Ezra 2:70
Now the priests, the Levites, some of the people, the singers, the gatekeepers, and the temple servants lived in their towns, and all the rest of Israel in their towns.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
The verse repeats "in their cities" not just for emphasis, but to highlight that even amidst the specific roles of priests and singers, everyone, "all Israel," was returning to their ancestral homes. This signifies a complete societal restoration, a return not just to worship, but to their rightful place and inheritance.
This verse wraps up the census and list of returnees by detailing their resettlement into their ancestral towns. Following the rebuilding of the temple and the purification of the community, Ezra's focus shifts to the practical matter of establishing these people back in their inherited lands, signifying a return to normalcy and order. This grounding in their own cities, alongside the rest of Israel, highlights the completion of their physical return and the beginning of their life in the promised land once more.
Imagine returning home after years of exile, not to an empty lot, but to the very cities your families once owned. This verse paints a picture of that profound homecoming.
The returnees didn't just settle anywhere; they went back to the towns and cities that had originally belonged to their ancestral families.
A Sense of Belonging
This wasn't just about finding shelter; it was about reclaiming their identity. For generations, they had been displaced. Now, they were re-establishing themselves in the land God had given them, in the very places tied to their lineage.
God's Faithfulness in Provision
Even though their cities were likely in disrepair after the exile, there was contentment and thankfulness. It was a testament to God's faithfulness in providing for His people and restoring them to their rightful inheritance.
The list of returnees sounds like a roster of specialized workers, but the verse concludes with a powerful statement about 'all Israel.' What does this unity signify?
Ezra 2:70 lists various groups: priests, Levites, singers, gatekeepers, temple servants, and 'some of the people.' But the crucial phrase is 'and all Israel in their cities.'
Beyond Specific Roles
This signifies a national restoration. It wasn't just these specific roles or families returning; it was the broader community of Israel, encompassing everyone who belonged to the covenant people.
A Foundation for the Future
The scholars note the significance of this unity. It was a sign of peace and harmony, a blessed beginning for their new life in the land. This collective resettlement laid the groundwork for the future rebuilding of their community and their worship life.
Understand the original words
Lewi · Hebrew Noun
Members of the tribe of Levi who served in the tabernacle and later the Temple, assisting the priests and maintaining the sacred site.
sho'er · Hebrew Noun
Officials appointed to guard the entrances of the Temple area, ensuring the sanctity and security of the holy site.
nethin · Hebrew Noun
Specifically, the Nethinim, individuals assigned to perform menial tasks within the Temple precincts as servants to the priests and Levites.
This verse marks the triumphant conclusion of the return from exile, highlighting the re-establishment of families and societal roles in their ancestral cities after generations of displacement. It emphasizes the restoration of a sense of belonging and settled life, connecting the present community to their historical inheritance.
722 BC
Fall of Samaria and the Northern Kingdom
The Assyrian Empire conquers the northern Kingdom of Israel, exiling many of its inhabitants and resettling the land with foreigners. This marks the effective end of the ten northern tribes as distinct entities.
597 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon besieges Jerusalem and deports a significant portion of the Judean elite, including King Jehoiachin and the prophet Ezekiel. This begins the Babylonian exile.
586 BC
Destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple
Nebuchadnezzar returns, destroys Jerusalem and its magnificent temple, and deports most of the remaining population to Babylon, leaving only a remnant behind.
539 BC
Cyrus the Great Conquers Babylon
The Persian king Cyrus the Great overthrows the Babylonian Empire. This event paves the way for the exiled Jews to return to their homeland.
This verse directly links back to the decree in Ezra 1:3, highlighting that the return to their ancestral cities was part of God's plan for His people to rebuild and re-establish themselves.
Nehemiah 7:73This passage is a near-identical parallel account, emphasizing the completeness of the settlement and the restoration of the different classes of people to their designated homes after the exile.
Numbers 35:6-8This connects to the Old Testament law concerning the Levites, which specifically designated cities for them throughout Israel, showing that settling in these cities was a fulfillment of ancient commands.
Joshua 21:43-45This passage recounts the initial distribution of cities to the Levites and other tribes after the conquest of Canaan, providing the historical context for the families returning to their inherited lands.
1 Corinthians 12:12-27While from the New Testament, this passage speaks to the body of Christ being made up of diverse members with different functions, echoing the way the returned community, with its various roles (priests, singers, gatekeepers), was reintegrated into their towns to function as a whole.
clarkeEzra 2:70: "So the priests, and the Levites, and some of the people, and the singers, and the porters, and the Nethinims, dwelt in their cities, and all Israel in their cities."
Dwelt in their cities - They all went to those cities which belonged originally to their respective families.
henryEzra 2:64-70: "The whole congregation together was forty and two thousand three hundred and threescore,"
2:64-70 Let none complain of the needful expenses of their religion. Seek first the kingdom of God, his favour and his glory, then will all other things be added unto them. Their offerings were nothing, compared with the offerings of the princes in David's time; yet, being according to their ability, were as acceptable to God. The Lord will carry us through all undertakings entered on accord…
The verse repeats "in their cities" not just for emphasis, but to highlight that even amidst the specific roles of priests and singers, everyone, "all Israel," was returning to their ancestral homes. This signifies a complete societal restoration, a return not just to worship, but to their rightful place and inheritance.
This verse wraps up the census and list of returnees by detailing their resettlement into their ancestral towns. Following the rebuilding of the temple and the purification of the community, Ezra's focus shifts to the practical matter of establishing these people back in their inherited lands, signifying a return to normalcy and order. This grounding in their own cities, alongside the rest of Israel, highlights the completion of their physical return and the beginning of their life in the promised land once more.
This verse wraps up the census and list of returnees by detailing their resettlement into their ancestral towns. Following the rebuilding of the temple and the purification of the community, Ezra's focus shifts to the practical matter of establishing these people back in their inherited lands, signifying a return to normalcy and order. This grounding in their own cities, alongside the rest of Israel, highlights the completion of their physical return and the beginning of their life in the promised land once more.
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Ask a follow-up
Ask Sola things like:
Live chat about Ezra 2:70 is available in the Sola app.
538 BC
Edict of Cyrus and First Return
Cyrus issues a decree allowing exiled Jews to return to Judah and rebuild their temple. Zerubbabel leads the first major wave of returnees, numbering around 50,000.
c. 458 BC
Ezra's Return and Reforms
The scribe Ezra leads a second significant group of exiles back to Jerusalem, focusing on religious and social reform among the returned community.
c. 445-433 BC— this verse
Nehemiah's Ministry and Rebuilding Walls
Nehemiah, cupbearer to the Persian king, returns to Jerusalem to rebuild the city walls amidst opposition. He also works alongside Ezra to restore the community.
"Now the priests, the Levites, some of the people, the singers, the gatekeepers, and the temple servants lived in their towns, and all the rest of Israel in their towns." — The verse repeats "in their cities" not just for emphasis, but to highlight that even amidst the specific roles of priests and singers, everyone, "all Israel," was returning to their ancestral homes.…
