Ezra 8:5

KJV

Of the sons of Shechaniah; the son of Jahaziel, and with him three hundred males.

KJV (with Strong's)

Of the sons {H1121} of Shechaniah {H7935}; the son {H1121} of Jahaziel {H3166}, and with him three {H7969} hundred {H3967} males {H2145}.

Complete Jewish Bible

of the descendants of Sh'khanyah: the son of Yachazi'el, and with him 300 males;

Berean Standard Bible

from the descendants of Zattu, Shecaniah son of Jahaziel, and with him 300 men;

American Standard Version

Of the sons of Shecaniah, the son of Jahaziel; and with him three hundred males.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezra 8:5 is a concise yet significant entry within the detailed roster of Jewish families and their leaders who accompanied Ezra on the second major return from Babylonian exile to Jerusalem. This verse specifically identifies a contingent "Of the sons of Shechaniah" led by "the son of Jahaziel," noting that this particular family group comprised three hundred males. It highlights the meticulous record-keeping essential for the post-exilic community, underscoring the ordered and purposeful nature of the divine plan for Israel's restoration.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ezra 8:5 is situated within a crucial section (Ezra 8:1-14) that meticulously lists the heads of ancestral houses and the number of males accompanying them on the second major return to Jerusalem from Babylonian exile. This list immediately follows Ezra's account of his commission by King Artaxerxes to lead this return and enforce the Law of God in Judah (Ezra 7). The detailed enumeration serves as a vital historical record, demonstrating the organized and purposeful nature of this spiritual endeavor. It sets the stage for the journey itself, emphasizing the human commitment and divine orchestration required for the rebuilding of Jerusalem, the Temple, and the spiritual life of the nation. The precision of these records reflects the importance of identity, lineage, and accountability within the returning community, laying a foundational administrative framework for the re-establishment of Israelite society.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The return described in Ezra 8 occurred in the seventh year of King Artaxerxes I (circa 458 BC), approximately 80 years after the first return led by Zerubbabel and Jeshua. The Jewish people had endured seventy years of exile in Babylon, a period prophesied by Jeremiah (e.g., [Jeremiah 29:10](/jeremiah/29-10 "Jeremiah 29:10 - Prophecy of Seventy Years of Exile")). Persian policy under Cyrus and his successors generally allowed conquered peoples to return to their homelands and rebuild their temples, fostering stability within the vast empire. For the Jews, this was not merely a political concession but a fulfillment of divine promise. Genealogies and meticulous record-keeping were paramount in ancient Israelite society, serving to establish tribal identity, verify claims to land, ensure proper inheritance, and, critically, confirm priestly and Levitical lineage for temple service (as seen in [Ezra 2:62](/ezra/2-62 "Ezra 2:62 - Verification of Priestly Lineage")). The journey itself was fraught with danger, making the commitment of these "males" a significant act of faith and courage.
* **Key Themes:** Ezra 8:5 contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Ezra and the broader post-exilic narrative. Firstly, it highlights **Meticulous Record-Keeping and Genealogy**, underscoring the divine and human importance of lineage and identity. The detailed enumeration, including names like Shechaniah and Jahaziel, was crucial for maintaining tribal distinctions, verifying claims, and ensuring proper temple service, reflecting God's attention to order and the identity of His covenant people. Secondly, it illustrates **Divine Providence and Human Organization**. While the return was divinely orchestrated, Ezra's meticulous cataloging of participants demonstrates the practical and responsible steps taken by human leaders to ensure a successful and orderly journey. This partnership between divine will and human responsibility is a recurring motif. Finally, this verse, as part of the larger list of returnees, powerfully contributes to the theme of **Restoration and Renewal**. Each name and number represents families committed to rebuilding Jerusalem, the temple, and the spiritual life of the nation after generations in captivity, embodying the hope of a renewed covenant relationship with God.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Shechaniah (Hebrew, שְׁכַנְיָה, _Shekhanyah_):** This name, meaning "Dweller with Yah" or "Yah has dwelt," appears multiple times in the Old Testament, often associated with priestly or prominent families. In this context, it signifies a foundational ancestor or head of a significant family line that persisted through the exile and remained committed to their heritage and the call to return. The name itself carries a theological resonance, suggesting a family whose identity was tied to God's presence among His people, even in diaspora.
