Forty Two Thousand Three Hundred and Sixty - Ezra 2:64

In the book of Ezra, Ezra shared about “the children of the province that went up out of the captivity” which included those who came with “Zerubabbel” among whom were “the children of Delaiah, Tobiah, Nekoda, and of the children of the priests: the children of Habaiah, the children of Koz, the children of Barzillai; which took a wife of the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite, and was called after their name: These sought their register among those that were reckoned by genealogy, but they were not found: therefore were they, as polluted, put from the priesthood. And the Tirshatha said unto them, that they should not eat of the most holy things, till there stood up a priest with Urim and with Thummim”,and in chapter two and verse sixty-four of Ezra, Ezra shared how, “the whole congregation together was forty and two thousand three hundred and threescore” where we read,

The whole congregation together was forty and two thousand three hundred and threescore,

The verse reads, “The whole congregation together ...” Ezra began with the words, “the whole congregation” which means “all, the totality and entire assembly, company and convocation” “together” which means “once and for all, in combination and united” were as follows. Ezra began to account for the totality of the assembly of people who returned to Jerusalem.

The verse goes on to say, “... was forty and two thousand three hundred and threescore,” Ezra continued with the words, “was forty and two thousand” or “forty two thousand” “three hundred and threescore” which means “three hundred and sixty”. Ezra said there were forty two thousand, three hundred and sixty people who went back to Jerusalem. 

When we think through the words in this verse, we learn through Ezra the number of the people who returned to Jerusalem at the commission of Jehovah God through Cyrus the king of Persia. God's directive was followed by a large crowd, however, not everyone obeyed. (See Matthew 22:14) Many people stayed behind even though God called them all. God continues to call people into a personal relationship with Him through His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind, and when we yield to Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and lead us by His Holy Spirit as to where we are to go and what we are to do when we get there . 

Next time Ezra shares about, “their servants and their maids”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".