What Does Ezra 2:57 Mean in the King James?

The children of Shephatiah, the children of Hattil, the children of Pochereth of Zebaim, the children of Ami.

Ezra 2:57 · KJV

The analysis reads the King James wording.

King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.

THE KEY

The repeated “children of” carries the hidden image of building: a people is a house still taking shape through its descendants.

THE MEANING

You are held in relation without being reduced to an unnamed mass. The named family lines show belonging and particular identity existing together.

WHAT THIS UNDOES

The lie that belonging requires you to disappear into the group dissolves here: each line remains distinct.

THE ROOT

בְּנֵי

bənê

GROWS FROM

בנה

b-n-h

build, establish

The word for son, ⁨בֵּן⁩ (ben, son), is traditionally linked with ⁨בָּנָה⁩ (banah, build). Here, the repeated “children of” presents each named group as part of a family line being built and carried forward.

ALSO GROWS

ben: son, child

בֵּן

This is the singular form behind “children of,” linking each descendant to the line that carries the family forward.

banah: to build

בָּנָה

Its association with ben gives the family line the image of a household taking shape through its children.

binyan: building, structure

בִּנְיָן

This branch makes the verse’s repeated family lines feel like a structure formed from named members.

שְׁפַטְיָה

Shephatyah

GROWS FROM

שפט

sh-p-ṭ

judge, govern

“Shephatiah” in this verse is Shephatyah. The name joins ⁨שפט⁩ (sh-p-ṭ, judge) to Yah and means “Yah has judged.” The root remains present inside the name, carrying a statement about divine nature within this family line.

ALSO GROWS

shaphat: judge, govern

שָׁפַט

This is the root carried in Shephatiah, making judgment part of the name’s nature.

mishpat: judgment, justice

מִשְׁפָּט

This branch shows the root extending from judging into the judgment that shapes a community.

shofet: judge

שֹׁפֵט

This agent form makes explicit the one who carries out the judging named in Shephatiah.

THE PATTERN

Belonging is made particular through names: a person is known within a people, not dissolved into a count.

But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine.

Isaiah 43:1 · KJVThe LORD speaks belonging through a personal name, joining recognition with being claimed.

And the LORD came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth.

1 Samuel 3:10 · KJVSamuel is addressed by name, making the encounter particular rather than anonymous.

He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.

Revelation 3:5 · KJVThe name remains visible and spoken, preserving the person’s distinct place in the assembly.

THE THREAD

For the LORD is our judge, the LORD is our lawgiver, the LORD is our king; he will save us.

Isaiah 33:22 · KJV

Shephatiah carries ⁨שפט⁩ (sh-p-ṭ, judge) joined to Yah. Isaiah names the LORD as judge, letting the name in Ezra resonate as a compressed statement of divine nature.

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