Lexical Summary Mispar: Number, count Original Word: מִסְפָר Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Mizpar The same as melqach; number; Mispar, an Israelite -- Mizpar. Compare Micpereth. see HEBREW melqach see HEBREW Micpereth NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom the same as sepher Definition an Isr. NASB Translation Mispar (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs II. מִסְמָּר proper name, masculine a returned exile Ezra 2:2 (ᵐ5 Μαλσαρ, A ᵐ5L Μασφαρ), = מִסְמֶּ֫רֶת Nehemiah 7:7 (ᵐ5 Μασφεραν, א Μασφαραδ, A Μαασφαραθ, ᵐ5L Μασφαρ). מִסְמֶּ֫רֶת see foregoing. Topical Lexicon Historical Background The name מִסְפָר (Mispar) surfaces during the first return from Babylonian exile under Cyrus the Great, dated to 538 B.C. Ezra records that a group of leaders headed the caravan that journeyed from Babylon back to Judah to rebuild the temple and re-establish worship (Ezra 1:1–4). These men symbolise the re-gathered remnant promised by the prophets and exemplify God’s faithfulness in preserving a people for Himself. Placement in Ezra 2:2 Ezra 2 opens with a census of those “who came up with Zerubbabel” (Ezra 2:1). Verse 2 lists eleven leaders, among whom “Mispar” appears: “They arrived with Zerubbabel, Jeshua, Nehemiah, Seraiah, Reelaiah, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispar, Bigvai, Rehum, and Baanah.” The positioning of Mispar in this honoured roll underscores his recognised status among the heads of families and his partnership in temple restoration. Relationship with Nehemiah 7:7 The parallel catalogue in Nehemiah 7:7 repeats the roster but renders the name as “Mispereth.” Scribal transmission accounts for minor orthographic variations; however, the presence of the same individual in both texts confirms historical reliability and preserves continuity between Ezra’s and Nehemiah’s narratives. Meaning and Theological Overtones Though functioning here as a proper name, Mispar echoes the Hebrew term for “number” or “counting.” That nuance harmonises with the census motif that frames Ezra 2. The returned exiles are meticulously numbered, illustrating that every person matters to the covenantal plan. “He counts the stars and calls them each by name” (Psalm 147:4) finds an earthly parallel as the Lord likewise numbers His people. The inclusion of Mispar—literally “Number”—serves as a living reminder that God’s calculations never omit a single servant. Ministry Lessons on Leadership 1. Shared Vision: Mispar stands shoulder to shoulder with figures like Zerubbabel and Jeshua, demonstrating the power of collaborative leadership in revival. Worship, Restoration, and the Remnant The return under Mispar’s cohort inaugurates a new chapter in redemptive history. Altar and temple restoration (Ezra 3) rekindle sacrificial worship pointing forward to the ultimate sacrifice of Christ. Each named leader, Mispar included, embodies the remnant theology that threads through Scripture—God preserves a faithful nucleus through which He advances His saving purposes (Isaiah 10:20–22; Romans 11:5). Relevance for the Contemporary Church • Valuing Every Member: As Mispar’s name reminds, numerical records in Scripture are theological statements about individual worth within the corporate body. Mispar’s solitary appearance is therefore far from incidental; it encapsulates themes of divine precision, covenantal fidelity, and the indispensable role of willing leaders in God’s unfolding story. Forms and Transliterations מִסְפָּ֥ר מספר mis·pār misPar mispārLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Ezra 2:2 HEB: מָרְדֳּכַ֥י בִּלְשָׁ֛ן מִסְפָּ֥ר בִּגְוַ֖י רְח֣וּם NAS: Bilshan, Mispar, Bigvai, KJV: Bilshan, Mispar, Bigvai, INT: Mordecai Bilshan Mispar Bigvai Rehum 1 Occurrence |
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