Ezra 2:7

KJV

The children of Elam, a thousand two hundred fifty and four.

KJV (with Strong's)

The children {H1121} of Elam {H5867}, a thousand {H505} two hundred {H3967} fifty {H2572} and four {H702}.

Complete Jewish Bible

descendants of 'Eilam 1,254

Berean Standard Bible

the descendants of Elam, 1,254;

American Standard Version

The children of Elam, a thousand two hundred fifty and four.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezra 2:7 records the specific number of "the children of Elam," one of the many families or clans who returned to Judah from Babylonian exile under the leadership of Zerubbabel. This verse is part of a meticulously detailed census in Ezra chapter 2, which enumerates the various groups of Jewish people, including families, priests, Levites, and temple servants, who participated in the initial wave of restoration to Jerusalem. It highlights the precise and orderly nature of God's work in re-gathering His people and rebuilding His nation after seventy years of captivity.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ezra 2 immediately follows the decree of King Cyrus of Persia, which permitted the exiled Jews to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the temple ([Ezra 1](/ezra/1 "Ezra 1 - Cyrus's Decree")). This chapter serves as a foundational register, detailing the individuals and families who responded to this decree and formed the first major wave of returnees. It meticulously lists various groups—from prominent family heads like those of Parosh and Shephatiah to specific priestly and Levitical lines, temple servants, and even those whose genealogies were uncertain. The chapter's primary purpose is to establish the legitimate membership of the post-exilic community, providing a verifiable record for the re-establishment of religious and civic life. Ezra 2:7, therefore, is one data point within this comprehensive enumeration, underscoring the collective effort of the returning remnant.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The return from Babylonian exile, initiated by Cyrus's decree in 538 BC, marked a watershed moment in Israelite history, fulfilling prophecies of restoration (e.g., [Jeremiah 29:10](/jeremiah/29-10 "Jeremiah 29:10 - Seventy Years of Exile")). For ancient Israel, lineage and tribal identity were paramount. Genealogies served not only as historical records but also as legal documents, determining rights to land, inheritance, and eligibility for priestly or Levitical service. The meticulous record-keeping in Ezra 2 reflects the community's urgent need to re-establish its identity and social structure in accordance with Mosaic law after decades of displacement. The "children of Elam" would have been a recognizable family unit, and their recorded number signifies their active participation in this monumental national and spiritual rebirth, contributing to the demographic and social fabric of the nascent community in Judah.
* **Key Themes:** Ezra 2, including verse 7, contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book of Ezra and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it powerfully illustrates **Divine Faithfulness and Restoration**, demonstrating God's unwavering commitment to His covenant promises by bringing His people back to their land after a period of judgment and exile, as prophesied by Jeremiah ([Jeremiah 29:10](/jeremiah/29-10 "Jeremiah 29:10 - Prophecy of Return")). Secondly, the chapter emphasizes **Identity and Lineage**, highlighting the critical importance of maintaining accurate genealogies for establishing claims to land, confirming eligibility for sacred roles (e.g., [Ezra 2:62](/ezra/2-62 "Ezra 2:62 - Those who could not prove their lineage")), and preserving the unique identity of God's chosen people. This meticulous record-keeping underscores the community's desire to rebuild according to divine order. Finally, these detailed lists serve as the **Foundation for Rebuilding**, providing the practical framework for allocating resources, organizing labor for the temple's reconstruction ([Ezra 3](/ezra/3 "Ezra 3 - Rebuilding the Altar and Temple Foundation")), and re-establishing the social and religious structures necessary for a functioning nation.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Elam (Hebrew, _'Eylam'_):** In this context, "Elam" refers to a proper name, likely the patriarchal head of a specific family or clan that returned from exile. While there was an ancient nation of Elam (east of Mesopotamia), this reference is to a family name among the Jewish returnees, indicating their lineage. The inclusion of this name, alongside many others, underscores the specific and personal nature of God's work in re-gathering His people, recognizing each distinct family unit.
* **a thousand two hundred fifty and four (Hebrew, _'eleph ma'tayim chamishshim v'arba'_):** This precise numerical detail emphasizes the concrete reality and scale of the return. It highlights the meticulous record-keeping of the scribes (like Ezra himself), which was crucial for administrative purposes, communal organization, and verifying the legitimacy of the returning population. Such exact figures underscore the historical veracity of the account and the orderly nature of the restoration process.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The children of Elam":** This phrase identifies a specific family or clan by their patriarchal ancestor, "Elam." In ancient Israelite society, identity was strongly tied to one's family and tribal lineage. The designation "children of" signifies a collective group descended from or associated with this named individual, forming a distinct unit within the larger community of returnees. Their inclusion in this list affirms their legitimate place among God's people.
* **"a thousand two hundred fifty and four":** This numerical specification provides the exact count of individuals belonging to the family of Elam who returned. The precision of this figure is characteristic of the entire chapter, demonstrating the careful census taken by the leaders of the return. This detail was vital for the practical organization of the community, including land allocation, taxation, and the assignment of duties in the rebuilding efforts, and it underscores the substantial number of people participating in this foundational wave of restoration.

