Definition: Now these [are] the children of the province that went up out of the captivity, of those which had been carried away, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away unto Babylon, and came again unto Jerusalem and Judah, every one unto his city;
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Ezra 2:1. It’s a really important passage about rebuilding and returning to God. Here's what it means in simpler terms: Basically, this verse tells us about a group of people who were exiled from their home (the province) and brought into Babylon. Here’s a more detailed explanation: “Now these [are] the children of the province…” – This refers to a specific group of people. "Children of the province" means they were part of a larger community or tribe. “…that went up out of the captivity.” – This is key! “Captivity” means they were forced to leave their home because of a bad situation, often political conflict or war. They were being held captive. "...of those which had been carried away, unto Babylon…” – This tells us exactly where they went. They were taken away by Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, and brought to his city. "...and came again unto Jerusalem and Judah." – This says they returned to their home, specifically to Jerusalem and the region of Judah (which is part of modern-day Israel). So, what's the big takeaway? It’s a story about a time when people were exiled. But God didn't just leave them. He gave them a chance to return home. The verse emphasizes that they were brought back and are now being welcomed back into their land. In short, it's a narrative of repentance and restoration – a story about a group of people who were exiled and then, through God’s grace, returned to their homeland. Do you want me to: Explain any of these parts in more detail? Connect this verse to a bigger idea (like faith or forgiveness)?