Ezra 8:13
from the later descendants of Adonikam, these were their names: Eliphelet, Jeiel, and Shemaiah, and with them 60 men;
from the later descendants of Adonikam
The descendants of Adonikam are mentioned among those returning from the Babylonian exile. Adonikam, meaning "the Lord has risen," is listed in Ezra 2:13 as having 666 descendants returning with Zerubbabel. The mention of "later descendants" suggests a subsequent group joining Ezra's return, indicating ongoing fulfillment of God's promise to restore His people to their land.

these were their names: Eliphelet, Jeiel, and Shemaiah
Names in biblical times often held significant meaning. Eliphelet means "God is deliverance," Jeiel means "God sweeps away," and Shemaiah means "heard by the Lord." These names reflect the faith and hope of the returning exiles. The listing of names underscores the importance of individual contributions to the collective mission of rebuilding Jerusalem and the temple.

and with them 60 men
The inclusion of 60 men highlights the communal aspect of the return. This group, though small, represents a remnant committed to the restoration of Israel. The number 60, while not symbolically significant in itself, emphasizes the organized and purposeful nature of the return. It also reflects the broader theme of God using a faithful remnant to accomplish His purposes, as seen throughout Scripture.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Adonikam
A family leader whose descendants returned with Ezra from Babylon to Jerusalem. The name means "The Lord has risen," reflecting a hopeful and divine connection.

2. Eliphelet, Jeiel, and Shemaiah
These are the named leaders among the descendants of Adonikam. Their inclusion signifies their importance and leadership roles in the return to Jerusalem.

3. The Return to Jerusalem
This event marks a significant moment in Jewish history where exiles returned to their homeland to restore the temple and reestablish their community.
Teaching Points
Faithfulness Across Generations
The mention of Adonikam's descendants highlights the importance of maintaining faith and commitment to God's purposes across generations. Families today can draw inspiration to instill faith in their children.

Leadership in Restoration
Eliphelet, Jeiel, and Shemaiah are examples of leaders who took responsibility in a time of rebuilding. This teaches us the value of stepping up to lead in our communities and churches.

The Significance of Names
The names listed carry meanings that reflect God's character and promises. Understanding the significance of names in the Bible can deepen our appreciation of God's work in history.

Community and Unity
The group of 60 men accompanying the leaders signifies the strength found in community and unity. This encourages us to work together in our spiritual journeys and church activities.
Bible Study Questions
1. What can we learn from the faithfulness of Adonikam's descendants in returning to Jerusalem, and how can this inspire our own faith journey?

2. How do the roles of Eliphelet, Jeiel, and Shemaiah as leaders in the return to Jerusalem challenge us to take on leadership roles in our own communities?

3. In what ways can the meanings of biblical names enhance our understanding of God's promises and character?

4. How does the unity of the 60 men with their leaders reflect the importance of community in achieving God's purposes, and how can we apply this in our church or small group?

5. Considering the broader account of Israel's restoration, how can we see God's faithfulness in our own lives and communities today?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Ezra 2:13
This earlier passage lists the descendants of Adonikam among those who returned with Zerubbabel, showing continuity and faithfulness across generations.

Nehemiah 7:18
This verse also mentions the descendants of Adonikam, reinforcing their role in the restoration efforts in Jerusalem.

