Ezra – Chapter 2

Old Testament70 Verses

Chapter Summary

Ezra 2 opens with the words: "Now these are the children of the province, that went out of the captivity, which Nabuchodonosor king of Babylon had carried away to…" The chapter centers on Joshua, Solomon and Nebuchadnezzar. Across its 70 verses, two threads run through the text: family and covenant relationships and worship and praise. Read slowly, this chapter rewards the kind of prayerful attention the Church calls lectio divina.

1Now these are the children of the province, that went out of the captivity, which Nabuchodonosor king of Babylon had carried away to Babylon, and who returned to Jerusalem and Juda, every man to his city.

2Who came with Zorobabel, Josue, Nehemia, Saraia, Rahelaia, Mardochai, Belsan, Mesphar, Beguai, Rehum, Baana. The number of the men of the people of Israel:

3The children of Pharos two thousand one hundred seventy-two.

4The children of Sephatia, three hundred seventy-two.

5The children of Area, seven hundred seventy-five.

6The children of Phahath Moab, of the children of Josue: Joab, Two thousand eight hundred twelve.

7The children of Elam, a thousand two hundred fifty-four.

8The children of Zethua, nine hundred forty-five.

9The children of Zachai, seven hundred sixty.

10The children of Bani, six hundred forty-two.

11The children of Bebai, six hundred twenty-three.

12The children of Azgad, a thousand two hundred twenty-two.

13The children of Adonicam, six hundred sixty-six.

14The children of Beguai, two thousand fifty-six.

15The children of Adin, four hundred fifty-four.

16The children of Ather, who were of Ezechias, ninety-eight.

17The children of Besai, three hundred and twenty-three.

18The children of Jora, a hundred and twelve.

19The children of Hasum, two hundred twenty-three.

20The children of Gebbar, ninety-five.

21The children of Bethlehem, a hundred twenty-three.

22The men of Netupha, fifty-six.

23The men of Anathoth, a hundred twenty-eight.

24The children of Azmaveth, forty-two.

25The children of Cariathiarim, Cephira, and Beroth, seven hundred forty-three.

26The children of Rama and Gabaa, six hundred twenty-one.

27The men of Machmas, a hundred twenty-two.

28The men of Bethel and Hai, two hundred twenty-three.

29The children of Nebo, fifty-two.

30The children of Megbis, a hundred fifty-six.

31The children of the other Elam, a thousand two hundred fifty-five.

32The children of Harim, three hundred and twenty.

33The children of Lod, Hadid and Ono, seven hundred twenty-five.

34The children of Jericho, three hundred forty-five.

35The children of Senaa, three thousand six hundred thirty.

36The priests: the children of Jadaia of the house of Josue, nine hundred seventy-three.

37The children of Emmer, a thousand fifty-two.

38The children of Pheshur, a thousand two hundred forty-seven.

39The children of Harim, a thousand and seventeen.

40The Levites: the children of Josue and of Cedmihel, the children of Odovia, seventy-four.

41The singing men: the children of Asaph, a hundred twenty-eight.

42The children of the porters: the children of Sellum, the children of Ater, the children of Telmon, the children of Accub, the children of Hatita, the children of Sobai: in all a hundred thirty-nine.

43The Nathinites: the children of Siha, the children of Hasupha, the children of Tabbaoth,

44The children of Ceros, the children of Sia, the children of Phadon,

45The children of Lebana, the children of Hegaba, the children of Accub,

46The children of Hagab, the children of Semlai, the children of Hanan,

47The children of Gaddel, the children of Gaher, the children of Raaia,

48The children of Rasin, the children of Necoda, the children of Gazam,

49The children of Asa, the children of Phasea, the children of Besee,

50The children of Asena, the children of Munim, the children of Nephusim,

51The children of Bacbuc, the children of Hacupha, the children of Harhur,

52The children of Besluth, the children of Mahida, the children of Harsa,

53The children of Bercos, the children of Sisara, the children of Thema,

54The children of Nasia, the children of Hatipha,

55The children of the servants of Solomon, the children of Sotai, the children of Sopheret, the children of Pharuda,

56The children of Jala, the children of Dercon, the children of Geddel,

57The children of Saphatia, the children of Hatil, the children of Phochereth, which were of Asebaim, the children of Ami,

58All the Nathinites, and the children of the servants of Solomon, three hundred ninety-two.

59And these are they that came up from Thelmela, Thelharsa, Cherub, and Adon, and Emer. And they could not shew the house of their fathers and their seed, whether they were of Israel.

60The children of Dalaia, the children of Tobia, the children of Necoda, six hundred fifty-two.

61And of the children of the priests: the children of Hobia, the children of Accos, the children of Berzellai, who took a wife of the daughters of Berzellai, the Galaadite, and was called by their name:

62These sought the writing of their genealogy, and found it not, and they were cast out of the priesthood.

63And Athersatha said to them, that they should not eat of the holy of holies, till there arose a priest learned and perfect.

