◄ Ezra 2:25 ►
the men of Kiriath-jearim, Chephirah, and Beeroth, 743;
Study Bible
the men of Kiriath-jearim
Kiriath-jearim was a city located in the tribal territory of Judah, near the border with Benjamin. It is historically significant as the place where the Ark of the Covenant was kept for 20 years before being moved to Jerusalem by King David (1 Samuel 7:1-2). This city is also mentioned in the context of the Gibeonite deception (Joshua 9:17), where the inhabitants tricked Joshua into making a peace treaty with them. The mention of Kiriath-jearim here highlights the return of its descendants from Babylonian exile, emphasizing the restoration of Israel's historical and spiritual heritage.

Chephirah
Chephirah was one of the four cities of the Gibeonites, who made a treaty with Israel during the conquest of Canaan (Joshua 9:17). It was located in the territory of Benjamin. The inclusion of Chephirah in this list underscores the fulfillment of God's promise to restore His people to their land. The Gibeonites, despite their initial deception, were integrated into Israel and served as woodcutters and water carriers for the congregation and the altar of the Lord (Joshua 9:27), showing God's grace and the importance of covenant faithfulness.

and Beeroth
Beeroth was another city of the Gibeonites, also within the territory of Benjamin (Joshua 9:17). Its mention in Ezra 2:25 indicates the return of its inhabitants from exile. Beeroth is noted in 2 Samuel 4:2-3 as the hometown of the assassins of Ish-bosheth, Saul's son. The return of Beeroth's people signifies the re-establishment of the community and the continuity of Israel's tribal and familial lines, which were crucial for maintaining the identity and promises given to the nation.

743;
The specific number of 743 men returning from these cities highlights the detailed record-keeping and the importance of each family and community in the restoration process. This enumeration reflects the fulfillment of God's promise to bring His people back from exile (Jeremiah 29:10-14) and the meticulous care taken to ensure the reconstitution of Israel's society. The precision of this number also underscores the historical reliability of the biblical narrative and God's faithfulness in preserving His people.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Kiriath-jearim
A city in the territory of Judah, known for being a resting place for the Ark of the Covenant before it was moved to Jerusalem by King David. It holds historical and religious significance in Israel's history.

2. Chephirah
A city of the Gibeonites, who made a treaty with Israel during the conquest of Canaan. It was part of the territory allotted to the tribe of Benjamin.

3. Beeroth
Another city of the Gibeonites, also within the territory of Benjamin. It is mentioned in the context of the returnees from the Babylonian exile.
Teaching Points
Historical Continuity and Faithfulness
The mention of these cities and their inhabitants underscores the faithfulness of God in preserving His people through history. Despite exile and displacement, the returnees are a testament to God's covenant promises.

Significance of Community
The listing of specific cities and their populations highlights the importance of community and identity in the restoration of Israel. It reminds us of the value of belonging to a faith community and contributing to its rebuilding and growth.

God's Sovereignty in Redemption
The return from exile is a powerful example of God's sovereignty and redemptive plan. It encourages believers to trust in God's timing and purpose, even in difficult circumstances.

Legacy and Heritage
The return of these specific groups to their ancestral lands speaks to the importance of spiritual and cultural heritage. It challenges us to consider the legacy we are building and passing on to future generations.
Bible Study Questions
1. What does the inclusion of specific cities and their populations in Ezra 2:25 teach us about the importance of community in God's plan?

2. How does the history of Kiriath-jearim, Chephirah, and Beeroth enhance our understanding of God's faithfulness to His people?

3. In what ways can we see God's sovereignty at work in the return of the exiles, and how can this encourage us in our personal faith journey?

4. How can the account of the Gibeonites in Joshua 9 inform our understanding of God's grace and mercy towards those who seek Him, even through imperfect means?

5. Reflecting on the legacy and heritage of the returnees, what steps can we take to ensure that we are building a lasting spiritual legacy for future generations?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Joshua 9
This chapter details the account of the Gibeonites, including the cities of Chephirah and Beeroth, who deceived Joshua into making a peace treaty with them. This connection highlights the historical background of these cities and their inhabitants.

1 Samuel 7:1-2
These verses describe the Ark of the Covenant being brought to Kiriath-jearim, emphasizing the city's religious significance.

Nehemiah 7:29
This passage parallels Ezra 2:25, listing the same cities and their inhabitants among those returning from exile, reinforcing the continuity of the Jewish community.
Sermons
Spiritual SignificancesW. Clarkson Ezra 2:1-67
Men Forsaking the Worldly LifeJ.S. Exell Ezra 2:1-70
A Suggestive RecordWilliam Jones.Ezra 2:2-64
Religious ServiceWilliam Jones.Ezra 2:2-64
People
Akkub, Ami, Asaph, Asnah, Ater, Baanah, Bakbuk, Barkos, Barzillai, Bazluth, Besai, Bigvai, Bilshan, Darkon, Delaiah, Gahar, Gazzam, Giddel, Habaiah, Hagab, Hagabah, Hakkoz, Hakupha, Hanan, Harhur, Harsha, Hasupha, Hatipha, Hatita, Hattil, Hezekiah, Hodaviah, Immer, Israelites, Jaalah, Jedaiah, Jeshua, Joab, Jorah, Kadmiel, Keros, Koz, Lebanah, Mehida, Mehunim, Meunim, Mizpar, Mordecai, Nebuchadnezzar, Nehemiah, Nekoda, Nephusim, Neziah, Padon, Pahathmoab, Parosh, Paseah, Pashur, Peruda, Phaseah, Pochereth, Reaiah, Reelaiah, Rehum, Rezin, Seraiah, Shallum, Shalmai, Shephatiah, Shobai, Siaha, Sisera, Solomon, Sophereth, Sotai, Tabbaoth, Talmon, Thamah, Tobiah, Tobijah, Uzza, Zaccai, Zattu, Zerubbabel, Ziha
Places
Ai, Anathoth, Azmaveth, Babylon, Babylonia, Beeroth, Bethel, Bethlehem, Cherub, Geba, Hadid, Immer, Jericho, Jerusalem, Kiriath-arim, Lod, Michmas, Nebo, Netophah, Ono, Ramah, Tel-harsha, Tel-melah
Topics
743, Beeroth, Be-er'oth, Chephirah, Chephi'rah, Forty, Forty-three, Hundred, Jearim, Kephirah, Kiriath, Kir'iathar'im, Kiriath-arim, Kirjatharim, Kirjath-arim, Seven, Sons
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Ezra 2:1-65

     5249   census

Ezra 2:1-67

     7230   genealogies

Library
Altar and Temple
'And when the seventh month was come, and the children of Israel were in the cities, the people gathered themselves together as one man to Jerusalem. 2. Then stood up Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and his brethren the priests, and Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and his brethren, and builded the altar of the God of Israel, to offer burnt offerings thereon, as it is written in the law of Moses the man of God. 3. And they set the altar upon his bases; for fear was upon them because of the people of those …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Apocalypse.
On the Lit. and life of John, see §§ 40 and 41 (this vol.); on the authorship of the Apoc. and the time of composition, § 37 (this vol.); § 41 (this vol.); and § 84 (this vol.) 1. Modern Critical, works of German and French scholars on the Apocalypse: Lücke (Voltständige Einleitung, etc., 2d ed., 1852; 1,074 pages of introductory matter, critical and historical; compare with it the review of Bleek in the "Studien and Kritiken" for 1854 and 1855); DeWette Com., 1848, …
Philip Schaff—History of the Christian Church, Volume I

Barzillai
BY REV. GEORGE MILLIGAN, M.A., D.D. "There is nothing," says Socrates to Cephalus in the Republic, "I like better than conversing with aged men. For I regard them as travellers who have gone a journey which I too may have to go, and of whom it is right to learn the character of the way, whether it is rugged or difficult, or smooth and easy" (p. 328 E.). It is to such an aged traveller that we are introduced in the person of Barzillai the Gileadite. And though he is one of the lesser-known characters …
George Milligan—Men of the Bible; Some Lesser-Known

The Historical Books.
1. In the Pentateuch we have the establishment of the Theocracy, with the preparatory and accompanying history pertaining to it. The province of the historical books is to unfold its practiced working, and to show how, under the divine superintendence and guidance, it accomplished the end for which it was given. They contain, therefore, primarily, a history of God's dealings with the covenant people under the economy which he had imposed upon them. They look at the course of human events on the …
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the Bible

The Old Testament Canon from Its Beginning to Its Close.
The first important part of the Old Testament put together as a whole was the Pentateuch, or rather, the five books of Moses and Joshua. This was preceded by smaller documents, which one or more redactors embodied in it. The earliest things committed to writing were probably the ten words proceeding from Moses himself, afterwards enlarged into the ten commandments which exist at present in two recensions (Exod. xx., Deut. v.) It is true that we have the oldest form of the decalogue from the Jehovist …
Samuel Davidson—The Canon of the Bible

And thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, too little to be among the thousands of Judah
"And thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, too little to be among the thousands of Judah, out of thee shall come forth unto Me (one) [Pg 480] to be Ruler in Israel; and His goings forth are the times of old, the days of eternity." The close connection of this verse with what immediately precedes (Caspari is wrong in considering iv. 9-14 as an episode) is evident, not only from the [Hebrew: v] copulative, and from the analogy of the near relation of the announcement of salvation to the prophecy of disaster …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament

Ezra-Nehemiah
Some of the most complicated problems in Hebrew history as well as in the literary criticism of the Old Testament gather about the books of Ezra and Nehemiah. Apart from these books, all that we know of the origin and early history of Judaism is inferential. They are our only historical sources for that period; and if in them we have, as we seem to have, authentic memoirs, fragmentary though they be, written by the two men who, more than any other, gave permanent shape and direction to Judaism, then …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

Links
Ezra 2:25 NIV
Ezra 2:25 NLT
Ezra 2:25 ESV
Ezra 2:25 NASB
Ezra 2:25 KJV

Ezra 2:25 Commentaries

Bible Hub
Ezra 2:24
Top of Page
Top of Page