Ezra 2:3

The children of Parosh, two thousand an hundred seventy and two.

Ezra 2:3 (KJV)

Context

Ezra 2 opens with a formal census of the Jewish exiles who returned from Babylon to Jerusalem and Judah under Zerubbabel after the Babylonian captivity. This verse names the family of Parosh and records that 2,172 of its members made the journey. The list documents the restoration of the covenant community and the rebuilding of the temple.

Meaning

The children of Parosh were one of the leading families among the returning exiles. The precise number, two thousand an hundred seventy and two, shows that God’s promises were fulfilled in tangible, measurable ways. Each person counted mattered; the record preserves the identity and contribution of every family in the nation’s renewal.

Biblical connections

The family of Parosh appears again in Ezra 8:3, where Zechariah, a descendant of Parosh, returns with Ezra and 150 males registered by genealogy. The same list of returnees is repeated in Nehemiah 7:8, confirming the importance of these genealogical records for the post-exilic community. These connections show the family’s continued presence and participation in later returns.

Application

This verse reminds readers that God sees and values each individual and family in His redemptive plan. Just as the returning exiles had specific roles in rebuilding Jerusalem, every believer has a place in the work of restoring worship and community. The detailed census encourages faithfulness, knowing that God keeps His promises and remembers His people.

Reflection

Consider how your own family or community fits into God’s larger story. The names and numbers in Ezra are not merely historical data; they testify to God’s faithfulness across generations. Reflect on the ways God has preserved and restored you, and how you can contribute to the renewal of His people today.