Ezra 2:64

Arabic KEH Ketab El Hayat (كتاب الحياة)

فَكَانَ مَجْمُوعُ الرَّاجِعِينَ مِنَ السَّبْيِ: اثْنَيْنِ وَأَرْبَعِينَ أَلْفاً وَثَلاَثَ مِئَةٍ وَسِتِّينَ.

What Does This Mean?

Ezra 2:64 tells us that the total number of people who returned from exile in Babylon to rebuild Jerusalem was 42,360. No specific speaker is mentioned; it's part of a census record. The key message is about the large number of people who came together to rebuild their homeland.

Explained for Children

Imagine if you and all your friends from school, and all the families in your neighborhood, decided to rebuild a big playground that had been broken for a long time. That's kind of like what happened here, but with even more people working together to rebuild a whole city!

Historical Background

Ezra, a priest and scribe, wrote this book likely around 440 BCE. The audience was the Jews who had returned from Babylonian exile. The cultural setting was one of rebuilding and reestablishing religious practices after a long period of captivity.

Living It Out Today

Today, this can remind us of the power of community and collective effort. When a neighborhood or community faces a challenge, coming together can lead to significant progress and rebuilding, much like the returnees did for Jerusalem.

Topics

• rebuilding
• community
• exile
• census
• return
• restoration

Related Verses

• Numbers 26:51
• 1 Chronicles 9:1
• Nehemiah 7:64
• Luke 2:3
• Revelation 7:4

Frequently Asked Questions

Who wrote Ezra?

Ezra, a priest and scribe, wrote the book which bears his name.

What was the purpose of the census in Ezra 2?

The census was likely taken to organize and understand the size of the returning community and to plan the rebuilding efforts.

How does this verse relate to community rebuilding?

It shows the significant number of people who came together to rebuild their homeland, highlighting the importance of collective effort.

What challenges might the returning community have faced?

The returning community likely faced challenges like rebuilding homes and temples, restoring religious practices, and overcoming hostility from neighboring peoples.