Ezra 2:62 kjv
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.
Ezra 2:62 nkjv
These sought their listing among those who were registered by genealogy, but they were not found; therefore they were excluded from the priesthood as defiled.
Ezra 2:62 niv
These searched for their family records, but they could not find them and so were excluded from the priesthood as unclean.
Ezra 2:62 esv
These sought their registration among those enrolled in the genealogies, but they were not found there, and so they were excluded from the priesthood as unclean.
Ezra 2:62 nlt
They searched for their names in the genealogical records, but they were not found, so they were disqualified from serving as priests.
Ezra 2 62 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Lev 21:17 | "No one... shall approach to offer the bread of his God if he has a blemish..." | Strict physical/ritual requirements for priesthood. |
| Num 3:10 | "You shall appoint Aaron and his sons, and they shall guard their priesthood..." | God's specific appointment of Aaronic line for priesthood. |
| Num 16:40 | "...that no outsider... should come near to offer incense before the LORD..." | Consequences of unauthorized priestly claims. |
| Deut 10:8 | "At that time the LORD set apart the tribe of Levi... to minister to him and to bless in his name..." | The Levites' distinct calling for service. |
| Ezr 7:1-5 | "Now after these things, in the reign of Artaxerxes... Ezra the son of Seraiah..." | Ezra's own verifiable priestly lineage. |
| Neh 7:64 | "These searched their registration, but they could not find their names... disqualified..." | Parallel account in Nehemiah confirming the stringent verification. |
| 1 Chr 9:1 | "All Israel was recorded in genealogies, and these are written in the Book of the Kings of Israel..." | Emphasis on maintaining accurate genealogical records for national identity. |
| Ex 29:9 | "You shall ordain Aaron and his sons... so the priesthood shall be theirs by a statute forever..." | Hereditary nature of the Aaronic priesthood established by divine decree. |
| Heb 7:14 | "For it is clear that our Lord descended from Judah, and in connection with that tribe Moses said nothing about priests." | Highlights the shift from Levitical priesthood to Christ's unique order. |
| Heb 5:4 | "And no one takes this honor for himself, but only when called by God, just as Aaron was." | Divine appointment, not self-proclamation, for sacred service. |
| 2 Chr 23:6 | "Let no one come into the house of the LORD except the priests and those Levites..." | Maintaining boundaries for access to God's presence and service. |
| Neh 12:47 | "All Israel in the days of Zerubbabel... gave the portions for the Levites and for the holy things..." | Priestly and Levitical support dependent on proper identification. |
| Zec 3:3-5 | "Now Joshua was standing before the angel, clothed with filthy garments... then he said, 'Remove the filthy garments...'" | Importance of spiritual purity for priestly service, beyond lineage alone. |
| Ezr 8:1 | "These are the heads of their fathers' houses... recorded with me in the reign of Artaxerxes the king." | Continuation of record-keeping for returnees, not just priests. |
| 1 Pet 2:9 | "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession..." | New Testament concept of a spiritual priesthood for all believers. |
| Rev 20:15 | "And if anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire." | Ultimate spiritual registry; names in God's book are eternal. |
| Lk 10:20 | "Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven." | Emphasis on divine enrollment over earthly status or power. |
| Phil 4:3 | "...whose names are in the book of life." | Further New Testament reference to spiritual records. |
| Deut 23:2 | "No one born of a forbidden union may enter the assembly of the LORD; none of his descendants... may enter..." | Exclusion from the community due to certain lineages, paralleling priestly defilement. |
| Ezr 10:18 | "Among the sons of the priests who had married foreign women were found Maaseiah..." | Intermarriage affecting priestly purity, necessitating strict separation. |
| Hag 2:10-14 | "If someone carrying holy meat in the fold of his garment touches bread... will it become holy? No..." | Ritual purity transfer and defilement by association for the priests. |
| Num 1:18 | "They assembled the whole congregation together... and they declared their ancestry by families..." | Early census relied on strict family-by-family verification. |
Ezra 2 verses
Ezra 2 62 Meaning
Ezra 2:62 records the rigorous scrutiny applied to those claiming a priestly lineage during the post-exilic return to Jerusalem. It states that certain families, though claiming to be priests, could not find their names registered in the official genealogical records. Because their lineage could not be verified, they were declared ritually defiled and thus disqualified from serving in the priesthood, highlighting the critical importance of verified ancestry for sacred office.
Ezra 2 62 Context
Ezra Chapter 2 is a comprehensive register of the people, their families, and possessions that returned from Babylonian exile with Zerubbabel and Jeshua (Joshua), approximately 538 BC. This chapter meticulously records the numbers of priests, Levites, temple servants, singers, gatekeepers, and common Israelites. The detailed list serves to underscore the fulfillment of prophecy regarding the return, to organize the reconstituted community, and importantly, to establish their legitimacy and rights based on their lineage and participation. Verses 59-63 specifically address those who claimed to be part of Israel, and particularly those claiming priestly heritage, but whose genealogies were uncertain or missing. The severe consequence for the priestly claimants—disqualification—highlights the absolute necessity of proven lineage for priestly service according to the Mosaic Law, emphasizing the sanctity and exclusive nature of the office within the newly re-establishing theocratic community. This meticulous record-keeping was crucial for restoring the temple worship correctly.
