Ezra 2:21
Ezra 2:21 in Multiple Translations
the men of Bethlehem, 123;
The children of Beth-lehem, an hundred twenty and three.
The children of Beth-lehem, a hundred twenty and three.
The children of Beth-lehem, a hundred and twenty-three.
the people from Bethlehem, 123;
The sonnes of Beth-lehem, an hundreth and three and twentie:
Sons of Beth-Lehem, a hundred twenty and three.
The children of Bethlehem, one hundred twenty-three.
The children of Beth-lehem, a hundred twenty and three.
The children of Bethlehem, a hundred twenty-three.
123from Bethlehem
Berean Amplified Bible — Ezra 2:21
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
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 2:21 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
בְּנֵ֣י
בֵֽית
לָ֔חֶם
מֵאָ֖ה
עֶשְׂרִ֥ים
וּ/שְׁלֹשָֽׁה
בְּנֵ֣י
bên
H1121
son
N-mp
בֵֽית
Bêyth Lechem
H1035
Bethlehem
N-proper
לָ֔חֶם
Bêyth Lechem
H1035
Bethlehem
N-proper
מֵאָ֖ה
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 2:21
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.
בֵֽית
Bêyth Lechem
H1035
"Bethlehem"
N-proper
Beth-lehem means house of bread, a place in Zebulun. The name describes a location known for its food production, later becoming famous as Jesus' birthplace in the New Testament.
Definition: § Beth-lehem = "house of bread (food)" a place in Zebulun
Usage: Occurs in 39 OT verses. KJV: Bethlehem. See also: Genesis 35:19; 1 Samuel 17:15; Jeremiah 41:17.
לָ֔חֶם
Bêyth Lechem
H1035
"Bethlehem"
N-proper
Beth-lehem means house of bread, a place in Zebulun. The name describes a location known for its food production, later becoming famous as Jesus' birthplace in the New Testament.
Definition: § Beth-lehem = "house of bread (food)" a place in Zebulun
Usage: Occurs in 39 OT verses. KJV: Bethlehem. See also: Genesis 35:19; 1 Samuel 17:15; Jeremiah 41:17.
מֵאָ֖ה
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 2:21
Show Verse Quote Highlights
Context — The List of Returning Exiles
19the descendants of Hashum, 223;
20the descendants of Gibbar, 95;
21the men of Bethlehem, 123;
22the men of Netophah, 56; 23the men of Anathoth, 128;Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 Chronicles 2:50–52 | These were the descendants of Caleb. The sons of Hur the firstborn of Ephrathah: Shobal the father of Kiriath-jearim, Salma the father of Bethlehem, and Hareph the father of Beth-gader. These were the descendants of Shobal the father of Kiriath-jearim: Haroeh, half the Manahathites, |
Ezra 2:21 Summary
This verse tells us that 123 men from Bethlehem returned to Jerusalem after being in exile. It reminds us that God is faithful to His people and keeps His promises, just like He did for the Israelites (Deuteronomy 30:3). The city of Bethlehem is special because it's where Jesus was born, and it shows us that God often uses ordinary places and people to do extraordinary things (Micah 5:2). By looking at this verse, we can see that God values every person and every community, and He wants us to be part of His plan to restore and redeem the world (1 Corinthians 12:27).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of the number 123 in Ezra 2:21?
The number 123 represents the men of Bethlehem who returned from exile, as recorded in Ezra 2:21, and it serves as a reminder of God's faithfulness to His people, as seen in Genesis 12:2 where God promises to make Abraham's descendants numerous.
Why is Bethlehem mentioned specifically in this verse?
Bethlehem is mentioned because it was an important city in the history of Israel, as seen in 1 Samuel 16:1, and it would later become the birthplace of Jesus Christ, as prophesied in Micah 5:2.
How does this verse relate to the broader story of the Israelites' return from exile?
This verse is part of a larger list of people who returned from exile, as seen in Ezra 2:1-64, and it demonstrates God's fulfillment of His promise to restore His people, as stated in Deuteronomy 30:3.
What can we learn from the fact that the men of Bethlehem are listed separately from other groups?
The separate listing of the men of Bethlehem may indicate their distinct identity or role in the community, and it reminds us that God values and recognizes the unique contributions of each individual and group, as seen in 1 Corinthians 12:27.
Reflection Questions
- What does the mention of Bethlehem in this verse evoke in my mind, and how can I apply the significance of this city to my own life?
- How does the specific number of men from Bethlehem, 123, challenge or encourage me in my own faith journey?
- In what ways can I, like the men of Bethlehem, be a part of God's plan to restore and redeem His people?
- What does this verse teach me about God's attention to detail and His care for individual communities and cities?
Gill's Exposition on Ezra 2:21
[See comments on Ezra 2:3].
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Ezra 2:21
The children of Bethlehem, an hundred twenty and three. The children of Beth-lehem - [Septuagint, Beethlaem].
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Ezra 2:21
Either of a man called Beth-lehem, or the Beth-lehemite, by way of eminency; or of the place so called. And so these were the remainders of the inhabitants of that city. And the like may be said of the two following names, Netophah and Anathoth, or others of the like nature.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Ezra 2:21
Verse 21. The children of Beth-lehem] The inhabitants: see before.
Cambridge Bible on Ezra 2:21
21. Beth-lehem] or ‘the house of bread’: sometimes called Bethlehem of Judah to distinguish it from the Bethlehem in Zebulon (Joshua 19:15). Its name implies the fruitfulness of the soil. The name of Ephrath or Ephratah by which it was known in earlier times has also the meaning of plenty (cf. Genesis 35:19; Micah 5:1; Rth 1:2). The story of Ruth lies in Bethlehem. Ibzan the Judge was a native of Bethlehem (Judges 12:8). Its greatest fame in the O. T. is derived from its having been the birthplace of David (1 Samuel 17:12) and of the sons of Zeruiah (2 Samuel 2:32). It was only a village, but the prophet predicted its glory in the Messianic future (Micah 5:1), in words, of which the literal fulfilment is recorded in Matthew 2:1 &c.; Luke 2:1 &c.; cf.
John 7:42. It is situated about 5 miles S. of Jerusalem on high ground, some 2500 ft. above the level of the sea.