The number of descendants from Senaah who returned from the Babylonian exile (Ezra 2:35)
The number 3630 appears in Ezra 2:35 as the count of descendants from Sena'a who were among those returning to Judah after the Babylonian exile. This census, found in Ezra chapter 2, documents the various families and town groups that returned under Zerubbabel's leadership following King Cyrus's decree. The Sena'a group of 3630 people constituted one of the larger groups in this return, suggesting that Sena'a was a significant community. The parallel passage in Nehemiah 7:38 gives the number 3930 for the same group, a difference that may be due to variations in counting methods, timing, or textual transmission. The identification of Senaah is disputed. Some scholars link the name to the town of Magdal-senna north of Jericho, while others have suggested a connection to the tribe of Benjamin. Josephus mentions a city called Senna. The difference between Ezra 2:35 (3630) and Nehemiah 7:38 (3930) is one of several numerical variations between these two parallel lists. Such discrepancies have been the subject of extensive textual-critical discussion throughout history. In rabbinic tradition, the lists in Ezra 2 and Nehemiah 7 were regarded as important documents for establishing genealogies and membership within the Jewish people after the exile. Those who could prove their descent through these lists had the right to full participation in temple worship.*