-3 "God's Provision in the Wilderness")
* [Nehemiah 7:69](/nehemiah/7-69 "Recount of Animals in Nehemiah")
* [Isaiah 43:5-7](/isaiah/43-5-7 "God Gathers His People from Exile")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezra 2:67, while a mere listing of animals, offers rich lessons for contemporary believers. It reminds us that God is a God of order, provision, and meticulous detail. Just as He orchestrated the precise return of His people with the exact resources needed for their daunting task, so too does He provide for us in our spiritual journeys and in our collective work for His kingdom. This verse encourages us to trust in God's provision, even when the task ahead seems overwhelming. It highlights the importance of practical preparation and the wise stewardship of the resources—whether material, spiritual, or relational—that God entrusts to us. Our seemingly mundane "resources" (talents, time, finances, relationships) are not insignificant; they are divinely appointed means to accomplish God's greater purposes. We are called to be faithful stewards, recognizing that every provision is part of His grand design for restoration and glory.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the meticulous detail of this census, including the animals, speak to God's character and His involvement in the practical aspects of our lives?**
* **What "resources" (talents, time, finances, spiritual gifts) has God provided you with for the tasks He has set before you, and how are you stewarding them?**
* **In what areas of your life or ministry do you need to trust God for His provision, even when the task seems too big for your current resources?**

### FAQ

**Why are these numbers of animals so important to be included in a biblical text?**

Answer: The inclusion of these specific numbers of camels and asses in Ezra 2:67 is crucial for several reasons. Firstly, it underscores the **historical accuracy and meticulous record-keeping** of the post-exilic community. This was not a casual return but a divinely orchestrated, carefully managed migration. Secondly, it highlights the **scale and logistical challenge** of the return. Thousands of people, along with their animals and possessions, embarked on a long and difficult journey, which required immense planning and resources. Thirdly, these animals represent the **practical provisions** necessary for rebuilding. They were essential for transport, agriculture, and labor, signifying the tangible means God provided for His people to re-establish their lives and rebuild the Temple and city walls, as detailed in [Ezra 3](/ezra/3 "Ezra 3 - Rebuilding the Altar and Temple Foundation") and [Nehemiah](/nehemiah/1 "Nehemiah 1 - Nehemiah's Prayer"). Finally, it subtly points to **God's comprehensive providence**, showing that His care for His people extends even to the mundane, practical details of their physical needs.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Ezra 2:67 details the physical provisions for a physical return and rebuilding, it beautifully foreshadows the spiritual provisions for a spiritual return and rebuilding found in Christ. The meticulous care God showed in providing camels and asses for the exiles' journey from Babylon to Jerusalem points to His even greater, more comprehensive provision for humanity's journey from the exile of sin to the promised land of salvation in Christ. Just as the animals were essential for carrying burdens and facilitating the rebuilding of the earthly temple, so too does Christ bear our burdens and enable the building of the spiritual temple—His Church. His humble entry into Jerusalem on a donkey ([Matthew 21:5](/matthew/21-5 "Matthew 21:5 - Jesus' Triumphal Entry on a Donkey")) powerfully connects to the "asses" of Ezra 2:67, symbolizing a king who comes not with military might but with humility and peace, fulfilling ancient prophecies ([Zechariah 9:9](/zechariah/9-9 "Zechariah 9:9 - Prophecy of the King on a Donkey")). Ultimately, the physical return from exile prefigures the ultimate redemption from sin and death achieved through Christ's sacrifice ([Romans 5:8](/romans/5-8 "Romans 5:8 - God Demonstrates His Love")), and the resources provided for rebuilding the physical temple point to the Holy Spirit and spiritual gifts given to believers for building up the body of Christ, the true temple of God ([Ephesians 2:20-22](/ephesians/2-20 "Ephesians 2:20-22 - Christ as the Cornerstone of the Church")). God's meticulous provision in Ezra finds its ultimate and perfect fulfillment in the all-sufficient provision of Jesus Christ for our salvation and sanctification.

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.