Ezra 2:5
the descendants of Arah, 775;
the descendants of Arah
The phrase "the descendants of Arah" refers to the lineage of a man named Arah. In Hebrew, "Arah" (אָרַח) can mean "wayfarer" or "traveler," suggesting a possible characteristic of the family or its progenitor. This lineage is part of the genealogical record of those who returned from the Babylonian exile to Jerusalem and Judah. The inclusion of Arah's descendants in this list highlights the importance of family heritage and continuity in the Jewish faith. 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. The mention of specific families also serves to authenticate the historical record, providing a tangible connection to the past and a sense of identity and belonging for the returning exiles.

775
The number "775" indicates the count of individuals from the family of Arah who returned to Jerusalem. This precise enumeration reflects the meticulous nature of the record-keeping during the post-exilic period. It also signifies the significant commitment and courage of these individuals to leave the relative comfort of Babylon and undertake the arduous journey back to their ancestral homeland. The number serves as a testament to the collective faith and determination of the Jewish people to rebuild their community and reestablish their worship in the land promised to their forefathers. In a broader spiritual sense, this number can inspire believers today to consider the sacrifices and steps of faith required to pursue God's calling and promises in their own lives.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Arah
Arah is the head of a family or clan that returned from the Babylonian exile. The name "Arah" means "wayfarer" or "traveler," which may symbolize the journey of faith and return to the promised land.

2. The Return from Exile
This event marks the return of the Jewish exiles from Babylon to Jerusalem, a significant moment in Jewish history that fulfills God's promise of restoration.

3. The Exiles
The group of people mentioned in this passage are part of the larger community of Israelites who were taken into captivity in Babylon and are now returning to rebuild their lives and the temple in Jerusalem.
Teaching Points
Faithfulness in Small Details
The inclusion of specific family names and numbers in Ezra 2:5 highlights the importance of each individual in God's plan. God values every person and their role in His redemptive history.

The Importance of Heritage
Understanding one's spiritual heritage can strengthen faith and identity. Just as the descendants of Arah were part of a larger account, Christians today are part of the ongoing account of God's people.

God's Faithfulness to His Promises
The return from exile 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 and Restoration
The collective return of the exiles emphasizes the importance of community in spiritual restoration and rebuilding. Christians are called to support and encourage one another in their faith journeys.
Bible Study Questions
1. What does the inclusion of specific family names, like the descendants of Arah, teach us about God's attention to detail and care for individuals?

2. How can understanding our spiritual heritage and lineage strengthen our faith and identity as Christians?

3. In what ways does the return from exile demonstrate God's faithfulness to His promises, and how can this encourage us in our personal lives?

4. How can we, as a community of believers, support one another in our spiritual journeys and in times of restoration?

5. What are some practical ways we can remember and celebrate God's faithfulness in our lives, similar to how the Israelites remembered their return from exile?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Nehemiah 7:10
This verse also lists the descendants of Arah among those who returned, showing consistency in the records of the returning exiles.

1 Chronicles 9:1-3
Chronicles provides a broader context of the genealogies and the importance of maintaining the lineage and heritage of the Israelites.

Isaiah 11:11-12
This prophecy speaks of the Lord gathering the remnant of His people from various lands, including Babylon, which connects to the return of the exiles.
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
775, Hundred, Seven, Seventy, Seventy-five, 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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