Ezra 8

In Ezra 8, Ezra leads a second group of exiles from Babylon to Jerusalem. The chapter provides a list of the leaders of families who returned with him, discusses the gathering of Levites to serve in the temple, and outlines preparations for the journey, including fasting and prayer for God's protection. The chapter concludes with the successful arrival in Jerusalem, where they offer sacrifices and deliver the king's orders.

Ezra 8:1 (NKJV)
1 These are the heads of their fathers' houses, and this is the genealogy of those who went up with me from Babylon, in the reign of King Artaxerxes.

Ezra begins by listing the heads of the families that joined him on the journey from Babylon to Jerusalem. This detailed genealogical record emphasizes the importance of maintaining the heritage of the exiled Jews who were returning to their homeland during King Artaxerxes' reign.

Ezra 8:2-5 (NKJV)
2 of the sons of Phinehas, Gershom; of the sons of Ithamar, Daniel; of the sons of David, Hattush;
3 of the sons of Shecaniah, of the sons of Parosh, Zechariah; and registered with him were one hundred and fifty males;
4 of the sons of Pahath-Moab, Eliehoenai the son of Zerahiah, and with him two hundred males;
5 of the sons of Shechaniah, Ben-Jahaziel, and with him three hundred males;

Ezra provides a list of the notable individuals from different family lines who joined him on the journey. This includes descendants from the priestly line of Phinehas, Ithamar, and the royal lineage of David. The numbers listed highlight the willingness of many families to return to Jerusalem and re-establish their heritage in the promised land.

Ezra 8:6-9 (NKJV)
6 also of the sons of Adin, Ebed the son of Jonathan, and with him fifty males;
7 of the sons of Elam, Jeshaiah the son of Athaliah, and with him seventy males;
8 of the sons of Shephatiah, Zebadiah the son of Michael, and with him eighty males;
9 of the sons of Joab, Obadiah the son of Jehiel, and with him two hundred and eighteen males;

The list continues, with Ezra naming additional families who participated in the return. The variety of family names and numbers signifies a broad representation of Jewish society, demonstrating a united effort to restore their community and faith in Jerusalem.

Ezra 8:10-14 (NKJV)
10 of the sons of Shelomith, Ben-Josiphiah, and with him one hundred and sixty males;
11 of the sons of Bebai, Zechariah the son of Bebai, and with him twenty-eight males;
12 of the sons of Azgad, Johanan the son of Hakkatan, and with him one hundred and ten males;
13 of the last sons of Adonikam, whose names are these—Eliphelet, Jeiel, and Shemaiah—and with them sixty males;
14 also of the sons of Bigvai, Uthai and Zabbud, and with them seventy males.

The chapter provides the final portion of the list of returning exiles. These records show the careful documentation of those returning to Jerusalem, maintaining both spiritual and physical records of the people. The preservation of these names demonstrates a continuation of their ancestral identity despite the exile.

Ezra 8:15 (NKJV)
15 Now I gathered them by the river that flows to Ahava, and we camped there three days. And I looked among the people and the priests, and found none of the sons of Levi there.

Ezra organizes the group by the river Ahava, where they camp for three days. During this time, he observes that no Levites were present, which was a significant issue because Levites were essential for temple service. This realization prompts him to take further action.

Ezra 8:16-17 (NKJV)
16 Then I sent for Eliezer, Ariel, Shemaiah, Elnathan, Jarib, Elnathan, Nathan, Zechariah, and Meshullam, leaders; also for Joiarib and Elnathan, men of understanding.
17 And I gave them a command for Iddo the chief man at the place Casiphia, and I told them what they should say to Iddo and his brethren the Nethinim at the place Casiphia—that they should bring us servants for the house of our God.

Seeing the lack of Levites, Ezra sends trusted leaders to Iddo, who was in charge at Casiphia. He instructs them to request Levites and temple servants (Nethinim) for the journey back to Jerusalem, knowing that their service would be crucial for the proper functioning of the temple.

Ezra 8:18-20 (NKJV)
18 Then, by the good hand of our God upon us, they brought us a man of understanding, of the sons of Mahli the son of Levi, the son of Israel, namely Sherebiah, with his sons and brothers, eighteen men;
19 and Hashabiah, and with him Jeshaiah of the sons of Merari, his brothers and their sons, twenty men;
20 also of the Nethinim, whom David and the leaders had appointed for the service of the Levites, two hundred and twenty Nethinim. All of them were designated by name.

Ezra acknowledges God's blessing in providing Levites, including Sherebiah and Hashabiah, along with their families and a large group of temple servants (Nethinim). This was essential for the spiritual life of Jerusalem, as these men would assist in temple rituals and upkeep.

Ezra 8:21 (NKJV)
21 Then I proclaimed a fast there at the river of Ahava, that we might humble ourselves before our God, to seek from Him the right way for us and our little ones and all our possessions.

