Ezra 2:1-29 New International Version

The List of the Exiles Who Returned

2 Now these are the people of the province who came up from the captivity of the exiles, whom Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon had taken captive to Babylon (they returned to Jerusalem and Judah, each to their own town, 2 in company with Zerubbabel, Joshua, Nehemiah, Seraiah, Reelaiah, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispar, Bigvai, Rehum and Baanah):

The list of the men of the people of Israel:

3 the descendants of Parosh2,1724 of Shephatiah3725 of Arah7756 of Pahath-Moab (through the line of Jeshua and Joab)2,8127 of Elam1,2548 of Zattu9459 of Zakkai76010 of Bani64211 of Bebai62312 of Azgad1,22213 of Adonikam66614 of Bigvai2,05615 of Adin45416 of Ater (through Hezekiah)9817 of Bezai32318 of Jorah11219 of Hashum22320 of Gibbar9521 the men of Bethlehem12322 of Netophah5623 of Anathoth12824 of Azmaveth4225 of Kiriath Jearim,[a] Kephirah and Beeroth74326 of Ramah and Geba62127 of Mikmash12228 of Bethel and Ai22329 of Nebo52

Ezra 2:1-29 New International Version
The List of the Exiles Who Returned
2&nbsp;Now these are the people of the province who came up from the captivity of the exiles,&nbsp;whom Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon&nbsp;had taken captive to Babylon (they returned to Jerusalem and Judah, each to their own town,&nbsp;2&nbsp;in company with Zerubbabel,&nbsp;Joshua,&nbsp;Nehemiah, Seraiah,&nbsp;Reelaiah, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispar, Bigvai, Rehum and Baanah):
The list of the men of the people of Israel:
3&nbsp;the descendants of Parosh2,1724&nbsp;of Shephatiah3725&nbsp;of Arah7756&nbsp;of Pahath-Moab (through the line of Jeshua and Joab)2,8127&nbsp;of Elam1,2548&nbsp;of Zattu9459&nbsp;of Zakkai76010&nbsp;of Bani64211&nbsp;of Bebai62312&nbsp;of Azgad1,22213&nbsp;of Adonikam66614&nbsp;of Bigvai2,05615&nbsp;of Adin45416&nbsp;of Ater (through Hezekiah)9817&nbsp;of Bezai32318&nbsp;of Jorah11219&nbsp;of Hashum22320&nbsp;of Gibbar9521&nbsp;the men of Bethlehem12322&nbsp;of Netophah5623&nbsp;of Anathoth12824&nbsp;of Azmaveth4225&nbsp;of Kiriath Jearim,[<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ezra%202%3A1-29&amp;version=NIV#fen-NIV-12053a">a</a>]&nbsp;Kephirah and Beeroth74326&nbsp;of Ramah&nbsp;and Geba62127&nbsp;of Mikmash12228&nbsp;of Bethel and Ai22329&nbsp;of Nebo52

Calvary Chapel Orlando teaching the timeless truths of God’s Word from Genesis to Revelation in order to reach our community and world with the love of Jesus.

Calvary Chapel Orlando teaching the timeless truths of&nbsp;God&rsquo;s Word from Genesis to Revelation in order to reach our community and world with the love of Jesus.

In The Word/Calvary Chapel Podcast

In The Word/Calvary Chapel

In the Word: Ezra 2:1-29 - "Laying The Foundation"

Ezra 4 New International Version

Opposition to the Rebuilding

4 When the enemies of Judah and Benjamin heard that the exiles were building a temple for the Lord, the God of Israel, 2 they came to Zerubbabel and to the heads of the families and said, “Let us help you build because, like you, we seek your God and have been sacrificing to him since the time of Esarhaddon king of Assyria, who brought us here.”

3 But Zerubbabel, Joshua and the rest of the heads of the families of Israel answered, “You have no part with us in building a temple to our God. We alone will build it for the Lord, the God of Israel, as King Cyrus, the king of Persia, commanded us.”

4 Then the peoples around them set out to discourage the people of Judah and make them afraid to go on building.[a] 5 They bribed officials to work against them and frustrate their plans during the entire reign of Cyrus king of Persia and down to the reign of Darius king of Persia.

