Ezra 2:39

Commentary on Ezra 2:39

Ezra 2:39 is a concise verse, stating, "The children of Harim, a thousand and seventeen." This verse is part of a detailed census in Ezra chapter 2, which meticulously lists the families and individuals who returned to Judah from Babylonian exile under the leadership of Zerubbabel and Jeshua. These lists were vital for re-establishing the community, assigning land, and resuming temple service in Jerusalem.

Historical and Cultural Context

The book of Ezra chronicles the return of the Jewish exiles from Babylon and the subsequent rebuilding of the Temple and the community in Jerusalem. After decades of Babylonian captivity, King Cyrus of Persia issued a decree, as recorded in Ezra 1:1, allowing the Jews to return to their homeland and rebuild the Temple. Ezra chapter 2 provides a comprehensive roster of these first wave returnees, detailing the numbers for each family group, priestly lineage, and other categories. This meticulous record-keeping was crucial for establishing legitimacy, land claims, and roles within the nascent restored community. The "children of Harim" here refers to a particular family or clan, distinct from the priestly lineage of Harim mentioned elsewhere in Ezra and Nehemiah, highlighting the importance of every family's contribution to the national restoration.

Key Themes and Messages

• Restoration and Divine Faithfulness: The very existence of this list, including the "children of Harim," testifies to God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises to bring His people back to the land after the exile. It underscores the theme of national and spiritual restoration.
• Identity and Lineage: The emphasis on genealogies was paramount in ancient Israel. These lists helped verify who belonged to the covenant community, determining their rights to land, inheritance, and participation in the temple service. For the "children of Harim," their inclusion signifies their rightful place within the returned remnant.
• Community Building: Each number, like the "thousand and seventeen" from the children of Harim, represents individuals who collectively formed the backbone of the rebuilding effort. It speaks to the importance of every person and family in contributing to the larger community's purpose and God's plan.

Linguistic Insights

The name Harim (חָרִם, *ḥārīm*) is a common personal or clan name in the post-exilic period. Interestingly, there are two distinct groups associated with this name in the lists of returnees: a priestly family (mentioned in Nehemiah 7:42, which parallels Ezra 2) and a lay family, as seen in this verse. This distinction highlights the careful categorization within the ancient Israelite census, ensuring proper identification for various roles, particularly concerning the Temple service. The number "a thousand and seventeen" (אֶלֶף וְשִׁבְעָה עָשָׂר, *elef veshiv'ah 'asar*) simply denotes the precise count of male adults from this specific family who returned.

Practical Application

While a seemingly mundane verse listing names and numbers, Ezra 2:39 offers profound lessons for today. It reminds us that:

• Every Individual Matters: God pays attention to the details, valuing every person and family within His plan. Just as the "children of Harim" were counted and given their place, so too are we important to God's ongoing work.
• The Importance of Belonging: Being part of a community with shared purpose is vital. The returnees, including this family, understood their collective responsibility in rebuilding.
• Faithfulness in the Mundane: Sometimes, God's work involves diligent, seemingly unglamorous tasks like record-keeping or simply being present. The faithfulness of these families laid the groundwork for future generations and the eventual coming of Christ.