Ezra 8:3
Of the sons of Shechaniah, of the sons of Pharosh; Zechariah: and with him were reckoned by genealogy of the males an hundred and fifty.
Original Language Analysis
מִבְּנֵ֥י
Of the sons
H1121
מִבְּנֵ֥י
Of the sons
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
מִבְּנֵ֥י
Of the sons
H1121
מִבְּנֵ֥י
Of the sons
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
וְעִמּ֛וֹ
H5973
וְעִמּ֛וֹ
Strong's:
H5973
Word #:
6 of 10
adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then
הִתְיַחֵ֥שׂ
and with him were reckoned by genealogy
H3187
הִתְיַחֵ֥שׂ
and with him were reckoned by genealogy
Strong's:
H3187
Word #:
7 of 10
to enroll by pedigree
לִזְכָרִ֖ים
of the males
H2145
לִזְכָרִ֖ים
of the males
Strong's:
H2145
Word #:
8 of 10
properly, remembered, i.e., a male (of man or animals, as being the most noteworthy sex)
Historical Context
The Pharosh family first appears in Ezra 2:3, where 2,172 returned with Zerubbabel in 538 BC. Ezra's group (150 males, 458 BC) represents additional returnees eighty years later. This indicates ongoing emigration from Babylon to Judah across multiple generations. The genealogical emphasis reflects post-exilic Judaism's concern for covenant purity—knowing who belonged to Israel became crucial without monarchy or political independence to define national identity.
Questions for Reflection
- How does meticulous genealogical record-keeping demonstrate the historical, not mythical, nature of biblical faith?
- What does the multi-generational pattern of return teach about faithfulness as family legacy, not merely individual decision?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Of the sons of Shechaniah, of the sons of Pharosh; Zechariah: and with him were reckoned by genealogy of the males an hundred and fifty. This verse begins Ezra's detailed census of families returning from Babylon. The phrase yithyachas (יִתְיַחֵשׂ, 'reckoned by genealogy') emphasizes the crucial importance of documented lineage. Genealogical records weren't mere bureaucratic formality but validated covenant membership and land inheritance rights. Without proper documentation, returnees couldn't claim tribal identity or priestly service.
Zechariah, whose name means 'Yahweh remembers,' led the Shechaniah/Pharosh clan. The dual identification ('sons of Shechaniah, of the sons of Pharosh') suggests either intermarriage between clans or subdivision within Pharosh's descendants. The precision—'an hundred and fifty males'—indicates careful counting. The Hebrew zekarim (males) counts adult men, meaning total family size including women and children was likely 400-500 people.
This genealogical list demonstrates that God's redemptive work operates through real families in space and time, not abstract spiritual ideals. The preservation of family records through exile testified to covenant faithfulness spanning generations. Each name represented households who chose costly return over Babylonian comfort.