Ezra 2 63

Ezra 2:63 kjv

And the Tirshatha said unto them, that they should not eat of the most holy things, till there stood up a priest with Urim and with Thummim.

Ezra 2:63 nkjv

And the governor said to them that they should not eat of the most holy things till a priest could consult with the Urim and Thummim.

Ezra 2:63 niv

The governor ordered them not to eat any of the most sacred food until there was a priest ministering with the Urim and Thummim.

Ezra 2:63 esv

The governor told them that they were not to partake of the most holy food, until there should be a priest to consult Urim and Thummim.

Ezra 2:63 nlt

The governor told them not to eat the priests' share of food from the sacrifices until a priest could consult the LORD about the matter by using the Urim and Thummim ? the sacred lots.

Ezra 2 verses

Ezra 2 63 Meaning

Ezra 2:63 records a decree from the Persian-appointed governor to the community of returning exiles. Specifically, it addresses those individuals claiming priestly descent but who could not produce proper genealogical records. The governor declared that these priests, whose lineage was uncertain, were not permitted to eat of the most holy things – sacrificial offerings designated exclusively for pure priests – until a high priest equipped with the Urim and Thummim, tools for divine revelation, could provide clear divine confirmation of their lineage. This highlights the paramount importance of priestly purity and the temporary suspension of full priestly privileges for those whose status was in doubt, awaiting a clear word from God.

Ezra 2 63 Context

Ezra chapter 2 meticulously lists the individuals, families, and groups who returned from Babylonian exile to Jerusalem under the leadership of Zerubbabel and Jeshua, the first wave of returnees sanctioned by King Cyrus. This detailed record underscores the emphasis on identity and lineage for re-establishing the community, especially regarding those who would serve in the rebuilt temple. Verse 63 specifically addresses a contentious issue among the priests, whose claims to legitimate descent were uncertain because their ancestral records had been lost or damaged during the exile. The surrounding verses (Ezra 2:61-62 and Nehemiah 7:63-64, its parallel) explicitly name certain priestly families whose names were "searched for among the genealogical records, but they were not found there." This verse, therefore, highlights the immediate challenge of ensuring purity and legitimate authority in religious matters during the initial phase of post-exilic restoration, as well as the hope for direct divine guidance in resolving such complex matters of spiritual leadership.

Ezra 2 63 Word analysis

• The governor (הַתִּרְשָׁתָא - ha-Tirshatha): This Aramaic title refers to the Persian-appointed regional administrator. In the context of Ezra 2 (and Nehemiah 7, the parallel), ha-Tirshatha most likely refers to Zerubbabel, the civil leader of the first wave of returnees. His authority to make such a decree was derived from the Persian imperial administration, making his word binding. The use of this specific title emphasizes the period of foreign dominion over the people of Israel.

• said to them: Refers to the collective group of doubtful priests and their families mentioned in Ezra 2:61-62, specifically "the sons of Habaiah, the sons of Hakkoz, the sons of Barzillai (who had taken a wife of the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite and was called by their name)." These individuals were "registered among those enrolled in the genealogy" but their specific priestly claims could not be verified.

• they should not eat: A prohibition on participating in a fundamental priestly privilege. Eating of specific holy offerings was a core aspect of their priestly service and sustenance. This restriction indicates a partial suspension of their priestly function, not a full disbarment, until clarity was achieved.

• of the most holy things (מִקָּדְשֵׁי הַקֳּדָשִׁים - miqqodesh haqqodashim): Literally, "of the holy of holies" or "the most holy portion." In Mosaic Law, certain sacrificial portions (e.g., from sin offerings, guilt offerings, some grain offerings) were considered qodesh haqqodashim, uniquely set apart for the priests and to be eaten only in a clean place, often the court of the tabernacle/temple, by ritually clean males of Aaron's lineage (Lev 6:29, 7:6). This term emphasizes the highest degree of holiness and purity required for consumption, highlighting the strictness of the standard applied to those whose lineage was uncertain.

• till there stood up a priest with Urim and Tummim: This phrase defines the condition for the doubtful priests to regain full privilege. It refers to the hope for the restoration of a specific, direct means of divine revelation through the High Priest.

• Urim and Tummim (הָאוּרִים וְהַתֻּמִּים - ha-Urim veha-Thummim): Two objects carried in the breastplate of the High Priest, used for discerning God's will and providing definitive answers in complex situations (Exod 28:30; Num 27:21). Their precise nature is unknown (e.g., lots, stones that glowed), but they functioned as an infallible source of divine judgment and direction. By the post-exilic period, it's generally understood that the Urim and Thummim were no longer available, leading to this anticipation for their restoration, symbolizing a direct word from God regarding legitimacy and purity. This emphasizes that human record-keeping was insufficient and ultimate divine approval was required.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "The governor said to them, they should not eat": This phrase demonstrates civil authority asserting control over sacred matters due to the absence of the higher divine authority (Urim and Thummim) in this era. It's a pragmatic ruling to preserve purity while awaiting divine clarity.
  • "most holy things, till there stood up a priest with Urim and Tummim": This phrase succinctly conveys the critical importance of divine discernment in matters of sacred office and privilege. It also reflects a period of theological transition, where the immediate absence of this means of revelation highlighted a greater reliance on scribal tradition, prophetic interpretation, and waiting for clearer divine manifestation. It underscores the community's longing for God's direct guidance and absolute truth.

Ezra 2 63 Bonus section

The specific mention of the Urim and Thummim signifies more than just a means of verification; it reflects a broader longing for definitive divine revelation. After the exile, prophetic voices were becoming less frequent, and direct communication through such tools was largely gone. This verse therefore echoes a desire for the restoration of certainty in discerning God's will and identifying those genuinely set apart for His service. It anticipates a time of restored intimacy and clarity with God. Furthermore, this provisional restriction highlights the high standard of holiness expected of those who minister before God. It foreshadows the New Covenant reality where believers, as a "holy priesthood" (1 Pet 2:9), are called to spiritual purity and discernment through the Holy Spirit and the revealed Word of God, though the need for an external, mechanical device like the Urim and Thummim is superseded by the finished work of Christ, our High Priest (Heb 4:14-16, 7:23-28).

Ezra 2 63 Commentary

Ezra 2:63 represents a critical decision point for the returning exiles. It underscores the meticulous attention given to genealogical purity, particularly for the priesthood, reflecting a deep reverence for the sacred boundaries established by God's Law. The exiles understood that the legitimacy of their worship and their covenant relationship with God depended on maintaining the integrity of the temple service and its appointed ministers. The "most holy things" symbolized the very essence of direct interaction with God in the sacrificial system; to allow an unverified priest to partake would be a grave profanation. The absence of the Urim and Thummim in the post-exilic period was a significant spiritual challenge, symbolizing a perceived diminishment of direct divine communication compared to earlier times. This forced the community into a posture of waiting and hope, anticipating a time when God would again provide such definitive guidance. The ruling demonstrates a practical wisdom to suspend judgment, deferring ultimate resolution to a clear divine revelation. This decision prevented immediate ritual impurity and chaos, providing an interim solution while maintaining faith in God's future, infallible guidance.