1 esdras 5:21 - they of Macalon, a hundred twenty and two: they of Betolion, fifty and two: the sons of Niphis, a hundred fifty and six:

Generated Verse: 1 esdras 5:21

What does "1 esdras 5:21" mean?


This verse, taken from 1 Esdras 5:21 (which corresponds to Nehemiah 7:28-30 in the Hebrew Bible), is part of a list of returning exiles from Babylon who were part of the initial wave to rebuild Jerusalem and the Temple after the Babylonian exile. Let's break it down:

"They of Macalon, a hundred twenty and two:" This refers to the inhabitants of the town of Macalon (its exact location is uncertain, and it's spelled differently in other texts). 122 people from that town returned to Judea.

"They of Betolion, fifty and two:" Similar to Macalon, this refers to the residents of Betolion (also known as Beth-el and Ai in some versions) who returned. 52 people from Betolion were among the returnees.

"The sons of Niphis, a hundred fifty and six:" This refers to the inhabitants of the town of Niphis (also known as Nebo) who returned. 156 people from the town returned.

In essence, the verse is a census record: It's a count of the people from specific towns who chose to leave Babylon and resettle in their ancestral homeland of Judea. It demonstrates the organized nature of the return and highlights the importance of knowing who was returning to ensure the proper allocation of land and resources.

Importance/Significance:

Historical Record: This verse provides valuable historical information about the people who participated in the return from exile.
Rebuilding and Restoration: The returnees were instrumental in rebuilding Jerusalem and restoring the Temple, thus contributing to the religious and national revival of the Jewish people.
Identity and Lineage: The list helped maintain records of families and their ancestral lands, preserving their identity.
Inclusion: The detailed list emphasizes that the rebuilding effort was not just about individuals, but about entire communities.
Trustworthiness of Scripture: The list underscores the meticulousness of the scribes in recording the details of the post-exilic period.

So, while on the surface it seems like a simple list of names and numbers, it represents a significant historical and religious event—the return of the Jewish people to their homeland and their dedication to rebuilding their society.

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