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Ezra 2:1-70 King James Version (KJV)

1 Now these are the children of the province that went up out of the captivity, of those which had been carried away, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away unto Babylon, and came again unto Jerusalem and Judah, every one unto his city;

2 Which came with Zerubbabel: Jeshua, Nehemiah, Seraiah, Reelaiah, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mizpar, Bigvai, Rehum, Baanah. The number of the men of the people of Israel:

3 The children of Parosh, two thousand an hundred seventy and two.

4 The children of Shephatiah, three hundred seventy and two.

5 The children of Arah, seven hundred seventy and five.

6 The children of Pahathmoab, of the children of Jeshua and Joab, two thousand eight hundred and twelve.

7 The children of Elam, a thousand two hundred fifty and four.

8 The children of Zattu, nine hundred forty and five.

9 The children of Zaccai, seven hundred and threescore.

10 The children of Bani, six hundred forty and two.

11 The children of Bebai, six hundred twenty and three.

12 The children of Azgad, a thousand two hundred twenty and two.

13 The children of Adonikam, six hundred sixty and six.

14 The children of Bigvai, two thousand fifty and six.

15 The children of Adin, four hundred fifty and four.

16 The children of Ater of Hezekiah, ninety and eight.

17 The children of Bezai, three hundred twenty and three.

18 The children of Jorah, an hundred and twelve.

19 The children of Hashum, two hundred twenty and three.

20 The children of Gibbar, ninety and five.

21 The children of Bethlehem, an hundred twenty and three.

22 The men of Netophah, fifty and six.

23 The men of Anathoth, an hundred twenty and eight.

24 The children of Azmaveth, forty and two.

25 The children of Kirjatharim, Chephirah, and Beeroth, seven hundred and forty and three.

26 The children of Ramah and Gaba, six hundred twenty and one.

27 The men of Michmas, an hundred twenty and two.

28 The men of Bethel and Ai, two hundred twenty and three.

29 The children of Nebo, fifty and two.

30 The children of Magbish, an hundred fifty and six.

31 The children of the other Elam, a thousand two hundred fifty and four.

32 The children of Harim, three hundred and twenty.

33 The children of Lod, Hadid, and Ono, seven hundred twenty and five.

34 The children of Jericho, three hundred forty and five.

35 The children of Senaah, three thousand and six hundred and thirty.

36 The priests: the children of Jedaiah, of the house of Jeshua, nine hundred seventy and three.

37 The children of Immer, a thousand fifty and two.

38 The children of Pashur, a thousand two hundred forty and seven.

39 The children of Harim, a thousand and seventeen.

40 The Levites: the children of Jeshua and Kadmiel, of the children of Hodaviah, seventy and four.

41 The singers: the children of Asaph, an hundred twenty and eight.

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.

43 The Nethinims: the children of Ziha, the children of Hasupha, the children of Tabbaoth,

44 The children of Keros, the children of Siaha, the children of Padon,

45 The children of Lebanah, the children of Hagabah, the children of Akkub,

46 The children of Hagab, the children of Shalmai, the children of Hanan,

47 The children of Giddel, the children of Gahar, the children of Reaiah,

48 The children of Rezin, the children of Nekoda, the children of Gazzam,

49 The children of Uzza, the children of Paseah, the children of Besai,

50 The children of Asnah, the children of Mehunim, the children of Nephusim,

51 The children of Bakbuk, the children of Hakupha, the children of Harhur,

52 The children of Bazluth, the children of Mehida, the children of Harsha,

53 The children of Barkos, the children of Sisera, the children of Thamah,

54 The children of Neziah, the children of Hatipha.

55 The children of Solomon's servants: the children of Sotai, the children of Sophereth, the children of Peruda,

56 The children of Jaalah, the children of Darkon, the children of Giddel,

57 The children of Shephatiah, the children of Hattil, the children of Pochereth of Zebaim, the children of Ami.

58 All the Nethinims, and the children of Solomon's servants, were three hundred ninety and two.

59 And these were they which went up from Telmelah, Telharsa, Cherub, Addan, and Immer: but they could not shew their father's house, and their seed, whether they were of Israel:

60 The children of Delaiah, the children of Tobiah, the children of Nekoda, six hundred fifty and two.

61 And of the children of the priests: the children of Habaiah, the children of Koz, the children of Barzillai; which took a wife of the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite, and was called after their name:

62 These sought their register among those that were reckoned by genealogy, but they were not found: therefore were they, as polluted, put from the priesthood.

63 And the Tirshatha said unto them, that they should not eat of the most holy things, till there stood up a priest with Urim and with Thummim.

64 The whole congregation together was forty and two thousand three hundred and threescore,

65 Beside their servants and their maids, of whom there were seven thousand three hundred thirty and seven: and there were among them two hundred singing men and singing women.

66 Their horses were seven hundred thirty and six; their mules, two hundred forty and five;

67 Their camels, four hundred thirty and five; their asses, six thousand seven hundred and twenty.

68 And some of the chief of the fathers, when they came to the house of the LORD which is at Jerusalem, offered freely for the house of God to set it up in his place:

69 They gave after their ability unto the treasure of the work threescore and one thousand drams of gold, and five thousand pound of silver, and one hundred priests' garments.

70 So the priests, and the Levites, and some of the people, and the singers, and the porters, and the Nethinims, dwelt in their cities, and all Israel in their cities.


Ezra 2:1-70 King James Version with Strong's Concordance (STRONG)

1 Now these are the children H1121 of the province H4082 that went up H5927 out of the captivity, H7628 of those which had been carried away, H1473 whom Nebuchadnezzar H5019 the king H4428 of Babylon H894 had carried away H1540 unto Babylon, H894 and came again H7725 unto Jerusalem H3389 and Judah, H3063 every one H376 unto his city; H5892

2 Which came H935 with Zerubbabel: H2216 Jeshua, H3442 Nehemiah, H5166 Seraiah, H8304 Reelaiah, H7480 Mordecai, H4782 Bilshan, H1114 Mispar, H4558 Bigvai, H902 Rehum, H7348 Baanah. H1196 The number H4557 of the men H582 of the people H5971 of Israel: H3478

3 The children H1121 of Parosh, H6551 two thousand H505 an hundred H3967 seventy H7657 and two. H8147

4 The children H1121 of Shephatiah, H8203 three H7969 hundred H3967 seventy H7657 and two. H8147

5 The children H1121 of Arah, H733 seven H7651 hundred H3967 seventy H7657 and five. H2568

6 The children H1121 of Pahathmoab, H6355 of the children H1121 of Jeshua H3442 and Joab, H3097 two thousand H505 eight H8083 hundred H3967 and twelve. H8147 H6240

