CINXE.COM
Ezra 2:28 the men of Bethel and Ai, 223;
<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Ezra 2:28 the men of Bethel and Ai, 223;</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/ezra/2-28.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/16/15_Ezr_02_28.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Ezra 2:28 - The List of Returning Exiles" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="the men of Bethel and Ai, 223;" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/ezra/2-28.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/ezra/2-28.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/ezra/">Ezra</a> > <a href="/ezra/2.htm">Chapter 2</a> > Verse 28</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad8.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/ezra/2-27.htm" title="Ezra 2:27">◄</a> Ezra 2:28 <a href="/ezra/2-29.htm" title="Ezra 2:29">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/ezra/2.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter"> (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/ezra/2.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />of Bethel and Ai 223<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/ezra/2.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />The people of Bethel and Ai 223<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/ezra/2.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />The men of Bethel and Ai, 223.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/ezra/2.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />the men of Bethel and Ai, 223;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/ezra/2.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />The men of Bethel and Ai, two hundred twenty and three.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/ezra/2.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />the men of Bethel and Ai, two hundred and twenty-three;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/ezra/2.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />the men of Bethel and Ai, 223;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/ezra/2.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />the men of Bethel and Ai, 223;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/ezra/2.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />the men of Bethel and Ai, 223;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/ezra/2.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />the men of Bethel and Ai, 223;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/ezra/2.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />the men of Bethel and Ai, 223;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/ezra/2.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Bethel’s and Ai’s men 223<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/ezra/2.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Bethel’s and Ai’s men 223 <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/ezra/2.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />The men of Beth-el and Ai, two hundred twenty and three.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/ezra/2.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />The men of Beth-el and Ai, two hundred twenty and three.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/ezra/2.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />of Bethel and Ai 223<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/ezra/2.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />People from Bethel and Ai: 223 <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/ezra/2.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />the men of Bethel and Ai, 223;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/ezra/2.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />the men of Bethel and Ai: 223; <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/ezra/2.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />The men of Bethel and Ai, two hundred twenty-three.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/ezra/2.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />The men of Beth-el and Ai, two hundred twenty and three.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/ezra/2.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />The men of Bethel and Ai, two hundred twenty-three. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/ezra/2.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />men of Beth-El and Ai, two hundred twenty-three;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/ezra/2.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Men of Beth-El and Ai, two hundred twenty and three.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/ezra/2.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />The men of the house of God and Ai, two hundred twenty and three.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/ezra/2.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />The men of Bethel and Hai, two hundred twenty-three. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/ezra/2.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />The men of Bethel and Ai, two hundred twenty-three.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/ezra/2.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />people of Bethel and Ai, two hundred and twenty-three;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/ezra/2.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Of Bethel and Ai, two hundred twenty-three.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/ezra/2.