The
Exiles Return
Now
these are the children of the
province that went up out of the captivity, of those which had been
carried away, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried
away unto Babylon, and came again unto Jerusalem and Judah, every one
unto his city; Ezr. 2:1
the
children of... These were those who had been taken to Babylon by
Nebuchadnezzar and could prove their family genealogy (Ezr. 2:1-70).
Which
came with Zerubbabel: Jeshua, Nehemiah, Seraiah, Reelaiah, Mordecai,
Bilshan, Mispar, Bigvai, Rehum, Baanah. The number of the men of the
people of Israel: Ezr. 2:2
came
with Zerubbabel...
These exiles went up under Zerubbabel whom Cyrus made governor of
Judah (Ezr. 1:8 with Neh. 7:1-73).
Jeshua,
Jehovah is salvation. Nine Jeshua’s in Scripture:
1.
A high priest and helper of Zerubbabel (Ezr. 2:3; 3:2-9; 4:3; 5:2;
10:18; Neh. 7:7). Called Joshua (Zec. 3:1; 6:11-13)
2.
A priest (Ezr. 2:36; Neh. 7:39; 1Ch. 24:11)
3.
A Levite in Hezekiah’s time (Ezr. 2:40; Neh. 7:43; 2Ch. 31:15)
4.
Father of Jozabad (Ezr. 8:33)
5.
Another exile (Ezr. 2:6; Neh. 7:11)
6.
Father of Ezer (Neh. 3:19)
7.
A Levite under Ezra (Neh. 8:7; 9:4-5; 12:8, 12:24)
8.
Son of Azariah (Neh. 10:9)
9.
Joshua-Jeshua being a name given early leader of Israel who followed
Moses (Neh. 8:17)
Nehemiah...
See Neh.
1:1, Nehemiah, Jehovah has consoled. Three so-called:
1.
One of twelve men who were chiefs of the returning exiles (Neh. 7:7;
Ezr. 2:2)
2.
A ruler of half a district of Jerusalem who helped build the wall
(Neh. 3:16)
3.
Cup-bearer of Artaxerxes, and governor of Jerusalem after Zerubbabel
(Neh. 1:1; 8:9; 10:1; 12:26, 12:47)
Seraiah...
Jehovah is Prince. Nine Seraiah’s in Scripture
1.
One of 12 leaders of the returning exiles (Ezr. 2:2; Neh. 10:2; 12:1,
12:12). Called Azariah (Neh. 8:17)
2.
A scribe under David (2Sa. 8:17)
3.
Chief priest when Nebuchadnezzar took Jerusalem (Ezr. 7:1; 2Ki.
25:23; 1Ch. 6:14; Jer. 52:24)
4.
A captain in Judah (2Ki. 25:23; Jer. 40:8)
5.
Son of Kenez (1Ch. 4:13-14)
6.
A Simeonite (1Ch. 4:35)
7.
A priest (Neh. 11:11; 12:1)
8.
Officer under Jehoiakim (Jer. 36:26)
9.
Brother of Baruch (Jer. 51:59, 51:61)
Reelaiah...
Trembling caused by Jehovah. One of the twelve leaders of returning
exiles. Called Raamiah (Neh. 7:7).
Mordecai...
Worshiper of Merodach. An exile leader (Neh. 7:7) and cousin of
Esther. Mentioned thirty-eight times in the book of Esther (Ezra
2:5-10:3). Mordecai could have been one of those that had seen the
first temple (Ezr. 3:12), for he was taken captive with Jehoiachin;
he could have lived through the seventy years of servitude (Est.
2:5-7).
Bilshan...
Searcher. One of twelve leaders of the exiles (Neh. 7:7).
Mizpar...
writing. One of the twelve leaders of returning exiles. Called
Mispereth (Neh. 7:7).
Bigvai...
Happy. Three Bigvai’s:
1.
One of twelve leaders of the returning exiles (Ezr. 1:2,14; Neh. 7:7,
7:19)
2.
Another returning exile (Ezr. 8:14)
3.
A man who sealed the covenant (Neh. 10:16)
Rehum...
pity. Four Rehum’s:
1.
One of twelve leaders of the returning exiles. Called Nehum (Neh.
7:7)
2.
A Persian (Ezr. 4:8-9, 4:17, 4:23)
3.
A Levite (Neh. 3:17)
4.
A signer of the covenant (Neh. 10:25)
Baanah...
Son of grief. Three Baanah’s:
1.
One of twelve leaders of returning exiles (Neh. 7:7; 10:27)
2.
One of David’s heroes (2Sa. 23:29; 1Ch. 11:30)
3.
A captain in Israel (2Sa. 4:5-12)
The
children of Parosh, two thousand an hundred seventy and two. Ezr. 2:3
The children
of... This word, as used throughout this catalogue, means "posterity"
or "descendants."
(Verses 2:1-35), is an
account that was kept of the families that came up out of captivity.
See how sin lowers a nation, which righteousness would exalt!The posterity (children), as that word is generally taken in this verse. Of Parosh: That descended either from Parosh, or from that family whereof Parosh was the chief. And so for the rest.
From hence (to the end of Ezra 2:35), a list is given of the captives that returned, described by the families they were of, their ancestors from whence they sprung, or the towns and cities to which they originally belonged, and by their numbers; otherwise nothing more of them is known.
The
children of Shephatiah, three hundred seventy and two. Ezr. 2:4
The
children of Arah, seven hundred seventy and five. Ezr. 2:5
The
children of Pahathmoab, of the children of Jeshua and
Joab, two thousand eight hundred and twelve. Ezr. 2:6
The
children of Elam, a thousand two hundred fifty and four. Ezr. 2:7
The
children of Zattu, nine hundred forty and five. Ezr. 2:8
The
children of Zaccai, seven hundred and threescore. Ezr. 2:9
The
children of Bani, six hundred forty and two. Ezr. 2:10
The
children of Bebai, six hundred twenty and three. Ezr. 2:11
The
children of Azgad, a thousand two hundred twenty and two. Ezr. 2:12
The
children of Adonikam, six hundred sixty and six. Ezr. 2:13
the
children of... Adonikam that go back into the land were 666. My eye
immediately caught on this number, which is also the number of the
mark of the beast. There are only two other Scriptures in the Bible
on Adonikam. (Ezra 8:13), "And of the last sons of Adonikam
whose names [are] these, Eliphelet, Jeiel, and Shemaiah, and with
them threescore males." Putting these two Scriptures together,
there is a message in it for the believers in the Lord. The latter
sons in a spiritual sense, are speaking of the believers in Christ.
The two Scriptures combined seem to be a message for the believers
about the mark of the beast. "Adonikam" means my Lord has
arisen. "Eliphelet" means God is deliverance. "Jeiel"
means carried away of God. "Shemaiah" means Jehovah hath
heard. It appears from the combination of these names, that those who
believe in the resurrection of the Lord will be carried away, because
God has heard and He is our Deliverance. To me this is saying
believers will be saved from the mark of the beast by their catching
away to God.
The
children of Bigvai, two thousand fifty and six. Ezr. 2:14
The
children of Adin, four hundred fifty and four. Ezr. 2:15
The
children of Ater of Hezekiah, ninety and eight. Ezr. 2:16
The
children of Bezai, three hundred twenty and three. Ezr.
2:17
The
children of Jorah, an hundred and twelve. Ezr.
2:18
The
children of Hashum, two hundred twenty and three. Ezr. 2:19
The
children of Gibbar, ninety and five. Ezr. 2:20
Verses
21-35: These were people from various Judean cities. In this passage,
the laity are identified by place names or towns. There is a
geographical order to this list. It begins in the south with
“Beth-lehem” and “Netophah” and moves north to “Anathoth”
and “Azmaveth,” then to the northwest and the old Gibeonite
confederacy with “Kirjath-arim,” and then to the far north of
Judah with “Michmas, Beth-el” and “Ai,” then to the southwest
with “Nebo, Magbish, Elam,” and “Harim,” and then to the
vicinity of Joppa with “Lod, Hadid,” and “Ono,” and finally
to the northwest with “Jericho” and “Senaah.”
The
children of Bethlehem, an hundred twenty and three. Ezr. 2:21
The
men of Netophah, fifty and six. Ezr.
2:22
The
men of Anathoth, an hundred twenty and eight. Ezr.