* **Jahaziel (Hebrew, יַחֲזִיאֵל, _Yaḥazi'el_):** Meaning "God sees" or "God beholds," Jahaziel is presented here as a direct descendant or prominent leader within the family of Shechaniah. The name is evocative, perhaps hinting at divine oversight or recognition of this individual's role in the return. While not as famous as other biblical figures, his inclusion by name emphasizes the personal nature of God's involvement in the lives of those who participated in His redemptive plan, acknowledging their specific contributions.
* **Males (Hebrew, זְכָרִים, _zekarim_):** The specification of "males" (literally "remembered ones" or "those counted") is significant. In ancient societies, especially for journeys or communal undertakings, it referred to adult men capable of contributing labor, defense, and leadership. This count would exclude women, children, and the elderly, focusing on the productive and protective strength of the returning contingent. It highlights the physical and logistical capacity brought by each family unit for the arduous journey and the subsequent rebuilding efforts in Jerusalem.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Of the sons of Shechaniah;":** This phrase establishes the primary family or clan identification for the group. "Sons of" (Hebrew: בְּנֵי, _b'nei_) is a common biblical idiom that refers not only to direct offspring but also to descendants, members of a particular family, clan, or even a professional group. Here, it indicates that the subsequent individual, Jahaziel, belongs to or represents the household originating from Shechaniah, establishing a clear line of family affiliation central to Israelite society and religious practice.
* **"the son of Jahaziel,":** This clause specifies the individual leader or representative of this particular branch of the Shechaniah family. While the KJV translates "the son of Jahaziel," some interpretations suggest "Jahaziel, son of Shechaniah" or "Jahaziel, of the sons of Shechaniah," indicating Jahaziel as the direct head of this specific returning group. Regardless, it pinpoints the individual responsible for leading this contingent, underscoring the importance of designated leadership in Ezra's organized return.
* **"and with him three hundred males.":** This final clause provides the quantitative detail of the contingent led by Jahaziel. The number "three hundred" represents a substantial group of adult men, signifying a significant contribution to the overall strength and workforce of the returning exiles. This precise enumeration highlights Ezra's meticulous record-keeping and the tangible commitment of these families to the perilous journey and the monumental task of rebuilding Jerusalem and the temple.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in Ezra 8:5, and indeed throughout Ezra 8:1-14, is **Genealogy and List-Making**. This meticulous enumeration of family heads and the number of males with them serves multiple purposes. It provides historical authenticity and verifiable data, grounding the narrative in concrete reality. Furthermore, it underscores the importance of **Identity** and **Lineage** within the Israelite community, crucial for maintaining tribal distinctions, verifying priestly claims, and ensuring proper inheritance. The repetitive structure of these entries also creates a sense of **Order and Deliberation**, emphasizing the careful planning and divine orchestration behind the return. While seemingly dry, this detailed listing subtly communicates God's attention to individual lives within His grand redemptive plan, ensuring that no one committed to His purposes is overlooked.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezra 8:5, though a simple genealogical entry, powerfully illustrates several profound theological truths. It highlights God's meticulous care for His covenant people, demonstrating that even in a large-scale historical movement, individual families and their contributions are known and valued by Him. The emphasis on lineage and the careful counting of individuals underscore the divine importance of identity and belonging within God's chosen community. This verse reminds us that God's grand narrative of redemption often unfolds through the specific, sometimes seemingly mundane, details of individual lives and family histories, each playing a vital role in His overarching purposes. It also speaks to the necessary human organization and commitment that partners with divine providence in the outworking of God's will.