Later Opposition Under Xerxes and Artaxerxes

6 At the beginning of the reign of Xerxes,[b] they lodged an accusation against the people of Judah and Jerusalem.

7 And in the days of Artaxerxes king of Persia, Bishlam, Mithredath, Tabeel and the rest of his associates wrote a letter to Artaxerxes. The letter was written in Aramaic script and in the Aramaic language.[c][d]

8 Rehum the commanding officer and Shimshai the secretary wrote a letter against Jerusalem to Artaxerxes the king as follows:

9 Rehum the commanding officer and Shimshai the secretary, together with the rest of their associates—the judges, officials and administrators over the people from Persia, Uruk and Babylon, the Elamites of Susa, 10 and the other people whom the great and honorable Ashurbanipal deported and settled in the city of Samaria and elsewhere in Trans-Euphrates.

11 (This is a copy of the letter they sent him.)

To King Artaxerxes,

From your servants in Trans-Euphrates:

12 The king should know that the people who came up to us from you have gone to Jerusalem and are rebuilding that rebellious and wicked city. They are restoring the walls and repairing the foundations.

13 Furthermore, the king should know that if this city is built and its walls are restored, no more taxes, tribute or duty will be paid, and eventually the royal revenues will suffer.[e] 14 Now since we are under obligation to the palace and it is not proper for us to see the king dishonored, we are sending this message to inform the king, 15 so that a search may be made in the archives of your predecessors. In these records you will find that this city is a rebellious city, troublesome to kings and provinces, a place with a long history of sedition. That is why this city was destroyed. 16 We inform the king that if this city is built and its walls are restored, you will be left with nothing in Trans-Euphrates.

17 The king sent this reply:

To Rehum the commanding officer, Shimshai the secretary and the rest of their associates living in Samaria and elsewhere in Trans-Euphrates:

Greetings.

18 The letter you sent us has been read and translated in my presence. 19 I issued an order and a search was made, and it was found that this city has a long history of revolt against kings and has been a place of rebellion and sedition. 20 Jerusalem has had powerful kings ruling over the whole of Trans-Euphrates, and taxes, tribute and duty were paid to them. 21 Now issue an order to these men to stop work, so that this city will not be rebuilt until I so order. 22 Be careful not to neglect this matter. Why let this threat grow, to the detriment of the royal interests?

23 As soon as the copy of the letter of King Artaxerxes was read to Rehum and Shimshai the secretary and their associates, they went immediately to the Jews in Jerusalem and compelled them by force to stop.

24 Thus the work on the house of God in Jerusalem came to a standstill until the second year of the reign of Darius king of Persia.

