Study Desk

Cyrus Helps the Exiles to Return^(a)

In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, in order to fulfill the word of the Lord spoken by Jeremiah,^(b) the Lord moved the heart^(c) of Cyrus king of Persia to make a proclamation throughout his realm and also to put it in writing:

"This is what Cyrus king of Persia says: "‘The Lord , the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth and he has appointed^(d) me to build^(e) a temple for him at Jerusalem in Judah.

Any of his people among you may go up to Jerusalem in Judah and build the temple of the Lord , the God of Israel, the God who is in Jerusalem, and may their God be with them.

And in any locality where survivors^(f) may now be living, the people are to provide them with silver and gold,^(g) with goods and livestock, and with freewill offerings^(h) for the temple of God⁽ⁱ⁾ in Jerusalem.'"^(j)

Then the family heads of Judah and Benjamin,^(k) and the priests and Levites—everyone whose heart God had moved^(l)—prepared to go up and build the house^(m) of the Lord in Jerusalem.

All their neighbors assisted them with articles of silver and gold,⁽ⁿ⁾ with goods and livestock, and with valuable gifts, in addition to all the freewill offerings.

Moreover, King Cyrus brought out the articles belonging to the temple of the Lord , which Nebuchadnezzar had carried away from Jerusalem and had placed in the temple of his god.^[a](o)

Cyrus king of Persia had them brought by Mithredath the treasurer, who counted them out to Sheshbazzar^(p) the prince of Judah.

This was the inventory:

gold dishes	30
silver dishes	1,000
silver pans[b]	29 Footnotes:   Cross References:   Ezra 1:10 [ Read Chapter | Listen to Audio | View Context | Multi-Translations | Study Tools ]
gold bowls	30
matching silver bowls	410
other articles	1,000 Ezra 1:11 [ Read Chapter | Listen to Audio | View Context | Multi-Translations | Study Tools ]

In all, there were 5,400 articles of gold and of silver. Sheshbazzar brought all these along with the exiles when they came up from Babylon to Jerusalem.

The List of the Exiles Who Returned^(a)

Now these are the people of the province who came up from the captivity of the exiles,^(b) whom Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon^(c) had taken captive to Babylon (they returned to Jerusalem and Judah, each to their own town,^(d)

in company with Zerubbabel,^(e) Joshua,^(f) Nehemiah, Seraiah,^(g) Reelaiah, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispar, Bigvai, Rehum and Baanah): The list of the men of the people of Israel:

the descendants of Parosh(h)	2,172 Footnotes:   Cross References:   Ezra 2:4 [ Read Chapter | Listen to Audio | View Context | Multi-Translations | Study Tools ]
of Shephatiah	372 Ezra 2:5 [ Read Chapter | Listen to Audio | View Context | Multi-Translations | Study Tools ]
of Arah	775 Ezra 2:6 [ Read Chapter | Listen to Audio | View Context | Multi-Translations | Study Tools ]
of Pahath-Moab (through the line of Jeshua and Joab)	2,812 Ezra 2:7 [ Read Chapter | Listen to Audio | View Context | Multi-Translations | Study Tools ]
of Elam	1,254 Ezra 2:8 [ Read Chapter | Listen to Audio | View Context | Multi-Translations | Study Tools ]
of Zattu	945 Ezra 2:9 [ Read Chapter | Listen to Audio | View Context | Multi-Translations | Study Tools ]
of Zakkai	760 Ezra 2:10 [ Read Chapter | Listen to Audio | View Context | Multi-Translations | Study Tools ]
of Bani	642 Ezra 2:11 [ Read Chapter | Listen to Audio | View Context | Multi-Translations | Study Tools ]
of Bebai	623 Ezra 2:12 [ Read Chapter | Listen to Audio | View Context | Multi-Translations | Study Tools ]
of Azgad	1,222 Ezra 2:13 [ Read Chapter | Listen to Audio | View Context | Multi-Translations | Study Tools ]
of Adonikam(i)	666 Footnotes:   Cross References:   Ezra 2:14 [ Read Chapter | Listen to Audio | View Context | Multi-Translations | Study Tools ]
of Bigvai	2,056 Ezra 2:15 [ Read Chapter | Listen to Audio | View Context | Multi-Translations | Study Tools ]
of Adin	454 Ezra 2:16 [ Read Chapter | Listen to Audio | View Context | Multi-Translations | Study Tools ]
of Ater (through Hezekiah)	98 Ezra 2:17 [ Read Chapter | Listen to Audio | View Context | Multi-Translations | Study Tools ]
of Bezai	323 Ezra 2:18 [ Read Chapter | Listen to Audio | View Context | Multi-Translations | Study Tools ]
of Jorah	112 Ezra 2:19 [ Read Chapter | Listen to Audio | View Context | Multi-Translations | Study Tools ]
of Hashum	223 Ezra 2:20 [ Read Chapter | Listen to Audio | View Context | Multi-Translations | Study Tools ]
of Gibbar	95 Ezra 2:21 [ Read Chapter | Listen to Audio | View Context | Multi-Translations | Study Tools ]

