Ezra 2:21
the men of Bethlehem, 123;
the men of Bethlehem
The phrase "the men of Bethlehem" refers to the inhabitants of the town of Bethlehem who returned from the Babylonian exile. Bethlehem, known as the "House of Bread" in Hebrew, holds significant historical and theological importance. It is famously recognized as the birthplace of King David and later, Jesus Christ. The mention of Bethlehem here underscores the continuity of God's promises and the fulfillment of His covenant with David. The return of these men signifies the restoration of the Davidic line and the hope of messianic fulfillment. Historically, Bethlehem was a small town, yet its mention in the list of returnees highlights its enduring significance in the narrative of God's redemptive plan.

123
The number "123" indicates the specific count of men from Bethlehem who returned to Judah. This precise enumeration reflects the meticulous record-keeping of the post-exilic community, emphasizing the importance of each individual in the restoration process. In a broader theological context, numbers in the Bible often carry symbolic weight. While 123 does not have a specific symbolic meaning, the act of counting itself signifies the value and worth of each person in God's eyes. It serves as a reminder that God is attentive to the details of His people's lives and that each person plays a vital role in the unfolding of His divine purposes. The return of these 123 men is a testament to God's faithfulness in preserving a remnant and restoring His people to their homeland.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Bethlehem
A small town in Judah, known as the birthplace of King David and later, Jesus Christ. It holds significant historical and theological importance in the biblical account.

2. The Men of Bethlehem
This refers to the group of exiles returning from Babylonian captivity. The number 123 indicates the men from Bethlehem who were part of this return, highlighting the restoration of the community.

3. The Return from Exile
This event marks the return of the Jewish people from Babylonian captivity to their homeland, as decreed by King Cyrus of Persia. It signifies a period of rebuilding and restoration for the Israelites.
Teaching Points
Significance of Small Beginnings
Bethlehem, though small, played a crucial role in God's redemptive plan. This teaches us that God often uses humble beginnings to accomplish great purposes.

Faithfulness in Restoration
The return of the men of Bethlehem symbolizes faithfulness and hope in God's promises. We are encouraged to trust in God's restoration in our lives, even after periods of hardship.

Community and Identity
The specific mention of the men of Bethlehem highlights the importance of community and identity. As believers, we are part of a spiritual community with a shared heritage and purpose.

Prophetic Fulfillment
The connection between Bethlehem and the birth of Jesus underscores the reliability of God's word and the fulfillment of prophecy. This strengthens our faith in the promises of Scripture.
Bible Study Questions
1. What does the mention of Bethlehem in Ezra 2:21 reveal about God's attention to detail in His plans?

2. How does the return of the exiles to their homeland reflect God's faithfulness to His promises?

3. In what ways can we see the significance of small or seemingly insignificant places or people in God's redemptive history?

4. How does the prophecy in Micah 5:2 and its fulfillment in Matthew 2:1-6 encourage us to trust in God's word?

5. What lessons can we learn from the community of Bethlehem about maintaining our identity and faithfulness in challenging times?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Micah 5:2
This verse prophesies the significance of Bethlehem as the birthplace of a ruler in Israel, connecting the town's historical importance to its future messianic role.

Matthew 2:1-6
The Gospel of Matthew references Bethlehem as the birthplace of Jesus, fulfilling the prophecy from Micah and linking the Old Testament to the New Testament.

1 Samuel 16:1
This passage describes God's selection of David, a Bethlehemite, as king, establishing Bethlehem's importance in the lineage of David and ultimately, Jesus.
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
123, Beth-lehem, Hundred, Sons, Twenty, Twenty-three
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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