1 After this were the principal men of the families chosen according to their tribes, to go up with their wives and sons and daughters, with their menservants and maidservants, and their cattle.
2 And Darius sent with them a thousand horsemen, till they had brought them back to Jerusalem safely, and with musical instruments tabrets and flutes.
3 And all their brethren played, and he made them go up together with them.
4 And these are the names of the men which went up, according to their families among their tribes, after their several heads.
5 The priests, the sons of Phinees the son of Aaron: Jesus the son of Josedec, the son of Saraias, and Joacim the son of Zorobabel, the son of Salathiel, of the house of David, out of the kindred of Phares, of the tribe of Judah;
6 Who spake wise sentences before Darius the king of Persia in the second year of his reign, in the month Nisan, which is the first month.
7 And these are they of Jewry that came up from the captivity, where they dwelt as strangers, whom Nabuchodonosor the king of Babylon had carried away unto Babylon.
8 And they returned unto Jerusalem, and to the other parts of Jewry, every man to his own city, who came with Zorobabel, with Jesus, Nehemias, and Zacharias, and Reesaias, Enenius, Mardocheus. Beelsarus, Aspharasus, Reelius, Roimus, and Baana, their guides.
9 The number of them of the nation, and their governors, sons of Phoros, two thousand an hundred seventy and two; the sons of Saphat, four hundred seventy and two:
10 The sons of Ares, seven hundred fifty and six:
11 The sons of Phaath Moab, two thousand eight hundred and twelve:
12 The sons of Elam, a thousand two hundred fifty and four: the sons of Zathul, nine hundred forty and five: the sons of Corbe, seven hundred and five: the sons of Bani, six hundred forty and eight:
13 The sons of Bebai, six hundred twenty and three: the sons of Sadas, three thousand two hundred twenty and two:
14 The sons of Adonikam, six hundred sixty and seven: the sons of Bagoi, two thousand sixty and six: the sons of Adin, four hundred fifty and four:
15 The sons of Aterezias, ninety and two: the sons of Ceilan and Azetas threescore and seven: the sons of Azuran, four hundred thirty and two:
16 The sons of Ananias, an hundred and one: the sons of Arom, thirty two: and the sons of Bassa, three hundred twenty and three: the sons of Azephurith, an hundred and two:
17 The sons of Meterus, three thousand and five: the sons of Bethlomon, an hundred twenty and three:
18 They of Netophah, fifty and five: they of Anathoth, an hundred fifty and eight: they of Bethsamos, forty and two:
19 They of Kiriathiarius, twenty and five: they of Caphira and Beroth, seven hundred forty and three: they of Pira, seven hundred:
20 They of Chadias and Ammidoi, four hundred twenty and two: they of Cirama and Gabdes, six hundred twenty and one:
21 They of Macalon, an hundred twenty and two: they of Betolius, fifty and two: the sons of Nephis, an hundred fifty and six:
22 The sons of Calamolalus and Onus, seven hundred twenty and five: the sons of Jerechus, two hundred forty and five:
23 The sons of Annas, three thousand three hundred and thirty.
24 The priests: the sons of Jeddu, the son of Jesus among the sons of Sanasib, nine hundred seventy and two: the sons of Meruth, a thousand fifty and two:
25 The sons of Phassaron, a thousand forty and seven: the sons of Carme, a thousand and seventeen.
26 The Levites: the sons of Jessue, and Cadmiel, and Banuas, and Sudias, seventy and four.
27 The holy singers: the sons of Asaph, an hundred twenty and eight.
28 The porters: the sons of Salum, the sons of Jatal, the sons of Talmon, the sons of Dacobi, the sons of Teta, the sons of Sami, in all an hundred thirty and nine.
29 The servants of the temple: the sons of Esau, the sons of Asipha, the sons of Tabaoth, the sons of Ceras, the sons of Sud, the sons of Phaleas, the sons of Labana, the sons of Graba,
30 The sons of Acua, the sons of Uta, the sons of Cetab, the sons of Agaba, the sons of Subai, the sons of Anan, the sons of Cathua, the sons of Geddur,
31 The sons of Airus, the sons of Daisan, the sons of Noeba, the sons of Chaseba, the sons of Gazera, the sons of Azia, the sons of Phinees, the sons of Azare, the sons of Bastai, the sons of Asana, the sons of Meani, the sons of Naphisi, the sons of Acub, the sons of Acipha, the sons of Assur, the sons of Pharacim, the sons of Basaloth,
32 The sons of Meeda, the sons of Coutha, the sons of Charea, the sons of Charcus, the sons of Aserer, the sons of Thomoi, the sons of Nasith, the sons of Atipha.
