Ezra 2

Passage overview

Nehemiah 2 describes how Nehemiah, who served the Persian king Artaxerxes, carries a vision to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. After praying, he obtains the king’s permission, sets out for Jerusalem, examines the situation on site, and lays out a practical plan for the rebuilding.

1verseNow these are the children of the province who went up out of the captivity of those who had been carried away, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away to Babylon, and who returned to Jerusalem and Judah, everyone to his city;

2versewho came with Zerubbabel, Jeshua, Nehemiah, Seraiah, Reelaiah, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispar, Bigvai, Rehum, and Baanah. The number of the men of the people of Israel:

3verseThe children of Parosh, two thousand one hundred seventy-two.

4verseThe children of Shephatiah, three hundred seventy-two.

5verseThe children of Arah, seven hundred seventy-five.

6verseThe children of Pahathmoab, of the children of Jeshua and Joab, two thousand eight hundred twelve.

7verseThe children of Elam, one thousand two hundred fifty-four.

8verseThe children of Zattu, nine hundred forty-five.

9verseThe children of Zaccai, seven hundred sixty.

10verseThe children of Bani, six hundred forty-two.

11verseThe children of Bebai, six hundred twenty-three.

12verseThe children of Azgad, one thousand two hundred twenty-two.

13verseThe children of Adonikam, six hundred sixty-six.

14verseThe children of Bigvai, two thousand fifty-six.

15verseThe children of Adin, four hundred fifty-four.

16verseThe children of Ater, of Hezekiah, ninety-eight.

17verseThe children of Bezai, three hundred twenty-three.

18verseThe children of Jorah, one hundred twelve.

19verseThe children of Hashum, two hundred twenty-three.

20verseThe children of Gibbar, ninety-five.

21verseThe children of Bethlehem, one hundred twenty-three.

22verseThe men of Netophah, fifty-six.

23verseThe men of Anathoth, one hundred twenty-eight.

24verseThe children of Azmaveth, forty-two.

25verseThe children of Kiriath Arim, Chephirah, and Beeroth, seven hundred forty-three.

26verseThe children of Ramah and Geba, six hundred twenty-one.

27verseThe men of Michmas, one hundred twenty-two.

28verseThe men of Bethel and Ai, two hundred twenty-three.

29verseThe children of Nebo, fifty-two.

30verseThe children of Magbish, one hundred fifty-six.

31verseThe children of the other Elam, one thousand two hundred fifty-four.

32verseThe children of Harim, three hundred twenty.

33verseThe children of Lod, Hadid, and Ono, seven hundred twenty-five.

34verseThe children of Jericho, three hundred forty-five.

35verseThe children of Senaah, three thousand six hundred thirty.

36verseThe priests: the children of Jedaiah, of the house of Jeshua, nine hundred seventy-three.

37verseThe children of Immer, one thousand fifty-two.

38verseThe children of Pashhur, one thousand two hundred forty-seven.

39verseThe children of Harim, one thousand seventeen.

40verseThe Levites: the children of Jeshua and Kadmiel, of the children of Hodaviah, seventy-four.

41verseThe singers: the children of Asaph, one hundred twenty-eight.

42verseThe children of the gatekeepers: the children of Shallum, the children of Ater, the children of Talmon, the children of Akkub, the children of Hatita, the children of Shobai, in all one hundred thirty-nine.

43verseThe temple servants: the children of Ziha, the children of Hasupha, the children of Tabbaoth,

44versethe children of Keros, the children of Siaha, the children of Padon,

45versethe children of Lebanah, the children of Hagabah, the children of Akkub,

46versethe children of Hagab, the children of Shamlai, the children of Hanan,

47versethe children of Giddel, the children of Gahar, the children of Reaiah,

48versethe children of Rezin, the children of Nekoda, the children of Gazzam,

49versethe children of Uzza, the children of Paseah, the children of Besai,

50versethe children of Asnah, the children of Meunim, the children of Nephisim,

51versethe children of Bakbuk, the children of Hakupha, the children of Harhur,

52versethe children of Bazluth, the children of Mehida, the children of Harsha,

53versethe children of Barkos, the children of Sisera, the children of Temah,

54versethe children of Neziah, the children of Hatipha.

55verseThe children of Solomon’s servants: the children of Sotai, the children of Hassophereth, the children of Peruda,

56versethe children of Jaalah, the children of Darkon, the children of Giddel,

57versethe children of Shephatiah, the children of Hattil, the children of Pochereth Hazzebaim, the children of Ami.

58verseAll the temple servants, and the children of Solomon’s servants, were three hundred ninety-two.

59verseThese were those who went up from Tel Melah, Tel Harsha, Cherub, Addan, and Immer; but they could not show their fathers’ houses and their offspring, whether they were of Israel:

60versethe children of Delaiah, the children of Tobiah, the children of Nekoda, six hundred fifty-two.

61verseOf the children of the priests: the children of Habaiah, the children of Hakkoz, and the children of Barzillai, who took a wife of the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite, and was called after their name.

62verseThese sought their place among those who were registered by genealogy, but they were not found; therefore they were deemed disqualified and removed from the priesthood.

63verseThe governor told them that they should not eat of the most holy things until a priest stood up to serve with Urim and with Thummim.

64verseThe whole assembly together was forty-two thousand three hundred sixty,

65versein addition to their male servants and their female servants, of whom there were seven thousand three hundred thirty-seven; and they had two hundred singing men and singing women.

66verseTheir horses were seven hundred thirty-six; their mules, two hundred forty-five;

67versetheir camels, four hundred thirty-five; their donkeys, six thousand seven hundred twenty.

68verseSome of the heads of fathers’ households, when they came to the LORD’s house which is in Jerusalem, offered willingly for God’s house to set it up in its place.

69verseThey gave according to their ability into the treasury of the work sixty-one thousand darics of gold, five thousand minas of silver, and one hundred priests’ garments.

70verseSo the priests and the Levites, with some of the people, the singers, the gatekeepers, and the temple servants, lived in their cities, and all Israel in their cities.

Conversation with the King and Permission (Verses 1-8)

Nehemiah is able to speak with the king as his sadness becomes known to him. He honestly reveals the tragic condition of Jerusalem and, based on the king’s trust, receives permission to rebuild the wall. The king supports him with a decree that allows him to travel safely and provides the necessary materials (timber).

Arrival in Jerusalem and Checking the Situation (Verses 9-16)

As soon as Nehemiah arrives in Jerusalem, he quietly inspects the wall situation firsthand at night. He does not reveal his plans right away; instead, he carefully observes the circumstances and prepares prudently. This shows both leadership insight and the process of practical preparation.

Encouraging the People and the Appearance of Opponents (Verses 17-20)

Nehemiah urges the people to rebuild, emphasizing the necessity of the work and God’s help. The people open their hearts and join in. At the same time, opposition and mockery also emerge from surrounding peoples such as Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem. Nehemiah shows a firm determination to trust God’s will without wavering and to continue the rebuilding.

Reflection Points

  • Pray and Prepare: Before acting, Nehemiah prays thoroughly and plans carefully. Let’s reflect on whether our own decisions also begin with prayer and preparation.
  • Leadership for Restoring the Community: Nehemiah expands his personal vision into the community’s mission and brings the people together.

Try Applying It to Me

  • In my home, in the faith community, and in society, what areas need rebuilding?
  • Let’s reflect on how we can apply trust and perseverance—balancing practical action with prayer—amid difficulties.

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