Ezra 2:38 kjv
The children of Pashur, a thousand two hundred forty and seven.
Ezra 2:38 nkjv
the sons of Pashhur, one thousand two hundred and forty-seven;
Ezra 2:38 niv
of Pashhur ? 1,247
Ezra 2:38 esv
The sons of Pashhur, 1,247.
Ezra 2:38 nlt
The family of Pashhur ? 1,247
Ezra 2 38 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Neh 7:41 | The priests: The sons of Harim, 1,017. | Parallel account of Harim's returning priestly descendants. |
| 1 Chr 24:8 | the ninth to Jeshua; the tenth to Shecaniah; the eleventh to Eliashib; the twelfth to Jakim; the thirteenth to Huppah; the fourteenth to Jeshebeab; the fifteenth to Bilgah; the sixteenth to Immer; the seventeenth to Hezir; the eighteenth to Happizzez; the nineteenth to Pethahiah; the twentieth to Jehezkel; the twenty-first to Jachin; the twenty-second to Gamul; the twenty-third to Delaiah; the twenty-fourth to Maaziah. For more details, consult the Hebrew Masoretic Text or the King James Version of the Bible. The lots fell for Jedediah, Bilgah, Shemaiah. These were divisions in which there was order among the families. And according to his lots: to Jeshua, the 9th; Shecaniah, the 10th; Eliashib, the 11th; Jakim, the 12th; Huppah, the 13th; Jeshebeab, the 14th; Bilgah, the 15th; Immer, the 16th; Hezir, the 17th; Happizzez, the 18th; Pethahiah, the 19th; Jehezkel, the 20th; Jachin, the 21st; Gamul, the 22nd; Delaiah, the 23rd; Maaziah, the 24th. And this was the regular succession for their service when they came into the house of the Lord under the direction of Aaron their father, as the Lord God of Israel commanded them. | Establishes Harim as a priestly division in David's time. |
| Ezra 10:21 | Of the sons of Harim: Maaseiah, Elijah, Shemaiah, Jehiel, Uzziah. | Further involvement of Harim's descendants, indicating continued family presence. |
| Neh 10:5 | Harim, Meremoth, Obadiah, | Harim as a signatory of the covenant oath, showing leadership role. |
| Neh 12:15 | of Bilgah, Shammua; of Shemaiah, Jehonathan; of Joiarib, Mattenai; of Jedediah, Uzzi; of Salai, Kallai; of Amok, Eber; of Hilkiah, Hashabiah; of Jedaiah, Nethanel; of Gaddiel, Hashabiah; of Azariah, Eliazar; of Meraiah, Eliya; of Rehum, Uzzi; of Bani, Ezra. And among the sons of Ezra and Ezra the scribe: Ezra was a man of integrity, well-versed in the Law of Moses which the Lord God of Israel had given him. He was a priest from the family of Zadok, who descended from Eleazar. And he taught diligently throughout the land so that all Israel would be able to discern the paths of righteousness. The Lord said to Moses: Take also to yourselves some incense with the sweet spices. Let these sweet spices be well mixed according to the custom of the apothecary. And put some of it before the ark in the tent of meeting where I will meet with you; it will be most holy to you. | Mention of a chief priest named Harim in Nehemiah's time. |
| Ezra 1:5 | Then the heads of the fathers' houses of Judah and Benjamin... | Context of those stirred by God to return and rebuild. |
| Ezra 3:1 | When the seventh month came, and the sons of Israel were in the towns... | The collective assembly of the returnees in Jerusalem. |
| Neh 7:5 | My God put it into my heart to assemble the nobles, the officials, and the common people to be registered by genealogy. So I found the register of those who came up first... | Divine inspiration behind keeping genealogical records of returnees. |
| Num 1:2 | "Take a census of all the congregation of the sons of Israel..." | Emphasizes the ancient practice of numbering God's people for specific purposes. |
| Num 26:63 | These are those who were numbered by Moses and Eleazar the priest... | Another instance of meticulous record-keeping of Israel's tribes. |
| Jer 29:10 | "For thus says the Lord: When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will visit you, and I will fulfill My good word to you, to bring you back to this place." | Prophecy of the return from exile, which Ezra 2 documents. |
| Isa 11:11 | Then it will happen in that day that the Lord will again recover the remnant of His people... | Prophecy of the remnant's return from various lands. |
| Zech 8:7-8 | "Behold, I will save My people from the land of the east... | Prophetic promise of gathering scattered Israel. |
| Rom 11:5 | In the same way then, there has also come to be at the present time a remnant according to God's gracious choice. | New Testament reference to God always preserving a remnant. |
| Exo 19:5-6 | "Now then, if you will indeed obey My voice... you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests..." | Foundation of Israel's identity as a priestly nation. |
| 1 Pet 2:9 | But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation... | New Testament echo of the priestly identity, applied to the church. |
| Mal 3:3 | He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver... purifying the sons of Levi... | Prophecy of the purification and restoration of the priesthood. |
| Ezek 44:15 | "But the Levitical priests, the sons of Zadok... | Details the restoration of legitimate priestly service in the restored Temple. |
| Neh 7:64-65 | These sought their registration among those who were enrolled by genealogy... so they were excluded from the priesthood... | Highlights the critical importance of verified genealogy for priestly service. |
| 1 Chr 9:1 | So all Israel were enrolled by genealogies; and behold, they are written in the Book of the Kings of Israel. | Underscores the long-standing practice and significance of genealogies in Israel. |
Ezra 2 verses
Ezra 2 38 Meaning
Ezra chapter 2 verse 38 states the specific number of descendants from the priestly family of Harim who returned from the Babylonian exile to Judah and Jerusalem with Zerubbabel. This verse serves as a genealogical record, underscoring the precise count of this prominent priestly lineage among those who dedicated themselves to the re-establishment of the community and the Temple. It highlights the importance of preserving ancestral identity and qualification for religious service in the post-exilic restoration.