Ezra 4 New International Version
Opposition to the Rebuilding
4&nbsp;When the enemies of Judah and Benjamin heard that the exiles were building&nbsp;a temple for the&nbsp;Lord, the God of Israel,&nbsp;2&nbsp;they came to Zerubbabel and to the heads of the families and said, &ldquo;Let us help you build because, like you, we seek your God and have been sacrificing to him since the time of Esarhaddon&nbsp;king of Assyria, who brought us here.&rdquo;
3&nbsp;But Zerubbabel, Joshua and the rest of the heads of the families of Israel answered, &ldquo;You have no part with us in building a temple to our God. We alone will build it for the&nbsp;Lord, the God of Israel, as King Cyrus, the king of Persia, commanded us.&rdquo;
4&nbsp;Then the peoples around them set out to discourage the people of Judah and make them afraid to go on building.[<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=ezra%204%3A1-24&amp;version=NIV#fen-NIV-12115a">a</a>]&nbsp;5&nbsp;They bribed officials to work against them and frustrate their plans during the entire reign of Cyrus king of Persia and down to the reign of Darius king of Persia.
Later Opposition Under Xerxes and Artaxerxes
6&nbsp;At the beginning of the reign of Xerxes,[<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=ezra%204%3A1-24&amp;version=NIV#fen-NIV-12117b">b</a>]&nbsp;they lodged an accusation against the people of Judah and Jerusalem.
7&nbsp;And in the days of Artaxerxes&nbsp;king of Persia, Bishlam, Mithredath, Tabeel and the rest of his associates wrote a letter to Artaxerxes. The letter was written in Aramaic script and in the Aramaic&nbsp;language.[<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=ezra%204%3A1-24&amp;version=NIV#fen-NIV-12118c">c</a>][<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=ezra%204%3A1-24&amp;version=NIV#fen-NIV-12118d">d</a>]
8&nbsp;Rehum the commanding officer and Shimshai the secretary wrote a letter against Jerusalem to Artaxerxes the king as follows:
9&nbsp;Rehum the commanding officer and Shimshai the secretary, together with the rest of their associates&mdash;the judges, officials and administrators over the people from Persia, Uruk&nbsp;and Babylon, the Elamites of Susa,&nbsp;10&nbsp;and the other people whom the great and honorable Ashurbanipal&nbsp;deported and settled in the city of Samaria and elsewhere in Trans-Euphrates.
11&nbsp;(This is a copy of the letter they sent him.)
To King Artaxerxes,
From your servants in Trans-Euphrates:
12&nbsp;The king should know that the people who came up to us from you have gone to Jerusalem and are rebuilding that rebellious and wicked city. They are restoring the walls and repairing the foundations.
13&nbsp;Furthermore, the king should know that if this city is built and its walls are restored, no more taxes, tribute or duty&nbsp;will be paid, and eventually the royal revenues will suffer.[<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=ezra%204%3A1-24&amp;version=NIV#fen-NIV-12124e">e</a>]&nbsp;14&nbsp;Now since we are under obligation to the palace and it is not proper for us to see the king dishonored, we are sending this message to inform the king,&nbsp;15&nbsp;so that a search may be made in the archives&nbsp;of your predecessors. In these records you will find that this city is a rebellious city, troublesome to kings and provinces, a place with a long history of sedition. That is why this city was destroyed.&nbsp;16&nbsp;We inform the king that if this city is built and its walls are restored, you will be left with nothing in Trans-Euphrates.
17&nbsp;The king sent this reply:
To Rehum the commanding officer, Shimshai the secretary and the rest of their associates living in Samaria and elsewhere in Trans-Euphrates:
Greetings.
18&nbsp;The letter you sent us has been read and translated in my presence.&nbsp;19&nbsp;I issued an order and a search was made, and it was found that this city has a long history of revolt&nbsp;against kings and has been a place of rebellion and sedition.&nbsp;20&nbsp;Jerusalem has had powerful kings ruling over the whole of Trans-Euphrates,&nbsp;and taxes, tribute and duty were paid to them.&nbsp;21&nbsp;Now issue an order to these men to stop work, so that this city will not be rebuilt until I so order.&nbsp;22&nbsp;Be careful not to neglect this matter. Why let this threat grow, to the detriment of the royal interests?
23&nbsp;As soon as the copy of the letter of King Artaxerxes was read to Rehum and Shimshai the secretary and their associates,&nbsp;they went immediately to the Jews in Jerusalem and compelled them by force to stop.
24&nbsp;Thus the work on the house of God in Jerusalem came to a standstill until the second year of the reign of Darius&nbsp;king of Persia.

In the Word: Ezra 4:1-24 - "Laying The Foundation - Part 2"

Ezra 3:10-4:3 New International Version

10 When the builders laid the foundation of the temple of the Lord, the priests in their vestments and with trumpets, and the Levites (the sons of Asaph) with cymbals, took their places to praise the Lord, as prescribed by David king of Israel. 11 With praise and thanksgiving they sang to the Lord:

“He is good;
    his love toward Israel endures forever.”

And all the people gave a great shout of praise to the Lord, because the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid. 12 But many of the older priests and Levites and family heads, who had seen the former temple, wept aloud when they saw the foundation of this temple being laid, while many others shouted for joy. 13 No one could distinguish the sound of the shouts of joy from the sound of weeping, because the people made so much noise. And the sound was heard far away.

Opposition to the Rebuilding

4 When the enemies of Judah and Benjamin heard that the exiles were building a temple for the Lord, the God of Israel, 2 they came to Zerubbabel and to the heads of the families and said, “Let us help you build because, like you, we seek your God and have been sacrificing to him since the time of Esarhaddon king of Assyria, who brought us here.”

3 But Zerubbabel, Joshua and the rest of the heads of the families of Israel answered, “You have no part with us in building a temple to our God. We alone will build it for the Lord, the God of Israel, as King Cyrus, the king of Persia, commanded us.”

