Ezra 2:15
the descendants of Adin, 454;
the descendants of Adin
The phrase "the descendants of Adin" refers to a specific family lineage that returned from the Babylonian exile. The name "Adin" is of Hebrew origin, meaning "delicate" or "luxurious." This family is listed among those who returned to Jerusalem and Judah under the leadership of Zerubbabel. The mention of Adin's descendants highlights the importance of family heritage and continuity in the Jewish tradition. It underscores the fulfillment of God's promise to restore His people to their land, emphasizing the faithfulness of God to His covenant with Israel. Historically, the return of these families was a significant event, marking the re-establishment of Jewish life and worship in Jerusalem after the Babylonian captivity.

454
The number "454" indicates the specific count of individuals from the family of Adin who returned to Jerusalem. This precise enumeration reflects the meticulous record-keeping of the Jewish people, which was crucial for maintaining tribal and family identities. In the broader context of the Book of Ezra, these numbers serve to document the fulfillment of God's promise to bring His people back to their homeland. The return of such a significant number of individuals from a single family also illustrates the collective commitment and faith of the Jewish people to rebuild their community and religious practices. This numerical detail, while seemingly minor, is a testament to the faithfulness and resilience of the Jewish people in the face of adversity, and it serves as an inspiration for believers today to remain steadfast in their faith and trust in God's promises.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Adin
Adin is the name of a family or clan that returned from the Babylonian exile. The name Adin means "delicate" or "luxurious" in Hebrew. This family is listed among those who returned to Jerusalem and Judah to rebuild the temple and restore the community.

2. Babylonian Exile
This was a period when the Israelites were taken captive by the Babylonians. The return from exile marks a significant event in Jewish history, symbolizing restoration and renewal.

3. Return to Jerusalem
The return to Jerusalem was a pivotal event for the Jewish people, as it represented the fulfillment of God's promise to bring His people back to their land after a period of judgment and exile.
Teaching Points
Faithfulness in Small Details
The listing of names and numbers in Ezra 2:15 reminds us that God values each individual and family. Every person has a role in His plan, and no detail is too small for His attention.

The Importance of Heritage
The descendants of Adin are part of a larger account of God's faithfulness to His promises. Our spiritual heritage is important, and we should honor those who have gone before us in faith.

Restoration and Renewal
The return from exile is a powerful symbol of God's ability to restore and renew. In our own lives, we can trust God to bring us back from periods of spiritual exile or distance.

Community and Cooperation
The collective effort of families like the descendants of Adin in rebuilding Jerusalem teaches us the importance of working together in community for God's purposes.
Bible Study Questions
1. What does the inclusion of the descendants of Adin in the list of returnees tell us about God's attention to detail and care for individuals?

2. How can we apply the concept of spiritual heritage in our own lives and communities today?

3. In what ways does the return from exile in Ezra parallel the spiritual restoration we experience through Christ?

4. How can we contribute to the "rebuilding" efforts in our own faith communities, similar to the descendants of Adin?

5. What other biblical examples can you find where God fulfills His promises of restoration and renewal, and how do they encourage you in your faith journey?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Nehemiah 7:20
This verse also lists the descendants of Adin among those who returned, showing consistency in the records of those who came back to Jerusalem.

Ezra 8:6
This passage mentions Ebed, a descendant of Adin, who returned with Ezra, highlighting the ongoing involvement of this family in the restoration efforts.

Isaiah 11:11-12
These verses speak of God's promise to gather His people from exile, which is fulfilled in part by the return of families like the descendants of Adin.
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
454, Fifty, Fifty-four, Hundred, 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

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