Genealogy of Those Who Returned with Ezra

Genealogy of Those Who Returned with Ezra

These are now the chief of their fathers, and this is the genealogy of them that went up with me from Babylon, in the reign of Artaxerxes the king. Ezr. 8:1-14

and the genealogy... In all these chapters we see that only those who could prove descent from some family in Israel were allowed to go up to Jerusalem.

them that went... up with me from Babylon Males in Ezra’s Company:

1. Sons of Phinehas, Ithamar, David, Schechaniah, Pharosh (Ezr. 8:2-3)	150
2. Sons of Pahath-moab (Ezr. 8:4)	200
3. Of Schechaniah (Ezr. 8:5)	300
4. Of Adin (Ezr. 8:6)	50
5. Of Elam (Ezr. 8:7)	70
6. Of Shephatiah (Ezr. 8:8)	80
7. Of Joab (Ezr. 8:9)	218
8. Of Shelomith (Ezr. 8:10)	160
9. Of Behai (Ezr. 8:11)	28
10. Of Azgad (Ezr. 8:12)	110
11. Of Adonikam (Ezr. 8:13)	60
12. Of Bigvai (Ezr. 8:14)	70
13. Ministers (Ezr. 8:15-18)	18
14. Sons of Merari (Ezr. 8:19)	20
15. Nethinims (Ezr. 8:20)	220
	_______
Total males	1,754

Ezra Sends for Levites

And I gathered them together to the river that runneth to Ahava; and there abode we in tents three days: and I viewed the people, and the priests, and found there none of the sons of Levi. Ezr. 8:15

found there none... The Levites were slack in returning to Israel. Only a few accompanied Zerubbabel (Ezr. 2:36). This was not so with the priests (Ezr. 2:36-39).

Then sent I for Eliezer, for Ariel, for Shemaiah, and for Elnathan, and for Jarib, and for Elnathan, and for Nathan, and for Zechariah, and for Meshullam, chief men; also for Joiarib, and for Elnathan, men of understanding. Ezr. 8:16

Then sent I... These were all in the camp, in some part of it, to whom Ezra sent messengers to come unto him; three of them are of the same name. The first nine were men of chief note, rank, and dignity in their family, and the other two were noted for men of good sense. And that could speak to a case well, and so fit to be sent on such an affair as they were.

and for Elnathan... Elnathan occurs three times in this one verse; it must have been a popular name. The meaning is: God has given. Besides the three men mentioned here there was another one so-named (2Ki. 24:8; Jer. 26:22; 36:12, 36:25).

And I sent them with commandment unto Iddo the chief at the place Casiphia, and I told them what they should say unto Iddo, and to his brethren the Nethinims, at the place Casiphia, that they should bring unto us ministers for the house of our God. Ezr. 8:17

ministers for the... These were the Levites whom Ezra wanted to go back with him to Jerusalem. He finally persuaded eighteen Levites to return with him (Ezr. 8:15, 8:17-18).

And I sent... Not a place by the Caspian Sea, and near the Caspian mountains, as Munster, which was too far off to go and return in the time they must (see Ezra 7:9). But, as Jarchi, a place in Babylon so called, a village near it, or a parish or street in it, where Ezra knew lived many of the Levites and Nethinim, and where Iddo was the chief of the Levites, and over them both.

and I told... What they should say unto Iddo, and to his brethren the Nethinim, at the place Casiphia. But Iddo was not one of the Nethinim; for he was chief of the Levites, and by his authority many of them were sent as well as of the Nethinim. But none of the latter were over the Levites, for they were servants to them (Ezr. 8:20). But, according to Jarchi, the Nethinim are not at all intended in this clause, who reads the words:
at the place... To Iddo and Achim, (the name of a man with him; perhaps it may be better rendered, "to Iddo and his brother"), who were appointed, or settled, in the place Casiphia. And with him De Dieu agrees, and so the Syriac version: Who dwelt in Casiphia:
that they should... Both Levites to be singers and porters there, and the Nethinim to wait on them.
The chief men mentioned (in verse 16), were men who had enough authority that they would be accepted by Iddo as messengers from Ezra. They were men who would be respected enough that Iddo would listen carefully to what they had to say. Iddo was the chief of the Nethinim. He was, also the head of the Jews at Casiphia.