Ezra 2 62 Word analysis
- These (אֵלֶּה, 'elleh): This Hebrew demonstrative pronoun refers specifically to the families mentioned in the preceding verse (v. 61): "the children of Hobaiah, the children of Hakkoz, and the children of Barzillai." It indicates that the following actions and consequences applied directly to them.
- searched (בִּקְשֻׁ֤ם, bikšūm): This verb means "they sought" or "they requested." It implies an active and thorough investigation or diligent examination of existing records. This was not a passive observation but a purposeful act to ascertain the truth of their claims.
- their registration (כְּתָבָם֙, kəṯāḇām): Refers to their "writing," "register," or "document." It denotes the official written records, the ledgers, or scrolls where the genealogies and family affiliations of the Israelite community, especially those with official roles, were maintained. This signifies the legal and authoritative nature of these documents.
- but they could not find their names recorded (לֹא־נִמְצְאוּ֙ כְּת֣וּבִים, lō’-nimṣə’ū kəṯûḇîm): The phrase uses a negative (lō', "not") and the passive form of "found," indicating that despite the search, their names were definitively absent. The Hebrew "kəṯûḇîm" is "written." The crucial point is the lack of documentation proving their claims.
- among those enrolled in the genealogies (עַל־הִתְיַחְשָׂם, ‘al-hityaḥšām): This refers to their being registered or enrolled "according to their genealogy/lineage." The root yāḥaš signifies being "registered by genealogy" or "enrolled by family record." It emphasizes that the official, divinely-mandated system of tribal and priestly lineage was the benchmark. For priests, this meant a verifiable connection to Aaron through Levi.
- Therefore they were disqualified (גֹֽאֲלוּ, gō’ălû): This verb's root ga’al means "to defile," "to pollute," or "to disqualify due to impurity." It is a strong term. It's not just "not permitted" but a declaration of ritual unfitness, implying they were considered profaned or ritually unclean for the sacred office, separated due to ritual defect or questionable origin.
- from the priesthood (לַכְּהֻנָּה, lakkehunna): This refers to the sacred office and service of the priests. The Hebrew kehunnâ denotes the priestly office, the function of mediator, worshiper, and instructor of the law in Israel, exclusively for the Aaronic line within the tribe of Levi. The term underscores the supreme sanctity of this role and the precise requirements for eligibility.
Words-group by words-group analysis:
- "These searched their registration, but they could not find their names recorded": This phrase highlights the systematic and authoritative verification process. It indicates a clear administrative effort to ensure proper lineage and avoid fraudulent claims, emphasizing the commitment to maintaining the integrity of the community and the sacred offices. The absence of a name in the official record was sufficient for disqualification, underscoring the legalistic precision required by the Law.
- "among those enrolled in the genealogies. Therefore they were disqualified from the priesthood": This part connects the lack of proper genealogical record directly to the severe consequence for priestly aspirants. It emphasizes that proper lineage, meticulously documented, was not a mere formality but a foundational requirement for serving in God's presence under the Mosaic covenant. The act of "disqualification" underscores the sanctity of the priesthood, where any doubt about lineage rendered one ritually unfit for holy service.
Ezra 2 62 Bonus section
The concept of genealogical purity for the priesthood (Ezra 2:62) connects implicitly to the "Book of Life" mentioned in the New Testament. While Ezra’s context is physical lineage for ritual purity in the earthly temple, the New Testament elevates this to a spiritual "registration" in God’s heavenly book, essential for eternal life and participation in the spiritual "royal priesthood" (Rev 20:15, 1 Pet 2:9). This parallelism shows a consistent divine principle of selective inclusion based on an authenticated record, whether earthly or heavenly, underscoring that not everyone who claims belonging will be found eligible. The precise record-keeping also speaks to God's meticulousness and His ultimate control over who belongs to His people and serves in His presence.
Ezra 2 62 Commentary
Ezra 2:62 succinctly communicates a pivotal truth for the post-exilic Jewish community: the purity and integrity of the priesthood were paramount. In the absence of an officiating prophet and with no king, the re-establishment of the temple and its services, led by priests, was central to their identity and covenant relationship with God. The rigorous scrutiny of genealogies for those claiming priestly office reflects the deep reverence for the Mosaic Law and the seriousness with which God's instructions were to be observed. Any ambiguity regarding lineage resulted in immediate disqualification. This was not a punitive measure but a protective one, designed to safeguard the sanctity of divine worship and prevent the defilement of God's house by unauthorized or ritually unfit individuals. It showcased a return to faithfulness, ensuring that the community would not repeat past errors that had led to the exile.
Practically, this verse serves as an enduring reminder of:
- Divine Order: God established clear guidelines for worship and service, emphasizing His holy nature.
- Accountability: Positions of spiritual authority carry stringent requirements and demand clear authentication.
- Integrity: Maintaining proper records and adherence to God-given standards is vital for purity and legitimacy in His service.