King James Version

What Does Ezra 8:13 Mean?

Ezra 8:13 in the King James Version says “And of the last sons of Adonikam, whose names are these, Eliphelet, Jeiel, and Shemaiah, and with them threescore males.” — study this verse from Ezra chapter 8 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And of the last sons of Adonikam, whose names are these, Eliphelet, Jeiel, and Shemaiah, and with them threescore males.”

Ezra 8:13 · KJV

Context

11

And of the sons of Bebai; Zechariah the son of Bebai, and with him twenty and eight males.

12

And of the sons of Azgad; Johanan the son of Hakkatan, and with him an hundred and ten males. the son: or, the youngest son

13

And of the last sons of Adonikam, whose names are these, Eliphelet, Jeiel, and Shemaiah, and with them threescore males.

14

Of the sons also of Bigvai; Uthai, and Zabbud , and with them seventy males. Zabbud: or, Zaccur, as some read

15

And I gathered them together to the river that runneth to Ahava; and there abode we in tents three days: and I viewed the people, and the priests, and found there none of the sons of Levi. abode: or, pitched

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And of the last sons of Adonikam, whose names are these, Eliphelet, Jeiel, and Shemaiah, and with them threescore males. The phrase 'last sons' (benê 'aḥărônîm, בְּנֵי אַחֲרֹנִים) indicates these were the final members of Adonikam's clan to return, following earlier family members who returned with Zerubbabel (Ezra 2:13). The careful naming—Eliphelet ('God is deliverance'), Jeiel ('God sweeps away'), Shemaiah ('Yahweh hears')—demonstrates covenant identity maintained through exile.

The detail 'threescore males' (60 men) shows genealogical precision crucial for land inheritance and tribal identity. This wasn't casual census but legal documentation establishing rights in the restored community. That these were specifically 'males' (zĕkhārîm) reflects ancient Near Eastern practice of counting fighting-age men as representative of larger family groups including women and children.

Theologically, the 'last sons' motif reflects divine patience—God continued gathering scattered exiles over decades, not demanding immediate response. Every family group, however small, mattered in the restoration project. The preservation of names demonstrates God's concern for individuals, not merely aggregate numbers.

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Historical & Cultural Context

This verse comes from Ezra's second return (458 BC), approximately 80 years after Zerubbabel's first return (538 BC). The Adonikam family had been split across two major migrations, with 666 members returning first (Ezra 2:13) and these 60 men returning with Ezra. This demonstrates the prolonged nature of the return—not a single exodus but waves of migration spanning generations.

Ezra assembled his caravan at the river Ahava (Ezra 8:15), conducting census and organization before the dangerous four-month journey. The meticulous record-keeping served multiple purposes: (1) establishing land claims, (2) determining temple service assignments for Levites, (3) preventing fraudulent claims to Jewish identity.

The context shows Ezra's concern for balanced representation. He discovered no Levites initially (Ezra 8:15) and had to recruit them specifically, showing the importance of proper religious leadership alongside lay returnees.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does God's patience with 'last sons' who returned decades later teach about divine timing and human readiness?
  2. How does the careful preservation of names and numbers reflect the value of individual contribution to corporate purposes?
  3. What motivates the 'last' to finally respond when earlier opportunities were declined?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 11 words
וּמִבְּנֵ֣י1 of 11

“sons”

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

אֲדֹֽנִיקָם֮2 of 11

“of Adonikam”

H140

adonikam, the name of one or two israelites

אַֽחֲרֹנִים֒3 of 11

“And of the last”

H314

hinder; generally, late or last; specifically (as facing the east) western

וְאֵ֣לֶּה4 of 11
H428

these or those

שְׁמוֹתָ֔ם5 of 11

“whose names”

H8034

an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character

אֱלִיפֶ֖לֶט6 of 11

“are these Eliphelet”

H467

eliphelet or elpelet, the name of six israelites

יְעִיאֵ֣ל7 of 11

“Jeiel”

H3273

jeiel, the name of six israelites

וּֽשְׁמַעְיָ֑ה8 of 11

“and Shemaiah”

H8098

shemajah, the name of twenty-five israelites

וְעִמָּהֶ֖ם9 of 11
H5973

adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then

שִׁשִּׁ֥ים10 of 11

“and with them threescore”

H8346

sixty

הַזְּכָרִֽים׃11 of 11

“males”

H2145

properly, remembered, i.e., a male (of man or animals, as being the most noteworthy sex)

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 8:13 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 8:13 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Ezra 2:13Nehemiah 7:18

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