The Children of Hashum - Ezra 2:19

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 “Zattu, Zaccai, Bebai, Azgad, Adonikam, Adin, Ater of Hezekiah, Bezai and Jorah”,and in chapter two and verse nineteen of Ezra, Ezra shared about “the children of Hashum” where we read,

The children of Hashum, two hundred twenty and three.

The verse reads, “The children of Hashum ...” Ezra began with the words, “the children” which means “the offspring and progeny” “of Hashum” or “belonging to Hashum whose name means rich and was the head of a family and one of the priests or Levites who stood on Ezra's left while he read the law” (See Nehemiah 8:4). Ezra shared how the offspring of “Hashum” were part of the group of Israelites who returned to Jerusalem. 

The verse continues, “... two hundred twenty and three.” Ezra added the words, “two hundred twenty and three” or “two hundred and twenty three family members of Hashum who went back to Jerusalem”. Ezra accounted for the two hundred and twenty three offspring of “Hashum” who returned to their homeland in Jerusalem.

When we consider the words in this verse, we learn through Ezra about another family who returned to Jerusalem with Zerubabbel. The offspring of “Hashum” who evidently was very close to Ezra numbered “two hundred twenty and three”. God called the people of Israel to return to Jerusalem in Judah through the voice of Cyrus the king of Persia, and “Hashum's” family heeded that call. God continues to call people through His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind, and when we yield our lives to Him, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and give us His Holy Spirit to call us to His location and purpose for our lives in His Kingdom. 

Next time Ezra shares about, “the children of Gibbar”, 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".