INTRODUCTION: Ezra chapter one describes the return to Israel under Zerubbabel. Ezra chapter two gives the official census record of those who returned at this time. [Note: there is no need to deal with chapter two verse by verse; just point out special details.] In this passage, God began to renew that which had fallen. Though it looked to all the earth as if Israel was gone forever as a nation, God had other plans. After all, He can resurrect the dead back to life. Certainly, He can resurrect a nation.

1. THE DECREE OF CYRUS (Ezra 1:1-4 [1] Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it also in writing, saying, [2] Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia, The LORD God of heaven hath given me all the kingdoms of the earth; and he hath charged me to build him an house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah. [3] Who is there among you of all his people? his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem, which is in Judah, and build the house of the LORD God of Israel, (he is the God,) which is in Jerusalem. [4] And whosoever remaineth in any place where he sojourneth, let the men of his place help him with silver, and with gold, and with goods, and with beasts, beside the freewill offering for the house of God that is in Jerusalem.
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1. The Making of the Decree (Ezra 1:1Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it also in writing, saying,
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1. The time of the decree: first year of Cyrus king of Persia
2. The fulfillment of the decree
1. According to the word of the Lord
2. By the mouth of Jeremiah (2 Chronicles 36:21-22 [21] To fulfil the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah, until the land had enjoyed her sabbaths: for as long as she lay desolate she kept sabbath, to fulfil threescore and ten years. [22] Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the LORD spoken by the mouth of Jeremiah might be accomplished, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it also in writing, saying,
   See All...; Jeremiah 25:11-12 [11] And this whole land shall be a desolation, and an astonishment; and these nations shall serve the king of Babylon seventy years. [12] And it shall come to pass, when seventy years are accomplished, that I will punish the king of Babylon, and that nation, saith the LORD, for their iniquity, and the land of the Chaldeans, and will make it perpetual desolations.
   See All...; Jeremiah 29:10-14 [10] For thus saith the LORD, That after seventy years be accomplished at Babylon I will visit you, and perform my good word toward you, in causing you to return to this place. [11] For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. [12] Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. [13] And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. [14] And I will be found of you, saith the LORD: and I will turn away your captivity, and I will gather you from all the nations, and from all the places whither I have driven you, saith the LORD; and I will bring you again into the place whence I caused you to be carried away captive.
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3. The bringing forth of the decree
1. The stirring of the Lord (Haggai 1:14And the LORD stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest, and the spirit of all the remnant of the people; and they came and did work in the house of the LORD of hosts, their God,
   See All...; Acts 17:16Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was stirred in him, when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry.
   See All...; 2 Timothy 1:6Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.
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2. The spirit of Cyrus (Isaiah 44:28That saith of Cyrus, He is my shepherd, and shall perform all my pleasure: even saying to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be built; and to the temple, Thy foundation shall be laid.
   See All...; Isaiah 45:1-4 [1] Thus saith the LORD to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have holden, to subdue nations before him; and I will loose the loins of kings, to open before him the two leaved gates; and the gates shall not be shut; [2] I will go before thee, and make the crooked places straight: I will break in pieces the gates of brass, and cut in sunder the bars of iron: [3] And I will give thee the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places, that thou mayest know that I, the LORD, which call thee by thy name, am the God of Israel. [4] For Jacob my servant's sake, and Israel mine elect, I have even called thee by thy name: I have surnamed thee, though thou hast not known me.
   See All...; Proverbs 21:1The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.
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4. The proclamation of the decree
1. Throughout the kingdom
2. Put also in writing
2. The Content of the Decree (Ezra 1:2-4 [2] Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia, The LORD God of heaven hath given me all the kingdoms of the earth; and he hath charged me to build him an house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah. [3] Who is there among you of all his people? his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem, which is in Judah, and build the house of the LORD God of Israel, (he is the God,) which is in Jerusalem. [4] And whosoever remaineth in any place where he sojourneth, let the men of his place help him with silver, and with gold, and with goods, and with beasts, beside the freewill offering for the house of God that is in Jerusalem.
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1. To build the house of God (Ezra 1:2Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia, The LORD God of heaven hath given me all the kingdoms of the earth; and he hath charged me to build him an house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah.
   See All...) – the Mission
1. According to the commission of the Lord
1. The Lord God of heaven
2. Having given Cyrus all the kingdoms of the earth (Daniel 4:25That they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field, and they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and they shall wet thee with the dew of heaven, and seven times shall pass over thee, till thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will.
