Priests of doubtful origin 2:61-63These men returned but could not serve as priests until the high priest could determine that they were indeed descendants of Aaron (cf. Numbers 16:40; Numbers 18:9-10). Perhaps the high priest did this using the Urim and Thummim, if these were still in existence (Exodus 28:15-30; cf. 1 Samuel 23:9-12). Perhaps other records were available to him. read more
The Names and Number of those who returned1. The province] i.e. the Persian province of Judæa (Ezra 5:8). Had carried away] in 597 b.c. and 586 b.c. Every one unto his city] i.e. to the provincial towns. This process can only have taken place very gradually.2. Zerubbabel] for his relation to Sheshbazzar see on Ezra 1:8 for his ancestry see on Ezra 3:2. The list of names that follows is repeated, with some variants, in Nehemiah 7:7-73. Jeshua] the high priest, called by Haggai ’Joshua.’ The... read more
(59-63) Finally, those who had lost the records of their lineage are mentioned. Of the people, the children of three families from Tel-melah, Hill of salt, Tel-harsa, Hill of the wood, and a few other places, are mentioned. Of the priests, there are also three families without their genealogy. read more
(61) Barzillai the Gileadite.—See the well-known history in 2 Samuel 17:27.After their name.—Rather, after her name, she having been probably an heiress. read more
THE SECOND EXODUSEzra 2:1-67THE journey of the returning exiles from Babylon has some points of resemblance to the exodus of their fathers from Egypt. On both occasions the Israelites had been suffering oppression in a foreign land. Deliverance had come to the ancient Hebrews in so wonderful a way that it could only be described as a miracle of God; no material miracle was recorded of the later movement; and yet it was so marvellously providential that the Jews were constrained to acknowledge... read more
CHAPTER 2 1. The leaders (Ezra 2:1-2 ) 2. The names of the returning exiles (Ezra 2:3-35 ) 3. The priests (Ezra 2:36-39 ) 4. The Levites and singers (Ezra 2:40 ) 5. The porters and Nethinim (Ezra 2:42-54 ) 6. Solomon’s servants (Ezra 2:55-58 ) 7. Those of doubtful descent (Ezra 2:59-63 ) 8. The number of the whole company (Ezra 2:64-67 ) 9. The offering of the house of God (Ezra 2:68-70 ) Ezra 2:1-2 . This chapter contains the names of the returning remnant. It is a specimen... read more
2:61 And of the children of the priests: the children of Habaiah, the children of Koz, the children of {k} Barzillai; which took a wife of the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite, and was called after their name:(k) He is mentioned in 2 Samuel 17:27; 2 Samuel 19:31 and because the priest’s office was held in contempt these would have changed their estate by their name, and so by God’s just judgment lost both the estimation of the world and the dignity of their office. read more
LIST OF RETURNED CAPTIVES (vv. 1-58) This chapter shows the definite interest God had in every individual who returned from the captivity, so that the number from each city is recorded, and the total number. We are reminded in verse 1 that it was Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon who had taken these captive. Babylon means "confusion," so that Judah is pictured as being captives to a state of confusion, as is repeated in the history of the professing church. It is only by the power and grace of... read more
BACK TO THE HOMELAND CYRUS’ PROCLAMATION (Ezra 1:0 ) Babylon has had its days, and with its downfall has come that of the Assyrian Empire. The Medes and Persians, with Cyrus at their head, are now in power, and in the providence of God, Daniel, the Jewish prophet and statesman, has influence at this court, as in that of Nebuchadnezzar. By a study of the earlier prophets, especially Jeremiah, he has become aware that the time is nigh for the captivity of Judah to end and his people to... read more
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Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Ezra 2:61
61, 62. the children of Barzillai—He preferred that name to that of his own family, deeming it a greater distinction to be connected with so noble a family, than to be of the house of Levi. But by this worldly ambition he forfeited the dignity and advantages of the priesthood. read more