Ezra 2:23
What does Ezra 2:23 mean?
A plain-English look at Ezra 2:23 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Ezra 2:23 means
The men of Anathoth, a hundred twenty and eight, are listed. Anathoth, known as a priestly town in earlier times, here has a modest number returning. Their presence signals continuity of life and worship associated with certain towns. By noting each town’s contingent, the text documents the practical rebuilding of Judah’s human landscape. Anathoth’s restored population would contribute to the region’s stability and to the support system for Jerusalem and the temple, as produce and people from surrounding towns sustained religious and civic life.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000The men of Anathoth, a hundred twenty and eight.
KJV
King James Version · 1611The men of Anathoth, an hundred twenty and eight.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901The men of Anathoth, a hundred twenty and eight.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949The men of Anathoth, a hundred and twenty-eight.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Men of Anathoth, a hundred twenty and eight.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752The men of Anathoth, a hundred twenty-eight.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890The men of Anathoth, a hundred and twenty-eight.
Context
Still within the town-based enumeration, this verse highlights a locality with historical resonance. The list will proceed with other towns and their counts (vv. 24–35), some very small, others substantial. This geographic spread shows that the return was not limited to Jerusalem but involved the broader Judean countryside. After these towns are enumerated, the chapter will move toward cataloguing priests, Levites, and other temple-related groups (vv. 36–58).
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Nehemiah 7:27
The men of Anathoth, a hundred twenty and eight.
- Isaiah 10:30
Cry aloud with thy voice, O daughter of Gallim! hearken, O Laishah! O thou poor Anathoth!
- Joshua 21:18
Anathoth with its suburbs, and Almon with its suburbs; four cities.
- Jeremiah 11:21
Therefore thus saith Jehovah concerning the men of Anathoth, that seek thy life, saying, Thou shalt not prophesy in the name of Jehovah, that thou die not by our hand;
- Jeremiah 1:1
The words of Jeremiah the son of Hilkiah, of the priests that were in Anathoth in the land of Benjamin: