Ezra 2:62

62 These sought their record in the genealogy [records], but they were not found, and {were excluded from the priesthood as unclean}.

Ezra 2:62 Meaning and Commentary

Ezra 2:62

These sought their register among those that were reckoned by
genealogy
To find their names written and registered there; for the Jews kept public registers of their priests, their descent, marriages, and offspring, that it might be known who were fit, and who not, to officiate as such:

but they were not found;
their names were not there, nor any account taken of them:

therefore were they, as polluted, put from the priesthood;
were not suffered to attend at the altar, and offer sacrifice, and enjoy the privileges belonging to that office.

Ezra 2:62 In-Context

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

61 And from the descendants of the priests: the descendants of Habaiah, the descendants of Hakkoz, and the descendants of Barzillai (who took a wife from the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite, and was called by their name).

62 These sought their record in the genealogy [records], but they were not found, and {were excluded from the priesthood as unclean}.

63 The governor said to them that they could not eat from the holy food of the sanctuary until there was present a priest for the Urim and Thummim.

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

Footnotes

• [a]. Literally "they were unclean from the priesthood"