33 The sons of the servants of Solomon: the sons of Azaphion, the sons of Pharira, the sons of Jeeli, the sons of Lozon, the sons of Israel, the sons of Sapheth,
34 The sons of Hagia, the sons of Pharacareth, the sons of Sabi, the sons of Sarothie, the sons of Masias, the sons of Gar, the sons of Addus, the sons of Suba, the sons of Apherra, the sons of Barodis, the sons of Sabat, the sons of Allom.
35 All the ministers of the temple, and the sons of the servants of Solomon, were three hundred seventy and two.
36 These came up from Thermeleth and Thelersas, Charaathalar leading them, and Aalar;
37 Neither could they shew their families, nor their stock, how they were of Israel: the sons of Ladan, the son of Ban, the sons of Necodan, six hundred fifty and two.
38 And of the priests that usurped the office of the priesthood, and were not found: the sons of Obdia, the sons of Accoz, the sons of Addus, who married Augia one of the daughters of Barzelus, and was named after his name.
39 And when the description of the kindred of these men was sought in the register, and was not found, they were removed from executing the office of the priesthood:
40 For unto them said Nehemias and Atharias, that they should not be partakers of the holy things, till there arose up an high priest clothed with doctrine and truth.
41 So of Israel, from them of twelve years old and upward, they were all in number forty thousand, beside menservants and womenservants two thousand three hundred and sixty.
42 Their menservants and handmaids were seven thousand three hundred forty and seven: the singing men and singing women, two hundred forty and five:
43 Four hundred thirty and five camels, seven thousand thirty and six horses, two hundred forty and five mules, five thousand five hundred twenty and five beasts used to the yoke.
44 And certain of the chief of their families, when they came to the temple of God that is in Jerusalem, vowed to set up the house again in his own place according to their ability,
45 And to give into the holy treasury of the works a thousand pounds of gold, five thousand of silver, and an hundred priestly vestments.
46 And so dwelt the priests and the Levites and the people in Jerusalem, and in the country, the singers also and the porters; and all Israel in their villages.
47 But when the seventh month was at hand, and when the children of Israel were every man in his own place, they came all together with one consent into the open place of the first gate which is toward the east.
48 Then stood up Jesus the son of Josedec, and his brethren the priests and Zorobabel the son of Salathiel, and his brethren, and made ready the altar of the God of Israel,
49 To offer burnt sacrifices upon it, according as it is expressly commanded in the book of Moses the man of God.
50 And there were gathered unto them out of the other nations of the land, and they erected the altar upon his own place, because all the nations of the land were at enmity with them, and oppressed them; and they offered sacrifices according to the time, and burnt offerings to the Lord both morning and evening.
51 Also they held the feast of tabernacles, as it is commanded in the law, and offered sacrifices daily, as was meet:
52 And after that, the continual oblations, and the sacrifice of the sabbaths, and of the new moons, and of all holy feasts.
53 And all they that had made any vow to God began to offer sacrifices to God from the first day of the seventh month, although the temple of the Lord was not yet built.
54 And they gave unto the masons and carpenters money, meat, and drink, with cheerfulness.
55 Unto them of Zidon also and Tyre they gave carrs, that they should bring cedar trees from Libanus, which should be brought by floats to the haven of Joppa, according as it was commanded them by Cyrus king of the Persians.
56 And in the second year and second month after his coming to the temple of God at Jerusalem began Zorobabel the son of Salathiel, and Jesus the son of Josedec, and their brethren, and the priests, and the Levites, and all they that were come unto Jerusalem out of the captivity:
57 And they laid the foundation of the house of God in the first day of the second month, in the second year after they were come to Jewry and Jerusalem.
58 And they appointed the Levites from twenty years old over the works of the Lord. Then stood up Jesus, and his sons and brethren, and Cadmiel his brother, and the sons of Madiabun, with the sons of Joda the son of Eliadun, with their sons and brethren, all Levites, with one accord setters forward of the business, labouring to advance the works in the house of God. So the workmen built the temple of the Lord.
59 And the priests stood arrayed in their vestments with musical instruments and trumpets; and the Levites the sons of Asaph had cymbals,
60 Singing songs of thanksgiving, and praising the Lord, according as David the king of Israel had ordained.
61 And they sung with loud voices songs to the praise of the Lord, because his mercy and glory is for ever in all Israel.
62 And all the people sounded trumpets, and shouted with a loud voice, singing songs of thanksgiving unto the Lord for the rearing up of the house of the Lord.
63 Also of the priests and Levites, and of the chief of their families, the ancients who had seen the former house came to the building of this with weeping and great crying.
64 But many with trumpets and joy shouted with loud voice,
65 Insomuch that the trumpets might not be heard for the weeping of the people: yet the multitude sounded marvellously, so that it was heard afar off.
66 Wherefore when the enemies of the tribe of Judah and Benjamin heard it, they came to know what that noise of trumpets should mean.