#### Literary Devices
Ezra 2:7, as part of the larger census in Ezra 2, primarily employs **Enumeration**. This device involves the detailed listing of names, numbers, and categories, providing a comprehensive and methodical account of the returning exiles. The meticulous nature of this enumeration lends an air of historical accuracy and administrative thoroughness to the narrative. Furthermore, the entire chapter, including this verse, functions as a **Genealogy** or **Register**, a common literary form in biblical texts that establishes lineage and identity. This serves to affirm the continuity of God's covenant people and to legitimize the claims of the returnees to their ancestral land and roles. The sheer volume of names and numbers also creates a sense of **Verisimilitude**, making the account feel authentic and grounded in historical fact.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezra 2:7, though a seemingly simple numerical entry, is deeply embedded in the theological narrative of God's faithfulness and the re-establishment of His covenant people. It testifies to God's meticulous care for every individual and family within His grand redemptive plan, demonstrating that His promises extend to the specific details of human lives and communities. The inclusion of such precise records underscores the divine orchestration of the return, showing that God is not a God of generalizations but of specific, purposeful action, even down to the numbers of those who returned. This attention to detail speaks to the divine sovereignty over history and the fulfillment of prophecy, as the scattered remnant is gathered and counted, ready to rebuild.

* [Nehemiah 7:6](/nehemiah/7-6 "Parallel List of Returnees")
* [Isaiah 43:5-7](/isaiah/43-5-7 "God Gathers His People")
* [Psalm 107:1-3](/psalm/107-1-3 "God Gathers the Redeemed")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The meticulous listing in Ezra 2:7 reminds us that God is intimately involved in the details of our lives and communities. Just as He knew each family and counted every individual returning from exile, He knows us by name and has a specific purpose for each of us within His larger redemptive plan. This verse encourages us to value our place within the community of faith, recognizing that every member, no matter how seemingly small or numerous, contributes to the collective work of God's kingdom. It calls us to appreciate the importance of our spiritual heritage and the continuity of God's work through generations. Furthermore, it highlights the importance of order, accountability, and diligent record-keeping in communal endeavors, particularly in the work of the church, ensuring that resources and efforts are managed wisely for God's glory.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the Bible's inclusion of such detailed lists, like Ezra 2:7, speak to God's character and His involvement in human history?**
* **In what ways does knowing our spiritual lineage or heritage strengthen our faith and sense of belonging within the body of Christ?**
* **How can our local church or community embody the meticulousness and intentionality seen in the re-establishment of the post-exilic community?**
* **What does this verse teach us about the value of every individual and family within God's plan, even those who might seem like just a number?**

### FAQ
**Why does the Bible include such detailed lists of names and numbers, like the one in Ezra 2?**

Answer: The inclusion of detailed lists, such as the census in Ezra 2, serves multiple crucial purposes. Historically, these lists provided a verifiable record of the legitimate returnees, essential for re-establishing land claims, tribal inheritances, and eligibility for priestly or Levitical service after the Babylonian exile. Theologically, they underscore God's faithfulness in fulfilling His covenant promises to gather His scattered people (e.g., [Jeremiah 29:10](/jeremiah/29-10 "Jeremiah 29:10 - Prophecy of Return")) and rebuild His nation. The precision of the numbers demonstrates God's meticulous care for every individual and family, showing that His plan is not vague but involves specific people at specific times. Furthermore, these lists provided the practical foundation for organizing the community, allocating resources, and mobilizing labor for the rebuilding of the temple and the city walls, as seen in subsequent chapters like [Ezra 3](/ezra/3 "Ezra 3 - Rebuilding the Temple")). They affirm the identity and continuity of God's people through generations.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Ezra 2:7 is a historical record of a specific returning family, its deeper Christ-centered fulfillment lies in the broader narrative of God's faithfulness to His covenant people, culminating in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The meticulous preservation of genealogies, including those in Ezra, ensured the unbroken lineage through which the Messiah would ultimately come, as highlighted in the opening of Matthew's Gospel ([Matthew 1:1-17](/matthew/1-1-17 "Matthew 1:1-17 - Genealogy of Jesus")). The return from exile foreshadows the greater spiritual restoration brought about by Christ, who gathers a new people—His Church—from every tribe and nation, bringing them out of the bondage of sin and into His kingdom ([Colossians 1:13-14](/colossians/1-13-14 "Colossians 1:13-14 - Delivered from Darkness")). Just as the "children of Elam" were counted and given their place in the physical restoration of Israel, so too are believers today counted as members of Christ's body, the new spiritual temple ([1 Corinthians 12:27](/1_corinthians/12-27 "1 Corinthians 12:27 - You are the Body of Christ")), being built up by Him. The returnees' journey to Jerusalem prefigures our spiritual pilgrimage towards the heavenly Jerusalem, the city of God, where Christ reigns supreme ([Hebrews 12:22-24](/hebrews/12-22-24 "Hebrews 12:22-24 - The Heavenly Jerusalem")). Thus, this seemingly simple verse points to the divine order and redemptive purpose that ultimately finds its perfect fulfillment in Jesus, the true Restorer and Builder of His people.

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.