Ezra 2:21
New International Version
the men of Bethlehem 123

New Living Translation
The people of Bethlehem 123

English Standard Version
The sons of Bethlehem, 123.

Berean Standard Bible
the men of Bethlehem, 123;

King James Bible
The children of Bethlehem, an hundred twenty and three.

New King James Version
the people of Bethlehem, one hundred and twenty-three;

New American Standard Bible
the men of Bethlehem, 123;

NASB 1995
the men of Bethlehem, 123;

NASB 1977
the men of Bethlehem, 123;

Legacy Standard Bible
the sons of Bethlehem, 123;

Amplified Bible
the men of Bethlehem, 123;

Christian Standard Bible
Bethlehem’s people 123

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Bethlehem’s people 123

American Standard Version
The children of Beth-lehem, a hundred twenty and three.

English Revised Version
The children of Beth-lehem, an hundred twenty and three.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The people of Bethlehem 123

International Standard Version
Descendants of exiles from Bethlehem: 123

Majority Standard Bible
the men of Bethlehem, 123;

NET Bible
The men of Bethlehem: 123;

New Heart English Bible
The descendants of Bethlehem, one hundred twenty-three.

Webster's Bible Translation
The children of Beth-lehem, a hundred twenty and three.

World English Bible
The children of Bethlehem, one hundred twenty-three.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
sons of Beth-Lehem, one hundred twenty-three;

Young's Literal Translation
Sons of Beth-Lehem, a hundred twenty and three.

Smith's Literal Translation
The sons of the house of bread, a hundred twenty and three.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
The children of Bethlehem, a hundred twenty-three.

Catholic Public Domain Version
The sons of Bethlehem, one hundred twenty-three.

New American Bible
descendants of Bethlehem, one hundred and twenty-three;

New Revised Standard Version
Of Bethlehem, one hundred twenty-three.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
The people of Bethlehem, one hundred and twenty-three.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
The children of Lekhem, a hundred and twenty and three.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
The children of Beth-lehem, a hundred twenty and three.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
The children of Bethlaem, a hundred and twenty-three.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The List of Returning Exiles
20the descendants of Gibbar, 95; 21the men of Bethlehem, 123; 22the men of Netophah, 56;…

Cross References
Nehemiah 7:25
the descendants of Gibeon, 95;

Nehemiah 11:25
As for the villages with their fields, some of the people of Judah lived in Kiriath-arba, Dibon, Jekabzeel, and their villages;

Joshua 15:21
These were the southernmost cities of the tribe of Judah in the Negev toward the border of Edom: Kabzeel, Eder, Jagur,

1 Chronicles 9:2-3
Now the first to resettle their own property in their cities were Israelites, priests, Levites, and temple servants. / Some of the descendants of Judah, Benjamin, Ephraim, and Manasseh lived in Jerusalem:

Nehemiah 11:20
The rest of the Israelites, with the priests and Levites, were in all the villages of Judah, each on his own inheritance.

Nehemiah 3:22-23
And next to him, the priests from the surrounding area made repairs. / Beyond them, Benjamin and Hasshub made repairs in front of their house, and next to them, Azariah son of Maaseiah, the son of Ananiah, made repairs beside his house.

Nehemiah 12:28-29
The singers were also assembled from the region around Jerusalem, from the villages of the Netophathites, / from Beth-gilgal, and from the fields of Geba and Azmaveth, for they had built villages for themselves around Jerusalem.

1 Chronicles 2:55
and the clans of the scribes who lived at Jabez—the Tirathites, Shimeathites, and Sucathites. These are the Kenites who came from Hammath, the father of the house of Rechab.

Nehemiah 3:26
and the temple servants living on the hill of Ophel made repairs opposite the Water Gate toward the east and the tower that juts out.

Nehemiah 3:31-32
Next to him, Malchijah, one of the goldsmiths, made repairs as far as the house of the temple servants and the merchants, opposite the Inspection Gate, and as far as the upper room above the corner. / And between the upper room above the corner and the Sheep Gate, the goldsmiths and merchants made repairs.

Matthew 1:11-12
and Josiah the father of Jeconiah and his brothers at the time of the exile to Babylon. / After the exile to Babylon: Jeconiah was the father of Shealtiel, Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel,

Luke 3:27
the son of Joanan, the son of Rhesa, the son of Zerubbabel, the son of Shealtiel, the son of Neri,

Matthew 1:17
In all, then, there were fourteen generations from Abraham to David, fourteen from David to the exile to Babylon, and fourteen from the exile to the Christ.

Acts 2:5
Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven.

Romans 11:1-5
I ask then, did God reject His people? Certainly not! I am an Israelite myself, a descendant of Abraham, from the tribe of Benjamin. / God did not reject His people, whom He foreknew. Do you not know what the Scripture says about Elijah, how he appealed to God against Israel: / “Lord, they have killed Your prophets and torn down Your altars. I am the only one left, and they are seeking my life as well”? ...


Treasury of Scripture

The children of Bethlehem, an hundred twenty and three.

Beth-lehem

1 Chronicles 2:50-52
These were the sons of Caleb the son of Hur, the firstborn of Ephratah; Shobal the father of Kirjathjearim, …

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Bethlehem Beth-Lehem Children Hundred Three Twenty Twenty-Three
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Bethlehem Beth-Lehem Children Hundred Three Twenty Twenty-Three
Ezra 2
1. The number that return of the people
36. of the priests
40. of the Levites
43. of the Nethinims
55. of Solomon's servants
61. of the priests who could not show their pedigree
64. The whole number of them, with their substance
68. Their offerings














the men of Bethlehem
Bethlehem, a small town in Judah, holds significant biblical importance. It is famously known as the birthplace of King David (1 Samuel 16:1) and later, Jesus Christ (Micah 5:2; Matthew 2:1). The mention of Bethlehem here in Ezra 2:21 highlights the return of its inhabitants from Babylonian exile. This return fulfills God's promise to restore His people to their land (Jeremiah 29:10-14). Bethlehem's role in biblical history as the "City of David" and the prophesied birthplace of the Messiah underscores its spiritual significance. The return of its men signifies the reestablishment of a community that would later be central to the Messianic lineage.

123
The specific number, 123, indicates the precise count of men from Bethlehem who returned. This attention to detail reflects the historical accuracy and importance of genealogical records in post-exilic Israel. Such records were crucial for reestablishing tribal and familial identities, which were essential for land inheritance and religious duties. The number also emphasizes the remnant nature of the returnees, a theme prevalent in the prophetic literature (Isaiah 10:20-22). Despite the small number, their return is a testament to God's faithfulness in preserving a remnant of His people, ensuring the continuity of His covenant promises.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Bethlehem
A small town in Judah, known as the birthplace of King David and later, Jesus Christ. It holds significant historical and theological importance in the biblical account.

2. The Men of Bethlehem
This refers to the group of exiles returning from Babylonian captivity. The number 123 indicates the men from Bethlehem who were part of this return, highlighting the restoration of the community.

3. The Return from Exile
This event marks the return of the Jewish people from Babylonian captivity to their homeland, as decreed by King Cyrus of Persia. It signifies a period of rebuilding and restoration for the Israelites.
Teaching Points
Significance of Small Beginnings
Bethlehem, though small, played a crucial role in God's redemptive plan. This teaches us that God often uses humble beginnings to accomplish great purposes.

Faithfulness in Restoration
The return of the men of Bethlehem symbolizes faithfulness and hope in God's promises. We are encouraged to trust in God's restoration in our lives, even after periods of hardship.

Community and Identity
The specific mention of the men of Bethlehem highlights the importance of community and identity. As believers, we are part of a spiritual community with a shared heritage and purpose.

Prophetic Fulfillment
The connection between Bethlehem and the birth of Jesus underscores the reliability of God's word and the fulfillment of prophecy. This strengthens our faith in the promises of Scripture.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
the men
בְּנֵ֣י (bə·nê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1121: A son

of Bethlehem,
לָ֔חֶם (lā·ḥem)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 1035: Bethlehem -- 'place of bread', a city in Judah, also a city in Zebulun

123;
מֵאָ֖ה (mê·’āh)
Number - feminine singular
Strong's 3967: A hundred


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OT History: Ezra 2:21 The children of Bethlehem one hundred twenty-three (Ezr. Ez)
Ezra 2:20
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