Ezra 2:59

59 And these they that went up from Thelmelech, Thelaresa, Cherub, Hedan, Emmer: and they were not able to tell the house of their fathers, and their seed, whether they were of Israel:

Ezra 2:59 Meaning and Commentary

Ezra 2:59

And these were they that went up from Telmelah, Telharsa,
&c.] Places in the land of Babylon, see ( Isaiah 37:12 ) ( Ezekiel 3:15 ) .

Cherub, Addan, and Immer; but they could not show their father's house,
and their seed, whether they were of Israel;
these were such that professed the Jewish religion, and went for Jews in Babylon, but could not trace their pedigree, and tell what family they were of, who their ancestors, and where they had lived in Judea; they had lost their genealogical tables, if they ever had any, and could not make it out, whether their parents were Israelites or proselyted Gentiles; or they were such who had been exposed, and taken out of the streets, and their parents unknown.

Ezra 2:59 In-Context

57 the children of Saphatia, the children of Atil, the children of Phacherath, the children of Aseboim, the children of Emei.

58 All the Nathanim, and the sons of Abdeselma three hundred and ninety-two.

59 And these they that went up from Thelmelech, Thelaresa, Cherub, Hedan, Emmer: and they were not able to tell the house of their fathers, and their seed, whether they were of Israel:

60 the children of Dalaea, the children of Bua, the children of Tobias, the children of Necoda, six hundred fifty-two.

61 And of the children of the priests, the children of Labeia, the children of Akkus, the children of Berzellai, who took a wife of the daughter of Berzellai the Galaadite, and was called by their name.