Ezra 2

1 These are the people of the area who returned from captivity, whom Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon had taken away to Babylon. They returned to Jerusalem and Judah, each going back to his own town.

2 These people returned with Zerubbabel, Jeshua, Nehemiah, Seraiah, Reelaiah, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispar, Bigvai, Rehum, and Baanah. These are the people from Israel:

3 the descendants of Parosh -- 2,172;

4 the descendants of Shephatiah -- 372;

5 the descendants of Arah -- 775;

6 the descendants of Pahath-Moab (through the family of Jeshua and Joab) -- 2,812;

7 the descendants of Elam -- 1,254;

8 the descendants of Zattu -- 945;

9 the descendants of Zaccai -- 760;

10 the descendants of Bani -- 642;

11 the descendants of Bebai -- 623;

12 the descendants of Azgad -- 1,222;

13 the descendants of Adonikam -- 666;

14 the descendants of Bigvai -- 2,056;

15 the descendants of Adin -- 454;

16 the descendants of Ater (through the family of Hezekiah) -- 98;

17 the descendants of Bezai -- 323;

18 the descendants of Jorah -- 112;

19 the descendants of Hashum -- 223;

20 the descendants of Gibbar -- 95.

21 These are the people from the towns: of Bethlehem -- 123;

22 of Netophah -- 56;

23 of Anathoth -- 128;

24 of Azmaveth -- 42;

25 of Kiriath Jearim, Kephirah, and Beeroth -- 743;

26 of Ramah and Geba -- 621;

27 of Micmash -- 122;

28 of Bethel and Ai -- 223;

29 of Nebo -- 52;

30 of Magbish -- 156;

31 of the other town of Elam -- 1,254;

32 of Harim -- 320;

33 of Lod, Hadid and Ono -- 725;

34 of Jericho -- 345;

35 of Senaah -- 3,630.

36 These are the priests: the descendants of Jedaiah (through the family of Jeshua) -- 973;

37 the descendants of Immer -- 1,052;

38 the descendants of Pashhur -- 1,247;

39 the descendants of Harim -- 1,017.

40 These are the Levites: the descendants of Jeshua and Kadmiel (through the family of Hodaviah) -- 74.

41 These are the singers: the descendants of Asaph -- 128.

42 These are the gatekeepers of the Temple: the descendants of Shallum, Ater, Talmon, Akkub, Hatita, and Shobai -- 139.

43 These are the Temple servants: the descendants of Ziha, Hasupha, Tabbaoth,

44 Keros, Siaha, Padon,

45 Lebanah, Hagabah, Akkub,

46 Hagab, Shalmai, Hanan,

47 Giddel, Gahar, Reaiah,

48 Rezin, Nekoda, Gazzam,

49 Uzza, Paseah, Besai,

50 Asnah, Meunim, Nephussim,

51 Bakbuk, Hakupha, Harhur,

52 Bazluth, Mehida, Harsha,

53 Barkos, Sisera, Temah,

54 Neziah, and Hatipha.

55 These are the descendants of the servants of Solomon: the descendants of Sotai, Hassophereth, Peruda,

56 Jaala, Darkon, Giddel,

57 Shephatiah, Hattil, Pokereth-Hazzebaim, and Ami.

58 The Temple servants and the descendants of the servants of Solomon numbered 392.

59 Some people came to Jerusalem from the towns of Tel Melah, Tel Harsha, Kerub, Addon, and Immer, but they could not prove that their ancestors came from Israel.

60 They were the descendants of Delaiah, Tobiah, and Nekoda -- 652.

61 Also these priests: the descendants of Hobaiah, Hakkoz, and Barzillai, who had married a daughter of Barzillai from Gilead and was called by her family name.

62 These people searched for their family records but could not find them. So they could not be priests, because they were thought to be unclean.

63 The governor ordered them not to eat any of the food offered to God until a priest had settled this matter by using the Urim and Thummim.

64 The total number of those who returned was 42,360.

65 This is not counting their 7,337 male and female servants and the 200 male and female singers they had with them.

66 They had 736 horses, 245 mules, 67435 camels, and 6,720 donkeys.

67

68 When they arrived at the Temple of the Lord in Jerusalem, some of the leaders of families gave offerings to rebuild the Temple of God on the same site as before.

69 They gave as much as they could to the treasury to rebuild the Temple -- about 1,100 pounds of gold, about 6,000 pounds of silver, and 100 pieces of clothing for the priests.

70 All the Israelites settled in their hometowns. The priests, Levites, singers, gatekeepers, and Temple servants, along with some of the other people, settled in their own towns as well.

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.