Ezra 2:30
the descendants of Magbish, 156;
the descendants of Magbish
The phrase "the descendants of Magbish" refers to a specific group of people who returned from the Babylonian exile to Jerusalem and Judah. The name "Magbish" is unique and not widely mentioned elsewhere in the Bible, which suggests that it may have been a relatively small or less prominent family or clan. The Hebrew root of "Magbish" is uncertain, but it may imply a sense of gathering or assembling, which is fitting given the context of the return from exile. This highlights the theme of restoration and the fulfillment of God's promises to bring His people back to their land. Historically, the return from exile was a significant event for the Jewish people, symbolizing hope, renewal, and the re-establishment of their identity and worship in the promised land.

156
The number "156" represents the count of individuals from the family or clan of Magbish who returned to Jerusalem. In the context of the book of Ezra, these numbers are not merely statistical; they reflect the faithfulness of God in preserving His people through the exile and the willingness of the exiles to respond to God's call to return and rebuild. Each number signifies a life, a family, and a account of faith and courage. The precision of these records underscores the importance of each individual in God's plan and the meticulous care with which the restoration of the community was undertaken. This enumeration serves as a reminder of the collective effort required to rebuild the nation and the importance of each person's contribution to the fulfillment of God's purposes.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Ezra
A scribe and priest who led the second group of exiles back to Jerusalem from Babylon. He is known for his dedication to the Law of Moses and his role in the spiritual and physical restoration of Jerusalem.

2. Magbish
A lesser-known place or possibly a family name mentioned in the list of returnees. The exact location or significance of Magbish is not detailed in the Bible, but it represents a group of people who returned from exile.

3. The Return from Exile
This event marks the return of the Jewish people from Babylonian captivity to Jerusalem, as decreed by King Cyrus of Persia. It is a significant moment of restoration and fulfillment of God's promises.
Teaching Points
Faithfulness in Small Details
The mention of the descendants of Magbish, though seemingly minor, underscores the importance of every individual and family in God's plan. God values each person and their role in His account.

God's Faithfulness to His Promises
The return from exile is a testament to God's faithfulness. Despite the people's past unfaithfulness, God remained true to His word, fulfilling His promise to restore them.

The Importance of Community
The collective return of various families and groups, including those from Magbish, highlights the strength and importance of community in fulfilling God's purposes.

Restoration and New Beginnings
The return from exile symbolizes a fresh start and the opportunity for spiritual renewal. It encourages believers to seek restoration and renewal in their own lives.
Bible Study Questions
1. What does the inclusion of the descendants of Magbish in the list of returnees teach us about God's view of individuals and families?

2. How does the return from exile demonstrate God's faithfulness to His promises, and how can this encourage us in our personal faith journey?

3. In what ways can we see the importance of community in the account of the return from exile, and how can we apply this to our church or community today?

4. How does the prophecy in Isaiah 44:28 about Cyrus connect to the events in Ezra, and what does this teach us about God's sovereignty over history?

5. Reflect on a time when you experienced a "return from exile" or a fresh start in your life. How did you see God's hand in that process, and what lessons did you learn?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Nehemiah 7
This chapter provides a parallel account of the returnees, including the descendants of Magbish, highlighting the continuity and consistency in the records of those who returned to Jerusalem.

Isaiah 44:28
This prophecy speaks of Cyrus, who would decree the rebuilding of Jerusalem, connecting to the historical context of the return from exile.

Jeremiah 29:10-14
This passage contains God's promise to bring the exiles back after 70 years, emphasizing His faithfulness and the fulfillment seen in 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
156, Fifty-six, Hundred, Magbish, Six, 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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