Of the children of the priests: the children of Habaiah, the children of Hakkoz, and the children of Barzillai, who took a wife of the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite, and was called after their name. These sought their place among those who were registered by genealogy, but they were not found: therefore were they deemed disqualified and removed from the priesthood. The governor told them that they should not eat of the most holy things until a priest stood up to serve with Urim and with Thummim.
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Ezra 2:61-63 sits inside this longer paragraph.
These were those who went up from Tel Melah, Tel Harsha, Cherub, Addan, and Immer; but they could not show their fathers’ houses, and their offspring, whether they were of Israel: the children of Delaiah, the children of Tobiah, the children of Nekoda, six hundred fifty-two. Of the children of the priests: the children of Habaiah, the children of Hakkoz, and the children of Barzillai, who took a wife of the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite, and was called after their name. These sought their place among those who were registered by genealogy, but they were not found: therefore were they deemed disqualified and removed from the priesthood. The governor told them that they should not eat of the most holy things until a priest stood up to serve with Urim and with Thummim.
Parallel Translations
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Of the children of the priests: the children of Habaiah, the children of Hakkoz, and the children of Barzillai, who took a wife of the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite, and was called after their name.
These sought their place among those who were registered by genealogy, but they were not found: therefore were they deemed disqualified and removed from the priesthood.
The governor told them that they should not eat of the most holy things until a priest stood up to serve with Urim and with Thummim.
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And of the children of the priests: the children of Habaiah, the children of Koz, the children of Barzillai; which took a wife of the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite, and was called after their name:
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.
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.
Show all 3 translations
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And of the children of the priests: the children of Habaiah, the children of Hakkoz, the children of Barzillai, who took a wife of the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite, and was called after their name.
These sought their register, that is, the genealogy, but it was not found; therefore were they deemed polluted and put from the priesthood.
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.
Cross-references (29)
- 2 Samuel 17:27 (v61) When David had come to Mahanaim, Shobi the son of Nahash of Rabbah of the children of Ammon, and Machir the son of Ammiel of Lodebar, and…
- Exodus 28:30 (v63) You shall put in the breastplate of judgment the Urim and the Thummim; and they shall be on Aaron’s heart, when he goes in before Yahweh.…
- Leviticus 2:3 (v63) That which is left of the meal offering shall be Aaron’s and his sons’. It is a most holy part of the offerings of Yahweh made by fire.
- Leviticus 2:10 (v63) That which is left of the meal offering shall be Aaron’s and his sons’. It is a most holy part of the offerings of Yahweh made by fire.
- Numbers 3:10 (v62) You shall appoint Aaron and his sons, and they shall keep their priesthood, but the stranger who comes near shall be put to death.”
Show all 29 cross-references
- Numbers 27:21 (v63) He shall stand before Eleazar the priest, who shall inquire for him by the judgment of the Urim before Yahweh. At his word they shall go…
- Leviticus 22:10 (v63) “ ‘No stranger shall eat of the holy thing: a foreigner living with the priests, or a hired servant, shall not eat of the holy thing.
- Numbers 16:39-40 (v62) Eleazar the priest took the bronze censers which those who were burned had offered; and they beat them out for a covering of the altar, to…
- 1 Kings 2:7 (v61) But show kindness to the sons of Barzillai the Gileadite, and let them be among those who eat at your table; for so they came to me when I…
- Nehemiah 8:9 (v63) Nehemiah, who was the governor, and Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people, said to all the people, “Today is…
- Leviticus 6:17 (v63) It shall not be baked with yeast. I have given it as their portion of my offerings made by fire. It is most holy, as are the sin offering…
- Leviticus 6:29 (v63) Every male among the priests shall eat of it. It is most holy.
- Leviticus 7:16 (v63) “ ‘But if the sacrifice of his offering is a vow, or a free will offering, it shall be eaten on the day that he offers his sacrifice. On…
- Leviticus 8:8 (v63) He placed the breastplate on him. He put the Urim and Thummim in the breastplate.