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2. According to the charge of the Lord
1. To build the Lord a house
2. At Jerusalem in Judah
2. To send the people of the Lord (Ezra 1:3Who is there among you of all his people? his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem, which is in Judah, and build the house of the LORD God of Israel, (he is the God,) which is in Jerusalem.
   See All...) – the Men
1. The people sought – “Who is there among you?”
2. The people strengthened – “his God be with him” (Joshua 1:9-11 [9] Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest. [10] Then Joshua commanded the officers of the people, saying, [11] Pass through the host, and command the people, saying, Prepare you victuals; for within three days ye shall pass over this Jordan, to go in to possess the land, which the LORD your God giveth you to possess it.
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3. The people sent – “let him go up”
4. The people signed up – “build the house”
3. To gather the offering of God (Ezra 1:4And whosoever remaineth in any place where he sojourneth, let the men of his place help him with silver, and with gold, and with goods, and with beasts, beside the freewill offering for the house of God that is in Jerusalem.
   See All...) – the Means
1. For the purpose of sending
1. The part of those not going; Note: compare to missionaries.
2. To help those who are going
2. For the purpose of building
1. Set up as a free-will offering (Exodus 25:1-2 [1] And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, [2] Speak unto the children of Israel, that they bring me an offering: of every man that giveth it willingly with his heart ye shall take my offering.
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2. To build the house of the Lord
2. THE GATHERING OF THE PEOPLE (Ezra 1:5-6 [5] Then rose up the chief of the fathers of Judah and Benjamin, and the priests, and the Levites, with all them whose spirit God had raised, to go up to build the house of the LORD which is in Jerusalem. [6] And all they that were about them strengthened their hands with vessels of silver, with gold, with goods, and with beasts, and with precious things, beside all that was willingly offered.
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1. The Moving of the People (Ezra 1:5Then rose up the chief of the fathers of Judah and Benjamin, and the priests, and the Levites, with all them whose spirit God had raised, to go up to build the house of the LORD which is in Jerusalem.
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1. The leadership in motivation
1. The chief of the fathers
2. The priests
3. The Levites
2. The source of motivation – God (Proverbs 16:1The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the LORD.
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3. The method of motivation – in their spirit (Romans 1:9For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers;
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2. The Offering of the People (Ezra 1:6And all they that were about them strengthened their hands with vessels of silver, with gold, with goods, and with beasts, and with precious things, beside all that was willingly offered.
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1. The strength of the offering (2 Corinthians 9:6-8 [6] But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. [7] Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. [8] And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:
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2. The willingness of the offering (2 Corinthians 8:3For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves;
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3. THE BRINGING OF THE VESSELS (Ezra 1:7-11 [7] Also Cyrus the king brought forth the vessels of the house of the LORD, which Nebuchadnezzar had brought forth out of Jerusalem, and had put them in the house of his gods; [8] Even those did Cyrus king of Persia bring forth by the hand of Mithredath the treasurer, and numbered them unto Sheshbazzar, the prince of Judah. [9] And this is the number of them: thirty chargers of gold, a thousand chargers of silver, nine and twenty knives, [10] Thirty basons of gold, silver basons of a second sort four hundred and ten, and other vessels a thousand. [11] All the vessels of gold and of silver were five thousand and four hundred. All these did Sheshbazzar bring up with them of the captivity that were brought up from Babylon unto Jerusalem.
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1. The Commissioning of the Vessels (Ezra 1:7-8 [7] Also Cyrus the king brought forth the vessels of the house of the LORD, which Nebuchadnezzar had brought forth out of Jerusalem, and had put them in the house of his gods; [8] Even those did Cyrus king of Persia bring forth by the hand of Mithredath the treasurer, and numbered them unto Sheshbazzar, the prince of Judah.
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1. By the king of Persia (Ezra 1:7Also Cyrus the king brought forth the vessels of the house of the LORD, which Nebuchadnezzar had brought forth out of Jerusalem, and had put them in the house of his gods;
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1. Taken from Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar (2 Chronicles 36:7Nebuchadnezzar also carried of the vessels of the house of the LORD to Babylon, and put them in his temple at Babylon.
