Ezra 2:14

The children of Bigvai, two thousand fifty and six.

Ezra 2:14 (KJV)

Context

The book of Ezra records the return of the Jewish people from Babylonian captivity and the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem. Chapter 2 presents a careful census of the families who came back to the land. This verse names the children of Bigvai, a family or clan leader among the exiles, and counts 2,056 people in that group. The list identifies heads of households and the number in each family group who chose to leave Babylon and resettle in their ancestral homeland.

Meaning

The number 2,056 likely refers to the men of the family, not including women and children, so the total group was larger. The text gives no special symbolic meaning for this number. Its purpose is to show that each family was recorded accurately and valued in the restoration of the nation. The precise number reflects the meticulous record-keeping of the Old Testament, especially regarding the identity and lineage of the people of Israel.

Biblical connections

This census is part of a larger list in Ezra 2 that identifies the heads of households among the returnees. The return was made possible by the decree of King Cyrus of Persia, fulfilling God’s promise to restore His people to their ancestral land. The careful record keeping demonstrates God’s faithfulness in preserving a remnant of Israel. The list as a whole emphasizes that the return was a community effort, involving many different family groups.

Application

God’s concern for details in this list shows that He values every person and family. No group was too small to be counted, and each had a role in the divine plan. Believers can trust God with the details of their own lives, knowing He is a God of order and compassion. The inclusion of this specific family and its number demonstrates that no returning group was too small or insignificant to be recorded in God’s redemptive history.

Reflection

The inclusion of Bigvai’s family reminds us that God’s redemptive work includes ordinary people. Their names and numbers are preserved in Scripture, showing that God remembers His people and their faithful return. This encourages readers to see their own place in God’s ongoing story. The name “Bigvai” is of uncertain origin and meaning, and the text does not highlight any specific significance to the name itself. The verse’s significance lies in its contribution to the overall picture of a people being restored to their land, with each family’s presence being counted and valued.