- Leviticus 10:17-18 (v63) “Why haven’t you eaten the sin offering in the place of the sanctuary, since it is most holy, and he has given it to you to bear the…
- Leviticus 21:21-23 (v62) No man of the offspring of Aaron the priest who has a defect shall come near to offer the offerings of Yahweh made by fire. Since he has a…
- Leviticus 22:2-3 (v63) “Tell Aaron and his sons to separate themselves from the holy things of the children of Israel, which they make holy to me, and that they…
- Leviticus 22:14-16 (v63) “ ‘If a man eats something holy unwittingly, then he shall add the fifth part of its value to it, and shall give the holy thing to the…
- Numbers 18:7 (v62) You and your sons with you shall keep your priesthood for everything of the altar, and for that within the veil. You shall serve. I give…
- Numbers 18:9-11 (v63) This shall be yours of the most holy things from the fire: every offering of theirs, even every meal offering of theirs, and every sin…
- Numbers 18:19 (v63) All the wave offerings of the holy things which the children of Israel offer to Yahweh, I have given you and your sons and your daughters…
- Numbers 18:32 (v63) You shall bear no sin by reason of it, when you have heaved from it its best. You shall not profane the holy things of the children of…
- Deuteronomy 33:8 (v63) About Levi he said, “Your Thummim and your Urim are with your godly one, whom you proved at Massah, with whom you contended at the waters…
- 1 Samuel 28:6 (v63) When Saul inquired of Yahweh, Yahweh didn’t answer him by dreams, by Urim, or by prophets.
- 2 Samuel 19:31-39 (v61) Barzillai the Gileadite came down from Rogelim; and he went over the Jordan with the king, to conduct him over the Jordan. Now Barzillai…
- Nehemiah 7:63-64 (v61) Of the priests: the children of Hobaiah, the children of Hakkoz, the children of Barzillai, who took a wife of the daughters of Barzillai…
- Nehemiah 7:65 (v63) The governor told that they should not eat of the most holy things until a priest stood up to minister with Urim and Thummim.
- Nehemiah 10:1 (v63) Now those who sealed were: Nehemiah the governor, the son of Hacaliah, and Zedekiah,
- Ezekiel 44:10-14 (v62) “ ‘ “But the Levites who went far from me, when Israel went astray, who went astray from me after their idols, they will bear their…
Cross-references from openbible.info (CC BY 4.0)
Explain this passage (18 sources)
Historical commentary, presented as a primary source — not an endorsement.
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Geneva Bible translators 1599 · Public Domain On vv61, 63 Of him is made mention, 2 Sam. 17:27 and…
Of him is made mention, 2 Sam. 17:27 and 19:31, and because the Priest’s office was had 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.
Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain.
John Trapp 1656 · Public Domain On vv61–63 Ezr 2:61 And of the children of the priests:…
Ezr 2:61 And of the children of the priests: the children of Habaiah, the children of Koz, the children of Barzillai; which took a wife of the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite, and was called after their name:
Ver. 61. And was called after their name] After the name of his wife’s father, that noble Gileadite; as holding it a greater honour to be allied to Barzillai than to be looked upon as a priest. It was therefore just upon such proud and insolent people, that as they had once scorned the priesthood, so the priesthood should now scorn them.
John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Matthew Poole 1685 · Public Domain On vv61–63 To wit, Barzillai; which name he preferred before that…
To wit, Barzillai; which name he preferred before that of his own family, accounting it, as it seems, a greater honour to be allied to so noble a family, than to be a priest of the Lord. But by this ambition he deprived himself of the honour and advantage of the priesthood, as it is here noted, Ezr 2:62.
Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
John Gill 1763 · Public Domain On vv61–63 The whole congregation together was forty and two thousand…
The whole congregation together was forty and two thousand three hundred and threescore. But the sums before given make no more, with Zerubbabel, and the ten principal men, than 29,829, so that there are more than 12,000 wanting; wherefore, in answer to the question, where are the 12,000? the Jews say in their chronology (a) these are they of the other tribes, who set up the altar on its bases, and gave money to the masons, &c. Ezr 3:1, this was a much larger number than were carried captive; see Kg2 24:14, but not to be compared with the number that came out of Egypt, Exo 12:37. An Arabic writer (b) makes them 50,000, but wrongly.
(a) Seder Olam Rabba, c. 29. p. 86. (b) Abulpharag. Hist. Dynast. Dyn. 5. p. 82.
John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
John Wesley 1765 · Public Domain On vv62–63 Genealogy - The Jews were generally very exact in…
Genealogy - The Jews were generally very exact in their genealogies from their own choice and interest, that they might preserve the distinctions of the several tribes and families, which was necessary both to make out their titles to offices or inheritances, and to govern themselves thereby in the matter of marriages, and from the special providence of God, that so it might be certainly known of what tribe and family the Messiah was born.
John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the Whole Bible (1754–1765) — public domain. Text via the GEBible commentary corpus.
Adam Clarke 1810 · Public Domain On v63 Verse 63. The Tirshatha] This is generally supposed to…
Verse 63. The Tirshatha] This is generally supposed to be Nehemiah, or the person who was the commandant; see Neh 8:9; Neh 10:1, for the word appears to be the name of an office. The Vulgate and Septuagint write it Atershatha, the Syriac and Arabic render it the princes of Judah. Some suppose the word to be Persian, but nothing like it of the same import occurs in that language at present. If, as Castel supposed, it signifies austerity, or that fear which is unpressed by the authority of a governor, it may come from [Persian] ters, FEAR, or [Persian] tersh, ACID, the former from [Persian] tarsidan, to FEAR or DREAD.
Should not eat of the most holy things] There was a high priest then, but no Urim and Thummim, these having been lost in the captivity.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Joseph Benson 1811 · Public Domain On vv61, 63 Ezr 2:61-62. And was called after their name —…
Ezr 2:61-62. And was called after their name — Namely, Barzillai; a name which he preferred before that of his own family, accounting it, as appears, a greater honour to be allied to so noble a family than to be a priest of the Lord. But by this vain ambition he deprived himself of the honour and advantage of the priesthood, as is here noted. They sought their register — The Jews were generally very exact in their genealogies, from their own choice and interest, that they might preserve the distinctions of the several tribes and families, which was necessary both to make out their titles to offices or inheritances, and to govern themselves thereby in the matter of marriages, and from the special providence of God, that so it might be certainly known of what tribe and family the Messiah was born.
Joseph Benson's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1811–1818) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Albert Barnes 1834 · Public Domain On v63 The Tirshatha - i. e., Zerubbabel. See margin. The…
The Tirshatha - i. e., Zerubbabel. See margin. The word is probably old Persian, though it does not occur in the cuneiform inscriptions. Some derive it from a root “to fear.” See the introduction to the Book of Ezra, first note.
A priest with Urim and with Thummim - See Exo 28:30 note. According to the rabbinical writers, the second temple permanently lacked this glory of the first. Zerubbabel, it would seem by the present passage (compare Neh 7:65), expected that the loss would be only temporary.
Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary 1859 · Public Domain On vv61–63 Their name. The priest, Berzellai, assumed the name of…
Their name. The priest, Berzellai, assumed the name of the family, from which he had chosen a wife. (Haydock) --- It was that of the famous old man, who was so hospitable to David, 2 Kings xix. 31. (Calmet)
George Leo Haydock (1774–1849), Haydock's Catholic Family Bible and Commentary, 1859 edition — public domain. Excludes Psalms (Douay-Rheims chapter numbering differs from Protestant) and Deuterocanonical books (Catholic canon only).
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown 1871 · Public Domain On vv61, 63 the children of Barzillai--He preferred that name to that…
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.
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown — Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
Daniel D. Whedon 1874 · Public Domain On vv61–63 61. The children of Barzillai — So called, as…
61. The children of Barzillai — So called, as is immediately explained, because their ancestor, a priest, had married a daughter of the distinguished Gileadite, who showed great kindness to David. 2Sa_17:27; 2Sa_19:32-39; 1Ki_2:7.
Their name — The name of the daughters. Hence the confusion in their genealogy.
Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges 1878 · Public Domain On vv61–63 61. Habaiah] This name appears in Neh_7:63 as ‘Hobaiah’.…
61. Habaiah] This name appears in Neh_7:63 as ‘Hobaiah’. R.V.
Koz] R.V. ‘Hakkoz’. This name appears as that of the seventh priestly course in 1Ch_24:10.
Read full note →
of the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite] Barzillai, the rich and noble Gileadite who assisted David during his flight from his son Absalom. Barzillai’s son Chimham accompanied David to Jerusalem on his return (2Sa_17:27; 2Sa_19:32 ff.; 1Ki_2:7). Chimham probably founded a family called after his own name, which resided at Bethlehem (Jer_41:17). Barzillai’s position and estates in Gilead were inherited by his daughters, through whom their father’s name was preserved. One of them was married to a priest, who thereupon received the family name. His descendants however were unable to make out their claim to belong to the priesthood; possibly on account of the confusion resulting from the altered name.