And by the good hand of our God upon us they brought us a man of understanding, of the sons of Mahli, the son of Levi, the son of Israel; and Sherebiah, with his sons and his brethren, eighteen; Ezr. 8:18

And by the... Favoring their designs and orders, protecting those that were sent, and inclining those they were sent to use their interest and authority with those that were under them. And making them willing also to agree to what was proposed to them.

they brought us... The son of Levi, the son of Israel; an Israelite, of the tribe of Levi, in the line of Mahli a son of Merari, the third son of Levi.
and Sherebiah... Or rather "even Sherebiah". So Aben Ezra; For he is the understanding man that is meant, and described by his pedigree.
with his sons... All together made this number.
Ezra was thanking God for the good fortune of the Levites that came back to Ezra. Ezra knew this was a blessing from God. Sherebiah and Mahli may be the same person. There were eighteen that came.

And Hashabiah, and with him Jeshaiah of the sons of Merari, his brethren and their sons, twenty; Ezr. 8:19

These were of the same division of Levites as Sherebiah.

These were of... These thirty eight, with those they came with, were all Levites; the Nethinim follow.
These were also Levites from the division of Merari.

Also of the Nethinims, whom David and the princes had appointed for the service of the Levites, two hundred and twenty Nethinims: all of them were expressed by name. Ezr. 8:20

of the Nethinims... The Nethinims were the temple servants who helped the priests and Levites in all their work.

For the service... To wait upon them, and minister to them, as they did to the priests. Some think those were the same with the Gibeonites, whom Joshua gave to the service of the sanctuary, and David confirmed. But others are of opinion these were different from them, and an addition to them.

two hundred and twenty... all of them were expressed by name": In the history that Iddo sent of them to Ezra. And so the names of the Levites, though not here expressed, only the names of those they came with.
We remember, the Nethinim were in the service of Joshua and on through to the realm of David and Solomon.

Fasting and Prayer for Protection

Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river of Ahava, that we might afflict ourselves before our God, to seek of him a right way for us, and for our little ones, and for all our substance. Ezr. 8:21

Then I proclaimed... Then—when all the exiles were gathered together and were ready to depart, Ezra proclaimed a fast to seek God’s protection on the journey, which would be dangerous in view of so many enemies and bands of robbers between Babylon and Israel (Ezr. 8:21-22).

that we might... Humble themselves before him for their sins, confess them, and declare their repentance of them, and ask forgiveness for them.

to seek of... To take from thence towards Jerusalem, to be directed by him in it. Either by a prophet, or by a vision in a dream, as Aben Ezra; or rather by the guidance of his providence. This they sought in prayer by the river side, where it had been usual with them, and since has been, to perform religious exercises (see Eze. 1:1). Hence Tertullian calls the prayers of the Jews "orationes littorales"; they sought not so much which was the shortest and easiest way for them to travel in, as which was the safest.
and for our... For the safe conveyance of them. This shows, that though males only are numbered, as before, yet they had their wives and children with them. For little ones cannot be supposed without women to take care of them.
Ezra called the fast to prepare for the rest of the journey. He wanted the assistance of the LORD as he carried these people on this several month journey to Jerusalem. The fast was to receive instructions from God on exactly how they should proceed. They wanted no harm coming to the women and children, or to the precious cargo. Ezra knew his help was in the LORD.

For I was ashamed to require of the king a band of soldiers and horsemen to help us against the enemy in the way: because we had spoken unto the king, saying, The hand of our God is upon all them for good that seek him; but his power and his wrath is against all them that forsake him. Ezr. 8:22

For I was.... Which he might have had, only by asking for them; so great was the interest he had in the king's favor.

to help us... The Arabs, Samaritans, and others, that might lie in wait for them, to rob them of their substance.
because we had... Of the special favor of God to them, his singular providence in the protection of them.
saying, the hand... That pray unto him, serve and worship him; his hand is open to them to bestow all needful good upon them, temporal and spiritual. And his power and providence are over them, to protect and defend them from all evil.
but his power... His word, his ways and worship; his powerful wrath, or the strength and force of it, is exerted against them and they are sure to feel the weight and dreadful effects of it. And now all this being said to the king, after this, to desire a guard to protect them. It would look as if they had not that favor in the sight of God, and did not believe what they had said, but distrusted his power and providence towards them. Therefore, rather than reflect any dishonor on God, they chose to expose themselves to danger, seeking his face and favor, and relying on his goodness and power.
Ezra knew there were robbers along the way in the land they must pass through. He had not asked for help from the Persians, because if they were really of God, as they had told the Persian king they were, the LORD would take care of them. This expresses Ezra’s faith in God, and shows why he didn’t ask for soldiers for protection. He may have said many wonderful things about Jehovah to the king and his counselors; now it was time to live according to his own preaching. God honored him and he was protected on the journey (Ezr. 8:23-32).

