Ezra 2:60
The children of Delaiah, the children of Tobiah, the children of Nekoda, six hundred fifty and two.
Original Language Analysis
בְּנֵ֣י
The children
H1121
בְּנֵ֣י
The children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
1 of 10
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
בְּנֵ֣י
The children
H1121
בְּנֵ֣י
The children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
3 of 10
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
טוֹבִיָּ֖ה
of Tobiah
H2900
טוֹבִיָּ֖ה
of Tobiah
Strong's:
H2900
Word #:
4 of 10
tobijah, the name of three israelites and of one samaritan
בְּנֵ֣י
The children
H1121
בְּנֵ֣י
The children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
5 of 10
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
שֵׁ֥שׁ
six
H8337
שֵׁ֥שׁ
six
Strong's:
H8337
Word #:
7 of 10
six (as an overplus beyond five or the fingers of the hand); as ordinal, sixth
Historical Context
This group (652 people) was significantly larger than the servant class (392 in verse 58) yet could not prove Israelite lineage. They were provisionally included in the community (not immediately expelled) but faced restrictions. This reflects post-exilic Judaism's increasing emphasis on genealogical purity and ethnic boundary-maintenance in response to exile trauma.
Questions for Reflection
- How might you be relying on family heritage or religious upbringing rather than personal covenant relationship?
- What does it mean to bear God's name (Christian) without possessing the inward reality of regeneration?
- How does Romans 2:28-29 address the difference between outward religious identity and true spiritual circumcision?
Analysis & Commentary
The children of Delaiah, the children of Tobiah, the children of Nekoda, six hundred fifty and two—These 652 individuals claimed Israelite descent but lacked proof. Delaiah (דְּלָיָה) means "Yahweh has drawn up" or "delivered," Tobiah (טוֹבִיָּה) means "Yahweh is good," and Nekoda (נְקוֹדָא) means "distinguished" or "marked."
Ironically, their names proclaimed covenant identity—"Yahweh has delivered," "Yahweh is good"—yet they could not demonstrate covenant membership. This is the tragedy of nominal faith: bearing God's name without possessing God's credentials. Jesus warned of those who claim "Lord, Lord" without relationship (Matthew 7:21-23). True Israel is not genealogical but spiritual (Romans 9:6-8; Galatians 3:7-9).