Ezra 2:60-63 · Bible study
Ezra 2:60-63 Commentary: Unproven Lineage and Restoration
Hebrew · 10 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
Why did returning exiles fail to prove their ancestry? This passage shows the importance of verified lineage in Israel's restoration after Babylon.
Research Summary
- Meaning: Returning exiles who could not prove their Israelite or priestly ancestry were disqualified from full participation, especially the priesthood, pending divine guidance.
- Key words: Sought (baqash, Piel), deliberate search; were not found (Niphal of matsa), records absent; defiled (ga'al, Pual), ritual disqualification from priesthood.
- Main debate: Whether the Barzillai priest acted from ambition or necessity, and whether the Urim and Thummim were permanently lost or only temporarily unavailable.
- Theological theme: God requires purity and verified identity in his worship; human records are limited, but God's guidance ultimately resolves what is hidden.
- Best use: Teaching on the importance of spiritual heritage, the cost of misplaced priorities, and the need to rely on God's direction in matters of church order.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
60the descendants of Delaiah, the descendants of Tobiah, and the descendants of Nekoda, 652 in all.
61And from among the priests: the descendants of Hobaiah, the descendants of Hakkoz, and the descendants of Barzillai (who had married a daughter of Barzillai the Gileadite and was called by their name).
62These men searched for their family records, but they could not find them and so were excluded from the priesthood as unclean.
63The governor ordered them not to eat the most holy things until there was a priest to consult the Urim and Thummim.
WEB World English Bible 2000
60the children of Delaiah, the children of Tobiah, the children of Nekoda, six hundred fifty-two.
61Of 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.
62These sought their place among those who were registered by genealogy, but they were not found; therefore they were deemed disqualified and removed from the priesthood.
63The 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.
KJV King James Version 1769
60The children of Delaiah, the children of Tobiah, the children of Nekoda, six hundred fifty and two.
61And 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:
62These sought their register among those that were reckoned by genealogy, but they were not found: therefore were they, as polluted, put from the priesthood.
63And 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.
ASV American Standard Version 1901
60the children of Delaiah, the children of Tobiah, the children of Nekoda, six hundred fifty and two.
61And 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.
62These sought their registeramongthose that were reckoned by genealogy, but they were not found: therefore were they deemed polluted and put from the priesthood.
63And the governor said unto them, that they should not eat of the most holy things, till there stood up a priest with Urim and with Thummim.
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
60sons of Delaiah, sons of Tobiah, sons of Nekoda, six hundred fifty and two.
61And of the sons of the priests: sons of Habaiah, sons of Koz, sons of Barzillai (who took from the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite a wife, and is called by their name;)
62these have sought their register among those reckoning themselves by genealogy, and they have not been found, and they are redeemed from the priesthood,
63and the Tirshatha saith to them, that they eat not of the most holy things till the standing up of a priest with Urim and with Thummim.
Darby Darby Bible 1890
60The children of Delaiah, the children of Tobijah, the children of Nekoda, six hundred and fifty-two.
61And of the children of the priests: the children of Habaiah, the children of Koz, the children of Barzillai; who took a wife of the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite, and was called after their name.
62These sought their genealogical register, but they were not found; therefore were they, as polluted, removed from the priesthood.
63And the Tirshatha said to them that they should not eat of the most holy things, till there stood up a priest with Urim and with Thummim.
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
60The children of Dalaia, the children of Tobia, the children of Necoda, six hundred fifty-two.
61And of the children of the priests: the children of Hobia, the children of Accos, the children of Berzellai, who took a wife of the daughters of Berzellai, the Galaadite, and was called by their name:
62These sought the writing of their genealogy, and found it not, and they were cast out of the priesthood.
63And Athersatha said to them, that they should not eat of the holy of holies, till there arose a priest learned and perfect.
Verse in Context
Original Language (Biblical Hebrew)
Old Testament · Biblical Hebrew · Ezra 2:60
Source: STEPBible TAGNT/TEHB (CC-BY 4.0). Click or tap a morphology code to see the full parsing.
