Ezra 2:65
Beside their servants and their maids, of whom there were seven thousand three hundred thirty and seven: and there were among them two hundred singing men and singing women.
Original Language Analysis
מִ֠לְּבַד
H905
מִ֠לְּבַד
Strong's:
H905
Word #:
1 of 14
properly, separation; by implication, a part of the body, branch of a tree, bar for carrying; figuratively, chief of a city; especially (with preposit
וְשִׁבְעָ֑ה
and seven
H7651
וְשִׁבְעָ֑ה
and seven
Strong's:
H7651
Word #:
5 of 14
seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number
אֲלָפִ֔ים
thousand
H505
אֲלָפִ֔ים
thousand
Strong's:
H505
Word #:
6 of 14
hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand
שְׁלֹ֥שׁ
three
H7969
שְׁלֹ֥שׁ
three
Strong's:
H7969
Word #:
7 of 14
three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice
מָאתָֽיִם׃
among them two hundred
H3967
מָאתָֽיִם׃
among them two hundred
Strong's:
H3967
Word #:
8 of 14
a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction
וְשִׁבְעָ֑ה
and seven
H7651
וְשִׁבְעָ֑ה
and seven
Strong's:
H7651
Word #:
10 of 14
seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern households commonly included servants—some of foreign origin, others fellow Israelites in debt service. The 7,337 servants represent significant population beyond the 42,360 primary returnees. Their inclusion in the count shows they were part of the restoration community. Archaeological evidence shows Persian-period settlements were modest, suggesting this population represented significant proportion of Judah's total inhabitants. The community faced enormous rebuilding challenges with this relatively small workforce.
Questions for Reflection
- How does inclusion of servants in the community count demonstrate that God's purposes include all who participate, regardless of social status?
- What does the distinction between returnees and servants teach about maintaining social order while including all in covenant community?
Analysis & Commentary
Additional count: 'Beside their servants and their maids, of whom there were seven thousand three hundred thirty and seven.' Including servants shows the total community was nearly 50,000. The servants' inclusion demonstrates that the restoration community wasn't exclusively ethnic Israel but included those economically connected. The distinction between primary returnees and servants maintains social categories while including both in the counted community.