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2. Stored in the house of his gods (Daniel 5:1-4 [1] Belshazzar the king made a great feast to a thousand of his lords, and drank wine before the thousand. [2] Belshazzar, whiles he tasted the wine, commanded to bring the golden and silver vessels which his father Nebuchadnezzar had taken out of the temple which was in Jerusalem; that the king, and his princes, his wives, and his concubines, might drink therein. [3] Then they brought the golden vessels that were taken out of the temple of the house of God which was at Jerusalem; and the king, and his princes, his wives, and his concubines, drank in them. [4] They drank wine, and praised the gods of gold, and of silver, of brass, of iron, of wood, and of stone.
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3. Brought forth by Cyrus of Persia
2. To the rulers of Judah (Ezra 1:8Even those did Cyrus king of Persia bring forth by the hand of Mithredath the treasurer, and numbered them unto Sheshbazzar, the prince of Judah.
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1. Brought by the hand of Mithredath the treasurer
2. Numbered by Sheshbazzar the prince of Judah
2. NOTE: Sheshbazzar is certainly another name for Zerubbabel. He is called Sheshbazzar, a name meaning joy in tribulation , by the Persians. However, his own people called him Zerubbabel, which means a stranger in Babylon . Their common identity is seen in the following facts:
1. They both were the prince of Judah (cp. Ezra 1:8Even those did Cyrus king of Persia bring forth by the hand of Mithredath the treasurer, and numbered them unto Sheshbazzar, the prince of Judah.
   See All... with Matthew 1:12And after they were brought to Babylon, Jechonias begat Salathiel; and Salathiel begat Zorobabel;
   See All..., which shows Zerubbabel to be in the royal line of David).
2. They both led the first return from captivity (cp. Ezra 1:11All the vessels of gold and of silver were five thousand and four hundred. All these did Sheshbazzar bring up with them of the captivity that were brought up from Babylon unto Jerusalem.
   See All... with Ezra 2:2Which came with Zerubbabel: Jeshua, Nehemiah, Seraiah, Reelaiah, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mizpar, Bigvai, Rehum, Baanah. The number of the men of the people of Israel:
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3. They were both the governor of Judah (cp. Ezra 5:14And the vessels also of gold and silver of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar took out of the temple that was in Jerusalem, and brought them into the temple of Babylon, those did Cyrus the king take out of the temple of Babylon, and they were delivered unto one, whose name was Sheshbazzar, whom he had made governor;
   See All... with Haggai 1:14And the LORD stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest, and the spirit of all the remnant of the people; and they came and did work in the house of the LORD of hosts, their God,
   See All...).
4. They both laid the temple foundation (cp. Ezra 5:16Then came the same Sheshbazzar, and laid the foundation of the house of God which is in Jerusalem: and since that time even until now hath it been in building, and yet it is not finished.
   See All... with Zechariah 4:9The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; his hands shall also finish it; and thou shalt know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me unto you.
   See All...).
5. They are never both mentioned in the same place.
3. The Inventory of the Vessels (Ezra 1:9-11 [9] And this is the number of them: thirty chargers of gold, a thousand chargers of silver, nine and twenty knives, [10] Thirty basons of gold, silver basons of a second sort four hundred and ten, and other vessels a thousand. [11] All the vessels of gold and of silver were five thousand and four hundred. All these did Sheshbazzar bring up with them of the captivity that were brought up from Babylon unto Jerusalem.
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1. A detailed account of some (Ezra 1:9-10 [9] And this is the number of them: thirty chargers of gold, a thousand chargers of silver, nine and twenty knives, [10] Thirty basons of gold, silver basons of a second sort four hundred and ten, and other vessels a thousand.
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1. Chargers of gold (Ezra 1:9And this is the number of them: thirty chargers of gold, a thousand chargers of silver, nine and twenty knives,
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2. Chargers of silver (Ezra 1:9And this is the number of them: thirty chargers of gold, a thousand chargers of silver, nine and twenty knives,
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3. Knives (Ezra 1:9And this is the number of them: thirty chargers of gold, a thousand chargers of silver, nine and twenty knives,
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4. Basins of gold (Ezra 1:10Thirty basons of gold, silver basons of a second sort four hundred and ten, and other vessels a thousand.
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5. Basins of silver (Ezra 1:10Thirty basons of gold, silver basons of a second sort four hundred and ten, and other vessels a thousand.
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6. Other vessels (Ezra 1:10Thirty basons of gold, silver basons of a second sort four hundred and ten, and other vessels a thousand.
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2. The grand total of all (Ezra 1:11All the vessels of gold and of silver were five thousand and four hundred. All these did Sheshbazzar bring up with them of the captivity that were brought up from Babylon unto Jerusalem.
