Book of Ezra - Chapter 2 - Verse 25

The verse "The children of Kirjatharim, Chephirah, and Beeroth, seven hundred and forty and three" is found in the Old Testament in the book of Ezra. These three cities were among the many towns and villages that were listed as the places from which the Jews had returned after their exile in Babylon. Kirjatharim, Chephirah, and Beeroth were not as well-known as some of the other cities mentioned in the Bible, but they played their part in the history of the Jewish people. The specific number mentioned in this verse, 743, refers to the total number of individuals who hailed from these three cities and were part of the group that returned to Jerusalem. This verse highlights the meticulous record-keeping that was part of the Jewish culture and emphasizes the importance of each individual and their origins in the history of God's chosen people.

Within this verse, the names of three cities are mentioned - Kirjatharim, Chephirah, and Beeroth. Each of these cities holds significant historical and theological meaning within the context of the Bible. Kirjatharim, also known as Baalath, was a Levitical city and was allotted to the Levites by Joshua. It is believed to have been located near Jerusalem. Chephirah, on the other hand, is thought to have been situated near Gibeah and Jerusalem. Lastly, Beeroth was a city of the Gibeonites and was one of the four cities that entered into a covenant with Joshua to avoid destruction. Numerically, the verse specifies that there were 743 inhabitants from these three cities. Some theologians suggest that this number may have symbolic significance, representing completeness or fulfillment within the context of the narrative. Word studies indicate that the names of these cities can also be interpreted in relation to their meanings in Hebrew, shedding light on the characteristics and histories of the places themselves.