7 The children H1121 of Elam, H5867 a thousand H505 two hundred H3967 fifty H2572 and four. H702

8 The children H1121 of Zattu, H2240 nine H8672 hundred H3967 forty H705 and five. H2568

9 The children H1121 of Zaccai, H2140 seven H7651 hundred H3967 and threescore. H8346

10 The children H1121 of Bani, H1137 six H8337 hundred H3967 forty H705 and two. H8147

11 The children H1121 of Bebai, H893 six H8337 hundred H3967 twenty H6242 and three. H7969

12 The children H1121 of Azgad, H5803 a thousand H505 two H8147 hundred H3967 twenty H6242 and two. H8147

13 The children H1121 of Adonikam, H140 six H8337 hundred H3967 sixty H8346 and six. H8337

14 The children H1121 of Bigvai, H902 two thousand H505 fifty H2572 and six. H8337

15 The children H1121 of Adin, H5720 four H702 hundred H3967 fifty H2572 and four. H702

16 The children H1121 of Ater H333 of Hezekiah, H3169 ninety H8673 and eight. H8083

17 The children H1121 of Bezai, H1209 three H7969 hundred H3967 twenty H6242 and three. H7969

18 The children H1121 of Jorah, H3139 an hundred H3967 and twelve. H8147 H6240

19 The children H1121 of Hashum, H2828 two hundred H3967 twenty H6242 and three. H7969

20 The children H1121 of Gibbar, H1402 ninety H8673 and five. H2568

21 The children H1121 of Bethlehem, H1035 an hundred H3967 twenty H6242 and three. H7969

22 The men H582 of Netophah, H5199 fifty H2572 and six. H8337

23 The men H582 of Anathoth, H6068 an hundred H3967 twenty H6242 and eight. H8083

24 The children H1121 of Azmaveth, H5820 forty H705 and two. H8147

25 The children H1121 of Kirjatharim, H7157 Chephirah, H3716 and Beeroth, H881 seven H7651 hundred H3967 and forty H705 and three. H7969

26 The children H1121 of Ramah H7414 and Gaba, H1387 six H8337 hundred H3967 twenty H6242 and one. H259

27 The men H582 of Michmas, H4363 an hundred H3967 twenty H6242 and two. H8147

28 The men H582 of Bethel H1008 and Ai, H5857 two hundred H3967 twenty H6242 and three. H7969

29 The children H1121 of Nebo, H5015 fifty H2572 and two. H8147

30 The children H1121 of Magbish, H4019 an hundred H3967 fifty H2572 and six. H8337

31 The children H1121 of the other H312 Elam, H5867 a thousand H505 two hundred H3967 fifty H2572 and four. H702

32 The children H1121 of Harim, H2766 three H7969 hundred H3967 and twenty. H6242

33 The children H1121 of Lod, H3850 Hadid, H2307 and Ono, H207 seven H7651 hundred H3967 twenty H6242 and five. H2568

34 The children H1121 of Jericho, H3405 three H7969 hundred H3967 forty H705 and five. H2568

35 The children H1121 of Senaah, H5570 three H7969 thousand H505 and six H8337 hundred H3967 and thirty. H7970

36 The priests: H3548 the children H1121 of Jedaiah, H3048 of the house H1004 of Jeshua, H3442 nine H8672 hundred H3967 seventy H7657 and three. H7969

37 The children H1121 of Immer, H564 a thousand H505 fifty H2572 and two. H8147

38 The children H1121 of Pashur, H6583 a thousand H505 two hundred H3967 forty H705 and seven. H7651

39 The children H1121 of Harim, H2766 a thousand H505 and seventeen. H7651 H6240

40 The Levites: H3881 the children H1121 of Jeshua H3442 and Kadmiel, H6934 of the children H1121 of Hodaviah, H1938 seventy H7657 and four. H702

41 The singers: H7891 the children H1121 of Asaph, H623 an hundred H3967 twenty H6242 and eight. H8083

42 The children H1121 of the porters: H7778 the children H1121 of Shallum, H7967 the children H1121 of Ater, H333 the children H1121 of Talmon, H2929 the children H1121 of Akkub, H6126 the children H1121 of Hatita, H2410 the children H1121 of Shobai, H7630 in all an hundred H3967 thirty H7970 and nine. H8672

43 The Nethinims: H5411 the children H1121 of Ziha, H6727 the children H1121 of Hasupha, H2817 the children H1121 of Tabbaoth, H2884

44 The children H1121 of Keros, H7026 the children H1121 of Siaha, H5517 the children H1121 of Padon, H6303

45 The children H1121 of Lebanah, H3838 the children H1121 of Hagabah, H2286 the children H1121 of Akkub, H6126

46 The children H1121 of Hagab, H2285 the children H1121 of Shalmai, H8073 the children H1121 of Hanan, H2605

47 The children H1121 of Giddel, H1435 the children H1121 of Gahar, H1515 the children H1121 of Reaiah, H7211

48 The children H1121 of Rezin, H7526 the children H1121 of Nekoda, H5353 the children H1121 of Gazzam, H1502

49 The children H1121 of Uzza, H5798 the children H1121 of Paseah, H6454 the children H1121 of Besai, H1153

50 The children H1121 of Asnah, H619 the children H1121 of Mehunim, H4586 the children H1121 of Nephusim, H5300 H5304

51 The children H1121 of Bakbuk, H1227 the children H1121 of Hakupha, H2709 the children H1121 of Harhur, H2744

52 The children H1121 of Bazluth, H1213 the children H1121 of Mehida, H4240 the children H1121 of Harsha, H2797

53 The children H1121 of Barkos, H1302 the children H1121 of Sisera, H5516 the children H1121 of Thamah, H8547

54 The children H1121 of Neziah, H5335 the children H1121 of Hatipha. H2412

55 The children H1121 of Solomon's H8010 servants: H5650 the children H1121 of Sotai, H5479 the children H1121 of Sophereth, H5618 the children H1121 of Peruda, H6514

56 The children H1121 of Jaalah, H3279 the children H1121 of Darkon, H1874 the children H1121 of Giddel, H1435

57 The children H1121 of Shephatiah, H8203 the children H1121 of Hattil, H2411 the children H1121 of Pochereth of Zebaim, H6380 the children H1121 of Ami. H532

58 All the Nethinims, H5411 and the children H1121 of Solomon's H8010 servants, H5650 were three H7969 hundred H3967 ninety H8673 and two. H8147

59 And these were they which went up H5927 from Telmelah, H8528 Telharsa, H8521 Cherub, H3743 Addan, H135 and Immer: H564 but they could H3201 not shew H5046 their father's H1 house, H1004 and their seed, H2233 whether they were of Israel: H3478

60 The children H1121 of Delaiah, H1806 the children H1121 of Tobiah, H2900 the children H1121 of Nekoda, H5353 six H8337 hundred H3967 fifty H2572 and two. H8147

