Ezra 2:22
What does Ezra 2:22 mean?
A plain-English look at Ezra 2:22 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Ezra 2:22 means
The men of Netophah, fifty and six, are recorded. Netophah was a smaller locality, and the small number underscores that even minor villages were regarrisoned and repopulated. Such details matter because reestablishing rural life was essential for agriculture and supply to Jerusalem. The inclusion of “men of” suggests a civic identification rallied around the town itself. These returnees, though few, ensured that their village would not disappear from Israel’s map, helping to maintain the network of communities that sustained national life.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000The men of Netophah, fifty and six.
KJV
King James Version · 1611The men of Netophah, fifty and six.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901The men of Netophah, fifty and six.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949The men of Netophah, fifty-six.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Men of Netophah, fifty and six.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752The men of Netupha, fifty-six.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890The men of Netophah, fifty-six.
Context
Continuing the place-based section, this verse shows that not only major towns but also small villages had returning residents. The sequence proceeds through other localities with their numbers, painting a map of resettlement. This will culminate in larger aggregates like Senaah (v. 35). Once the town-based list concludes, the narrative will pivot to the religious classes needed to restart temple worship (vv. 36–58), which depend on these towns for support.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 1 Chronicles 2:54
The sons of Salma: Beth-lehem, and the Netophathites, Atroth-beth-joab, and half of the Manahathites, the Zorites.
- Nehemiah 7:26
The men of Beth-lehem and Netophah, a hundred fourscore and eight.
- 2 Samuel 23:28
Zalmon the Ahohite, Maharai the Netophathite,
- Jeremiah 40:8
then they came to Gedaliah to Mizpah, to wit, Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, and Johanan and Jonathan the sons of Kareah, and Seraiah the son of Tanhumeth, and the sons of Ephai the Netophathite, and Jezaniah the son of the Maacathite, they and their men.