Before embarking on the journey, Ezra calls for a fast at the river Ahava. This demonstrates humility and dependence on God, as they sought His protection and guidance for the long and dangerous journey ahead. It underscores their faith and desire for God's blessing.

Ezra 8:22 (NKJV)
22 For I was ashamed to request of the king an escort of soldiers and horsemen to help us against the enemy on the road, because we had spoken to the king, saying, “The hand of our God is upon all those for good who seek Him, but His power and His wrath are against all those who forsake Him.”

Ezra explains his reluctance to ask King Artaxerxes for military protection, as he had already testified to the king about God's protection over His people. Asking for soldiers would seem to undermine his faith in God’s ability to protect them, so he trusted solely in divine protection.

Ezra 8:23 (NKJV)
23 So we fasted and entreated our God for this, and He answered our prayer.

Ezra and the people earnestly fast and pray for God's guidance and protection. Their prayers are answered, indicating God's favor and willingness to protect them as they embark on their journey to Jerusalem.

Ezra 8:24-25 (NKJV)
24 And I separated twelve of the leaders of the priests—Sherebiah, Hashabiah, and ten of their brethren with them—
25 and weighed out to them the silver, the gold, and the articles, the offering for the house of our God which the king and his counselors and his princes, and all Israel who were present, had offered.

Ezra entrusts the valuable offerings of silver and gold to twelve priests, including Sherebiah and Hashabiah. These treasures, provided by the king and the Israelites, were to be used for the temple in Jerusalem. The careful weighing reflects the seriousness of their responsibility.

Ezra 8:26-27 (NKJV)
26 I weighed into their hand six hundred and fifty talents of silver, silver articles weighing one hundred talents, one hundred talents of gold,
27 twenty gold basins worth a thousand drachmas, and two vessels of fine polished bronze, precious as gold.

Ezra details the exact amounts of gold, silver, and other valuable items that were handed over to the priests. This meticulous recordkeeping emphasizes the importance of accountability and the sacred nature of these offerings for the temple.

Ezra 8:28-30 (NKJV)
28 And I said to them, “You are holy to the Lord; the articles are holy also; and the silver and the gold are a freewill offering to the Lord God of your fathers.
29 Watch and keep them until you weigh them before the leaders of the priests and the Levites and heads of the fathers' houses of Israel in Jerusalem, in the chambers of the house of the Lord.”
30 So the priests and the Levites received the silver and the gold and the articles by weight, to bring them to Jerusalem to the house of our God.

Ezra charges the priests with the responsibility of guarding these holy items, reminding them of their sacred duty. He emphasizes their importance as holy offerings to God, meant for His temple. The priests accept this responsibility and prepare to safely deliver the treasures to Jerusalem.

Ezra 8:31 (NKJV)
31 Then we departed from the river of Ahava on the twelfth day of the first month, to go to Jerusalem. And the hand of our God was upon us, and He delivered us from the hand of the enemy and from ambush along the road.

Ezra records the start of their journey from the river Ahava to Jerusalem, acknowledging God's protection throughout the trip. Despite the potential dangers, God faithfully guards them from enemies and ambushes, fulfilling their prayers for safety.

Ezra 8:32 (NKJV)
32 So we came to Jerusalem, and stayed there three days.

After the successful journey, the group arrives in Jerusalem and rests for three days. This short stay before engaging in their duties highlights the importance of both physical rest and preparation before their work in the temple.

Ezra 8:33-34 (NKJV)
33 Now on the fourth day the silver and the gold and the articles were weighed in the house of our God by the hand of Meremoth the son of Uriah the priest, and with him was Eleazar the son of Phinehas; with them were the Levites, Jozabad the son of Jeshua and Noadiah the son of Binnui,
34 with the number and weight of everything. All the weight was written down at that time.

Upon arriving, Ezra ensures that the treasures are weighed and accounted for in the temple, in the presence of priests and Levites. This careful accounting reinforces the importance of integrity in handling these sacred offerings, ensuring that nothing was lost or stolen.

Ezra 8:35 (NKJV)
35 The children of those who had been carried away captive, who had come from the captivity, offered burnt offerings to the God of Israel: twelve bulls for all Israel, ninety-six rams, seventy-seven lambs, and twelve male goats as a sin offering. All this was a burnt offering to the Lord.

After arriving in Jerusalem, the exiles offer sacrifices to God in thanksgiving for their safe journey. The burnt offerings, including bulls, rams, lambs, and goats, are acts of worship and symbolize the people's dedication and repentance before the Lord.

Ezra 8:36 (NKJV)
36 And they delivered the king’s orders to the king’s satraps and the governors in the region beyond the River. So they gave support to the people and the house of God.

Finally, Ezra and the group deliver the king's orders to the local authorities, ensuring that the Jewish people and the temple would receive the necessary support for their restoration efforts. This demonstrates the cooperation between the Persian authorities and the Jewish leaders in rebuilding Jerusalem.