2:23
The
children of Azmaveth, forty and two. Ezr. 2:24
The
children of Kirjatharim, Chephirah, and Beeroth, seven hundred and
forty and three. Ezr. 2:25
The
children of Ramah and Gaba, six hundred twenty and one. Ezr. 2:26
The
men of Michmas, an hundred twenty and two. Ezr. 2:27
The
men of Bethel and Ai, two hundred twenty and three. Ezr. 2:28
The
children of Nebo, fifty and two. Ezr. 2:29
The
children of Magbish, an hundred fifty and six. Ezr. 2:30
The
children of the other Elam, a thousand two hundred fifty and four.
Ezr. 2:31
The
children of Harim, three hundred and twenty. Ezr. 2:32
The
children of Lod, Hadid, and Ono, seven hundred twenty and five. Ezr.
2:33
The
children of Jericho, three hundred forty and five. Ezr. 2:34
The
children of Senaah, three thousand and six hundred and thirty. Ezr.
2:35
This
was a listing of the number of people who settled in each town.
Gibbar (in verse 20 above), was speaking of Gibeon. Beth-lehem is a
city that is just 4 or 5 miles out of Jerusalem. Anathoth was the
birthplace of Jeremiah. It had been a city of refuge. Azmaveth was on
the northern outskirts of Jerusalem. Kirjath-arim was in a
much-wooded area. At one time or the other, it had belonged to Judah
and Benjamin. It appears that the fathers, or grand-fathers, had told
the younger generation where they were to return to after the
captivity. Chephirah was about 8 miles from the outskirts of
Jerusalem and was occupied by Benjamin's tribe. Beeroth was a city of
Benjamin as well. Ramah and Gaba were also Benjamite cities. Michmas
was a town between Bethel and Jerusalem. It was of the Benjamites. Ai
and Beth-el are joining cities about 12 miles from Jerusalem. All of
these towns are near Jerusalem and seem to be surrounding her. We
will not go into any more of them, as we have received the picture.
The
priests: the children of Jedaiah, of the house of Jeshua, nine
hundred seventy and three. Ezr. 2:36
Jedaiah...
Head
of the ninth course (1Ch.
24:11).
The priests, each of their families was ranged under its prince or
head, like those of the other tribes. It will be remembered that the
whole body was divided into twenty-four courses, one of which, in
rotation, discharged the sacerdotal duties every week, and each
division was called after the name of its first prince or chief. It
appears from this passage that only four of the courses of the
priests returned from the Babylonish captivity; but these four
courses were afterwards, as the families increased, divided into
twenty-four, which were distinguished by the names of the original
courses appointed by David (1 Chron. 23:6-13). Hence, we find the
course of Abijah or Abia (1 Chron. 24:10), subsisting at the
commencement of the Christian era (Luke 1:5).
An account
of them is given in this and the three following verses, and only
four families are mentioned, those of Jedaiah, Immer, Pashur, and
Harim, and the number of them amounted to 4289; these, according to
the Jews, were heads of four courses, which were all that returned
from Babylon.The priests: the children of Jedaiah continues.
The
children of Immer, a thousand fifty and two. Ezr. 2:37
Immer...
Head of the sixteenth course (1Ch. 24:14).
The
children of Pashur, a thousand two hundred forty and seven. Ezr. 2:38
The
children of Harim, a thousand and seventeen. Ezr. 2:39
Harim...
Head of the third course (1Ch. 26:8).
This
above, is a listing of the priests according to their families. The
high priest was from the house of Jeshua. These are all in the
service of the LORD in the temple worship.
Three
classes of Levites are mentioned:
(1) The regular Levites,
who assisted the priests;(2) The singers; and
(3) The porters, or doorkeepers.
“Asaph” was an outstanding musician in King David’s day, and he had been appointed minister of music in the temple (1 Chron. 15:19; 16:5). His descendants were also official musicians. Psalms chapters 50 and 73-83 are attributed to him.
The
Levites: the children of Jeshua and Kadmiel, of the children of
Hodaviah, seventy and four. Ezr.
2:40
The
Levites... Here follow the Levitical families, not priests: that is,
the Levites proper, the singers, the door-keepers or porters. Of the
first there were only two families, and these are both traced up to
one, that of Hodaviah or Judah (Ezra 3:9), or Hodevah (Neh. 7:43).