So we fasted and besought our God for this: and he was intreated of us. Ezr. 8:23

Sought the Lord by fasting and prayer for a good journey, and preservation in it.

Sought the Lord... And he was entreated of us, Accepted their prayer, as Jarchi, so that they came safe to Jerusalem.
This is saying when they fasted and prayed, the LORD heard their prayer, and put into their hearts exactly what they were to do.

Priests to Guard Offerings

Then I separated twelve of the chief of the priests, Sherebiah, Hashabiah, and ten of their brethren with them, Ezr. 8:24

Then I separated... Then—just before the departure for Israel, Ezra thought it would be best to divide the gold, silver, and other valuables for the temple, so they could be more easily protected on the journey. He divided them by weight and gave a portion to each of twelve men he had selected to be responsible for these valuables until they reached Jerusalem (Ezr. 8:24-30).

twelve of the... The twelve men represented the twelve tribes, indicating that the returning exiles recognized that Israelites from all twelve tribes were being restored as a nation, not Judah and Benjamin only.

And weighed unto them the silver, and the gold, and the vessels, even the offering of the house of our God, which the king, and his counsellors, and his lords, and all Israel there present, had offered: Ezr. 8:25

And weighted unto... Value of money divided into 12 parts:

650 talents of silver at $7,500 each	$4,875,000
Silver vessels totaling 100 talents	750,000
100 talents of gold at $600,000 each	60,000,000
20 basins of gold totaling 1,000 drams at $50	50,000
2 vessels of fine copper as precious as gold $2,500 each (per above)	5,000
	______________
Total value	$65,680,000

I even weighed unto their hand six hundred and fifty talents of silver, and silver vessels an hundred talents, and of gold an hundred talents; Ezr. 8:26

I even weighted... The custody of the contributions and of the sacred vessels was, during the journey, committed to twelve of the chief priests, who, with the assistance of ten of their brethren, were to watch closely over them by the way, and deliver them into the house of the Lord in Jerusalem.

and fifty talents... If a talent weighs 75 pounds, this is speaking of 48,750 pounds of silver. The silver vessels weighed 7,500 pounds in silver.

an hundred talents... The gold, also, weighed 7,500 pounds. The gold, alone weighed 120,000 ounces. You can see why Ezra was concerned.

Also twenty basons of gold, of a thousand drams; and two vessels of fine copper, precious as gold. Ezr. 8:27

a thousand drams... A dram is an eighth of an ounce. Valued at $400 per ounce, gold would be worth $50 per dram (Ezr. 8:27; 2:69; 1Ch. 29:7).

and two vessels... If the 2 vessels of copper were as precious as gold and weighed as many drams as the basins of gold (50 drams each, since 20 weighed 1,000 drams), then these vessels were worth $2,500 each. Having a total weight of 100 drams, the 2 would be worth $5,000.

And I said unto them, Ye are holy unto the LORD; the vessels are holy also; and the silver and the gold are a freewill offering unto the LORD God of your fathers. Ezr. 8:28

Ye are holy... As they were dedicated and set apart to holy service, so the vessels were sacred to holy uses, and therefore not to be converted to any other.

and the silver... And therefore not to be made use of but in his service. The gold and silver entrusted to each of the twelve men were to weigh as much at the end of the journey as at the beginning, to be sure none had been stolen.
Ezra was stressing to them the necessity of getting all of these precious items for the temple through. The value in dollars and cents were important, but the idea these treasures belonged to God made this much more important. They were to guard this with their lives.

Watch ye, and keep them, until ye weigh them before the chief of the priests and the Levites, and chief of the fathers of Israel, at Jerusalem, in the chambers of the house of the LORD. Ezr. 8:29

and keep them... The vessels, the gold, and the silver, that they be not hurt and diminished.

until ye weigh...That is, until they had delivered them in full weight, as they had received them, in the presence of those persons as witnesses, and into their hands, in order to be laid up in the chambers and treasuries of the temple.

Ezra weighed and made a record of exactly what he had entrusted to each priest. They would weigh them in when they arrived at the temple in Jerusalem. This was good record keeping. They would not be careless with the things of the LORD. Those in authority in the temple in Jerusalem would receive them and weigh them in. There would be a record kept of that as well.

So took the priests and the Levites the weight of the silver, and the gold, and the vessels, to bring them to Jerusalem unto the house of our God. Ezr. 8:30

So took the... The twelve priests and twelve Levites, mentioned in (Ezr. 8:24).

the weight of...This they undertook to do, and did.

