King James Version

What Does Ezra 2:19 Mean?

Ezra 2:19 in the King James Version says “The children of Hashum, two hundred twenty and three.” — study this verse from Ezra chapter 2 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“The children of Hashum, two hundred twenty and three.”

Ezra 2:19 · KJV

Context

17

The children of Bezai, three hundred twenty and three.

18

The children of Jorah, an hundred and twelve . Jorah: or, Hariph

19

The children of Hashum, two hundred twenty and three.

20

The children of Gibbar, ninety and five. Gibbar: or Gibeon

21

The children of Bethlehem, an hundred twenty and three.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The children of Hashum, two hundred twenty and three. Hashum (חָשֻׁם, Chashum, possibly 'rich' or 'renowned') led a family of 223 returnees. This name appears throughout restoration literature: Ezra 10:33 (members guilty of intermarriage), Nehemiah 7:22, 8:4 (Ezra's platform assistant), 10:18 (covenant signatory). The recurring presence across various contexts suggests a socially prominent family.

The possible meaning 'rich' creates ironic tension: these families abandoned Babylonian wealth for Judean poverty. True riches consisted not in accumulated goods but covenant faithfulness. Jesus's teaching that one cannot serve God and mammon (Matthew 6:24) applies here—Hashum's family chose spiritual wealth over material comfort.

The appearance of Hashum members in Ezra 10's intermarriage crisis reveals that even faithful returnee families faced compromise temptation. Returning physically didn't guarantee spiritual purity. This reminds us that positional righteousness requires ongoing sanctification; past obedience doesn't immunize against present failure.

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Historical & Cultural Context

By the time of Ezra 10 (approximately 458 BC, eighty years after initial return), intermarriage with pagan neighbors had corrupted the community. Even families who had sacrificed to return faced assimilation pressures. The prohibition against mixed marriages wasn't ethnic prejudice but covenant protection—pagan spouses led hearts away from Yahweh (as Solomon's foreign wives did).

Nehemiah 8:4 places a Hashum descendant on the wooden platform during Ezra's public Torah reading, suggesting the family maintained prominence and spiritual leadership despite some members' failures. This demonstrates that family legacy includes both faithfulness and failure, requiring each generation to choose obedience afresh.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the intermarriage crisis among returnees illustrate ongoing need for vigilance against spiritual compromise?
  2. What does Hashum's prominence in both faithful service and covenant violation teach about grace and accountability?
  3. How can believers resist materialism's seduction while steward resources faithfully?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 5 words
בְּנֵ֣י1 of 5

“The children”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

חָשֻׁ֔ם2 of 5

“of Hashum”

H2828

chashum, the name of two or three israelites

מָאתַ֖יִם3 of 5

“two hundred”

H3967

a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction

עֶשְׂרִ֥ים4 of 5

“twenty”

H6242

twenty; also (ordinal) twentieth

וּשְׁלֹשָֽׁה׃5 of 5

“and three”

H7969

three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Ezra. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Ezra 2:19 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Ezra 2:19 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Nehemiah 7:22Ezra 10:33

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