Ezr 2 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Ezra 2:1-70: 2:1-70 This chapter is the first of Ezra’s major digressions from the main story line. The returning exiles needed to keep track of who the true Jews were so that the community could maintain its identity (by knowing whom they could marry) and theological purity (by knowing who could worship at the Temple). This list is not an initial list (cp. Neh 7:6-73 ) of all the Jews who returned to Jerusalem but a slightly later list (after Sheshbazzar had died) of people who had settled in their towns.

Summary for Ezra 2:1-70: 2:1-70 ^a This chapter is the first of Ezra’s major digressions from the main story line. The returning exiles needed to keep track of who the true Jews were so that the community could maintain its identity (by knowing whom they could marry) and theological purity (by knowing who could worship at the Temple). This list is not an initial list (cp. Neh 7:6-73 ^b) of all the Jews who returned to Jerusalem but a slightly later list (after Sheshbazzar had died) of people who had settled in their towns.
2:2 ^c Jeshua (a variant spelling of Joshua), son of Jehozadak (3:2 ^d, 8 ^e), from the line of Aaron, was the high priest (Hag 1:1 ^f; Zech 3:1 ^g). The Nehemiah mentioned here is not the person who later built the walls of Jerusalem, nor is this Mordecai the famous relative of Esther.
Summary for Ezra 2:3-20: 2:3-20 ^h The family of: In the ancient Near East, an individual’s identity was closely connected to the question, “Who are your father and your family?” Ultimately, the priests were identified as the sons of Aaron. If this link could not be verified, they were barred from service (2:61-62 ⁱ). Others were identified by a well-known elder in their group.
Summary for Ezra 2:21-35: 2:21-35 ^j The people of ... The citizens of: Some of the returnees were identified by their towns of origin. Apparently, not all knew their genealogical histories or had large families with renowned leaders. Most of the cities mentioned were concentrated in a relatively small area in the vicinity of Jerusalem.
Summary for Ezra 2:36-42: 2:36-42 ^k the priests ... the Levites: Only seventy-four Levites returned to Jerusalem—a very low number. Ezra later worked hard to get thirty-eight more to come with him (see study note on 8:18).
Summary for Ezra 2:41-42: 2:41-42 ^l The singers played instruments and sang for worship at the Temple (1 Chr 25:1-31 ^m; Pss 73–83 ⁿ) while the gatekeepers regulated the Temple gates and storehouses (1 Chr 9:26-27 ^o; 2 Chr 23:19 ^p; Neh 12:25 ^q).

• Asaph was one of the three Levites David had appointed to conduct music at the Temple (1 Chr 16:5 ^r, 7 ^s), and he wrote a collection of psalms (Pss 50 ^t, 73–83 ^u). His family carried on his work (1 Chr 25:1-7 ^v).
Summary for Ezra 2:43-54: 2:43-54 ^w The Temple servants were probably descendants of the Gibeonites (Josh 9:23-27 ^x). They assisted the Levites (8:20 ^y) by carrying water and wood and by sweeping floors.
Summary for Ezra 2:55-58: 2:55-58 ^z The descendants of the servants of King Solomon are connected with the Temple servants (2:43-54 ^aa). Their names might indicate their responsibilities: e.g., Hassophereth (“the scribe”) probably kept inventories, and Pokereth-hazzebaim (“gazelle-hunter”) likely hunted game.
Summary for Ezra 2:59-60: 2:59-60 ^ab Some returnees believed in Israel’s God but had no genealogical records to prove that they were Israelites. Without this information, the other Israelites did not know whether to treat them as brothers and intermarry with them or to treat them as outsiders. The genealogies in 1 Chr 1–9 ^ac illustrate how carefully many family histories were kept.
Summary for Ezra 2:61-63: 2:61-63 ^ad were not found: The lack of a genealogy was problematic for three families (2:61-62 ^ae). They were excluded from priestly privileges or responsibilities until the high priest received divine direction through the use of the Urim and Thummim to determine the will of God (see Exod 28:30 ^af; Num 27:21 ^ag). Although using the Urim and Thummim resembled throwing dice or drawing straws, when done by the priest, the result was a divine decision rather than blind chance.
Summary for Ezra 2:64-66: 2:64-66 ^ah 42,360 people: This number, which does not match the total of individuals (28,774) listed in 2:3-42 ^ai, might include children.

• The large number of servants and animals shows that some of the Jews who returned were wealthy.
Summary for Ezra 2:68-69: 2:68-69 ^aj As when the Tabernacle was built (Exod 25:2-7 ^ak; 35:4-9 ^al) and the Temple was renovated (2 Kgs 12:1-21 ^am), the people gave voluntary offerings to finance this effort. These funds supplemented the provincial grant by Darius (Ezra 6:8 ^an) and gifts from Israelites who stayed in Babylon (1:6 ^ao). Each gave as much as he could based on his resources.
2:69 ^ap Each of the gold coins (Hebrew darics) was worth a month’s wages for a professional soldier.

• 6,250 pounds (Hebrew 5,000 minas): Each mina weighed 20 ounces and was equal to 60 shekels of silver; each shekel was worth an average worker’s monthly wages.