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators across traditions agree that these families represent a critical test for the restored community. They returned with the exiles but lacked verified genealogical records. For the three lay families (Delaiah, Tobiah, Nekoda), this meant their status as Israelites remained unresolved. For the three priestly families, Habaiah, Hakkoz, and Barzillai, the consequences were severe: removal from the priesthood. Jamieson-Fausset-Brown sees the Barzillai case as a priest who chose a noble name over his priestly heritage, thus forfeiting his office. Gill notes that public genealogical registers were kept for priests, and these families' names were absent. The governor, likely Zerubbabel (Keil & Delitzsch), suspended their priestly privileges until a priest with Urim and Thummim could appear. Clarke and Wesley agree that the Urim and Thummim were lost at the fall of Jerusalem, making this a provisional ruling. The passage underscores the post-exilic community's insistence on purity of lineage to restore legitimate worship.
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Medium
Main views:
- Tirshatha as Zerubbabel: Haggai 1:1 calls Zerubbabel 'pekhah' (governor); 'Tirshatha' is likely the Persian title. Most modern commentators hold this view.
- Tirshatha as Nehemiah: Nehemiah 8:9 uses 'Tirshatha' for Nehemiah. Some rabbinic sources identify the Tirshatha here as Nehemiah, though he lived later.
- Barzillai's motivation: ambition: Jamieson-Fausset-Brown argues he preferred noble connection over priestly heritage, forfeiting his office.
- Urim and Thummim: permanently lost: Clarke and Wesley state they were lost in the destruction of the first temple. The suspension 'until a priest stood up' may never have been resolved.
What is clear: The families lacked verified genealogical records and were therefore disqualified from full participation, especially from priestly service, pending divine instruction.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| Identity of the Tirshatha | The Tirshatha was a Persian-appointed governor of Judah with authority over the returned community. | Most commentators identify him as Zerubbabel (Cambridge Bible, Keil & Delitzsch), while some older traditions associate the title with Nehemiah. The Hebrew word may derive from a Persian root meaning 'fear' or 'austerity'. |
| Barzillai family's disqualification | The priest who married into Barzillai's family and adopted the name could not prove his priestly lineage and was removed from office. | Jamieson-Fausset-Brown views this as worldly ambition, choosing a noble name over priestly heritage. Gill suggests he may have destroyed or lost his genealogical records. Both agree the result was forfeiture of priesthood. |
| Status of Urim and Thummim | There was no priest with Urim and Thummim at the time of the return. | Clarke and Wesley state they were lost in the captivity. Barnes suggests Zerubbabel expected the loss to be temporary. The phrase 'until a priest stood up' leaves the timing open. |
| Meaning of 'polluted' (ga'al) | The term indicates ritual disqualification from priestly service. | Some see this as a literal physical defilement from improper marriage or lost records, while others understand it as a legal verdict: they were 'deemed polluted' by the community. Cambridge Bible notes the Hebrew means 'they were polluted from the priesthood'. |
Historical & Cultural Context
Genealogies were central to Israel's identity. Priests had to prove descent from Aaron (Leviticus 21:21), and tribal membership determined land rights and social standing. The Babylonian exile disrupted these records. When Cyrus allowed the return, families had to demonstrate their lineage to reestablish the community (Ezra 2:59). The list here parallels Nehemiah 7:62-64 with minor variations in numbers and names, suggesting two copies of the same census.
The title "Tirshatha" refers to the Persian governor. Keil & Delitzsch note that the word is always used with the article, indicating an official title. Zerubbabel, also called pekhah (governor) in Haggai, held this role. The Barzillai connection is striking: Barzillai the Gileadite was a wealthy supporter of David during Absalom's rebellion (2 Samuel 17:27, 19:31-39; 1 Kings 2:7). A priest married one of his daughters and adopted the name Barzillai, likely for social prestige. The Hebrew verb yiqqare ("was called") in the Niphal suggests the name was taken as a new identity.