Ezra 2 38 Context
Ezra chapter 2 is a crucial historical document, detailing the list of those who returned from the seventy-year Babylonian captivity to Jerusalem and Judah under the leadership of Zerubbabel and Jeshua (Joshua). This chapter is essentially a census, identifying various families and groups, including lay people, priests, Levites, temple servants, and the descendants of Solomon's servants. Its primary purpose was to document the legitimate members of the re-establishing community for purposes of settlement, land claims, community organization, and particularly, the qualification for priestly service and Temple functions. Verse 38 specifically belongs to the section listing "The Priests," indicating the return of descendants of various priestly families who were ordained to serve in the newly rebuilt Temple. This detailed registry affirmed the continuity of the Israelite lineage and served as a foundation for the rebuilding of their national and religious life, emphasizing God's faithfulness in fulfilling His prophetic promises of restoration.
Ezra 2 38 Word analysis
- The sons of: (Hebrew: u·ḇə·nê) This phrase indicates lineage, referring to the descendants or family members belonging to a particular paternal house or clan, rather than just immediate children. In ancient Israelite society, family identity was paramount, defining social status, inheritance rights, and eligibility for roles like the priesthood. The plural "sons" often encompasses all male descendants and, by extension, the entire familial group associated with a patriarch.
- Harim: (Hebrew: Ḥā·rim) A proper noun, identifying a specific priestly family. Harim was a significant priestly division established during King David's reign (1 Chr 24:8), one of the twenty-four courses assigned to minister in the Temple. Its presence in this list confirms the survival and return of an established, legitimate priestly line. The continued existence of such specific lineages was vital for restoring proper Temple worship and service, ensuring continuity from the pre-exilic period.
- 1,017: (Hebrew: ’e·lep šiv·‘āh ‘ā·śār) This precise number (one thousand seventeen) indicates the careful and meticulous nature of the census undertaken by the returnees. Such exact figures were not arbitrary; they signified an official count, essential for administrative organization, allocation of resources, and assigning roles in the rebuilding effort. The specific number for Harim's descendants highlights their substantial representation among the returning priestly families, testifying to their commitment and the preservation of a significant portion of their line through the challenging period of exile.
Words-group by words-group analysis
- "The sons of Harim": This phrase precisely defines the group. It is not just individuals but an ancestral unit, specifically a recognized priestly family. The identification by "sons of" points to a continuous patriarchal lineage, vital for their social, religious, and even land inheritance claims in the reconstructed Judean society. It carries a heavy implication of established identity and religious heritage.
- "The sons of Harim, 1,017": This complete phrase quantifies the surviving and returning members of this priestly house. The numerical precision serves to authenticate the register and underscore the scale of the repatriation. For this specific priestly family, the large number indicates the extent to which their lineage was preserved despite the destruction and scattering during the exile, affirming God's providential care in maintaining His chosen servants.
Ezra 2 38 Bonus section
- Genealogical Accuracy: The biblical lists like Ezra 2 emphasize the great importance placed on accurate genealogies in ancient Israel. These records validated individual and family identity, heritage, and claims, especially regarding the priesthood and land inheritance, crucial for maintaining the social and religious fabric established by God's covenant.
- Minor Variations with Nehemiah 7: While Ezra 2 and Nehemiah 7 are largely parallel lists of returnees, there are minor numerical discrepancies for some family groups. Scholars attribute these to various factors such as different occasions of registration, variations in copying, or counting those who initially set out versus those who arrived, but they do not diminish the overall historicity or the integrity of the lists. For "the sons of Harim," both Ezra 2:38 and Neh 7:41 provide the identical number, emphasizing its consistency and validation.
- The Remnant Theme: The entire return from exile, of which this verse is a part, embodies the powerful biblical theme of the "remnant." Despite the large numbers taken into captivity, God preserved a portion (a remnant) who returned to fulfill His purposes, rebuild His Temple, and continue the lineage from which the Messiah would eventually come. This demonstrates God's sovereign hand in upholding His covenant promises through all circumstances.
Ezra 2 38 Commentary
Ezra 2:38, recording "The sons of Harim, 1,017," is more than a mere numerical entry in a dry list; it is a foundational detail within the register of those returning from Babylonian exile. It documents the continuity of a specific, significant priestly family (Harim), which was one of the twenty-four priestly divisions established by David. This precise number highlights the diligent efforts of the returning exiles to preserve their ancestral records, especially crucial for establishing qualifications for priestly service and tribal land allocations. The presence of 1,017 descendants signifies a substantial contribution from this priestly line to the restoration effort, underpinning the re-establishment of the Mosaic order and Temple worship in Jerusalem. This verse, therefore, quietly testifies to God's faithfulness in preserving a remnant of His people, including key priestly families, to rebuild His dwelling place and reinstate the covenant community despite profound adversity.