The R.V. places a full stop at the close of this verse.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers 1878 · Public Domain On vv61–63 (61) Barzillai the Gileadite.—See the well-known history in 2Sa_17:27.
(61) Barzillai the Gileadite.—See the well-known history in 2Sa_17:27.
After their name.—Rather, after her name, she having been probably an heiress.
A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Pulpit Commentary 1880 · Public Domain On vv61, 63 Of the children of the priests. Some of those…
Of the children of the priests. Some of those who claimed to be descendants of Aaron, and therefore priests, had also lost the evidence of their descent. This loss was held to disqualify them from the exercise of the priestly office (ver. 62).
HOMILIES BY J.A. MACDONALD Vers. 61-63.
Read full note →
The privileges of the priesthood.
We are here forcibly reminded
I THAT THE PRIESTHOOD HAD ITS PRIVILEGES. These were
1. They were sanctified to the service of God.
(1) Distinguished from the tribes whose inheritance was in the soil. (see Num_18:20)
(2) Distinguished among the Levites. They were sons of Aaron. Were served by the Levites. While they served in the holy places, at the altar, within the veil. (see Num_18:7)
2. They ate of the most holy things.
(1) As Levites, they had tithes from the nation.
(2) As priests, they had tithes from the Levites. (Num_18:20, Num_18:21, Num_18:26-28)
(3) They partook of the altar. (see Lev_6:16, 26 7:6, etc.)
(4) They ate the shew-bread of the Presence, viz., of the Shekinah, the visible glory of God. All this symbolically expressed near fellowship with God.
II THE LAW PRIESTS WERE TYPES OF TRUE CHRISTIANS.
1. In their birth, as sons of Aaron.
(1) Aaron was a type of Christ. See arguments in Epistle to the Hebrews.
(2) Christians are of the family of Christ. (see Eph_3:14, Eph_3:15; Gal_4:4-7) Have we the spiritual birth?
2. In their office, as priests of God.
(1) Christians are a spiritual priesthood. (see Isa_61:6; 1Pe_2:5, 1Pe_2:9; Rev_1:6)
(2) They have a spiritual consecration. (see 2Co_1:21; 1Jn_2:20, 1Jn_2:27)
(3) They offer spiritual sacrifices. Themselves. (Rom_12:1) Sacrifices of prayer, of praise, of service. (see Hos_14:2; Heb_13:15)
3. In the privileges of their office.
(1) They draw nigh to God. The law priest entered the holy place. We enter the most holy. (see Heb_10:19-22)
(2) They feast with God. This glorious fellowship is now expressed in the Lord"s Supper.
III THOSE WHO ASPIRE TO THESE PRIVILEGES MUST BE ABLE TO SHOW A VALID TITLE,
1. As to the priesthood under the law.
(1) Case of the children of Habai and Koz. These not elsewhere otherwise mentioned. Here acknowledged as sons of Aaron. Their reputed descendants could not show their genealogy from them.
(2) Case of the children of Barzillai"s daughter. Honourable mention made of Barzillai. (see 2Sa_17:27-29 2Sa_19:31-39) This accounts for descendants of his daughter assuming his name rather than that of their father.
(3) They were therefore excluded (Hebrews, polluted) from the priesthood. Lost the sanctity; also the privileges.
2. As to the priesthood under the gospel.
(1) As with the aspirants through Habai and Koz, the reputation of being of the family of Jesus will not avail. Have you evidence of spiritual birth?
(2) As with the aspirants bearing the honourable name of Barzillai, respectability will not avail in place of a spiritual title. We must be real.
(3) The Tirshatha will scrutinize our claims. We must all pass the scrutiny of the judgment.
3. But is it possible for us to make up a valid title?
(1) What does the Tirshatha say (see ver. 68)?
(2) The Urim and Thummim were wanting then. These were used in the breastplate of the high priest for obtaining responses from the Shekinah of God in the temple. Neither these "lights and perfections" nor the Shekinah to illuminate them were found in the second temple.
(3) We have a High Priest who stands up with these, even Jesus, who ministers in the grander temple. Through his glorious Spirit, the true Shekinah, we have in our breasts the most perfect illuminations. By these we ascertain our spiritual birth with its titles. Have we this most sacred, this most indubitable assurance? J.A.M.
The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Biblical Illustrator 1887 · Public Domain On v62 These sought their register.
Ezr_2:62
These sought their register.