the men of Bethlehem(j)	123 Footnotes:   Cross References:   Ezra 2:22 [ Read Chapter | Listen to Audio | View Context | Multi-Translations | Study Tools ]
of Netophah	56 Ezra 2:23 [ Read Chapter | Listen to Audio | View Context | Multi-Translations | Study Tools ]
of Anathoth	128 Ezra 2:24 [ Read Chapter | Listen to Audio | View Context | Multi-Translations | Study Tools ]
of Azmaveth	42 Ezra 2:25 [ Read Chapter | Listen to Audio | View Context | Multi-Translations | Study Tools ]
of Kiriath Jearim,[a] Kephirah and Beeroth	743 Footnotes:   Cross References:   Ezra 2:26 [ Read Chapter | Listen to Audio | View Context | Multi-Translations | Study Tools ]
of Ramah(k) and Geba	621 Footnotes:   Cross References:   Ezra 2:27 [ Read Chapter | Listen to Audio | View Context | Multi-Translations | Study Tools ]
of Mikmash	122 Ezra 2:28 [ Read Chapter | Listen to Audio | View Context | Multi-Translations | Study Tools ]
of Bethel and Ai(l)	223 Footnotes:   Cross References:   Ezra 2:29 [ Read Chapter | Listen to Audio | View Context | Multi-Translations | Study Tools ]
of Nebo	52 Ezra 2:30 [ Read Chapter | Listen to Audio | View Context | Multi-Translations | Study Tools ]
of Magbish	156 Ezra 2:31 [ Read Chapter | Listen to Audio | View Context | Multi-Translations | Study Tools ]
of the other Elam	1,254 Ezra 2:32 [ Read Chapter | Listen to Audio | View Context | Multi-Translations | Study Tools ]
of Harim	320 Ezra 2:33 [ Read Chapter | Listen to Audio | View Context | Multi-Translations | Study Tools ]
of Lod, Hadid and Ono	725 Ezra 2:34 [ Read Chapter | Listen to Audio | View Context | Multi-Translations | Study Tools ]
of Jericho(m)	345 Footnotes:   Cross References:   Ezra 2:35 [ Read Chapter | Listen to Audio | View Context | Multi-Translations | Study Tools ]
of Senaah	3,630 Ezra 2:36 [ Read Chapter | Listen to Audio | View Context | Multi-Translations | Study Tools ]

The priests:

the descendants of Jedaiah(n) (through the family of Jeshua)	973 Footnotes:   Cross References:   Ezra 2:37 [ Read Chapter | Listen to Audio | View Context | Multi-Translations | Study Tools ]
of Immer(o)	1,052 Footnotes:   Cross References:   Ezra 2:38 [ Read Chapter | Listen to Audio | View Context | Multi-Translations | Study Tools ]
of Pashhur(p)	1,247 Footnotes:   Cross References:   Ezra 2:39 [ Read Chapter | Listen to Audio | View Context | Multi-Translations | Study Tools ]
of Harim(q)	1,017 Footnotes:   Cross References:   Ezra 2:40 [ Read Chapter | Listen to Audio | View Context | Multi-Translations | Study Tools ]