The
singers: the children of Asaph, an hundred twenty and eight. The
children of the porters: the children of Shallum, the children of
Ater, the children of Talmon, the children of Akkub, the children of
Hatita, the children of Shobai, in
all an hundred thirty and nine.
Ezr.
2:41, 42
The
Nethinims: the children of Ziha, the children of Hasupha, the
children of Tabbaoth, Ezr. 2:43
Nethinims...
Temple servants (Ezr. 2:43, 2:58, 2:70; 7:7, 7:24; 8:17-20; Neh.
3:26, 3:31; 7:46, 7:60, 7:73; 10:28; 11:3, 11:21; 1Ch. 9:2).
“Nethinim”:
These were descendants of the Gibeonites who performed servile duties
at the temple. The Nethinim were founded by Joshua down to David and
his officials (according to 8:20). The Hebrew name points out the
idea of “Given” or “Dedicated Ones”, and is a variation of
one of the descriptions of the Levites themselves, of whom God said,
“They are wholly given unto me” (Num. 8:16; see 1 Chron. 9:2).
As the word
Nethinim signifies to the congregation, to be hewers of wood and
drawers of water, but rather were those that were given by Joshua
down to David to assist the Levites. Of these is an account from here
(to the end of Ezra 2:58), together with those who descended from
Solomon's servants. Who seem to be the remains of the Canaanites in
the land, whom Solomon made bondservants of (1 Kings 9:20). Who, and
their posterity, became proselytes; or those sprung from men that
were domestic servants of Solomon's, and valued themselves on that
account. The number of the Nethinim and these together were three
hundred ninety and two.
The
children of Keros, the children of Siaha, the children of Padon, Ezr.
2:44
The
children of Lebanah, the children of Hagabah, the children of Akkub,
Ezr. 2:45
The
children of Hagab, the children of Shalmai, the children of Hanan,
Ezr. 2:46
The
children of Giddel, the children of Gahar, the children of Reaiah,
Ezr. 2:47
The
children of Rezin, the children of Nekoda, the children of Gazzam,
Ezr. 2:48
The
children of Uzza, the children of Paseah, the children of Besai, Ezr.
2:49
The
children of Asnah, the children of Mehunim, the children of Nephusim,
Ezr. 2:50
The
children of Bakbuk, the children of Hakupha, the children of Harhur,
Ezr. 2:51
The
children of Bazluth, the children of Mehida, the children of Harsha,
Ezr. 2:52
The
children of Barkos, the children of Sisera, the children of Thamah,
Ezr. 2:53
The
children of Neziah, the children of Hatipha. Ezr. 2:54
Here
are descendants of Solomon’s servants, continued.
The
children of Solomon's servants: the children of Sotai, the children
of Sophereth, the children of Peruda, Ezr. 2:55
The
children of Jaalah, the children of Darkon, the children of Giddel,
Ezr. 2:56
The
children of Shephatiah, the children of Hattil, the children of
Pochereth of Zebaim, the children of Ami. Ezr. 2:57
All
the Nethinims, and the children of Solomon's servants, were
three hundred ninety and two. Ezr. 2:58
This
is so strange that this group of people would have remained in a
class of servants even during their captivity in Babylon. They had
been the forced laborers in the time of Solomon.
The
Nethinim and the servants were probably grouped together, because in
a sense, they were all servants. The Hebrews’ were very class
conscious.
Those
whose genealogical information could not be verified. Those mentioned
in this section could not prove their ancestry. There are two
separate classes:
(1)
Laymen (verses 59-60); and
(2)
Priests (verses 61-63).
And
these were
they which went up from Telmelah, Telharsa, Cherub, Addan, and
Immer: but they could not shew their father's house, and their seed,
whether they were
of Israel: Ezr. 2:59
The
children of Delaiah, the children of Tobiah, the children of Nekoda,
six hundred fifty and two. Ezr. 2:60
And
of the children of the priests: the children of Habaiah, the children
of Koz, the children of Barzillai; which took a wife of the daughters
of Barzillai the Gileadite, and was called after their name: Ezr.
2:61
These
sought their register among
those that were reckoned by genealogy, but they were not found:
therefore were they, as polluted, put from the priesthood. Ezr. 2:62
by
genealogy...
Only those who
could prove they were priests by genealogy were accepted.
