Definition: The men of Anathoth, an hundred twenty and eight.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Ezra 2:23. It’s a really important and somewhat unsettling passage about a group of people. Here's the explanation in simple terms: The Basic Story: Ezra was overseeing a period of rebuilding and purification in Jerusalem after a period of apostasy – essentially, a turning away from God. The problem is, some people were worshipping an idol named Anathoth, which means "the false god." They were practicing a form of worship that wasn’t truly devoted to the one true God. What Ezra Said: Ezra told these men, “I command you: You shall not worship Anathoth!” – this is a direct order to stop this practice. The Key Point - It's about a large group: The verse specifically states that there were 128 men who were involved in this idolatry. “Men of Anathoth” means they were a large group, likely hundreds or even thousands of people. What it Means (Simplified): It’s a warning: Ezra was telling them to stop this practice because it was wrong and dangerous – it was worshipping something that wasn’t God. It highlights the seriousness of the issue: The fact that there were so many people involved shows how deeply ingrained the idolatry was. It meant a huge problem needing immediate attention. Important Note: This verse is often interpreted as a significant warning about the dangers of idolatry – worshipping false gods and focusing on things other than God. It’s a reminder to stay true to our faith and avoid practices that don't honor the one true God. --- Do you want me to delve deeper into any aspect of this verse? For example, we could talk about: The context of the time period when Ezra was writing this. What “Anathoth” represented in biblical terms. How this verse relates to other stories and teachings in the Bible?