Ezra 2:9

KJV

The children of Zaccai, seven hundred and threescore.

KJV (with Strong's)

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

Complete Jewish Bible

descendants of Zakkai 760

Berean Standard Bible

the descendants of Zaccai, 760;

American Standard Version

The children of Zaccai, seven hundred and threescore.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezra 2:9 meticulously records the number of individuals belonging to the family of Zaccai, specifically "seven hundred and threescore," among the first wave of Jewish exiles returning to Judah from Babylonian captivity. This verse is a precise entry within a comprehensive census, highlighting the scrupulous attention to detail in documenting those who responded to King Cyrus's decree to rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem, underscoring the divine faithfulness in fulfilling prophetic promises of restoration.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ezra 2:9 is situated within a lengthy and meticulously detailed register found in [Ezra 2:1-67](/ezra/2 "Ezra 2 - The List of Returnees"). This chapter serves as a crucial administrative document, listing the families, individuals, and even animals that comprised the initial return from Babylonian exile under the leadership of Zerubbabel and Jeshua. The purpose of this comprehensive census was multifaceted: to establish the legitimate identity of the returnees as God's covenant people, to delineate land claims, to verify eligibility for temple service (especially for priests and Levites, as seen in [Ezra 2:61-63](/ezra/2-61-63 "Ezra 2:61-63 - Exclusion from Priesthood")), and to quantify the scale of God's restorative work. The inclusion of specific family names like "the children of Zaccai" underscores the personal nature of this divine restoration within a larger national movement.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical backdrop for Ezra 2:9 is the post-exilic period, following the seventy-year Babylonian captivity prophesied by Jeremiah ([Jeremiah 29:10](/jeremiah/29-10 "Jeremiah 29:10 - Seventy Years of Exile")). In 538 BC, King Cyrus of Persia issued a decree ([Ezra 1:1-4](/ezra/1-1-4 "Ezra 1:1-4 - Cyrus's Decree")) allowing the Jews to return to their homeland and rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem. This was a monumental event, marking the end of a significant period of national punishment and the beginning of a new era of restoration. For ancient Israel, genealogies and family records were not mere historical curiosities; they were vital for maintaining tribal identity, proving lineage (especially for priestly and royal claims), validating land ownership, and ensuring ritual purity. The arduous journey back to Judah, often fraught with dangers and uncertainties, highlights the faith and commitment of these returnees, who chose to leave the relative stability of Babylon for the challenges of rebuilding a desolate homeland.
* **Key Themes:** The meticulous listing of families like "the children of Zaccai" contributes significantly to several overarching themes in Ezra. Firstly, it powerfully illustrates **Divine Faithfulness and Restoration**. The very existence of this list is tangible proof that God kept His covenant promises to bring His people back to the land after the predicted period of exile, echoing prophecies found in books like [Isaiah 43:5-7](/isaiah/43-5-7 "Isaiah 43:5-7 - God Gathers His People") and [Jeremiah 32:44](/jeremiah/32-44 "Jeremiah 32:44 - Restoration and Land Ownership"). Secondly, it emphasizes the **Importance of Identity and Lineage**. For a people whose national and religious identity was deeply intertwined with their ancestry and land, accurate family records were paramount for re-establishing their place in the covenant community and their roles in the re-inaugurated worship at the Temple. Finally, the detailed nature of the census, including seemingly small family units, underscores **God's Attention to Detail and Personal Care**. It demonstrates that in God's grand redemptive plan, every individual and family, no matter how seemingly insignificant, is known and valued, contributing to the collective restoration of His people.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Zaccai (Hebrew, _Zakkay'_):** This Hebrew name (זַכַּי) means "pure" or "innocent." The mention of "the children of Zaccai" therefore carries a subtle theological undertone, perhaps signifying a lineage that maintained a degree of spiritual or ritual purity, or simply serving as a descriptive name for the family head. Its inclusion highlights the preservation of distinct family lines through the long period of exile, demonstrating God's meticulous care in re-establishing His people.
* **threescore (English, archaic):** This is an archaic English term, common in the King James Version, meaning "three times twenty," which equates to sixty. Therefore, "seven hundred and threescore" precisely indicates a total of 760 individuals. Its usage reflects the historical linguistic style of the KJV, providing a precise numerical count that underscores the meticulous record-keeping of the returning community.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The children of Zaccai":** This phrase 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 crucial for establishing tribal affiliation, land rights, and social standing. It signifies the continuity of family identity even after generations in exile, a testament to the enduring structure of the Israelite community.
* **"seven hundred and threescore":** This precise numerical count (760) indicates the exact number of male individuals from the family of Zaccai who returned. The inclusion of such specific figures throughout Ezra 2 underscores the meticulous nature of the census. It was not a rough estimate but a careful tabulation, vital for administrative purposes, for understanding the scale of the return, and for demonstrating the tangible fulfillment of God's promise to bring His people back.

#### Literary Devices
Ezra 2:9, as part of a larger list, primarily employs the literary device of **Register** or **Census**. This is a detailed, systematic enumeration of people, families, or resources, serving as a historical record. The meticulous nature of this register lends **Verisimilitude** to the narrative, asserting the historical accuracy and administrative reality of the return. Furthermore, the very existence of such a detailed list can be seen as a form of **Symbolism**, representing the divine faithfulness to a covenant people, the re-establishment of order out of chaos, and the meticulous care of God for each individual within His grand plan. The repetition of the pattern "The children of [Name], [Number]" throughout [Ezra 2](/ezra/2 "Ezra 2 - The List of Returnees") creates a **Litany**, emphasizing the sheer volume and diversity of the returning exiles and reinforcing the theme of collective restoration.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezra 2:9, though seemingly a dry statistical entry, is deeply significant. It serves as a powerful testament to God's unwavering covenant faithfulness. The return from exile was not a mere political expediency but the direct fulfillment of divine prophecy, demonstrating that God remembers His promises and meticulously orchestrates their realization, even down to the individual families involved. The inclusion of precise numbers underscores that God's plan is not abstract but involves real people, each known and accounted for. This meticulous record-keeping reflects God's ordered nature and His commitment to re-establishing His people in their land, 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 redemptive history.

* [Nehemiah 7:14](/nehemiah/7-14 "Nehemiah 7:14 - The Children of Zaccai in Nehemiah's Census")
* [Jeremiah 32:44](/jeremiah/32-44 "Jeremiah 32:44 - Restoration of Land and People")
* [Isaiah 43:5-7](/isaiah/43-5-7 "Isaiah 43:5-7 - God Gathers His Scattered People")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The seemingly mundane detail of Ezra 2:9, listing the "children of Zaccai" and their number, holds profound spiritual lessons for us today. It reminds us that God's grand redemptive narrative is not just about sweeping historical movements but is intimately concerned with individuals and families. Each person in that list, including the 760 from Zaccai's household, was known by God, called by Him, and played a part in His unfolding plan of restoration. This should encourage us that our lives, our families, and our contributions, no matter how small they may seem in the vast tapestry of God's work, are deeply valued and accounted for by Him. It also serves as a powerful reminder of God's 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 seems long or the details obscure. We are invited to embrace our place within God's ongoing story, contributing to the building of His spiritual house and living out our faith with the same intentionality and sense of purpose as these 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?**
* **In what ways does understanding our spiritual lineage or community history strengthen our faith and sense of purpose today?**
* **How can we recognize and value God's attention to detail in our own lives 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 purposes. Firstly, it provides historical validation and authentication of the returnees. In a society where lineage determined identity, land rights, and eligibility for religious service, this register was essential. For example, some individuals were excluded from the priesthood because their genealogies could not be verified ([Ezra 2:61-63](/ezra/2-61-63 "Ezra 2:61-63 - Exclusion from Priesthood")). Secondly, it demonstrates the scale of God's faithfulness in fulfilling His prophetic promises of restoration, showing that a significant number of people responded to His call. Finally, it 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 to the head of a specific family whose descendants returned from exile. This same family, "the children of Zaccai," is also listed with the same number (760) in [Nehemiah 7:14](/nehemiah/7-14 "Nehemiah 7:14 - The Children of Zaccai in Nehemiah's Census"), which is a parallel account of the returnees. There isn't another prominent individual named Zaccai mentioned elsewhere in the biblical narrative in a way that suggests a direct connection to this family head. The focus here is on the family lineage rather than the individual 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 precision. In a book that emphasizes the fulfillment of prophecy and the re-establishment of order, exact numbers lend credibility and highlight the meticulous nature of God's work and the human effort involved. It demonstrates that the return was not a chaotic, disorganized event, but a carefully managed process, where every individual was counted. 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 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, powerfully foreshadows the spiritual restoration and new community established through Jesus Christ. While Ezra focuses on a physical lineage and a geographical return, Christ's work accomplishes a far greater exodus from the bondage of sin and a gathering of a new people, not primarily by bloodline, but by faith ([Galatians 3:28-29](/galatians/3-28-29 "Galatians 3:28-29 - Heirs According to the Promise")). The name "Zaccai," meaning "pure" or "innocent," subtly points to the ultimate purity and innocence found only in Christ, the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"). The detailed census in Ezra highlights God's personal knowledge of each individual in His redemptive plan, a truth fully realized in Christ, who knows His sheep by name ([John 10:3](/john/10-3 "John 10:3 - The Shepherd Calls His Own Sheep by Name")). The returnees in Ezra were rebuilding a physical temple, but through Christ, believers become living stones in a spiritual temple, the dwelling place of God's Spirit ([1 Peter 2:5](/1_peter/2-5 "1 Peter 2:5 - Living Stones in a Spiritual House"); [Ephesians 2:19-22](/ephesians/2-19-22 "Ephesians 2:19-22 - Fellow Citizens with the Saints")). 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 kingdom of Christ ([Revelation 7:9-10](/revelation/7-9-10 "Revelation 7:9-10 - A Great Multitude from Every Nation")).

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.