They did as Ezra had asked them. Each priest and Levite would be responsible for the portion of the treasure that had been entrusted to him.

Then we departed from the river of Ahava on the twelfth day of the first month, to go unto Jerusalem: and the hand of our God was upon us, and he delivered us from the hand of the enemy, and of such as lay in wait by the way. Ezr. 8:31

Then we departed... Then—when all preparations had been made, the exiles departed from the river of Ahava on the twelfth day of the first month (April) and they came to Jerusalem on the first day of the fifth month (August), after a journey of about four and a half month from this point (Ezr. 8:21-32; 7:8-9).

the first month... Nisan, answering to part of March and part of April. This was two days before the Passover began.

and the hand... Guiding, directing, and protecting them by his providence.
and he delivered... Either by intimidating them, that they dared not attack them, or by directing them to take a different road, whereby they escaped them (see Ezr. 8:22).
God had protected them from all harm, as they journeyed back to their home in Judah. Ezra's fears never happened. They did not even encounter the thieves. Ezra's faith in God brought them through safely.

And we came to Jerusalem, and abode there three days. Ezr. 8:32

And we came... Before they went about any business, delivered what was committed to them for the use of the temple, and the commissions to the king's officers. As it was but proper they should have some rest after such a fatiguing journey.

This was speaking of a rest they took from their long journey. They were safe to rest now.

Now on the fourth day was the silver and the gold and the vessels weighed in the house of our God by the hand of Meremoth the son of Uriah the priest; and with him was Eleazar the son of Phinehas; and with them was Jozabad the son of Jeshua, and Noadiah the son of Binnui, Levites; Ezr. 8:33

Now on the... After their arrival at Jerusalem.

was the silver... The temple, that it might be seen and known that the exact weight which had been deposited with them was now faithfully delivered.

by the hand... Of Meremoth the son of Uriah the priest, and with him was Eleazar the son of Phinehas, These were priests.

and with them... Was Jozabad the son of Jeshua, and Noadiah the son of Binnui, Levites, Two priests and two Levites. For since there were of both that were charged with the above things, it was proper there should be some of both, when weighed, that they might be witnesses of their fidelity.

Each one of the 12, that the treasures had been entrusted to weighed them to the son of the high priest in Jerusalem. The men mentioned in the verse above, were priests and Levites. They would put the treasures in safe keeping in the temple.

By number and by weight of every one: and all the weight was written at that time. Ezr. 8:34

By number and... They were delivered in by tale and weight, which exactly agreed to the number and weight in which they received them.

and all the... An account was taken in writing, and laid up, that it might not only be known hereafter what freewill offerings had been made in Babylon. But that it might be a voucher for the fidelity and integrity of those that brought them, should it ever be called in question.

Also the children of those that had been carried away, which were come out of the captivity, offered burnt offerings unto the God of Israel, twelve bullocks for all Israel, ninety and six rams, seventy and seven lambs, twelve he goats for a sin offering: all this was a burnt offering unto the LORD. Ezr. 8:35

offered burnt offerings... Cost of the Burnt Offerings:

12 bullocks	9,600.0
18 gal. flour	36.0
36 qts. wine	180.0
36 qts. oil	288.0
96 rams	12,000.0
96 gals. flour	192.0
192 qts. wine	960.0
192 qts. oil	1,560.0
77 lambs	6,160.0
38 1/2 gals. flour	77.0
115 1/2 qts. wine	577.5
115 1/2 qts. oil	924.0
12 goats	600.0
6 gal. flour	12.0
18 qts. wine	90.0
18 qts. oil	144.0
	__________
Total est. cost	33,400.5

twelve bullocks for... Twelve bullocks were offered—one for each tribe besides Levi.

And they delivered the king's commissions unto the king's lieutenants, and to the governors on this side the river: and they furthered the people, and the house of God. Ezr. 8:36

And they delivered... The royal decrees.

the kings lieutenants... Satraps. A Persian title.

To the governors... Of the provinces of Syria, Israel, and Judea, which were on that side of Euphrates the land of Israel was.

and they furthered... Or "lifted them up". Eased them of all burdens, and freed them from all impediments, and assisted them and furnished them with everything, as the decree of Artaxerxes enjoined them. And provided everything as they required for ornamenting the temple, and for the sacrifices of it. All which is to be understood of the king's lieutenants and governors, who obeyed his commands.
This was speaking of the documents that Ezra brought from the king giving him authority to draw from the treasury. The lieutenants under the governors, were in charge of it. It appears, that they did just as the documents had requested them to do immediately.