1 Chronicles 9:3
This passage speaks of the Israelites who lived in Jerusalem, connecting the returnees with the broader account of Israel's restoration.
Men of UnderstandingWilliam Jones.Ezra 8:1-20
The Assembly At AhavaWilliam Jones.Ezra 8:1-20
The Church Preparing Itself for DutyJ.S. Exell Ezra 8:1-20
InfluenceW. Clarkson Ezra 7:27, 28; 8:1-20
People
Adin, Adonikam, Ariel, Artaxerxes, Athaliah, Azgad, Bani, Bebai, Bigvai, Binnui, Daniel, David, Ebed, Elam, Eleazar, Eliezer, Elihoenai, Eliphelet, Elnathan, Gershom, Hakkatan, Hashabiah, Hattush, Iddo, Isaiah, Ithamar, Jahaziel, Jarib, Jehiel, Jeiel, Jeshaiah, Jeshua, Jeuel, Joab, Johanan, Joiarib, Jonathan, Josiphiah, Jozabad, Levi, Levites, Mahli, Merari, Meremoth, Meshullam, Michael, Nathan, Noadiah, Obadiah, Pahathmoab, Parosh, Pharosh, Phinehas, Shecaniah, Shechaniah, Shelomith, Shemaiah, Shephatiah, Sherebiah, Uriah, Urijah, Uthai, Zabbud, Zaccur, Zattu, Zebadiah, Zechariah, Zerahiah
Places
Ahava, Babylonia, Beyond the River, Casiphia, Jerusalem
Topics
Adonikam, Adoni'kam, Eliphelet, Eliph'elet, Jeiel, Jeuel, Jeu'el, Later, Males, Names, Ones, Shemaiah, Shemai'ah, Sixty, Sons, Threescore, Younger
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Ezra 7:28

     1085   God, love of
     1265   hand of God
     7372   hands, laying on

Ezra 7:27-28

     1055   God, grace and mercy
     6667   grace, in OT

Library
The Charge of the Pilgrim Priests
'Watch ye, and keep them, until ye weigh them ... at Jerusalem, in the chambers of the house of the Lord.'--EZRA viii. 29. The little band of Jews, seventeen hundred in number, returning from Babylon, had just started on that long pilgrimage, and made a brief halt in order to get everything in order for their transit across the desert; when their leader Ezra, taking count of his men, discovers that amongst them there are none of the priests or Levites. He then takes measures to reinforce his little
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Heroic Faith
'I was ashamed to require of the king a band of soldiers and horsemen to help us against the enemy in the way: because we had spoken unto the king, saying, The hand of our God is upon them all for good that seek Him.... 23. So we fasted and besought our God for this.... 31. The hand of our God was upon us, and He delivered us from the hand of the enemy, and of such as lay in wait by the way. 32. And we came to Jerusalem.'--EZRA viii. 22, 23, 31, 32. The memory of Ezra the scribe has scarcely had
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Of the Public Fast.
A public fast is when, by the authority of the magistrate (Jonah iii. 7; 2 Chron. xx. 3; Ezra viii. 21), either the whole church within his dominion, or some special congregation, whom it concerneth, assemble themselves together, to perform the fore-mentioned duties of humiliation; either for the removing of some public calamity threatened or already inflicted upon them, as the sword, invasion, famine, pestilence, or other fearful sickness (1 Sam. vii. 5, 6; Joel ii. 15; 2 Chron. xx.; Jonah iii.
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety

The Old Testament Canon from Its Beginning to Its Close.
The first important part of the Old Testament put together as a whole was the Pentateuch, or rather, the five books of Moses and Joshua. This was preceded by smaller documents, which one or more redactors embodied in it. The earliest things committed to writing were probably the ten words proceeding from Moses himself, afterwards enlarged into the ten commandments which exist at present in two recensions (Exod. xx., Deut. v.) It is true that we have the oldest form of the decalogue from the Jehovist
Samuel Davidson—The Canon of the Bible

Upon Our Lord's SermonOn the Mount
Discourse 7 "Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face; That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: And thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly." Matthew 6:16-18. 1. It has been the endeavour of Satan, from the beginning of the world,
John Wesley—Sermons on Several Occasions

Ezra-Nehemiah
Some of the most complicated problems in Hebrew history as well as in the literary criticism of the Old Testament gather about the books of Ezra and Nehemiah. Apart from these books, all that we know of the origin and early history of Judaism is inferential. They are our only historical sources for that period; and if in them we have, as we seem to have, authentic memoirs, fragmentary though they be, written by the two men who, more than any other, gave permanent shape and direction to Judaism, then
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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