Ezra 2:21 Made Simple

KJV ORIGINAL

The children of Bethlehem, an hundred twenty and three.

Close to the original. Clear modern English.

✦ MADE SIMPLE

The people from Bethlehem: 123.

⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE

This verse records that 123 people from the town of Bethlehem returned from exile in Babylon to rebuild Jerusalem.

📚 Historical Context

In the Book of Ezra, this chapter is part of a detailed census recording the families and individuals who returned to Jerusalem from exile in Babylon around 538 BC, after King Cyrus issued a decree allowing the Jews to rebuild their temple and homeland. This verse specifically lists the descendants from Bethlehem, numbering 123, as part of the broader effort to repopulate and restore the Jewish community. Such genealogical records were crucial for verifying identity, inheritance, and social order in the post-exilic period.

Explore Similar Verses

1 Chronicles 2:54

The descendants of Salma included the people of Bethlehem, the Netophathites, Ataroth, the family of Joab, half of the Manahethites, and the Zorites.

1 Chronicles 2:51

Salma was the founder of Bethlehem, and Hareph was the founder of Beth-gader.

1 Chronicles 4:4

Penuel was the founder of Gedor, and Ezer was the founder of Hushah. These men were descendants of Hur, who was the firstborn son of Ephratah and the founder of Bethlehem.

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