What number verse is Ezra 2:9 in the Bible?

Ezra 2:9 is the 12,037th verse of the Bible. Counting straight through the King James canon — all 31,102 verses from Genesis 1:1 to Revelation 22:21 — Ezra 2:9 sits at position 12,037.

Translation

King James Version

The children of Zaccai, seven hundred and threescore.

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KJV (with Strong's)

The children ^H1121 of Zaccai ^H2140, seven ^H7651 hundred ^H3967 and threescore ^H8346.

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Complete Jewish Bible

descendants of Zakkai 760

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Berean Standard Bible

the descendants of Zaccai, 760;

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American Standard Version

The children of Zaccai, seven hundred and threescore.

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World English Bible Messianic

The children of Zaccai, seven hundred sixty.

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Geneva Bible (1599)

The sonnes of Zaccai, seuen hundreth and threescore:

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Young's Literal Translation

Sons of Zaccai, seven hundred and sixty.

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Study This Verse

SUMMARY

Ezra 2:9 precisely records the number of individuals from the family of Zaccai, totaling "seven hundred and threescore," who were among the initial wave of Jewish exiles returning to Judah from Babylonian captivity. This verse is an integral part of a comprehensive census, meticulously documenting those who responded to King Cyrus's decree to rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem, thereby underscoring God's faithfulness in fulfilling His prophetic promises of national and spiritual restoration.

CONTEXT

Literary Context: Ezra 2:9 is embedded within a lengthy and highly detailed register of returnees, spanning Ezra 2:1-67. This chapter functions as a foundational administrative document, meticulously cataloging the families, individuals, and even the livestock that comprised the first wave of exiles returning from Babylon under the leadership of Zerubbabel and Jeshua. The primary purpose of this exhaustive census was multifaceted: to authenticate the identity of the returnees as legitimate members of God's covenant people, to establish their rightful claims to ancestral lands, to verify eligibility for sacred temple service (especially for priests and Levites, as exemplified in the strict lineage requirements noted in Ezra 2:61-63), and to quantify the remarkable scale of God's restorative work. The inclusion of specific family names, such as "the children of Zaccai," emphasizes the personal and familial dimension of this divine restoration within the broader national movement.
Historical & Cultural Context: The historical setting for Ezra 2:9 is the pivotal post-exilic period, immediately following the seventy-year Babylonian captivity, a period of judgment prophesied by Jeremiah (Jeremiah 29:10). In 538 BC, King Cyrus of Persia issued a landmark decree, recorded in Ezra 1:1-4, granting the Jewish people permission to return to their homeland and rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem. This event marked a monumental turning point, signaling the conclusion of a significant era of national punishment and the dawn of a new age of restoration. For ancient Israel, genealogies and family records were far from mere historical footnotes; they were absolutely essential for preserving tribal identity, substantiating claims to priestly or royal lineage, validating land ownership, and ensuring ritual purity. The arduous and often perilous journey back to Judah highlights the profound faith and unwavering commitment of these returnees, who chose to abandon the relative stability of Babylon for the immense challenges of re-establishing a desolate homeland.
Key Themes: The meticulous enumeration of families like "the children of Zaccai" in Ezra 2 contributes significantly to several overarching theological themes within the book. Firstly, it powerfully illustrates Divine Faithfulness and Restoration. The very existence of this detailed list serves as tangible proof that God meticulously kept His covenant promises to bring His people back to their land after the foretold period of exile, echoing the assurances found in prophetic books such as Isaiah 43:5-7 and Jeremiah 32:44. Secondly, it underscores the profound Importance of Identity and Lineage. For a people whose national and religious identity was inextricably linked to their ancestry and their land, accurate family records were paramount for re-establishing their rightful place within the covenant community and their roles in the re-inaugurated worship at the Temple. Finally, the highly detailed nature of the census, including seemingly small family units, highlights God's Attention to Detail and Personal Care. It powerfully demonstrates that within God's grand redemptive plan, every individual and family, regardless of their apparent significance, is known, valued, and plays a vital role in the collective restoration of His people.

EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

Key Word Analysis

children (Hebrew, bên', H1121): This Hebrew term (H1121) literally means "son," but in its broadest sense, it encompasses descendants, offspring, or members of a family or group. In "the children of Zaccai," it signifies the direct lineage or household associated with the patriarch Zaccai, emphasizing the continuity of family identity and the corporate nature of the return from exile. This term highlights the foundational unit of Israelite society and the meticulous accounting of each family's contribution to the re-establishment of the nation.
Zaccai (Hebrew, Zakkay', H2140): This proper name (H2140) derives from a root meaning "pure" or "innocent." While primarily identifying a family head, its etymological meaning subtly resonates with the broader themes of purification and renewed covenant faithfulness that were central to the post-exilic community's identity. The preservation of this specific family line, bearing a name associated with purity, underscores God's meticulous care in re-gathering His people and preparing them for renewed worship.
threescore (Hebrew, shishshîym', H8346): This archaic English term (H8346) from the King James Version precisely translates to "sixty." Thus, "seven hundred and threescore" explicitly denotes a total of 760 individuals. The use of this precise numerical value, alongside "seven hundred" (H7651 + H3967), emphasizes the meticulous record-keeping and administrative exactitude that characterized the census of the returning exiles. It underscores the tangible and quantifiable nature of the restoration, demonstrating that the return was a carefully managed and documented event.

Verse Breakdown

"The children of Zaccai": This opening phrase clearly identifies a specific family unit, tracing its lineage back to a patriarch named Zaccai. In ancient Israelite society, identifying individuals by their family head was paramount for establishing tribal affiliation, validating land rights, and determining social and religious standing. This designation signifies the enduring continuity of family identity, even after generations spent in exile, serving as a testament to the resilient and structured nature of the Israelite community.
"seven hundred and threescore": This precise numerical count, equating to 760 individuals, specifies the exact number of male members from the family of Zaccai who participated in the return. The inclusion of such specific figures throughout Ezra 2 underscores the meticulous and administrative nature of the census. It was not a rough estimation but a careful tabulation, vital for practical administrative purposes, for understanding the overall scale of the return, and for demonstrating the tangible and verifiable fulfillment of God's promise to bring His people back to their land.

Literary Devices

Ezra 2:9, as an individual entry within a larger compilation, primarily employs the literary device of Register or Census. This technique involves a detailed, systematic enumeration of people, families, or resources, serving as an official historical and administrative record. The meticulous nature of this register lends significant Verisimilitude to the narrative, asserting the historical accuracy and administrative reality of the return from exile. Furthermore, the very existence of such a precise and detailed list can be interpreted as a form of Symbolism, representing God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant people, the re-establishment of divine order out of the chaos of exile, and the meticulous care God extends to each individual within His grand redemptive plan. The recurring pattern of "The children of [Name], [Number]" throughout Ezra 2 creates a Litany, which serves to emphasize the sheer volume, diversity, and collective unity of the returning exiles, powerfully reinforcing the overarching theme of national restoration.

THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS

Ezra 2:9, despite its seemingly dry statistical nature, carries profound theological weight. It serves as a powerful testament to God's unwavering covenant faithfulness. The return from Babylonian exile was not merely a political or demographic event but the direct and precise fulfillment of divine prophecy, demonstrating that God remembers His promises and meticulously orchestrates their realization, even down to the specific families and individuals involved. The inclusion of precise numbers underscores that God's plan is not an abstract concept but intimately involves real people, each known and accounted for in His grand design. This meticulous record-keeping reflects God's ordered nature and His steadfast commitment to re-establishing His people in their land, thereby preparing the way for the rebuilding of the Temple and the re-institution of proper worship, all of which were crucial steps in the unfolding of His comprehensive redemptive history.

REFLECTION AND APPLICATION

The seemingly mundane detail of Ezra 2:9, which meticulously lists "the children of Zaccai" and their precise number, holds profound spiritual lessons for believers today. It serves as a powerful reminder that God's grand redemptive narrative is not solely about sweeping historical movements or abstract theological concepts, but is intimately concerned with individuals and families. Every person listed in that ancient census, including the 760 individuals from Zaccai's household, was known by God, called by Him, and played a vital part in His unfolding plan of restoration. This truth should profoundly encourage us, reminding us that our own lives, our families, and our contributions, no matter how seemingly small they may appear in the vast tapestry of God's work, are deeply valued, known, and accounted for by Him. Furthermore, this verse stands as a powerful testament to God's unwavering faithfulness; just as He meticulously fulfilled His promise to bring His people back from exile, He remains faithful to His promises to us, even when the path ahead seems long, uncertain, or the details of His plan remain obscure. We are invited to embrace our unique place within God's ongoing story, contributing to the building of His spiritual house and living out our faith with the same intentionality, commitment, and sense of divine purpose as these courageous returning exiles.

