Hebrew-English Text
I. Summary
The 42,360 people that traveled from Persia to Jerusalem are enumerated in a lengthy list. The group consisted of priests, Levites, singers, Israelites, and people of questionable descent. Upon arriving, the returnees offered sacrifices, donated money to the Temple treasury, and began to settle in cities.
II. Photo
Even the animals were counted: “Their horses — 736; their mules — 245; their camels — 435; their asses — 6,720.” (vv. 66-67)
III. Important Verses
v. 1: These are the people of the province who came up from among the captive exiles whom King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon had carried into exile to Babylon, who returned to Jerusalem and Judah, each to his own city.
vv. 61-63: Of the sons of the priests, the sons of Habaiah, the sons of Hakkoz, the sons of Barzillai who had married a daughter of Barzillai and had taken his name — these searched for their genealogical records, but they could not be found, so they were disqualified for the priesthood. The Tirshatha ordered them not to eat of the most holy things until a priest with Urim and Thummim should appear.
v. 68: Some of the chiefs of the clans, on arriving at the House of the LORD in Jerusalem, gave a freewill offering to erect the House of God on its site.
IV. Outline
1-67. The immigrants are enumerated
68-69. The chiefs bring offerings and donate money
70. The people settle the cities
V. Comment
No comment today. Stay tuned.
VI. Works Used
(see “Commentaries” page)
Photo taken from http://www.infohorse.com/herdlinks.jpg