61 And of the children H1121 of the priests: H3548 the children H1121 of Habaiah, H2252 the children H1121 of Koz, H6976 the children H1121 of Barzillai; H1271 which took H3947 a wife H802 of the daughters H1323 of Barzillai H1271 the Gileadite, H1569 and was called H7121 after their name: H8034

62 These sought H1245 their register H3791 among those that were reckoned by genealogy, H3187 but they were not found: H4672 therefore were they, as polluted, H1351 put from the priesthood. H3550

63 And the Tirshatha H8660 said H559 unto them, that they should not eat H398 of the most H6944 holy things, H6944 till there stood up H5975 a priest H3548 with Urim H224 and with Thummim. H8550

64 The whole congregation H6951 together H259 was forty H702 H7239 and two thousand H505 three H7969 hundred H3967 and threescore, H8346

65 Beside their servants H5650 and their maids, H519 of whom there were seven H7651 thousand H505 three H7969 hundred H3967 thirty H7970 and seven: H7651 and there were H428 among them two hundred H3967 singing men H7891 and singing women. H7891

66 Their horses H5483 were seven H7651 hundred H3967 thirty H7970 and six; H8337 their mules, H6505 two hundred H3967 forty H705 and five; H2568

67 Their camels, H1581 four H702 hundred H3967 thirty H7970 and five; H2568 their asses, H2543 six H8337 thousand H505 seven H7651 hundred H3967 and twenty. H6242

68 And some of the chief H7218 of the fathers, H1 when they came H935 to the house H1004 of the LORD H3068 which is at Jerusalem, H3389 offered freely H5068 for the house H1004 of God H430 to set it up H5975 in his place: H4349

69 They gave H5414 after their ability H3581 unto the treasure H214 of the work H4399 threescore H8337 H7239 and one thousand H505 drams H1871 of gold, H2091 and five H2568 thousand H505 pound H4488 of silver, H3701 and one hundred H3967 priests' H3548 garments. H3801

70 So the priests, H3548 and the Levites, H3881 and some of the people, H5971 and the singers, H7891 and the porters, H7778 and the Nethinims, H5411 dwelt H3427 in their cities, H5892 and all Israel H3478 in their cities. H5892


Ezra 2:1-70 American Standard (ASV)

1 Now these are the children of the province, that went up out of the captivity of those that had been carried away, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away unto Babylon, and that returned unto Jerusalem and Judah, every one unto his city;

2 who came with Zerubbabel, Jeshua, Nehemiah, Seraiah, Reelaiah, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispar, Bigvai, Rehum, Baanah. The number of the men of the people of Israel:

3 The children of Parosh, two thousand a hundred seventy and two.

4 The children of Shephatiah, three hundred seventy and two.

5 The children of Arah, seven hundred seventy and five.

6 The children of Pahath-moab, of the children of Jeshua `and' Joab, two thousand eight hundred and twelve.

7 The children of Elam, a thousand two hundred fifty and four.

8 The children of Zattu, nine hundred forty and five.

9 The children of Zaccai, seven hundred and threescore.

10 The children of Bani, six hundred forty and two.

11 The children of Bebai, six hundred twenty and three.

12 The children of Azgad, a thousand two hundred twenty and two.

13 The children of Adonikam, six hundred sixty and six.

14 The children of Bigvai, two thousand fifty and six.

15 The children of Adin, four hundred fifty and four.

16 The children of Ater, of Hezekiah, ninety and eight.

17 The children of Bezai, three hundred twenty and three.

18 The children of Jorah, a hundred and twelve.

19 The children of Hashum, two hundred twenty and three.

20 The children of Gibbar, ninety and five.

21 The children of Beth-lehem, a hundred twenty and three.

22 The men of Netophah, fifty and six.

23 The men of Anathoth, a hundred twenty and eight.

24 The children of Azmaveth, forty and two.

25 The children of Kiriath-arim, Chephirah, and Beeroth, seven hundred and forty and three.

26 The children of Ramah and Geba, six hundred twenty and one.

27 The men of Michmas, a hundred twenty and two.

28 The men of Beth-el and Ai, two hundred twenty and three.

29 The children of Nebo, fifty and two.

30 The children of Magbish, a hundred fifty and six.

31 The children of the other Elam, a thousand two hundred fifty and four.

32 The children of Harim, three hundred and twenty.

33 The children of Lod, Hadid, and Ono, seven hundred twenty and five.

34 The children of Jericho, three hundred forty and five.

35 The children of Senaah, three thousand and six hundred and thirty.

36 The priests: the children of Jedaiah, of the house of Jeshua, nine hundred seventy and three.

37 The children of Immer, a thousand fifty and two.

38 The children of Pashhur, a thousand two hundred forty and seven.

39 The children of Harim, a thousand and seventeen.

40 The Levites: the children of Jeshua and Kadmiel, of the children of Hodaviah, seventy and four.

41 The singers: the children of Asaph, a hundred twenty and eight.

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 a hundred thirty and nine.

43 The Nethinim: the children of Ziha, the children of Hasupha, the children of Tabbaoth,

44 the children of Keros, the children of Siaha, the children of Padon,

45 the children of Lebanah, the children of Hagabah, the children of Akkub,

46 the children of Hagab, the children of Shamlai, the children of Hanan,

47 the children of Giddel, the children of Gahar, the children of Reaiah,

48 the children of Rezin, the children of Nekoda, the children of Gazzam,

49 the children of Uzza, the children of Paseah, the children of Besai,

50 the children of Asnah, the children of Meunim, the children of Nephisim,

51 the children of Bakbuk, the children of Hakupha, the children of Harhur,

52 the children of Bazluth, the children of Mehida, the children of Harsha,

53 the children of Barkos, the children of Sisera, the children of Temah,

54 the children of Neziah, the children of Hatipha.

55 The children of Solomon's servants: the children of Sotai, the children of Hassophereth, the children of Peruda,

56 the children of Jaalah, the children of Darkon, the children of Giddel,

57 the children of Shephatiah, the children of Hattil, the children of Pochereth-hazzebaim, the children of Ami.

58 All the Nethinim, and the children of Solomon's servants, were three hundred ninety and two.

59 And these were they that went up from Tel-melah, Tel-harsha, Cherub, Addan, `and' Immer; but they could not show their fathers' houses, and their seed, whether they were of Israel:

60 the children of Delaiah, the children of Tobiah, the children of Nekoda, six hundred fifty and two.

61 And of the children of the priests: the children of Habaiah, the children of Hakkoz, the children of Barzillai, who took a wife of the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite, and was called after their name.

62 These sought their register `among' those that were reckoned by genealogy, but they were not found: therefore were they deemed polluted and put from the priesthood.

63 And the governor said unto them, that they should not eat of the most holy things, till there stood up a priest with Urim and with Thummim.

64 The whole assembly together was forty and two thousand three hundred and threescore,

65 besides their men-servants and their maid-servants, of whom there were seven thousand three hundred thirty and seven: and they had two hundred singing men and singing women.

66 Their horses were seven hundred thirty and six; their mules, two hundred forty and five;

67 their camels, four hundred thirty and five; `their' asses, six thousand seven hundred and twenty.

68 And some of the heads of fathers' `houses', when they came to the house of Jehovah which is in Jerusalem, offered willingly for the house of God to set it up in its place:

69 they gave after their ability into the treasury of the work threescore and one thousand darics of gold, and five thousand pounds of silver, and one hundred priests' garments.

70 So the priests, and the Levites, and some of the people, and the singers, and the porters, and the Nethinim, dwelt in their cities, and all Israel in their cities.


Ezra 2:1-70 Young's Literal Translation (YLT)

1 And these `are' sons of the province who are going up -- of the captives of the removal that Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon removed to Babylon, and they turn back to Jerusalem and Judah, each to his city --

2 who have come in with Zerubbabel, Jeshua, Nehemiah, Seraiah, Reelaiah, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispar, Bigvai, Rehum, Baanah: The number of the men of the people of Israel:

3 Sons of Parosh, two thousand a hundred seventy and two.

4 Sons of Shephatiah, three hundred seventy and two.

5 Sons of Arah, seven hundred five and seventy.

6 Sons of Pahath-Moab, of the sons of Jeshua, Joab, two thousand eight hundred and twelve.

7 Sons of Elam, a thousand two hundred fifty and four.

8 Sons of Zattu, nine hundred and forty and five.

9 Sons of Zaccai, seven hundred and sixty.

10 Sons of Bani, six hundred forty and two.

11 Sons of Bebai, six hundred twenty and three.

12 Sons of Azgad, a thousand two hundred twenty and two.

13 Sons of Adonikam, six hundred sixty and six.

14 Sons of Bigvai, two thousand fifty and six.

15 Sons of Adin, four hundred fifty and four.

16 Sons of Ater of Hezekiah, ninety and eight.

17 Sons of Bezai, three hundred twenty and three.

18 Sons of Jorah, a hundred and twelve.

19 Sons of Hashum, two hundred twenty and three.

20 Sons of Gibbar, ninety and five.

21 Sons of Beth-Lehem, a hundred twenty and three.

22 Men of Netophah, fifty and six.

23 Men of Anathoth, a hundred twenty and eight.

24 Sons of Azmaveth, forty and two.

25 Sons of Kirjath-Arim, Chephirah, and Beeroth, seven hundred and forty and three.

26 Sons of Ramah and Gaba, six hundred twenty and one.

27 Men of Michmas, a hundred twenty and two.

28 Men of Beth-El and Ai, two hundred twenty and three.

29 Sons of Nebo, fifty and two.

30 Sons of Magbish, a hundred fifty and six.

31 Sons of another Elam, a thousand two hundred fifty and four.

32 Sons of Harim, three hundred and twenty.

33 Sons of Lod, Hadid, and Ono, seven hundred twenty and five.

34 Sons of Jericho, three hundred forty and five.

35 Sons of Senaah, three thousand and six hundred and thirty.

36 The Priests: sons of Jedaiah, of the house of Jeshua, nine hundred seventy and three.

37 Sons of Imner, a thousand fifty and two.

38 Sons of Pashhur, a thousand two hundred forty and seven.

39 Sons of Harim, a thousand and seventeen.

40 The Levites; sons of Jeshua and Kadmiel, of the sons of Hodaviah, seventy and four.

41 The singers: sons of Asaph, a hundred twenty and eight.

42 Sons of the gatekeepers; sons of Shallum, sons of Ater, sons of Talmon, sons of Akkub, sons of Hatita, sons of Shobai, the whole `are' a hundred thirty and nine.

43 The Nethinim: sons of Ziha, sons of Hasupha, sons of Tabbaoth,

44 Sons of Keros, sons of Siaha, sons of Padon,

45 Sons of Lebanah, sons of Hagabah, sons of Akkub,

46 Sons of Hagab, sons of Shalmai, sons of Hanan,

47 Sons of Giddel, sons of Gahar, sons of Reaiah,

48 Sons of Rezin, sons of Nekoda, sons of Gazzam,

49 Sons of Uzza, sons of Paseah, sons of Besai,

50 Sons of Asnah, sons of Mehunim, sons of Nephusim,

51 Sons of Bakbuk, sons of Hakupha, sons of Harhur,

52 Sons of Bazluth, sons of Mehida, sons of Harsha,

53 Sons of Barkos, sons of Sisera, sons of Thamah,

54 Sons of Neziah, sons of Hatipha.

55 Sons of the servants of Solomon: sons of Sotai, sons of Sophereth, sons of Peruda,

56 Sons of Jaalah, sons of Darkon, sons of Giddel,

57 Sons of Shephatiah, sons of Hattil, sons of Pochereth of Zebaim, sons of Ami.

58 All the Nethinim, and the sons of the servants of Solomon `are' three hundred ninety and two.

59 And these `are' those going up from Tel-Melah, Tel-Harsa, Cherub, Addan, Immer, and they have not been able to declare the house of their fathers, and their seed, whether they `are' of Israel:

60 sons of Delaiah, sons of Tobiah, sons of Nekoda, six hundred fifty and two.

61 And of the sons of the priests: sons of Habaiah, sons of Koz, sons of Barzillai (who took from the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite a wife, and is called by their name;)

62 these have sought their register among those reckoning themselves by genealogy, and they have not been found, and they are redeemed from the priesthood,

63 and the Tirshatha saith to them, that they eat not of the most holy things till the standing up of a priest with Urim and with Thummim.

64 All the assembly together `is' four myriad two thousand three hundred sixty,

65 apart from their servants and their handmaids; these `are' seven thousand three hundred thirty and seven: and of them `are' singers and songstresses two hundred.

66 Their horses `are' seven hundred thirty and six, their mules, two hundred forty and five,

67 their camels, four hundred thirty and five, asses, six thousand seven hundred and twenty.

68 And some of the heads of the fathers in their coming in to the house of Jehovah that `is' in Jerusalem, have offered willingly for the house of God, to establish it on its base;

69 according to their power they have given to the treasure of the work; of gold, drams six myriads and a thousand, and of silver, pounds five thousand, and of priests' coats, a hundred.

70 And the priests dwell, and the Levites, and of the people, and the singers, and the gatekeepers, and the Nethinim, in their cities; even all Israel in their cities.


Ezra 2:1-70 Darby English Bible (DARBY)

1 And these are the children of the province, that went up out of the captivity of those that had been carried away, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away to Babylon, and who came again to Jerusalem and to Judah, every one to his city,

2 who came with Zerubbabel, Jeshua, Nehemiah, Saraiah, Reelaiah, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispar, Bigvai, Rehum, Baanah. The number of the men of the people of Israel:

3 The children of Parosh, two thousand one hundred and seventy-two.

4 The children of Shephatiah, three hundred and seventy-two.

5 The children of Arah, seven hundred and seventy-five.

6 The children of Pahath-Moab, of the children of Jeshua [and] Joab, two thousand eight hundred and twelve.

7 The children of Elam, a thousand two hundred and fifty-four.

8 The children of Zattu, nine hundred and forty-five.

9 The children of Zaccai, seven hundred and sixty.

10 The children of Bani, six hundred and forty-two.

11 The children of Bebai, six hundred and twenty-three.

12 The children of Azgad, a thousand two hundred and twenty-two.

13 The children of Adonikam, six hundred and sixty-six.

14 The children of Bigvai, two thousand and fifty-six.

15 The children of Adin, four hundred and fifty-four.

16 The children of Ater of [the family of] Hezekiah, ninety-eight.

17 The children of Bezai, three hundred and twenty-three.

18 The children of Jorah, a hundred and twelve.

19 The children of Hashum, two hundred and twenty-three.

20 The children of Gibbar, ninety-five.

21 The children of Bethlehem, a hundred and twenty-three.

22 The men of Netophah, fifty-six.

23 The men of Anathoth, a hundred and twenty-eight.

24 The children of Azmaveth, forty-two.

25 The children of Kirjath-arim, Chephirah, and Beeroth, seven hundred and forty-three.

26 The children of Ramah and Geba, six hundred and twenty-one.

27 The men of Michmas, a hundred and twenty-two.

28 The men of Bethel and Ai, two hundred and twenty-three.

29 The children of Nebo, fifty-two.

30 The children of Magbish, a hundred and fifty-six.

31 The children of the other Elam, a thousand two hundred and fifty-four.

32 The children of Harim, three hundred and twenty.

33 The children of Lod, Hadid, and Ono, seven hundred and twenty-five.

34 The children of Jericho, three hundred and forty-five.

35 The children of Senaah, three thousand six hundred and thirty.

36 The priests: the children of Jedaiah, of the house of Jeshua, nine hundred and seventy-three.

37 The children of Immer, a thousand and fifty-two.

38 The children of Pashhur, a thousand two hundred and forty-seven.

39 The children of Harim, a thousand and seventeen.

40 The Levites: the children of Jeshua and of Kadmiel, of the children of Hodaviah, seventy-four.

41 The singers: the children of Asaph, a hundred and twenty-eight.

42 The children of the doorkeepers: 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 a hundred and thirty-nine.

43 The Nethinim: the children of Ziha, the children of Hasupha, the children of Tabbaoth,

44 the children of Keros, the children of Siaha, the children of Padon,

45 the children of Lebanah, the children of Hagabah, the children of Akkub,

46 the children of Hagab, the children of Shamlai, the children of Hanan,

47 the children of Giddel, the children of Gahar, the children of Reaiah,

48 the children of Rezin, the children of Nekoda, the children of Gazzam,

49 the children of Uzza, the children of Phaseah, the children of Besai,

50 the children of Asnah, the children of Meunim, the children of Nephusim,

51 the children of Bakbuk, the children of Hakupha, the children of Harhur,

52 the children of Bazluth, the children of Mehida, the children of Harsha,

53 the children of Barkos, the children of Sisera, the children of Thamah,

54 the children of Neziah, the children of Hatipha.

55 The children of Solomon's servants: the children of Sotai, the children of Sophereth, the children of Peruda,

56 the children of Jaalah, the children of Darkon, the children of Giddel,

57 the children of Shephatiah, the children of Hattil, the children of Pochereth-Hazzebaim, the children of Ami.

58 All the Nethinim and the children of Solomon's servants, three hundred and ninety-two.

59 And these are they that went up from Tel-melah, Tel-harsha, Cherub-Addan, Immer; but they could not shew their fathers' house, nor their seed, whether they were of Israel.

60 The children of Delaiah, the children of Tobijah, the children of Nekoda, six hundred and fifty-two.

61 And of the children of the priests: the children of Habaiah, the children of Koz, the children of Barzillai; who took a wife of the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite, and was called after their name.

62 These sought their genealogical register, but they were not found; therefore were they, as polluted, removed from the priesthood.

63 And the Tirshatha said to them that they should not eat of the most holy things, till there stood up a priest with Urim and with Thummim.

64 The whole congregation together was forty-two thousand three hundred and sixty,

65 besides their servants and their maids, of whom there were seven thousand three hundred and thirty-seven; and they had two hundred singing men and singing women.

66 Their horses were seven hundred and thirty-six; their mules two hundred and forty-five;

67 their camels four hundred and thirty-five; the asses six thousand seven hundred and twenty.

68 And some of the chief fathers, when they came to the house of Jehovah which is at Jerusalem, offered freely for the house of God to set it up in its place.

69 They gave after their ability to the treasure of the work sixty-one thousand darics of gold, and five thousand pounds of silver, and one hundred priests' coats.

70 And the priests, and the Levites, and [some] of the people, and the singers, and the doorkeepers, and the Nethinim dwelt in their cities, and all Israel in their cities.


Ezra 2:1-70 World English Bible (WEB)

1 Now these are the children of the province, who went up out of the captivity of those who had been carried away, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away to Babylon, and who returned to Jerusalem and Judah, everyone to his city;

2 who came with Zerubbabel, Jeshua, Nehemiah, Seraiah, Reelaiah, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispar, Bigvai, Rehum, Baanah. The number of the men of the people of Israel:

3 The children of Parosh, two thousand one hundred seventy-two.

4 The children of Shephatiah, three hundred seventy-two.

5 The children of Arah, seven hundred seventy-five.

6 The children of Pahath-moab, of the children of Jeshua [and] Joab, two thousand eight hundred twelve.

7 The children of Elam, one thousand two hundred fifty-four.

8 The children of Zattu, nine hundred forty-five.

9 The children of Zaccai, seven hundred sixty.

10 The children of Bani, six hundred forty-two.

11 The children of Bebai, six hundred twenty-three.

12 The children of Azgad, one thousand two hundred twenty-two.

13 The children of Adonikam, six hundred sixty-six.

14 The children of Bigvai, two thousand fifty-six.

15 The children of Adin, four hundred fifty-four.

16 The children of Ater, of Hezekiah, ninety-eight.

17 The children of Bezai, three hundred twenty-three.

18 The children of Jorah, one hundred twelve.

19 The children of Hashum, two hundred Twenty-three.

20 The children of Gibbar, ninety-five.

21 The children of Bethlehem, one hundred twenty-three.

22 The men of Netophah, fifty-six.

23 The men of Anathoth, one hundred twenty-eight.

24 The children of Azmaveth, forty-two.

25 The children of Kiriath Arim, Chephirah, and Beeroth, seven hundred forty-three.

26 The children of Ramah and Geba, six hundred twenty-one.

27 The men of Michmas, one hundred twenty-two.

28 The men of Bethel and Ai, two hundred twenty-three.

29 The children of Nebo, fifty-two.

30 The children of Magbish, one hundred fifty-six.

31 The children of the other Elam, one thousand two hundred fifty-four.

32 The children of Harim, three hundred twenty.

33 The children of Lod, Hadid, and Ono, seven hundred twenty-five.

34 The children of Jericho, three hundred forty-five.

35 The children of Senaah, three thousand six hundred thirty.

36 The priests: the children of Jedaiah, of the house of Jeshua, nine hundred seventy-three.

37 The children of Immer, one thousand fifty-two.

38 The children of Pashhur, one thousand two hundred forty-seven.

39 The children of Harim, one thousand seventeen.

40 The Levites: the children of Jeshua and Kadmiel, of the children of Hodaviah, seventy-four.

41 The singers: the children of Asaph, one hundred twenty-eight.

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 one hundred thirty-nine.

43 The Nethinim: the children of Ziha, the children of Hasupha, the children of Tabbaoth,

44 the children of Keros, the children of Siaha, the children of Padon,

45 the children of Lebanah, the children of Hagabah, the children of Akkub,

46 the children of Hagab, the children of Shamlai, the children of Hanan,

47 the children of Giddel, the children of Gahar, the children of Reaiah,

48 the children of Rezin, the children of Nekoda, the children of Gazzam,

49 the children of Uzza, the children of Paseah, the children of Besai,

50 the children of Asnah, the children of Meunim, the children of Nephisim,

51 the children of Bakbuk, the children of Hakupha, the children of Harhur,

52 the children of Bazluth, the children of Mehida, the children of Harsha,

53 the children of Barkos, the children of Sisera, the children of Temah,

54 the children of Neziah, the children of Hatipha.

55 The children of Solomon's servants: the children of Sotai, the children of Hassophereth, the children of Peruda,

56 the children of Jaalah, the children of Darkon, the children of Giddel,

57 the children of Shephatiah, the children of Hattil, the children of Pochereth-hazzebaim, the children of Ami.

58 All the Nethinim, and the children of Solomon's servants, were three hundred ninety-two.

59 These were those who went up from Tel-melah, Tel Harsha, Cherub, Addan, [and] Immer; but they could not show their fathers' houses, and their seed, whether they were of Israel:

60 the children of Delaiah, the children of Tobiah, the children of Nekoda, six hundred fifty-two.

61 Of the children of the priests: the children of Habaiah, the children of Hakkoz, the children of Barzillai, who took a wife of the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite, and was called after their name.

62 These sought their register [among] those who were reckoned by genealogy, but they were not found: therefore were they deemed polluted and put from the priesthood.

63 The governor said to them, that they should not eat of the most holy things, until there stood up a priest with Urim and with Thummim.

64 The whole assembly together was forty-two thousand three hundred sixty,

65 besides their men-servants and their maid-servants, of whom there were seven thousand three hundred thirty-seven: and they had two hundred singing men and singing women.

66 Their horses were seven hundred thirty-six; their mules, two hundred forty-five;

67 their camels, four hundred thirty-five; [their] donkeys, six thousand seven hundred and twenty.

68 Some of the heads of fathers' [houses], when they came to the house of Yahweh which is in Jerusalem, offered willingly for the house of God to set it up in its place:

69 they gave after their ability into the treasury of the work sixty-one thousand darics of gold, and five thousand minas of silver, and one hundred priests' garments.

70 So the priests, and the Levites, and some of the people, and the singers, and the porters, and the Nethinim, lived in their cities, and all Israel in their cities.


Ezra 2:1-70 Bible in Basic English (BBE)

1 Now these are the people of the divisions of the kingdom, among those who had been made prisoners by Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, and taken away to Babylon, who went back to Jerusalem and Judah, everyone to his town;

2 Who went with Zerubbabel, Jeshua, Nehemiah, Seraiah, Reelaiah, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispar, Bigvai, Rehum, Baanah, The number of the men of the people of Israel:

3 The children of Parosh, two thousand, one hundred and seventy-two.

4 The children of Shephatiah, three hundred and seventy-two.

5 The children of Arah, seven hundred and seventy-five.

6 The children of Pahath-moab, of the children of Jeshua and Joab, two thousand, eight hundred and twelve.

7 The children of Elam, a thousand, two hundred and fifty-four.

8 The children of Zattu, nine hundred and forty-five.

9 The children of Zaccai, seven hundred and sixty.

10 The children of Bani, six hundred and forty-two.

11 The children of Bebai, six hundred and twenty-three.

12 The children of Azgad, a thousand, two hundred and twenty-two.

13 The children of Adonikam, six hundred and sixty-six.

14 The children of Bigvai, two thousand and fifty-six.

15 The children of Adin, four hundred and fifty-four.

16 The children of Ater, of Hezekiah, ninety-eight.

17 The children of Bezai, three hundred and twenty-three.

18 The children of Jorah, a hundred and twelve.

19 The children of Hashum, two hundred and twenty-three.

20 The children of Gibbar, ninety-five.

21 The children of Beth-lehem, a hundred and twenty-three.

22 The men of Netophah, fifty-six.

23 The men of Anathoth, a hundred and twenty-eight.

24 The children of Azmaveth, forty-two.

25 The children of Kiriath-arim, Chephirah, and Beeroth, seven hundred and forty-three.

26 The children of Ramah and Geba, six hundred and twenty-one.

27 The men of Michmas, a hundred and twenty-two.

28 The men of Beth-el and Ai, two hundred and twenty-three.

29 The children of Nebo, fifty-two.

30 The children of Magbish, a hundred and fifty-six.

31 The children of the other Elam, a thousand, two hundred and fifty-four.

32 The children of Harim, three hundred and twenty.

33 The children of Lod, Hadid, and Ono, seven hundred and twenty-five.

34 The children of Jericho, three hundred and forty-five.

35 The children of Senaah, three thousand, six hundred and thirty.

36 The priests: the children of Jedaiah, of the house of Jeshua, nine hundred and seventy-three.

37 The children of Immer, a thousand and fifty-two.

38 The children of Pashhur, a thousand, two hundred and forty-seven.

39 The children of Harim, a thousand and seventeen.

40 The Levites: the children of Jeshua and Kadmiel, of the children of Hodaviah, seventy-four.

41 The music-makers: the children of Asaph, a hundred and twenty-eight

42 The children of the door-keepers: the children of Shallum, the children of Ater, the children of Talmon, the children of Akkub, the children of Hatita, the children of Shobai, a hundred and thirty-nine.

43 The Nethinim: the children of Ziha, the children of Hasupha, the children of Tabbaoth,

44 The children of Keros, the children of Siaha, the children of Padon,

45 The children of Lebanah, the children of Hagabah, the children of Akkub,

46 The children of Hagab, the children of Shamlai, the children of Hanan,

47 The children of Giddel, the children of Gahar, the children of Reaiah,

48 The children of Rezin, the children of Nekoda, the children of Gazzam,

49 The children of Uzza, the children of Paseah, the children of Besai,

50 The children of Asnah, the children of Meunim, the children of Nephisim,

51 The children of Bakbuk, the children of Hakupha, the children of Harhur,

52 The children of Bazluth, the children of Mehida, the children of Harsha,

53 The children of Barkos, the children of Sisera, the children of Temah,

54 The children of Neziah, the children of Hatipha.

55 The children of Solomon's servants: the children of Sotai, the children of Hassophereth, the children of Peruda,

56 The children of Jaalah, the children of Darkon, the children of Giddel,

57 The children of Shephatiah, the children of Hattil, the children of Pochereth-hazzebaim, the children of Ami.

58 All the Nethinim, and the children of Solomon's servants, were three hundred and ninety-two.

59 And these were the people who went up from Tel-melah, Tel-harsha, Cherub, Addan, and Immer. But having no knowledge of their fathers' families or offspring, it was not certain that they were Israelites;

60 The children of Delaiah, the children of Tobiah, the children of Nekoda, six hundred and fifty-two.

61 And of the children of the priests: the children of Habaiah, the children of Hakkoz, the children of Barzillai, who was married to one of the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite, and took their name.

62 They made search for their record among the lists of families, but their names were nowhere to be seen; so they were looked on as unclean and no longer priests.

63 And the Tirshatha said that they were not to have the most holy things for their food, till a priest came to give decision by Urim and Thummim.

64 The number of all the people together was forty-two thousand, three hundred and sixty,

65 As well as their men-servants and their women-servants, of whom there were seven thousand, three hundred and thirty-seven: and they had two hundred men and women to make music.

66 They had seven hundred and thirty-six horses, two hundred and forty-five transport beasts,

67 Four hundred and thirty-five camels, six thousand, seven hundred and twenty asses.

68 And some of the heads of families, when they came to the house of the Lord which is in Jerusalem, gave freely of their wealth for the building up of the house of God in its place:

69 Every one, as he was able, gave for the work sixty-one thousand darics of gold, five thousand pounds of silver and a hundred priests' robes.

70 So the priests and the Levites and the people and the music-makers and the door-keepers and the Nethinim, took up their places in their towns; even all Israel in their towns.

Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Matthew Henry Commentary » Commentary on Ezra 2


Chapter 2

That many returned out of Babylon upon Cyrus's proclamation we were told in the foregoing chapter; we have here a catalogue of the several families that returned (v. 1).

  • I. The leaders (v. 2).
  • II. The people (v. 3-35).
  • III. The priests, Levites, and retainers to the temple (v. 36-63).
  • IV. The sum total, with an account of their retinue (v. 64-67).
  • V. Their offerings to the service of the temple (v. 68-70).

Ezr 2:1-35

We may observe here,

  • 1. That an account was kept in writing of the families that came up out of captivity, and the numbers of each family. This was done for their honour, as part of their recompence for their faith and courage, their confidence in God and their affection to their own land, and to stir up others to follow their good example. Those that honour God he will thus honour. The names of all those Israelites indeed that accept the offer of deliverance by Christ shall be found, to their honour, in a more sacred record than this, even in the Lamb's book of life. The account that was kept of the families that came up from the captivity was intended also for the benefit of posterity, that they might know from whom they descended and to whom they were allied.
  • 2. That they are called children of the province. Judah, which had been an illustrious kingdom, to which other kingdoms had been made provinces, subject to it and dependent on it, was now itself made a province, to receive laws and commissions from the king of Persia and to be accountable to him. See how sin diminishes and debases a nation, which righteousness would exalt. But by thus being made servants (as the patriarchs by being sojourners in a country which was theirs by promise) they were reminded of the better country, that is, the heavenly (Heb. 11:16), a kingdom which cannot be moved, or changed into a province.
  • 3. That they are said to come every one to his city, that is, the city appointed them, in which appointment an eye, no doubt, was had to their former settlement by Joshua; and to that, as near as might be, they returned: for it does not appear that any others, at least any that were able to oppose them, had possessed them in their absence.
  • 4. That the leaders are first mentioned, v. 2. Zerubbabel and Jeshua were their Moses and Aaron, the former their chief prince, the latter their chief priest. Nehemiah and Mordecai are mentioned here; some think not the same with the famous men we afterwards meet with of those names: probably they were the same, but afterwards returned to court for the service of their country.
  • 5. Some of these several families are named from the persons that were their ancestors, others from the places in which they had formerly resided; as with us many surnames are the proper names of persons, others of places.
  • 6. Some little difference there is between the numbers of some of the families here and in Neh. 7, where this catalogue is repeated, which might arise from this, that some who had given in their names at first to come afterwards drew back-said, I go, Sir, but went not, which would lessen the number of the families they belonged to; others that declined, at first, afterwards repented and went, and so increased the number.
  • 7. Here are two families that are called the children of Elam (one v. 7, another v. 31), and, which is strange, the number of both is the same, 1254.
  • 8. The children of Adonikam, which signifies a high lord, were 666, just the number of the beast (Rev. 13:18), which is there said to be the number of a man, which, Mr. Hugh Broughton thinks, has reference to this man.
  • 9. The children of Bethlehem (v. 21) were but 123, though it was David's city; for Bethlehem was little among the thousands of Judah, yet there must the Messiah arise, Mic. 5:2.
  • 10. Anathoth had been a famous place in the tribe of Benjamin and yet here it numbered but 128 (v. 23), which is to be imputed to the divine curse which the men of Anathoth brought upon themselves by persecuting Jeremiah, who was of their city. Jer. 11:21, 23, There shall be no remnant of them, for I will bring evil upon the men of Anathoth. And see Isa. 10:30, O poor Anathoth! Nothing brings ruin on a people sooner than persecution.

Ezr 2:36-63

Here is an account,

  • I. Of the priests that returned, and they were a considerable number, about a tenth part of the whole company: for the whole were above 42,000 (v. 64), and four families of priests made up above 4200 (v. 36-39); thus was the tenth God's part-a blessed decimation. Three of the fathers of the priests here named were heads of courses, 1 Chr. 24:7, 8, 14. The fourth was Pashur, v. 38. If these were of the posterity of that Pashur that abused Jeremiah (Jer. 20:1), it is strange that so bad a man should have so good a seed, and so numerous.
  • II. Of the Levites. I cannot but wonder at the small number of them, for, taking in both the singers and the porters (v. 40-42), they did not make 350. Time was when the Levites were more forward to their duty than the priests (2 Chr. 29:34), but they were not so now. If one place, one family, has the reputation for pious zeal now, another may have it another time. The wind blows where it listeth, and shifts its points.
  • III. Of the Nethinim, who, it is supposed, were the Gibeonites, given (so their name signifies) by Joshua first (Jos. 9:27), and again by David (Ezra 8:20), when Saul had expelled them, to be employed by the Levites in the work of God's house as hewers of wood and drawers of water; and, with them, of the children of Solomon's servants, whom he gave for the like use (whether they were Jews or Gentiles does not appear) and who were here taken notice of among the retainers of the temple and numbered with the Nethinim, v. 55, 58. Note, It is an honour to belong to God's house, though in the meanest office there.
  • IV. Of some that were looked upon as Israelites by birth, and others as priests, and yet could not make out a clear title to the honour.
    • 1. There were some that could not prove themselves Israelites (v. 59, 60), a considerable number, who presumed they were of the seed of Jacob, but could not produce their pedigrees, and yet would go up to Jerusalem, having an affection to the house and people of God. These shamed those who were true-born Israelites, and yet were not called Israelites indeed, who came out of the waters of Judah (Isa. 48:1), but had lost the relish of those waters.
    • 2. There were others that could not prove themselves priests, and yet were supposed to be of the seed of Aaron. What is not preserved in black and white will, in all likelihood, be forgotten in a little time. Now we are here told,
      • (1.) How they lost their evidence. One of their ancestors married a daughter of Barzillai, that great man whom we read of in David's time; he gloried in an alliance to that honourable family, and, preferring that before the dignity of his priesthood, would have his children called after Barzillai's family, and their pedigree preserved in the registers of that house, not of the house of Aaron, and so they lost it. In Babylon there was nothing to be got by the priesthood, and therefore they cared not for being akin to it. Those who think their ministry, or their relation to ministers, a diminution or disparagement to them, forget who it was that said, I magnify my office.
      • (2.) What they lost with it. It could not be taken for granted that they were priests when they could not produce their proofs, but they were, as polluted, put from the priesthood. Now that the priests had recovered their rights, and had the altar to live upon again, they would gladly be looked upon as priests. But they had sold their birthright for the honour of being gentlemen, and therefore were justly degraded, and forbidden to eat of the most holy things. Note, Christ will be ashamed of those that are ashamed of him and his service. It was the tirshatha, or governor, that put them under this sequestration, which some understand of Zerubbabel the present governor, others of Nehemiah (who is so called, Neh. 8:9, 10:1, and who gave this order when he came some years after); but the prohibition was not absolute, it was only a suspension, till there should be a high priest with Urim and Thummin, by whom they might know God's mind in this matter. This, it seems, was expected and desired, but it does not appear that ever they were blessed with it under the second temple. They had the canon of the Old Testament complete, which was better than Urim; and, by the want of that oracle, they were taught to expect the Messiah the great Oracle, which the Urim and Thummim was but a type of. Nor does it appear that the second temple had the ark in it, either the old one or a new one. Those shadows by degrees vanished, as the substance approached; and God, by the prophet, intimates to his people that they should sustain no damage by the want of the ark, Jer. 3:16, 17. In those days, when they shall call Jerusalem the throne of the Lord, and all the nations shall be gathered to it, they shall say no more, The ark of the covenant of the Lord, neither shall it come to mind, for they shall do very well without it.

Ezr 2:64-70

Here is,

  • I. The sum total of the company that returned out of Babylon. The particular sums before mentioned amount not quite to 30,000 (29,818), so that there were above 12,000 that come out into any of those accounts, who, it is probable, were of the rest of the tribes of Israel, besides Judah and Benjamin, that could not tell of what particular family or city they were, but that they were Israelites, and of what tribe. Now,
    • 1. This was more than double the number that were carried captive into Babylon by Nebuchadnezzar, so that, as in Egypt, the time of their affliction was the time of their increase.
    • 2. These were but few to begin a nation with, and yet, by virtue of the old promise made to their fathers, they multiplied so as before their last destruction by the Romans, about 500 years after, to be a very numerous people. When God says, "Increase and multiply,' a little one shall become a thousand.
  • II. Their retinue. They were themselves little better than servants, and therefore no wonder that their servants were comparatively but few (v. 65) and their beasts of burden about as many, v. 66, 67. It was not with them now as in days past. But notice is taken of 200 singing-men and women whom they had among them, who, we will suppose, were intended (as those 2 Chr. 35:25) to excite their mourning, for it was foretold that they should, upon this occasion, go weeping (Jer. 50:4), with ditties of lamentation.
  • III. Their oblations. It is said (v. 68, 69),
    • 1. That they came to the house of the Lord at Jerusalem; and yet that house, that holy and beautiful house, was now in ruins, a heap of rubbish. But, like their father Abraham, when the altar was gone they came with devotion to the place of the altar (Gen. 13:4); and it is the character of the genuine sons of Zion that they favour even the dust thereof, Ps. 102:14.
    • 2. That they offered freely towards the setting of it up in its place. That, it seems, was the first house they talked of setting up; and though they came off a journey, and were beginning the world (two chargeable things), yet they offered, and offered freely, towards the building of the temple. Let none complain of the necessary expenses of their religion, but believe that when they come to balance the account they will find that it clears the cost. Their offering was nothing in comparison with the offerings of the princes in David's time; then they offered by talents (1 Chr. 29:7), now by drams, yet these drams, being after their ability, were as acceptable to God as those talents, like the widow's two mites. The 61,000 drams of gold amount, by Cumberland's calculation, to so many pounds of our money and so many groats. Every maneh, or pound of silver, he reckons to be sixty shekels (that is, thirty ounces), which we may reckon 7l. 10s. of our money, so that this 5000 pounds of silver will be above 37,000l. of our money. It seems, God had blessed them with an increase of their wealth, as well as of their numbers, in Babylon; and, as God had prospered them, they gave cheerfully to the service of his house.
    • 3. That they dwelt in their cities, v. 70. Though their cities were out of repair, yet, because they were their cities, such as God had assigned them, they were content to dwell in them, and were thankful for liberty and property, though they had little of pomp, plenty, or power. Their poverty was a bad cause, but their unity and unanimity were a good effect of it. Here was room enough for them all and all their substance, so that there was no strife among them, but perfect harmony, a blessed presage of their settlement, as their discords in the latter times of that state were of their ruin.