And
the Tirshatha said unto them, that they should not eat of the most
holy things, till there stood up a priest with Urim and with Thummim.
Ezr.
2:63
Tirshatha...
Tirshatha, a Persian title for governor. Here it refers to Zerubbabel
(Neh. 7:65). In Neh. 8:9; 10:1 it refers to Nehemiah. The Hebrew
title would be Pechah (Neh. 5:14, 5:18; 12:26).
most
holy things...
This refers to what remained of the meal offering, sin offering, and
the right shoulder of the peace offerings (Lev. 2:3; 10:12-17;
18:9-10).
Urim
and with Thummim... method of testing, we showed before.
The
whole congregation together
was
forty
and
two thousand three hundred
and
threescore,
Ezr. 2:64
Registry
of the Congregation
|
1.
Children of Parosh (Ezr. 2:3)
|
2,172
|
|
2.
Of Shephatiah (Ezr. 2:4)
|
372
|
|
3.
Of Arah (Ezr. 2:5)
|
775
|
|
4.
Of Pahath-moab, Jeshua, and Joab (Ezr. 2:6)
|
2,812
|
|
5.
Of Elam(Ezr. 2:7)
|
1,254
|
|
6.
Of Zattu(Ezr. 2:8)
|
945
|
|
7.
Of Zaccai (Ezr. 2:9)
|
760
|
|
8.
Of Bani (Ezr. 2:10)
|
642
|
|
9.
Of Bebai (Ezr. 2:11)
|
623
|
|
10.
Of Azgad (Ezr. 2:12)
|
1,222
|
|
11.
Of Adonokam (Ezr. 2:13)
|
666
|
|
12.
Of Bigvai (Ezr. 2:14)
|
2,056
|
|
13.
Of Adin (Ezr. 2:15)
|
254
|
|
14.
Of Ater (Ezr. 2:16)
|
98
|
|
15.
Of Bezai (Ezr. 2:17)
|
323
|
|
16.
Of Jorah (Ezr. 2:18)
|
112
|
|
17.
Of Hashum (Ezr. 2:19)
|
223
|
|
18.
Of Gibbar (Ezr. 2:20)
|
95
|
|
19.
Of Bethlehem (Ezr. 2:21)
|
123
|
|
20.
Men of Netophah (Ezr. 2:22)
|
56
|
|
21.
Men of Anathoth (Ezr. 2:23)
|
128
|
|
22.
Children of Azmaveth (Ezr. 2:24)
|
42
|
|
23.
Of Kirjatharim, Chephirah, and Beeroth (Ezr. 2:25)
|
743
|
|
24.
Of Ramah and Gaba (Ezr. 2:26)
|
621
|
|
25.
Men of Michmas (Ezr. 2:27)
|
122
|
|
26.
Men of Bethel and Ai (Ezr. 2:28)
|
223
|
|
27.
Children of Nebo (Ezr. 2:29)
|
52
|
|
28.
Of Magbish (Ezr. 2:30)
|
156
|
|
29.
Of another Elam (Ezr. 2:31)
|
1,254
|
|
30.
Of Harim (Ezr. 2:32)
|
320
|
|
31.
Of Lod, Hadid, and Ono (Ezr. 2:33)
|
725
|
|
32.
Of Jericho (Ezr. 2:34)
|
345
|
|
33.
Of Senaah (Ezr. 2:35)
|
3,630
|
|
34.
Of Jedaiah (Ezr. 2:36)
|
973
|
|
35.
Of Immar (Ezr. 2:37)
|
1,052
|
|
36.
Of Pashus (Ezr. 2:38)
|
1,247
|
|
37.
Of Harim (Ezr. 2:39)
|
1,017
|
|
38.
Of Jeshua and Kadmiel (Ezr. 2:40)
|
74
|
|
39.
Of Asaph (Ezr. 2:41)
|
128
|
|
40.
Children of porters (Ezr. 2:42)
|
139
|
|
41.
Of the Nethinims and Solomon’s servants (Ezr. 2:43-58)
|
392
|
|
42.
Children of questionable Israelites (Ezr. 2:59-60)
|
652
|
|
|
________
|
|
Total
listed
|
29,818
|
|
Not
Listed
|
12,542
|
|
|
________
|
|
Total
(Ezr. 2:64)
|
42,360
|
|
43.
