עזרא, פרק ב׳, פסוק כ״ג

The journey of the Babylonian exiles returning to the land of Israel features the unexpected presence of a group that survived a severe prophecy of doom. This specific group consists of the residents from the village of Anathoth [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Their survival is highly unusual because a prior decree from God, recorded in the Book of Jeremiah, stated that they would be completely destroyed. He determined that they would perish by sword and starvation, leaving no remnant behind.

Despite this severe judgment, tradition teaches that the villagers repented before their scheduled day of punishment arrived. Because of their sincere change of heart, God canceled the harsh decree. As a result of this forgiveness, one hundred and twenty-eight individuals from the village earned the right to survive and join the returning exiles [אבן עזרא, מלבי״ם].