King James Version

What Does Ezra 2:67 Mean?

Ezra 2:67 in the King James Version says “Their camels, four hundred thirty and five; their asses, six thousand seven hundred and twenty. — study this verse from Ezra chapter 2 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Their camels, four hundred thirty and five; their asses, six thousand seven hundred and twenty.

Ezra 2:67 · King James Version


Context

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.

66

Their horses were seven hundred thirty and six; their mules, two hundred forty and five;

67

Their camels, four hundred thirty and five; their asses, six thousand seven hundred and twenty.

68

And some of the chief of the fathers, when they came to the house of the LORD which is at Jerusalem, offered freely for the house of God to set it up in his place:

69

They gave after their ability unto the treasure of the work threescore and one thousand drams of gold, and five thousand pound of silver, and one hundred priests' garments.


Commentaries3 scholars

KJV Study CommentaryPublic Domain
The livestock continues: 'Their mules, two hundred forty and five.' Mules (crossbreed of horse and donkey) were valuable work animals. The possession of 245 mules demonstrates agricultural and transportation capacity. The accumulating inventory (horses, mules) shows God provided comprehensive resources for the enormous tasks ahead. Material provision accompanied spiritual calling.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Mules combined horses' strength with donkeys' sure-footedness, making them ideal for mountainous terrain and heavy work. The 245 mules would have been essential for construction work, agricultural labor, and transportation in Judah's hilly geography. Their cost and maintenance requirements show returning community had significant economic resources. Archaeological evidence confirms mules were valuable and relatively rare in the ancient Near East.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does provision of work animals demonstrate that spiritual callings involve practical responsibilities requiring material resources?
  2. What does God's provision of specific tools (mules) for specific tasks teach about His attention to practical details?

Compare 3 commentaries from different scholars and time periods for a richer understanding.


Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 11 words
גְּמַ֨לֵּיהֶ֔ם1 of 11

Their camels

H1581

a camel

אַרְבַּ֥ע2 of 11

four

H702

four

מֵא֖וֹת3 of 11

hundred

H3967

a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction

שְׁלֹשִׁ֣ים4 of 11

thirty

H7970

thirty; or (ordinal) thirtieth

וַֽחֲמִשָּׁ֑ה5 of 11

and five

H2568

five

חֲמֹרִ֕ים6 of 11

their asses

H2543

a male ass (from its dun red)

שֵׁ֣שֶׁת7 of 11

six

H8337

six (as an overplus beyond five or the fingers of the hand); as ordinal, sixth

אֲלָפִ֔ים8 of 11

thousand

H505

hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand

שְׁבַ֥ע9 of 11

seven

H7651

seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number

מֵא֖וֹת10 of 11

hundred

H3967

a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction

וְעֶשְׂרִֽים׃11 of 11

and twenty

H6242

twenty; also (ordinal) twentieth


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 2:67 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

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