Ezra 8:4

KJV

Of the sons of Pahathmoab; Elihoenai the son of Zerahiah, and with him two hundred males.

KJV (with Strong's)

Of the sons {H1121} of Pahathmoab {H6355}; Elihoenai {H454} the son {H1121} of Zerahiah {H2228}, and with him two hundred {H3967} males {H2145}.

Complete Jewish Bible

of the descendants of Pachat-Mo'av: Ely'ho'einai the son of Z'rachyah, and with him 200 males;

Berean Standard Bible

from the descendants of Pahath-Moab, Eliehoenai son of Zerahiah, and with him 200 men;

American Standard Version

Of the sons of Pahath-moab, Eliehoenai the son of Zerahiah; and with him two hundred males.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezra 8:4 meticulously lists Elihoenai, a descendant of the prominent family of Pahathmoab, as one of the family heads who accompanied Ezra on the second major return of Jewish exiles from Babylon to Jerusalem. This verse, with its specific mention of two hundred males under Elihoenai's leadership, highlights the significant contribution of individual families to the collective effort of re-establishing the Jewish community in Judah, underscoring the importance of lineage and communal participation in the post-exilic restoration.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ezra 8:4 is situated within a detailed roster of returning exiles, immediately following Ezra's commission by King Artaxerxes in [Ezra 7](/ezra/7 "Ezra's Journey to Jerusalem"). This chapter serves as a crucial bridge between Ezra's arrival and the subsequent actions of communal repentance and spiritual reform. The meticulous listing of family heads and their numbers (Ezra 8:1-14) emphasizes the organized and deliberate nature of this second wave of returnees, contrasting with the more general account of the first return under Zerubbabel in [Ezra 2](/ezra/2 "The First Return from Exile"). The careful accounting of individuals and families not only validates their participation but also sets the stage for the perilous journey ahead (Ezra 8:21-23) and the subsequent rebuilding efforts in Jerusalem.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The return described in Ezra 8 occurred during the reign of Artaxerxes I (465-424 BC), approximately 80 years after the first return. The Persian Empire, which had allowed the exiles to return, maintained control over Judah as a province. In this period, accurate genealogies were paramount for Jewish identity, land ownership, and the proper functioning of the priesthood and temple service. The family of Pahathmoab, mentioned here, was a significant clan, also appearing in lists from the first return ([Ezra 2:6](/ezra/2-6 "Pahathmoab in the First Return")) and Nehemiah's time ([Nehemiah 7:11](/nehemiah/7-11 "Pahathmoab in Nehemiah's Census")), indicating their enduring prominence. The journey from Babylon to Jerusalem was long and dangerous, fraught with risks from bandits and hostile populations, making the size and organization of each family contingent a vital factor for safety and success.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several overarching themes in Ezra. Firstly, **Genealogy and Lineage** are central, reinforcing the continuity of God's covenant people despite exile. The meticulous record-keeping underscores the divine preservation of Israel's identity and heritage, crucial for the re-establishment of the nation and its religious practices. Secondly, the theme of **Return and Restoration** is powerfully evident, as each listed family represents a tangible fulfillment of God's prophetic promises to bring His people back to their land after seventy years of exile, as foretold by prophets like Jeremiah ([Jeremiah 29:10-14](/jeremiah/29-10 "Jeremiah's Prophecy of Restoration")). Finally, the mention of "two hundred males" highlights the theme of **Community and Contribution**. The collective effort of diverse families and individuals, each bringing their resources and strength, was essential for the daunting task of rebuilding Jerusalem, the temple, and the spiritual life of the nation, emphasizing that every part of the body is vital to the whole.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Pahathmoab (Hebrew, _Paḥath Mo'av_):** This name literally means "governor of Moab" or "pit of Moab." While its precise origin for this family is debated, it denotes a well-established and sizable clan among the returning exiles, indicating a significant lineage that maintained its identity and prominence even after generations in exile. Their consistent appearance in lists of returnees (e.g., [Ezra 2:6](/ezra/2-6 "Pahathmoab in Ezra 2") and [Nehemiah 7:11](/nehemiah/7-11 "Pahathmoab in Nehemiah 7")) speaks to their historical continuity and importance in the post-exilic community.
* **Elihoenai (Hebrew, _'Eliho'enai_):** A beautiful Hebrew name meaning "My God is my eyes" or "Towards whom are my eyes but God." This name reflects a deep theological conviction, suggesting a profound reliance on and devotion to God. For a leader in the returning community, such a name could signify a person whose vision and direction were entirely fixed on the divine will, embodying the spiritual posture necessary for the arduous and faith-driven journey back to Jerusalem.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Of the sons of Pahathmoab;":** This phrase identifies the familial lineage of the group, emphasizing the importance of tribal and family identity in ancient Israel, particularly after the exile. Belonging to a recognized family like Pahathmoab, which had a significant presence among the exiles, provided a sense of continuity, heritage, and communal belonging crucial for re-establishing the nation.
* **"Elihoenai the son of Zerahiah,":** This specifies the individual leader from the Pahathmoab lineage. The full patronymic (Elihoenai, son of Zerahiah) provides precise identification, highlighting the meticulous nature of Ezra's record-keeping. It underscores the role of specific individuals as responsible heads of their respective family units, entrusted with leading their kinsmen back to Judah.
* **"and with him two hundred males.":** This clause quantifies the number of men accompanying Elihoenai. The "males" (Hebrew: _zāḵār_) typically refers to adult men, likely heads of households or eligible for military service, indicating a substantial and capable contingent. This detail emphasizes the collective strength and contribution of each family to the overall size and security of Ezra's expedition, illustrating the communal effort required for the restoration of Jerusalem.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in Ezra 8:1-14, including verse 4, is **Cataloging** or **List-making**. Ezra meticulously lists the family heads and the number of males accompanying them, creating a detailed inventory of the returning exiles. This technique serves several purposes: it provides historical validation, emphasizing the authenticity and divine orchestration of the return; it underscores the importance of **Genealogy** and lineage in establishing identity and continuity for the post-exilic community; and it highlights the collective nature of the undertaking, where each individual and family, no matter how small or large, contributed to the grand narrative of restoration. The **Repetition** of the formula "Of the sons of [family name]; [leader's name]... and with him [number] males" reinforces the systematic and organized nature of the return, imbuing the seemingly mundane details with theological significance as a testament to God's faithfulness in gathering His scattered people.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezra 8:4, though a seemingly dry genealogical entry, is rich with theological significance. It speaks to God's meticulous care for His covenant people, even in their dispersion. The preservation of specific lineages and the divine orchestration of their return demonstrate God's unwavering commitment to His promises of restoration and the re-establishment of His people in their land. This verse underscores the importance of every individual and family in God's grand redemptive plan, showing that even seemingly small contributions are vital to the larger work of spiritual and national renewal. It reflects a theology of divine providence, where God works through human agents and their specific identities to bring about His sovereign purposes.

