Ezra 8:19 kjv
And Hashabiah, and with him Jeshaiah of the sons of Merari, his brethren and their sons, twenty;
Ezra 8:19 nkjv
and Hashabiah, and with him Jeshaiah of the sons of Merari, his brothers and their sons, twenty men;
Ezra 8:19 niv
and Hashabiah, together with Jeshaiah from the descendants of Merari, and his brothers and nephews, 20 in all.
Ezra 8:19 esv
also Hashabiah, and with him Jeshaiah of the sons of Merari, with his kinsmen and their sons, 20;
Ezra 8:19 nlt
They also sent Hashabiah, together with Jeshaiah from the descendants of Merari, and twenty of his sons and brothers,
Ezra 8 19 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Num 3:33-37 | Of Merari were the family of the Mahlites... their charge was... | Merarites' specific duties in Tabernacle care. |
| Num 4:29-32 | For the sons of Merari, you shall order them according to their generations... for their burden. | Merarites responsible for transport of heavy Tabernacle parts. |
| Ezra 7:6 | ...Ezra, a scribe skilled in the Law of Moses... | Ezra's divine commission and legal expertise. |
| Ezra 7:27-28 | Blessed be the LORD... who put such a thing as this into the heart of the king... | God's sovereign hand guiding secular rulers. |
| Ezra 8:15 | ...when I reviewed the people and the priests, I found none of the sons of Levi there. | Initial scarcity of Levites highlights their value. |
| Ezra 8:16 | Then I sent for Eliezer, Ariel, Shemaiah... | Ezra's active leadership in recruiting Levites. |
| Ezra 8:18 | ...they brought us a man of understanding, of the sons of Mahli, son of Levi... Sherebiah... | God's provision of skilled and willing Levites. |
| Ezra 8:20 | also of the Nethinim, whom David and the princes had given for the service of the Levites... | Inclusion of temple servants for comprehensive support. |
| Ezra 8:21 | Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river Ahava, that we might humble ourselves... | Dependence on God for safety and guidance. |
| Ezra 8:24-30 | Then I set apart twelve of the chiefs of the priests... and weighed out to them... | Accountability and careful stewardship of sacred vessels. |
| Neh 11:22 | The overseer of the Levites in Jerusalem was Uzzi the son of Bani... | Ongoing importance of Levites in post-exilic Jerusalem. |
| 1 Chr 9:14 | And of the Levites: Shemaiah the son of Hashub... | Hashabiah as a recurring name for Levites. |
| 1 Chr 26:30 | Of the Hebronites, Hashabiah and his kinsmen... in the work of the LORD. | Another Hashabiah active in Levitical duties. |
| 2 Chr 29:3-5 | He [Hezekiah] opened the doors of the house of the LORD... and brought in the priests and the Levites. | Importance of Levites in past Temple reforms. |
| Hag 1:8 | Go up to the hills and bring wood and build the house... | Divine call to rebuild God's dwelling place. |
| Zec 4:6 | Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the LORD. | God's Spirit enabling the work of restoration. |
| Mal 3:10 | Bring the full tithe into the storehouse... that there may be food in my house. | Support for Levites crucial for Temple function. |
| Rom 12:4-5 | For as in one body we have many members... | Diversity of roles united for God's purposes. |
| 1 Pet 4:10-11 | As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another... | Utilizing spiritual gifts in collective service. |
| Eph 4:11-13 | And he gave the apostles, the prophets... to equip the saints for the work of ministry. | Divine appointment of leaders for church service. |
| 1 Cor 12:12-27 | For just as the body is one and has many members... | Each part vital for the functioning of the body. |
| Php 2:3-4 | Do nothing from selfish ambition... but in humility count others more significant. | Humility and valuing fellow workers in service. |
| Tit 3:8 | ...those who have believed in God should be careful to devote themselves to good works. | Encouragement for believers to engage in practical service. |
Ezra 8 verses
Ezra 8 19 Meaning
Ezra 8:19 specifies the inclusion of two prominent individuals, Hashabiah and Jeshaiah, both Levites descending from the clan of Merari. The verse details that they, accompanied by their male kin and their respective sons, collectively formed a group of twenty individuals. This precise count signifies a meticulously organized and accounted contingent within the larger returning exilic community, designated for crucial roles in the restoration of Temple service in Jerusalem.