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1. 5400 vessels total
2. Brought from Babylon to Jerusalem
4. THE RETURN OF THE MEN OF ISRAEL (Ezra 2:1-2 [1] Now these are the children of the province that went up out of the captivity, of those which had been carried away, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away unto Babylon, and came again unto Jerusalem and Judah, every one unto his city; [2] Which came with Zerubbabel: Jeshua, Nehemiah, Seraiah, Reelaiah, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mizpar, Bigvai, Rehum, Baanah. The number of the men of the people of Israel:
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1. A Return out of Captivity (Ezra 2:1Now these are the children of the province that went up out of the captivity, of those which had been carried away, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away unto Babylon, and came again unto Jerusalem and Judah, every one unto his city;
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1. That had been carried away by Nebuchadnezzar
2. That came again unto Jerusalem and Judah
2. A Listing of Their Leaders (Ezra 2:2Which came with Zerubbabel: Jeshua, Nehemiah, Seraiah, Reelaiah, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mizpar, Bigvai, Rehum, Baanah. The number of the men of the people of Israel:
   See All...; Haggai 2:2Speak now to Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest, and to the residue of the people, saying,
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5. THE ACCOUNT OF THE CONGREGATION (Ezra 2:3-35 [3] The children of Parosh, two thousand an hundred seventy and two. [4] The children of Shephatiah, three hundred seventy and two. [5] The children of Arah, seven hundred seventy and five. [6] The children of Pahathmoab, of the children of Jeshua and Joab, two thousand eight hundred and twelve. [7] The children of Elam, a thousand two hundred fifty and four. [8] The children of Zattu, nine hundred forty and five. [9] The children of Zaccai, seven hundred and threescore. [10] The children of Bani, six hundred forty and two. [11] The children of Bebai, six hundred twenty and three. [12] The children of Azgad, a thousand two hundred twenty and two. [13] The children of Adonikam, six hundred sixty and six. [14] The children of Bigvai, two thousand fifty and six. [15] The children of Adin, four hundred fifty and four. [16] The children of Ater of Hezekiah, ninety and eight. [17] The children of Bezai, three hundred twenty and three. [18] The children of Jorah, an hundred and twelve. [19] The children of Hashum, two hundred twenty and three. [20] The children of Gibbar, ninety and five. [21] The children of Bethlehem, an hundred twenty and three. [22] The men of Netophah, fifty and six. [23] The men of Anathoth, an hundred twenty and eight. [24] The children of Azmaveth, forty and two. [25] The children of Kirjatharim, Chephirah, and Beeroth, seven hundred and forty and three. [26] The children of Ramah and Gaba, six hundred twenty and one. [27] The men of Michmas, an hundred twenty and two. [28] The men of Bethel and Ai, two hundred twenty and three. [29] The children of Nebo, fifty and two. [30] The children of Magbish, an hundred fifty and six. [31] The children of the other Elam, a thousand two hundred fifty and four. [32] The children of Harim, three hundred and twenty. [33] The children of Lod, Hadid, and Ono, seven hundred twenty and five. [34] The children of Jericho, three hundred forty and five. [35] The children of Senaah, three thousand and six hundred and thirty.
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1. By Families (Ezra 2:3-20 [3] The children of Parosh, two thousand an hundred seventy and two. [4] The children of Shephatiah, three hundred seventy and two. [5] The children of Arah, seven hundred seventy and five. [6] The children of Pahathmoab, of the children of Jeshua and Joab, two thousand eight hundred and twelve. [7] The children of Elam, a thousand two hundred fifty and four. [8] The children of Zattu, nine hundred forty and five. [9] The children of Zaccai, seven hundred and threescore. [10] The children of Bani, six hundred forty and two. [11] The children of Bebai, six hundred twenty and three. [12] The children of Azgad, a thousand two hundred twenty and two. [13] The children of Adonikam, six hundred sixty and six. [14] The children of Bigvai, two thousand fifty and six. [15] The children of Adin, four hundred fifty and four. [16] The children of Ater of Hezekiah, ninety and eight. [17] The children of Bezai, three hundred twenty and three. [18] The children of Jorah, an hundred and twelve. [19] The children of Hashum, two hundred twenty and three. [20] The children of Gibbar, ninety and five.
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2. By Cities (Ezra 2:21-35 [21] The children of Bethlehem, an hundred twenty and three. [22] The men of Netophah, fifty and six. [23] The men of Anathoth, an hundred twenty and eight. [24] The children of Azmaveth, forty and two. [25] The children of Kirjatharim, Chephirah, and Beeroth, seven hundred and forty and three. [26] The children of Ramah and Gaba, six hundred twenty and one. [27] The men of Michmas, an hundred twenty and two. [28] The men of Bethel and Ai, two hundred twenty and three. [29] The children of Nebo, fifty and two. [30] The children of Magbish, an hundred fifty and six. [31] The children of the other Elam, a thousand two hundred fifty and four. [32] The children of Harim, three hundred and twenty. [33] The children of Lod, Hadid, and Ono, seven hundred twenty and five. [34] The children of Jericho, three hundred forty and five. [35] The children of Senaah, three thousand and six hundred and thirty.
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6. THE ACCOUNT OF THOSE IN CHARGE OF WORSHIP (Ezra 2:36-42 [36] The priests: the children of Jedaiah, of the house of Jeshua, nine hundred seventy and three. [37] The children of Immer, a thousand fifty and two. [38] The children of Pashur, a thousand two hundred forty and seven. [39] The children of Harim, a thousand and seventeen. [40] The Levites: the children of Jeshua and Kadmiel, of the children of Hodaviah, seventy and four. [41] The singers: the children of Asaph, an hundred twenty and eight. [42] The children of the porters: the children of Shallum, the children of Ater, the children of Talmon, the children of Akkub, the children of Hatita, the children of Shobai, in all an hundred thirty and nine.
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1. The Priests (Ezra 2:36-39 [36] The priests: the children of Jedaiah, of the house of Jeshua, nine hundred seventy and three. [37] The children of Immer, a thousand fifty and two. [38] The children of Pashur, a thousand two hundred forty and seven. [39] The children of Harim, a thousand and seventeen.
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1. The children of Jedaiah – 973 (Ezra 2:36The priests: the children of Jedaiah, of the house of Jeshua, nine hundred seventy and three.
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2. The children of Immer – 1,052 (Ezra 2:37The children of Immer, a thousand fifty and two.
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3. The children of Pashur – 1,247 (Ezra 2:38The children of Pashur, a thousand two hundred forty and seven.
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4. The children of Harim – 1,017 (Ezra 2:39The children of Harim, a thousand and seventeen.
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2. The Levites – 74 (Ezra 2:40The Levites: the children of Jeshua and Kadmiel, of the children of Hodaviah, seventy and four.
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3. The Singers – 128 (Ezra 2:41The singers: the children of Asaph, an hundred twenty and eight.
   See All...); Asaph (1 Chronicles 25:1-2 [1] Moreover David and the captains of the host separated to the service of the sons of Asaph, and of Heman, and of Jeduthun, who should prophesy with harps, with psalteries, and with cymbals: and the number of the workmen according to their service was: [2] Of the sons of Asaph; Zaccur, and Joseph, and Nethaniah, and Asarelah, the sons of Asaph under the hands of Asaph, which prophesied according to the order of the king.
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4. The Porters – 139 (Ezra 2:42The children of the porters: the children of Shallum, the children of Ater, the children of Talmon, the children of Akkub, the children of Hatita, the children of Shobai, in all an hundred thirty and nine.
   See All...; 1 Chronicles 26:1Concerning the divisions of the porters: Of the Korhites was Meshelemiah the son of Kore, of the sons of Asaph.
   See All...; Psalm 84:10For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.
   See All...); a doorkeeper or gatekeeper
7. THE CHILDREN OF THE SERVANTS (Ezra 2:43-58 [43] The Nethinims: the children of Ziha, the children of Hasupha, the children of Tabbaoth, [44] The children of Keros, the children of Siaha, the children of Padon, [45] The children of Lebanah, the children of Hagabah, the children of Akkub, [46] The children of Hagab, the children of Shalmai, the children of Hanan, [47] The children of Giddel, the children of Gahar, the children of Reaiah, [48] The children of Rezin, the children of Nekoda, the children of Gazzam, [49] The children of Uzza, the children of Paseah, the children of Besai, [50] The children of Asnah, the children of Mehunim, the children of Nephusim, [51] The children of Bakbuk, the children of Hakupha, the children of Harhur, [52] The children of Bazluth, the children of Mehida, the children of Harsha, [53] The children of Barkos, the children of Sisera, the children of Thamah, [54] The children of Neziah, the children of Hatipha. [55] The children of Solomon's servants: the children of Sotai, the children of Sophereth, the children of Peruda, [56] The children of Jaalah, the children of Darkon, the children of Giddel, [57] The children of Shephatiah, the children of Hattil, the children of Pochereth of Zebaim, the children of Ami. [58] All the Nethinims, and the children of Solomon's servants, were three hundred ninety and two.
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1. The Nethinims (Ezra 2:43-54 [43] The Nethinims: the children of Ziha, the children of Hasupha, the children of Tabbaoth, [44] The children of Keros, the children of Siaha, the children of Padon, [45] The children of Lebanah, the children of Hagabah, the children of Akkub, [46] The children of Hagab, the children of Shalmai, the children of Hanan, [47] The children of Giddel, the children of Gahar, the children of Reaiah, [48] The children of Rezin, the children of Nekoda, the children of Gazzam, [49] The children of Uzza, the children of Paseah, the children of Besai, [50] The children of Asnah, the children of Mehunim, the children of Nephusim, [51] The children of Bakbuk, the children of Hakupha, the children of Harhur, [52] The children of Bazluth, the children of Mehida, the children of Harsha, [53] The children of Barkos, the children of Sisera, the children of Thamah, [54] The children of Neziah, the children of Hatipha.
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1. Those set apart to do the menial work of the sanctuary (Ezra 7:24Also we certify you, that touching any of the priests and Levites, singers, porters, Nethinims, or ministers of this house of God, it shall not be lawful to impose toll, tribute, or custom, upon them.
   See All...; 1 Chronicles 9:2Now the first inhabitants that dwelt in their possessions in their cities were, the Israelites, the priests, Levites, and the Nethinims.
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2. Originated with the Gibeonites (Joshua 9:22-27 [22] And Joshua called for them, and he spake unto them, saying, Wherefore have ye beguiled us, saying, We are very far from you; when ye dwell among us? [23] Now therefore ye are cursed, and there shall none of you be freed from being bondmen, and hewers of wood and drawers of water for the house of my God. [24] And they answered Joshua, and said, Because it was certainly told thy servants, how that the LORD thy God commanded his servant Moses to give you all the land, and to destroy all the inhabitants of the land from before you, therefore we were sore afraid of our lives because of you, and have done this thing. [25] And now, behold, we are in thine hand: as it seemeth good and right unto thee to do unto us, do. [26] And so did he unto them, and delivered them out of the hand of the children of Israel, that they slew them not. [27] And Joshua made them that day hewers of wood and drawers of water for the congregation, and for the altar of the LORD, even unto this day, in the place which he should choose.
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2. Solomon’s Servants (Ezra 2:55-58 [55] The children of Solomon's servants: the children of Sotai, the children of Sophereth, the children of Peruda, [56] The children of Jaalah, the children of Darkon, the children of Giddel, [57] The children of Shephatiah, the children of Hattil, the children of Pochereth of Zebaim, the children of Ami. [58] All the Nethinims, and the children of Solomon's servants, were three hundred ninety and two.
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3. Total – 392 (Ezra 2:58All the Nethinims, and the children of Solomon's servants, were three hundred ninety and two.
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8. THOSE WITH INCOMPLETE GENEALOGIES (Ezra 2:59-63 [59] And these were they which went up from Telmelah, Telharsa, Cherub, Addan, and Immer: but they could not shew their father's house, and their seed, whether they were of Israel: [60] The children of Delaiah, the children of Tobiah, the children of Nekoda, six hundred fifty and two. [61] And of the children of the priests: the children of Habaiah, the children of Koz, the children of Barzillai; which took a wife of the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite, and was called after their name: [62] These sought their register among those that were reckoned by genealogy, but they were not found: therefore were they, as polluted, put from the priesthood. [63] And the Tirshatha said unto them, that they should not eat of the most holy things, till there stood up a priest with Urim and with Thummim.
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1. From the Common People (Ezra 2:59-60 [59] And these were they which went up from Telmelah, Telharsa, Cherub, Addan, and Immer: but they could not shew their father's house, and their seed, whether they were of Israel: [60] The children of Delaiah, the children of Tobiah, the children of Nekoda, six hundred fifty and two.
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1. Their distinction (Ezra 2:59-60 [59] And these were they which went up from Telmelah, Telharsa, Cherub, Addan, and Immer: but they could not shew their father's house, and their seed, whether they were of Israel: [60] The children of Delaiah, the children of Tobiah, the children of Nekoda, six hundred fifty and two.
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1. By cities (Ezra 2:59And these were they which went up from Telmelah, Telharsa, Cherub, Addan, and Immer: but they could not shew their father's house, and their seed, whether they were of Israel:
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2. By families (Ezra 2:60The children of Delaiah, the children of Tobiah, the children of Nekoda, six hundred fifty and two.
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2. Their problem – they could not shew their father’s house (Ezra 2:59And these were they which went up from Telmelah, Telharsa, Cherub, Addan, and Immer: but they could not shew their father's house, and their seed, whether they were of Israel:
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3. Their number – 652 (Ezra 2:60The children of Delaiah, the children of Tobiah, the children of Nekoda, six hundred fifty and two.
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2. Children of the Priests (Ezra 2:61-63 [61] And of the children of the priests: the children of Habaiah, the children of Koz, the children of Barzillai; which took a wife of the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite, and was called after their name: [62] These sought their register among those that were reckoned by genealogy, but they were not found: therefore were they, as polluted, put from the priesthood. [63] And the Tirshatha said unto them, that they should not eat of the most holy things, till there stood up a priest with Urim and with Thummim.
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1. They were not found in the genealogy (Ezra 2:62These sought their register among those that were reckoned by genealogy, but they were not found: therefore were they, as polluted, put from the priesthood.
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2. Therefore, they were polluted and could not fulfill the priesthood (Ezra 2:62These sought their register among those that were reckoned by genealogy, but they were not found: therefore were they, as polluted, put from the priesthood.
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3. The decision of the Tirshatha (Ezra 2:63And the Tirshatha said unto them, that they should not eat of the most holy things, till there stood up a priest with Urim and with Thummim.
   See All...); Note: Tirshatha is the governor.
1. They should not eat of the most holy things.
2. They must wait for the Urim and Thummim (Exodus 28:30And thou shalt put in the breastplate of judgment the Urim and the Thummim; and they shall be upon Aaron's heart, when he goeth in before the LORD: and Aaron shall bear the judgment of the children of Israel upon his heart before the LORD continually.
   See All...; Numbers 27:21And he shall stand before Eleazar the priest, who shall ask counsel for him after the judgment of Urim before the LORD: at his word shall they go out, and at his word they shall come in, both he, and all the children of Israel with him, even all the congregation.
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9. THE RESULTS OF THE NUMBERING (Ezra 2:64-70 [64] The whole congregation together was forty and two thousand three hundred and threescore, [65] Beside their servants and their maids, of whom there were seven thousand three hundred thirty and seven: and there were among them two hundred singing men and singing women. [66] Their horses were seven hundred thirty and six; their mules, two hundred forty and five; [67] Their camels, four hundred thirty and five; their asses, six thousand seven hundred and twenty. [68] And some of the chief of the fathers, when they came to the house of the LORD which is at Jerusalem, offered freely for the house of God to set it up in his place: [69] They gave after their ability unto the treasure of the work threescore and one thousand drams of gold, and five thousand pound of silver, and one hundred priests' garments. [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.
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1. The Congregation – 42,360 (Ezra 2:64The whole congregation together was forty and two thousand three hundred and threescore,
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2. The Servants – 7,337 (Ezra 2:65Beside their servants and their maids, of whom there were seven thousand three hundred thirty and seven: and there were among them two hundred singing men and singing women.
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3. The Singers – 200 (Ezra 2:65Beside their servants and their maids, of whom there were seven thousand three hundred thirty and seven: and there were among them two hundred singing men and singing women.
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4. The Animals (Ezra 2:66-67 [66] Their horses were seven hundred thirty and six; their mules, two hundred forty and five; [67] Their camels, four hundred thirty and five; their asses, six thousand seven hundred and twenty.
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5. The Offering (Ezra 2:68-70 [68] And some of the chief of the fathers, when they came to the house of the LORD which is at Jerusalem, offered freely for the house of God to set it up in his place: [69] They gave after their ability unto the treasure of the work threescore and one thousand drams of gold, and five thousand pound of silver, and one hundred priests' garments. [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.
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CONCLUSION: For decades, all most of these Jews had known was the metropolis of Babylon. Now, they left their comfort and the security of what they had known in order to return to a ruined land and restore the kingdom of Israel. They put forth the effort to start all over again. We need people with that same kind of spirit today.