67 And they perceived that they that were of the captivity did build the temple unto the Lord God of Israel.
68 So they went to Zorobabel and Jesus, and to the chief of the families, and said unto them, We will build together with you.
69 For we likewise, as ye, do obey your Lord, and do sacrifice unto him from the days of Azbazareth the king of the Assyrians, who brought us hither.
70 Then Zorobabel and Jesus and the chief of the families of Israel said unto them, It is not for us and you to build together an house unto the Lord our God.
71 We ourselves alone will build unto the Lord of Israel, according as Cyrus the king of the Persians hath commanded us.
72 But the heathen of the land lying heavy upon the inhabitants of Judea, and holding them strait, hindered their building;
73 And by their secret plots, and popular persuasions and commotions, they hindered the finishing of the building all the time that king Cyrus lived: so they were hindered from building for the space of two years, until the reign of Darius.
The List of Those Who Returned from Exile
(Ezra 2.1-70Nehemiah 7.4-73)1 After this, the heads of clans were chosen, tribe by tribe, to go to Jerusalem with their wives, children, slaves, and animals. 2 Emperor Darius sent a thousand cavalry troops to escort them safely back to Jerusalem. 3 He sent them off to the music of drums and flutes, while all the rest of the Jewish people danced for joy.
4 These are the names, by tribes, clans, and families, of the men who returned: 5 Among the priests, descendants of Phinehas son of Aaron, was Joshua, son of Jozadak and grandson of Seraiah. He was accompanied by Zerubbabel, who was the son of Shealtiel of the family of David, of the line of Perez, of the tribe of Judah. 6 He was the one who had spoken the wise words before Emperor Darius of Persia. They left Babylon in the second year of his reign in Nisan, the first month.
7 These are the Jewish men who returned from exile. Their families had been living in Babylonia since King Nebuchadnezzar had taken them there as prisoners. 8 They returned to Jerusalem and the rest of Judah, each to his own hometown. Their leaders were Zerubbabel, Joshua, Nehemiah, Seraiah, Resaiah, Eneneus, Mordecai, Beelsarus, Aspharasus, Reeliah, Rehum, and Baanah.
9-17a The following is a list of the clans of Israel, with the number of those from each clan who returned with their leaders from exile:
Parosh 2,172Shephatiah 472Arah 756Pahath Moab (descendants of Jeshua and Joab) 2,812Elam 1,254Zattu 945Chorbe 705Bani 648Bebai 623Azgad 1,322Adonikam 667Bigvai 2,066Adin 454Ater (also called Hezekiah) 92Kilan and Azetas 67Azaru 432Annias 101Arom —Bezai 323Arsiphurith 112Baiterus 3,005
17b-23 People whose ancestors had lived in the following towns also returned:
Bethlehem 123Netophah 55Anathoth 158Beth Azmaveth 42Kiriath Jearim 25Chephirah and Beeroth 743the towns of the Chadiasans and the Ammidians 422Ramah and Geba 621Michmash 122Bethel 52Magbish 156The other Elam and Ono 725Jericho 345Senaah 3,330
24-25 The following is the list of the priestly clans that returned from exile:
Jedaiah (descendants of Jeshua and Anasib) 972Immer 1,052Pashhur 1,247Harim 1,017
26-28 Clans of Levites who returned from exile:
Jeshua, Kadmiel, Bannas, and Sudias 74Temple musicians (descendants of Asaph) 128Temple guards (descendants of Shallum, Ater, Talmon, Akkub, Hatita, and Shobai) 139
29-32 Clans of Temple workmen who returned from exile:
Esau, Hasupha, Tabbaoth,Keros, Siaha, Padon,Lebanah, Hagabah, Akkub,Uthai, Ketab, Hagab,Shamlai, Hanan, Cathua,Geddur, Jairus, Daisan,Noeba, Chaseba, Gazera,Uzza, Phinoe, Asara,Besai, Asnah, Meunim,Nephisim, Akub, Hakupha,Asur, Pharakim, Bazluth,Mehida, Cutha, Charea,Barkos, Sisera, Temah,Neziah, Hatipha33-34 Clans of Solomon's servants who returned from exile:
Hassophereth, Peruda, Jaalah,Lozon, Giddel, Shephatiah,Agia, Phochereth Hazzebaim,Sarothie, Masiah, Gas,Addus, Subas, Apherra,Barodis, Shaphat, Adlon35 The total number of descendants of the Temple workmen and of Solomon's servants who returned from exile was 372.
36-37 There were 652 belonging to the clans of Delaiah (descendants of Tobiah) and Nekoda who returned from the towns of Tel Melah and Tel Harsha, with their leaders Cherub, Addan, and Immer; but these could not prove that they were descendants of Israelites.
