Ezra 2:22

Authorized King James Version

The men of Netophah, fifty and six.

Word-by-Word Analysis

אַנְשֵׁ֥י

H582

The men

properly, a mortal (and thus differing from the more dignified h0120); hence, a man in general (singly or collectively)

נְטֹפָ֖ה

H5199

of Netophah

netophah, a place in palestine

חֲמִשִּׁ֥ים

H2572

fifty

וְשִׁשָּֽׁה׃

H8337

and six

six (as an overplus beyond five or the fingers of the hand); as ordinal, sixth

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on salvation particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

What systematic theological implications arise from this verse's treatment of salvation, and how does it contribute to a biblical theology of soteriology and the doctrine of salvation?
How does the salvation theme in this verse connect to the overarching narrative of Scripture, and what does this reveal about God's character and purposes?
How does this passage contribute to our understanding of from physical deliverance in the Old Testament to spiritual redemption in the New, and what implications does this have for Christian discipleship?