Ezra 8 19 Context
Ezra 8 describes the gathering and organization of Jewish exiles for their journey from Babylon back to Jerusalem, led by Ezra, during the reign of King Artaxerxes. A critical part of Ezra's preparation was ensuring that enough Levites were among the returnees, as their numbers were conspicuously low in the initial assembly (Ezra 8:15). Ezra, with the help of leaders, sent for significant Levites, including men of understanding. Verses 18-20 list those who answered the call, bringing in not only Levites like Sherebiah and Hashabiah but also additional Levites and Nethinim (temple servants) whose lineage and count are precisely recorded. Verse 19 specifically details one such group—Hashabiah, Jeshaiah, and their related kinsmen and sons—who totaled twenty. This meticulous accounting reflects the serious, sacred nature of their mission: rebuilding and re-establishing the Temple service and upholding the Mosaic Law in Jerusalem, particularly given the perils of the journey and the immense value of the holy vessels they transported.
Ezra 8 19 Word analysis
- also: This connective word signals an addition to the preceding list of returnees, emphasizing that these specific individuals and their families were likewise integrated into the expedition.
- Hashabiah (Hebrew: חֲשַׁבְיָה, Chashabyah): Meaning "Yahweh has considered" or "Yahweh has accounted." This name, often borne by Levites, implies one who is noticed or valued by God, and whose life counts for a divine purpose. His inclusion signifies a recognized leader in the Levitical order.
- and with him: Indicates close association and possibly joint leadership or accountability for a segment of the returning group. It denotes a partnership in their sacred task.
- Jeshaiah (Hebrew: יְשַׁעְיָה, Yesha`yah): Meaning "Yahweh is salvation." This name, also common among Levites and prophets, reflects a personal connection to God's redemptive work. His presence suggests another established and willing participant in the restoration effort.
- of the sons of Merari: (Hebrew: בְּנֵי מְרָרִי, b'nei M'rari). This phrase precisely identifies their Levitical lineage. Merari was a son of Levi, and his descendants, the Merarites, traditionally bore the primary responsibility for the heaviest components of the Tabernacle and later the Temple (Numbers 4:29-32). Their presence was essential for the full functioning of the Temple, specifically perhaps related to the transport and setup of sacred articles or structural components.
- and his brothers: This broadens the identified group to include other adult male relatives of Jeshaiah within the Merarite clan, signifying a familial commitment to the journey and service. It implies collective support and shared responsibility beyond single individuals.
- and their sons: Encompasses the male offspring of both Jeshaiah and his brothers. This detail is significant as it demonstrates a generational continuity in service, ensuring that the work would extend beyond the immediate leaders to the next generation. It also indicates a larger communal involvement rather than just isolated individuals.
- twenty: (Hebrew: עֶשְׂרִים, `esrim). This precise numerical designation indicates meticulous planning and accountability. It wasn't an approximate count but an exact tally of individuals belonging to this specific familial unit of Levites dedicated to the mission. In a dangerous journey carrying immense treasures, precise counting ensured every person was acknowledged and potentially responsible.
Ezra 8 19 Bonus section
The explicit naming of leaders like Hashabiah and Jeshaiah and the precise tally of "twenty" highlights a spiritual principle of order and accountability in God's service. Every member counted, not just for a census, but for their specific role and shared responsibility in the collective undertaking. This verse implies that even after significant spiritual apathy or reluctance (as seen in the Levites' initial absence), God's grace and faithful leadership (Ezra's efforts) can gather a devoted remnant. The Merarites, historically responsible for the heavier, structural aspects of the Tabernacle, suggest that those involved in the physical upkeep and order of God's house were seen as just as vital as those in more public worship roles.
Ezra 8 19 Commentary
Ezra 8:19, though brief, provides valuable insight into Ezra's organized and divinely supported return to Jerusalem. The verse underscores the critical importance of Levites in the post-exilic community. Ezra’s active pursuit of these spiritual leaders, following their initial absence among the returnees (Ezra 8:15), demonstrates his conviction that true restoration must include proper worship facilitated by those specifically consecrated to Temple service. Hashabiah and Jeshaiah, representing the Merarite clan, were key figures, indicating that the new Temple system sought to reinstate the comprehensive functions of all Levitical families as outlined in Mosaic law. The explicit count of "twenty," including "brothers and their sons," reflects the meticulous care taken for the expedition. This attention to detail speaks of the responsibility assigned to each individual, the accountability for the sacred treasures, and the crucial establishment of a multi-generational workforce essential for sustained worship and adherence to God’s Law. This passage reveals that even in daunting circumstances, God calls forth specific individuals and families to fulfill His purposes through organized and communal dedication.