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />The men of Beth-el and Ai, two hundred and twenty-three.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/ezra/2.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />The men of Beyth Eil and Ai, two hundred and twenty and three.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/ezra/2.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />The men of Beth-el and Ai, two hundred twenty and three.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/ezra/2.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />The men of Baethel and Aia, four hundred and twenty-three.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/ezra/2-28.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/sh6ec6iQe9M?start=278" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/ezra/2.htm">The List of Returning Exiles</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">27</span>the men of Michmash, 122; <span class="reftext">28</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/582.htm" title="582: ’an·šê (N-mpc) -- Man, mankind. From 'anash; properly, a mortal; hence, a man in general.">the men</a> <a href="/hebrew/1008.htm" title="1008: ḇêṯ- (Prep) -- From bayith and 'el; house of God; Beth-El, a place in Palestine.">of</a> <a href="/hebrew/1008.htm" title="1008: ’êl (N-proper-fs) -- From bayith and 'el; house of God; Beth-El, a place in Palestine.">Bethel</a> <a href="/hebrew/5857.htm" title="5857: wə·hā·‘āy (Conj-w, Art:: N-proper-fs) -- A Canaanite city. Or uaya((Neh. 11:31); or eayath (Isaiah 10:28); for iy; Ai, Aja or Ajath, a place in Palestine.">and Ai,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3967.htm" title="3967: mā·ṯa·yim (Number-fd) -- Hundred. Or metyah; properly, a primitive numeral; a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction.">223;</a> <a href="/hebrew/6242.htm" title="6242: ‘eś·rîm (Number-cp) -- Twenty. From eser; twenty; also twentieth."></a> <a href="/hebrew/7969.htm" title="7969: ū·šə·lō·šāh (Conj-w:: Number-ms) -- A three, triad. Or shalosh; masculine shlowshah; or shloshah; a primitive number; three; occasionally third, or Thrice."></a> </span><span class="reftext">29</span>the descendants of Nebo, 52;…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/nehemiah/7-32.htm">Nehemiah 7:32</a></span><br />the men of Bethel and Ai, 123;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/nehemiah/11-31.htm">Nehemiah 11:31</a></span><br />The descendants of Benjamin from Geba lived in Michmash, Aija, and Bethel with its villages;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/joshua/19-10.htm">Joshua 19:10-16</a></span><br />The third lot came up for the clans of the tribe of Zebulun: The border of their inheritance stretched as far as Sarid. / It went up westward to Maralah, reached Dabbesheth, and met the brook east of Jokneam. / From Sarid it turned eastward along the border of Chisloth-tabor and went on to Daberath and up to Japhia. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_chronicles/6-72.htm">1 Chronicles 6:72</a></span><br />From the tribe of Issachar they were given Kedesh, Daberath,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/12-25.htm">1 Kings 12:25</a></span><br />Then Jeroboam built Shechem in the hill country of Ephraim and lived there. And from there he went out and built Penuel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/15-29.htm">2 Kings 15:29</a></span><br />In the days of Pekah king of Israel, Tiglath-pileser king of Assyria came and captured Ijon, Abel-beth-maacah, Janoah, Kedesh, Hazor, Gilead, and Galilee, including all the land of Naphtali, and he took the people as captives to Assyria.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/9-1.htm">Isaiah 9:1</a></span><br />Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those in distress. In the past He humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future He will honor the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/4-13.htm">Matthew 4:13-16</a></span><br />Leaving Nazareth, He went and lived in Capernaum, which is by the sea in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali, / to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: / “Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles— ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/1-44.htm">John 1:44-46</a></span><br />Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the same town as Andrew and Peter. / Philip found Nathanael and told him, “We have found the One Moses wrote about in the Law, the One the prophets foretold—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” / “Can anything good come from Nazareth?” Nathanael asked. “Come and see,” said Philip.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/4-31.htm">Luke 4:31</a></span><br />Then He went down to Capernaum, a town in Galilee, and on the Sabbath He began to teach the people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/1-21.htm">Mark 1:21</a></span><br />Then Jesus and His companions went to Capernaum, and right away Jesus entered the synagogue on the Sabbath and began to teach.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/9-31.htm">Acts 9:31</a></span><br />Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee, and Samaria experienced a time of peace. It grew in strength and numbers, living in the fear of the Lord and the encouragement of the Holy Spirit.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/15-3.htm">Acts 15:3</a></span><br />Sent on their way by the church, they passed through Phoenicia and Samaria, recounting the conversion of the Gentiles and bringing great joy to all the brothers.