This verse highlights how every family group, no matter how obscure, was vital to rebuilding God’s people after exile.
In “the sons of Hagab, the sons of Shalmai, the sons of Hanan” (v.46) we see a continuation of the genealogical record outlining the families who returned from exile. This verse is part of a larger list in Ezra chapter 2 that underscores the care and precision with which the returning exiles documented their heritage. By recording such details, Ezra emphasized that each family’s identity mattered to the community’s overall reestablishment. Although these names might appear minor in the larger narrative, they serve as proof that God’s people, who had been displaced due to the Babylonian Captivity (597 - 539 BC), were reassembling through faithful obedience (see also Ezra 1:3-4).
When the text calls attention to “the sons of Hagab, the sons of Shalmai, the sons of Hanan” (v.46), it demonstrates how God’s covenant extended to individuals and families alike. Even lesser-known names are acknowledged as having a role in Israel’s collective identity. This mirrors the genealogical records in the New Testament—such as in the Gospel of Matthew—which also mention a wide range of ancestors leading to Jesus (Matthew 1). These records highlight the continuous thread tying together God’s plan across centuries, displaying His sovereign hand at work through seemingly small details.
Ezra’s meticulous record-keeping confirms the unity of returning exiles, all sharing in the resettling of lands once promised to their forefathers. While the verse itself does not name a specific location, it fits within the broader context of Jewish families journeying back to Jerusalem and surrounding regions. The significance of this verse is that everyone—regardless of perceived prominence—would have a lineage recognized by the community. Each recorded household strengthened the connection to the covenantal promises made to Israel (Genesis 12:1-3).
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Ezra 2:46 meaning
In “the sons of Hagab, the sons of Shalmai, the sons of Hanan” (v.46) we see a continuation of the genealogical record outlining the families who returned from exile. This verse is part of a larger list in Ezra chapter 2 that underscores the care and precision with which the returning exiles documented their heritage. By recording such details, Ezra emphasized that each family’s identity mattered to the community’s overall reestablishment. Although these names might appear minor in the larger narrative, they serve as proof that God’s people, who had been displaced due to the Babylonian Captivity (597 - 539 BC), were reassembling through faithful obedience (see also Ezra 1:3-4).
When the text calls attention to “the sons of Hagab, the sons of Shalmai, the sons of Hanan” (v.46), it demonstrates how God’s covenant extended to individuals and families alike. Even lesser-known names are acknowledged as having a role in Israel’s collective identity. This mirrors the genealogical records in the New Testament—such as in the Gospel of Matthew—which also mention a wide range of ancestors leading to Jesus (Matthew 1). These records highlight the continuous thread tying together God’s plan across centuries, displaying His sovereign hand at work through seemingly small details.
Ezra’s meticulous record-keeping confirms the unity of returning exiles, all sharing in the resettling of lands once promised to their forefathers. While the verse itself does not name a specific location, it fits within the broader context of Jewish families journeying back to Jerusalem and surrounding regions. The significance of this verse is that everyone—regardless of perceived prominence—would have a lineage recognized by the community. Each recorded household strengthened the connection to the covenantal promises made to Israel (Genesis 12:1-3).