Ezra 2:56

The children of Jaalah, the children of Darkon, the children of Giddel,

The children {H1121} of Jaalah {H3279}, the children {H1121} of Darkon {H1874}, the children {H1121} of Giddel {H1435},

descendants of Ya'alah, descendants of Darkon, descendants of Giddel,

the descendants of Jaala, the descendants of Darkon, the descendants of Giddel,

the children of Jaalah, the children of Darkon, the children of Giddel,

Commentary

Ezra 2:56 KJV lists three family groups among those who returned from Babylonian exile to Judah: "The children of Jaalah, the children of Darkon, the children of Giddel." This verse is part of a detailed census of the people who made the monumental journey back to their homeland to rebuild Jerusalem and the Temple.

Context

Ezra chapter 2 provides a comprehensive roster of the first wave of Jewish exiles who returned from Babylon under the leadership of Zerubbabel and Jeshua, following King Cyrus's decree (as detailed in Ezra 1:1-4). This lengthy list meticulously records families by their ancestral houses, including priests, Levites, singers, gatekeepers, and importantly, temple servants. Verses Ezra 2:55-58 specifically enumerate "the children of Solomon's servants" and "the Nethinims" (or Nethenims), who were dedicated to temple service. The families of Jaalah, Darkon, and Giddel fall into this latter category, highlighting their vital, though often overlooked, role in the restoration efforts.

Key Themes

  • Divine Meticulousness and Inclusivity: The detailed nature of this list, down to individual family names like Jaalah, Darkon, and Giddel, underscores God's meticulous care for every single person involved in His redemptive plan. It emphasizes that every group, even those in supporting roles like the temple servants, was significant in God's eyes and essential for the community's re-establishment.
  • Faithfulness and Obedience: These individuals, though perhaps not prominent leaders, demonstrated immense faith and obedience by leaving the relative comfort of Babylon to return to a desolate homeland. Their presence signifies their commitment to God's covenant and the rebuilding of His sanctuary in Jerusalem (Ezra 3:8-13).
  • Restoration and Remembrance: The compilation of these names serves as a historical record of God's faithfulness in fulfilling His prophetic promises of return from exile, as foretold by prophets like Jeremiah (Jeremiah 29:10). It also ensures that the contributions of all families, no matter how humble their service, were remembered.

Linguistic Insights

The names Jaalah (ื™ึทืขึฒืœึธื” - Ya'alah), Darkon (ื“ึผึทืจึฐืงื•ึนืŸ - Darkon), and Giddel (ื’ึผึดื“ึผึตืœ - Giddel) are Hebrew. While their specific meanings are not central to the verse's main message, their inclusion points to the authentic Hebrew lineage of these families. The broader category they belong to, the "Nethinims" (from ื ึฐืชึดื™ื ึดื™ื - Nethinim, meaning "given ones"), refers to those dedicated or given to the service of the Tabernacle and later the Temple. They performed tasks such as drawing water and cutting wood, making them indispensable to the temple's daily operations.

Practical Application

Ezra 2:56, though seemingly just a list of names, offers profound lessons for today. It reminds us that:

  • Every Contribution Matters: In God's kingdom, there are no insignificant roles. Whether one is a prominent leader or serves in a less visible capacity, every act of faithful service is valued and remembered by God.
  • God Sees and Remembers: Just as God meticulously recorded the names of Jaalah, Darkon, and Giddel, He sees and remembers every individual's commitment and sacrifice for His purposes. Your hidden acts of service do not go unnoticed by Him.
  • Faithful Participation in Community: The returnees, including these families, understood the importance of collective effort in rebuilding. This verse encourages us to be active and willing participants in our spiritual communities, contributing our unique gifts for the common good.
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Cross-References

  • Nehemiah 7:58 (2 votes)

    The children of Jaala, the children of Darkon, the children of Giddel,