1 esdras 5:20 - the Chadiasai and Ammidioi, four hundred twenty and two: they of Kirama and Gabbe, six hundred twenty and one:

Generated Verse: 1 esdras 5:20

What does "1 esdras 5:20" mean?


This verse is a census record from 1 Esdras (also known as 3 Esdras in some traditions), a book considered apocryphal (not part of the standard Hebrew Bible or Protestant Old Testament canon) by many Christians and Jewish people, but canonical by Orthodox and some Catholic Christians. It records the number of men who returned to Jerusalem from the Babylonian exile.

"The Chadiasai and Ammidioi, four hundred twenty and two:" This refers to two distinct family or clan groups: the Chadiasai and the Ammidioi. 422 men from these groups returned to Jerusalem.
"they of Kirama and Gabbe, six hundred twenty and one:" This refers to individuals whose origins are connected to the towns of Kirama and Gabbe. 621 men from these towns returned.

Essentially, the verse lists the number of returnees from specific family lines or towns. It is a small part of a larger list detailing who returned from the Babylonian exile to rebuild Jerusalem and the temple.

Why these names are significant:

Historical context: Understanding these names helps reconstruct the social makeup of the returning Jewish community. It shows which families and towns were involved in the repatriation.
Genealogy and identity: The verse is important for those interested in tracing their lineage back to this period.
Rebuilding efforts: Knowing the number of people from different backgrounds gives insights into the labor force and skills available for rebuilding Jerusalem.

Note: There are variations and discrepancies between the lists in 1 Esdras, the Book of Ezra, and the Book of Nehemiah. These differences are a subject of scholarly discussion, and there is no simple explanation for them. Some possible causes for such variation are scribal errors and differences in the sources used to create the census lists.

What categories does "1 esdras 5:20" have?