Definition: The children of the porters: the children of Shallum, the children of Ater, the children of Talmon, the children of Akkub, the children of Hatita, the children of Shobai, [in] all an hundred thirty and nine.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Ezra 2:42. It’s a really important piece of history and has some fascinating details! Here's what it means in simpler terms: The Verse Says: “Ezra 2:42 The children of the porters: the children of Shallum, the children of Ater, the children of Talmon, the children of Akkub, the children of Hatita, the children of Shobai, [in] all an hundred thirty and nine.” What it’s about: This verse tells us about a group of people who were living in Jerusalem during the time Ezra was leading the rebuilding efforts. It specifically names them as: The Children of Shallum: This is likely a specific family name. The Children of Ater: Another family name. The Children of Talmon: This refers to a particular leader or group of leaders. The Children of Akkub: Again, another leader. The Children of Hatita: A further descriptor of the group. The Children of Shobai: Another name for this group. [In] all an hundred thirty and nine: This is a crucial part! It means "in total, there were 139 of them." So, essentially, it’s saying that there were approximately 139 individuals who were identified as being descended from these specific families. Why is this significant? This verse is key to understanding the rebuilding of Jerusalem after the Babylonian exile. It tells us that many people from these families were still living in the area, and their presence played a part in the effort to restore the city to its former glory. It highlights the continuity of traditions and identities even after a long period of separation. In short: This verse describes a group of people, likely descendants of various families who lived in Jerusalem during the time of Ezra’s ministry, with approximately 139 of them. --- Do you want to dive deeper into any specific aspect of this verse? For example, would you like me to: Explain why this story is important? Discuss the context of the time period?