Ezra 3:10-4:3 New International Version
10&nbsp;When the builders laid&nbsp;the foundation of the temple of the&nbsp;Lord, the priests in their vestments and with trumpets,&nbsp;and the Levites (the sons of Asaph) with cymbals, took their places to praise&nbsp;the&nbsp;Lord, as prescribed by David&nbsp;king of Israel.&nbsp;11&nbsp;With praise and thanksgiving they sang to the&nbsp;Lord:
&ldquo;He is good; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;his love toward Israel endures forever.&rdquo;
And all the people gave a great shout&nbsp;of praise to the&nbsp;Lord, because the foundation&nbsp;of the house of the&nbsp;Lord&nbsp;was laid.&nbsp;12&nbsp;But many of the older priests and Levites and family heads, who had seen the former temple,&nbsp;wept&nbsp;aloud when they saw the foundation of this temple being laid, while many others shouted for joy.&nbsp;13&nbsp;No one could distinguish the sound of the shouts of joy&nbsp;from the sound of weeping, because the people made so much noise. And the sound was heard far away.
Opposition to the Rebuilding
4&nbsp;When the enemies of Judah and Benjamin heard that the exiles were building&nbsp;a temple for the&nbsp;Lord, the God of Israel,&nbsp;2&nbsp;they came to Zerubbabel and to the heads of the families and said, &ldquo;Let us help you build because, like you, we seek your God and have been sacrificing to him since the time of Esarhaddon&nbsp;king of Assyria, who brought us here.&rdquo;
3&nbsp;But Zerubbabel, Joshua and the rest of the heads of the families of Israel answered, &ldquo;You have no part with us in building a temple to our God. We alone will build it for the&nbsp;Lord, the God of Israel, as King Cyrus, the king of Persia, commanded us.&rdquo;

In The Word: Ezra 3:10-4:3 - "Laying The Foundation - Part 2"

Ezra 2:20-70 New International Version

20 of Gibbar9521 the men of Bethlehem12322 of Netophah5623 of Anathoth12824 of Azmaveth4225 of Kiriath Jearim,[a] Kephirah and Beeroth74326 of Ramah and Geba62127 of Mikmash12228 of Bethel and Ai22329 of Nebo5230 of Magbish15631 of the other Elam1,25432 of Harim32033 of Lod, Hadid and Ono72534 of Jericho34535 of Senaah3,630

36 The priests:

the descendants of Jedaiah (through the family of Jeshua)97337 of Immer1,05238 of Pashhur1,24739 of Harim1,017

40 The Levites:

the descendants of Jeshua and Kadmiel (of the line of Hodaviah)74

41 The musicians:

the descendants of Asaph128

42 The gatekeepers of the temple:

the descendants ofShallum, Ater, Talmon,Akkub, Hatita and Shobai139

43 The temple servants:

the descendants ofZiha, Hasupha, Tabbaoth,44 Keros, Siaha, Padon,45 Lebanah, Hagabah, Akkub,46 Hagab, Shalmai, Hanan,47 Giddel, Gahar, Reaiah,48 Rezin, Nekoda, Gazzam,49 Uzza, Paseah, Besai,50 Asnah, Meunim, Nephusim,51 Bakbuk, Hakupha, Harhur,52 Bazluth, Mehida, Harsha,53 Barkos, Sisera, Temah,54 Neziah and Hatipha

55 The descendants of the servants of Solomon:

the descendants ofSotai, Hassophereth, Peruda,56 Jaala, Darkon, Giddel,57 Shephatiah, Hattil,Pokereth-Hazzebaim and Ami58 The temple servants and the descendants of the servants of Solomon392

59 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 from Israel:

60 The descendants ofDelaiah, Tobiah and Nekoda652

61 And from among the priests:

The descendants ofHobaiah, Hakkoz and Barzillai (a man who had married a daughter of Barzillai the Gileadite and was called by that name).

62 These searched for their family records, but they could not find them and so were excluded from the priesthood as unclean. 63 The governor ordered them not to eat any of the most sacred food until there was a priest ministering with the Urim and Thummim.

64 The whole company numbered 42,360, 65 besides their 7,337 male and female slaves; and they also had 200 male and female singers. 66 They had 736 horses, 245 mules, 67 435 camels and 6,720 donkeys.