* [Ezra 2:6](/ezra/2-6 "Pahathmoab in the First Return")
* [Nehemiah 7:11](/nehemiah/7-11 "Pahathmoab in Nehemiah's Census")
* [Jeremiah 29:10](/jeremiah/29-10 "God's Plans for Restoration")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezra 8:4 invites us to consider the profound significance of our individual contributions within the larger tapestry of God's work. Just as Elihoenai and his 200 men were indispensable to the physical return and rebuilding of Jerusalem, so too is every believer's unique gifting and participation vital to the ongoing work of God's kingdom today. This verse reminds us that God sees and values the "details" – our names, our families, our specific callings, and the unique ways we contribute. It challenges us to embrace our identity in Christ, recognizing that we are part of a spiritual lineage far greater than any earthly one, called to participate actively in His redemptive mission. Our faithfulness in seemingly small or ordinary tasks contributes to God's extraordinary purposes, demonstrating that divine providence works through the willing hands and hearts of His people.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the meticulous detail of Ezra 8:4 encourage you about God's attention to individual lives and contributions?**
* **In what ways can you identify with Elihoenai's leadership in bringing others along in a spiritual journey or communal effort?**
* **What "two hundred males" (i.e., resources, talents, or people) has God entrusted to you to lead or contribute to His kingdom work?**
* **How does understanding the importance of lineage in Ezra's time inform your understanding of your spiritual identity in Christ?**

### FAQ
**Why are these detailed genealogical lists so important in Ezra?**

Answer: These detailed genealogical lists are critically important for several reasons. First, they establish the **legitimacy and identity** of the returning exiles as the true descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, confirming their right to the land and their place in God's covenant. Second, they were essential for **re-establishing the temple service**, as only those of verified priestly or Levitical lineage could serve in specific roles. Third, they were crucial for **land inheritance and social order**, ensuring that families could reclaim their ancestral properties. Finally, from a theological perspective, these lists demonstrate God's faithfulness in preserving a remnant of His people, fulfilling His promises to bring them back to the land and rebuild their nation, showing His meticulous care for the details of His redemptive plan ([Ezra 2:59-63](/ezra/2-59 "Genealogical Verification")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ezra 8:4, with its focus on lineage, return, and the gathering of a people under specific leadership, finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ. While earthly genealogies were vital for establishing identity and right to the land in the Old Testament, Christ establishes a new, spiritual lineage through faith, transcending ethnic or tribal boundaries ([Galatians 3:28](/galatians/3-28 "No Jew or Gentile in Christ")). He is the true "Elihoenai," the one whose "eyes are on God," perfectly embodying reliance on the Father and leading His people in the ultimate return from spiritual exile to God's presence. Just as Elihoenai gathered 200 males for a physical journey, Christ gathers a spiritual multitude – the Church – from every nation, tribe, and tongue, bringing them into a new covenant community ([Revelation 7:9-10](/revelation/7-9 "Multitude from Every Nation")). He is the ultimate leader who brings about the true restoration, not merely to a physical land, but to fellowship with God, fulfilling the deepest longings for belonging and purpose that the returning exiles sought. His sacrifice on the cross makes this spiritual return possible, ushering in a new era where identity is found not in earthly descent but in being "in Christ" ([2 Corinthians 5:17](/2_corinthians/5-17 "New Creation in Christ")), and where the "two hundred males" represent the countless souls he draws to himself for the building of His eternal kingdom ([John 12:32](/john/12-32 "Jesus Draws All 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.

Cross-References

Ezra 2:6

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

Nehemiah 7:11

The children of Pahathmoab, of the children of Jeshua and Joab, two thousand and eight hundred [and] eighteen.

Nehemiah 10:14

The chief of the people; Parosh, Pahathmoab, Elam, Zatthu, Bani,