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/21-8.htm">Acts 21:8</a></span><br />Leaving the next day, we went on to Caesarea and stayed at the home of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the Seven.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/1-1.htm">1 Peter 1:1</a></span><br />Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To the elect who are exiles of the Dispersion throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, chosen</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">The men of Bethel and Ai, two hundred twenty and three.</p><p class="hdg">Ai</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/12-8.htm">Genesis 12:8</a></b></br> And he removed from thence unto a mountain on the east of Bethel, and pitched his tent, <i>having</i> Bethel on the west, and Hai on the east: and there he builded an altar unto the LORD, and called upon the name of the LORD.</p><p class="hdg">Hai</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/joshua/7-2.htm">Joshua 7:2</a></b></br> And Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai, which <i>is</i> beside Bethaven, on the east side of Bethel, and spake unto them, saying, Go up and view the country. And the men went up and viewed Ai.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/joshua/8-9.htm">Joshua 8:9,17</a></b></br> Joshua therefore sent them forth: and they went to lie in ambush, and abode between Bethel and Ai, on the west side of Ai: but Joshua lodged that night among the people… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/nehemiah/7-33.htm">Nehemiah 7:33</a></b></br> The men of the other Nebo, fifty and two.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/joshua/12-9.htm">Ai</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/13-19.htm">Bethel</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/13-19.htm">Beth-El</a> <a href="/ezra/2-27.htm">Hundred</a> <a href="/ezra/2-25.htm">Three</a> <a href="/ezra/2-27.htm">Twenty</a> <a href="/ezra/2-21.htm">Twenty-Three</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/ezra/5-3.htm">Ai</a> <a href="/nehemiah/7-32.htm">Bethel</a> <a href="/nehemiah/7-32.htm">Beth-El</a> <a href="/ezra/2-30.htm">Hundred</a> <a href="/ezra/2-32.htm">Three</a> <a href="/ezra/2-32.htm">Twenty</a> <a href="/nehemiah/7-32.htm">Twenty-Three</a><div class="vheading2">Ezra 2</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ezra/2-1.htm">The number that return of the people</a></span><br><span class="reftext">36. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ezra/2-36.htm">of the priests</a></span><br><span class="reftext">40. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ezra/2-40.htm">of the Levites</a></span><br><span class="reftext">43. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ezra/2-43.htm">of the Nethinims</a></span><br><span class="reftext">55. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ezra/2-55.htm">of Solomon's servants</a></span><br><span class="reftext">61. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ezra/2-61.htm">of the priests who could not show their pedigree</a></span><br><span class="reftext">64. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ezra/2-64.htm">The whole number of them, with their substance</a></span><br><span class="reftext">68. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ezra/2-68.htm">Their offerings</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF2 --> <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/ezra/2.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/ezra/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/ezra/2.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>the men of Bethel and Ai,</b><br>Bethel and Ai are two significant locations in biblical history. Bethel, meaning "House of God," was a major religious center in ancient Israel. It is first mentioned in <a href="/genesis/12-8.htm">Genesis 12:8</a>, where Abram built an altar to the Lord. Bethel later became a site of idolatry, as seen in <a href="/1_kings/12-29.htm">1 Kings 12:29</a>, when Jeroboam set up a golden calf there. Ai, meaning "heap of ruins," is known for its defeat by Joshua in <a href="/joshua/7.htm">Joshua 7-8</a>. The mention of these men returning from exile highlights the restoration of communities that were once central to Israel's spiritual and national identity. The inclusion of both Bethel and Ai suggests a restoration of the land and its people, fulfilling God's promises of return and rebuilding.<p><b>223;</b><br>The specific number of 223 men returning from Bethel and Ai indicates a precise record-keeping and the importance of each individual in the restoration process. This number reflects the remnants of these communities who were part of the larger group returning from Babylonian exile. The detailed census underscores the fulfillment of God's promise to bring His people back to their land, as prophesied in <a href="/jeremiah/29-10.htm">Jeremiah 29:10-14</a>. It also emphasizes the continuity of God's covenant people, ensuring that each tribe and family is accounted for in the reestablishment of Israel.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/b/bethel.htm">Bethel</a></b><br>A significant city in the history of Israel, Bethel means "House of God" in Hebrew. It was a place where God appeared to Jacob and where he set up a pillar (<a href="/genesis/28-19.htm">Genesis 28:19</a>). Bethel was a center of worship and later became associated with idolatry during the divided kingdom.