FocusThe law and a new arrival
Connection to the wholeThis opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. Ezra's appointment and journey bring a further group to Jerusalem and prepare his work among the people.
interpretation Ezra 8:1
KJVThese are now the chief of their fathers, and this is the genealogy of them that went up with me from Babylon, in the reign of Artaxerxes the king.
Read it in context
The Exiles Who Returned with Ezra
Start reading at Ezra 8:1 (Ezra 8:1 to Ezra 8:14).
An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
This opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. Ezra's appointment and journey bring a further group to Jerusalem and prepare his work among the people.
- 8:1 These are now the chief of their fathers, and this is the genealogy of them that went up with me from Babylon, in the reign of Artaxerxes the king.
- 8:2 Of the sons of Phinehas; Gershom: of the sons of Ithamar; Daniel: of the sons of David; Hattush.
- 8:3 Of the sons of Shechaniah, of the sons of Pharosh; Zechariah: and with him were reckoned by genealogy of the males an hundred and fifty.
- 8:4 Of the sons of Pahathmoab; Elihoenai the son of Zerahiah, and with him two hundred males.
- 8:5 Of the sons of Shechaniah; the son of Jahaziel, and with him three hundred males.
- 8:6 Of the sons also of Adin; Ebed the son of Jonathan, and with him fifty males.
- 8:7 And of the sons of Elam; Jeshaiah the son of Athaliah, and with him seventy males.
- 8:8 And of the sons of Shephatiah; Zebadiah the son of Michael, and with him fourscore males.
- 8:9 Of the sons of Joab; Obadiah the son of Jehiel, and with him two hundred and eighteen males.
- 8:10 And of the sons of Shelomith; the son of Josiphiah, and with him an hundred and threescore males.
- 8:11 And of the sons of Bebai; Zechariah the son of Bebai, and with him twenty and eight males.
- 8:12 And of the sons of Azgad; Johanan the son of Hakkatan, and with him an hundred and ten males.
- 8:13 And of the last sons of Adonikam, whose names are these, Eliphelet, Jeiel, and Shemaiah, and with them threescore males.
- 8:14 Of the sons also of Bigvai; Uthai, and Zabbud, and with them seventy males.
Who
- Who wrote the book? Ezra the priest and scribe supplies first-person material and is the traditional principal author. The complete book also incorporates earlier documents and third-person narrative. Biblical references: Ezra 7:6; Ezra 7:27; Ezra 8:1. Historical source: Babylonian Talmud, Bava Batra 14b–15a (record of Jewish attribution, not contemporary proof). traditionally held
- Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (Ezra 7:1–8:36): Ezra receives authorization from Artaxerxes and leads a company of returning exiles to Jerusalem, with appointed priests and Levites. stated in the text
- Who was the book written to? The Jewish community restored from exile, including those rebuilding its worship and ordering its life by the law. Biblical references: Ezra 1:3; Ezra 7:10; Ezra 10:1. book background
What
- What is the topic of this reading unit? The Exiles Who Returned with Ezra. Read Ezra 8:1 through Ezra 8:14 as a connected unit. interpretation
- How does it contribute to the book? This opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. Ezra's appointment and journey bring a further group to Jerusalem and prepare his work among the people. interpretation
When
- When are the events or message set? The account is set after exile under Persian rule and distinguishes the returns and activities associated with different kings. book background
Where
- What is the book’s geographic setting? The narrative moves from Persian-controlled exile to Jerusalem, with the temple and returning community at its center. book background
- Where does the context start? This passage sits in The Exiles Who Returned with Ezra (Ezra 8:1 to Ezra 8:14). Start reading at Ezra 8:1. An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
How
- How does this book connect with Jesus Christ? The restored temple belongs to the history leading into the world of the Gospels. A broader connection to Christ concerns worship and restoration, not an assertion that each returnee or building detail is a direct prediction. See Ezra 6:16, Luke 2:27, John 2:19, John 2:21. interpretation
- How should this book guide our response? Join renewed worship with attention to conduct and communal responsibility. Apply the account's marriage-related actions with awareness of the particular covenant problem being addressed. interpretation
Cited: Ezra 8:1, Ezra 8:14, Ezra 6:16, Luke 2:27, John 2:19, John 2:21
Who wrote it, and how we know
Related passages
- the chief Ezra 1:5 1 Chr 9:34 1 Chr 24:31 1 Chr 26:32 2 Chr 26:12 Neh 7:70-71
- genealogy Ezra 2:62 1 Chr 4:33 1 Chr 9:1
- them that went up Ezra 7:7,13
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Macro-Structure of Ezra 8
Ezra concerns the return from exile, the rebuilding of the temple, and Ezra's later work. The narrative distinguishes successive Persian reigns; modern calendar dates are historical reconstructions, not dates printed in the verses. Local headings and stanza divisions are editorial reading aids adapted from public-domain BSB headings; verse boundaries and Scripture links use the KJV. Connections describe the surrounding book movement.
Ezra Sends for the Levites
Ezra 8:15–20FocusThe law and a new arrival
Connection to the wholeEzra's appointment and journey bring a further group to Jerusalem and prepare his work among the people.
interpretation Fasting for Protection
Ezra 8:21–23FocusThe law and a new arrival
Connection to the wholeEzra's appointment and journey bring a further group to Jerusalem and prepare his work among the people.
interpretation Priests to Guard the Offerings
Ezra 8:24–31FocusThe law and a new arrival
Connection to the wholeEzra's appointment and journey bring a further group to Jerusalem and prepare his work among the people.
interpretation Arrival in Jerusalem
Ezra 8:32–36FocusThe law and a new arrival
Connection to the wholeThis unit closes the chapter’s selected reading divisions. Ezra's appointment and journey bring a further group to Jerusalem and prepare his work among the people.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Macro-Structure of Ezra
Ezra concerns the return from exile, the rebuilding of the temple, and Ezra's later work. The narrative distinguishes successive Persian reigns; modern calendar dates are historical reconstructions, not dates printed in the verses.
The return authorized
Ezra 1:1–2:70FocusCyrus' decree and the returning people
Connection to the wholeThe decree and list of returnees establish the community undertaking the restoration.
interpretation The temple rebuilt
Ezra 3:1–6:22FocusWorship, opposition, and completion
Connection to the wholeThe rebuilding proceeds through opposition and renewed authorization until the temple is dedicated and Passover observed.
interpretation FocusThe law and a new arrival
Connection to the wholeEzra's appointment and journey bring a further group to Jerusalem and prepare his work among the people.
interpretation The community's unfaithfulness addressed
Ezra 9:1–10:44FocusConfession and covenant responsibility
Connection to the wholeReports of intermarriage lead to Ezra's confession and communal action, which must be read within this covenant and historical setting.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.