Ezra 2:17
Ezra 2:17 in Multiple Translations
the descendants of Bezai, 323;
The children of Bezai, three hundred twenty and three.
The children of Bezai, three hundred twenty and three.
The children of Bezai, three hundred and twenty-three.
the sons of Bezai, 323;
The sonnes of Bezai, three hundreth and three and twentie:
Sons of Bezai, three hundred twenty and three.
The children of Bezai, three hundred twenty-three.
The children of Bezai, three hundred twenty and three.
The children of Besai, three hundred and twenty-three.
323descendants of Bezai
Berean Amplified Bible — Ezra 2:17
BAB
Word Study
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Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Ezra 2:17 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
בְּנֵ֣י
בֵצָ֔י
שְׁלֹ֥שׁ
מֵא֖וֹת
עֶשְׂרִ֥ים
וּ/שְׁלֹשָֽׁה
בְּנֵ֣י
bên
H1121
son
N-mp
בֵצָ֔י
Bêtsay
H1209
Bezai
N-proper
שְׁלֹ֥שׁ
shâlôwsh
H7969
three
Adj
מֵא֖וֹת
mêʼâh
H3967
hundred
Adj
עֶשְׂרִ֥ים
ʻesrîym
H6242
twenty
Adj
וּ/שְׁלֹשָֽׁה
shâlôwsh
H7969
three
Conj | Adj
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Ezra 2:17
בְּנֵ֣י
bên
H1121
"son"
N-mp
In the Bible, this word means a son or descendant, and can also refer to a grandson, nation, or quality. It appears in 1 Chronicles 24, describing a Levite named Beno. The word is used to show family relationships and inheritance.
Definition: : child/son
Usage: Occurs in 3653 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth. See also: Genesis 3:16; Genesis 23:3; Genesis 34:18.
בֵצָ֔י
Bêtsay
H1209
"Bezai"
N-proper
Bezai was a name given to two Israelites, one of whom was a leader of the exiles returning to Jerusalem during the time of Ezra and Nehemiah.
Definition: A man living at the time of Exile and Return, only mentioned at Neh.10.18 § Bezai = "conqueror" a chief of the returning exiles in the time of Ezra
Usage: Occurs in 3 OT verses. KJV: Bezai. See also: Ezra 2:17; Nehemiah 7:23; Nehemiah 10:19.
שְׁלֹ֥שׁ
shâlôwsh
H7969
"three"
Adj
This Hebrew word means three or thrice, and is used to describe quantities or repetitions in the Bible. It appears in various forms, including three, third, and thirteen.
Definition: 1) three, triad 1a) 3, 300, third Aramaic equivalent: te.lat (תְּלָת "three" H8532)
Usage: Occurs in 381 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] fork, [phrase] often(-times), third, thir(-teen, -teenth), three, [phrase] thrice. Compare H7991 (שָׁלִישׁ). See also: Genesis 5:22; Joshua 1:11; 2 Kings 9:32.
מֵא֖וֹת
mêʼâh
H3967
"hundred"
Adj
Means a hundred, used as a simple number or part of a larger number in the Bible. It appears in various forms, including fractions like one one-hundredth. Found in books like Genesis and Psalms.
Definition: 1) hundred 1a) as simple number 1b) as part of larger number 1c) as a fraction-one one-hundredth (1/100) Aramaic equivalent: me.ah (מְאָה "hundred" H3969)
Usage: Occurs in 511 OT verses. KJV: hundred((-fold), -th), [phrase] sixscore. See also: Genesis 5:3; Numbers 2:6; Judges 18:17.
עֶשְׂרִ֥ים
ʻesrîym
H6242
"twenty"
Adj
This word means twenty, and is also used as an ordinal number, like twentieth, as seen in Genesis 31:38. It can refer to a specific age or quantity.
Definition: twenty, twentieth Aramaic equivalent: es.rin (עֶשְׂרִין "twenty" H6243)
Usage: Occurs in 281 OT verses. KJV: (six-) score, twenty(-ieth). See also: Genesis 6:3; 1 Kings 9:14; Ezra 2:19.