68 When they arrived at the house of the Lord in Jerusalem, some of the heads of the families gave freewill offerings toward the rebuilding of the house of God on its site. 69 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.

70 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.

Ezra 2:20-70 New International Version
20 of Gibbar9521 the men of Bethlehem12322 of Netophah5623 of Anathoth12824 of Azmaveth4225 of Kiriath Jearim,[<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=ezra%202%3A20-70&amp;version=NIV#fen-NIV-12053a">a</a>]&nbsp;Kephirah and Beeroth74326&nbsp;of Ramah&nbsp;and Geba62127&nbsp;of Mikmash12228&nbsp;of Bethel and Ai22329&nbsp;of Nebo5230&nbsp;of Magbish15631&nbsp;of the other Elam1,25432&nbsp;of Harim32033&nbsp;of Lod, Hadid and Ono72534&nbsp;of Jericho34535&nbsp;of Senaah3,630
36&nbsp;The priests:
the descendants of Jedaiah&nbsp;(through the family of Jeshua)97337&nbsp;of Immer1,05238&nbsp;of Pashhur1,24739&nbsp;of Harim1,017
40&nbsp;The Levites:
the descendants of Jeshua&nbsp;and Kadmiel (of the line of Hodaviah)74
41&nbsp;The musicians:
the descendants of Asaph128
42&nbsp;The gatekeepers&nbsp;of the temple:
the descendants ofShallum, Ater, Talmon,Akkub, Hatita and Shobai139
43&nbsp;The temple servants:
the descendants ofZiha, Hasupha, Tabbaoth,44&nbsp;Keros, Siaha, Padon,45&nbsp;Lebanah, Hagabah, Akkub,46&nbsp;Hagab, Shalmai, Hanan,47&nbsp;Giddel, Gahar, Reaiah,48&nbsp;Rezin, Nekoda, Gazzam,49&nbsp;Uzza, Paseah, Besai,50&nbsp;Asnah, Meunim, Nephusim,51&nbsp;Bakbuk, Hakupha, Harhur,52&nbsp;Bazluth, Mehida, Harsha,53&nbsp;Barkos, Sisera, Temah,54&nbsp;Neziah and Hatipha
55&nbsp;The descendants of the servants of Solomon:
the descendants ofSotai, Hassophereth, Peruda,56&nbsp;Jaala, Darkon, Giddel,57&nbsp;Shephatiah, Hattil,Pokereth-Hazzebaim and Ami58&nbsp;The temple servants&nbsp;and the descendants of the servants of Solomon392
59&nbsp;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&nbsp;from Israel:
60&nbsp;The descendants ofDelaiah, Tobiah and Nekoda652
61&nbsp;And from among the priests:
The descendants ofHobaiah, Hakkoz and Barzillai (a man who had married a daughter of Barzillai the Gileadite&nbsp;and was called by that name).
62&nbsp;These searched for their family records, but they could not find them and so were excluded from the priesthood&nbsp;as unclean.&nbsp;63&nbsp;The governor ordered them not to eat any of the most sacred food&nbsp;until there was a priest ministering with the Urim and Thummim.
64&nbsp;The whole company numbered 42,360,&nbsp;65&nbsp;besides their 7,337 male and female slaves; and they also had 200 male and female singers.&nbsp;66&nbsp;They had 736 horses,&nbsp;245 mules,&nbsp;67&nbsp;435 camels and 6,720 donkeys.
68&nbsp;When they arrived at the house of the&nbsp;Lord&nbsp;in Jerusalem, some of the heads of the families&nbsp;gave freewill offerings toward the rebuilding of the house of God on its site.&nbsp;69&nbsp;According to their ability they gave to the treasury for this work 61,000 darics[<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=ezra%202%3A20-70&amp;version=NIV#fen-NIV-12097b">b</a>]&nbsp;of gold, 5,000 minas[<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=ezra%202%3A20-70&amp;version=NIV#fen-NIV-12097c">c</a>]&nbsp;of silver and 100 priestly garments.
70&nbsp;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.

In the Word: Ezra 2:1-29 - "Laying The Foundation"

In 1 playlist(s)

In The Word/Calvary Chapel

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips