Ezra 8:14

Of the sons also of Bigvai; Uthai, and Zabbud, and with them seventy males.

Of the sons {H1121} also of Bigvai {H902}; Uthai {H5793}, and Zabbud {H2072}{H2139}, and with them seventy {H7657} males {H2145}.

of the descendants of Bigvai: 'Utai and Zakur, and with them 70 males.

and from the descendants of Bigvai, both Uthai and Zaccur, and with them 70 men.

And of the sons of Bigvai, Uthai and Zabbud; and with them seventy males.

Commentary

Ezra 8:14 is a concise verse from the Old Testament, part of a detailed roster of Jewish families and their numbers who returned from Babylonian exile with Ezra the scribe.

Context

This verse is situated within Ezra chapter 8, which meticulously lists the heads of families and the total number of males who accompanied Ezra on the perilous journey from Babylon to Jerusalem. This was the second significant wave of returnees, occurring approximately 80 years after the first return led by Zerubbabel. Ezra, a priest and a skilled scribe in the Law of Moses, was divinely commissioned by King Artaxerxes of Persia to lead this group, bringing with them contributions for the Temple and the mandate to establish God's law in Judah. The careful enumeration of individuals like "Uthai, and Zabbud" from the "sons of Bigvai" and the "seventy males" under them underscores the meticulous nature of the record-keeping, vital for establishing community identity, land claims, and accountability within the newly re-forming Jewish society in post-exilic Judah.

Key Themes

  • Divine Order and Providence: The detailed record reflects God's meticulous care for His people, ensuring their orderly return and the preservation of their lineage. It highlights the divine hand orchestrating the restoration of Israel.
  • Community and Identity: The emphasis on family heads and their accompanying numbers underscores the importance of communal identity and the rebuilding of the nation, family by family. This meticulous listing reinforced who belonged to the covenant community.
  • Commitment to Restoration: These individuals demonstrated significant faith and commitment by leaving their established lives in Babylon to return to a desolate homeland, driven by a desire to rebuild Jerusalem and restore true worship.
  • Importance of Every Individual: Though seemingly just a list, each name represents a person who chose to participate in God's plan for restoration, highlighting that every individual contribution, no matter how seemingly small, is significant.

Linguistic Insights

The names mentioned are Hebrew and likely of Persian influence, reflecting the context of their exile. "Bigvai" (Bigway) is a prominent family name, also appearing in Nehemiah 7:19. The term "males" (Hebrew: zekarim) specifically denotes men, indicating that this count was likely for census purposes related to community strength or eligibility for certain duties, excluding women and children from this particular tally.

Practical Application

Ezra 8:14, though a seemingly dry list, offers valuable insights:

  • Valuing Every Member: It reminds us that every person within a community, especially a faith community, is important. Just as God meticulously recorded each family and individual, we should value the unique contributions of all who serve.
  • Commitment to God's Work: The readiness of these individuals to return and rebuild serves as an example of commitment and sacrifice for God's purposes. It challenges believers today to be willing to step out in faith for kingdom work.
  • Order and Accountability: The detailed record-keeping highlights the importance of order, accountability, and good stewardship in spiritual and organizational endeavors.
Note: Commentary was generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please remember that only the commentary section is AI-generated. The main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are sourced from trusted and verified materials.

Cross-References

  • Nehemiah 7:19

    The children of Bigvai, two thousand threescore and seven.

  • Ezra 2:14

    The children of Bigvai, two thousand fifty and six.

  • Nehemiah 10:12

    Zaccur, Sherebiah, Shebaniah,
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