וּ/שְׁלֹשָֽׁה
shâlôwsh
H7969
"three"
Conj | Adj
This Hebrew word means three or thrice, and is used to describe quantities or repetitions in the Bible. It appears in various forms, including three, third, and thirteen.
Definition: 1) three, triad 1a) 3, 300, third Aramaic equivalent: te.lat (תְּלָת "three" H8532)
Usage: Occurs in 381 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] fork, [phrase] often(-times), third, thir(-teen, -teenth), three, [phrase] thrice. Compare H7991 (שָׁלִישׁ). See also: Genesis 5:22; Joshua 1:11; 2 Kings 9:32.
Study Notes — Ezra 2:17
Show Verse Quote Highlights
Context — The List of Returning Exiles
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nehemiah 7:23 | the descendants of Bezai, 324; |
Ezra 2:17 Summary
Ezra 2:17 tells us about a group of people called the descendants of Bezai who returned to Jerusalem after being in exile. There were 323 of them, and they were part of a bigger group of people who came back to worship God and rebuild their city, just like God promised in Jeremiah 29:10-14. This shows us that God cares about every person and family, and He wants us to be part of His community, as seen in Acts 2:42-47. It reminds us that, just like the descendants of Bezai, we are all part of God's bigger story of love and redemption, as told in John 3:16 and Romans 8:28.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who were the descendants of Bezai and why are they mentioned in Ezra 2:17?
The descendants of Bezai were a family group who returned to Jerusalem from exile, as recorded in Ezra 2:17, and their mention here emphasizes God's faithfulness to His people, as seen in Deuteronomy 30:3 and Isaiah 11:11-12.
What is the significance of the number 323 in Ezra 2:17?
The number 323 represents the count of individuals from the descendants of Bezai who returned to Jerusalem, highlighting the meticulous record-keeping and God's attention to detail, as also seen in Exodus 1:1-5 and Numbers 1:1-4.
How does Ezra 2:17 relate to the broader story of God's people in the Bible?
Ezra 2:17 is part of the narrative of the Israelites' return from exile, demonstrating God's covenant faithfulness and promise-keeping, as proclaimed in Leviticus 26:44-45 and Ezekiel 37:21-22.
What can we learn from the listing of family groups in Ezra 2, including the descendants of Bezai in verse 17?
The detailed listing of family groups teaches us about the importance of community, heritage, and God's sovereign care for His people, as echoed in Psalm 68:6 and Acts 17:26-27.
Reflection Questions
- As I reflect on the descendants of Bezai, what does their story teach me about God's faithfulness in my own life?
- How does the specific mention of the descendants of Bezai in Ezra 2:17 encourage me to trust in God's detailed care for me, as seen in Matthew 10:29-31?
- In what ways can I, like the descendants of Bezai, be part of God's larger story of redemption and restoration, as described in Romans 11:25-26?
- What does the return of the descendants of Bezai to Jerusalem say to me about the importance of worship, community, and obedience to God, as emphasized in Hebrews 10:24-25?
Gill's Exposition on Ezra 2:17
[See comments on Ezra 2:3].
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Ezra 2:17
The children of Bezai, three hundred twenty and three. The children of Bezai - [Septuagint, Bassou].
Cambridge Bible on Ezra 2:17
3–19. Names of households or families. Many of these names occur again in other lists, e.g. Ezra 8:1-14; Ezra 10:18-44; Nehemiah 10:1-27, and in connexion with much later events in the lifetime of Ezra and Nehemiah. These names therefore are not to be regarded as the names of the leading men of the various families who accompanied Zerubbabel, but as the titles of the families or clans into which the people were divided. These titles were probably taken from the founders of the families and were many of them of great antiquity. The mention of the same names of the ‘families’ at the return of Ezra (Ezra 8:1-14) merely shows that, though a certain number of a household had accompanied Zerubbabel, many members of it remained in Babylon, of whom some returned with Ezra, e.g. Parosh, Pahath-moab, Adin, Shephatiah, Elam, Bebai, Azgad, Adonikam, Bigvai, &c., cf. Nehemiah 10:14 ff.