The Exiles Return. Ezra 2:1-70
INTRODUCTION TO EZRA
Ezra was a Jew, sprung from the race of Aaron, and descended from the high priest who was slain at the capture of Jerusalem, 2Ki_25:18-21. This book is not a continuous narrative, but consists of two parts separated by several years. The first part, Ezr_1:1-11; Ezr_2:1-70; Ezr_3:1-13; Ezr_4:1-24; Ezr_5:1-17; Ezr_6:1-22, contains a narrative of the return of the first caravan of Jews from Babylon, under the leadership of Zerubbabel and Jeshua. The second part, Ezr_7:1-28; Ezr_8:1-36; Ezr_9:1-15; Ezr_10:1-44, is an account of an expedition, sixty years after the first, conducted by Ezra himself, accompanied by large numbers of his fellow-countrymen, and empowered to re-establish order and religion.
This book is supposed to have been written by Ezra, who was a great student of the holy writings, and a ready scribe in the Law of Moses. He must have been a man of note among the Jewish captives to have won the favor and trust of the king of Persia. There is an absence of the miraculous, and a great similarity to the books of Chronicles. It shows enthusiasm characterizing the beginnings of work for God; then coldness and apathy follow in face of opposition; but when men get back to foundation principles, the work is carried forward to completion.
2. What was the first act of the restored Jews?
THE EXILES RETURN
Now these are the people of the province [of Judah] who came up from the captivity of the exiles, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had deported to Babylon, and who returned to Jerusalem and Judah, each to his own city.
These came with Zerubbabel: Jeshua, Nehemiah, Seraiah, Reelaiah, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispar, Bigvai, Rehum, Baanah. The number of the men of the people of Israel:
the sons (descendants) of Parosh, 2,172;
the sons of Shephatiah, 372;
the sons of Arah, 775;
the sons of Pahath-moab of the sons of Jeshua and Joab, 2,812;
the sons of Elam, 1,254;
the sons of Zattu, 945;
the sons of Zaccai, 760;
the sons of Bani, 642;
the sons of Azgad, 1,222;
the sons of Adonikam, 666;
the sons of Bigvai, 2,056;
the sons of Adin, 454;
the sons of Ater of Hezekiah, 98;
the sons of Bezai, 323;
the sons of Jorah, 112;
sons of Hashum, 223;
the sons of Gibbar, 95;
the men of Bethlehem, 123;
the men of Netophah, 56;
the men of Anathoth, 128;
the sons of Azmaveth, 42;
sons of Kiriath-arim, Chephirah and Beeroth, 743;
the sons of Ramah and Geba, 621;
the men of Michmas, 122;
the men of Bethel and Ai, 223;
the sons of Nebo, 52;
the sons of Magbish, 156;
the sons of the other Elam, 1,254;
the sons of Harim, 320;
the sons of Lod, Hadid and Ono, 725;
the men of Jericho, 345;
the sons of Senaah, 3,630.
The priests: the sons of Jedaiah of the house of Jeshua, 973;
the sons of Immer, 1,052;
the sons of Pashhur, 1,247;
the sons of Harim, 1,017.
The Levites: the sons of Jeshua and Kadmiel, of the sons of Hodaviah, 74.
The singers: the sons of Asaph, 128.
The sons of the gatekeepers: of Shallum, Ater, Talmon, Akkub, Hatita, and Shobai, in all 139.
The temple servants: the sons of Ziha, Hasupha, Tabbaoth,
the sons of Keros, Siaha, Padon,
the sons of Lebanah, Hagabah, Akkub,
the sons of Hagab, Shalmai, Hanan,
the sons of Rezin, Nekoda, Gazzam,
the sons of Uzza, Paseah, Besai,
the sons of Asnah, Meunim, Nephisim,
the sons of Bakbuk, Hakupha, Harhur,
the sons of Bazluth, Mehida, Harsha,
the sons of Barkos, Sisera, Temah,
the sons of Neziah, Hatipha.
The sons of [King] Solomon’s servants: the sons of Sotai, Hassophereth (Sophereth), Peruda,
the sons of Jaalah, Darkon, Giddel,
the sons of Shephatiah, Hattil, Pochereth-hazzebaim, Ami.
All the temple servants and the sons of Solomon’s servants totaled 392.
Now these are the ones who came up from Tel-melah, Tel-harsha, Cherub, Addan, and Immer, but they could not provide evidence of their fathers’ households and their descendants, whether they were of Israel:
the sons of Delaiah, Tobiah, and Nekoda, 652.
Of the sons of the priests: the sons of Hobaiah, of Hakkoz, and of Barzillai, who took a wife from the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite, and he was known by their name. [2Sa_17:27-28; 2Sa_19:31-39]
These searched [for their names] among those registered in the genealogies, but they were not found; so they were excluded from the priesthood as [ceremonially] unclean.
The governor told them that they should not eat of the most holy things [the priests’ food] until a priest stood up with Urim and Thummim [who by consulting these articles in his breastplate could determine God’s will in the matter].
The whole assembly totaled 42,360,
besides their male and female servants who numbered 7,337; and [among them] they had 200 male and female singers.
Their horses totaled 736; their mules, 245;
their camels totaled 435; their donkeys, 6,720.
Some of the heads of the fathers’ households (extended families), when they arrived at the house of the LORD in Jerusalem, made voluntary contributions for the house of God to rebuild it on its [old] foundation.
They gave according to their ability to the treasury for the work, 61,000 drachmas of gold, 5,000 minas of silver, and 100 priestly [linen] garments.
So the priests, the Levites, some of the people, the singers, the gatekeepers, and the temple servants settled in their [own] cities, and all Israel [gradually settled] into their cities.
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