Urim and Thummim were sacred lots kept in the high priest's breastplate, used to discern God's will (Exodus 28:30). Most commentators believe these were lost in 586 BC. The suspension "until a priest stood up" shows both caution and hope for restored divine guidance. The community would not presume to settle a disputed matter without God's direct word.
Textual Notes
The list in Ezra 2:60-63 has a parallel in Nehemiah 7:62-65 with minor variations. The number of lay family members differs: 652 in Ezra, 642 in Nehemiah. The name Habaiah (Ezra) appears as Hobaiah in Nehemiah 7:63. Koz (Ezra) is Hakkoz in Nehemiah. These differences are likely due to scribal transmission or different source texts. No significant variants affect the meaning of the passage. The consulted sources note no other textual issues.
Reception History
This passage has been read across Christian traditions as a caution about the importance of verified calling to ministry. Early Jewish interpretation in the Talmud (Kiddushin 69b) discusses the need for clear genealogical proof for priestly service. The Reformation-era Geneva Bible notes emphasize the seriousness of priestly qualifications. Matthew Henry's commentary draws a parallel to the need for spiritual purity among those who serve God. In more recent tradition, the passage has been used to discuss the role of church discipline and the careful examination of those who seek ordination. The story of Barzillai's name change has also been cited in sermons about the danger of valuing social status over one's spiritual identity. Throughout, Christians have seen in this passage a reminder that God's worship requires integrity, and that human uncertainty must be resolved by waiting on divine guidance.
Preaching This Verse
Three-point outline
- Verified identity matters in God's community. These families returned with the exiles but could not prove their lineage. The community did not reject them outright, but they were temporarily sidelined. Belonging to God's people is serious; it requires integrity and truth.
- A name can cost you your calling. The priest who married into Barzillai's family adopted a noble name but lost his priestly standing. Worldly honor cannot replace the identity God gives. What we trade our spiritual heritage for may not be worth the price.
- Godly authority waits on divine guidance. The governor did not act arbitrarily. He suspended judgment until a priest could consult Urim and Thummim. When human records fail, we trust God's timing and means to reveal the truth.
Five-point outline
- Three families of lay Israelites could not prove they belonged to Israel (v. 60).
- Three families of priests could not prove their priestly descent (v. 61).
- Their search for genealogical records came up empty (v. 62a).
- They were deemed polluted and removed from the priesthood (v. 62b).
- The governor placed the matter on hold pending divine direction (v. 63).
Illustration hooks
- A family heirloom with no documentation: you know it is valuable, but you cannot prove it. The community must wait for verification.
- A job that requires specific credentials: you may be qualified in experience, but without the right papers, you cannot be hired.
- Changing your surname to a more prestigious family name, then finding you no longer qualify for the benefits of your original name.
Questions your congregation is asking
- Why does God care so much about genealogies today? Does this apply to us?
- What about people who are sincere but lack proper church membership or ordination?
- If the Urim and Thummim are gone, how does God guide us in disputed matters now?
Leading a Discussion
This passage shows how seriously the returning exiles took their identity as God's people. Genealogies were not just family trees; they were proof of belonging to the covenant community. As we read, ask yourself: what anchors my identity in God's family today?
Discussion questions
- What do we learn about the three lay families and the three priestly families from these verses?
- Why were genealogical records so important for the post-exilic community? Look at Ezra 2:59 and Leviticus 21:21 for context.
- The priest who married a daughter of Barzillai was "called after their name." What might have motivated him? Jamieson-Fausset-Brown calls it worldly ambition. Do you agree?
- The Hebrew verb ga'al ("defiled" or "polluted") is used for removal from the priesthood. What does this strong language tell us about holiness in worship?
- The governor deferred the decision until a priest could serve with Urim and Thummim. How does this combination of human authority and dependence on God guide us when we face uncertain situations?