The Levites:^(r)

the descendants of Jeshua(s) and Kadmiel (of the line of Hodaviah)

74 Footnotes:   Cross References:   Ezra 2:41 [ Read Chapter | Listen to Audio | View Context | Multi-Translations | Study Tools ]

The musicians:^(t)

the descendants of Asaph

128 Footnotes:   Cross References:   Ezra 2:42 [ Read Chapter | Listen to Audio | View Context | Multi-Translations | Study Tools ]

The gatekeepers^(u) of the temple:

the descendants of
Shallum, Ater, Talmon,
Akkub, Hatita and Shobai	139 Footnotes:   Cross References:   Ezra 2:43 [ Read Chapter | Listen to Audio | View Context | Multi-Translations | Study Tools ]

The temple servants:^(v)

the descendants of

Ziha, Hasupha, Tabbaoth, Footnotes:   Cross References:   Ezra 2:44 [ Read Chapter | Listen to Audio | View Context | Multi-Translations | Study Tools ]

Keros, Siaha, Padon, Ezra 2:45 [ Read Chapter | Listen to Audio | View Context | Multi-Translations | Study Tools ]

Lebanah, Hagabah, Akkub, Ezra 2:46 [ Read Chapter | Listen to Audio | View Context | Multi-Translations | Study Tools ]

Hagab, Shalmai, Hanan, Ezra 2:47 [ Read Chapter | Listen to Audio | View Context | Multi-Translations | Study Tools ]

Giddel, Gahar, Reaiah, Ezra 2:48 [ Read Chapter | Listen to Audio | View Context | Multi-Translations | Study Tools ]

Rezin, Nekoda, Gazzam, Ezra 2:49 [ Read Chapter | Listen to Audio | View Context | Multi-Translations | Study Tools ]

Uzza, Paseah, Besai, Ezra 2:50 [ Read Chapter | Listen to Audio | View Context | Multi-Translations | Study Tools ]

Asnah, Meunim, Nephusim, Ezra 2:51 [ Read Chapter | Listen to Audio | View Context | Multi-Translations | Study Tools ]

Bakbuk, Hakupha, Harhur, Ezra 2:52 [ Read Chapter | Listen to Audio | View Context | Multi-Translations | Study Tools ]

Bazluth, Mehida, Harsha, Ezra 2:53 [ Read Chapter | Listen to Audio | View Context | Multi-Translations | Study Tools ]

Barkos, Sisera, Temah, Ezra 2:54 [ Read Chapter | Listen to Audio | View Context | Multi-Translations | Study Tools ]

Neziah and Hatipha Ezra 2:55 [ Read Chapter | Listen to Audio | View Context | Multi-Translations | Study Tools ]

The descendants of the servants of Solomon:

the descendants of

Sotai, Hassophereth, Peruda, Ezra 2:56 [ Read Chapter | Listen to Audio | View Context | Multi-Translations | Study Tools ]

Jaala, Darkon, Giddel, Ezra 2:57 [ Read Chapter | Listen to Audio | View Context | Multi-Translations | Study Tools ]

Shephatiah, Hattil,

Pokereth-Hazzebaim and Ami Ezra 2:58 [ Read Chapter | Listen to Audio | View Context | Multi-Translations | Study Tools ]

The temple servants(w) and the descendants of the servants of Solomon

392 Footnotes:   Cross References:   Ezra 2:59 [ Read Chapter | Listen to Audio | View Context | Multi-Translations | Study Tools ]

The following came up from the towns of Tel Melah, Tel Harsha, Kerub, Addon and Immer, but they could not show that their families were descended^(x) from Israel:

The descendants of
Delaiah, Tobiah and Nekoda	652 Ezra 2:61 [ Read Chapter | Listen to Audio | View Context | Multi-Translations | Study Tools ]

And from among the priests:

The descendants of

Hobaiah, Hakkoz and Barzillai (a man who had married a daughter of Barzillai the Gileadite(y) and was called by that name). Footnotes:   Cross References:   Ezra 2:62 [ Read Chapter | Listen to Audio | View Context | Multi-Translations | Study Tools ]

These searched for their family records, but they could not find them and so were excluded from the priesthood^(z) as unclean.

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

The whole company numbered 42,360,

besides their 7,337 male and female slaves; and they also had 200 male and female singers.^(ac)

They had 736 horses,^(ad) 245 mules,

435 camels and 6,720 donkeys.

When they arrived at the house of the Lord in Jerusalem, some of the heads of the families^(ae) gave freewill offerings toward the rebuilding of the house of God on its site.

According to their ability they gave to the treasury for this work 61,000 darics^[b] of gold, 5,000 minas^[c] of silver and 100 priestly garments.

The priests, the Levites, the musicians, the gatekeepers and the temple servants settled in their own towns, along with some of the other people, and the rest of the Israelites settled in their towns.^(af)

Rebuilding the Altar

When the seventh month came and the Israelites had settled in their towns,^(a) the people assembled^(b) together as one in Jerusalem.

Then Joshua^(c) son of Jozadak^(d) and his fellow priests and Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel^(e) and his associates began to build the altar of the God of Israel to sacrifice burnt offerings on it, in accordance with what is written in the Law of Moses^(f) the man of God.

Despite their fear^(g) of the peoples around them, they built the altar on its foundation and sacrificed burnt offerings on it to the Lord , both the morning and evening sacrifices.^(h)

Then in accordance with what is written, they celebrated the Festival of Tabernacles⁽ⁱ⁾ with the required number of burnt offerings prescribed for each day.

After that, they presented the regular burnt offerings, the New Moon^(j) sacrifices and the sacrifices for all the appointed sacred festivals of the Lord ,^(k) as well as those brought as freewill offerings to the Lord .

On the first day of the seventh month they began to offer burnt offerings to the Lord , though the foundation of the Lord 's temple had not yet been laid.

Then they gave money to the masons and carpenters,^(l) and gave food and drink and olive oil to the people of Sidon and Tyre, so that they would bring cedar logs^(m) by sea from Lebanon⁽ⁿ⁾ to Joppa, as authorized by Cyrus^(o) king of Persia.

In the second month^(p) of the second year after their arrival at the house of God in Jerusalem, Zerubbabel^(q) son of Shealtiel, Joshua son of Jozadak and the rest of the people (the priests and the Levites and all who had returned from the captivity to Jerusalem) began the work. They appointed Levites twenty^(r) years old and older to supervise the building of the house of the Lord .

Joshua^(s) and his sons and brothers and Kadmiel and his sons (descendants of Hodaviah^[a]) and the sons of Henadad and their sons and brothers—all Levites—joined together in supervising those working on the house of God.

When the builders laid^(t) the foundation of the temple of the Lord , the priests in their vestments and with trumpets,^(u) and the Levites (the sons of Asaph) with cymbals, took their places to praise^(v) the Lord , as prescribed by David^(w) king of Israel.^(x)

With praise and thanksgiving they sang to the Lord : "He is good; his love toward Israel endures forever."^(y) And all the people gave a great shout^(z) of praise to the Lord , because the foundation^(aa) of the house of the Lord was laid.

But many of the older priests and Levites and family heads, who had seen the former temple,^(ab) wept^(ac) aloud when they saw the foundation of this temple being laid, while many others shouted for joy.

No one could distinguish the sound of the shouts of joy^(ad) from the sound of weeping, because the people made so much noise. And the sound was heard far away.