Ezra 2:33
the men of Lod, Hadid, and Ono, 725;
the men of Lod:
Lod is a town located in the Shephelah region of Israel, near the modern-day city of Lydda. It is historically significant as it was part of the territory allotted to the tribe of Benjamin (1 Chronicles 8:12). Lod is mentioned in the context of the return from Babylonian exile, indicating its reestablishment as a Jewish settlement. The town later became known for its Christian community in the early church period, as seen in Acts 9:32-35, where Peter heals Aeneas in Lydda.

Hadid:
Hadid is a lesser-known location, but it is identified as a town in the territory of Benjamin, as mentioned in Nehemiah 11:34. Its inclusion in the list of returning exiles suggests it was a recognized settlement during the post-exilic period. The mention of Hadid alongside Lod and Ono indicates its geographical proximity and shared historical context as part of the restoration efforts after the Babylonian captivity.

and Ono:
Ono is another town in the region of Benjamin, mentioned in 1 Chronicles 8:12 alongside Lod. It is also referenced in Nehemiah 6:2, where Nehemiah is invited to meet his adversaries in the plain of Ono, highlighting its strategic location. The town's inclusion in the list of returning exiles underscores its importance in the reestablishment of the Jewish community in the land of Israel.

725
The specific number of 725 men returning from these towns reflects the detailed record-keeping of the post-exilic community. This enumeration emphasizes the importance of each family and town in the restoration of Israel. The precision of the numbers in Ezra 2 is mirrored in Nehemiah 7, which provides a similar census, underscoring the continuity and faithfulness of God's people in preserving their heritage and fulfilling the prophetic promises of restoration.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Lod
A town in the territory of Benjamin, known in the New Testament as Lydda. It was a significant location for the returning exiles and later became a center for early Christian activity.

2. Hadid
A lesser-known town mentioned in the context of the returning exiles. Its exact location is uncertain, but it was part of the region allocated to the tribe of Benjamin.

3. Ono
Another town in the territory of Benjamin, often mentioned alongside Lod. It was strategically located and played a role in the post-exilic community's rebuilding efforts.

4. The Returning Exiles
The group of Israelites who returned from Babylonian captivity to rebuild Jerusalem and the temple. This event marks a significant moment of restoration and renewal for the Jewish people.

5. The Number 725
Represents the number of men from these towns who returned. This specific count highlights the organized and communal effort in the restoration process.
Teaching Points
Community and Restoration
The listing of towns and their inhabitants underscores the importance of community in God's restoration plan. Each person and place had a role in the collective effort to rebuild.

Faithfulness in Small Things
Even lesser-known towns like Hadid played a part in God's redemptive history. This teaches us that no role is too small in God's kingdom.

Historical Continuity
The return of the exiles and the rebuilding of their towns reflect God's faithfulness to His promises. This continuity encourages us to trust in God's long-term plans.

Strategic Importance
The mention of specific towns highlights the strategic planning involved in the restoration. We are reminded to be intentional and strategic in our own spiritual and communal endeavors.
Bible Study Questions
1. What does the inclusion of specific towns and their inhabitants in Ezra 2:33 teach us about the value of community in God's work?

2. How can the faithfulness of the returning exiles inspire us in our own spiritual journeys, especially when facing challenges?

3. In what ways does the strategic importance of towns like Lod and Ono inform our understanding of planning and purpose in our lives?

4. How does the historical context of these towns enhance our appreciation for God's faithfulness throughout biblical history?

5. Reflect on a time when you felt your role was insignificant. How does this passage encourage you to see the value in every contribution to God's kingdom?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Nehemiah 6
Ono is mentioned as a place where Nehemiah was invited by his enemies, indicating its strategic importance.

Acts 9
Lydda (Lod) is where Peter healed Aeneas, showing the continued significance of this location in the early church.

1 Chronicles 8
Provides genealogical context for the tribe of Benjamin, to which these towns belonged.
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
Hadid, Hundred, Lod, Ono, Seven, Sons, Twenty, Twenty-five
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

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