* [Ezra 2:62](/ezra/2-62 "Ezra 2:62 - Verification of Priestly Lineage for Temple Service")
* [Nehemiah 7:64](/nehemiah/7-64 "Nehemiah 7:64 - Genealogical Records for Priestly Purity")
* [Jeremiah 29:10](/jeremiah/29-10 "Jeremiah 29:10 - Prophecy of Return from Exile")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezra 8:5 invites us to consider the profound significance of seemingly small details in God's larger plan. Just as Ezra meticulously recorded each family and their contribution to the return, so too does God value every individual and their unique role in His kingdom. This verse encourages us to embrace our own identity within the family of God, recognizing that our lineage, whether physical or spiritual, connects us to a rich heritage of faith. It challenges us to approach our callings with diligence and accountability, understanding that our participation, no matter how humble, contributes to the grand narrative of God's redemptive work. Furthermore, the faithfulness of families like Shechaniah's, who endured exile and still committed to the perilous journey back, serves as a powerful testament to generational faithfulness and the enduring hope of restoration. We are called to be faithful stewards of the legacy passed down to us, actively participating in God's ongoing work of rebuilding and renewal in our own time and context.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the meticulous record-keeping in Ezra 8:5 affirm God's personal knowledge and care for individuals within His larger plan?**
* **In what ways can we, as believers today, demonstrate similar diligence and accountability in our spiritual and communal undertakings?**
* **What "legacy of devotion to God" are we passing on to future generations, inspired by the faithfulness of families like Shechaniah's?**

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

Answer: Detailed lists of names, genealogies, and numbers, like the one in [Ezra 8:1-14](/ezra/8 "Ezra 8 - The Return with Ezra"), serve several crucial purposes. Firstly, they establish historical authenticity and provide verifiable records, grounding the biblical narrative in real events and people. Secondly, for the Israelite community, these lists were vital for maintaining tribal distinctions, verifying lineage (especially for priestly and Levitical service, as seen in [Ezra 2:62](/ezra/2-62 "Ezra 2:62 - Verification of Priestly Lineage")), confirming land inheritance, and ensuring social order. Theologically, they underscore God's meticulous attention to detail and His personal knowledge of those involved in His redemptive plans. They demonstrate that God's grand purposes unfold through the specific lives and contributions of individuals and families, emphasizing His care for each person within the larger covenant community.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Ezra 8:5 is a historical record of Old Testament lineage, it finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus and the spiritual family He establishes. The meticulous genealogies in the Old Testament, culminating in lists like Ezra's, underscore the importance of physical lineage for the coming of the Messiah, tracing the promised seed through Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and David, as detailed in [Matthew 1:1-17](/matthew/1 "Matthew 1:1-17 - The Genealogy of Jesus Christ") and [Luke 3:23-38](/luke/3 "Luke 3:23-38 - The Genealogy of Jesus"). Jesus Christ is the ultimate "son" who fulfills all the promises made to Israel. Furthermore, the concept of a "family" or "sons" returning to their homeland foreshadows the spiritual return and restoration offered through Christ. Through faith in Him, believers are adopted into God's family, becoming "sons and daughters" (e.g., [Galatians 3:26-29](/galatians/3-26 "Galatians 3:26-29 - Children of God Through Faith"), [Romans 8:14-17](/romans/8-14 "Romans 8:14-17 - Adopted as Sons")). The meticulous counting of individuals in Ezra's day points to God's intimate knowledge and care for every member of His new covenant people, the Church, which is the body of Christ (e.g., [1 Corinthians 12:27](/1_corinthians/12-27 "1 Corinthians 12:27 - You Are the Body of Christ")). Just as these individuals committed to a physical return, believers are called to a spiritual journey back to God, finding their true home and identity in Christ, who is the ultimate restorer and the head of a new, eternal family (e.g., [Hebrews 12:22-24](/hebrews/12-22 "Hebrews 12:22-24 - The Heavenly Jerusalem")).

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.