38-39 The following clans, who claimed to be priestly clans, could find no record to prove their ancestry: Habaiah, Hakkoz, Jaddus (the ancestor of the clan of Jaddus had married Agia, one of the daughters of Barzillai, and had taken the name of his father-in-law's clan). Since they were unable to prove who their ancestors were, they were not allowed to function as priests. 40 Nehemiah the governor told them that they could not eat the food offered to God until there was a High Priest who could use the Revelation and Truth.
41-43 The total number of Israelites (twelve years old or older, not counting servants) 42,360Male and female servants 7,337Male and female musicians 245Camels 435Horses 7,036Mules 245Donkeys 5,525
44 When the exiles arrived at the place of God's Temple in Jerusalem, some of the leaders of the clans took a vow to rebuild the Temple on its old site, to the best of their ability. 45 They promised to contribute for the rebuilding and the service of the Temple 1,000 pounds of gold, 5,000 pounds of silver, and 100 robes for priests.
46 The priests, the Levites, and some of the people settled in or near Jerusalem; the musicians and the Temple guards settled in nearby towns; and the rest of the Israelites settled in the towns where their ancestors had lived.
Worship Begins Again
(Ezra 3.1-6)47 By the seventh month the people of Israel were all settled in their towns. Then they all assembled in the open square in front of the first gate on the east side of the Temple area. 48 Joshua son of Jehozadak, his fellow priests, and Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, together with his relatives, prepared the altar of the God of Israel, 49 so that they could burn sacrifices on it according to the instructions written in the Law of Moses, the man of God. 50 Some of the local people, even though they were stronger than the Jews and opposed to them, joined them in rebuilding the altar where it had stood before. Then the Jews began once again to burn the regular morning and evening sacrifices on the altar. 51 They celebrated the Festival of Shelters, according to the regulations, each day offering the sacrifices required for that day. 52 They also offered the normal daily sacrifices, as well as those required for the Sabbath, the New Moon Festival, and the other regular assemblies for worship. 53 Although the people had not yet rebuilt God's Temple, everyone who had made a vow to God began to offer sacrifices on the first day of the seventh month.
The Rebuilding of the Temple Begins
(Ezra 3.7-13)54 The people gave money to pay the stonemasons and the carpenters; they gave food, drink, 55 and carts to be sent to the cities of Tyre and Sidon in exchange for cedar logs from Lebanon, which were to be floated to the harbor at Joppa. All of this was done according to the orders given by Emperor Cyrus of Persia.
56-57 So in the second month of the year after they came back to the site of the Temple in Jerusalem, they started the work and began laying the foundation. Zerubbabel, Joshua, and the rest of the Jewish people, the priests, and the Levites—in fact, all the exiles who had come back to Jerusalem, joined in the work. 58 The Levites twenty years of age or older were put in charge of rebuilding the Temple for the Lord. The Levite Jeshua and his sons and relatives, his brother Kadmiel, the sons of Jeshua Emadabun, the sons of Joda son of Iliadun, and all their sons and relatives—in fact, all the Levites joined together to take charge of the rebuilding of the Temple.
While the workers were building the Temple of the Lord, 59 the priests in their robes took their places with trumpets and other musical instruments in their hands, and the Levites of the clan of Asaph stood there with cymbals. 60 They praised the Lord and gave thanks to him according to the instructions handed down from the time of King David. 61 They sang psalms praising the Lord, repeating the refrain: “The goodness of the Lord and his glorious presence are with all Israel forever.” 62 All the people blew trumpets and shouted with all their might, praising the Lord because the Temple was being rebuilt. 63 Some of the older priests, Levites, and heads of clans had seen the first Temple, and when they came and saw the building of this Temple, they cried and wailed. 64 Others who were there blew trumpets and shouted for joy. 65 The crowd blew the trumpets so loud that the blast could be heard far away, but no one nearby could hear the blast of the trumpets because the sound made by those who were crying and wailing was so loud.
Opposition to the Rebuilding of the Temple
(Ezra 4.1-5)66 The enemies of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin heard the sound of the trumpets and came to see what it meant. 67 When they learned that those who had returned from exile were rebuilding the Temple of the Lord, the God of Israel, 68 they went to Zerubbabel, Joshua, and the heads of the clans and said, “Let us join you in building the Temple. 69 We worship the same Lord you worship and we have been offering sacrifices to him ever since Emperor Esarhaddon of Assyria sent us here to live.”
70 Zerubbabel, Joshua, and the heads of the clans told them, “We don't need your help in building the Temple for the Lord our God. 71 We will build it ourselves, just as Emperor Cyrus of Persia commanded us.”
72 Then the people who had been living in the land began to harass the Jews; they cut off their supplies and kept them from building. 73 These people plotted, agitated, and rioted so much that they prevented the Temple from being completed during the reign of Emperor Cyrus. The work was halted until Darius became emperor, two years later.