64All the multitudes as one man, were forty-two thousand three hundred and sixty:

65Besides their menservants, and womenservants, of whom there were seven thousand three hundred and thirty-seven: and among them singing men, and singing women two hundred.

66Their horses seven hundred thirty-six, their mules two hundred forty-five,

67Their camels four hundred thirty-five, their asses six thousand seven hundred and twenty.

68And some of the chief of the fathers, when they came to the temple of the Lord, which is in Jerusalem, offered freely to the house of the Lord to build it in its place.

69According to their ability, they gave towards the expenses of the work, sixty-one thousand solids of gold, five thousand pounds of silver, and a hundred garments for the priests.

70So the priests and the Levites, and some of the people, and the singing men, and the porters, and the Nathinites dwelt in their cities, and all Israel in their cities.

Important Verses in Ezra 2

Now these are the children of the province, that went out of the captivity, which Nabuchodonosor king of Babylon had carried away to Babylon, and who returned to Jerusalem and Juda, every man to his city.

Ezra 2:1

The children of Sephatia, three hundred seventy-two.

Ezra 2:4

And Athersatha said to them, that they should not eat of the holy of holies, till there arose a priest learned and perfect.

Ezra 2:63

And some of the chief of the fathers, when they came to the temple of the Lord, which is in Jerusalem, offered freely to the house of the Lord to build it in its place.

Ezra 2:68

Historical Context

Ezra belongs to the Old Testament and was composed for the post-exilic community, called to holiness and fidelity to the Law. Chapter 2 of 10 belongs to the early movement of the book, where the narrative or argument is still unfolding. It is a narrative passage recounting concrete events in salvation history with 70 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. Joshua, Solomon, Nebuchadnezzar and Mordecai appear at the center of the events recorded here. The chapter begins: "Now these are the children of the province, that went out of the captivity, which Nabuchodonosor king of Babylon had…" The chapter ends with: "So the priests and the Levites, and some of the people, and the singing men, and the porters, and the Nathinites dwelt…" Read against its original backdrop, Ezra recounts two returns from Babylonian exile: the first under Zerubbabel (538 BC), which rebuilt the Temple despite opposition, and the second under Ezra himself (458 BC), who restored the community's fidelity to the… The book's material reflects the era summarized as follows: About 440-400 BC.

Who Wrote It

Traditionally Ezra the priest and scribe

When It Was Written

About 440-400 BC

Catholic Commentary

Read at the narrative level, this chapter describes real persons, decisions, and consequences within return from exile and Temple restoration. A pivotal line is verse 1: "Now these are the children of the province, that went out of the captivity, which Nabuchodonosor king of Babylon had carried away to Babylon, and who returned…" The passage repeatedly touches on family and covenant relationships.

According to Catholic interpretation, this chapter contributes to the book's portrait of return from exile and Temple restoration. the restoration prefigures the Church's renewal (CIC 710). The Catechism and the liturgy frequently draw on such passages to nourish faith and moral life (CIC 2683).

Applied to the life of faith, the passage supports the Church's conviction that God restores His people. Whether read privately or heard in the liturgy, Ezra 2 calls for a response of faith, repentance, and charity.

Main Teachings

  • The family is the first school of faith, where love, obedience, and forgiveness are learned.
  • Worship is the heart of the covenant: giving God the praise and adoration that are His due.
  • Sin has real consequences, but God's judgment always aims at conversion and restoration.

People in This Chapter

Joshua4 mentionsSolomon2 mentionsNebuchadnezzar1 mentionMordecai1 mentionZerubbabel1 mentionHezekiah1 mention

Reflection for Today

Catholic exegesis approaches Ezra Chapter 2 with reverence, seeking both the literal sense and the spiritual meaning ordered to Christ.

Catholic theology recognizes that return from exile and Temple restoration is not an abstract idea but a reality encountered in prayer, sacraments, and charity. This chapter contributes to that vision by stressing the call to holiness in ordinary life.

May your reading of Ezra Chapter 2 become true lectio divina: read the words, meditate on their meaning, respond in prayer, and rest in God's presence. Ask the Holy Spirit to show how God restores His people applies to your life today.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Ezra Chapter 2 about?

Ezra 2 contains 70 verses. It opens with "Now these are the children of the province, that went out of the captivity, which Nabuchodonosor king of Babylon had…" and closes with "So the priests and the Levites, and some of the people, and the singing men, and the porters, and the Nathinites dwelt…". The book as a whole is historical narrative with official documents.

What is a key verse in Ezra 2?

One of the most significant verses is verse 1: "Now these are the children of the province, that went out of the captivity, which Nabuchodonosor king of Babylon had carried away to Babylon, and who returned to Jerusalem and…" It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who appears in Ezra Chapter 2?

This chapter mentions Joshua, Solomon, Nebuchadnezzar, Mordecai, Zerubbabel, among others.

Who wrote Ezra and when?

Traditionally Ezra the priest and scribe. About 440-400 BC.

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