Ezra Two
by Dr. Henry M. Morris
(taken from the Defender's Study Bible)
came again unto Jerusalem. Although chronological data are somewhat ambiguous, they seem to indicate that this initial return to Jerusalem took place just seventy years after Nebuchadnezzar's initial capture of Jerusalem (2 Chronicles 36:5-7), when he took Daniel and his three friends away into Babylon (Daniel 1:1-3). This return was in fulfillment of Jeremiah's prophecy (2 Chronicles 36:20, 21).
Zerubbabel. This verse lists the leaders of the returning exiles. Zerubbabel was governor and Jeshua high priest. The Nehemiah and Mordecai included in this list are not the same as the Nehemiah who became governor many years later (Nehemiah 1:1) or the Mordecai who was Jewish leader in Persia during the days of Queen Esther (Esther 2:5).
Ezra 2:3 The children of Parosh, two thousand an hundred seventy and two.
Ezra 2:4 The children of Shephatiah, three hundred seventy and two.
Ezra 2:5 The children of Arah, seven hundred seventy and five.
Ezra 2:7 The children of Elam, a thousand two hundred fifty and four.
Ezra 2:8 The children of Zattu, nine hundred forty and five.
Ezra 2:9 The children of Zaccai, seven hundred and threescore.
Ezra 2:10 The children of Bani, six hundred forty and two.
Ezra 2:11 The children of Bebai, six hundred twenty and three.
Ezra 2:12 The children of Azgad, a thousand two hundred twenty and two.
Ezra 2:13 The children of Adonikam, six hundred sixty and six.
Ezra 2:14 The children of Bigvai, two thousand fifty and six.
Ezra 2:15 The children of Adin, four hundred fifty and four.
Ezra 2:16 The children of Ater of Hezekiah, ninety and eight.
Ezra 2:17 The children of Bezai, three hundred twenty and three.
Ezra 2:18 The children of Jorah, an hundred and twelve.
Ezra 2:19 The children of Hashum, two hundred twenty and three.
Ezra 2:20 The children of Gibbar, ninety and five.
Ezra 2:21 The children of Bethlehem, an hundred twenty and three.
Ezra 2:22 The men of Netophah, fifty and six.
Ezra 2:23 The men of Anathoth, an hundred twenty and eight.
Ezra 2:24 The children of Azmaveth, forty and two.
Ezra 2:25 The children of Kirjatharim, Chephirah, and Beeroth, seven hundred and forty and three.
Ezra 2:26 The children of Ramah and Gaba, six hundred twenty and one.
Ezra 2:27 The men of Michmas, an hundred twenty and two.
Ezra 2:28 The men of Bethel and Ai, two hundred twenty and three.
Ezra 2:29 The children of Nebo, fifty and two.
Ezra 2:30 The children of Magbish, an hundred fifty and six.
Ezra 2:31 The children of the other Elam, a thousand two hundred fifty and four.
Ezra 2:32 The children of Harim, three hundred and twenty.
Ezra 2:33 The children of Lod, Hadid, and Ono, seven hundred twenty and five.
Ezra 2:34 The children of Jericho, three hundred forty and five.
Ezra 2:35 The children of Senaah, three thousand and six hundred and thirty.
Ezra 2:37 The children of Immer, a thousand fifty and two.
Ezra 2:38 The children of Pashur, a thousand two hundred forty and seven.
Ezra 2:39 The children of Harim, a thousand and seventeen.
Ezra 2:41 The singers: the children of Asaph, an hundred twenty and eight.
Ezra 2:43 The Nethinims: the children of Ziha, the children of Hasupha, the children of Tabbaoth,
Nethinims. The Nethinim were an order of servants established by David for the more lowly aspects of the Levitical ministries (Ezra 8:20).
Ezra 2:44 The children of Keros, the children of Siaha, the children of Padon,
Ezra 2:45 The children of Lebanah, the children of Hagabah, the children of Akkub,
Ezra 2:46 The children of Hagab, the children of Shalmai, the children of Hanan,
Ezra 2:47 The children of Giddel, the children of Gahar, the children of Reaiah,
Ezra 2:48 The children of Rezin, the children of Nekoda, the children of Gazzam,
Ezra 2:49 The children of Uzza, the children of Paseah, the children of Besai,
Ezra 2:50 The children of Asnah, the children of Mehunim, the children of Nephusim,
Ezra 2:51 The children of Bakbuk, the children of Hakupha, the children of Harhur,
Ezra 2:52 The children of Bazluth, the children of Mehida, the children of Harsha,
Ezra 2:53 The children of Barkos, the children of Sisera, the children of Thamah,
Ezra 2:54 The children of Neziah, the children of Hatipha.
Ezra 2:56 The children of Jaalah, the children of Darkon, the children of Giddel,
Tirshatha. The “Tirshatha” was the governor appointed by Cyrus, presumably Zerubbabel (Ezra 2:2).
Thummim. Evidently, since certain of the returning priests could not verify their right to the office through the remaining genealogies (Ezra 2:61, 62), they were not allowed to function as such until they could demonstrate their divine calling spiritually, through the prophetic gifts associated with the Urim and Thummim. See note on Exodus 28:30.
Ezra 2:64 The whole congregation together was forty and two thousand three hundred and threescore,
forty and two thousand. This number evidently includes the women and children, and so is larger than the total of the numbers in the preceding verses of the chapter.
Beside their servants. The returning Jewish exiles were not impoverished, having many servants as well as animals (Ezra 2:66-67), and money (Ezra 2:69). Many had prospered while in Babylon. They evidently had much freedom in Babylon, even though technically they were a captive people.
Ezra 2:66 Their horses were seven hundred thirty and six; their mules, two hundred forty and five;