- How does this passage challenge our assumptions about who belongs in positions of spiritual leadership?
- In what ways might we be tempted to trade our spiritual identity for worldly status, like the priest who took Barzillai's name?
Word Study
The key original-language words in this verse. Select any word for its full lexicon entry — meaning, every occurrence in Scripture, and related words.
Cross-References
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK, public domain)
| Nehemiah 7:62 | The children of Delaiah, the children of Tobiah, the children of Nekoda: six hundred forty-two. |
| II Samuel 17:27 | 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 Barzillai the Gileadite of Rogelim, |
| II Samuel 19:31 | Barzillai the Gileadite came down from Rogelim; and he went over the Jordan with the king to conduct him over the Jordan. |
| II Samuel 19:39 | All the people went over the Jordan, and the king went over. Then the king kissed Barzillai and blessed him; and he returned to his own place. |
| I Kings 2:7 | 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 fled from Absalom your brother. |
| Nehemiah 7:63 | Of the priests: the children of Hobaiah, 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. |
| Nehemiah 7:64 | These searched for their genealogical records, but couldn’t find them. Therefore they were deemed disqualified and removed from the priesthood. |
| Leviticus 21:21 | 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 defect, he shall not come near to offer the bread of his God. |
Interlinear and lexical data from STEPBible (CC BY 4.0). Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.
For personal reflection
Read the devotional page — prayer, application, and "for families"
What the Commentators Say
8 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Adam Clarke's Commentary Methodist/Wesleyan 1826
Clarke explains that the governor, likely Nehemiah, barred certain families from priestly service because the Urim and Thummim had been lost during the exile. Though a high priest was present, without this means of divine guidance they could not determine who was truly qualified.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible Protestant 1832
Barnes identifies the Tirshatha as Zerubbabel and explains that the title likely comes from Old Persian, though it is not found in cuneiform inscriptions. He further notes that rabbinical writers considered the lack of Urim and Thummim a permanent loss for the second temple, but Zerubbabel apparently expected it to be only temporary.
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Anglican 1880
The commentary highlights the strict genealogical scrutiny required for priestly service after the exile. Families unable to prove their lineage were barred from eating the most holy things, a more severe exclusion than even physical blemishes warranted. The decision was postponed indefinitely until a priest with Urim and Thummim could arise, pointing forward to a future High Priest.
Geneva Bible Notes Reformed 1599
The Geneva Notes stress that the priests who could not prove their genealogy by written record were barred from serving and from eating the most holy offerings. They were not to be restored until a priest with Urim and Thummim could determine God's will on the matter. This underscores the strict requirement for legitimate priestly descent and reliance on divine guidance to settle uncertain cases.
Gill's Exposition of the Bible Baptist 1748
Gill observes that the governor's ban on the disqualified priests lasted indefinitely, since the Urim and Thummim were never restored to the Second Temple. He reads this as pointing forward to the Messiah, the true High Priest who alone possesses perfect light and truth.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary Protestant 1871
JFB notes that these men abandoned their own Levite family name to be called Barzillai, thinking association with a noble clan was more honorable than being priests. This worldly ambition cost them the dignity and privileges of the priesthood. The writer also explains that "Tirshatha" is a Persian title for Judea's governors, meaning "severity" or "awfulness."
Lange's Commentary Reformed 1857
Lange points out that the listing of exactly twelve leaders signals the restored community was meant to represent all twelve tribes, even though the returnees came almost entirely from Judah, Benjamin, and Levi. He also notes the total of 42,360 likely includes older sons and dependents, not just the heads of families counted in the detailed lists.
Wesley's Explanatory Notes Methodist/Wesleyan 1754
Wesley notes that the loss of the Urim and Thummim after the temple's destruction left the Jews without divine direction for settling genealogical disputes. This loss, he argues, was providential: it prepared them to look for the great oracle, the Messiah, who would fully reveal God's will.