The Census of the Exiles refers to the enumeration of the Jewish people who returned to Jerusalem and Judah from the Babylonian captivity. This event is primarily documented in the books of Ezra and Nehemiah, which provide detailed lists of the families and individuals who participated in the return to the Promised Land following the decree of Cyrus, King of Persia.

Biblical Context

The Babylonian Exile was a significant period in Jewish history, beginning with the conquest of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar II in 586 BC. The destruction of the First Temple and the subsequent deportation of the Jewish people to Babylon marked a time of profound loss and reflection. However, the exile also became a period of spiritual renewal and anticipation for the return to their homeland.

The opportunity for return came when Cyrus the Great conquered Babylon in 539 BC. In the first year of his reign, Cyrus issued a decree allowing the exiled Jews to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the Temple. This decree is recorded in Ezra 1:1-4, where it states, "In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, to fulfill the word of the LORD spoken through Jeremiah, the LORD stirred the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia to send a proclamation throughout his kingdom and to put it in writing."

The Census in Ezra

The book of Ezra provides the first detailed account of the census of the exiles. Ezra 2:1-2 begins with, "Now these are the people of the province who came up from the captivity of the exiles carried away to Babylon by Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon. They returned to Jerusalem and Judah, each to his own town, accompanied by Zerubbabel, Jeshua, Nehemiah, Seraiah, Reelaiah, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispar, Bigvai, Rehum, and Baanah."

The chapter continues with a comprehensive list of the families and their numbers, including priests, Levites, singers, gatekeepers, and temple servants. The total number of the assembly is recorded as 42,360, not including their male and female servants, who numbered 7,337, along with 200 male and female singers (Ezra 2:64-65).

The Census in Nehemiah

A similar list is found in Nehemiah 7, which recounts the same event with slight variations in numbers and names. Nehemiah 7:5-7 states, "Then my God put it into my heart to assemble the nobles, the officials, and the people to be enrolled by genealogy. And I found the genealogical record of those who had returned first, and I found written in it: These are the people of the province who came up from the captivity of the exiles carried away to Babylon by Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon. Each returned to Jerusalem and Judah, to his own town, accompanied by Zerubbabel, Jeshua, Nehemiah, Azariah, Raamiah, Nahamani, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispereth, Bigvai, Nehum, and Baanah."

The list in Nehemiah serves to confirm and complement the account in Ezra, emphasizing the continuity and faithfulness of God's people in returning to their ancestral land.

Significance

The Census of the Exiles is significant for several reasons. It underscores the fulfillment of God's promises to restore His people to their land, as prophesied by Jeremiah and other prophets. It also highlights the importance of community and identity for the Jewish people, as they sought to reestablish their religious and cultural heritage in Jerusalem.

Moreover, the detailed genealogical records reflect the importance of lineage and heritage in Jewish society, ensuring that the priestly and Levitical lines were preserved for the proper worship and service in the rebuilt Temple. The census also serves as a testament to the faith and determination of the exiles who undertook the arduous journey back to their homeland, trusting in God's provision and guidance.