Ezra 2

List of the returnees

1 These were the people of the province who went up from there—from among those captive exiles whom Babylon's King Nebuchadnezzar had deported to Babylonia. They returned to Jerusalem and Judah, all to their own towns.

2 They came with Zerubbabel, Jeshua, Nehemiah, Seraiah, Reelaiah, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispar, Bigvai, Rehum, and Baanah.

The number of the people of Israel

3 The family of Parosh 2,172

4 of Shephatiah 372

5 of Arah 775

6 of Pahath-moab, namely the family of Jeshua and Joab 2,812

7 of Elam 1,254

8 of Zattu 945

9 of Zaccai 760

10 of Bani 642

11 of Bebai 623

12 of Azgad 1,222

13 of Adonikam 666

14 of Bigvai 2,056

15 of Adin 454

16 of Ater, namely of Hezekiah 98

17 of Bezai 323

18 of Jorah 112

19 of Hashum 223

20 of Gibbar 95

21 of Bethlehem 123

22 The people of Netophah 56

23 of Anathoth 128

24 The family of Azmaveth 42

25 of Kiriatharim, Chephirah, and Beeroth 743

26 of Ramah and Geba 621

27 The people of Michmash 122

28 of Bethel and Ai 223

29 The family of Nebo 52

30 of Magbish 156

31 of the other Elam 1,254

32 of Harim 320

33 of Lod, Hadid, and Ono 725

34 of Jericho 345

35 of Senaah 3,630

The priests

36 The family of Jedaiah, namely the house of Jeshua 973

37 of Immer 1,052

38 of Pashhur 1,247

39 of Harim 1,017

40 The Levites: the family of Jeshua and Kadmiel—the family of Hodaviah 74

The singers

41 The family of Asaph 128

The family of the gatekeepers

42 of Shallum, Ater, Talmon, Akkub, Hatita, and Shobai 139 in all

The temple servants

43 The family of Ziha, Hasupha, Tabbaoth,

44 Keros, Siaha, Padon,

45 Lebanah, Hagabah, Akkub,

46 Hagab, Shamlai, Hanan,

47 Giddel, Gahar, Reaiah,

48 Rezin, Nekoda, Gazzam,

49 Uzza, Paseah, Besai,

50 Asnah, Meunim, Nephisim,

51 Bakbuk, Hakupha, Harhur,

52 Bazluth, Mehida, Harsha,

53 Barkos, Sisera, Temah,

54 Neziah, and Hatipha

The family of Solomon’s servants

55 Sotai, Hassophereth, Peruda,

56 Jaalah, Darkon, Giddel,

57 Shephatiah, Hattil, Pochereth-hazzebaim, and Ami.

58 All of the temple servants and the family of Solomon's servants 392

Exclusions

59 The following came up from Tel-melah, Tel-harsha, Cherub, Addan, and Immer, but they were unable to demonstrate that their family or their descent was from Israel:

60 the family of Delaiah, Tobiah, and Nekoda, 652

61 and of the family of the priests: the family of Habaiah, Hakkoz, and Barzillai (who had married one of the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite and was called by their name).

62 They looked for their entries in the genealogical records, but they were not found there, so they were excluded from the priesthood as unclean.

63 The governor ordered them not to eat of the most holy food until a priest arose who could consult Urim and Thummim.

Total

64 The whole assembly together totaled 42,360,

65 not including their 7,337 male and female servants; they also had 200 male and female singers,

66 736 horses, 245 mules,

67 435 camels, and 6,720 donkeys.

Arrival in Jerusalem

68 When they arrived at the LORD's house in Jerusalem, some of the heads of the families brought spontaneous gifts for the rebuilding of God's house on its site.

69 According to their means, they gave to the building fund 61,000 drachmen of gold, 5,000 manehs of silver, and 100 priestly robes.

70 The priests, the Levites, some of the people, the singers, the gatekeepers, and the temple servants settled in their own towns, and all Israel in their towns.

Ezra 2 Commentary

Chapter 2

The numbers that returned. (1-35) The numbers of the priests and Levites. (36-63) The offerings for the temple. (64-70)

Verses 1-35 An account was kept of the families that came up out of captivity. See how sin lowers a nation, which righteousness would exalt!

Verses 36-63 Those who undervalue their relation to the Lord in times of reproach, persecution, or distress, will have no benefit from it when it becomes honourable or profitable. Those who have no evidence that they are, by the new birth, spiritual priests unto God, through Jesus Christ, have no right to the comforts and privileges of Christians.

Verses 64-70 Let none complain of the needful expenses of their religion. Seek first the kingdom of God, his favour and his glory, then will all other things be added unto them. Their offerings were nothing, compared with the offerings of the princes in David's time; yet, being according to their ability, were as acceptable to God. The Lord will carry us through all undertakings entered on according to his will, with an aim to his glory, and dependence on his assistance. Those who, at the call of the gospel, renounce sin and return to the Lord, shall be guarded and guided through all perils of the way, and arrive safely at the mansions provided in the holy city of God.

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO EZRA 2

This chapter contains a list of those that went up from Babylon to Jerusalem, of their leaders, their chief men, princes and priests, Ezr 2:1,2 of the people, described by their families, towns, and cities, and number of persons, Ezr 2:3-35, of the priests, Levites, and Nethinims, Ezr 2:36-58, and of those that could not make out their genealogy, people and priests, Ezr 2:59-63, and then the sum total of the whole congregation is given, Ezr 2:64, besides men and maidservants, singing men and women, and cattle of divers sorts, Ezr 2:65-67, and the chapter is closed with an account of the freewill offerings of the principal men towards the building of the temple, and of the settlement of the people in their respective cities, Ezr 2:68-70.