The priests: the sons of Jedaiah, of the house of Jeshua, 973. The sons of Immer, 1,052. The sons of Pashhur, 1,247. The sons of Harim, 1,017.
English Standard Version (ESV)
It's easy to glance over this list and see just numbers, but notice how this group, the priests, is identified not just by family ("Jedaiah") but also by a lineage or branch ("house of Jeshua"). This shows that even within sacred service, there were deeper connections and historical roots, reminding us that our identity in God often has layers of belonging and ancestry.
The priests: the sons of Jedaiah, of the house of Jeshua, 973. The sons of Immer, 1,052. The sons of Pashhur, 1,247. The sons of Harim, 1,017.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse is part of a lengthy list detailing the families and individuals returning to Jerusalem after the Babylonian exile. Following the census of the general population from Judah and Benjamin, Ezra begins to enumerate the priestly families who made the journey. This specific listing of priests, alongside other Levites and temple servants, highlights the restoration of worship and the rebuilding of the temple as central to their return.
Did you know that the return from exile wasn't just about common people? The priests, who played a vital role in worship, also had their families listed.
This verse highlights a specific priestly family: the sons of Jedaiah, who belonged to the 'house of Jeshua'. This tells us a few things:
Family and Order
Ezra meticulously records the genealogies, showing that lineage and belonging to specific priestly families were important. The house of Jedaiah is mentioned as the second of David's priestly courses, indicating a structured system of worship even before the exile.
Connection to the High Priest
Scholars suggest that 'the house of Jeshua' likely refers to Jeshua, the High Priest at the time of the return. This connection elevates the family of Jedaiah, even if they weren't the largest group, because they were linked to the leadership of the restored community.
Nearly a thousand priests returned. What does this large number signify for the rebuilding of Israel's spiritual life?
The number 973 for the priests of Jedaiah's line is striking.
Restoration of Worship
This significant count underscores the commitment to restoring proper temple worship and the sacrificial system. It wasn't a small, token group; it was a substantial contingent ready to serve.
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Faithfulness Through Exile
Their return signifies God's faithfulness to His covenant promises. Despite the devastation of the exile, these priestly families preserved their lineage and were positioned to re-establish the heart of Israel's religious life. Their presence was a visible sign that God's work was not finished with His people.
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 list details the return from Babylonian exile, a critical period when the priestly lines, like that of Jedaiah, re-established their role in Jerusalem's religious life. The numbers reflect a community striving to reclaim its identity and serve God anew after devastation.
c. 597 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
Nebuchadnezzar deports skilled workers, including many priests and Levites, from Jerusalem to Babylon. This marks the beginning of the Babylonian exile.
587/586 BC
Destruction of Jerusalem and Temple
Nebuchadnezzar destroys Jerusalem and the First Temple, further scattering the remaining Jewish population into exile. The continuity of the priesthood is severely disrupted.
539 BC
Cyrus the Great Conquers Babylon
Cyrus the Persian takes Babylon, ushering in a new era. He issues a decree allowing exiled peoples to return to their homelands and rebuild their temples.
537 BC— this verse
First Return of Exiles to Judah
Under the leadership of Zerubbabel, a significant number of Jewish exiles, including priests and Levites, return to Jerusalem. They begin the arduous task of rebuilding the Temple and the community.
c. 516 BC
Dedication of the Second Temple
After decades of setbacks and opposition, the Second Temple is finally completed and dedicated. This event is a pivotal moment for the returning community, symbolizing their restored relationship with God.
This passage lists the courses of priests established by David, and Jedaiah is listed as the head of the second course, connecting to the genealogical significance of this priestly line in Ezra.
Nehemiah 7:39This verse in Nehemiah provides the identical list of priests and their numbers, emphasizing the continuity of these families and their roles after the Babylonian exile.
Zechariah 3:1Zechariah the prophet sees Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord, which directly parallels the mention of Jeshua (Joshua) in Ezra's account of the returning priests, highlighting the spiritual leadership.
Malachi 2:7This verse speaks about the duty of priests to preserve knowledge and act as messengers of God, providing theological context for the importance of these priestly families returning to Jerusalem.
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 glance over this list and see just numbers, but notice how this group, the priests, is identified not just by family ("Jedaiah") but also by a lineage or branch ("house of Jeshua"). This shows that even within sacred service, there were deeper connections and historical roots, reminding us that our identity in God often has layers of belonging and ancestry.
This verse is part of a lengthy list detailing the families and individuals returning to Jerusalem after the Babylonian exile. Following the census of the general population from Judah and Benjamin, Ezra begins to enumerate the priestly families who made the journey. This specific listing of priests, alongside other Levites and temple servants, highlights the restoration of worship and the rebuilding of the temple as central to their return.
This verse is part of a lengthy list detailing the families and individuals returning to Jerusalem after the Babylonian exile. Following the census of the general population from Judah and Benjamin, Ezra begins to enumerate the priestly families who made the journey. This specific listing of priests, alongside other Levites and temple servants, highlights the restoration of worship and the rebuilding of the temple as central to their return.
"The priests: the sons of Jedaiah, of the house of Jeshua, 973. The sons of Immer, 1,052. The sons of Pashhur, 1,247. The sons of Harim, 1,017." — It's easy to glance over this list and see just numbers, but notice how this group, the priests, is identified not just by family ("Jedaiah") but also by a lineage or branch ("house of Jeshua"). This…
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Last reviewed October 2026