Ezra 2:9
the descendants of Zaccai, 760;
the descendants of Zaccai
The phrase "the descendants of Zaccai" refers to a specific family lineage among the Israelites who returned from the Babylonian exile. The name "Zaccai" is derived from the Hebrew root "זָכַי" (Zakkai), which means "pure" or "innocent." This name may reflect the character or aspirations of the family, emphasizing a desire for purity and righteousness in their return to the land of Israel. Historically, the mention of specific families highlights the importance of genealogical records in maintaining tribal and familial identities, which were crucial for the restoration of the community and religious practices in Jerusalem.

760
The number "760" indicates the count of individuals from the family of Zaccai who returned to Jerusalem. This precise enumeration underscores the meticulous record-keeping of the returning exiles, reflecting the importance of each family in the rebuilding of the nation. The number also signifies the fulfillment of God's promise to restore His people, as each individual represents a part of the larger narrative of redemption and restoration. In a broader theological context, this enumeration serves as a reminder of God's faithfulness in preserving His people and His covenant, even through periods of judgment and exile.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Zaccai
A family or clan leader whose descendants returned from the Babylonian exile. The name Zaccai is of Hebrew origin, possibly meaning "pure" or "innocent." This family is part of the larger group of Israelites who returned to Jerusalem and Judah to rebuild the temple and restore their community.

2. Babylonian Exile
A significant event in Jewish history where the people of Judah were taken captive to Babylon. The return from exile marks a period of restoration and renewal for the Jewish people.

3. Return to Jerusalem
The event of the Jewish exiles returning to their homeland, as recorded in the book of Ezra, signifies a fulfillment of God's promise to restore His people.
Teaching Points
Faithfulness in Small Details
The listing of families, such as the descendants of Zaccai, underscores the importance of each individual and family in God's plan. God values every person and their role in His redemptive history.

God's Promises Fulfilled
The return of the exiles is a testament to God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises. Believers can trust that God will fulfill His promises in their lives as well.

Community Restoration
The collective return of families highlights the importance of community in God's work. Believers are encouraged to participate in and contribute to the restoration and building of their faith communities.

Heritage and Identity
The mention of specific families reminds believers of the importance of understanding their spiritual heritage and identity in Christ.

Hope in Restoration
Just as the exiles returned to rebuild, believers can find hope in God's ability to restore and renew their lives, no matter the circumstances.
Bible Study Questions
1. What significance does the listing of individual families, such as the descendants of Zaccai, have in the broader account of the return from exile?

2. How does the return of the exiles in Ezra 2:9 demonstrate God's faithfulness to His promises, and how can this encourage us in our personal faith journey?

3. In what ways can we contribute to the restoration and building of our faith communities, drawing inspiration from the collective efforts of the returning exiles?

4. How does understanding our spiritual heritage and identity in Christ impact our daily lives and decisions?

5. Reflect on a time when you experienced God's restoration in your life. How can the account of the exiles' return inspire hope and trust in God's ongoing work in your life?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Nehemiah 7:14
This verse also lists the descendants of Zaccai, providing a parallel account of the returnees, which helps confirm the historical record of the families returning from exile.

Isaiah 11:11-12
These verses speak of God's promise to gather the remnant of His people from various lands, including Babylon, which connects to the return of the exiles in Ezra.

Jeremiah 29:10-14
Jeremiah's prophecy about the return from Babylonian captivity highlights God's faithfulness and the hope of restoration, which is realized in the events of Ezra.
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
760, Seven, Sixty, Sons, Threescore, Zaccai, Zac'cai
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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