Ezra 2:13

“The children of Adonikam, six hundred sixty and six.”

Ezra 2:13 (KJV):

The book of Ezra is a historical book in the Old Testament that recounts the events surrounding the return of the Israelites from Babylonian exile to Jerusalem and the subsequent rebuilding of the temple. In chapter 2, the focus is on the list of those who returned from exile, including their families and the number of people from each family.

In Ezra 2:13, the verse mentions the children of Adonikam and states that there were 666 of them who returned from Babylon to Jerusalem. The number 666 is significant and often associated with biblical numerology.

The number 666 has received considerable attention and interpretation throughout history. It is famously mentioned in the book of Revelation, specifically in Revelation 13:18, which states: “Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man, and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.”

This verse connects the number 666 to the “number of the beast” and symbolizes the antichrist or a person associated with evil in apocalyptic literature. However, in the context of Ezra 2:13, the number 666 is not associated with any negative connotation. Instead, it simply represents the specific count of the children of Adonikam who returned from exile.

Given that the number 666 is not inherently significant within the immediate context of Ezra 2:13, it is essential to interpret it within the historical context of the Israelites’ return from Babylonian exile. It is likely that the author of Ezra recorded the number as a factual account of the children of Adonikam without any additional symbolic meaning.

It is crucial to approach biblical interpretation with care and consider the context in which a particular verse is written. While the number 666 has broader significance in other biblical passages, it does not carry the same symbolism in Ezra 2:13.

Ezra 2:13 provides a specific count of the children of Adonikam who returned from Babylon to Jerusalem. The verse does not convey any symbolic or negative meaning associated with the number 666 within its immediate context. It is important to understand the broader biblical context and exercise discernment when interpreting biblical passages.