The priests: the sons of Jedaiah, of the house of Jeshua, 973. The sons of Immer, 1,052. The sons of Pashhur, 1,247.
English Standard Version (ESV)
It's easy to just see a number here, but notice how it specifies "the children of Jedaiah, of the house of Jeshua." This isn't just a priestly family; it's a branch within a larger, significant lineage, highlighting a layered identity and belonging, even among those called to serve God.
The priests: the sons of Jedaiah, of the house of Jeshua, 973. The sons of Immer, 1,052. The sons of Pashhur, 1,247.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This passage is part of a census of those returning from Babylonian exile to Jerusalem. It meticulously lists various families and their numbers, starting with the priests and Levites who held crucial roles in rebuilding the temple and restoring worship. The verse highlights a significant priestly family, the sons of Jedaiah, emphasizing their lineage and substantial number within the returning community.
This verse lists a specific number of priests, but what does it truly signify for their role and identity? It's more than just a headcount.
The book of Ezra meticulously records those returning from exile, and here, the priests are highlighted.
A Vital Role
Priesthood was central to Israel's worship and their covenant relationship with God. Their presence signified the continuity of God's prescribed worship and the restoration of a key aspect of their national and spiritual life. Even in exile, the identity of a priest was paramount.
Beyond the Job Title
While the number 973 is precise, the emphasis isn't just on the quantity. The text links them to specific houses – Jedaiah and Jeshua. This speaks to lineage and covenant responsibility. Their identity was tied to their ancestry and their sacred calling, demonstrating that their role was a matter of inheritance and divine appointment.
Why mention 'the house of Jeshua' alongside Jedaiah? This detail hints at a deeper connection to the High Priesthood and its significance for the returning exiles.
The phrasing 'of the house of Jeshua' connects the lineage of Jedaiah to the prominent figure of Jeshua, who was the High Priest during the return.
A Link to the High Priest
This connection suggests that the family of Jedaiah was part of the High Priestly line. This wasn't just about acknowledging who belonged to which priestly family; it was crucial for the functioning of the restored Temple. The High Priest was the chief intercessor and the one who led the most sacred rituals.
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Authority and Continuity
By mentioning Jeshua, Ezra underscores the legitimacy and continuity of the priesthood. The return wasn't a haphazard gathering; it was an organized restoration under divinely appointed leadership. This familial link also likely explains any precedency given to this group, even if they were numerically smaller than other priestly clans.
Understand the original words
koh-hane · Hebrew Noun
A mediator between God and man, authorized to offer sacrifices and perform sacred duties in the temple or tabernacle on behalf of the people. They were descendants of Aaron and held a set-apart position of holiness.
bane · Hebrew Noun
A term used to denote ancestral descent or membership in a specific family group, emphasizing the historical identity and covenantal continuity of the Israelites as a people belonging to God.
This verse is part of a census listing those who returned from Babylonian exile to Jerusalem. Understanding this return helps us grasp the significance of these families re-establishing their lives and priestly duties in their homeland.
c. 538 BC— this verse
First Return from Exile
Following the decree of Cyrus the Great, many Jewish exiles in Babylon were permitted to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the Temple. This marked the beginning of the Second Temple period.
c. 516 BC
Completion of the Second Temple
Under the leadership of Zerubbabel and the High Priest Joshua (Jeshua), the rebuilding of the Jerusalem Temple was completed and rededicated. This event was a significant moment of restoration for the returned exiles.
This passage lists the twenty-four divisions of priests established by David, providing the broader context for the specific priestly families like Jedaiah mentioned in Ezra. It helps us understand the organizational structure of the temple service that these returning exiles were meant to restore.
Nehemiah 7:39-42This passage in Nehemiah provides a nearly identical list and count of the returning priests, confirming the accuracy and significance of the roster recorded in Ezra. It shows the continuity of these families and their roles in the post-exilic community.
Ezra 3:2This verse immediately follows the census of returning exiles, mentioning that Jeshua the son of Jozadak, with his fellow priests, began to set up the altar. It connects the numbered priests in Ezra 2:36 directly to the practical work of rebuilding the temple and re-establishing worship.
Haggai 1:1Haggai addresses Zerubbabel and Joshua (Jeshua) the priest, urging them to rebuild the temple after the return from exile. This highlights the crucial leadership roles held by individuals from the priestly line, including those like Jeshua, mentioned in relation to the Jedaiah family.
henryEzra 2:36-63: "The priests: the children of Jedaiah, of the house of Jeshua, nine hundred seventy and three."
2:36-63 Those who undervalue their relation to the Lord in times of reproach, persecution, or distress, will have no benefit from it when it becomes honourable or profitable. Those who have no evidence that they are, by the new birth, spiritual priests unto God, through Jesus Christ, have no right to the comforts and privileges of Christians.
clarkeEzra 2:36: "The priests: the children of Jedaiah, of the house of Jeshua, nine hundred seventy and three."
The priests - The preceding list takes in the census of Judah and Benjamin.
It's easy to just see a number here, but notice how it specifies "the children of Jedaiah, of the house of Jeshua." This isn't just a priestly family; it's a branch within a larger, significant lineage, highlighting a layered identity and belonging, even among those called to serve God.
This passage is part of a census of those returning from Babylonian exile to Jerusalem. It meticulously lists various families and their numbers, starting with the priests and Levites who held crucial roles in rebuilding the temple and restoring worship. The verse highlights a significant priestly family, the sons of Jedaiah, emphasizing their lineage and substantial number within the returning community.
This passage is part of a census of those returning from Babylonian exile to Jerusalem. It meticulously lists various families and their numbers, starting with the priests and Levites who held crucial roles in rebuilding the temple and restoring worship. The verse highlights a significant priestly family, the sons of Jedaiah, emphasizing their lineage and substantial number within the returning community.
"The priests: the sons of Jedaiah, of the house of Jeshua, 973. The sons of Immer, 1,052. The sons of Pashhur, 1,247." — It's easy to just see a number here, but notice how it specifies "the children of Jedaiah, of the house of Jeshua." This isn't just a priestly family; it's a branch within a larger, significant lin…
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Last reviewed October 2026