Ezra 8:12
And of the sons of Azgad; Johanan the son of Hakkatan, and with him an hundred and ten males.
Original Language Analysis
בֶּן
And of the sons
H1121
בֶּן
And of the sons
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
1 of 9
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
בֶּן
And of the sons
H1121
בֶּן
And of the sons
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
4 of 9
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
וְעִמּ֕וֹ
H5973
וְעִמּ֕וֹ
Strong's:
H5973
Word #:
6 of 9
adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then
מֵאָ֥ה
and with him an hundred
H3967
מֵאָ֥ה
and with him an hundred
Strong's:
H3967
Word #:
7 of 9
a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction
Historical Context
Azgad's family sent 1,222 with Zerubbabel (Ezra 2:12). The 110 males with Ezra maintained this family's commitment to restoration. Hakkatan ('the small one') as a personal name demonstrates Hebrew naming's flexibility—names could describe physical traits, birth circumstances, or spiritual qualities. The census's conclusion sets up verse 15's crisis: Ezra discovered no Levites had volunteered, requiring special recruitment (vv. 15-20).
Questions for Reflection
- How does Hakkatan's name ('the small one') leading 110 families demonstrate God's delight in using those the world overlooks?
- What does the genealogical precision throughout Ezra 8:1-14 teach about biblical faith being rooted in historical particularity, not abstract spirituality?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And of the sons of Azgad; Johanan the son of Hakkatan, and with him an hundred and ten males. This verse concludes the family census before transitioning to Levites (v. 15ff). Azgad contributed 110 males, a solid mid-sized group. Johanan means 'Yahweh is gracious,' confessing God's unmerited favor. Hakkatan means 'the small one' or 'the young one,' suggesting either physical stature or birth order. The combination is striking: 'Yahweh is gracious' son of 'the small one' encapsulates gospel theology—God's grace flows to the insignificant, not the self-important.
The name Hakkatan ('the small one') may indicate humility or actual circumstances (youngest son, small stature). Either way, it demonstrates that God's choice doesn't depend on human impressiveness. David was the youngest (1 Samuel 16:11), Gideon from the weakest clan (Judges 6:15), and Paul 'least of the apostles' (1 Corinthians 15:9). God delights in choosing 'the small one' to accomplish His purposes, demonstrating that power belongs to Him, not human strength.
The 110 males completing this census provides closure. The combined families totaled approximately 1,500 males plus families—substantial community but fraction of Babylon's total Jewish population. This selective response shows that God's work advances through committed minority, not comfortable majority. The remnant theology operates: God preserves and uses a faithful few to accomplish redemptive purposes.