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/a/ai.htm">Ai</a></b><br>A city near Bethel, Ai was the site of an important battle during the conquest of Canaan under Joshua (Joshua 7-8). The initial defeat at Ai due to Achan's sin and the subsequent victory after repentance highlight themes of obedience and divine assistance.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_returnees.htm">The Returnees</a></b><br>The men of Bethel and Ai mentioned in <a href="/ezra/2-28.htm">Ezra 2:28</a> are part of the group returning from Babylonian exile. Their return signifies the restoration of the Jewish community and the reestablishment of worship in Jerusalem.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/s/significance_of_returning_to_god.htm">Significance of Returning to God</a></b><br>The return of the men of Bethel and Ai symbolizes a return to God and His promises. Just as they returned to their ancestral lands, believers are called to return to God and His ways, seeking restoration and renewal.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/faithfulness_in_small_numbers.htm">Faithfulness in Small Numbers</a></b><br>The mention of 223 men may seem insignificant, yet it underscores that God values faithfulness over numbers. In our lives, we should focus on being faithful in our commitments, regardless of how small they may seem.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/h/historical_and_spiritual_legacy.htm">Historical and Spiritual Legacy</a></b><br>Bethel and Ai carry historical and spiritual legacies. As Christians, we are part of a spiritual heritage that calls us to live in a way that honors God and reflects His faithfulness throughout history.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/o/obedience_and_repentance.htm">Obedience and Repentance</a></b><br>The account of Ai reminds us of the importance of obedience to God and the need for repentance when we fall short. Our spiritual journey involves continual alignment with God's will.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_ezra_2.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Ezra 2</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/bethel_and_ai_children_count.htm">How many were the children of Bethel and Ai? Two hundred and twenty-three (Ezra 2:28) One hundred and twenty-three (Nehemiah 7:32)</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/bethel_and_ai_children_count.htm">How many were the children of Bethel and Ai? Two hundred and twenty-three (Ezra 2:28) One hundred and twenty-three (Nehemiah 7:32)</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_to_reconcile_ezra_2_21-35_names.htm">How do we reconcile varying family names in Ezra 2:21-35 with their supposed lineage elsewhere in Scripture?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/where's_the_evidence_of_ai's_destruction.htm">Where is the archaeological evidence supporting the complete destruction of Ai (Joshua 8:28)?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/ezra/2-28.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">the men</span><br /><span class="heb">אַנְשֵׁ֤י</span> <span class="translit">(’an·šê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_376.htm">Strong's 376: </a> </span><span class="str2">A man as an individual, a male person</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of</span><br /><span class="heb">בֵֽית־</span> <span class="translit">(ḇêṯ-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/.htm">Strong's Hebrew</a> </span><span class="str2"></span><br /><br /><span class="word">Bethel</span><br /><span class="heb">אֵל֙</span> <span class="translit">(’êl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1008.htm">Strong's 1008: </a> </span><span class="str2">Bethel -- 'house of God', a city in Ephraim, also a place in southern Judah</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and Ai,</span><br /><span class="heb">וְהָעָ֔י</span> <span class="translit">(wə·hā·‘āy)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - proper - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5857.htm">Strong's 5857: </a> </span><span class="str2">Ai -- a Canaanite city</span><br /><br /><span class="word">223;</span><br /><span class="heb">מָאתַ֖יִם</span> <span class="translit">(mā·ṯa·yim)</span><br /><span class="parse">Number - fd<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3967.htm">Strong's 3967: </a> </span><span class="str2">A hundred</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/ezra/2-28.htm">Ezra 2:28 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/ezra/2-28.htm">Ezra 2:28 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/ezra/2-28.htm">Ezra 2:28 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/ezra/2-28.htm">Ezra 2:28 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/ezra/2-28.htm">Ezra 2:28 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/ezra/2-28.htm">Ezra 2:28 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/ezra/2-28.htm">Ezra 2:28 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/ezra/2-28.htm">Ezra 2:28 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/ezra/2-28.htm">Ezra 2:28 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/ezra/2-28.htm">Ezra 2:28 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/ezra/2-28.htm">OT History: Ezra 2:28 The men of Bethel and Ai two (Ezr. Ez) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/ezra/2-27.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Ezra 2:27"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Ezra 2:27" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/ezra/2-29.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Ezra 2:29"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Ezra 2:29" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>