Read full note →
The importance of a clear spiritual pedigree
I. The doubtful pedigree amongst the people is an illustration of uncertainty as to our spiritual state.
1. This uncertainty may consist with association with the people of God (Ezr_2:59-60).
2. This uncertainty must involve spiritual loss.
(1) Of spiritual joy.
(2) Of spiritual usefulness.
Lacking Christian assurance our testimony for Christ would be likely to be deficient in clearness and attractiveness, in fervour and force; it would especially fail to set forth the joyful character of true religion.
II. The doubtful pedigree amongst the priests is an illustration of uncertainty as to our ministerial calling and condition.
1. A ministerial pedigree may be lost by reason of worldliness.
2. The loss of ministerial pedigree involves a corresponding loss of ministerial power and reward.
3. The final decision as to the standing of a minister of uncertain pedigree must be given by God Himself (Ezr_2:63). (William Jones.)
Melancholy records
Here is the picture of men seeking a register, and finding nothing in it; looking up old family papers, and their names are not found in the tender record. A man not known at home! He may have been born there, and have lived a good many years of his early life there; but to-day he has no record on the hearthstone, no place at the table, no portion in the family memory: it would be a breach of courtesy to name his name. Something must have happened. There is an ineffable sadness about this: all nature seems to be violated; instincts have been rooted out; natural affection seems to have been burned down and utterly destroyed. Consider the tremendous possibility of outliving ones natural rights, or forfeiting birthright, inheritance, paternal blessing, all the wealth of homes true love. Talk of falling from grace! What is this but an apostasy from the best grace--a fall from childhoods trust, the wilful obliteration of the name from the scroll whose meaning is nothing but love? Here is a child who is not named in the will. Consider what you have done. How infinite in detestation must have been the character which resulted in this issue! Take more general ground, and the principle still applies. Here is a man who is unknown in the community; his name may be written upon certain official papers, but it is not inscribed on the scroll of the heart, on the memory of gratitude; it is not to be found anywhere put up as a thing most prized and loved. He is but a figure in the community, but a tax-payer, but an occupier of a house; he is not a living presence in any sense of beneficence. When he is buried no one will miss him in the heart. His name is not written upon the register of trust, affection, or benevolent interest. Seeing that all these things are possible, there must be a reason for them: what is it? It is always a moral reason, where it touches any conception of general justice. At the last shall we go to the book of life and not find our names there? The answer is in our own lives. Sad to turn away from the record, saying, My name is not there! But, blessed be God, the humblest, least, vilest may, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, the whole mystery of the priesthood of Christ, have their names written in heaven. (J. Parker, D. D)
The Biblical Illustrator, edited by Joseph S. Exell (c. 1880s–1900s) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
C. I. Scofield 1917 · Public Domain On v63 (See Scofield "Exo 28:30").
Urim
(See Scofield "Exo 28:30").
The Scofield Reference Bible (1917 edition), notes by C. I. Scofield — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
unfoldingWord translationNotes 2017 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On v61 Habaiah ... Hakkoz ... Barzillai
Habaiah ... Hakkoz ... Barzillai
These are men's names. (See: How to Translate Names)
Read full note →
their genealogical records
the records that told who their ancestors were
could not find them
"could not find their names in the records of the priests"
they were excluded from the priesthood as unclean
This can be translated in active form. The abstract noun "priesthood" can be translated as the verb "work as priests." AT: "the other priests treated them as if they were unclean and did not allow them to work as priests" (See: Active or Passive and Abstract Nouns)
unclean
not fit to be priests
Urim and Thummim
two items like dice that the priests used to decide what God wanted them to do
translationWords
priest
descend
Gilead
name
defile
govern
holy
sacrifice
unfoldingWord translationNotes — © Distant Shores Media and the Door43 World Missions Community, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: git.door43.org/Door43/en_tn.
Tyndale Open Study Notes 2022 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On v61 2:61-63 were not found: The lack of a genealogy…
2:61-63 were not found: The lack of a genealogy was problematic for three families (2:61-62). They were excluded from priestly privileges or responsibilities until the high priest received divine direction through the use of the Urim and Thummim to determine the will of God (see Exod 28:30; Num 27:21). Although using the Urim and Thummim resembled throwing dice or drawing straws, when done by the priest, the result was a divine decision rather than blind chance.
Tyndale Open Study Notes — © Tyndale Open Resources, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Text via the HelloAO Bible API.