Ezra 2:55
What does Ezra 2:55 mean?
A plain-English look at Ezra 2:55 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Ezra 2:55 means
The children of Solomon’s servants—Sotai, Hassophereth, and Peruda—begin another class of temple-related workers. These likely descended from labor corps established in Solomon’s era for temple and royal projects. Their identification as a distinct group shows continuity of service roles across centuries. Including them reflects the comprehensive staffing of the restored worship system, where both sacred and practical duties were recognized and honored within the community’s records.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000The children of Solomon’s servants: the children of Sotai, the children of Hassophereth, the children of Peruda,
KJV
King James Version · 1611The children of Solomon’s servants: the children of Sotai, the children of Sophereth, the children of Peruda,
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901The children of Solomon’s servants: the children of Sotai, the children of Hassophereth, the children of Peruda,
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949The children of Solomon's servants: the children of Sotai, the children of Hassophereth, the children of Peruda,
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Sons of the servants of Solomon: sons of Sotai, sons of Sophereth, sons of Peruda,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752The children of the servants of Solomon, the children of Sotai, the children of Sopheret, the children of Pharuda,
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890The children of Solomon's servants: the children of Sotai, the children of Sophereth, the children of Peruda,
Context
Having finished the Nethinim list, the chapter now turns briefly to Solomon’s servants (vv. 55–57), naming their families. This group is separate yet functionally similar to the Nethinim in supporting temple operations. After these verses, a summary total for both groups will be given (v. 58). The narrative will then address the sensitive issue of those who could not prove their lineage (vv. 59–63), essential for guarding priestly purity.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Nehemiah 7:57
The children of Solomon’s servants: the children of Sotai, the children of Sophereth, the children of Perida,
- 1 Kings 9:21
their children that were left after them in the land, whom the children of Israel were not able utterly to destroy, of them did Solomon raise a levy of bondservants unto this day.