Ezra 2:8

KJV

The children of Zattu, nine hundred forty and five.

KJV (with Strong's)

The children {H1121} of Zattu {H2240}, nine {H8672} hundred {H3967} forty {H705} and five {H2568}.

Complete Jewish Bible

descendants of Zatu 945

Berean Standard Bible

the descendants of Zattu, 945;

American Standard Version

The children of Zattu, nine hundred forty and five.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezra 2:8 is a concise yet significant entry within the detailed census of Jewish families and individuals who returned to Judah from Babylonian exile. It specifically records that 945 descendants of Zattu were part of this initial wave of returnees. This verse, embedded within a larger genealogical list, underscores the meticulous record-keeping crucial for re-establishing communal identity, land claims, and the purity of priestly lines, reflecting God's providential orchestration of the restoration of His people.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ezra 2:8 is situated within a comprehensive list (Ezra 2:1-67) that enumerates the first wave of Jewish exiles returning to Judah from Babylon following King Cyrus's decree. This chapter serves as a foundational register, detailing the families, their leaders, and their numbers, including priests, Levites, temple servants, and even those whose lineage was uncertain. The immediate verses surrounding Ezra 2:8, such as Ezra 2:7 ("The children of Elam, a thousand two hundred fifty and four.") and Ezra 2:9 ("The children of Zaccai, seven hundred and threescore."), continue this precise enumeration of family groups. This meticulous listing prepares the way for the subsequent narrative of rebuilding the altar and the Temple, emphasizing the organized and divinely orchestrated nature of the restoration. The precise numbers provide a concrete foundation for the community's re-establishment in the land of Israel.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical backdrop for Ezra 2 is the Persian Empire's rule after its conquest of Babylon. In 538 BC, King Cyrus issued a decree (recorded in [Ezra 1:1-4](/ezra/1-1 "Ezra 1:1-4 - Cyrus's Decree")) permitting the Jewish exiles to return to Jerusalem and rebuild their Temple. This marked the end of the 70-year Babylonian captivity prophesied by Jeremiah ([Jeremiah 29:10](/jeremiah/29-10 "Jeremiah 29:10 - Prophecy of Return from Exile")). For the returning Jewish community, lineage and tribal identity were paramount. Genealogical records were not mere statistics but vital documents affirming one's place within the covenant people, establishing claims to ancestral lands, and ensuring the purity of priestly and Levitical service. The meticulous counting, as seen in Ezra 2:8, reflects the administrative precision of the Persian imperial system, which often required such registers, but it also highlights the Jewish community's deep cultural value placed on heritage and continuity, especially after the disruption of exile.
* **Key Themes:** The detailed census in Ezra 2, including the specific mention of "The children of Zattu," contributes significantly to several overarching themes in the book of Ezra and the broader post-exilic narrative. Firstly, it powerfully illustrates **Divine Faithfulness** to the covenant promises, as God orchestrates the return of His people despite their unfaithfulness, fulfilling prophecies of restoration (e.g., [Isaiah 44:28](/isaiah/44-28 "Isaiah 44:28 - Cyrus as God's Shepherd")). Secondly, the emphasis on **Identity and Lineage** underscores the importance of belonging and heritage for a people seeking to re-establish their national and religious life. This meticulous record-keeping ensured that the community knew who they were and where they belonged, providing a stable foundation for the future. Finally, the chapter highlights the theme of **Restoration and Rebuilding**, as this organized census provided the necessary human resources for the monumental task of rebuilding the Temple and the city of Jerusalem, signaling a new beginning for the nation under God's guidance, as seen in the subsequent chapters detailing the altar's construction ([Ezra 3:2](/ezra/3-2 "Ezra 3:2 - Building the Altar")) and the Temple's foundation ([Ezra 3:10](/ezra/3-10 "Ezra 3:10 - Laying the Temple Foundation")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Zattu (Hebrew, זַתּוּא, _Zattû'_):** This is a proper noun, referring to the head or progenitor of a specific family or clan. While the name itself does not carry a specific etymological meaning that illuminates the verse, its inclusion is significant. It represents one of the identifiable family units that maintained its identity through the seventy years of exile and was now returning. The presence of such specific family names throughout Ezra 2 emphasizes the concrete, historical reality of the return and the importance of individual and familial identity within the larger community of Israel.
* **Nine hundred forty and five (Hebrew, תְּשַׁע מֵאוֹת וְאַרְבָּעִים וַחֲמֵשׁ, _tĕsha‘ mē’ôt wĕ’arbā‘îm wāḥamesh'_):** This precise numerical figure is not merely an incidental detail but a deliberate inclusion that speaks to the meticulous nature of the record-keeping. The exactness of the number, rather than a round approximation, suggests an actual census or register was compiled. This precision underscores the administrative diligence of the scribes and leaders (like Zerubbabel and Jeshua) in organizing the returnees. Theologically, it can also be seen as reflecting God's meticulous care for each individual and family within His covenant people, demonstrating that none were overlooked in His grand plan of restoration.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The children of Zattu":** This phrase identifies a specific family or clan, indicating that the returnees were organized by ancestral lineage. This was crucial for establishing land claims, tribal identity, and ensuring the purity of priestly and Levitical lines, which were essential for the re-establishment of proper worship. It emphasizes the continuity of the covenant people through their family structures.
* **"nine hundred forty and five":** This numerical datum provides the exact count of individuals belonging to the Zattu family who participated in this first wave of return. The specificity highlights the administrative precision of the census and the organized nature of the return. It also serves as a tangible testament to the scale of the restoration, demonstrating that a significant number of people were indeed returning to rebuild Jerusalem and the Temple.

#### Literary Devices
Ezra 2:8, like the surrounding verses in this chapter, primarily employs **Census/Genealogy** as its overarching literary device. This involves the systematic listing of names and numbers to document lineage and population. The purpose of such a device is not merely informational; it serves to establish legitimacy, confirm identity, and provide a foundational record for the community. The **Precision** of the numbers (e.g., "nine hundred forty and five") is another key literary feature, emphasizing the factual, historical nature of the account and the meticulous care taken in compiling these records. This precision lends authority and weight to the narrative of the return, underscoring the tangible reality of God's work in restoring His people.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezra 2:8, though a simple numerical entry, profoundly illustrates God's unwavering faithfulness and meticulous care for His covenant people. After decades of exile, the precise counting of each family, including the children of Zattu, testifies to God's commitment to fulfilling His prophetic promises of restoration. It underscores that God remembers His people, even in their dispersion, and orchestrates their return with divine precision, ensuring the continuity of the lineage through whom the Messiah would ultimately come. This detailed record-keeping serves as a testament to God's sovereignty over history and His personal attention to every individual within His redemptive plan.

* [Jeremiah 29:10](/jeremiah/29-10 "Jeremiah 29:10 - Prophecy of Return from Exile")
* [Isaiah 44:28](/isaiah/44-28 "Isaiah 44:28 - Cyrus as God's Shepherd")
* [Nehemiah 7:13](/nehemiah/7-13 "Nehemiah 7:13 - Census of Zattu's Descendants in Nehemiah")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While Ezra 2:8 might initially appear as a dry statistic, it carries profound spiritual lessons for believers today. It reminds us that God, in His grand redemptive plan, cares about every individual and every family. Just as the children of Zattu were counted and known, so too are we known by God, each uniquely valued within His family. This verse encourages us to appreciate our place within the larger body of Christ, recognizing that every member, no matter how seemingly small or numerous, contributes to the collective work and identity of God's people. It challenges us to embrace our spiritual heritage, understanding that our identity in Christ is rooted in God's faithfulness across generations, and to live with the same diligence and commitment as those who returned to rebuild, knowing that our efforts, too, are counted and purposed by God.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the meticulous record-keeping in Ezra 2:8 affirm God's personal knowledge and care for each individual within His people?**
* **What significance does lineage and identity hold for believers today, not in terms of earthly heritage, but in our spiritual identity in Christ?**
* **In what ways can we, as members of God's family, contribute to the ongoing "rebuilding" of His kingdom in our generation?**
* **How does the fulfillment of God's promise to return the exiles, as evidenced by this census, strengthen our faith in His promises for our lives?**

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

Answer: Detailed lists like the one in Ezra 2, including Ezra 2:8, are crucial for several reasons. Historically, they provide concrete evidence of the fulfillment of prophecy regarding the return from exile, demonstrating God's faithfulness. Culturally, they affirmed the identity and legitimacy of the returning community, establishing land claims and ensuring the purity of priestly lines vital for re-establishing proper worship. Theologically, these lists underscore God's meticulous care for His people, showing that every individual and family is known and valued in His grand redemptive plan. They also highlight the organized and intentional nature of God's work in restoring His people and rebuilding His sanctuary in Jerusalem, as seen in the subsequent chapters detailing the construction of the altar and the Temple ([Ezra 3:2-13](/ezra/3-2 "Ezra 3:2-13 - Rebuilding the Altar and Temple Foundation")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The meticulous census in Ezra 2, including the precise count of "The children of Zattu, nine hundred forty and five," finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the New Covenant community, the Church. Just as the returning exiles were carefully enumerated as the remnant of Israel, so too are all believers in Christ "counted" and known by God as His chosen people, forming a spiritual lineage that transcends ethnic and national boundaries. Jesus Christ is the true Temple, and through Him, God is building a new spiritual house made of living stones ([1 Peter 2:5](/1_peter/2-5 "1 Peter 2:5 - Living Stones")). The meticulous record-keeping in Ezra foreshadows God's perfect knowledge of all those who belong to Christ, whose names are "written in the Lamb's book of life" ([Revelation 21:27](/revelation/21-27 "Revelation 21:27 - Names in the Book of Life")). The physical return to Jerusalem and the rebuilding of the Temple point to the greater spiritual restoration accomplished by Christ, who gathers His people from every tribe and nation into one body ([Ephesians 2:19-22](/ephesians/2-19 "Ephesians 2:19-22 - Fellow Citizens with Saints")), establishing a new covenant where all who believe are heirs according to the promise ([Galatians 3:29](/galatians/3-29 "Galatians 3:29 - Heirs According to the Promise")). The precise counting of Zattu's descendants beautifully illustrates God's sovereign and detailed plan to bring about His kingdom through Christ, ensuring that not one of His chosen ones is lost ([John 6:39](/john/6-39 "John 6:39 - None Lost")).

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.