Ezra 2:2

Which came with Zerubbabel, Ieshua, Nehemiah, Saraiah, Reelaiah, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispar, Biguai, Rehum, Baanah: The number of the men of the people of Israel. Ezra 2:2 (KJV)

The book of Ezra is a historical record in the Old Testament that chronicles the return of the Jewish people from the Babylonian exile to Jerusalem. This verse specifically lists a group of individuals who came up with Zerubbabel, the leader appointed by King Cyrus to head the first wave of returnees. Zerubbabel’s leadership was pivotal in overseeing the rebuilding of the temple and re‑establishing worship in the holy city.

The names mentioned—Jeshua, Nehemiah, Seraiah, Reelaiah, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mizpar, Bigvai, Rehum, and Baanah—represent a faithful remnant who chose to leave the relative comfort of Babylon and journey back to a city that had been devastated. Their decision reflects a deep trust in God’s plan to restore His people and to renew the worship of the covenant.

In addition to these individuals, the verse alludes to the broader community of priests, Levites, singers, porters, and Nethinims who accompanied Zerubbabel. The collective presence of these groups underscores the communal nature of the return. They traveled together, supporting one another, and their unity highlights the importance of working together for a common divine purpose.

Although this verse does not give the exact number of men who returned, the subsequent verses record those figures, demonstrating the writer’s careful attention to historical detail. The omission of the count here directs the reader’s focus to the identity and faithfulness of the returnees rather than to statistics, reminding us that the heart of the restoration was the people’s devotion and willingness to rebuild their lives and their worship in Jerusalem.