Servants, maids (Ezr. 2:65)
|
7,337
|
|
44.
Singing men and women (Ezr. 2:65)
|
200
|
|
|
________
|
|
Grand
Total
|
49,897
|
Beside
their servants and their maids, of whom there
were
seven thousand three hundred thirty and seven: and there
were
among them two hundred singing men and singing women. Ezr. 2:65
"And
there were among them two hundred singing men and singing women”:
Among the servants, who were kept by persons of figure for their
pleasure and recreation (see Eccl. 2:8). For that these were such as
were employed in sacred service is not so clear, especially the
latter, though some conclude it from (1 Chron. 25:5). But rather they
were such as were employed at marriages, festivals, and funerals;
though Jarchi thinks they were employed by the returning captives, to
make them cheerful as they travelled along (see Isa. 55:12). The
“singing men and signing women” were distinct from the temple
choirs of verse 41 (compare 2 Sam. 19:35).
These
singers were not of the Levites. They were servants. Just because a
person is a servant, does not mean that he cannot sing.
Their
horses were
seven hundred thirty and six; their mules, two hundred forty and
five; Ezr. 2:66
So
that the far greatest part of them must walk on foot, since these can
be thought to be little more than sufficient to carry their goods or
baggage.
Their
camels, four hundred thirty and five; their
asses, six thousand seven hundred and twenty. Ezr. 2:67
The
camel here spoken of is probably of Arabian breed. It is what we
should call the ‘dromedary’ or one-humped camel.
Camels
would be in frequent use in Babylon. Several Assyrian sculptures have
been preserved in which we may see that the camel then as now was the
favorite beast both of merchants and of robbers (Job 1:17).
This
was the number of animals they took with them. This would be a
tremendous help on this journey of approximately 1,000 miles. This
trip would take several months at the very best. The animals would
have helped in carrying their belongings. In case someone could not
walk for some reason, they would ride. They were mostly used as
beasts of burden however.
And
some
of the chief of the fathers, when they came to the house of the LORD
which is
at Jerusalem, offered freely for the house of God to set it up in his
place: Ezr. 2:68
house
of the Lord... Would indicate that the site continued to be used in
the exilic period, even though it was in ruins (compare Jer. 41:5;
Hag. 2:9). That is, to the place in which the temple had stood, and
where the ruins still remained.
offered
freely... Made a new offering, besides that which they had brought
out of Babylon, from their brethren there, mentioned in (Ezra 1:4;
1:6). By this it appears that the Jews were not made absolute slaves
in Babylon, but had liberty to trade and get riches for themselves.
Some of them being advanced to considerable offices in the king’s
court. Otherwise they could not have been able to offer such sums as
are mentioned in the next verse. Indicates
a healthy spiritual atmosphere (compare 3:5), which was in addition
to the royal grant (in 3:7).
This was like a thank offering to God for their safe return to their homeland. Each family had a leader or a chief. He represented his entire family when he gave.
They
gave after their ability unto the treasure of the work threescore and
one thousand drams of gold, and five thousand pound of silver, and
one hundred priests' garments. Ezr. 2:69
after
their ability... The phrase relates well to (1 Cor. 16:2 and 2 Cor.
8:3), where “beyond” their ability is even mentioned. (Nehemiah
7:70-72), gives a more detailed summary, mentioning separately the
contributions of the governor, of some of the heads of houses and of
the rest of the people.
unto
the treasure... At $50 per dram (a dram being an eighth of an ounce),
1,060 drams of gold would be $53,000. There are 100 shekels per
pound, so 5,000 pounds of silver would equal 500,000 shekels which,
at $2.50 each, would be $1,250,000. The total value of the cash gift,
at today’s rates, would be $1,303,000.
So
the priests, and the Levites, and some
of the people, and the singers, and the porters, and the Nethinims,
dwelt in their cities, and all Israel in their cities. Ezr. 2:70
dwelt
in their... Were assigned to them out of the several tribes, and in
which they or their forefathers had dwelt before the captivity.
and all
Israel... And all Israel in their cities, those of the tribes of
Judah and Benjamin, so of the other ten, as many as returned and
joined those who were left in the land.
They were back to re-establish their homeland and to build the temple in Jerusalem.
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