Questions for Reflection

How does the meticulous record-keeping in Ezra 2 affirm God's faithfulness to His promises, even in seemingly minor details of our lives?
In what ways does understanding our spiritual lineage or community history strengthen our faith and sense of purpose in God's ongoing work today?
How can we cultivate a greater awareness and appreciation for God's attention to detail in our own personal journeys and in the broader sweep of His redemptive plan?

FAQ

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

Answer: The inclusion of such a meticulous list in Ezra 2 serves several critical theological and practical purposes. Firstly, it provides historical validation and authentication of the returnees, crucial in a society where lineage determined identity, land rights, and eligibility for sacred religious service. For instance, some individuals were explicitly excluded from the priesthood because their genealogies could not be verified (Ezra 2:61-63). Secondly, this detailed register powerfully demonstrates the scale of God's faithfulness in fulfilling His prophetic promises of restoration, showing that a significant number of people responded to His divine call. Finally, it profoundly underscores God's personal care and attention to detail; every family and individual was known and accounted for in His grand plan to re-establish His covenant people in their land.

Is the "Zaccai" mentioned here the same as any other Zaccai in the Bible?

Answer: The "Zaccai" in Ezra 2:9 refers specifically to the head of a particular family whose descendants returned from the Babylonian exile. This same family, "the children of Zaccai," is also listed with the identical number (760) in Nehemiah 7:14, which is a parallel account of the returnees. There is no other prominent individual named Zaccai mentioned elsewhere in the biblical narrative in a way that suggests a direct connection to this specific family head. The primary focus in these lists is on the continuity and identity of the family lineage rather than on the individual Zaccai himself beyond his role as an ancestor.

What is the significance of the number "seven hundred and threescore"?

Answer: The number "seven hundred and threescore" (760) is significant primarily for its remarkable precision within the biblical narrative. In a book that emphasizes the exact fulfillment of prophecy and the meticulous re-establishment of order after a period of chaos, exact numbers lend immense credibility and highlight the precise nature of God's work and the human effort involved. It demonstrates that the return was not a chaotic or disorganized event, but a carefully managed and documented process, where every individual was counted and accounted for. This precision underscores the tangible reality of God's restoration, emphasizing that a substantial number of people, including a significant contingent from Zaccai's family, committed themselves to the arduous journey back to Judah to rebuild their community and the Temple.

CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT

The meticulous record-keeping of families like "the children of Zaccai" in Ezra 2, detailing the physical return of God's people to their promised land, serves as a powerful foreshadowing of the profound spiritual restoration and the new, inclusive community established through Jesus Christ. While Ezra focuses on a physical lineage and a geographical return, Christ's redemptive work accomplishes a far greater exodus from the bondage of sin and a gathering of a new people, not primarily by bloodline or ethnic origin, but by faith in Him (Galatians 3:28-29). The very name "Zaccai," meaning "pure" or "innocent," subtly points to the ultimate purity and blamelessness found only in Christ, the perfect Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. The detailed census in Ezra highlights God's personal knowledge of each individual participating in His redemptive plan, a truth fully realized in Christ, who knows His sheep by name and calls them out (John 10:3). The returnees in Ezra were diligently rebuilding a physical temple in Jerusalem, but through Christ, believers from every nation become living stones in a spiritual temple, the very dwelling place of God's Spirit (1 Peter 2:5; Ephesians 2:19-22). Thus, the historical account of the children of Zaccai, meticulously counted and returned, finds its ultimate and glorious fulfillment in the vast, diverse, and spiritually pure family of God, gathered from every nation, tribe, people, and language into the eternal kingdom of Christ (Revelation 7:9-10).

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Commentary on Ezra 2 verses 1–35

1 ¶ Now these are the children of the province that went up out of the captivity, of those which had been carried away, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away unto Babylon, and came again unto Jerusalem and Judah, every one unto his city;

2 Which came with Zerubbabel: Jeshua, Nehemiah, Seraiah, Reelaiah, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispar, Bigvai, Rehum, Baanah. The number of the men of the people of Israel:

3 The children of Parosh, two thousand an hundred seventy and two.

4 The children of Shephatiah, three hundred seventy and two.

5 The children of Arah, seven hundred seventy and five.

6 The children of Pahathmoab, of the children of Jeshua and Joab, two thousand eight hundred and twelve.

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

8 The children of Zattu, nine hundred forty and five.

9 The children of Zaccai, seven hundred and threescore.

10 The children of Bani, six hundred forty and two.

11 The children of Bebai, six hundred twenty and three.

12 The children of Azgad, a thousand two hundred twenty and two.

13 The children of Adonikam, six hundred sixty and six.

14 The children of Bigvai, two thousand fifty and six.

15 The children of Adin, four hundred fifty and four.

16 The children of Ater of Hezekiah, ninety and eight.

17 The children of Bezai, three hundred twenty and three.

18 The children of Jorah, an hundred and twelve.

19 The children of Hashum, two hundred twenty and three.

20 The children of Gibbar, ninety and five.

21 The children of Bethlehem, an hundred twenty and three.

22 The men of Netophah, fifty and six.

23 The men of Anathoth, an hundred twenty and eight.

24 The children of Azmaveth, forty and two.

25 The children of Kirjatharim, Chephirah, and Beeroth, seven hundred and forty and three.

26 The children of Ramah and Gaba, six hundred twenty and one.

27 The men of Michmas, an hundred twenty and two.

28 The men of Bethel and Ai, two hundred twenty and three.

29 The children of Nebo, fifty and two.

30 The children of Magbish, an hundred fifty and six.

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

32 The children of Harim, three hundred and twenty.

33 The children of Lod, Hadid, and Ono, seven hundred twenty and five.

34 The children of Jericho, three hundred forty and five.

35 The children of Senaah, three thousand and six hundred and thirty.

We may observe here, 1. That an account was kept in writing of the families that came up out of captivity, and the numbers of each family. This was done for their honour, as part of their recompence for their faith and courage, their confidence in God and their affection to their own land, and to stir up others to follow their good example. Those that honour God he will thus honour. The names of all those Israelites indeed that accept the offer of deliverance by Christ shall be found, to their honour, in a more sacred record than this, even in the Lamb's book of life. The account that was kept of the families that came up from the captivity was intended also for the benefit of posterity, that they might know from whom they descended and to whom they were allied. 2. That they are called children of the province. Judah, which had been an illustrious kingdom, to which other kingdoms had been made provinces, subject to it and dependent on it, was now itself made a province, to receive laws and commissions from the king of Persia and to be accountable to him. See how sin diminishes and debases a nation, which righteousness would exalt. But by thus being made servants (as the patriarchs by being sojourners in a country which was theirs by promise) they were reminded of the better country, that is, the heavenly (Heb 11:16), a kingdom which cannot be moved, or changed into a province. 3. That they are said to come every one to his city, that is, the city appointed them, in which appointment an eye, no doubt, was had to their former settlement by Joshua; and to that, as near as might be, they returned: for it does not appear that any others, at least any that were able to oppose them, had possessed them in their absence. 4. That the leaders are first mentioned, v. 2. Zerubbabel and Jeshua were their Moses and Aaron, the former their chief prince, the latter their chief priest. Nehemiah and Mordecai are mentioned here; some think not the same with the famous men we afterwards meet with of those names: probably they were the same, but afterwards returned to court for the service of their country. 5. Some of these several families are named from the persons that were their ancestors, others from the places in which they had formerly resided; as with us many surnames are the proper names of persons, others of places. 6. Some little difference there is between the numbers of some of the families here and in Neh. 7, where this catalogue is repeated, which might arise from this, that some who had given in their names at first to come afterwards drew back - said, I go, Sir, but went not, which would lessen the number of the families they belonged to; others that declined, at first, afterwards repented and went, and so increased the number. 7. Here are two families that are called the children of Elam (one Ezr 2:7, another Ezr 2:31), and, which is strange, the number of both is the same, 1254. 8. The children of Adonikam, which signifies a high lord, were 666, just the number of the beast (Rev 13:18), which is there said to be the number of a man, which, Mr. Hugh Broughton thinks, has reference to this man. 9. The children of Bethlehem (Ezr 2:21) were but 123, though it was David's city; for Bethlehem was little among the thousands of Judah, yet there must the Messiah arise, Mic 5:2. 10. Anathoth had been a famous place in the tribe of Benjamin and yet here it numbered but 128 (v. 23), which is to be imputed to the divine curse which the men of Anathoth brought upon themselves by persecuting Jeremiah, who was of their city. Jer 11:21, Jer 11:23, There shall be no remnant of them, for I will bring evil upon the men of Anathoth. And see Isa 10:30, O poor Anathoth! Nothing brings ruin on a people sooner than persecution.

Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 1–35. Public domain.

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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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